In this episode, Renae is joined by Maggie Kelly from First National Byron Bay, a real estate agent with over a decade of business coaching and corporate experience who brings a unique emotional intelligence perspective to property transactions. Maggie delves into why buying and selling property ranks among life's most stressful events—alongside marriage breakdown and death—and how understanding the emotional journey of property transactions is essential for both buyers and sellers. She provides invaluable insights into why first-time buyers need to slow down, do their homework, and resist the seduction of beautifully styled properties when making what's often their biggest financial investment.

Maggie shares powerful practical advice about property markets within markets, explaining why the lower end of the market is hot with first-time buyers competing against investors, while the luxury market operates on completely different dynamics. Her insights provide a deeper understanding of why buyers should never rely solely on Google or Reddit for property advice, why empty houses feel soulless and sell for less, and the crucial difference between "live mode" and "sell mode" when preparing a property for sale. She emphasizes that property styling isn't just about aesthetics—it's about helping buyers envision themselves living there, which is why vanilla scent and cut grass are universally appealing.

In the final part of the episode, Maggie discusses the reality of property flipping in today's market, explaining why entry and exit costs make short-term flipping expensive, and how development approval (DA) processes have become both longer and more costly post-COVID. She reveals why level blocks appeal to families while elevated properties attract different buyers, and shares the critical importance of checking drainage on sloping properties. With wisdom drawn from her own experience as a property developer, investor, renter, and first-home buyer, Maggie offers essential advice: do your homework, work with experts (not just Google), and never make property decisions when you're feeling emotional.

DIVE DEEPER // RESOURCES:

📋 Need help streamlining your business? Connect with Renae Long

Email: [email protected]

💼 Looking for mortgage advice or refinancing support? Contact FAM Brokers

Website: www.fambrokers.com.au

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In this episode, Renae is joined by Christine Castley, former CEO of Multicultural Australia and current Chair of the Australian Multicultural Council, for a profound conversation about financial literacy as a community issue rather than just an individual problem. Christine delves into her own migration story—arriving in Australia at age 15 and watching her family's savings lose two-thirds of their value overnight due to exchange rates—and how that shaped her understanding of the vulnerabilities migrants face when navigating unfamiliar financial systems. She provides invaluable insights into why financial literacy is fundamentally about culture, values, and life skills, not just dollars and cents.

Christine shares powerful stories about creating financial capability in unexpected ways, from a shelter manager in Mount Isa who taught every woman fleeing domestic violence to build and manage a budget, to a cantankerous fruit shop owner who taught stolen kids work ethics by making them work for food and eventually helping them get real jobs. Her insights provide a deeper understanding of how small gestures—a sausage sizzle in a park, teaching someone to use a cash register, signing a waiver for air conditioning for someone with MS—create human connection that opens doors to financial education, employment, and ultimately, dignity and hope.

In the final part of the episode, Christine discusses systemic approaches to financial inclusion, including programs like Work and Welcome that provide refugees with paid work experience to overcome the barriers of having no Australian references. She emphasizes that financial literacy isn't one-size-fits-all and requires ""Trojan horse solutions""—meeting people where they are, building trust through connection, and recognizing that privilege isn't about having no struggles, but about having navigated systems that others are still learning. With wisdom drawn from 25 years in government human services and community leadership, this episode offers key takeaways for anyone interested in financial literacy, community development, and creating a more inclusive society.

DIVE DEEPER // RESOURCES:

📋 Need help streamlining your business? Connect with Renae Long

Email: [email protected]

💼 Looking for mortgage advice or refinancing support? Contact FAM Brokers

Website: www.fambrokers.com.au

Email: [email protected]

🎙️ Join our Money Chats & Mishaps community

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In this episode, Renae is joined by Brooke Juracic, owner of Gold Coast Wealth and a finance professional with over 10 years of experience, for a hilarious and eye-opening conversation about the wildest moments in mortgage broking. From first-time buyers who ignore savings plans and bid at auctions without pre-approval to clients who buy $18,000 worth of baby shower celebrations while facing house repossession, Brooke and Renae share real stories that reveal the importance of preparation, communication, and listening to your broker's advice.

Brooke shares heartbreaking and triumphant stories, including a first-time buyer who lost everything in a break-in just before signing contracts but finally achieved homeownership five years later, and clients who insisted on bidding $1.375 million at auction despite being told they could only afford $900K. Her insights provide a deeper understanding of why financial literacy matters, why savings plans work like diets (don't cut out everything at once), and why going to auctions emotionally invested is a recipe for disaster. She emphasizes that preparation isn't optional—it's the difference between getting your dream home and losing your deposit.

In the final part of the episode, the conversation delves into complex commercial and SMSF deals, including a duplex development with six SMSF beneficiaries that required navigating countless compliance hoops. Brooke and Renae discuss the chaos of wet signatures across Queensland, dealing with eccentric clients (including one whose voicemail was bird calls), and why you should never, ever make major financial changes during the loan process. With practical advice wrapped in humor and hard-earned wisdom, this episode offers essential takeaways for anyone navigating property finance, from first-time buyers to experienced investors.

DIVE DEEPER // RESOURCES:

📋 Need help streamlining your business? Connect with Renae Long

Email: [email protected]

💼 Looking for mortgage advice or refinancing support? Contact FAM Brokers

Website: www.fambrokers.com.au

Email: [email protected]

🎙️ Join our Money Chats & Mishaps community

Instagram/Tiktok: @moneychatsandmishaps

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In this episode, Renae is joined by Claudia, a mixed martial arts instructor specializing in Arakan martial arts, for an inspiring conversation about how martial arts training transforms lives far beyond physical fitness. Claudia delves into her personal journey from being a shy, non-athletic teenager to becoming a confident instructor who helps people of all ages—from 4 to 77—discover their inner strength. She provides invaluable insights into how martial arts creates confidence, improves focus, and offers a safe space for people dealing with anxiety, bullying, or past trauma.

Claudia shares powerful stories about students whose lives have changed through training, including an eight-year-old girl on the autism spectrum who struggled with social interaction but now thrives in her lessons, and teenagers who've gained the confidence to stand up to bullies simply by changing how they carry themselves. Her insights provide a deeper understanding of how martial arts isn't about teaching people to fight—it's about teaching them to believe in their ability to protect themselves, which fundamentally changes how they move through the world.

In the final part of the episode, Claudia discusses practical self-defense strategies for real-world situations, from walking home alone at night to handling uncomfortable encounters in social settings. She explains how Arakan's unique approach includes realistic scenario training in actual nightclub environments to help students understand the gray areas of self-defense—knowing when and how to de-escalate versus when to strike vital points. With insights on the therapeutic benefits of martial arts for stress relief, mental health, and overall wellness, this episode offers key takeaways for anyone looking to feel safer, stronger, and more confident in their daily life.

DIVE DEEPER // RESOURCES:

📋 Need help streamlining your business? Connect with Renae Long

Email: [email protected]

💼 Looking for mortgage advice or refinancing support? Contact FAM Brokers

Website: www.fambrokers.com.au

Email: [email protected]

🎙️ Join our Money Chats & Mishaps community

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In this episode, Renae is joined by Matthew Porch, National Distribution Manager at Aquamore, a private commercial lender specializing in solutions for small to medium enterprises (SMEs). Matt delves into the evolving landscape of private lending in Australia, dispelling common myths and misconceptions about the industry. He provides invaluable insights into how private lending has become increasingly mainstream and transparent over the past decade, with the sector growing at 15% annually and now representing a significant portion of Australia's $135 billion private credit market.

Matt shares compelling stories about clients who found solutions through private lending when traditional banks said no, including a specialized surgeon with nearly $1 million in tax debt who secured funding within days and refinanced to a major bank within six months. His insights provide a deeper understanding of judgmental credit approaches versus policy-based lending, explaining why speed, flexibility, and common-sense decision-making make private lending an essential tool for business owners facing time-sensitive financial challenges or non-traditional circumstances.

In the final part of the episode, Matt discusses Aquamore's sweet spot in the commercial property and lease doc space, explaining how SMSFs can leverage commercial property investments and why forward-looking income matters more than historical data alone. He emphasizes that private lending isn't a "forever solution" but rather a strategic bridge—typically 3 months to 3 years—that enables businesses to seize opportunities, resolve temporary challenges, and position themselves for traditional bank refinancing. With practical advice and real-world examples, this episode offers key takeaways for business owners, brokers, and anyone considering commercial property investment.

DIVE DEEPER // RESOURCES:

📋 Need help streamlining your business? Connect with Renae Long

Email: [email protected]

💼 Looking for mortgage advice or refinancing support? Contact FAM Brokers

Website: www.fambrokers.com.au

Email: [email protected]

🎙️ Join our Money Chats & Mishaps community

Instagram/Tiktok: @moneychatsandmishaps

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💬 Have a money mishap story to share? We'd love to hear from you!

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In this episode, Renae is joined by Kim from QC Law for an eye-opening conversation about the legal side of property purchases and the costly mistakes that can derail your settlement. Kim delves into critical topics including sunset and sunrise clauses in off-the-plan contracts, explaining the new laws that protect land buyers in Queensland and why unit buyers still need to be cautious. She provides invaluable insights into contract terms that could leave you waiting up to five and a half years for your property to settle—or worse, see your contract terminated without your consent.

Kim shares a jaw-dropping story about clients who spent their $150,000 deposit on a boat just weeks before settlement, resulting in the loss of their $100,000 deposit and potential legal action for damages. This cautionary tale highlights the importance of understanding that refinance funds, deposit money, and any changes to your financial situation before settlement can constitute fraud if not properly disclosed. Her insights provide a deeper understanding of how critical communication between brokers, solicitors, and clients is throughout the property purchase journey.

In the final part of the episode, Kim discusses essential legal matters that every property buyer should know, including the importance of having a current will, understanding joint tenancy versus tenants in common, and the significant stamp duty savings available for separated couples with proper legal documentation. She explains how consent orders or binding financial agreements can save tens of thousands of dollars in stamp duty during property settlements after separation, and why self-managed super fund purchases require independent legal advice. With practical advice and real-world examples, this episode offers key takeaways for anyone navigating property transactions, estate planning, or family law property matters.

DIVE DEEPER // RESOURCES:

📋 Need help streamlining your business? Connect with Renae Long

Email: [email protected]

💼 Looking for mortgage advice or refinancing support? Contact FAM Brokers

Website: www.fambrokers.com.au

Email: [email protected]

🎙️ Join our Money Chats & Mishaps community

Instagram/Tiktok: @moneychatsandmishaps

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💬 Have a money mishap story to share? We'd love to hear from you!

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In this episode, Renae is joined by Michael Riddiford, a BDM in the finance industry, for a hilarious and insightful conversation about the miscommunications, misunderstandings, and downright awkward moments that happen in mortgage broking and finance. From autocorrect disasters to clients accidentally sending very personal photos, Renae and Michael share real stories that will make you cringe, laugh, and think twice before hitting send on that next text message.

Michael and Renae delve into the importance of understanding what banks actually look at when assessing loan applications—from your social media profiles to every single transaction on your bank statements. They share eye-opening stories about clients spending thousands at entertainment venues, the dangers of having 18+ bank accounts, and why you should never assume your broker or lender won't Google you. These insights provide a deeper understanding of how every detail of your financial profile matters when applying for a home loan.

In the final part of the episode, the conversation touches on some serious topics including gender dynamics in professional settings, with Renae sharing her experiences being spoken down to when purchasing technology, and Michael discussing assumptions made based on gender in retail settings. Despite the heavier moments, the episode remains entertaining with stories about Klingon-speaking applicants, sock failures at park runs, and why you should always double-check your texts before sending. With practical advice wrapped in humor, this episode offers key takeaways for anyone navigating the finance world.

DIVE DEEPER // RESOURCES:

📋 Need help streamlining your business? Connect with Renae Long

Email: [email protected]

💼 Looking for mortgage advice or refinancing support? Contact FAM Brokers

Website: www.fambrokers.com.au

Email: [email protected]

🎙️ Join our Money Chats & Mishaps community

Instagram/Tiktok: @moneychatsandmishaps

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📧 Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly finance tips and property insights

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💬 Have a money mishap story to share? We'd love to hear from you!

Email us: [email protected]

In this episode, we're joined by Alison Wheeler, a business coach specializing in helping business owners break through growth barriers and overcome the "failure to launch" syndrome. Alison delves into why so many business owners get stuck in analysis paralysis, waiting for the "perfect" moment that never comes—and how this delay costs them thousands of dollars and countless opportunities. She provides invaluable insights into the real reasons businesses stall, from lack of clear goals to poor communication systems and fear of decision-making.

Alison shares powerful stories about business owners who waited too long to act, including one who delayed purchasing commercial property and lost $1,100+ in monthly savings, and another who spent $26,000 on marketing with zero return because they failed to monitor the results. Her insights provide a deeper understanding of how proper systems, staff training, and clear communication can transform a struggling business into a thriving one, emphasizing that growth isn't optional—it's essential for survival.

In the final part of the episode, Alison discusses critical business fundamentals that many owners overlook, including the importance of SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures), KPIs, proper staff training, and knowing when to outsource. She explains why businesses that try to "stay the same" are actually declining, and how having crystal-clear goals and targets is the foundation for every successful business decision. With practical advice and real-world examples, this episode offers key takeaways for any business owner looking to scale, systemize, and succeed.

DIVE DEEPER // RESOURCES:

📋 Need help streamlining your business? Connect with Renae Long

Email: [email protected]

💼 Looking for mortgage advice or refinancing support? Contact FAM Brokers

Website: www.fambrokers.com.au

Email: [email protected]

🎙️ Join our Money Chats & Mishaps community

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💬 Have a money mishap story to share? We'd love to hear from you! \

Email us: [email protected]

In this episode, we're joined by Jackie Van Baren, a tech and automation specialist, to explore how businesses can streamline their operations and create seamless customer journeys. Jackie delves into the critical importance of building proper systems and processes—from the moment a potential client discovers you on social media to the completion of their transformation with your business. She provides invaluable insights into why having the right foundations in place is essential for business sustainability and growth.

Jackie shares powerful stories about working with diverse clients, from a brand-new coach setting up his first systems to an ex-BBC presenter with a million TikTok views but no monetization process. Her insights provide a deeper understanding of why businesses need more than just social media presence—they need strategic automation that works behind the scenes to convert engagement into revenue while maintaining that crucial human connection.

In the final part of the episode, Jackie discusses the balance between automation and human touch, explaining why AI alone isn't the answer and how proper systems prevent businesses from wasting time and losing opportunities. She emphasizes the importance of reviewing and evolving processes regularly to ensure they remain fit for purpose. With practical advice and real-world examples, this episode offers key takeaways for anyone looking to work smarter, not harder, in their business.

In this episode, we're joined by Matt Mercer from Mercer & Cooper to explore the strategic approach to property investment and wealth creation. Matt delves into why buying investment property isn't just about owning property—it's about creating a clear path to financial freedom. He provides invaluable insights into how investors can move beyond emotional decision-making and use economics, mathematics, and strategic planning to build long-term wealth.

Matt shares powerful stories about clients who transformed their financial futures, including one who held a Melbourne property for 11 years with minimal growth, then made the same equity in just one year after strategically repositioning to Brisbane. His insights provide a deeper understanding of growth rates, rental yields, and the compounding effect that can mean hundreds of thousands of dollars in equity difference over time.

In the final part of the episode, Matt discusses the critical importance of risk profiling and personalized investment strategies. He explains how property investment should be treated like any other financial product, with careful consideration of the investor's age, risk tolerance, and retirement goals. With practical advice and expert knowledge, this episode offers key takeaways for anyone looking to build wealth through property without sacrificing their ability to sleep at night.