When Was Your Last Financial Review?
Time has a way of slipping by before we know it. One moment, we’re welcoming a new year, and the next, it’s already time to prepare for the holiday season again. While life gets busy, taking a step back to review your financial situation regularly is an important habit that can make a real difference over the long term.
With constant changes to the superannuation system, interest rates, investment markets, and property prices, a regular financial review helps you stay on track and make informed decisions in a changing environment.
Why Regular Financial Reviews Matter
A financial review is an opportunity to reflect on your goals, measure your progress, and consider whether any adjustments are needed. Even small changes in your personal or financial situation can have a big impact on your financial strategy.
During a typical financial review, you might consider questions like:
Have your financial goals changed? Changes in your career, family, or lifestyle can shift your priorities
Are you on track to achieve your objectives? It’s useful to check if you’re progressing toward your goals or if alterations are needed
Has there been any new legislation or tax changes? Laws and regulations often shift, potentially affecting superannuation, investments, Centrelink or insurance
How have your investments performed? Markets fluctuate, so assessing whether your portfolio is still aligned with your goals and risk profile is important
Are your financial protections still suitable? Insurance needs can change over time as life evolves
Even if you manage your own investments, it can be helpful to seek a second opinion. A professional financial adviser can offer a fresh perspective and help ensure your strategy continues to align with your needs.
The Value of Financial Advice
Financial advice isn’t just about choosing investments and building wealth. It’s about building a structured plan tailored to your personal circumstances, goals, and preferences. Good advice can bring confidence, clarity, and peace of mind, helping you make informed decisions not just for today, but for the future.
Some key benefits of financial advice include:
Personalised planning based on your unique situation
Guidance through complex financial areas such as superannuation, tax, and insurance
Help adapting to life changes like starting a family, buying a home, retirement, or career changes
Long-term focus, encouraging you to think beyond immediate needs
Support during volatile times, offering perspective during market ups and downs
Research has consistently shown that people who engage a financial adviser often feel more confident about their financial future and have better financial outcomes over the long-term.
Our Specialisations: Helping You at Every Stage of Life
We specialise in three key areas: retirement planning, wealth creation, and insurance protection. Each plays an important role in creating a strong financial foundation.
Retirement Planning
Retirement may seem like a distant milestone, but the earlier you plan, the more options you generally have later on. Retirement planning can involve considering:
How much you might need to retire comfortably
How superannuation and other investments can help support your retirement lifestyle
Strategies for drawing an income in retirement
Planning for healthcare costs, aged care, and estate planning
Good retirement planning is about more than just saving. It’s about creating flexibility and security for the future.
Wealth Creation
Building wealth isn't just about making money it’s about managing, growing, and protecting it over time. Building wealth may involve:
Creating an investment strategy aligned with your goals and risk tolerance
Diversifying across different asset classes like shares, property, fixed income and cash
Regularly reviewing and adjusting investments as circumstances change
Considering tax-effective strategies and structures
Whether you’re just starting out or already have significant assets, a thoughtful approach to wealth creation can help you move closer to your long-term aspirations.
Insurance Protection
Insurance plays a critical role in protecting your lifestyle and your loved ones. Life is unpredictable, and having appropriate cover in place can provide important financial support when it’s needed most.
Some areas insurance may help with include:
Providing for your family if something happens to you.
Protecting your ability to earn an income.
Assisting with medical and rehabilitation costs after a serious illness or injury.
Helping you maintain your financial goals even if unexpected events occur.
Understanding the types of insurance available like life insurance, income protection, trauma cover, and total and permanent disability (TPD) insurance can help you make informed decisions about the right level of protection for your circumstances.
The Benefits of Financial Advice: A Broader Perspective
Financial advice offers a wide range of benefits, including:
Holistic financial health: Considering all aspects of your finances — not just investments
Confidence: Having a plan in place can reduce financial stress and uncertainty
Education: Learning about strategies and options you may not have considered
Structure and discipline: Staying on track with savings, investments, and goals
Objective guidance: An external viewpoint free from emotional decision-making
Adaptability: Responding to life’s inevitable changes with proactive planning
Our approach is focused on partnering with you to help you feel empowered and informed every step of the way.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How often should I review my financial plan?
It’s generally a good idea to review your financial situation annually, or whenever a major life event occurs (such as a new job, marriage, birth of a child, or buying/selling property).
What areas does a financial review typically cover?
A review often includes your financial goals, investments, superannuation, insurance, tax considerations, and any changes to your personal circumstances.
Is financial advice only for people with a lot of money?
Not at all. Financial advice can be helpful at any stage of life, whether you’re just starting out, growing your wealth, protecting your family, or preparing for retirement.
What is the difference between general information and personal advice?
General information explains financial concepts and options, while personal advice considers your specific financial situation and goals. This blog provides educational information only.
Can I manage my own finances without a financial adviser?
Many people manage aspects of their finances independently. However, professional advice can provide additional insights, strategies, and structure that may not be easily accessible when working alone.
When is the best time to seek financial advice?
Anytime you experience change, set a new financial goal, or simply want to check if you’re on track, seeking professional financial advice could be beneficial.
A regular financial review is an important part of staying in control of your financial future. Life changes, markets move, rules evolve, and keeping your financial strategy aligned with your goals helps you make the most of every opportunity.
Whether you’re planning for retirement, building wealth, or ensuring your family’s protection, taking the time to review your finances and seeking professional input when needed can make a meaningful difference over time.
If you’d like to learn more about financial planning and how it can support your goals, feel free to reach out to our friendly team.
About Us
After working as an advisor for a decade, Joel founded Unified Wealth.
Unified Wealth specialises in helping clients who are facing life’s big decisions.
Whether you’re contemplating your first property, growing your family or starting your investment journey we can help you focus on the simple steps to help you make your goals reality.
Our priority is making sure you have all the right information available to make the best possible decisions for you and those you love.
Our company values are:
Unity - We are most effective when we work together as a team
Trust - We are trustworthy and act in your best interests
Transparency - We are honest and communicate openly
Education - We are committed to lifelong education
At Unified Wealth our team is highly experienced and provides goal-based advice and solutions for a range of advice strategies.
Speak to our team today.