Guided Wealth Management

14/10/2026

📉 When markets fall, is moving everything to cash really the safest option?

When investment markets experience a downturn, it's natural to feel nervous. Watching your retirement savings decline can be unsettling, and moving everything into cash might seem like the safest decision.

But here's something worth considering...

Selling investments after markets have fallen can turn a temporary decline into a permanent loss.

And there's another risk — missing the recovery.

Some of the strongest market returns can occur following significant downturns, and knowing exactly when to reinvest is incredibly difficult.

💰 Cash absolutely has a place in a retirement strategy. Having sufficient cash available to fund your lifestyle and upcoming expenses can help reduce the need to sell investments when markets are down.

But holding too much cash for too long can also expose your retirement savings to inflation and missed investment opportunities.

At Guided Wealth Management, we believe the key isn't trying to predict the markets. It's having a financial plan that allows you to navigate both the good times and the difficult ones.

The goal isn't to avoid every market downturn. It's to have a strategy that helps you stay on track, even when markets don't go to plan.

Before making significant changes to your investments, make sure you're considering the bigger picture.

05/10/2026

Five years from retirement? These could be the most important five years of your financial life. ⏳

Retirement isn’t just about reaching a certain age or having a certain amount in super. The decisions you make in the five years leading up to retirement can have a significant impact on how prepared you feel when the pay cheque stops.

This is the time to:
💰 Get your super in shape – Are you making the most of the years you have left to contribute?

📋 Review your tax strategy – Could your money be structured more effectively before retirement?

🏠 Reduce debt and financial commitments – Entering retirement with fewer repayments can give you greater flexibility.

📈 Check your investment strategy – Is your portfolio positioned appropriately for the transition from working and accumulating wealth to drawing an income?

✈️ Get clear on the retirement you actually want – Travel? Helping the kids? A new car? Renovations? Downsizing? Your financial plan needs to fund your version of retirement.

The goal isn't simply to get to retirement.
It's to arrive there with a plan that allows you to say:
“I know what I can afford, I know where my income will come from, and I'm ready.”

If retirement is within the next five years, now is the time to start planning — not the year before.

Guided Wealth Management | Plan today for tomorrow.

03/10/2026

Could you still retire if markets fell 20%?

It’s an uncomfortable question — but an important one if retirement is only a few years away.

A good retirement plan shouldn’t rely on investment markets behaving perfectly. Before you retire, it’s worth understanding what would happen if markets experienced a significant downturn at exactly the wrong time.

Would you still have enough accessible cash? Could you fund your lifestyle without selling investments at depressed values? Would your planned retirement date still be achievable? And importantly, would you feel confident enough to stick with your strategy?

At Guided Wealth Management, we believe retirement planning is about more than reaching a particular super balance. It’s about building a strategy designed to support your lifestyle through both good and difficult market conditions.

If retirement is getting closer, now is a good time to ask:
“Is my retirement plan resilient enough if things don’t go to plan?”

02/10/2026

Being recession ready isn’t about predicting what will happen — it’s about putting yourself in a stronger position if things get a little tougher.

One simple strategy is to get ahead while you can. If you have surplus cash, consider pre-paying or putting extra towards regular expenses such as electricity, rates, phone and water. An extra $10 a week paid off bills can save you when you need it the most. Combine this with building an emergency fund, reducing unnecessary spending and getting on top of debt.

Small steps today can create valuable breathing room tomorrow.

You can’t control the economy, but you can prepare for it.

We would be happy to help you work through what you need to do to get ready.

13/06/2026

For any of my Brookwater clients, please take advantage of this generous offer. I know the Owners of this local business and they are genuine. Times are tough for many at the moment, but sometimes great people come along to lend a hand.

Mess Munchers Community Giveaway ❤️

We know life can get overwhelming sometimes, and a clean home can make a big difference. That’s why Mess Munchers is offering a free deep clean to someone in our community who truly needs a helping hand.

If you know someone going through a hard time, or if that someone is you, we’d love to hear from you. This could be for someone dealing with illness, grief, financial stress, burnout, or any season where keeping up with the home has become too much.

To nominate someone, send us a message or an email [email protected]

• Their name

• Their suburb

• A short reason why they deserve the clean

We’ll choose one person or family who we feel would benefit most, clean will be in the first week of July and we hope to do this on a monthly basis.

No judgement. Just support. 100% Confidentiality

If anyone or any other businesses feel like they could also jump on board and offer something to help those in need we would love to hear from you also.

02/06/2026

Housing costs can significantly impact retirement lifestyle and financial security — especially as living expenses continue to rise. Many Australians approaching retirement are worried about: • ongoing rent payments • rising housing costs • whether their super will last long enough The important thing to remember: Retirement planning isn’t only for wealthy people. Good planning can help create more certainty, structure, and confidence — no matter your starting point. And it’s never too early (or too late) to understand your options.

29/05/2026

The Age Pension shouldn't be the only retirement plan you have, however for many, it might be the only option. Early planning can lead to a quality of life.

26/05/2026

Understanding what your retirement looks like, early, makes your long term retirement look easy.

23/05/2026

Everyone's retirement is different because everyone is different. Having your retirement mapped out, in simple terms, without the jargon, can make all the difference. Whether it's an early retirement you want or you're part way through your retirement, there's no time like now to start creating a plan.

22/05/2026

our Advice Delivery Team! 👏

Bryce is currently completing his Professional Year Program and brings a strong passion for helping clients alongside a commitment to growing within the financial advice industry.

Many of our wonderful clients have enjoyed working with Bryce. We’re very pleased to have Bryce join the team and look forward to seeing him develop throughout this exciting stage of his career.

Please join us in giving Bryce a warm welcome to the team! 💙