CTWealth Financial Advisory

16/10/2026

Most people think a will is mainly about deciding who receives their assets.

That matters, of course, but there is another question that deserves just as much attention: how will the inheritance be held once it reaches the people you care about?

An inheritance can arrive at a time when a beneficiary is managing a relationship breakdown, running a business, raising children, dealing with debt or simply trying to make good decisions under pressure.

Leaving assets directly to someone may be perfectly appropriate. In other situations, it can be helpful to give them another option.

That is where a testamentary trust may be worth considering.

To learn more, go to:

https://www.ctwealth.com.au/testamentary-trusts/

Important note: This is general advice only. We have not taken into consideration any of your objectives, financial situation or needs or any information.

10/10/2026

Not all progress makes noise.

Sometimes it looks like increasing a contribution.

Reviewing your plan.

Spending more intentionally.

Or finally asking the question you’ve been avoiding.

Your future is being shaped by the quiet decisions you make today.

05/10/2026

Feeling uneasy about your finances or wondering whether you are making the most of your money?

More financial breathing room may already be sitting in your bank account.

An offset account can look and operate much like an ordinary bank account. You can have your salary paid into it, use it to pay bills and access the money when you need it.

But when it is linked to your home loan, the balance can also reduce the interest charged on your mortgage.

Click here to learn more about offset accounts and how they can help with some breathing room:

https://www.ctwealth.com.au/how-an-offset-account-can-create-more-financial-breathing-room/

This article contains general information only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making a financial decision, consider obtaining personal financial advice and, where relevant, advice from a registered tax agent.

04/10/2026

Are you feeling stressed about money right now?

It might be keeping you awake at night, affecting conversations with the people you care about, or making even simple decisions feel overwhelming.

When finances feel uncertain, it is tempting to avoid the numbers altogether. The thing is though that ... uncertainty often becomes even more stressful when we cannot see the full picture.

The first step is not to solve everything at once. It is to create clarity. Start with these steps:

1. Talk to someone that you trust

Money worries often feel heavier when you carry them alone. Think of the old proverb "A problem shared is a problem halved".

2. Put the facts in one place

List your income, regular expenses, debts and your upcoming commitments. We are coming into the holiday season so it is important that you factor in Christmas costs like pressies and food.

No judgement ... just list an honest picture of where things stand.

3. Separate the urgent from the important.

Focus first on essentials such as housing, food, petrol, electricity, gas and your health.

4. Choose one practical next step.

That may be reviewing your spending, contacting a creditor, checking your entitlements or seeking professional advice.

5. Look after yourself as well as the numbers.

Sleep, exercise and time with supportive people can help you approach financial decisions with a clearer mind.

Your financial plan does not need to be perfect from day one. It simply needs to give you a clear and achievable next step.

At CTWealth, we believe good financial advice is about more than dollars. It is about helping people feel informed, supported and confident about the decisions ahead.

If financial uncertainty is weighing on you, starting the conversation may be the most important step you take.

Book in a complimentary ten minute call at:

www.ctwealth.com.au

This information is general in nature & does not take into account your personal circumstances, objectives or needs.

03/10/2026

In case no one told you today:

Every step you’re taking toward retirement matters.
Every contribution.
Every thoughtful decision.
Every conversation about the future.

You’re not simply saving money.

You’re creating more choices for yourself and the people that you love.

What’s one step you’re proud of taking?

01/10/2026

It's just 86 days until Christmas! 🎄🎁

Christmas has a habit of arriving faster and costing more than expected.

Gifts are only one part of the expense. Once food, travel, social events and school-holiday activities are added, the festive season can place real pressure on the household budget.

The good news is that Christmas spending does not need to become a January problem. A little preparation now can help you enjoy the season without undoing the financial progress you have made during the year.

Here are some practical steps you can take to make a financially calmer Christmas:

🎄 Decide what Christmas should look like

Before setting a budget, take a moment to think about what is genuinely important to you and your family.

Some Christmas traditions are meaningful. Others continue simply because they have always been done that way.

If the usual celebrations are becoming too expensive or stressful, it is worth having an honest conversation with family and friends.

You might agree to:

• Set a spending limit for presents
• Arrange a Secret Santa for adults
• Buy gifts only for children
• Share the cost and preparation of Christmas lunch
• Replace expensive gifts with an experience together

These conversations are generally easier when they happen early. Setting expectations now gives everyone time to plan and may be a relief to others feeling the same financial pressure.

💰 Work out the full cost

Christmas spending often grows because we remember the obvious expenses but overlook the smaller ones.

Make a list that includes:

• Presents and wrapping
• Food and drinks
• Travel, fuel and accommodation
• Social events
• Decorations
• Charitable giving
• Holiday entertainment
• Additional childcare or school-holiday costs

Once you have a realistic total, divide it by the number of pay cycles remaining before Christmas. This gives you a clear savings target that is easier to manage than finding the entire amount in December.

If the weekly or fortnightly figure feels uncomfortable, review the plan now. It is much easier to adjust expectations early than to rely on credit later.

💳 Keep your Christmas money separate

Consider opening a dedicated savings account and transferring a set amount into it each payday.

Keeping the money separate from your everyday spending account makes it easier to track your progress and reduces the temptation to use it for something else.

Automating the transfer can also help. The amount does not need to be large to make a difference. Consistent preparation over several weeks can significantly reduce the pressure on your final pay before Christmas.

🛒 Shop with a plan, not just a discount

Major sales can be useful, but a discounted purchase is only a saving if it was something you intended to buy.

Prepare your gift list before the sales begin and record the usual price of any higher-cost items. This makes it easier to recognise a genuine discount and avoid being rushed by countdown timers or “limited stock” messages.

Before buying, ask yourself:

1. Is this person already on my list?
2. Does the purchase fit within the amount I allocated?
3. Am I buying it because it is suitable or simply because it is on sale?

Keep receipts and check return conditions, particularly when shopping well in advance.

🛫 Plan travel costs early

If Christmas involves a road trip or flights, travel may be one of your largest festive expenses.

Booking accommodation and transport early can provide more choice. For road travel, remember to allow for fuel, meals, overnight stops and vehicle preparation, not just the distance itself.

A basic car check before a long drive may also help you avoid a costly and stressful interruption during the holidays.

👫 Share the responsibility

Hosting Christmas does not mean one household needs to carry the entire financial or practical burden.

Ask each guest or family group to bring a particular dish or contribute to part of the celebration. Being specific is helpful: allocating salads, desserts, drinks and other items avoids duplication while making the workload fairer.

The aim is not to make Christmas feel overly structured. It is to make sure the day remains enjoyable for the people doing the organising too.

🌻 Protect January

A good Christmas budget should consider what happens after Christmas.

Regular expenses such as mortgage or rent payments, utilities, insurance, school costs and groceries will continue. Some annual bills may also arrive early in the new year.

Before spending your Christmas fund, make sure these commitments are covered. Ideally, festive spending should not require you to:

• Carry a credit-card balance into the new year
• Use money set aside for regular bills
• Withdraw from long-term investments
• Disrupt your broader financial strategy

A memorable Christmas does not need to be an expensive one. The goal is to spend deliberately on the people and experiences that matter, without creating months of financial stress afterwards.

✅ Preparation creates peace of mind

Good financial planning is rarely about removing everything enjoyable from life. It is about making informed decisions so you can enjoy those moments with greater confidence.

By starting early, setting clear limits and having a few honest conversations, you can create a Christmas that feels generous, meaningful and financially manageable.

That is a much better gift to take into the new year.

This information is general in nature and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider seeking personal financial advice before making decisions about your finances.

30/09/2026

Retirement isn’t the end of your story ... It’s the chapter where your time finally belongs to YOU.

Slow mornings. Big adventures. More laughter. More living. And a camera roll filled with moments you once only imagined.

What’s the first photo you want to take in your perfect retirement?

29/09/2026

Credit card interest can be easy to overlook ... until it starts working against you.

The advertised rate is only part of the story. Interest may be calculated daily, “up to 55 interest-free days” doesn’t necessarily mean 55 days from every purchase, and making the minimum repayment usually won’t stop interest from accumulating.

We’ve broken down six things worth knowing before your next statement arrives.

Swipe through for a clear, practical explanation.

If your credit card balance keeps rolling over, it may be time to review your repayments, credit limit and broader cash flow plan. Small changes now can help you regain control.

This information is general only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs.

29/09/2026

Are you approaching 60 years of age? Turning 60 can change the way your super is taxed but it does not make everything inside super tax-free. That distinction matters.

The tax you pay can depend on whether money is entering your super, being withdrawn from it or continuing to earn investment returns. It can also depend on the type of super fund or pension you have.

In this article, we’ll explain four areas you need to understand:

• Tax on contributions
• Tax on pension payments
• Tax on lump-sum withdrawals
• Tax on investment earnings

We’ll also explain two strategies that may help you reduce tax as you approach retirement.

The aim is not simply to pay the least tax today. It is to understand how each decision affects your income, your super balance and the retirement you are working towards.

I’m Cameron Teague, Senior Certified Financial Planner at CTWealth. We help pre-retirees understand their options and make confident financial decisions about what comes next.

Before we begin, this article contains general information only. It does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Superannuation and tax rules can change, so consider seeking personal financial and tax advice before acting.

Let’s look at what actually changes when you turn 60.

Click on the link below to learn more:

Do you pay tax on your super after 60? Learn what changes for withdrawals and pensions, and why tax may still apply to some defined benefit payments.

16/09/2026

Does the news headlines have you anxious about your financial future? You can’t control the economy ... but you can control how prepared you are.

Economic uncertainty is making headlines, and it’s understandable to feel concerned ... especially when more Australian businesses are entering administration.

But uncertainty isn’t a reason to panic. It’s a reason to plan.

A financial planner can help you understand where you stand, identify risks, review your cash flow and investments, and ensure your strategy remains aligned with your long-term goals.

If recent news has left you questioning your financial position, now is an ideal time to seek professional advice and build a plan based on facts, and not fear.

Get in touch with CTWealth to start the conversation. Book your complimentary ten minute call at www.ctwealth.com.au

* General advice only. The information provided is general only and does not consider your specific personal objectives, financial situation, or needs.