Her Money Matters

Divorce is one of those life events that no one plans for, but many of us face. In Australia, almost 50,000 couples separate each year, and the average age for divorce sits squarely in the mid to late 40s. It’s a big emotional and financial shift, and while it can feel daunting, understanding the process can make all the difference.

In this episode, I’m joined by family lawyer Sam Lewis, Founder of Lewis Family Lawyers.  Sam walks through the entire divorce process, explaining what you need to consider, why it is so important to be clear upfront what outcome you are seeking, and she walks through the legal process: building your balance sheet, assessing both financial and non-financial contributions, considering adjustments like income and health, and making sure the final split is fair and equitable. We also explore a client story that shows how these steps play out in real life — and the small, practical actions that can make a big difference along the way.

Divorce doesn’t apply to everyone, however ~45% of marriages end in divorce.  So, whilst this episode might not directly apply to you, but it may be helpful for you to know in case you need to support a friend or family member got through the process.  If you would like to connect with Sam for legal support, her details are [email protected] or the website https://lewisfamilylawyers.com.au/. 

For money coaching and financial guidance during separation, reach out to me at [email protected] or visit hermoneymatters.com.au. And if you found this episode helpful, please share it with someone who might need it and follow Her Money Matters on your favourite podcast platform, because no one should have to go through this alone.

We can all identify with a money persona: which is like a financial personality type, and each one comes with its own strengths, blind spots, and deeply ingrained habits. We discuss 5 different money personas and how they help us understand how we handle money day to day, and how they are tied to the beliefs we hold about ourselves and what’s possible for our future.

In this episode of Her Money Matters, Naomi and Helene explore how money personas develop, the limiting beliefs that keep us stuck, and the habit loops that quietly run our financial lives. From the Spender’s “I deserve this” mindset to the Helper’s “It’s selfish to put myself first,” these beliefs shape the choices we make often without us realising it.

Out link this week is to Sex and the City, and how each of the women had a completely different relationship with money. From closets full of shoes to high-powered careers, romantic entanglements, and big business moves, their financial choices were as unique as their personalities. That’s the beauty of money personas: they show up in all kinds of ways, sometimes glamorous, sometimes messy, and often more familiar than we’d like to admit.

By the end of this episode, you’ll be able to identify our dominant money persona, recognise the beliefs driving it, and start reshaping your habits so they work for you, not against you. 

Over the next two decades, trillions of dollars will move from one generation to the next, and women will be at the centre of it. From inheritances and divorce settlements to entrepreneurship and family wealth, women are increasingly stepping into the role of financial decision-maker.

In this episode, I’m joined by Maria Lykouras, former CEO of JBWere and the force behind the Growth of Women and Wealth white paper. Together, we explore what this historic shift means for women, families, and the generations to come. We unpack the “eldest-daughter effect,” the rise of the Bank of Mum and Dad, why self-education is so important, and the three key things every woman should do to be ready when money flows her way.

Maria has chosen Janet Jackson’s Control as her pop culture pick, which is  a perfect anthem for women taking ownership of their financial future. Just like Janet, it’s time to say: “I’ve got my own mind, I want to make my own decisions.”

We discuss two white papers that Maria commissioned - here are the links to both.

https://www.jbwere.com.au/content/dam/jbwere/documents/campaigns/JBWere-Growth-of-Women-and-Wealth.pdf

https://www.jbwere.com.au/content/dam/jbwere/documents/campaigns/JBWere-Bequest-Report.pdf

Tune in and discover how to prepare, where to start, and why having the right information will build your confidence to prepare you for when the time comes.

Retirement isn’t just about stepping away from work: it’s about designing the LIFE you want to live.

So much of preparing for retirement is about the financial preparation, however there is arguably a more important aspect - the emotional or psychological transition.  In this episode of Her Money Matters, Naomi Holmes and Helene explore what it really means to design your retirement life, drawing on Naomi’s four-step LIFE framework. Inspired by David Bowie’s Ch-ch-ch-changes and that retirement is one of the most significant events in a person’s life, this conversation dives into the non-financial side of retirement.

The LIFE framework breaks retirement design into four steps:

L – Lifestyle & Wellbeing: Creating daily routines that support the life you want, while prioritising health as your real wealth.

I – Identity & Purpose: Exploring your ‘who-ness', and finding the “why” that makes this next chapter meaningful.

F – Financial & Security: We don’t unpack this piece in today’s episode, but it’s part of the bigger picture, the element of knowing your resources are secure so you can live with confidence.

E – Engagement (Social & Relationships): Staying connected through friendships, community, and family, because your relationships matter just as much as your retirement plan.

Together, Naomi and Helene share insights, examples, and practical ways to start preparing 1–2 years before retirement.  You will have everything you need to know so that when the time comes, you are completely prepared and ready to jump into retirement with open arms.

Saving money often feels impossible — like MC Hammer says, “Can’t touch this.” But what if $10,000 in a year wasn’t a dream, but a plan?

In this episode of Her Money Matters, Naomi breaks down the psychology of why saving is so hard — why our brains crave instant rewards, why we avoid long-term goals, and how to flip the script by linking your savings to your values. Because when your goals align with what really matters — security, family, freedom, adventure — saving suddenly feels worth it.

Naomi then counts down 10 practical, bite-sized ways to save $1,000 each, from switching mortgages and shopping around your insurance, to meal planning, packing lunch, and even side hustles you can start tomorrow. Ten steps, $1,000 at a time, adds up to your $10K year — and to more choices, more confidence, and more freedom with your money.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

Why saving feels so hard (and how to change that mindset).

How to tie savings goals to your personal values.

10 practical, real-world strategies to save $1,000 each.

How small, consistent steps lead to big wealth over time.

Saving $10K isn’t untouchable. You can touch this.

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Share this episode with a friend — because your money matters, your future matters, and you matter.

Money touches every part of our lives, yet most of us were never formally taught how to deal with it. We’re expected to just “know,” but the truth is, for many women, money becomes something we avoid and a big part of this has to do with our mindset.

In this episode of Her Money Matters, Naomi is joined again by Helene Psarakis to explore how your values and beliefs shape every financial choice you make. Together, they unpack why discipline isn’t the answer, why alignment is, and how to uncover your true colours so your money reflects what matters most to you.

You’ll learn:

What values really are

Why certain values can hold you back from engaging with money

How to determine your own highest values using Dr. John Demartini’s Values Determination Process

Practical ways to link your values to money habits so they stick

Why “getting money on the way, not in the way” is the key to thriving financially

🎧 Tune in, and let your true colours shine through your money choices.

In this episode of Her Money Matters, Naomi is joined by the fabulous Helene Psarakis for a deep dive into the kind of debt we don’t talk about enough—mortgages. Inspired by Salt-N-Pepa’s iconic anthem, this episode injects a bit of fun on debt and brings the sass, the stats, and the solutions.

You’ll learn:

Why “No Debt by Retirement” should be your new mantra

The 5 levers that can save you hundreds of thousands on your mortgage

How to renegotiate your rate, restructure your loan, and supercharge your repayments

Real-life examples that show how small changes = big savings

It’s my birthday week, and every year I use this moment as my own personal checkpoint — a time to pause, look back at the year that’s been, and set fresh goals for the year ahead. That’s why we’re talking about goal setting this week — because just like Bon Jovi sang, “It’s my life, it’s now or never” — the best time to get intentional about your future is now.

Why goal setting is the single most important step in creating the life you want

The psychology of motivation (and why action comes before inspiration)

How to use the SMART framework to turn vague dreams into achievable plans

What meaningful goals look like for women progressing towards retirement

Tools and accountability strategies to actually follow through