Save More Tomorrow helps you increase your retirement savings by committing future pay rises, not current income.
14 January, 2026
Save more tomorrow, James Wrigley
First Financial Team
We all want to retire comfortably, but saving extra money from each paycheque can be challenging. Between everyday expenses, it’s hard to sacrifice more of your current income for the future. And while employers now contribute around 12% of your salary into superannuation by law, relying solely on that might not be enough to fund the lifestyle you seek in retirement.
There is a clever strategy to help you save more for tomorrow without feeling a pinch today. It’s called “Save More Tomorrow”, and it works by committing to set aside a portion of any future pay rise for your retirement savings. By planning this in advance, you can gradually build your nest egg almost effortlessly; you likely won’t even notice, but your future self will thank you.
So, what is Save More Tomorrow?
It is a straightforward concept. Instead of cutting back from your current paycheck, you plan to increase your savings rate when your income goes up. For example, if you get a 3% salary increase, you might allocate 1% of that raise toward extra super contributions and enjoy the other 2% as take-home pay. You still feel the benefit of a pay rise, but you’ve also boosted your savings without sacrifice.
This approach works so well because you’re saving more without reducing your current lifestyle. It simply diverts some of your future earnings into savings before you get accustomed to having that money. This helps prevent lifestyle creep, the tendency to spend more as your income grows. Over time, those incremental contributions, along with their investment growth, can make a significant difference. For instance, a 30-year-old earning about $80,000 who directs an extra 2% of salary into super from the next raise could end up with roughly $250,000 more in retirement savings by age 65, assuming steady investment growth. That is a big boost to your retirement lifestyle.
“Save More Tomorrow lets you grow your retirement savings without sacrificing your lifestyle today.”
Supercharge your superannuation and save on tax
A smart way to implement this strategy is to increase your salary sacrifice to superannuation when you receive a raise. This not only increases your retirement fund but also comes with valuable tax benefits. Pre-tax contributions to super are taxed at just 15%, instead of your usual income tax rate (which can be up to 47%). So, every dollar you divert into super is taxed at a much lower rate, meaning more of it goes to work for you. Overall, it’s a tax-effective strategy that gives your retirement savings a double boost, you save on tax and gain more investment growth.
Please note that there are annual caps on contributions at the 15% tax rate, so it’s essential to stay within these limits to avoid penalties.
Implementing the Save More Tomorrow plan is easy. Simply arrange with your employer’s payroll or your super fund to increase your voluntary super contributions by the percentage of your pay rise you’ve committed to save. If a direct salary sacrifice isn’t available, set up an automatic transfer of that portion into a separate savings or investment account. The key is to decide in advance so that when your income increases, the new savings happen automatically.
“By directing part of every future pay rise into super, small decisions now can add tens of thousands of dollars to your retirement.”
Talk to a professional
Adopting the “Save More Tomorrow” strategy can be a game-changer for your long-term finances, and to get the most from it, you might want professional guidance. A financial adviser can help you figure out the right amount to save, keep you within super contribution limits, and align this strategy with your other financial goals.
At First Financial, our advisers specialise in tax-effective strategies, superannuation and comprehensive retirement planning services. We can tailor a Save More Tomorrow plan to your income and lifestyle, making sure you maximise its benefits. It’s never too early or too late to start planning for a better future.
The team at First Financial cover everything from retirement and financial advice, investment and wealth management, superannuation and SMSF, insurance, tax, aged care, legal and lending services.
Contact us for holistic and rounded financial management strategies.
Key takeaways
The strategy reduces lifestyle creep by diverting money before you get used to spending it.
Using salary sacrifice can boost your super while lowering the tax you pay on contributions.
Professional advice can help tailor the strategy, manage contribution caps and maximise long-term outcomes.
YOUR FINANCIAL JOURNEY
Building your financial future
Every client journey begins with a conversation. We look closely at where you are now, what matters to you, and what’s possible. Then we structure our advice to match.
Financial
Roadmap
A clear, personalised path to your financial goals.
Tax
Efficiency
Proactive strategies to maximise your tax savings.
Personalised
Investing
Tailored plans aligned with your goals and risk profile.
Ongoing
Support
Regular guidance to keep your plan on track.
CLIENT STORY
John
Life Stage:
Retired business owner
Background:
After decades of running a successful pharmacy, John sought financial guidance to simplify decision-making and support long-term planning.
- Navigated the sale of a long-held business
- Wanted simple, honest advice after burnout
- Needed a hands-on adviser he could talk to
- Desired financial guidance aligned with lifestyle goals
- Crafted a strategy that supports relaxed, post-work life
- Offered approachable, plain-English advice
- Maintained an ongoing, trustworthy relationship
- Provided flexibility with investments and cash flow
“I feel genuinely supported by First Financial. I can ask anything, and there’s no pressure, just clear advice and real care. The money’s growing, I’m not stressed about it, and I feel completely at ease for the first time. I don’t miss work, but I’d miss the support I get from First Financial.”
CLIENT STORY
Tim and Adam
Life Stage:
Early retirement and working professional
Background:
When Tim received an overseas medical settlement, he and Adam had just 14 days left in a 90-day window. They needed clear guidance, fast. A referral led them to First Financial.
- Only two weeks left to meet urgent legal and financial deadlines
- Wanted to preserve capital while setting up income for the future
- Needed a plan that supported both retirement and ongoing work
- Hoped to find advice that felt personal, not transactional
- Managed every moving piece, from legal documents to super rollovers
- Designed a strategy that supported both Tim’s retirement and Adam’s career
- Offered clear guidance with steady follow-through, with no stress or pressure
- Built in ethical investing and flexibility, without sacrificing performance
“We’re in totally different life stages, but First Financial built a strategy that supports us both. From urgent legal steps to ethical investing, they handled every detail with calm, care, and real expertise. It’s financial freedom without compromise, and we couldn’t have done it without them.”
CLIENT STORY
Larry and Virginia
Life Stage:
Newly retired
Background:
As retirement neared, Larry and Virginia were ready to enjoy travel, family, and freedom, without uncertainty. A friend recommended First Financial, and from the first meeting, they had a clear plan, a safety net, and people they trusted.
- Wanted to travel and enjoy retirement without second-guessing finances
- Needed a structured income plan with buffers for the unexpected
- Valued guidance that felt honest and human, not overcomplicated
- Needed people they could call and count on
- Created a reliable income stream with a set-aside safety net for the unexpected
- Gave them the freedom to travel and spend meaningfully with family
- Kept advice simple, thoughtful, and tailored to what mattered to them
- Built a lasting partnership based on trust
“We’ve travelled the world, Europe, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, without once stressing about the money. They made everything feel simple and gave us the confidence to live well. We feel secure because we know exactly where we stand, and that peace of mind means everything.”
CLIENT STORY
Graeme and Craig
Life Stage:
Retired and semi-retired
Background:
Referred by friends who were helped through aged care, Craig sought secure financial guidance after inheriting funds.
- Invest inheritance securely without high risk
- Maintain a modest lifestyle with confidence
- Building trust for someone new to advice
- Accessible, personalised advice
- Provided a low-risk strategy with regular income
- Reassured with steady, market-aware updates
- Established trust through responsiveness and warmth
- Delivered calm, expert support through all transitions
“We feel very secure with First Financial, the income just comes in, and we know everything is being looked after. It’s not just safe, it’s smart. We’ve recommended them to others because we genuinely believe in the team.”
CLIENT STORY
Jan
Life Stage:
Retired
Background:
Jan's husband managed the finances until entering aged care. Jan gradually stepped into the financial picture with First Financial’s support.
- Needed financial guidance after business sale
- Lacked experience managing complex finances
- Sought consistent income and long-term structure
- Wanted a familiar, reliable relationship
- Provided long-term support through several transitions
- Helped structure income reliably for retirement
- Empowered Jan through education and reassurance
- Delivered calm advice through both grief and growth
“The money just comes in. I don’t have to think about it. And I know they’re always there. They’ve always been there in the background, just quietly making things work.”
CLIENT STORY
Lyn
Life Stage:
Retired widow
Background:
Lyn stepped into financial management for the first time after her husband's passing. With patience and care, First Financial supported her through grief, learning, and empowerment.
- Had never managed finances before
- Was overwhelmed after her husband’s passing
- Needed plain-English explanations and patience
- Sought emotional support and practical clarity
- Offered caring, respectful advice at her pace
- Rebuilt confidence with diagrams, stories, and reassurance
- Supported gradual decision-making around retirement
- Remained a trusted constant through major transitions
“After my husband passed, I was completely unsure where to start. First Financial gave me the space to learn, to ask questions, to grow confident. They drew a diagram that I still have. And now, I sleep well at night knowing I’ve got someone in my corner.”
Meet our advisers
FAQs
What is the “Save More Tomorrow” strategy?
Save More Tomorrow is a strategy where you commit in advance to saving part of any future pay rise. This allows you to grow your retirement savings without cutting back on your current lifestyle.
How does Save More Tomorrow help avoid lifestyle creep?
By diverting a portion of future income increases into savings before you get used to spending it, the strategy helps prevent your expenses from rising in line with your pay. Over time, these small increases can make a big difference.
Can Save More Tomorrow improve my superannuation balance?
Yes, allocating part of each pay rise to extra super contributions can significantly boost your retirement savings over the long term. Investment growth on these contributions further amplifies the benefit.
Is Save More Tomorrow tax-effective?
When implemented through salary sacrifice, contributions to super are generally taxed at 15%, which is lower than most personal income tax rates. This means more of your money stays invested for your future.
How can First Financial help me set up Save More Tomorrow?
First Financial advisers can help determine the right contribution level and ensure your strategy fits within super contribution caps. They tailor the approach to your income, goals and lifestyle.
Why work with First Financial for retirement planning?
First Financial provides holistic advice across superannuation, tax and retirement planning to help you maximise long-term outcomes. Their advisers ensure strategies like Save More Tomorrow align with your broader financial goals.