Make 2025 count. Here’s how you can budget more effectively to achieve your saving goals.

Are you finding it difficult to save money or stick to a budget? You’re certainly not alone. Working out a realistic budget is an effective way to take control of your finances and smash your saving goals. 



If you’re looking for tips to get you started with budgeting, be sure to keep reading on!


1. Start by understanding your spend and where your money is going.

It can be easy to lose track of how much you’re spending, especially with cashless payments and credit cards. There are many online banking systems that include tools to categorise debits and make a budget – take advantage of them! Or download an app that helps you track your personal expenses on the go like ASIC’s TrackMySPEND. Once you’ve got a good idea of your regular spending, you can tailor a budget that is best suited to your individual needs.


2. Categorise your spending.

Once you have an understanding of your spending, split your regular income into accounts (or buckets) with a specific budget set for each. You may even like to transfer them into separate accounts for easy tracking. This is a helpful way to manage your spending and saving without complicating it.



As an example:

  • Commitments – such as regular bills, debt repayments and rent/mortgage payments
  • Essentials – ongoing costs such as groceries, transport, pet care and health costs
  • Lifestyle – non-essential spending such as dining out, shopping or entertainment
  • Savings – for any goals or super contributions, or to set aside for emergency expenses.

There is a more basic approach commonly known as the “50:30:20 rule”.

  • Budget 50% of your income for essential living expenses (such as rent, bills and groceries)
  • Budget 30% of your income for lifestyle costs (like dining out, buying clothes)
  • Save 20% of your income into a savings account.

This is a popular approach as it’s a realistic balance of enjoying things with a focus ongoing to save. A flexible approach to budgeting can help you keep track in the long-term.


3. Find savings in the essentials

Some costs can’t be avoided – but many everyday expenses can be reduced. For example, you could:

  • Move in with your parents/relatives, or move into a cheaper rental or share house. Short-term discomfort can pay off in the long term.
  • Implement tactics like meal planning, making grocery lists and buying in bulk to save money on food. 
  • Shop around to reduce your regular bills – it’s worth checking if you’re still getting the best deal on utilities such as internet and electricity every year. You may get better value if you switch, or tell current providers you intend to switch. 
  • Use the car less: take public transport; carpool with colleagues; or try walking or riding. You’ll be amazed at how quickly it all adds up to savings.
  • Refinancing – are you currently on the most competitive home loan set up? Investigating what options are out there for you could decrease your monthly repayments and save you thousands over the course of your home loan. You can check out the best rates & offers available here.


4. Other ways you could save

  • Look for opportunities to eliminate costs. Cancel unused services. Update your internet or mobile plans if you’re always paying for excess data.
  • Ask yourself: are you really using that gym membership? Are you getting value from your subscriptions? Remember, every wasted dollar is money you could be spending on your own home.


How could your credit card save you money?

Have you connected your credit card to your home loan? This simple trick could save you thousands on your home loan. You’ll firstly need an offset account. An offset account is a savings or transaction account that is linked to your home loan. But, instead of earning interest, the money in this account offsets the amount of money owed on your home loan, therefore reducing the interest you need to pay on your home loan. 

Now here’s how the credit card will help. Because you want to keep as much money as you can in your offset account, use your credit card for everyday expenses like your morning coffee or utility bill. This way you can keep the money you would have used to pay for it in your offset account for longer, saving you interest on your home loan each day. 


5. Continue to review your budget regularly

Ensure you regularly check in to review and adjust your budget. Monitoring your budget plan is vital to ensure you’re keeping on track. There may be times where your income has changed, you have unexpected expenses that arise or a new savings goal. Checking in will help guide you to reach your savings targets! Chat with our friendly team today.

Are investors changing course after the new negative gearing reforms?

August 20, 2026
The Federal Government’s negative gearing and Capital Gains Tax (CGT) reforms represents a significant shift in how future property investments will be treated for tax purposes. For investors considering their next purchase, the changes may influence everything from the type of property they buy to how they assess cash flow and long-term returns. Legislated, many investors are reassessing their property purchasing plans and strategies. The core reforms have now passed Parliament, although some of the more detailed implementation rules are still being finalised ahead of their commencement. If you’re looking to buy an investment property down the track, here’s what you need to know about the reforms and how they change the playing field. What is changing? On 12 May, Treasurer Jim Chalmers handed down the Federal Budget , which included major changes to negative gearing and CGT rules. From 1 July 2027: Negative gearing for residential property investments will be limited to new builds. The 50 per cent CGT discount will be replaced with cost base indexation and a 30 per cent minimum tax rate on capital gains. Properties held before the announcement (7:30pm AEST 12 May 2026) will be exempt from the negative gearing changes, while the CGT reforms will only apply to gains accruing after 1 July 2027. How have the reforms affected the market and investors? When the changes were announced, Australia’s property market had already been cooling, driven by a combination of cash rate hikes, housing affordability constraints, the Middle East conflict, and cost-of-living pressures. But the Federal Budget reforms dampened the market even further, with auction clearance rates slipping to levels worse than during the pandemic, and investor confidence dropping. One survey of more than 1,400 Australian investors found that more than 80% believed residential investment property had become less attractive following the 2026 Federal Budget changes. At the same time, 51.5% said they planned to hold their existing investments and wait to see how the proposed legislation evolves. Overall, the survey offers a useful snapshot of investor sentiment, although it should not be taken as representative of every Australian property investor. Key shifts in strategy Since the announcement, there have been early signs that some investors are reconsidering where and how they invest, although it is too soon to say how the reforms will reshape the broader property market over the long term. New builds could attract more attention With negative gearing limited to new builds from 1 July 2027, there are signs that some investors are pivoting towards newly constructed properties. Data from property fund manager Oliver Hume shows the proportion of new-build sales to investors in Victoria has risen above 40 per cent for the first time since December 2024, for example. Experts say investors will likely switch to new units or houses on the outer city fringes, while suburbs in the middle of cities could experience a decrease in stock, potentially resulting in higher rents . Holding or grandfathering existing assets Investors with established properties purchased before 12 May 2026 may choose to retain those properties, as they are exempt from the negative gearing reforms and can continue to access the existing tax treatment that applies to grandfathered properties. These investors can keep negative gearing the property against their wage income and retain the full benefits until they sell. Cash flow could become an even bigger consideration Historically, negative gearing enabled investors to offset losses on established investment properties against their taxable income. But under the changes , investors purchasing established properties would no longer receive immediate tax relief on those losses. The changes may prompt some investors to focus more heavily on rental yield , cash flow and long-term returns when assessing investment opportunities. As a result, positively geared properties could become more attractive relative to investments that rely heavily on tax concessions to support returns. Some may also look for properties with the potential to transition to positive gearing over time as rental income grows. What about the changes to SMSF borrowing? In addition to the CGT and negative gearing reforms, there are new rules around self-managed super fund (SMSF) borrowing. From 10 August 2026, SMSFs can no longer use Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangements (LRBAs) to buy residential property. Current LRBAs are grandfathered. SMSFs can still purchase residential property outright using cash , and LRBAs can be used to acquire business real property. The changes have been met with mixed reviews among investors, and some critics questioning whether it would make it harder for Australians to build retirement wealth . Some experts also believe that the changes could increase the appeal of commercial property among SMSF investors, although SMSF property investment can involve complex lending, tax and superannuation requirements, so specialist financial, legal and tax advice is particularly important. Considering an investment property purchase? The changes in the budget mean investors may need to think differently about the type of property they purchase, its cash flow and how the investment fits within their broader financial plans. While we can’t provide tax or financial advice, we can help you understand the lending side of the equation. We can review your borrowing capacity, compare suitable loan options and help you understand how different property and loan scenarios could affect your repayments and overall finance structure. If you’re considering your next investment property, get in touch! We can help you explore your finance options so you can make your next move with a clearer understanding.

What’s driving the drop in auction clearance rates?

July 20, 2026
After years of fierce competition, fast-rising prices and crowded auction weekends, the market is beginning to show signs of a shift. More properties are being listed for sale, homes are taking longer to sell, and buyers are becoming increasingly selective about what they’re willing to pay.