Expert Wealth Strategies & Market Trends

THE ADVISER MONTHLY | October 2025

VOLUME V. ISSUE 10

Welcome to the October Edition of The Adviser Monthly!

As we head into the final quarter of 2025, it’s important to review your financial strategy and ensure your credit, debt, and investment decisions are working in harmony. This month, we take a considered look at financial health, from managing credit wisely to ensuring every decision aligns with your broader wealth strategy.

This month’s insights explore how to make confident, informed decisions around credit limits, debt management, and personal loans, while also focusing on positive financial behaviours such as steady investing and purposeful saving. We’re also taking a broader view, examining how financial wellbeing contributes to overall life satisfaction and the importance of aligning money decisions with what truly matters most.

Whether you’re optimising existing strategies or exploring new opportunities, these articles are designed to help you approach your finances with clarity, purpose, and control.

At Make Work Optional, our team is committed to helping you make informed, strategic financial choices.

If you’d like guidance on refining your credit management, debt strategy, or investment approach, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Get in touch today to connect with one of our advisers and take the next step toward strengthening your financial health and confidence.

SHOULD YOU ASK TO INCREASE YOUR CREDIT LIMIT?

Thinking about asking for a higher credit limit? Before you do, it’s worth understanding both the advantages and potential pitfalls. Increasing your limit can improve your credit score and provide extra breathing room for unexpected expenses but it can also lead to overspending and growing debt if not managed carefully. This article breaks down when it makes sense to request a credit limit increase, what lenders look for, and how to decide if it aligns with your broader financial goals. A timely read for anyone focused on improving their credit health this October.

FAST ENTRY OR BACKWARDS STEP? WHAT THE NEW 5% DEPOSIT SCHEME MEANS FOR YOU

Australia’s new 5% deposit scheme, a key expansion of the First Home Guarantee starting 1 October 2025, has potential to unlock home ownership for many with smaller deposits and no lenders’ mortgage insurance. But it’s not without trade-offs. This article examines both the promise and limits of the scheme: who truly benefits, and where eligibility criteria or price caps may still leave some buyers at a disadvantage. If buying your first home is on your radar, this read is essential. Click to explore whether the scheme is genuinely a springboard or a cautious step for your homebuying journey.

HOW MUCH MONEY DOES IT TAKE TO BE HAPPY? INSIGHTS FROM RESEARCH

Money can’t buy everything, but research shows there’s a threshold where more income can have diminished returns on happiness. This article dives into academic studies that explores how much wealth contributes to life satisfaction and where priorities like health, relationships, and time begin to matter more. This read helps shift the conversation: it’s not just about how much income you make, but how well you use and manage it toward a fulfilling life. Click to explore what science says about the “sweet spot” of money and meaning.

HOW TO CALIBRATE YOUR TARGET SAVINGS RATE

Finding the right savings rate isn’t one-size-fits-all. This article breaks down how to set a savings goal based on your income, goals, lifestyle, and risk tolerance. It offers helpful strategies like incremental increases, rebalancing expenses, and aligning your rate with your financial objectives whether it’s clearing debt, building an emergency fund, or investing for the future. Especially during October’s focus on financial health, this read gives you a roadmap for making your savings work smarter, not harder. Click to learn how to fine-tune your savings rate and make progress toward your goals deliberately.

WHY MAKING REGULAR INVESTMENTS MATTERS

Building wealth doesn’t always require massive lump sums. Regular contributions can make a big difference. This article outlines how consistent investing (sometimes called “dollar-cost averaging”) helps smooth out market volatility, reduces emotional decision-making, and harnesses the power of compounding over time. For readers focused on credit, debt & financial health this October, it’s a timely reminder that steady habits often outperform timing the market. Click to explore how setting up regular investments can work for you, no perfect timing required.

PERSONAL LOAN STATISTICS: WHAT THE DATA REVEALS ABOUT BORROWING

Curious how Australians are using personal loans and what the trends say about debt and household credit? This article shares up-to-date statistics on average loan sizes, interest rates, approval rates, and borrower profiles. For anyone navigating credit, debt and financial health, these insights offer a useful benchmark to see how your own borrowing compares. Click to uncover the numbers behind personal loans and better understand where you stand.

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