Centra Wealth Group - The centre of your financial wellbeing

24/07/2026

When it comes to purchasing a property, there are two main options to consider: buying an established property or opting for a new one. Each choice comes with its own set of benefits and considerations. By carefully considering factors including those outlined below, you will be able to find a home that aligns with your property goals and preferences. The benefits and considerations are not limited to what is listed below, and you should seek professional advice to suit your own individual circumstances.

Established property

Benefits

- Established infrastructure: older properties are often situated in areas with more developed infrastructure, including trains, buses, trams, schools, hospitals and other amenities. Remember well-established facilities play a crucial role in enhancing the growth potential of the property.

- Physical inspection: you can physically inspect the property before making a purchase.

23/07/2026

Retirement is an opportunity to assess where you live and how you want to live.

Questions to help you decide where to live

Retirement may be a time to think about whether you want to stay where you are, downsize or move into a retirement home.

Your children may have moved out, and the family home now seems too big. Perhaps you no longer want to be responsible for running a house.

Or your health may not be as good as it used to be, and you need a bit more help. You might see an opportunity to reduce rent or loan payments.

Whatever your circumstances, you could consider your living arrangements by asking yourself some key questions, including:

- What is my present financial situation? (For example, do I own or rent, do I have debt, am I financially responsible for someone else?)

- How is my health now, and should I plan for future health care needs?

- Do I want to stay near family and friends?

- How much room do I need?

- What kind of lifestyle do I want?

Retirement is an opportunity to assess where you live and how you want to live.  Questions to help you decide where to live Retirement may be a time

22/07/2026

In the weeks after the Federal Budget’s announcement to change the rules for negative gearing and the reduction to Capital Gains Tax (CGT), headlines continue to spark debate, and a familiar question lingers: what does this mean for my investments?

With ongoing global developments layered on top, it can feel as though some form of action is required.

But for long-term investors, the Budget itself is rarely the greatest risk to financial success. More often, it’s how we respond to the surrounding commentary that has the bigger impact.

When dramatic Budget announcements coincide with global uncertainty such as economic shifts or geopolitical tensions, the pressure to act can build quickly. Yet, markets absorb new information fast and much of what is announced has already been anticipated and reflected in prices.

This is where discipline matters most.

In the weeks after the Federal Budget’s announcement to change the rules for negative gearing and the reduction to Capital Gains Tax (CGT), headlines continue

21/07/2026

These days, most people hold some form of life insurance in their super account. While this is a welcome safety net, the level of cover held this way is often inadequate.

A Rice Warner study back in 2020 found that life cover within superannuation only met about 65-70 per cent of actual need.i

With the impact of Covid since that time, that figure is growing.ii

Holding the appropriate level of life insurance, whether inside or outside super, and reviewing it regularly as your circumstances change has never been more important. After all, how would your family cope if the unexpected happened? How would the mortgage be paid? What about the school fees?

While life insurance should be considered a non-negotiable part of your financial plan, there is flexibility and potential cost savings in the way you pay for it.

These days, most people hold some form of life insurance in their super account. While this is a welcome safety net, the level of cover held this way is often i

20/07/2026

For many, the goal of investing is about creating wealth for a comfortable financial future, as well as a legacy that supports your children and grandchildren for decades to come.

But one of the greatest risks to that legacy can be the challenge of dealing with sudden wealth. When adult children inherit large sums or significant assets without preparation, sometimes the result is family tension, poor decisions or erosion of wealth.

While precise figures vary, research and industry experience consistently show that many families struggle to preserve wealth beyond the second and third generations, largely due to behavioural and governance challenges rather than investment performance.

Building financial literacy

Financial capability is developed over years of exposure, education, and experience.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) MoneySmart program emphasises that financial literacy is a core life skill, not simply a technical ability.

For many, the goal of investing is about creating wealth for a comfortable financial future, as well as a legacy that supports your children and grandchildren f

19/07/2026

For many of us the appeal of a holiday lies in experiencing new things - the thrill of new sights, smells and of course, tastes.

If you are a bit of a foodie or even if the thought of immersing yourself in another culture via their cuisine appeals, here is some inspiration to get you planning that next trip.

Eating with the locals

Right on our doorstep is a wonderland of fresh flavours and exotic tastes. While there are many destinations in Asia where you can eat like a local at a street stall, the jewel in the crown is truly the Island of Penang in Malaysia.

This tropical island is famous for its stunning beaches, glorious weather and importantly for the would-be gourmet - street food that encompasses Chinese, Tamil, Indian and indigenous Malay cuisine. This rich fusion makes for spicy curries, delicious sticky noodles and crispy roti cooked on the spot.

For many of us the appeal of a holiday lies in experiencing new things - the thrill of new sights, smells and of course, tastes. If you are a bit of a foodie

18/07/2026

We all want to be a bit healthier but it’s not always easy to drag yourself off to do a workout, particularly in the lead up to such a busy time of the year. It’s also pretty hard to eat well when there are so many ways to indulge.

Let’s face it despite our best intentions, making a big overhaul to your lifestyle is intimidating at the best of times as it can be really hard to shift life-long habits.

Fortunately, you don’t have to make massive changes to improve your health. Making tiny tweaks is a lot less painful than suddenly ditching the junk food and embracing ‘clean eating’ or getting off the couch and training for a marathon.

Starting small

Small tweaks are easy to fit into your busy life and super effective as they add up - think of them as the bricks you use to build a bridge to better health.

It’s important to start small, choose something that you can commit to and include in your routine on a daily basis. For example, you could try drinking more water.

We all want to be a bit healthier but it’s not always easy to drag yourself off to do a workout, particularly in the lead up to such a busy time of the year.

17/07/2026

What is a bridging loan?

A bridging loan, or bridging finance, is a short-term loan that can help you finance the purchase of a new property while you sell your current property. Most people sell their old home first, and then buy their new home with the available equity. But there are times when buying first may suit you better.

How does a bridging loan work?

Let’s say you’ve found the house you want, but haven’t sold the one you’re in. You’ll need finance to meet the gap between receiving funds from the sale of your existing home and buying your new property. It’s essentially giving you a line of credit to cover the ‘bridge’ between purchasing the new property and receiving settlement funds on the old.

But it’s important to remember that you’ll need to pay your original home loan and the bridging finance loan at the same time. You’ll have to show evidence that you can repay the bridging finance interest costs during the period between buying and selling.

What is a bridging loan? A bridging loan, or bridging finance, is a short-term loan that can help you finance the purchase of a new property while you sell y

16/07/2026

Retirement has often been seen as a time to slow down and enjoy the simple pleasures of daily life. And for many, that’s the dream. But retirement is no longer defined by one image or one path. In fact, it can be something much more expansive. Today, retirement is increasingly viewed as a time of freedom, possibility, and reinvention.

Retirement isn’t about stepping back. It’s about stepping into a new chapter where you decide what comes next.

Even if you are not yet there, and retirement is still a way off, it’s never too soon to think about who you want to be, what gives you joy, and start to gravitate towards living your dreams.

Let go of conformity, embrace freedom

Of course, you can live your dreams at any stage of your life but the exciting part about retirement is that you are no longer bound by the expectations that shaped your earlier years. You don’t have to earn a living anymore, so what you do with your time can be driven purely by passion, curiosity, or purpose.

Retirement has often been seen as a time to slow down and enjoy the simple pleasures of daily life. And for many, that’s the dream. But retirement is no longe

15/07/2026

Balancing Australian and global shares means weighing growth, income & currency risk

Getting investment exposure to global companies through share markets makes sense, but weighing up risks such as currency fluctuations is important.

Many Australians have a justified love affair with the domestic share market.

The Australian share market has delivered solid long‑term returns for investors, underpinned by strong performance across sectors such as financials and resources. However as part of a diversified portfolio and to minimise risk, investors could also look to global shares.

Yes, the ASX offers a strong mix of well-established companies, but international shares open the door to world-leading businesses that are not represented locally. By holding diversified, index‑based portfolios that include both Australian and international shares, investors can participate in the growth of global markets without needing to pick winners.

Balancing Australian and global shares means weighing growth, income & currency risk Getting investment exposure to global companies through share market