Personal finance tips for 2022

Can you believe that 2021 is creeping up on us so quickly? The date is the same every year, and we always seem to be caught out by it. This year has been a challenging time for everyone, so doing all you can to set yourself up for success next year is a must. 


Personal finance planning may not be the most exciting task to you (we, on the other hand, love it), but setting good habits and goals now can make a massive difference later. Going into the new year, consider making some of these personal finance tips your New Year’s Resolutions. 


1. Assess where you are at 

It may be tempting to just jump right in to get the setting of your personal finance goals done and dusted. But, to make the most out of the process and set the most effective plan, you really need to take the time to sit back and assess where you’re at now. 


Have a look at your savings, debts, and investments. Really look at your personal finances. Yes, it can be pretty confronting and stressful, but this knowledge will help you to set realistic, achievable and positive goals for yourself in 2022. 

2. Set a budget and stick to it 

Setting a budget is easy. Sticking to it? You might have your work cut out for you. When setting personal finance goals, budgets are such an important step, but an often neglected one. 


When setting yours, the most important thing is to make sure that they are realistic and achievable. Don’t set yourself up for failure by setting difficult, stressful and unattainable goals. Some things to always consider are housing, food, utilities, other regular expenses, as well as dedicated spending money. 

3. Double down on debt

Debt can be a real burden and can put a significant strain on your finances. You need to consider your debts and their repayments when it comes to your budget — it pays to make paying them off a priority. Most debt accrues interest, so you’re losing money the longer it sits there. 

4. Prep for emergencies

If the last two years have taught us anything, it’s that you never know what’s around the corner. We know it sounds a bit morbid, but the old “plan for the worst, hope for the best” is a great mantra when it comes to financial planning. With each pay, try and set aside some of your earnings for emergency fund and create a nice cushion. The last thing you want to be worrying about in the middle of a crisis is your personal finances.

5. Review your investments

Unless you’re a finance expert, you probably aren’t making the best returns from your investments as you could be. To boost your personal finances, it pays to educate yourself as much as possible, or to get professional help in order to make the most of what you have. If you’re already investing, make the absolute most out of what you already have, and ditch what’s leaving you in the red. 

6. Get money motivated

With the Christmas break, most people have a little more time on their hands. Use this period to plan, budget, and establish your goals. Think about what you really want and how you can get there. It could be a designer bag, a car or a house deposit. No matter your goal, it’s an exciting step to start making positive changes to get you closer to what you want. 

7. Shop smart

We’re not turning up our noses at hard work and elbow grease, but sometimes it pays to work smarter, not harder. Before you go and make crazy cuts to your personal finance budget, it’s smarter to sit back and reassess. This way, you can make clever changes rather than harsh restrictions. 


For example, switch to cheaper brands for things you don’t really care about. Make coffees at home rather than go out, buy in bulk, shop second-hand, or use coupons and vouchers. There are so many minor changes that mean you do not have to sacrifice the parts of your lifestyle that you value most. 

Things just got personal 

Looking to clean up your personal finances? We can help you budget, plan, and implement some smart-spending strategies to help boost your personal finances. Together, we’ll work with you to set realistic goals so you can enjoy the things you want to, without leaving a huge dent in your week-to-week paycheck. Sound good? Call us

Need help with your accounting?

Find Out What We Do
June 12, 2025
June is zooming by! Here’s another handy checklist for business owners—let’s get you sorted for EOFY and tick off those to-dos.
June 12, 2025
EOFY is almost here. Are you ready? Now’s the time to get your finances in order and maximise your tax return. Our latest guide covers top tax deductions, super contributions & co-contributions, SMSF must-dos, PAYG instalment tips and a 30 June checklist.
June 12, 2025
Whether you're a first-time landlord or managing multiple properties, understanding what you can claim at tax time can make a big difference to your bottom line. In our latest blog, we break down the most common (and often overlooked) deductions.
May 12, 2025
Buying and selling property rarely lines up perfectly. The logistics of it all can be incredibly stressful. If you’ve found the perfect next home but haven’t sold your current one yet, a bridging loan can make your move easier, without having to wait on your current property sale.  What is a bridging loan? A bridging loan is a short-term loan that gives you the funds to buy a new property before your current property has sold. It’s designed to bridge the gap between buying and selling. These loans are generally interest-only and are typically offered for up to 12 months, giving you time to sell and settle on your current home while already owning the next one. When would I need a bridging loan? You might consider bridging finance if: You’ve found your next home but haven’t yet sold your current one. You want to avoid renting or moving twice between sales. You want more time to prepare your home for market to get the best sale price. You're building a new home while still living in your existing one. How does it work? Peak Debt: The lender combines your current mortgage, the cost of the new property (including stamp duty and legal fees), and any interest (if it’s being capitalised). This total is known as your Peak Debt. Interest Only: During the bridging period, you’ll typically pay interest only — or the interest may be capitalised (meaning it’s added to your loan rather than paid upfront). Sell Your Property: Once you sell your existing home, the sale proceeds are used to reduce your Peak Debt. End Debt: The remaining balance becomes your End Debt, which then continues as a standard mortgage. An example of a bridging loan. Your current home loan = $200,000 New home = $800,000 Total bridging loan (Peak Debt) = $1,000,000 After selling your home for $600,000, that amount is used to pay down your loan Remaining loan (End Debt) = $400,000 Things to consider. Like any major financial decision, it’s important to understand all the moving parts before you commit. Time pressure: You typically have 6–12 months to sell. If you don’t sell in time, the lender may step in to sell the property and/or charge default interest. This is an extra interest rate that a lender charges when you fail to meet your loan obligations — in this case, not selling your property within the agreed timeframe. Interest costs: If interest is capitalised, it means you're not making repayments during the loan period, so the interest gets added to the loan balance instead of being paid separately. This means your loan grows each month. Making even small repayments can help keep this under control. Equity & serviceability: Lenders will assess how much equity you have and whether you can manage the loan during the bridging period. Loan-to-value ratio: If your End Debt ends up being more than 80% of the new property’s value, you may have to pay Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). Existing loan setup: If your current lender doesn’t offer bridging loans, refinancing may be required — sometimes triggering break fees if your existing loan is fixed. This means you may have to pay a penalty if you end a fixed-rate home loan early (before the agreed term is up). Is a bridging loan right for you? That’s the big question. Bridging finance can offer flexibility and peace of mind, helping you move forward with confidence rather than being held back by uncertain sale timing. But it’s not without risk or cost — so it’s vital to understand the structure, timeframe, and repayment expectations. If you’re considering your next property move and want tailored advice on whether bridging finance suits your situation, talk to the team at Ascent Property Co. or Ascent Accountants. We can also put you in touch with finance brokers to discuss what is best for you.
May 12, 2025
That work perk might be costing you more than you think… Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) is charged at a whopping 47% — the same as the top personal tax rate. That means lower salary or fewer benefits. So, while salary packaging can save tax, in many cases it ends up costing you more.
May 12, 2025
If you’re expecting a higher income this financial year, now is the time to act. We’ve put together 9 Smart Tax Planning Tips that could save you thousands — but they only work before 30 June.
More Posts