Astute: Set Yourself Up for Success in 2026

As we near the end of the year, Sam Ayliffe from Astute Manly says it’s the perfect time to pause and check in on your finances. Take a moment to see how far you’ve come and what small tweaks could set you up even better for the year ahead. Here’s his simple year-end checklist to keep things on track:

Get everything in one place

Pull together an overview of your bank accounts, credit cards, savings, super, loans, and insurance policies. Having it all in front of you makes it much easier to see the full picture of where your money
has gone this year.

Take a fresh look at your budget

Run through your spending over the past 12 months. Are there any surprises? Any areas where you could free up a bit more cash? It’s also the perfect chance to update your budget for any changes in income, expenses, or goals coming up.

Give your loans a quick health check

If you have a home loan, are you making the most of any offset accounts? When was the last time you compared rates or had it reviewed? If you’re not sure whether you’ve got the loan you deserve, let’s chat. We’re happy to take a look for you.

Double-check your insurance

Keeping premiums affordable is important, but making sure you’re actually covered for the things that matter most is even more critical. A quick review can give you peace of mind, and we’re always here if you’d like one of our General Insurance Brokers to run through it with you.