As the calendar year wraps up, it’s the perfect moment to pause, take stock and run a simple financial health check. A focused review now can help you start 2026 confident, organised and on track for your goals. With over 35 years of experience, Nationwide Financial brings everything under one umbrella, Accounting & Taxation, Financial Planning, Insurance, Superannuation, Lending and Property Structuring, so you don’t have to juggle multiple providers. And with our in-house lending division, Alora Finance, we can assess loan structures and refinancing opportunities for you, end-to-end.
Quick note: Australia’s financial year ends on 30 June, but a calendar year-end health check is still one of the smartest habits you can build. It keeps you proactive rather than reactive.
1) Reset Your Cashflow: Budget, Buffers and Bills
A strong plan starts with cashflow clarity.
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Map money in & out: Review 3–6 months of transactions. Identify essential vs. discretionary spending and any subscriptions you can trim.
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Build/refresh your buffer: Aim for an emergency fund tailored to your household, often 3–6 months of living costs.
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Automate the essentials: Set up separate “buckets” (bills, savings, investing) so you pay yourself first.
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Plan for big-ticket dates: Holidays, school fees, insurance renewals and rate changes, schedule them into your budget now.
Nationwide tip: If cashflow feels tight, a lending review with Alora Finance can uncover ways to reduce interest costs or smooth repayments (e.g., offset accounts, debt consolidation, or a sharper rate via refinancing).
2) Review Your Loans & Lending Structure (with Alora Finance)
Your loan is often your biggest monthly outgoing, optimising it can move the needle fast.
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Rate & features check: Compare your current rate to market conditions and assess features like offsets, redraws and fee structures.
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Refinance or restructure: Consider aligning loan terms with your goals (e.g., principal & interest vs. interest-only for investors, or splitting fixed/variable).
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Debt hierarchy: Prioritise high-interest debt payoff strategies and leverage offsets to reduce interest on home loans.
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Investment & SMSF lending: If you’re building a portfolio or using an SMSF, ensure the lending structure suits your long-term strategy.
Why us: Alora Finance handles Home Loans, Investment Loans, Refinancing, SMSF Lending, and Motor Vehicle & Equipment Finance, coordinating closely with your accountant and adviser so lending decisions fit your whole financial plan.
3) Optimise Superannuation & Retirement Strategy
Super is a long-term engine of wealth, small tweaks now can add up.
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Check contributions strategy: Consider the right mix of employer, salary sacrifice or personal concessional contributions (within caps).
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Consolidate where appropriate: Fewer super accounts may mean fewer fees and clearer oversight.
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Investment options & risk: Ensure your super’s asset mix matches your time horizon and risk tolerance.
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Fees & insurance in super: Review fees and any built-in cover to confirm it’s appropriate and cost-effective.
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Beneficiary nominations: Keep binding nominations current so benefits flow as intended.
Nationwide advantage: Our integrated Superannuation and Financial Planning teams align your contributions and investment mix with your goals and tax position.
4) Protect What Matters: Insurance & Risk Management
A great plan protects your family and income as much as it grows wealth.
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Personal cover review: Assess Life, TPD, Income Protection and Trauma cover levels, especially after changes like a new home, a raise, marriage or children.
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Policy ownership & tax: Structure policies inside/outside super appropriately for cashflow and potential tax outcomes.
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Claims-ready paperwork: Keep statements, medicals and beneficiary details up to date for smoother claims.
One-stop service: Our Financial Planners coordinate with your accountant to help ensure cover is right-sized and efficient.
5) Tune Your Investments & Tax Efficiency
Your portfolio should match your goals, risk profile and time frame, without unnecessary costs.
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Asset allocation check: Rebalance if markets have drifted your mix away from target.
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Costs & tax: Review management fees, trading costs and tax efficiency. Plan ahead for capital gains/losses in line with your broader strategy.
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Sustainable & ethical preferences: Align investments with your values without compromising the fundamentals.
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Liquidity for near-term goals: Keep enough in cash or defensive assets for planned expenses.
How we help: Our Financial Planning and Accounting & Taxation teams collaborate to keep your investment strategy purposeful and tax-aware.
6) Finalise Your Estate & Structures
Clear documents and smart structures protect your loved ones and your legacy.
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Estate documents: Review or establish your Will, Enduring Power of Attorney and Advance Care Directive.
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Super nominations: Confirm binding death benefit nominations reflect current wishes.
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Trusts & entities: If you operate through a trust, company or SMSF, ensure deeds, minutes and beneficiaries are current and aligned with your goals.
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Asset ownership & loans: Check titles, loan guarantors and cross-collateralisation risks, particularly for investment and property portfolios.
Our edge: With Property Structuring expertise in-house, we help align entities, ownership and lending, so the legal, tax and cashflow pieces all work together.
Mini Checklist: Your Year-End Financial Health Check
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Budget updated; emergency fund topped up
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Home/investment loans reviewed; rate & features benchmarked
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Super contributions and investment option assessed
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Personal insurances right-sized and documented
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Portfolio rebalanced; costs and tax efficiency reviewed
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Will, POA, directives and nominations updated; structures checked
Why Choose Nationwide Financial?
For more than 35 years, Australians have trusted Nationwide Financial as their integrated partner. We bring Accounting & Taxation, Financial Planning, Insurance, Superannuation, Lending and Property Structuring together, so your plan is coordinated, efficient and easy to manage. With Alora Finance embedded in our team, you get practical lending solutions that support your broader strategy, not work against it.
Ready for Your Complimentary Year-End Financial Health Check?
Book a no-obligation assessment with Nationwide Financial. We’ll review your current position, outline quick wins and map next steps for 2026, tailored to your life and goals.
Book your complimentary review today and let our team handle the heavy lifting, so you can enjoy the summer break knowing your finances are in good shape.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. It is not financial advice. Please consult our advisers for personalised guidance.