Insurance is often treated as a separate decision rather than an essential part of financial planning. However, without the right cover in place, unexpected events can place significant pressure on your finances.

Income protection, life insurance, and total and permanent disability cover are designed to help protect you and your family if your ability to earn an income changes. These types of events can affect loan repayments, living expenses, and long-term plans. Therefore, insurance isn’t just an add-on; it is an integral part of your financial planning that secures your future should the unexpected occur.

Furthermore, as your circumstances change, your insurance needs can change too. Buying a home, starting a family or running a business often increases the level of protection required. At the same time, holding cover that no longer suits your situation can affect your cash flow.

Systematic revision of your insurance as part of your broader financial plan helps ensure it supports your goals and provides confidence, rather than uncertainty, and doing so in a cost-effective way.

If you would like help reviewing your insurance and how it fits into your plan, we offer free 15-minute chats with no obligation.

To book in your free, no-obligation digital consultation, click the link below:

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With so much financial information available online, many people question whether professional advice is still necessary. Nowadays, the challenges are not finding information but knowing what applies to your situation and how to act on it.

A qualified and experienced financial adviser can provide tailored guidance based on your goals, circumstances and risk tolerance. They help you make informed decisions, avoid costly mistakes, and stay focused on long-term outcomes rather than reacting to short-term noise.

Financial advice is not just about investments. It covers cash flow, superannuation, insurance, and retirement planning. Most importantly, it evolves as your life changes. A financial adviser keeps your wealth-building strategy flexible yet grounded, ensuring it adapts to both macro and micro changes as they occur.

For many people, working with a financial adviser brings clarity and confidence. It turns uncertainty into a clear plan and helps keep you accountable over time.

If you want to understand how professional advice could support your financial goals, we offer free 15-minute chats with no obligation.

To book in your free, no-obligation digital consultation, click the link below:
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The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has today lifted the cash rate by 0.25%, taking it to 3.85%. This decision follows higher‑than‑expected inflation for the December 2025 quarter, with headline inflation reaching 3.8%. The rate rise places Australia among the few advanced economies tightening monetary policy this month, at a time when many others have paused or cut rates. [realestate.com.au]

How this may affect your mortgage

If you have a variable home loan, your lender is likely to pass on this increase. This means your minimum monthly repayment will rise. For example, a 0.25% increase typically adds around $75 per month to a $500,000 loan, based on average variable rate modelling. [domain.com.au]

A simple example

Let’s say a household in Melbourne has a $650,000 variable mortgage with 25 years remaining. Before the rate rise, their monthly repayment may have been approximately $4,100. A 0.25% increase could lift that by roughly $95–$110 per month, depending on their lender. For a family already balancing rising living costs, this change may require adjusting the household budget—reducing discretionary spending, reviewing subscriptions, or revisiting savings plans.

Impact on borrowing capacity

Higher interest rates also reduce how much a bank is willing to lend. Economists note that higher rates typically reduce borrowing capacity and may affect the confidence of buyers entering the market. [realestate.com.au]

Work out your new repayment

You can estimate your updated loan repayments using trusted Australian calculators:

• Money.com.au Consumer-First Financial Comparison | WE GIVE A BUCK® Rate Change Calculator: Home Loan Interest Rate Change Calculator
• Westpac Rate Change Calculator: Home loan rate change calculator
• ABC Mortgage Repayment Calculator: Use our rate hike calculator to see how rising interest rates might affect you

How we can help

If today’s rate rise leaves you unsure about your next steps, our mortgage experts and financial advisers can review your loan, compare options across lenders, and help you secure the most suitable solution for your situation.

For a free, no-obligation 15-minute online consultation, book online using the link below or request a callback at 1300 726 082.

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