Steps Financial

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Normanhurst, NSW
Steps Financial

Improving your relationship with money by providing clarity on the way forward.We’re better,together

Seeking Financial Advice for the first time, can be daunting. Some of our clients come to us, after having had a bad experience in the past, while others seek us out because they love our gentler approach. Throughout our process, we use technology to make your life (and our job) easier. We believe in simple, straight-forward advice that’s relevant to you.

03/06/2026

Waiting for your tax return like… 👀

We get it. That little “pending” feeling can make tax time feel like a personality trait, but it’s no financial plan.

At Steps Financial, we help clients understand their money beyond tax time, from cash flow and super to investments, insurance, retirement planning and long-term strategy.

So yes, enjoy the refund if one is coming but don’t let it do all the heavy lifting.

01/06/2026

💸 A lot of people hear “financial advice” and immediately think of shares, market risk, complicated investment portfolios, or being told to do something they are not comfortable with.

Strategy is about the decisions that shape how your money works. Things like:

- whether your money is held inside or outside super
- how tax may affect your retirement income
- when to contribute, withdraw, or restructure
- whether your cash is sitting in the most effective place
- how to make your savings last
- how to keep your plan aligned with your comfort level and lifestyle

Investments are one tool. They are what your money is invested in after the bigger decisions have been made, and this distinction really matters.

You do not have to chase returns to improve your financial position. Sometimes, a small strategic change can make a meaningful difference without taking on more market risk.

That is especially important for retirees who are cash-heavy or cautious with risk. The goal is not to push you into something uncomfortable. The goal is to make sure nothing important is being missed.

We have shared more on this in our latest blog, including why strategy often matters more than investments for people in or approaching retirement.

👓 Read here:
https://www.stepsfinancial.com.au/articles/strategyvsinvestment

Have you ever thought financial advice was mostly about investments?

30/05/2026

🚭 Quit smoking? Your insurance premiums might be worth a second look.

31 May is World No-Tobacco Day. Quitting smoking can support your health, but it may also affect your life insurance costs.

Many life insurers charge higher premiums for smokers because of the increased health risks. In some cases, if you have been smoke-free for 12 months, you may be able to apply to be reassessed as a non-smoker.

That could mean lower premiums.

A few important things to know:

- This usually includes being free from to***co, va**ng and ni****ne products
- Every insurer has its own rules
- You may need to complete a declaration or provide updated health information
- If your insurance is through super, it is still worth checking how you are classified
- You should always be honest with your insurer so your cover remains valid

It is also a good reminder to review your insurance more broadly.

Do you know what you are covered for?
Do you know what you are paying?
Do you know whether your cover still suits your life now?

At Steps Financial, we help clients review their insurance as part of their wider financial plan, so they can understand what they have, what they need, and whether anything needs adjusting.

If it has been a while since you looked at your cover, this is your reminder.

Have you reviewed your insurance portfolio in the last few years?

https://www.stepsfinancial.com.au/

26/05/2026

✨ Girlboss, this is for you.

Which of these memes do you relate to most this week? Let us know in the comments. 💬

25/05/2026

💰 Here are two EOFY tips that don’t get talked about nearly enough:

✔️ spouse super contributions

✔️ reviewing your insurance cover

People know about making extra super contributions before 30 June, but fewer Australians realise you may also be able to contribute to your partner’s super, particularly if one person earns less, works part-time, has taken career breaks, or has spent time caring for children or family.

According to the ATO, eligible Australians may receive a tax offset of up to $540 through spouse super contributions.

This can be especially important because super balances within relationships are not always equal. Research from WGEA continues to show caring responsibilities are one of the biggest contributors to the gender super gap in Australia.

EOFY is also a smart time to review insurance.

A lot can change in a year:

• income • debt levels • children
• jobs • health • living expenses

Many Australians haven’t checked whether their cover still reflects their current life.

That includes:

✔️ life insurance ✔️ income protection
✔️ trauma cover ✔️ TPD cover
✔️ insurance inside super

Helpful resources if you’d like to learn more:

• ATO: spouse super contributions

https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/super-for-individuals-and-families/super/growing-and-keeping-track-of-your-super/how-to-save-more-in-your-super/spouse-super-contributions

• Moneysmart: insurance through super

https://moneysmart.gov.au/how-super-works/insurance-through-super

• WGEA: gender super gap research

https://www.wgea.gov.au/publications/gendered-impact-of-caring-responsibilities-on-superannuation

💬 Have you reviewed your insurance or super strategy yet this year?

* Consider that Super is locked away until a condition of release is met, and that saving tax should never be the reason for a chosen strategy.

23/05/2026

💗💰 How I stay financially independent in my relationship…

Being married does not mean handing over your financial confidence. It does not mean one person should “just handle it all” while the other stays in the dark. It definitely does not mean your future security should rely completely on someone else knowing what is going on.

Financial independence in a relationship can look like:

✔ Knowing where your money is going

✔ Understanding your super and whether it is growing enough

✔ Having access to important accounts and documents

✔ Being part of big money decisions

✔ Having your own savings, even if you share most things

✔ Knowing what insurance you have and what it actually covers

✔ Talking openly about goals, retirement, debt, spending and future plans

✔ Feeling confident enough to ask questions without feeling silly

At Steps Financial, we help women, couples and families understand their full financial picture, from super and retirement planning to insurance, cash flow, investments and long-term strategy.

What is one money conversation you think every couple should have more often?

20/05/2026

🚗 Thinking about an electric vehicle? There’s more to consider than the car itself.

Things you should know:
• A novated lease lets you pay for a car and certain running costs through your salary, often using pre-tax income.

• You do not necessarily need to use the car for work to access a novated lease. The benefit comes from the salary packaging arrangement.

• Eligible EVs currently receive generous Fringe Benefits Tax concessions, which can make them more attractive for some employees.

• The benefit can be especially meaningful for higher income earners, depending on their circumstances.

• Proposed changes from 2027 and 2029 may reduce some of the current tax advantages, particularly for higher-priced EVs.

As with most financial decisions, the answer is not simply “EVs are good” or “novated leases save money”.

It depends on your income, your employer, the car price, your cash flow, your tax position, and whether the arrangement actually suits your life.

Read the full article here:
https://www.stepsfinancial.com.au/articles/electric-vehicle-ev-tax-benefits

At Steps Financial, we help clients look at these decisions in the context of their wider financial picture, from cash flow and tax planning considerations to super, investments, insurance and long-term strategy.

Are you considering an EV, or are you still happily sticking with your current car?

18/05/2026

⭐ There is a huge difference between advice that sounds good and advice that actually helps your decision-making.

The right financial advice should help you feel more informed, less overwhelmed, and more confident about the choices ahead, whether you are planning for retirement, reviewing your super, thinking about investments, checking your insurance, or simply wanting a clearer strategy for your future.

Ready to feel clearer about your financial future?

Visit the Steps Financial website to learn more about our services and book a time to chat.
https://www.stepsfinancial.com.au/ What is one area of your finances you would love to feel more confident about?

17/05/2026

💰Rich girl habits, but make them realistic. They are the small decisions that help you breathe a little easier and that is the goal, right?

More clarity, confidence, options.

At Steps Financial, we help women and families make money decisions that support real life, from super and investing to insurance, cash flow and long-term planning.

Which habit are you already doing, and which one do you need to steal?

Address

PO Box 2212
Normanhurst, NSW
2076

Telephone

+611300681955

Website

http://www.stepsfinancial.com.au/

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