Written

For

The

Australian

-

Rich

investors

use

these

money

tips

to

build

wealth,

leading

financial

adviser

reveals

Ever driven past the mansions of Toorak or Vaucluse and wondered how on earth people afford them? After more than two decades advising clients, I can tell you it's not always inherited money. Plenty of my wealthiest clients started with nothing — but they behave in remarkably similar ways.

First up, they're prickly. Before hiring me, they grill me on everything: what I invest in personally, how much wealth I have, why they should pick me, what happens if I get hit by a bus, how many clients have left and why. It's an interrogation. But pass the test, and they become the most loyal advocates you'll ever meet.

They also build a proper team — banker, accountant, lawyer, adviser — and they don't outsource their brain. They analyse every number in the background, and if something's off, expect a blunt conversation.

NAB's Gemma Dale nailed it when she said the financial elite only invest in what they truly understand. They read company reports, attend AGMs, ask tough questions, and never rely on a single expert. Warren Buffett's rule — never invest in something you can't understand — is gospel to them.

Avant Law's Justin Fung describes his wealthy clients as chess players, forecasting five moves ahead. They want best case, worst case and most likely scenarios, with real numbers attached. Legal problems rarely stay small, and they know it.

One of my own clients on the path to serious wealth told me it can be lonely at the top. You're the average of the five people you spend the most time with, he says, so choose carefully. And train yourself to see opportunities — because if you don't spot them, someone else will.

Here's the twist though: the truly rich rarely look it. No flashy watches or designer labels. Because as Biggie put it — mo money, mo problems. Standing out just invites everyone to want a piece of what you've built.