Practical articles from Wade Vautier covering retirement planning, superannuation, Age Pension, Centrelink, investing and financial strategies for people in Geelong and throughout the Greater Geelong region.
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Protecting and Growing Your Wealth in Uncertain Times
Economic uncertainty is something every investor will experience. Markets rise and fall, interest rates change, inflation comes and goes, and global events can quickly affect investment markets. While these periods can feel unsettling, they are a normal part of investing. For people approaching retirement or already retired, market uncertainty can be even more concerning. After … Read more
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Is a Retirement Village Right for You?
One of the biggest decisions many people face as they approach retirement isn’t about their superannuation or investments. It’s about where they want to live. For some, remaining in the family home feels like the obvious choice. Others begin looking at downsizing, while many start asking whether a retirement village could offer a better lifestyle. … Read more
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Can AI Help With Financial Decisions? Yes – But It Has Limits
Artificial intelligence has quickly become part of everyday life. Whether it’s ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or another AI platform, more Australians are using these tools to research everything from holiday destinations to investment ideas. I use AI myself because it’s an excellent tool for learning, researching and organising information. But there’s an important difference between using … Read more
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Should You Stay, Downsize or Move? Making the Right Housing Decision in Retirement
For many people, the family home is their biggest asset. It’s also one of the most emotional financial decisions you’ll ever make. As retirement approaches, I often hear questions such as: Should we downsize? Is it worth selling the family home? Will moving affect our Age Pension? Can we afford to stay where we are? … Read more
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Aged Care Planning: What You Need to Know Before You Need It
For most families, aged care isn’t something they think about until a health issue or unexpected event forces them to make decisions quickly. Unfortunately, that’s often the worst time to start planning. Over the years, I’ve helped many individuals and families throughout Geelong and the Greater Geelong region navigate the financial side of aged care. … Read more
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How Much Money Do You Really Need to Retire?
One of the first questions people ask me is, “Wade, how much money do I actually need to retire?” The honest answer is that there isn’t a single number that suits everyone. I’ve worked with clients throughout Geelong and the surrounding region who have retired comfortably with very different levels of wealth. What made the … Read more
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Can You Access Your Super Early? Here’s What You Need to Know
One of the most common questions I hear from people approaching retirement is: “Can I get my super before I retire?” The answer is sometimes, but the rules are much stricter than many people realise. I’ve spoken with plenty of people across Geelong and the Greater Geelong region who have seen social media videos claiming … Read more
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Age Pension Changes in 2026 – What They Could Mean for Your Retirement
If you receive the Age Pension—or expect to rely on it in the future—it’s important to stay up to date with changes that could affect your income. From March 2026, the Australian Government increased the Age Pension while also making gradual changes to the deeming rates used to calculate pension entitlements. For many people across … Read more
General Advice Warning
The information in this article is general in nature and does not take your personal objectives, financial situation or needs into account. Before making any financial decisions, you should consider whether the information is appropriate for your circumstances and seek professional financial advice where necessary.
Community Chapman Welsh – Wade Vautier
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E wade@ccwadvisory.com.au
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