Are you unknowingly paying the apathy tax on your wealth? Many people fall into the “set and forget” trap with their investments, missing out on growth, efficiency, and alignment with evolving goals. This article explores how reviewing your financial strategy - with help from a trusted adviser - can unlock smarter decisions, reduce hidden costs, and prepare your portfolio for a confident retirement.

From protecting yourself against scams, to navigating the fine print of retirement villages, and even rethinking travel spots once off-limits - this month’s blog is all about staying safe, informed, and inspired. Because making smart choices today sets you up for a more confident tomorrow.

Retired - or counting down the days? Life on the Sunshine Coast offers more than just beach walks and long lunches. Volunteering can add purpose, joy, and connection to your days - and it’s good for your health too! From helping local charities to mentoring or even caring for rescue animals, there’s a world of ways to give back while enriching your own retirement.

From US tariffs to rate cuts at home, markets are on the move. But with the right guidance, volatility becomes opportunity. Here's what this month's headlines mean for your strategy - and your next steps.

Big changes are coming to aged care from 1 July 2025 – and they’ll affect how much you pay, how fees are calculated, and even the language used. While the government will still cover a large share of the costs, your out-of-pocket expenses may increase. From new fee types like the “Hotelling Contribution” to higher lifetime caps and the return of retention amounts on lump sum payments, it's never been more important to understand the rules and plan ahead. Whether you're exploring options for yourself or supporting a loved one, the right financial advice now could save you from costly surprises later.

Why getting it sorted is easier—and more important—than you think

Let’s face it—estate planning rarely tops the list of thrilling dinner party topics. But here’s the thing: when done well, it’s one of the most thoughtful, empowering, and future-proofing steps you can take.

At ACru, we see it as more than just “getting your Will done.” It’s about protecting your family, preserving your legacy, and making sure the people you care about aren’t left with a mess to clean up).

So let’s strip the jargon, ditch the doom, and walk through what estate planning is really about.

The 2025 Federal Budget is here! From tax cuts and energy rebates to Medicare changes and housing support, find out how it impacts your finances and what to watch for.

Markets are on a wild ride, and with uncertainty around Trump’s policies stirring up recession fears, investors are feeling the shake-up. But before making any big moves, it’s worth asking - what really matters for your long-term strategy? In our latest blog, we break down the market dip, what it means for your super, and why staying focused could be your best move.

As the RBA cuts rates to 4.1% and Trump’s tariffs stir global trade, 2025 is set to be an economic rollercoaster. Discover how these shifts could impact your mortgage, investments, and overall financial strategy - and get ready to navigate the ride with confidence!

As we step into 2025, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the opportunities ahead and set a tone for the year to come. While resolutions often fizzle out before February, one powerful mindset can carry you through the year: making this the year of saying yes. Saying yes to new experiences, connections, and opportunities is more than just a mantra—it’s an open invitation to growth, adventure, and possibility.

December is a time for reflection - and as Australia faces rising costs and slowing productivity, it’s clear we need fresh strategies for the year ahead. From smarter tax reforms to tackling housing affordability, let’s explore how we can take action now to improve living standards and create a brighter future.

With some big changes potentially on the horizon - like shifts in US policies affecting financial markets - we wanted to reach out. There’s talk of tax cuts, tariffs, and trade relations that could have ripple effects across the globe, including here in Australia. Times like these can feel uncertain, but our approach at ACru Wealth is always to focus on what we can control.

What a game! Pakistan vs. England – a nail-biter right to the last ball. It had all the highs and lows we love about cricket. One moment England was cruising, the next, Pakistan's bowlers flipped the game. It feels a bit like the share market these days – unpredictable and full of twists!

Just like in cricket, when things get shaky, it’s all about sticking to the game plan. Globally, risks are piling up. Recession fears, the Israel conflict, and the upcoming US election have investors nervous. Add in stretched market valuations, and the chance of another share market correction and ongoing volatility is high.

The expansion of the war around Israel and Iran’s involvement is alarming, but unless oil supplies are disrupted, the overall impact on global markets should be limited. Much like a cricket match that continues despite threatening weather, the markets are keeping a close eye but remain steady.

However, there’s hope on the horizon. Global rate cuts, steady economic growth, and Chinese stimulus all suggest better days for shares over the next 6 to 12 months. It’s like waiting out those middle overs – patience can still lead to big gains.

Closer to home, the RBA is still playing a hawkish game, but with inflation falling since May, we’re likely edging closer to rate cuts, bringing relief for many.

A rational person only accepts any form of risk if they feel the outcome of doing so (the reward) is likely to be better than if they hadn't taken the risk. Arguably the biggest area of value for our clients is helping to evaluate what the risks are, and how to best improve the chance of reward!

When it comes to building long-term wealth, understanding how to navigate investments is key.

While shares and growth assets may experience short-term dips compared to cash or bonds, they typically deliver superior returns over time. That’s why having significant exposure to them in your superannuation makes sense.

Reacting to market downturns by switching to cash might feel like a safe move, but it often locks in losses and undermines your wealth-building potential. In fact, the less frequently you check on your investments, the less likely you are to make decisions based on short-term emotions, such as selling at the wrong time.

It’s important to view both super and shares as long-term investments, tailoring your strategy to your age, income, wealth, and risk tolerance. Additionally, keep in mind that any early withdrawals from your super can have a big impact on your retirement savings. For example, withdrawing $20,000 at age 30 could reduce your balance at retirement by around $74,000, as you miss out on the power of compounding returns.

We're already one full month into FY2025!

Just like kids, these new financial years grow up SO fast...but in the same way, we don't want it to slip past and to look up again when it's too late.

This blog post serves to prompt some reflection for you of your financial strategy - now is an excellent time to re-set and re-energise - to ensure we're all tracking forward with strength and purpose. This must always be hinged on you having the utmost clarity and vision on what you want from this year (and the years following of course!). We help you do this in our review meetings, but if we need to talk sooner than this - get in touch.

The 2023-24 financial year has delivered strong returns for investors, buoyed by falling inflation, central banks pivoting towards rate cuts, and better-than-expected economic conditions. However, as more central banks, including the RBA next year, move to cut rates, investment returns are expected to be more constrained and volatile.

Balanced growth super fund returns are projected at around 6-7% for the coming year, down from 9% last year. This anticipated drop is due to deteriorating valuations, high recession risks, and significant geopolitical uncertainties, including the French and US elections. Given these challenges, adopting a long-term investment strategy and tuning out market noise will be crucial.

In essence, while the past year has been favorable, the road ahead will likely be bumpier, necessitating a focus on long-term investment principles to navigate the uncertainties effectively.

As the new financial year approaches, Australians are gearing up for changes in superannuation and tax laws. From 1 July 2024, employees will see a boost in their super with the super guarantee (SG) rate climbing to 11.5%. This is a positive shift for those looking to bolster their retirement savings. 

Global share markets continued to rise robustly in March, driven by improving growth figures from the US and a dovish central bank. European share markets were particularly strong, as economic data from service industries showed signs of returning to expansionary levels.

Australian share markets also performed strongly, rising for the fifth consecutive month and yielding a 3.3% return over the month. However, our domestic market has trailed the global market this year, trading at valuations above historical averages, with earnings remaining subdued.

Here we are in April 2024 – Easter already a passing memory, and already, the 30th of June is looming, to close off another financial year.

The 30/06/2024 will fall on a Sunday, with the last business day being Friday 28th of June. As such, we recommend any payments, transfers, or contributions that our clients need to make be completed prior to Friday the 14th of June 2024 to allow some time for any delays.

Our lovely long-term clients will be familiar with some points of consideration. I’d still recommend you review the points below and see if any of these items fall into your strategy….