Habits to Build vs Habits to Break Wealth

Habits to Build vs Habits to Break Wealth

With the first RBA meeting of the year just around the corner on 3 February, there is plenty of speculation regarding interest rate paths. However, the most successful investors and households don't spend their energy trying to predict the unpredictable. Instead, they focus on resilience. This means structuring their finances so that they remain in a position of strength, regardless of what the headlines say.

True financial resilience is about being anti-fragile. This means setting up your wealth so that even when the market experiences volatility, your long-term goals remain undisturbed.

Whether you are managing a family budget or a diverse investment portfolio, here is how to strengthen your position for the months ahead.

1. The Efficiency Audit

At this stage of the month, most people have a clear view of their 2026 cash flow. Now is the time to look for “leaks.” For high-net-worth individuals, this often isn’t about daily spending, but rather structural efficiency.

  • Review Fees and Performance: Take a moment to look at the management fees on your investment platforms or private mandates. Are the returns justifying the costs in the current climate?
  • Optimise Cash Holdings: With interest rates remaining at these levels, leaving significant capital in a standard transaction account is a missed opportunity. Ensure your liquid assets are either offsetting debt or sitting in high-yield vehicles.

2. Structural Fortification

Resilience is often found in how your assets are held. As we move into the middle of the first quarter, consider if your current structures are still serving you.

  • Debt Optimisation: If you hold investment properties or margin loans, ensure the debt is structured to be as tax efficient as possible.
  • Stress-Testing: Run a simple “what-if” scenario. If interest rates were to rise by another 0.50% this year, how would that impact your discretionary cash flow? Knowing this number now prevents emotional decision-making later.

3. Maintaining Strategic Liquidity

One of the greatest forms of resilience is having the ability to act when others are hesitant. History shows that market volatility often creates the best entry points for quality assets.

Ensure you have a “strike fund” or accessible credit lines ready. Resilience means that when a correction occurs in the share or property market, you aren’t worried about your own position—you are looking for the opportunity it presents.

4. Protecting the Foundation

Finally, resilience is about risk management. This is the time to review your insurance (life, income protection, and trauma) and your estate planning. A sudden change in health or circumstances can derail even the most sophisticated financial plan. Ensure your “defence” is as strong as your “offence.”

Looking Ahead to February

By taking these steps now, you move out of January with more than just a plan—you move out with a position of power.

Next week, we’ll be releasing our first Monthly Wrap of the year. We’ll look into the January data for the ASX and the Australian property market, and of course, we’ll provide a full breakdown of the RBA’s first decision of 2026.