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Forget expensive creams, doing push-ups, or pretending you like kale. The real anti-aging secret might be digging out your carry-on bag.
Travel, it turns out, is basically a spa treatment for your brain, your body, and your soul, except, instead of coconut water, you get the thrill of new adventures and stories you will retell forever. Here’s why hopping on a plane, bus, train or cruise ship might be one of the most effective ways to feel younger.
New places flex your synapses
When you travel, your brain has to wake up.
New streets, new languages, new customs, new ways to say “hello” without accidentally insulting someone. Your brain is suddenly doing gymnastics instead of scrolling on autopilot. Learning and adapting keeps your mind flexible, curious, and sharp, which is basically the opposite of aging.
Think of it this way: every time you figure out a subway map in a new city, your brain whispers, “Okay, fine, I still got it.”
Moving without calling it exercise
At home, exercise feels like a chore. On vacation, walking 15,000 steps feels like exploring.
You climb stairs to viewpoints or lookouts, wander through neighbourhoods and chase sunsets without realising you have been active all day. Movement keeps joints happy, muscles awake, and your body feeling more alive, all without the emotional damage of looking at a mirror in a gym.
Anti-aging win, zero burpees required.
Stress packs its bags
The stress of our daily life has a way of settling into your shoulders like it pays rent. Travel shakes things loose.
When your biggest problem becomes “Which pastry should I try next?” your nervous system finally gets a break. Lower stress levels are linked to better sleep, better mood, and yes, slower aging.
Even when travel is chaotic it is a different kind of stress, one that often turns into laughter later. And laughter, as science and most of us will agree, is excellent medicine.
You remember who you are
Somewhere between schedules and responsibilities, adulthood has a way of making people forget their playful side. Travel brings it back.
You become the person who tries unfamiliar food, talks to strangers, gets lost, and becomes more spontaneous, more often. That sense of wonder, of being present and curious, is deeply connected to feeling young.
Wrinkles happen. Wonder does not have to disappear.
Time slows down
At home, weeks blur together. When you travel, a single day can feel enormous.
New experiences stretch time, making life feel fuller and richer. And feeling like life is full, not rushed, not repetitive, is one of the most underrated anti-aging benefits there is.
You are not adding years to your life. You are adding life to your years. Yes, it is cheesy, but it is also true.
Collect stories, not just souvenirs
Travel gives you stories that live longer than any face cream ever will.
Years later, you might forget emails and deadlines, but you will remember that tiny café, that wrong turn, the people you met by chance, and that moment you realised you were braver than you thought. Those memories keep you mentally young because they remind you that you are still growing, still learning, still becoming.
Aging is inevitable. Becoming boring is optional.
Final boarding call
Travel will not stop time, but it can remind you how to use it well. It wakes you up, loosens you up, and nudges you back into the world when life starts feeling a little too small or predictable.
So, consider this your friendly push. Book the trip you keep postponing. Take the long weekend even if the timing is not perfect. Go somewhere you have never been or return to a place that once made you feel wide awake and alive. Walk unfamiliar streets. Eat the pastry. Miss the train and laugh about it later.
You do not need a grand adventure or a faraway destination. You just need movement, curiosity, and the willingness to step outside your routine. Because the more you go out into the world, the more alive you tend to feel. And feeling alive is one of the best anti-aging strategies there is.
A volatile geopolitical landscape, rapid technological shifts and evolving energy systems are helping to reshape investment returns.
As we settle into 2026, the challenge for investors is in understanding and taking advantage of (or avoiding, if necessary) these global trends.
The artificial intelligence boom has taken much of the oxygen in the market. The tech giants have committed massive infrastructure spending with global data centre investments reaching a record $61 billion in 2025, cementing the evolution from a speculative investment.i
These titanic financing needs are reshaping how capital is deployed, according to S&P Global 451 Research. More than $900 billion is needed for data centre investment over the next four years.ii
Some analysts warn of an AI bubble, noting that several of the Magnificent Seven stocks – the most influential companies in the US market – underperformed the S&P 500 in 2025. Others argue the boom has longer to run, citing historical cycles since 1920.iii
Nonetheless, investment opportunities are beginning to broaden into software and services as the sector matures.
These investments have become a dominant contributor to growth in the United States, accounting for 80 per cent of private domestic demand growth in the first half of 2025. While the US and China are leading the data centre charge, commanding more than 60 per cent of global capacity, players across Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific are racing to establish their own digital sovereignty.iv
Australia ranks at the lower end of advanced economies in rates of adoption and trust in AI, according to a Reserve Bank report.v
Yet, Australian research and development investment in AI is experiencing significant growth. AI-related patents, while still low by world standards, almost quadrupled in the last decade, according to a National Artificial Intelligence Centre report.vi
The energy transition
The global energy mix is undergoing a significant shift with accelerating investment in electric transport, renewables and grids, driven by massive growth in demand and improved supply chains.
Capital flows to the energy sector rose to more than USD3 trillion last year and are forecast to hit USD3.3 trillion this year, partly fuelled by the dramatic cost reductions in solar power and battery storage.vii
This surge in spending creates investment opportunities directly in equities focused on the energy value chain. Infrastructure funds and private equity are also targeting renewable generation and storage assets for long-term, inflation-linked returns.
Navigating wars and tariffs
The markets are digesting a fragmented global economy pushed and pulled by ongoing conflicts and the shifting US tariff policy that are affecting supply chains, inflation and risk.
The risks to financial stability are also caused by stretched asset valuations, sovereign bond market pressures and the rising influence of non-bank financial institutions, the International Monetary Fund warns.viii
As a result, ‘safe havens’ have become a feature of many portfolios. Investors looking for protection from currency instability have headed to gold, pushing its price ever higher. Meanwhile, institutional investors have made defence stocks a cornerstone of their portfolios as many nations increase defence spending.
Beyond traditional assets
As traditional stock and bond correlations become less predictable, many individual investors are looking toward ‘alternatives’ in the hunt for stability . These alternatives include:
- Infrastructure – such as toll roads and utilities
- Private equity – offers a way to capture value in unlisted companies. New private equity funds are emerging to shake up the sector, allowing shorter term capital commitments.
- Private credit (or private debt) market – offers floating-rate exposure, which can be a valuable hedge if interest rates are high. In Australia, the $224 billion private debt market accounts for some 14 per cent of all corporate lending.ix
Next steps
Looking ahead, success may hinge on positioning portfolios to capture emerging opportunities across technology, energy, geopolitics and alternative assets while mitigating the risks.
Please get in touch to talk about how to navigate the new opportunities.
i Investment in data centers worldwide hit record $61bn in 2025 | The Guardian
ii Data Centers: Are The Winning Odds Less Certain I S&P Global Ratings
iii US market boom-bust cycles – where are we now?
iv Look Forward: Data Center Frontiers | S&P Global
v Technology Investment and AI: What Are Firms Telling Us | RBA
vi Australia’s AI ecosystem | Department of Industry Science and Resources
vii World Energy Investment 2025 | IEA
viii Global Financial Stability Report, October 2025 | IMF
ix Australian Private Debt Market Review 2025
Getting on top of your finances is one of the most common new year’s resolutions. But sticking to them can be hard.
If you want to get your finances unstuck, here’s five money tasks you can tick off during your summer down time, that will help set you up for success this year.
Check your credit card’s working for you
Australians owe around $33 billion on credit cards with $18 billion of that money accruing interest. At an average credit card interest rate of 18%, it’s an expensive habit.
If you pay your credit card off every month then the interest rate doesn’t matter (because you’re not being charged interest). But if you carry a debt from month to month, it’s worth comparing credit cards and choosing one that works best for you.
Also check these tips on credit card balance transfers. And try the credit card calculator to see how quickly you could pay off your debt.
Use this credit card calculator
Give your health insurance a health check
It’s a great idea to review your private health insurance periodically as your life changes, to make sure it covers the things you’re most likely to need.
With more than 30 insurers offering multiples of products though, it’s a daunting task.
Fortunately you can compare all private health insurers and policies on the Australian Government’s PrivateHealth.gov.au website. That way, you can make a shortlist of options that could be right for you.
Here are some tips on what to look for.
Review your mortgage
Home loans can be a set and forget product – but there can be an interest rate difference of more than 2% in variable home loan rates on the market. That could make a big difference to the cost.
Here are some tips on switching home loans. And use this mortgage calculator to compare different rates and see how much you might be able to save.
Find your super
There’s almost $19 billion in lost and ATO-held super, waiting for rightful owners to find it. If some of that belongs to you then it’s better off in your super account, building for your retirement!
Find out more about lost super and do a lost super search on the ATO website.
Do a written budget
Writing down goals apparently makes them more likely to happen. So having a written budget can be a good way to help you save this year.
Here are plenty of tips for saving money (from checking your utilities bills to choosing a new phone plan). And the Budget planner makes it easy work out where your money is going – and what you can afford.
Don’t hesitate to ask for help
If 2026 hasn’t started with your best foot forward, there’s help available, so don’t hesitate to ask.
Source:
Reproduced with the permission of ASIC’s MoneySmart Team. This article was originally published at https://moneysmart.gov.au/media-centre/five-money-tasks-to-start-the-new-year
Important note: This provides general information and hasn’t taken your circumstances into account. It’s important to consider your particular circumstances before deciding what’s right for you. Although the information is from sources considered reliable, we do not guarantee that it is accurate or complete. You should not rely upon it and should seek qualified advice before making any investment decision. Except where liability under any statute cannot be excluded, we do not accept any liability (whether under contract, tort or otherwise) for any resulting loss or damage of the reader or any other person. Past performance is not a reliable guide to future returns.
Important
Any information provided by the author detailed above is separate and external to our business and our Licensee. Neither our business nor our Licensee takes any responsibility for any action or any service provided by the author. Any links have been provided with permission for information purposes only and will take you to external websites, which are not connected to our company in any way. Note: Our company does not endorse and is not responsible for the accuracy of the contents/information contained within the linked site(s) accessible from this page.
When you think about building wealth, you may picture investments, property and superannuation. But there’s another critical element: insurance. It’s the silent partner in your financial strategy, quietly working behind the scenes to protect everything you’ve built.
Strategic asset allocation is the hallmark of a robust wealth plan, using diverse holdings to build long-term financial success.
Yet, defending a portfolio against unforeseen events and ensuring a smooth estate transfer is just as vital. That’s where targeted insurance solutions come in.
Far from being just a safety net, insurance can be a tool that preserves your assets and keeps your plans on track even when life delivers the unexpected.
Insurance can help to create a more resilient wealth plan, especially for those with complex estate considerations. In other words, the right cover can make all the difference between maintaining your lifestyle and facing financial hardship.
Safeguarding your family
Life is unpredictable. Illness, injury or premature death can derail even the most carefully designed financial plan.
The risk is magnified if wealth is concentrated in illiquid assets such as private business interests or large property holdings. Beneficiaries often need immediate access to cash to cover any outstanding debts, taxes that may be owing, and to manage business continuity. If funds are not available, the executor may be forced to sell the core portfolio, or business assets quickly, and potentially at a loss.
That’s where life insurance, Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) cover and trauma insurance can play an important role as a structural defence mechanism for a portfolio and an estate.
Life insurance provides a lump sum to beneficiaries after your death, allowing them to secure their future. TPD cover steps in if you suffer a permanent disability and are unable work again, providing the funds for medical care and living expenses. Trauma insurance covers serious illness such as cancer or heart disease, giving you financial breathing room during recovery.
Income protection insurance is another valuable way of providing income if illness or injury stops you from working. It pays up to 75 per cent of your income and helps you to avoid dipping into your savings or selling assets at the wrong time.i
These policies can mean peace of mind for families, helping to protect assets and ensuring that wealth transfers happen as you intended.
Protecting your business
Insurance is also a cornerstone of small business risk management strategy.
Assessing and managing risks may highlight the need for a range of insurances such as flood and fire, theft, public liability, professional indemnity and cyber liability. These covers can help to defend your business against the crippling expenses that may follow unexpected events.
Risks can also be personal.
Business partners can use life insurance policies to safeguard their interests in case one business partner dies, providing the funds to buy the partner’s share of the business from their estate. Without a policy, the surviving partner may struggle to buy out the deceased’s share, forcing a quick sale of the business at a discount. With the right cover, the transition can be smoother, preserving value for the families involved.
Meanwhile, key person cover helps to protect against the financial impact of losing a vital team member to illness or if they die. In the event of a claim, the business will receive the insurance benefit.
Car, home and contents
If your car was stolen or damaged, will your insurance cover its replacement? If your home was completely destroyed tomorrow, do you have adequate insurance to rebuild as well as buy new furniture and fittings? These are things you need to consider when taking out insurance.
Reviewing your cover
Life changes and so should your insurance. Too little cover in any area of your life could leave you exposed, too much could mean unnecessary premiums.
Regular reviews can ensure your various insurances fit with your goals and current circumstances. It’s about having the right cover at the right time.
Insurance doesn’t generate returns, but it protects the foundation of everything you’ve built. Without it, one unexpected event could unravel years of planning.
A few smart decisions now can make all the difference when life doesn’t go according to plan.
Please call us to talk about how your current cover fits with your financial strategy.
i Income protection insurance – Moneysmart.gov.au
In life, many of us are totally at ease and comfortable talking to our family and friends about many topics. However, for whatever reason, there are certain subjects that we’re either reluctant or feel uneasy to discuss openly – typically they are love and relationships, politics, religion and money … call them the “taboo topics”.
Add another taboo topic to the list. That is the topic of ageing. As we age and reach our elderly years, asking for some help to do things to make life easier can be really hard to bring up in conversation.
When families get together, there are things we just notice but we’re reluctant to say anything. We notice that Dad might be starting to forget things or Mum is having difficulty getting out of her chair and seems a bit uneasy on her feet. Any attempt to say something is usually met either in silence or the words “I’m okay, just getting older” are uttered.
And for many families that’s where things are left.
Then there’s a crisis…
Families are then drawn together when there’s been a crisis such as a fall or a hospital admission. Then discussions and decisions are usually being made under high stress and emotion in hospital hallways and carparks. This is not an optimal starting point.
Making decisions and what’s the trade-off…
Like other life decisions, when it comes to ageing decisions, some are relatively simple to make with minimal consequences, whilst others can be very difficult. When making decisions, there are usually “trade-offs” to be considered.
The impact of these trade-offs usually increases as the importance of the decision increases. Therefore, to make the best possible decision, it’s important to consider as many options as humanly possible.
So what needs to be thought about…
When it comes to ageing and getting some help there are usually many options to consider and everyone is different. For instance, when getting some help in the home, exactly what help is required and possible now and into the future, who will provide the help and at what cost? If moving into an aged care facility, what care will be required, where will the new home be, what to do with the family home, and how to pay for this are all decisions that need to be made and there are usually many options to consider.
So how do families identify these options and make appropriate decisions?
Where do you start? What questions do you ask and who to? Are the answers you get back in your best interest … or someone else’s? What needs to be done and when? What happens if there’s a problem?
How Family Aged Care Advocates fit in…
That’s where Family Aged Care Advocates step in. We provide guidance and support to help families identify the relevant options to help you make informed decisions to get the best care outcomes for the people you love and care for most. We’re independent aged care specialists only interested in the right outcomes for your family … that’s all that matters and there’s no trade-off with that.
*Reproduced with permission of Family Aged Care Advocates
*Download 10 aged care traps to avoid for your ageing parents
No specific person’s personal objectives, needs or financial situations were taken into consideration when creating the content for this article. Family Aged Care Advocates Pty Ltd (ABN 77 642 454 484) are aged care specialists. You should seek qualified financial planning, taxation and legal advice before making any decisions that are unique to your circumstances. This article was prepared in good faith and we accept no liability for any errors or omissions.
If retirement is just around the corner, the current financial climate may make you feel a little uneasy. Watching the markets fluctuate might leave you worrying about whether your superannuation will be enough to see you through.
It’s not a time for hasty moves, though.
If you are concerned a calm review of your current portfolio and investment strategy may be helpful.
After all, the average Australian spends around 20 years in retirement, so it’s important to create a retirement strategy that takes account not only the current market conditions but also the risks and opportunities in the years ahead.
As one of the most significant retirement assets, your superannuation needs a carefully considered assessment as you approach any new life stage.
Here are five useful tips to help ease you into the next chapter towards retirement.
1. Review your risk profile and portfolio allocation
Check your super portfolio’s risk profile. Generally speaking, investors take a high-growth approach when they’re younger to take advantage of higher returns, however, as with normal share market cycles, there will be fluctuations in the share market. Having a long-term strategy gives you the time to recover from any market downturns before retirement.
Older investors may prefer a more conservative investment strategy that can help to stabilise returns by potentially protecting super from share market volatility.
2. Calculate retirement expenses
Be realistic about the living expenses you’ll need when you finish working. For some, it may cost less to live in retirement because of reduced expenses such as commuting costs and maintaining a work wardrobe.
On the other hand, you may plan to travel more or buy a new vehicle or renovate your home, so these expenses need to be factored in when working out how much you’ll need.
According to the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA), the annual average budget to maintain a comfortable lifestyle in retirement is $73,077 for a couple and $51,805 for a single person.i
And to maintain a modest lifestyle, ASFA estimates a couple will need $47,470 and a single person will need $32,897. Both estimates assume you already own your own home.
You can find easy-to-use tools on the MoneySmart website to help you work out your budget and also estimate your income from super and the Age Pension.
3. Take action on mortgages and loans
Entering retirement with manageable or small levels of debt can contribute to feeling more financial stable.
If you’ll still be repaying a mortgage after you’ve retired, you could consider downsizing your home or using superannuation funds to pay down the debt, keeping in mind the tax implications and ensuring that you comply with superannuation laws. If you’re considering either of these courses of action, we’d be happy to explain your options and obligations.
4. Check your timing
Understanding when and how you can access your super is important.
You can use your super to fund your retirement when you reach “preservation age”, which is from age 60. You can also use your super to begin a transition to retirement income stream (TRIS) while continuing to work.ii
Alternatively, if you continue working beyond preservation age, you can withdraw your super once you turn 65.
There are also some circumstances in which you can access your super early such as illness and financial hardship, however, eligibility requirements do apply.iii
5. Decide how to withdraw your funds
You may be able to withdraw your super in a lump sum, if your fund allows it. This could be the entire amount you have invested, or you could receive regular payments.
If you ask your fund for regular payments (paid at least once a year), it is known as an income stream and your super account transitions from the accumulation phase – where contributions are made – to a pension.
There are minimum withdrawals that you must make once you commence an income stream from super. For example, for those aged under age 65, a minimum annual withdrawal of 4 per cent of your super balance is required and this drawdown rate increases as you get older.iv
There is a lot to think about as you approach retirement, so if you’d like to discuss your retirement income options, please give us a call.
i ASFA Retirement Standard, December 2024 – The ASFA Retirement Standard – ASFA
ii Super withdrawal options | Australian Taxation Office
iii When you can access your super early | Australian Taxation Office
iv Payments from super, April 2025 – Payments from super | Australian Taxation Office
As we tick over into a new year, many of us feel the instinctive pull for change – a desire to feel better, do better and make life feel more aligned to our values and goals. While this wave of motivation is in full force, it can quickly fade if you don’t have direction and a plan in place.
Thoughtfully planning out what it is you want to achieve and how you go about achieving it, can provide clarity and structure and ensure you stay on track.
As we look toward to the year ahead, now is the perfect time to set out a framework that supports lasting progress, not for the first few months, but throughout the whole year.
We explain how setting realistic goals can help you grow, stay motivated and create a year you can be proud of.
Reflecting on the past
Before we start to look forward, we must look back. Reflect on what you achieved in the past year – think about where you felt a sense of accomplishment as well as the areas that you may have fallen a little short and may need improvement for the year ahead.
Writing each of these down makes it easier, so you can avoid repeating the same patterns, especially for the things that didn’t go according to plan.
Next, you need to align your goals to what matters to you. What are your true values? Many goals are set based on what we think other people expect or what we think we should be doing. If you’re creating goals for these reasons, you are probably setting yourself up for failure.
Some considerations for values that are important to you could be health and well-being, career growth, family and relationships or financial stability.
Building the framework
Now, we’ve all heard about setting SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time- bound), but what about ‘systems’?
Author of Atomic Habits, James Clear, states that when we are not achieving our goals, or breaking certain habits, it may not be about the goals that are being set but the system we are using to achieve the goals.
Clear uses a framework called Four Laws of Behaviour Change, which set rules around achieving goals, or breaking bad habits. The four laws are as follows:
Law 1 – Make it obvious
Law 2 – Make it attractive
Law 3 – Make it easy
Law 4 – Make it satisfying
These laws are designed to create a simple, effective framework to keep you focused on your goals.
Implement and execute
Here are some examples of how you can use this system to create simple habits to achieve your goals.
Law 1: Make it obvious
- Design your environment so the cue for your habit is right in front of you
- Example: Put your gym clothes on the bed the night before
Law 2: Make it attractive
- Pair habits with something you enjoy
- Example: Only listen to your favourite podcast while walking
Law 3: Make it easy
- Reduce friction-make habits as convenient as possible
- Start small:
- Do 2 push-ups
- Meditate for 1 minute
LAW 4: Make it satisfying
- Reward yourself immediately after the habit
- Track habits so you feel progress
- Create a “don’t break the chain” streak
Cultivating small daily habits will keep you motivated. Fostering sustainable habits and seeing the gradual change each day will give you the dopamine hit you need to continue on your journey. When you start to feel overwhelmed, the process feels like a hard slog, and you are less likely to stick to it.
Remember, you don’t need to overhaul your life, it’s about creating small habits that are going to be more manageable to help you achieve big goals, whatever they may be.
Set yourself up for kicking goals
Setting goals for 2026 is an opportunity to shape your life intentionally rather than drifting through the year on autopilot, which we tend to do if we don’t carefully and thoughtfully plan ahead.
With reflection, clarity, systems, and flexibility, your goals can become powerful tools for transformation. Start early, stay curious, and give yourself permission to evolve along the way.
Here’s to a purposeful, aligned, and fulfilling 2026.
Australia has seen a dramatic transformation of retirement over the past 20 years, with more Australians delaying retirement than ever before, reshaping expectations for later life.
This shift matters because it marks a fundamental change in how people transition out of the workforce — with important implications for financial security in later life.
The decision to retire is no longer driven purely by personal preference or age alone. It’s increasingly shaped by policy, housing wealth, super balances and whether someone can afford to stop working.
In 2003, about 70% of women and almost half of men aged 60–64 had fully retired from the workforce. Twenty years later, those numbers have fallen to 41% and 27% respectively. For people aged 65–69, retirement rates have also dropped – from 86% to 66% among women, and from 73% to 61% among men.
These figures come from the latest annual report from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey, released recently.
The HILDA Survey has been following the same households every year since 2001, which makes it possible to examine how the lives of Australians have changed across several aspects. Funded by the Australian government and managed by the Melbourne Institute, the survey is one of Australia’s most valuable social research tools.
Here’s what the data found.
How policy changes have influenced retirement age
The survey has included a special module on retirement every four years since 2003. The latest data, from 2023, show a clear and continuing trend: people are retiring later in life.
Policy changes are a major factor behind this shift. Since 2003, the age pension eligibility age has risen from 65 to 67 through two major reforms.
First, the eligibility age was equalised for men and women at 65 by July 2013. This was followed by a gradual increase to 67 for everyone between 2017 and 2023. Other factors likely include better health, increased workforce participation among women, and broader changes in social and economic expectations around retirement.
Still, retirement at younger ages hasn’t disappeared entirely – and for some people, it’s not a choice. Health problems remain the most common reason Australians give for retiring.
In 2023, 29% of recent retirees in this survey said they left work because of their own or a loved one’s health. That number has come down from 39% in 2003, reflecting longer life expectancy and better health outcomes, but health issues remain the most cited reason for retirement.
Job-related factors – such as redundancy or pressure from an employer – are another major factor cited by recent retirees. And financial reasons, such as becoming eligible for the pension, have also become more common. The share of recent retirees citing financial reasons as their main motivation has risen from 13% in 2003 to 21% in 2023.
The super gap is narrowing, but still there
The new HILDA data also shows superannuation balances are rising, but not evenly.
In 2023, the median super balance at retirement was just under A$191,000 for women and $310,000 for men. That’s a marked improvement for women – up more than 110% in real dollars (adjusted for inflation) since 2015 – but large gender gaps remain. In 2023, the median super balance at retirement was more than 1.5 times higher for men than women.
Yet these gaps are dwarfed by another source of inequality in retirement: housing wealth. Among recent retirees, 67% owned their home outright in 2023, down from 75% in 2003. These homeowners had average total wealth – including superannuation and home equity – of around $1.66 million. By contrast, those still paying off a mortgage had lower wealth, averaging about $1.48 million.
The wealth divide in later life
But the real divide is between homeowners and renters.
In 2023, 12% of recent retirees were renting privately – double the share from 2003. These retirees had no housing wealth and far less in super. In 2023, 59% of them retired with less than $100,000 in superannuation, compared to just 26% for homeowners. The overall financial position of renters is much more precarious in retirement, with two out of three living in poverty.
This shift has profound implications for future generations.
Housing plays a central role in shaping economic wellbeing in later life. People who retire without owning a home face much higher ongoing costs and have fewer options if health or income shocks occur. Unlike homeowners, they don’t benefit from rising property values or reduced housing expenses. And they’re more exposed to rent increases and housing insecurity.
Unfortunately, the number of retirees in this position is likely to grow. Homeownership is falling among younger Australians, especially those without access to family wealth. And while super balances are improving, renters will burn through their retirement savings much faster than homeowners, just to keep a roof over their head.
Australia’s retirement system is built on the assumption of homeownership. For most homeowners, it allows for a comfortable life after work.
But for renters, the picture is increasingly uncertain. If current trends simply persist – and housing affordability doesn’t get worse – then nearly one in four retirees could be renters by 2043.
Speak to us today about the future of your retirement.
As the festive season approaches, there is a noticeable shift in the air. The days grow longer, school terms wrap up, and communities across the country begin to prepare for end-of-year celebrations in all kinds of ways.
For some, it is about unpacking boxes of decorations, preparing familiar family recipes and racing around the shops. For others, it is time to plan a beach day, host a casual BBQ, or simply enjoy a well-earned break from routine.
The festive season in Australia looks different for everyone. That’s part of what makes it so special. We live in a society full of rich cultural traditions. Some festive traditions have been passed down for generations, such as midnight Mass, lighting candles for Hanukkah, or gathering for a family meal on Christmas Day. Others have come to us through popular culture, often shaped by images of snowy winters and roaring fireplaces that don’t quite fit our sunny, southern hemisphere reality.
Think hot roast dinners in 35-degree heat, matching Christmas jumpers despite the sweat, and singing about snowmen and sleighbells.
And that’s okay. That’s part of the rich tapestry that is celebrating the festive season.
However, while tradition can be beautiful, it’s also worth asking yourself: do these traditions still bring joy to my life? Or am I doing them out of habit or obligation?
Reducing stress, reclaiming joy
The lead-up to the holidays can easily become overwhelming. This time of year often brings with it a long list of expectations about what to cook, how to decorate, where to be, and what to buy.
Trying to meet every expectation, real or imagined, can drain the joy right out of what is meant to be a time of celebration.
By letting go of pressure and embracing flexibility, we can shift the focus back to what really counts. Laughter. Connection. Rest. Reflection.
It is okay to opt out of what no longer fits. In fact, doing so often creates more space for what actually feels meaningful.
Rethinking what celebration looks like
While traditions can be a wonderful way to connect with our roots, they are not set in stone. Over time, life changes. Families grow and shift. Priorities evolve. The way we mark special moments can grow with us.
So, it is worth pausing to ask: are these traditions still adding joy to my life? Or am I continuing them out of pressure, or a sense of obligation?
Giving yourself permission to do things differently can be both freeing and fulfilling.
Making meaning in your own way
Reimagining tradition does not mean abandoning everything you love. It means choosing what feels right for you and creating space for joy, connection and rest – however that looks.
You might decide to swap the roast for prawns and salad and the pudding for a pavlova. Or ditch the mess of wrapping paper and presents in favour of shared experiences. You could even celebrate on a different day to reduce stress. Some people find joy in having a picnic in a beautiful location, taking a family beach walk at sunset, or simply spending the day unplugged from screens.
For others, creating new traditions might involve volunteering in the community or cooking dishes from their cultural heritage.
Whether your festive season is full of people or quiet moments, it only needs to reflect what matters most to you.
The season is yours to shape
There is no one way to celebrate. What is right for one person may not suit another and that is the beauty of it. The festive season does not have to look a certain way to be valid or joyful.
You might still love baking the same cake your grandmother made or singing carols in your street. Or you might find joy in starting completely new customs that reflect your values and lifestyle today. Either way, the important thing is that your celebrations feel true to you.
Small moments can become meaningful rituals too. A quiet morning coffee, a favourite song playlist, or calling someone you have not spoken to in a while are all things that can bring warmth and joy without adding stress.
Whatever this season means to you…
We hope it brings you joy.
For years, businesses have been moving away from cash – and for good reason. Digital payments are quick, traceable, and cut down on the risk of theft or counting errors. But that tap-and-go world might soon have to make room again for notes and coins.
The Government has released draft regulations that would require certain retailers to accept cash payments, ensuring Australians can still buy essential goods like groceries and fuel – even when technology fails. The change aims to stop people from being excluded when power, internet, or card systems go down, or when they simply prefer to pay in cash.
Who Will Need to Accept Cash – and Who Won’t
The new rules are targeted and, importantly, practical. They’ll apply to fuel stations and grocery retailers, including both major supermarket chains and independent operators, but only for in-person transactions under $500. That means you won’t have to accept someone paying for a $700 tyre replacement or bulk farm supplies in cash – it’s about the everyday essentials.
If your business (or franchise group) has an annual turnover of less than $10 million, you’ll be exempt. That’s good news for most small businesses such as family-run grocers, local cafés, and corner stores already managing tight margins and staffing challenges.
The regulations are expected to take effect from 1 January 2026, with a review after three years to see how the system is working in practice.
Why It’s Happening
The move comes as part of a broader push to maintain access and fairness in Australia’s payment system. The Government and industry groups have recognised that while most Australians are happy to tap their card or phone, around 10–15% still prefer to use cash – particularly older Australians and those in regional or remote areas.
There’s also a resilience angle: during bushfires, floods, or power outages, card networks can go offline. In those moments, cash becomes essential.
What This Means for Your Business
For larger retailers, this change will mean dusting off cash-handling policies and reintroducing processes that many have phased out. That may include:
- Re-establishing cash floats and tills
- Staff training to handle and verify cash
- More frequent bank deposits and reconciliation procedures
For small businesses that fall under the $10 million exemption, the key step will be to document your turnover clearly so you can demonstrate that the exemption applies. We can help ensure your records and structures support that.
There may also be commercial upside. Accepting cash could attract a segment of customers who’ve drifted away as stores went digital – especially in regional areas where cash use remains strong. A small business that promotes “cash welcome” could even gain new loyal customers who value convenience and personal service.
Preparing for the Change
With final regulations expected soon, it’s worth starting to plan now. Review your payment policies, assess whether you’re likely to be caught by the new rules, and budget for any setup or compliance costs.
If you’re exempt, ensure your records are watertight. If not, look for ways to streamline cash handling – for example, by using digital cash counters or smart safes to reduce errors and time spent on reconciliations.
Looking Ahead
Cash isn’t going away just yet. This reform is about maintaining choice, resilience, and fairness in how Australians pay – and ensuring businesses are ready when customers want to use it.
If you’d like help assessing how these rules could affect your operations or what the exemption means for your business, get in touch with our team.
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