Tiny habit changes that grow your savings without you even feeling it.

Do you dream of saving for your future or even simply for a new washing machine? For many Australians, the costs of everyday living are only just covered by weekly income and saving anything at all feels out of reach.

If this story is familiar and you have nothing left after you’ve paid the rent, bought groceries and paid for electricity and internet, then it might be time to check out Micro-Saving.

In the same way that you don’t get fit by running a marathon first and training for it later, or doing an exam before you’ve studied, the best budget savings are made when you’ve grown your habit muscles around the small stuff.

Making small changes to your spending and lifestyle habits can have an outsized effect. This is what Micro-Saving is all about; the tiny changes that you don’t even feel day to day but get you on track to building up the balance in your savings account. Happening automatically, these changes are so small that they won’t impact on your lifestyle, but through consistency your savings will grow and the much-dreamed-of washing machine will be within reach.

Try these 8 Micro-Saving changes and watch the cents add up.

1. Visit the Supermarket Less Regularly

If meal planning is beyond you and you find yourself running to the supermarket multiple times a week, be aware that on every trip you will spend more than planned. By reducing the number of trips you take, you’ll also miss all those impulse buys. To really make it work, write down a list and only buy what’s on it.

2. Review Your Streaming Services and Subscriptions

Have you fallen for the ‘one month free’ and now have more streaming services than there are hours in a week? You could go cold turkey and go back to free to air TV or simply decide which ones you don’t need right now. The shows will still be there for your viewing pleasure later, so mix it up and subscribe to one at a time.

The same is true for the other fitness, music and news apps you’re paying for. Take an hour to look through your bank statement and work out which subscriptions you aren’t using and turn them off.

3. Miss a Coffee Run Once a Week

You don’t need to give them all up, but by missing one coffee a week you’ll be able to add $5 to your savings. Miss two and that goes up to $10 of savings each week. That’s an extra $500 saved in one year.

4. Set up a Savings Account with Automatic Deposits

When you’re building a habit, you only need to start small. Deposit $2 each week and when you’re ready, make it $5. You’ll be encouraged as your balance grows and you probably won’t even feel the impact of what you’re missing out on. Making the whole process automatic eliminates any risk that you won’t stick with it.

5. Do You Need to Drive Every Time, or All the Way?

The next time you’re heading out and about, consider the best way to get to where you’re going. With easy-to-use online trip planners, you can not only work out the best route on public transport, but even the cheapest. It might take you an extra ten minutes, but you can always fit in some reading along the way. At peak hour, it might even be faster to catch the train or walk an extra block or two.

Consider take turns carpooling with friends, split the cost and you’ll all be saving.

6. Try a No Spend Challenge in One Area of Your Life

Start small in one area of your life, before aiming big. Commit to a no-spend on food weekend and eat only from what you have in the fridge and pantry.

From there you can try a week with no spending on entertainment, or a month with no spending on clothing. Make the experiment fun and you never know what new ways of doing things you’ll discover.

7. Rent, Borrow or Head to the Library

Consider whether you need to buy or could instead borrow what you need. Hire a steam cleaner and breathe new life into your old couches, or borrow a leaf blower from your neighbour and offer to help clean up their driveway too.

Your local library is another brilliant resource, and it offers far more than books these days. From cake tins and jigsaw puzzles to e-books, games, and even podcast kits, your local library has become a hub of resources and fun for the whole family. You’ll probably only need the number 2 cake tin a couple of times in your life, so why buy when you can borrow?

8. Round up your Transactions

This is where the magic really happens. Set up a round up facility with your bank and watch your savings grow. Every time you make a purchase, the charge is rounded up to the nearest dollar and the round up amount is deposited into a separate savings account. Pay $4.50 for a coffee, $5 comes out of your account, and $0.50 is transferred to your savings. You don’t miss out on your everyday joys, and you actively save at the same time.

The Small Wins Really Do Count

Or in this case, the small savings make all the difference. By starting small, you won’t feel the impact in the same way you do when trying to slash your budget.
Small wins will build momentum and belief, creating space for bigger changes and challenges.

Micro-Saving won’t get you to Europe tomorrow, but by the end of a year, you might just have that new washing machine and stronger saving muscles for the future.

Article supplied with thanks to Hope Media.

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Is debt sinful? Does the Bible allow borrowing in certain situations? 

Christians often ask what the Bible says about borrowing money and debt. 

Is debt sinful? 
Is borrowing always wrong? 
Or does the Bible allow borrowing in certain situations? 

The first thing to understand is that the Bible never says that debt itself is sinful. Having debt, including a home loan, is common in modern life. Scripture does not say that simply having debt is wrong. 

However, the reasons people go into debt can sometimes be sinful. For example, borrowing money to keep up with others or to maintain a lifestyle that cannot realistically be afforded can lead to poor financial decisions. 

The motivation behind financial decisions matters. 

What Does the Bible Say About Borrowing?

A key passage about borrowing comes from the book of Proverbs. 

Proverbs 22:7 says: “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower becomes the slave of the lender.” 

This proverb highlights a biblical principle about debt. 

While borrowing is not described as sinful, Scripture shows that debt can create financial bondage. 

The Biblical Warning About Debt

God is concerned that His people do not become enslaved to the systems of the world.

Debt can gradually grow beyond what a person can manage. Spending on larger houses, cars, and lifestyle purchases can accumulate into significant debt and create difficult financial situations.

Debt limits freedom.

Large financial obligations begin to control financial choices.

How Debt Can Limit Generosity

Excessive debt can reduce a person’s ability to live generously.

When financial commitments are overwhelming, it becomes harder to give, support ministry work, or help people in need.

When someone is drowning in debt, most financial resources go toward repayments instead of advancing God’s kingdom or serving others.

For this reason, the Bible encourages wisdom and caution when borrowing.

A Biblical Principle to Remember

The warning in Proverbs should be taken seriously.

Borrowing money may not be sinful, but allowing debt to grow until it creates financial bondage can cause serious consequences.

Approaching borrowing carefully helps protect financial freedom and the ability to give generously.

Final Thoughts 

The Bible does not say that borrowing money is sinful. However, Scripture warns about the dangers of debt and how it can restrict financial freedom. 

Applying biblical wisdom to borrowing decisions helps believers pursue faithful stewardship, financial freedom, and generosity. 

Article supplied with thanks to Wealth with Purpose.

About the Author: Alex is a licensed financial planner and the founder of Wealth with Purpose a Stewardship Ministry that helps Christians handle their money God’s way.

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Rather than fighting them.

There are subtle and not-so-subtle ways that I try to push past my limits.

• Smashing my third or fourth coffee to power through the mid-afternoon slump.
• Skipping lunch breaks to squeeze more into my day.
• Putting in 10+ hour workdays or burning the midnight oil to get more done.
• Overcommitting and biting off more than I can chew.
• Saying yes to taking on additional responsibilities to add to an already full plate.
• Thinking that I could accomplish more, if only I had more time and energy.

These patterns point to striving to achieve or do more by overcoming my physical or mental limits.

I am reminded soon enough that going beyond my limits can only last for so long. There comes a point that not even another coffee can get the neurons in my brain firing when I am sleep deprived. If I try to push my limits for long enough, eventually my brain short circuits or my body crashes.

I actively fought my limits in a cycle of churn and burn for years in a demanding corporate job at a company with a high-performance culture. It took another cycle of burnout for me to come to the realisation that conquering my limits was unsustainable and required a significant change to break the cycle. For me, that meant stepping off the treadmill of a promising career trajectory at my previous company that I worked at for over a decade to taking on a less demanding job at a much smaller organisation.

Is there a better way than to constantly battle your limits? Is there an alternative narrative to that of seeing limits as deficiencies that inhibit you from achieving your full potential?

1. Acknowledge your limits

Acknowledge your limits to your capacity, energy and time, and how these fluctuate with different seasons of life.

I have come to terms that my days of boundless energy and high capacity are probably behind me. Gone are the days where I could bounce back quickly after a late night or when my available time is matched by available energy. The increasing number of white hairs on my head remind me that I am physically aging. A recent conversation with friends who are also in their mid-to-late thirties involved debating as to whether we would be classified as middle age. Time seems to slip through my fingers through each passing year.

There is grief in mourning the reduction in our capacity and energy that comes with age. I think back wistfully to my twenties when I had the capacity to be very actively involved in multiple ministries at church, run half marathons, work long hours in a demanding job, travel regularly and still maintain a social life.

What if limitations aren’t weaknesses that we fight but rather something we can graciously accept?

There is a sentence in the Bible I think is really helpful. “Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). We won’t live forever. Our days are numbered. Our mortality could be the ultimate limitation – or it could be what helps us to live wisely and well in this world.

2. Flip the script and reframe your limits

“Finitude is an unavoidable aspect of our creaturely existence – you’re only human” Kelly M. Kapic

When I experienced a physical injury, it became a crash course in managing and navigating physical limitations. Breaking my ankle was a humbling experience as it meant that I had to rely on others to open doors, drive me around and carry things for me whilst I was crutches for weeks. I needed a physiotherapist to train me to build the strength and mobility to be able to walk properly again. I quickly learned that being physically incapacitated meant living with a level of helplessness with the loss of some independence. However, being dependent on others meant that I experienced the kindness of others who were willing to act as my hands and feet for me.

Our limits are what make us human. Limits are not deficiencies or weaknesses in our design but rather we are wired in a way that means that we need other people. We were made for community and connection with others. And as a follower of Jesus I would also argue that we are made for dependency on God and relationship with him.

Coming to terms with my creaturely human limits for me looks like no longer looking inwards and resenting my limitations. Embracing my God-given limits encourages me to look outwards to connect with others and asking for help in my neediness and looking upwards to Him upon whom my very existence depends on.

“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” – Psalm 139:14

Reflection Questions

1. What is a mental or physical limit for you in this current season of life?

2. What are ways in which you try to overcome or fight your limits?

3. What would it look like to embrace your limits?

Article supplied with thanks to Third Space

About the Author: Julie works in finance in the not-for-profit space.

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It’s possible to build a financial plan that’s both resilient and biblical. True wealth is built over time. 

Many Christians wonder how to build wealth that lasts without compromising their faith. In 2026, with economic uncertainty, market fluctuations, and rising costs, planning for the long term can feel overwhelming. But building a financial plan that is both resilient and biblical is possible. 

The first thing to understand is that wealth isn’t just about accumulating money, it’s about stewardship. Scripture encourages believers to plan wisely, save diligently, and give generously. A long-term plan is not a sign of doubt in God, but an act of faithful preparation. 

Why Resilience Matters More Than Returns 

Life rarely goes as planned. Unexpected events like job changes, health challenges, or market downturns can quickly disrupt finances. 

Jesus teaches in Matthew 7 about building your house on a solid rock. Similarly, aligning your finances with God’s principles creates a foundation that can withstand life’s storms. The goal is not to chase the highest returns but to build financial resilience that protects your family and allows you to serve God faithfully. 

What Does the Bible Say About Planning Ahead? 

Some Christians worry that planning for the future shows a lack of faith. But the Bible tells a different story. 

In Proverbs 13:22, it says: 

“A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children.” 

This verse encourages forward-looking stewardship. Planning for the future, saving for your family, investing wisely, and preparing for emergencies, is an expression of faith, not doubt. 

Four Pillars of a Resilient Financial Plan 

Building a long-term plan starts with four key principles:

1. Margin: Live Below Your Means

Create room in your finances by spending less than you earn. A simple framework is the 80-10-10 rule: 80% for living, 10% for saving, and 10% for giving. Margin allows you to handle unexpected expenses and give generously.

2. Protection: Prepare for Life’s Risks

Emergencies happen. Having an emergency fund (about 3–6 months of expenses) and appropriate insurance protects you from unexpected setbacks and ensures your family is cared for if something goes wrong.

3. Consistency: Build Faithful Habits

Wealth is built little by little through steady, disciplined habits. Automate your savings, practice regular giving, and stay consistent. Over time, small, consistent actions make a significant difference.

4. Diversification: Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Basket 

Investing in a variety of assets protects your finances from market fluctuations. As Ecclesiastes 11:2 says, diversify because we don’t know what challenges may come

Avoiding Short-Term Thinking 

We live in a results-driven culture that pushes quick wins and instant solutions. But financial success is achieved in seasons, not overnight. 

Patience, consistent saving, and long-term planning are critical. Christians are encouraged to adopt an eternal perspective, using money to serve God, bless others, and leave a lasting legacy, rather than chasing immediate gratification. 

Keeping Money From Becoming an Idol 

Jesus warns that we cannot serve both God and money. Wealth becomes dangerous when it dominates our priorities or becomes the measure of success. 

The solution is to step back and ask: 

• What is the purpose of my wealth? 
• How am I using it to serve others? 
• What legacy will I leave? 

When we see money as a tool we get to use for godly purposes, it stays in its proper place. 

Preparing Without Predicting 

It’s tempting to try to predict economic downturns, market crashes, or global events. But no one can foresee the future. 

The goal is not to predict, but to prepare: 

• Spiritually: Trust God with what you cannot control. 
• Practically: Build margin, save consistently, diversify, and protect your family. 

A combination of spiritual and practical preparation creates a plan that is resilient and faithful. 

Final Thoughts 

The Bible does not condemn planning or saving for the future. Instead, it calls believers to stewardship, wisdom, and faithful preparation. 

True wealth is built over time: 

• Faithfully: Trusting God in all things 
• Wisely: Making disciplined, practical decisions 
• Purposefully: Using resources to bless others and advance God’s kingdom 

In 2026, Christians can build long-term financial plans that are both resilient and rooted in faith, creating security, freedom, and the ability to give generously. 

Article supplied with thanks to Wealth with Purpose.

About the Author: Alex is a licensed financial planner and the founder of Wealth with Purpose a Stewardship Ministry that helps Christians handle their money God’s way.

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The most useful device in your life is also most likely your biggest real life distraction.

A third of the way through the year and struggling to find time to do any of the things you put on your 2026 list? You are not alone. Time is slipping by fast, but where has it gone?

For many of us there is one answer: the “smart” phone. The little device that slips into your back pocket is a portal to a world of information and activity, but it’s also a black hole that sucks away time and attention, adding overwhelm and anxiety if not used in moderation.

Sound familiar? It should. The average Australian spends four hours of their spare time each day watching TV or using devices (25 per cent of their waking time).

The evidence shows phone usage has many other negative impacts on our health and lifestyle, too. Disrupted sleep, depression, anxiety, lower self-esteem, addiction, and reduced attention span are only a few of the downsides of too much screen time. Add less time spent with friends and family, lower rates of physical activity and reduced time spent outside in nature, and it’s certainly a dark shadow over modern life.

But you can take back control.

If you see yourself in some or all of these scenarios and you’re ready to get your time and life back, it’s time to schedule a digital detox. Here are five tips to get you looking up and experiencing the world around you again.

Getting started

Ask yourself a few questions before getting started:

• What am I trying to achieve through a detox? Writing down your goals will help you stay focused and carry you through the moments when you want to reach for the phone.
• When do I use my phone the most? Identify the times and places when you use your phone and think about whether this is out of habit or genuine need.
• What do I use my phone for? Whether you are looking for information, entertainment or simply filling in time, this is helpful data for taking the next step.
• How do I feel about technology and myself when I use it? Be honest about the type of media you use and how it impacts your sense of self, your relationships and your family life.

Once you’ve set your goals and reflected on your current needs and habits, it’s time to commit to your digital detox. Remember: it doesn’t matter if you have “failed days”, what matters is how you pick yourself back up.

5 Strategies for a Digital Detox

1. Delete

Take a look through your phone and consider which apps take up your time unnecessarily. These might be games, news sites, social media or even language learning apps – you know who you are, Duolingo users.

If you’re ready to take the leap, delete the ones you know are simply consuming time without improving your wellbeing. If they are part of how you communicate with friends and family, let them know you are going quiet for a while. They could always call or send a text.

Remember, you can add the apps back later, so be bold now.

2. Silence

Do you start the day with laser-like focus only to find your train of thought interrupted by your phone beeping away beside you? Turning off all notifications is a step toward controlling who and what gets your attention. Schedule a time in the morning or afternoon to check news, weather and emails. Set a timer and you’ll be even more efficient at staying on top of the important and avoiding distractions.

Put yourself in charge of your time and agenda.

3. Relocate Your Device

Location, location, location. Proximity matters as much with your phone as with anything else. If it’s right beside you, habit will kick in and you’re far more likely to reach for it without even thinking.

Leaving your phone in another room removes the distraction and helps you build new habits.

4. Go Analogue

Do you still have recipe books on your shelves? Pull them out and leaf through them over your morning cuppa. Not only will you avoid mindless scrolling, but you might discover an amazing new recipe for dinner that night: win-win.

Set up a jigsaw puzzle and you’ll have something to return to whenever you want to switch off for a bit.

Is there a book you’ve been longing to read but never seem to get to? Put it next to your bed, on the kitchen bench, or on the coffee table. Do the same with a hobby you haven’t picked up in a while. Leave it in plain sight where you can easily reach for it. You’ll have plenty of extra time, especially if your phone is elsewhere.

Write a list, on actual paper, of things you want to do, places to go, or things to try. Start ticking them off. Yes, with an actual pen.

Get out in nature. Make your morning coffee and take it outside. Feel the breeze, touch some grass, and move your body. Your mind will thank you just as much as your muscles will.

5. Set Time Limits and Phone-Free Zones

There will be some apps you need to access throughout the day. Set realistic time limits on your device. Your phone will alert you when you’ve reached your self-imposed limit. If you find yourself repeatedly going over it, consider deleting the app for a period of time.

Establishing phone-free zones in your home can also help you and you build new routines. Keeping phones out of bedrooms can be particularly useful as you reclaim healthy sleep habits. Invest in an alarm clock, set aside a book you want to read and make the bedroom a place of peace and restfulness. After all, that’s what it’s for.

Next steps

As with any detox, a digital detox is designed to reset your habits and create space for something different. From there, you can decide which changes you’d like to make permanent. Experiment, see what works, and find what can realistically be integrated into your lifestyle long term.

As you develop new habits, they might even rub off on the people around you. After all, you’ll be inspiring company when you start climbing mountains and finally reading all those books.

Article supplied with thanks to Hope Media.

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Decision-making is not only guided by practical considerations but also by our values, spiritual beliefs, and cultural background.

Making decisions about our lives can be difficult. Whether it’s choosing a university, a career path, or a life partner, these important life decisions often come with uncertainty and pressure.

For many of us, decision-making is not only guided by practical considerations but also by our values, spiritual beliefs, and cultural background. We often reflect on whether our choices align with what we believe and whether they will be supported by our community.

Because of these intersecting factors, decision-making can become complex. You may have heard of the term analysis paralysis, the feeling of being stuck and unable to move forward due to fear of making the wrong choice. Often, this happens when a nagging inner voice begins to erode the confidence we once had in our decision.

When this happens, it can be helpful to keep a few key ideas in mind to ease the pressure and support clearer, more confident decision-making.

Not Every Decision Has to Be Perfect the First Time

It’s easy to feel that important life decisions must be perfect from the start. However, adjusting to a more realistic expectation- sometimes we will get it right the first time and sometimes we won’t- can relieve the pressure that keeps us stuck.

Important decisions can feel final, as though once we choose a path, we must stay on it forever. In reality, life often involves adapting, learning, and re-evaluating along the way. Some of the most meaningful lessons come through experience, including situations that don’t go as planned.

For example, someone might begin a university course and later realise their interests lie elsewhere. A person may enter a job and discover it doesn’t align with their skills or passions. Rather than feeling obliged to continue, we can choose a path that better fits the direction we want our lives to take.

Seeking Wise Counsel in Decision-Making

Decision-making doesn’t have to happen in isolation. Speaking with others can provide valuable insight, clarity, and support.

Many people find it helpful to seek guidance from trusted individuals such as friends, family members, mentors, or someone within their faith or spiritual community. These conversations can help us reflect on our values, explore different perspectives, and feel less alone in the process.

Seeking wise counsel is a powerful way to make more informed and balanced life decisions.

Moving Forward with Self-Compassion

Starting again is often part of life’s journey. Across cultures and spiritual traditions, there are many stories of individuals who faced setbacks, uncertainty, or mistakes before finding their way forward.

Recognising that challenges are a normal part of life can help us approach decision-making with greater self-compassion and openness. Instead of being overly critical of ourselves, we can learn to respond with patience and understanding.

Holding onto our values or faith, while also extending compassion toward ourselves, creates space to move forward with greater confidence and peace.

The next time you find yourself at an important life crossroads, remember to offer yourself the same compassion you would offer to others. Decision-making is not about getting everything perfect, it’s about learning, growing, and moving forward with intention.

The Centre for Effective Living is an award-winning Psychology and Well-Being practice serving the Upper North Shore of Sydney.

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Common wisdom has always been that fresh air and sunshine are good for us. But what impact does spending time outside really have?

Nature Play WA CEO, Kelsie Prabawa-Sear notes that we all feel better when we are outside, whether you’re a child or an adult.

“When we go outside, we get sunshine, we get fresh air. We have nice smells and we know that we feel better, but we don’t necessarily know why.”

There is fascinating science behind why outdoor time is refreshing.

“We see a drop in our stress hormone in cortisol. Then we also see an increase in our endorphins, which are associated with happiness and pleasure. There is also oxytocin that also helps alleviate stress and anxiety. So nature just helps our body adjust to feel better just by going outside,” said Kelsie.

Getting Kids Outside

Kelsie said the best thing to do is get ourselves outside, and the kids will follow.

“If there’s nothing inside that they’re glued to, like a screen, if we go outside, they will come. Then generally we get the benefits as well.”

She said that once kids are engaged in outdoor play, they can sustain themselves for a decent amount of time.

“Once you start to recognise how much better you feel, you are more motivated to do it. Everyone feels better and generally you can squeeze it in some part of the day.”

The 2026 Indoor Crisis

It has always been important for people to go outside, but there wasn’t as much focus on it in the past. Many people accepted it as part of their day.

“For a lot of us when we were growing up, kids were outside, so no one needed to talk about it or tell us to go outside.”

The University of Kent came out with research that shows when kids have time outside, they get positive associations of smells and the feel of nature. When these children become adults who are struggling with mental health, the return to nature brings back those positive associations.

“They get better results than people that never had that time in nature,” said Kelsie.

“Not only is it good for the kids when they’re little, it’s also helping to safeguard them when they’re older so that they can sort of draw on those positive associations and help them feel better.”

Kelsie said this is due to the overwhelm of events happening in the present day that can sometimes keep us from healthy habits that are better for our overall health.

Outdoor Time

“Research shows that ten minutes of walking outside will positively impact your wellbeing and how you feel,” said Kelsie.

“Then for kids, if it’s not just walking, but running and jumping and cartwheeling and swinging, that just makes everyone feel even better again.”

She said there are added benefits of resilience that they can learn.

“There’s lots of ways that it kind of builds up on the time to just make us a little bit more emotionally regulated in the moment and then longer term helps us with our resilience.”

Article supplied with thanks to Sonshine.

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Younger Australians are building portfolios instead of looking at property as the key to a secure financial future.

In a landscape defined by cost-of-living pressures and housing affordability debates, it would be easy to assume that financial optimism is dampening. Despite the Great Australian Dream of home ownership remaining elusive for many young Australians, they aren’t giving up.

The emerging generation are pivoting their financial aspirations, likely out of necessity as much as preference. Gen Z is an engaged investing generation, balancing current financial anxiety with a belief that their best financial days are ahead of them. This future may just look different from what they imagined. While property is the dominant asset class for older Australians, as the baton passes from Baby Boomers to Gen Z, there is a structural shift from a nation of property owners to a nation of portfolio builders.

From brick and mortar to digital portfolios

For decades, the path to wealth in Australia was clear. Buy a home, pay it off. As the pathway to ownership gets more challenging, the younger generations are carving a new path. Despite facing high entry barriers to housing, Gen Z and Gen Y are not being passive, they’re pivoting to more accessible investment opportunities.

Gen Z and Gen Y are more likely to be active in other investment classes (shares, crypto, managed funds) compared to Baby Boomers.

The younger generations are no longer just a future home buyer in waiting. They are sophisticated, active, diversified investors, who are building wealth through other means.

The optimism paradox

An interesting trend is the disconnect between current anxiety and future hope. Currently half of Gen Z (53%) are worried about their financial future (strongly/somewhat agree). This anxiety is real, driven by the immediate cost of living and inflation pressures.

Despite this, Gen Z are the most optimistic generation. Two in five Gen Z (39%) strongly agree they will be in a better financial position than they are today, compared to just 10% of Baby Boomers. This optimism is largely related to life stage, where many Baby Boomers are likely drawing on their super to fund retirement and considering passing wealth onto the next generation. Many may also feel their wealth creation phase is over, and are therefore less optimistic about their financial future. Younger generations, however, see their current financial struggles as a chapter, not the whole story. For financial services, the opportunity lies in easing financial worries, validating optimism and giving the next generation tools to create their financial future.

While the active investment numbers are encouraging, there is a gap between the genders. Males are twice as likely as females to strongly/somewhat agree they’re actively investing in various asset classes (38% vs 21%).

A nation of financial DIYers

Despite the complexity of the modern financial landscape, crypto, global markets, ETFs, non-traditional retirement funds, prediction markets only 32% of Australians strongly/somewhat agree they seek professional advice before making major financial decisions. This indicates there is a large proportion that may be making financial choices based on self-education, social media, or family advice.

The cost alone is not a barrier to advice, as even among high-income earners, the trend persists (35% earning 156k or more per year strongly/somewhat agree they seek advice before making a major financial decision). The challenge for the financial services industry, therefore, is to demonstrate value in a world where information is free, but wisdom is scarce.

Gen Z re-brands budgeting

Contrary to the stereotype of younger generations engaging in reckless doom spending, Gen Z are the most disciplined budgeters. Half of Gen Z (52%) strongly/somewhat agree they have a monthly budget they stick to, which is the highest of any generation Gen Y (48%), Gen X (44%) and Baby Boomers (45%).

In this budget rebrand, it’s no longer just for the frugal, it’s a primary tool for the ambitious younger generations who are building for the future. When it comes to budgeting, those doing it aren’t just the family CFO or the family financial advisor, it’s the 24-year-old trying to navigate rent, HECS, and a side-hustle simultaneously.

The bottom line

When it comes to financial identity people are resilient. Despite difficult conditions the younger generations are taking agency and a long-term view. For leaders, brands, and institutions the message is clear: don’t mistake anxiety and disappointment for pessimism. The next generation of wealth builders is active, engaged, and looking for ways to create their future.

Article supplied with thanks to McCrindle.

About the Author: McCrindle are a team of researchers and communications specialists who discover insights, and tell the story of Australians – what we do, and who we are.

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The NDIS support that helps a Paralympian live independently, on and off the sporting field.

“To have such a high level of support that I need when I travel overseas … then to be able to go home at the end of the day and have my own independence but still have someone I can call if I need them in my alone time is something that I really treasure,” shares Paralympian, Jamieson Leeson.

Jamieson is joined by Laura Cowell, CEO of Australian Operations at TLC Disability Services; and Dr. Louise Gosbell, disability researcher and advocate, to explore the topic of disability and support.

In 2024, disability support funded by the NDIS enabled Jamieson to train for and reach one of her biggest life goals yet; to compete at the Paris Olympics in the sport of Boccia. With several medals to her name from this and other domestic and international tournaments, NDIS support and the high level of care it provides to Jamieson is enabling her to accomplish many of the same life goals as those who don’t live with a disability.

At an organisational level, the purpose of the NDIS is to do exactly that, agrees Laura Cowell.

“The NDIS is a government initiative … (It) is really about empowering people to reach their goals to live their best life. It provides the ability for people to access the support and services they need to do that.”

However, despite NDIS support, many barriers still exist for those living with a disability, explains Louise, which prevent them from being able to participate in life’s activities on an equal basis with others.

These barriers, she says, tend to fall into one of three categories;

1. Obvious – E.g. failure to include disability-appropriate accessibility such as wheelchair ramps or accessible toilets
2. Communication barriers – E.g. no captioning on social media videos
3. Attitudinal barriers – resulting from poor understanding of disability and limited experience

Considering the extensive barriers people living with disability face, Louise asserts that it’s not enough to only support disability at an institutional level. All of us have the ability – and the responsibility – to learn more about the difference we can make in our own spheres of influence and put those good intentions into action.

“I always like to think about hearing the voices of people with disability … hearing from them (about) what we can do to make this better … where I have influence on a personal level as a mother, as someone in a workplace, as a researcher – using the tools and the experiences that I have to the best of my advantage to be able to make a difference.”

We must also not forget, encourages Laura, to care for the carers – for those who come alongside people living with a disability to support their needs in every capacity. Their important roles are vital to the challenge of enabling those with disability to live their best life, and we must ensure that their physical, emotional and mental health is also adequately monitored and cared for.

Jamieson, who has the support of a one-to-one carer every day, completely agrees.

“I wouldn’t be leaving my house if it wasn’t for my carers every day, so to ensure that they’re just as healthy as I am … they play a pivotal role in making sure that I am succeeding in life, it’s crucial for them to be healthy and fit.”

Article supplied with thanks to Helping Hands TV.

About the Author: Helping Hands is an Australian produced TV program that airs on 9GEM, Channel 9 and 9NOW, and showcases people and organisations who make the world a better place.

Feature image: Canva

According to veterinarian Dr Ewen Blaikie, dental disease, weight gain, and skin or ear issues are among the top reasons pets visit the clinic – yet simple lifestyle changes can make a significant difference.

Dr Blaikie explained how early action helps pets live healthier and happier lives.

Prevention Starts with Everyday Habits

A common thread connects many pet health concerns: lifestyle. Just like humans, pets are affected by diet, activity levels, and daily routines. “These are all preventable problems,” Dr Blaikie says. “If we get ahead of them early, we can avoid a lot of treatment later.”

Modern pet lifestyles, including softer foods and reduced chewing, play a major role in health issues that vets now see regularly.

Dental Disease: A Problem That Begins Early

Many owners believe dental disease only affects older dogs, but signs often appear by three years of age.

One major reason is diet. Domestic dogs typically eat highly digestible food that requires little chewing, unlike animals in the wild that naturally clean their teeth by chewing tougher materials.

Without enough chewing action, plaque builds up quickly and eventually turns into tartar, leading to gum disease and discomfort.

How to Support Better Dental Health

Pet owners can help prevent dental problems by encouraging activities that physically clean teeth, including:

• Providing safe chew toys or ropes
• Offering vet-approved dental chews
• Playing tug games that promote chewing
• Checking teeth regularly at home

While brushing a dog’s teeth is ideal, consistent chewing activities can still significantly reduce plaque build-up. Owners should occasionally lift their dog’s lips to check for signs of dental issues.

Do Natural Dental Products Help?

Some owners explore supplements such as seaweed products or coconut oil for dental health. While these may provide small benefits, they should not replace physical cleaning.

Removing plaque requires mechanical action – chewing, brushing, or other physical contact with the teeth remains the most effective method.

Pet Obesity: A Growing Concern

Weight gain is another widespread issue, with an estimated half of pets visiting veterinary clinics carrying excess weight. Obesity affects more than appearance, it reduces exercise tolerance and increases strain on joints and vital organs.

Why Dogs Gain Weight

Weight gain is not always caused simply by overeating. Factors include:

• Portion sizes and calorie intake
• Lifestyle and exercise levels
• Hormonal changes after sterilisation

Desexing plays an important role in population control but can also slow metabolism, making pets more prone to storing fat.

Feeding for a Healthy Weight

Whether a dog eats once or twice daily matters less than overall food quantity. Owners should focus on:

• Measuring portions carefully
• Avoiding gradual overfeeding
• Considering diets designed for sterilised pets
• Monitoring body condition regularly

Addressing weight early helps protect long-term health and improves quality of life.

Managing Allergies and Ear Issues

Food allergies are also common and often show up through skin irritation or recurring ear infections. Early warning signs include redness, itching, or sensitivity around the ears, and acting quickly when symptoms appear can prevent more serious infections.

Helpful steps include:

• Sticking consistently to approved diets
• Checking ears regularly
• Using vet-recommended cleaning products
• Seeking targeted treatments when needed

Early care is far easier than treating advanced infections.

The Key Takeaway: Act Early

The biggest message for pet owners is simple: prevention works. By paying attention to diet, encouraging chewing, monitoring weight, and responding quickly to health changes, owners can prevent many common problems before they begin.

Small daily habits can lead to healthier pets, fewer vet visits, and more happy years together.

Article supplied with thanks to Sonshine.

Feature image: Canva