Why Financial Planning Matters — and What’s at Stake In an era of rising living costs, volatile markets, and high interest rates, sound financial planning is not a luxury — it is essential to control your money. Without a thoughtful plan, individuals can lose control of their money, gradually slipping into debt traps or insolvency.…
Retirement planning is about more than saving enough; one of the critical variables is how long your savings will need to last. In Australia, as elsewhere, increasing life expectancy means retirees are living longer than past generations, which has major implications for retirement savings, withdrawal strategies, and financial risk management. Below I explain what life…
The dream of borrowing in your SMSF superannuation to acquire property is a powerful motivator for many Australians. Since legislative changes in 2007, Self-Managed Superannuation Funds (SMSFs) have been permitted to borrow funds to acquire certain assets, most commonly property, through a highly specific and regulated structure known as a Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangement (LRBA).…
The monthly income of Australians is facing sustained pressures: higher housing costs, inflation (especially for food, fuel, and utilities), rising interest rates, and variable wage growth. Several recent studies and statistics shed light on how these pressures are reshaping household spending patterns, savings, debt, and the allocation of discretionary versus essential expenditures. Below are the…
As the last child leaves home, a profound shift occurs in the lives of Australian parents. The "empty nest" phase, often viewed as an emotional milestone, is equally a significant financial inflection point that warrants financial planning consideration. With reduced household expenses, newfound freedom, and a clearer view of retirement on the horizon, this period…
As a financial advisor in Australia, one of the most critical conversations I have with clients revolves around protecting their most valuable asset: their ability to earn an income. While many Australians understand the need for home and car insurance, the concept of insuring one's future earning capacity against a catastrophic event is often overlooked.…
Get Ahead Financially means starting to plan your finances early — in your 20s or 30s rather than waiting until mid-life — is more than “nice to have”: it can meaningfully change your retirement lifestyle, reduce stress, and avoid mistakes that accumulate high costs. The earlier you act, the more years of compound returns you…
Families in Australia today face complex financial decisions. Rising living costs, shifting tax rules, volatile housing markets, and uncertain superannuation returns all mean that a clear financial plan is no longer optional—it is essential. A well-developed family financial plan helps align priorities, safeguard against unexpected shocks, and build wealth with discipline. This article explores why…
“Downsizing Before Retirement” generally refers to selling your current primary residence (often a large family home) and moving into something smaller, easier to manage, less expensive to run, or better located for retirement needs. This could be: Moving from a full house to a smaller home, townhouse or apartment Moving to a retirement village or…
Superannuation is central to Australia’s retirement system. With more than $3.9 trillion in assets under management as of March 2025, superannuation funds play a critical role in providing financial security for millions of Australians. But while the system has grown into one of the largest retirement savings pools in the world, many Australians are losing…
