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.

25/06/2026

🏘️ Own an investment property, or thinking about buying one?

The 2026-27 Federal Budget includes proposed changes to negative gearing that are worth understanding before you make your next move.

Negative gearing is when the costs of owning an investment property, like interest, rates, insurance, repairs and other expenses, are higher than the rental income it brings in.

Under the current rules, that loss can often be used to reduce other taxable income, such as salary or wages, but under the proposed changes, this will not work the same way for everyone.

We have broken down the key 2026–27 Federal Budget measures, including negative gearing, Capital Gains Tax, super, trusts, tax relief and more, in our latest blog.

Read the full article here:
https://www.stepsfinancial.com.au/articles/federal-budget-202627

At Steps Financial, we always come back to the bigger picture.

Does the investment fit your cash flow?
Does it support your long-term goals?
How does it sit alongside super, retirement plans, tax, debt, insurance and lifestyle?
What happens if the rules change again before they become law?

These proposed changes are a reminder that property should not be judged on tax benefits alone. Good planning looks at the full strategy, not just one deduction.

24/06/2026

✨ For many women, money has not always been spoken about openly, but every woman deserves to feel informed about her own financial life.

At Steps Financial, we help women, couples and families make sense of super, investments, insurance, retirement, estate planning and long-term strategy in a way that feels calm and clear.

Having support is lovely, but having knowledge, confidence and options matters too. What is one money lesson you wish more women were taught earlier?

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

23/06/2026

💗 Women often live longer, and while that is not something we talk about often, it is important.

23 June is International Widows’ Day, a reminder of the emotional, practical and financial realities many women face after losing a partner.

In Australia, the latest ABS data shows life expectancy at birth is 81.1 years for males and 85.1 years for females. That is a 4-year gap.

For many women, this means there may be a stage of life where they are managing money, retirement income, housing decisions, estate matters, super, insurance and aged care decisions on their own.

Sometimes for the first time, and that can feel incredibly overwhelming if one person in the relationship has always “handled the finances”.

This is about making sure both people in a relationship understand the basics:

• Where the money is
• What income you would have if one person passed away
• What happens to super and pensions
• What insurance is in place
• Where important documents are kept
• Who has access to accounts
• Whether wills, beneficiaries and estate planning are up to date
• What your retirement plan looks like as a couple and as individuals

Financial confidence is about being able to make decisions during a time when life already feels heavy enough.

Research from the ABS also shows that retired women are more likely than retired men to rely on their partner’s income to meet living costs at retirement. That is an important conversation for couples, families and women approaching retirement.

At Steps Financial, we help women, couples and families make sense of the full picture, including retirement planning, super, insurance, estate planning, investments and long-term financial strategy.

If your partner usually manages the money, this is your gentle reminder to get involved. Ask questions, know where things are, understand what would happen next.

20/06/2026

✨ It’s the tiny wins that make the biggest difference to your day.

Hallelujah.

Feeling more in control of your money often starts with the small moments rather than one big drastic change.

Financial wellbeing means building more clarity, more confidence and a little more breathing room, one simple step at a time.

18/06/2026

🧮 Division 296 is not just a “future super change” anymore.

From 1 July 2026, Division 296 will apply to people with Total Super Balances above $3 million.

That means if your super balance is close to or above that threshold, or could become higher through things like investment growth, business sale proceeds, inheritance, or a spouse’s super death benefit, now is the time to understand what may change.

A few key points worth knowing:

- Division 296 applies to Total Super Balances above $3 million

- It looks at your total super position, not just one account or fund

- The first assessment will be based on the 2026–27 financial year

- It applies to realised earnings linked to balances above the threshold

- Unrealised gains will not be taxed under the final legislation

- A higher tier applies to balances above $10 million

- SMSF trustees and high-balance super members may need to pay close attention to reporting, liquidity and planning

We have explained the key Division 296 changes, who may be affected, and what planning considerations to think about in our latest article.

Read the full article here:
https://www.stepsfinancial.com.au/articles/division296tax

17/06/2026

🐈 Financial confidence does have a certain look to it. You won’t have everything perfectly sorted or never buy another coffee, book, dinner, or treat. But, you are starting to understand your money in a way that feels less chaotic.

Responsible does not have to mean boring!

At Steps Financial, we believe financial planning should support your real life, not take the fun out of it.

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

15/06/2026

♥️ Today is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, a reminder that every older Australian deserves dignity, safety, choice and independence.

In Australia, research has found that around 1 in 6 older people have experienced elder abuse, and 1 in 2 people who perpetrate elder abuse are family members.

Financial abuse can include things like:

- taking money without permission
- pressuring an older person to lend or gift money
- misusing bank cards or online banking access
- using a Power of Attorney in a way that does not benefit the older person, or that is not in their best interest
- changing wills, accounts or financial arrangements without proper understanding or consent
- stopping someone from accessing their own money
- leaving bills unpaid while someone else controls the funds

This is a hard topic to talk about, especially when family is involved, but protecting someone’s financial wellbeing is part of protecting their independence, for as long as they are mentally or physically able to remain independent..

If you are worried about elder abuse, support is available. You can call 1800 ELDERHelp on 1800 353 374 for information and support. If someone is in immediate danger, call 000.

At Steps Financial, we help clients and families understand the bigger picture around retirement planning, estate planning, insurance, super, investments and long-term financial strategy.
It is also about protecting choice, clarity and peace of mind.

13/06/2026

😮 EOFY is officially in the “oh wow, that came quickly” stage. Before 30 June, here are a few last-minute checks that may be worth doing:

- Check whether any extra super contributions need to be made

- Make sure super contributions are received by your fund before 30 June, not just transferred on the day

- Organise receipts, statements and records before they’re lost

- Review any donations or work-related expenses

- Check whether your insurance still suits your life

- Look at your budget and cash flow

- Review any big changes from the year, like a new job, pay rise, property, partner, baby, business or retirement plans

- Book advice if you are unsure before making last-minute decisions

EOFY does not have to mean doing everything perfectly, but a quick check now can help you avoid rushed decisions, missed opportunities or that annoying “I wish I looked at this earlier” feeling.

We help clients understand the bigger picture around super, retirement planning, insurance, investments, cash flow and long-term strategy.

If EOFY has made you realise your financial plan needs a proper review, visit our website to learn more or book a time to chat.

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

11/06/2026

🚺 Even the world’s richest women have been vulnerable to financial exploitation.

A recent Australian Women’s Weekly article shared the stories of wealthy, successful women, including Liliane Bettencourt, Gina Lollobrigida and Brooke Astor, who were allegedly exploited or financially mistreated by people close to them.

While these stories involve extraordinary wealth, the lesson is not only for billionaires. It is for every woman.

The article highlights how exploitation can often come from positions of trust, including family members, partners, carers, advisers or people who become deeply involved in someone’s life.

Read the article here:
https://www.womensweekly.com.au/news/real-life/the-worlds-richest-woman/

At Steps Financial, we help women, couples and families understand their financial picture in a calm, practical way, from super and retirement planning to investments, insurance, estate planning and long-term strategy.

If this article made you think about your own financial setup, your family’s plans, or the women in your life, it may be time to start the conversation. Learn more about Steps Financial here: https://www.stepsfinancial.com.au/

10/06/2026

A lot of the things we want in life do not happen all at once.

Confidence, independence, security. They usually come from the small decisions made over time.

At Steps Financial, we help women, couples and families make those steps feel clearer, calmer and more achievable.

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

Address

PO Box 2212
Normanhurst, NSW
2076

Telephone

+611300681955

Website

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

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