What 100 Pairs of Shoes Can Teach You About Financial Planning

David Haseldine
2 days ago
2 min read

This pair of Jordan 1 1985's were recently advertised on eBay for US $49,999

Let me say this upfront: I’m not suggesting you dump your super fund and start hoarding limited-edition sneakers. But in a world full of TikTok wealth hacks, crypto booms, and NFT busts, I think it’s worth highlighting a surprising truth:

Yes, sometimes a carefully curated sneaker collection can outperform your super fund. But that’s not the point. In fact, it’s precisely why proper financial planning matters.

👟 The Allure of “Alternative Assets”

Let’s imagine you’re an insider in the fashion or streetwear world. You’ve got deep knowledge of rare releases, perfect storage conditions, and a strong resale network. You invest $30,000 into 100 pairs of limited-edition sneakers—some of which appreciate 200–300% in value over a few years.

Under very specific conditions, that investment might outperform a traditional portfolio.

But let’s be clear: that’s not a plan. That’s a bet.

And a financial plan shouldn't be built on bets, no matter how exciting or compelling they seem.

🏛️ What Superannuation Actually Offers

Your super might never deliver triple-digit returns in a few short years—but it was never designed to. It’s built for sustainability, predictability, and compounding over decades.

Assuming a conservative 7% return, a super balance of $150,000 in your 40s could double every 10 years. That kind of slow and steady growth is what underpins financial security not just potential wealth, but predictable outcomes.

💬 So Why Talk About Sneakers?

Because stories like this serve as a useful reminder: There will always be assets that outperform the market if you have specialist insight, the right access, and a little luck. But that’s not what financial planning is about.

My role isn’t to promise you the impossible. It’s to help you build a strategy that supports the life you want without having to gamble on exotic markets, insider knowledge, or staying one step ahead of trends.

✅ The Role of a Financial Planner

Think of financial planning as the exact opposite of sneaker flipping:

It’s not based on hype.
It doesn’t depend on scarcity.
And it doesn’t unravel when a trend dies off.

Planning is about building something real, structured, and achievable. It’s about making sure the foundations are in place so if you want to dabble in alt assets or take a few risks, you’re doing so from a position of strength, not desperation.

👣 Final Thought

Yes, in theory, a closet full of rare shoes could outperform your super. But you can’t retire on theory. You retire on certainty, structure, and a clear plan.

And that’s exactly what I help people build.