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…
Financial stability doesn’t happen by accident. For Australians, building a strong financial foundation is one of the most reliable ways to reduce stress, prepare for life’s unexpected events, and work toward long-term goals such as home ownership, education, or retirement. The techniques that form this foundation—budgeting, cash flow management, emergency savings, and income growth—are simple…
We provide a full range of financial planning services to our Perth clients, but one of the first questions we ask if you plan to build wealth, is about your level of debt. At Approved Financial Planners, the road to effective financial planning begins with taking charge of your debt and monthly expenses. We can…
Investing in real estate often feels simultaneously attractive (tangible asset, potential for rent and capital gains) and scary (big sums, risk, uncertainty). For new Property Investors in Australia, the fears are real, backed by data. Below, I discuss the main concerns, evidence for them, and how to reduce their impact through good planning and professional…
Financial planning is often seen mainly as numbers, spreadsheets, superannuation, investments, maybe tax or estate matters. But there is growing evidence—both in Australia and internationally—that a structured, intentional financial planning process brings psychological benefits: less stress, more life satisfaction, better resilience. One foundational work is Kym A. Irving’s “The Financial Life Well-Lived: Psychological Benefits of…
Many people assume that having a will is sufficient estate planning. But in Australia, a will is only one part of a broader, more complex set of decisions. Not fully planning can lead to legal uncertainty, family conflict, tax inefficiencies, loss of asset value, and an emotional burden on loved ones. Below are key reasons…
Splitting Superannuation (also called contribution splitting) is a strategy that allows one spouse (or de facto partner) to transfer (in effect) part of the super contributions (before-tax/concessional contributions) made in a financial year into the other spouse’s super account. The key idea is not splitting the current super balance, but splitting certain contributions made in…
In today’s uncertain global economy, knowing exactly what you want from your investments has never been more important. The financial environment is evolving quickly. Shifts in global power such as the rise of BRICS, the growing influence of cryptocurrencies, the strong performance of gold and silver, and renewed interest in mining stocks all add layers…
