The Joy of Financial Freedom: Inspired by European Adventures

Written by Regina Hocking, Financial Adviser & Director of Rebel Wealth Management Pty Ltd. 

My article today is a little different to the usual financial editorials.

I am feeling inspired by my recent trip to Europe. The everyday celebration of life, family, food and connection which was the overarching theme I'll no doubt hold close to my heart for years to come.  

From the cobbled streets of Italy to the sun-kissed coastal towns of Southern France, and the laid-back beer gardens of Germany, there’s a palpable celebration of life, culture, and tradition. These places pulse with joy, where locals and tourists alike embrace the moment. And while sipping espresso in a tiny Naples café or wandering through the charming alleys of Bruges, it struck me - joy and financial management are more connected than we think.

Now, you might be asking, "What does managing money have to do with living joyfully?" Isn’t joy about spontaneity, letting loose, and living in the moment? Yes, but here’s the kicker: true freedom to enjoy life fully, to revel in those spontaneous moments, requires the security and peace of mind that only comes with financial stability.

Is the Secret Sauce Community?

While traveling through Europe, I saw more than just picturesque landscapes and delicious cuisine. I saw thriving communities built on tradition, trust, cooperation, and an understanding of value -both financial and personal. 

In Albisola Superiore, a charming coastal town in northern Italy, the local patisserie, fishmonger, and restaurant owners work hand in hand to craft meals that were more than just food, they were a celebration of life. It was a pure delight to witness and, even better, to enjoy personal meals with them. The main streets lined with tables full of older Italian men chatting, with their coffees & cigarettes, watching the world go by and connecting over what I can only imagine is the daily "going on" of the town. The medieval village of Ellera, Italy has origins dating back to the 10th century. The 500 residents hosted a village festival I was lucky enough to attend. It was a wholesome celebration of the village people, their crafts, their foods and their traditions. They are very proud to welcome visitors to experience a little part of their world. The experience was just like a big hug from your Nanna - it was hard not to be consumed with joy.

But the magic didn’t stop there. 

In a small farming village in Germany, I witnessed something beautiful. Families came together to help with wedding preparations everyone pitched in to adorn the lovebirds, contributing decorations, food, and their time. It wasn’t just a celebration of two people; it was a celebration of community. The shared effort made the occasion feel deeply personal, and it was a reminder that life’s greatest joys often come from the simple act of helping each other. This sense of connection is one of the key ingredients to financial happiness. By understanding how to manage resources effectively, whether that’s money or the produce growing in your backyard, people had more to share and more time to enjoy the things that really mattered. 

Financial literacy here wasn’t just a matter of budgets and balance sheets, it was woven into the fabric of everyday life.

Can We Live a Better Way?

In times of high inflation and rising costs of living, these lessons feel more important than ever. The European communities I visited showed me how powerful it is to share resources, time, and joy. I feel that maybe this is something we don't do as well here? Can we create a world where we help more, share more, and in doing so, not only feel more connected but also save time and money? 

Generally, in Australia we live further apart, commute more, work more and are more isolated (or is it we are more naturally independent?) and possibly less connected because of this.  I am still pondering the mechanics of our Aussie way of life and why it seems not as integrated as I witnessed in Italy and Germany. Possibly the large geographical space we are lucky to live in? 

One of my favourite memories of Italy is the women hanging out their kitchen windows of their apartments, whether they were hanging out washing, saying hello to the neighbour, yelling out for their husband to come back home or simply watering their plants. Generally, unless you live in a large city, we don't live this close to each other. 

Don't get me wrong, our way of life here is beautiful in its own right, generally we are laid back, have beautiful weather (well we do in Central Queensland) and we have many opportunities and gorgeous landscapes to explore. 

There was a sense of connection and celebration everywhere I travelled in Europe. I felt the strong history and tradition built into the everyday relationships in the community and how proud the people were of where they lived. From a shoppe keep running out to help a distraught me the first time I had to lug my 20kg suitcase up six flights of stairs in Naples, to the woman who thanked me for entertaining her children for five minutes whilst her baby fussed at a coffee bar. To my gorgeous European friends ensuring I was well fed, watered and hosted, whilst they became my personal tour guides, and I became a part of their family and friends. 

How delicious to experience such warmth and welcome and experience the vibrancy of hundreds of year old traditions.

Financial Stability as the Foundation

Of course, none of this can happen without a solid financial foundation. When we manage our money well, we can afford to slow down, focus on what really matters, and build the kind of life that gives us joy and freedom. It’s not always about having more, it’s about making the most of what we already have, sharing it, and multiplying the good that flows from it.

I couldn't help but ponder these sentiments: financial literacy helps us plan, but community and collaboration make the plan come to life. 

By working together, we can create a life that’s not only financially sound but also rich in experiences, connection, and meaning.

It is no coincidence that connection, education and empowerment are part of the Rebel Wealth Management philosophy. 

These are extremely important values to me, and I am humbled to be building and connecting with a community of clients, professional contacts and service providers but also using our pooled resources to help those in our community that may not be in a position to help themselves. 

Regina Hocking
Director | Financial Adviser FChFP, GradDipFinPlan

Rebel Wealth Management Pty Ltd
Authorised Representative 001234469