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As the year wraps up, it’s the ideal moment to transition from day-to-day money management to strategic wealth building. If you’re currently generating strong income and have achieved basic financial security, your 2026 goals should centre on optimisation, expansion, and protection.

We’ll use the S.M.A.R.T. framework to set some sample goals that could move you closer to financial independence or early retirement.

1. Maximise Long-Term Tax Advantage

Your income means you have contribution caps to consider. Using superannuation efficiently is one of the best ways to grow wealth in a low-tax environment.

• Vague Goal: I want to put more money into super.
• S.M.A.R.T. Goal: I will maximise my concessional superannuation contributions for the 2025-2026 financial year by salary sacrificing the full $30,000 cap by June 1, 2026.

This goal focuses on taking advantage of the tax difference between your marginal rate and the 15% super contribution tax. It’s a powerful wealth accumulator.

2. Fund a Major Future Liability

For this group, major goals often include a property investment or funding a child’s university education. Setting a specific investment target makes the goal feel achievable.

• Vague Goal: I want to save for my kids’ university fees.
• S.M.A.R.T. Goal: I will establish a dedicated investment portfolio for my child’s education, funding it with an initial $10,000 lump sum by February 15, 2026, and making consistent $500 monthly investments into a diversified exchange-traded fund (ETF) throughout the year.

This uses specific investment vehicles and consistent contributions to meet a future liability, rather than relying on a low-interest savings account.

3. Optimise Non-Deductible Debt

This segment often holds a large mortgage. The goal here is not necessarily to pay off the house quickly, but to ensure debt is structured effectively to free up capital for investing.

• Vague Goal: I want to reduce my home loan principal.
• S.M.A.R.T. Goal: I will use the mortgage offset account as my primary savings vehicle, maintaining an average offset balance of $200,000 throughout 2026 to effectively reduce my interest payments and shorten the loan term by an estimated 18 months.

The offset account is a highly efficient tool for this audience, reducing non-deductible interest without locking away liquidity.

Your Strategic Outlook

By focusing on these strategic, measurable goals for 2026, you’re treating your money like the asset it is. These steps are about maximising the efficiency of your existing capital, protecting it from unnecessary tax, and aligning your current income with your significant long-term aspirations.

Please remember that the goals listed above are samples only. Your personal financial strategy must be tailored to your unique income, liabilities, risk tolerance, and tax position. Before making any significant changes to your superannuation, debt structure, or investment portfolios, you should always speak with a qualified financial adviser who can provide advice specific to your circumstances.

A Note on Our Content

Our content team will be taking a short break over the holiday season. Our weekly financial articles will return on the third Friday of January 2026. In the meantime, we wish you a joyful holiday!