She's On The Money

Imagine receiving almost $1 million in insurance and realising it still might not be enough. At just 30, this week's Money Diarist's husband was forced to medically retire from his $250,000 tech career after developing a debilitating neurological condition. Suddenly, their plans for a future full of travel, financial freedom and enjoying their newly married life looked very different. Now she's supporting their household on her $85,000 salary while managing her own chronic health conditions, and the insurance payout they were so grateful for has to help replace decades of lost income. We're talking about the reality of claiming on income protection and TPD insurance, the one thing they wish they'd done differently, and why having insurance doesn't necessarily mean having enough of it. Because here's the thing: they actually did so much right. They had insurance, they'd updated their cover as their income grew, and it made an enormous difference. But their story raises a question I think we should all be asking ourselves. If something happened tomorrow and you couldn't work again, would the insurance you have today actually be enough?

SORT YOUR INSURANCE: If this week's Money Diary teaches us anything, it's that you never know when life is going to throw something completely unexpected your way. And by the time you need insurance, it's often too late to get it. A huge thank you to our long-standing partner Skye Wealth for bringing this episode to life. We only ever partner with people we genuinely trust, and if you've been putting off sorting your personal insurance, consider this your sign. Find out what cover you might need and get started here.

CHECK OUT THE SOTM INVESTING HUB: Full of our best investing freebies, resources, courses and podcast episodes here.

INVESTING FOR BEGINNERS: All our best beginner's investing podcast episodes in one place here.

Ready to binge more relatable, inspiring, and downright juicy money stories? Check out our ultimate Money Diaries playlist. Listen now

Join our Facebook Group AKA the ultimate support network for money advice and inspiration. Ask questions, share tips, and celebrate your wins with a like-minded crew of 300,000+.

And follow us on Instagram for Q&As, bite-sized tips, daily money inspo... and relatable money memes that just get you. 

Acknowledgement of Country By Nartarsha Bamblett aka Queen Acknowledgements.

The advice shared on She's On The Money is general in nature and does not consider your individual circumstances. She's On The Money exists purely for educational purposes and should not be relied upon to make an investment or financial decision. If you do choose to buy a financial product, read the PDS, TMD and obtain appropriate financial advice tailored towards your needs.  Victoria Devine and She's On The Money are authorised representatives of Money Sherpa PTY LTD ABN - 321649 27708,  AFSL - 451289.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Imagine being 19 years old, earning $140,000 a year and feeling absolutely terrified every time you think about money. Sounds like a pretty good problem to have, right? Except when you're so overwhelmed by the responsibility of making the right decisions that you don't know where to start. It might sound unrelatable, but it's a conversation we can all learn from. 

This week, we're helping a young woman who's earning more than most people twice her age but is struggling with serious money anxiety. She wants to set herself up financially, especially knowing she might not want to stay in her current job forever. So how do you stop being scared of money and start feeling confident about what to do with it?

Plus, a 31-year-old has finally checked her superannuation balance and realised it's much lower than she expected. After years of travelling, studying and working casually, she's worried she's fallen behind. Should she switch to a high-growth investment option to catch up, or is taking on more risk just asking for trouble? We're talking risk profiles, salary sacrificing and why being 31 doesn't mean you've missed your chance to build a comfortable retirement.

And because it's Friday Drinks, we're also celebrating some seriously impressive Money Wins, sharing Broke Tips that could save you a small fortune and debating which fictional universe we'd actually survive in. Apparently, some of us are heading to Whoville and others have much more questionable plans.

Grab a drink, friends. We're talking money fears, financial futures and why getting your finances together doesn't have to mean having everything figured out.

BREAK FREE: Ditch the Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) cycle for good. Here’s a blog to give your debt a run for its money. Search  ‘BNPL’ at shesonthemoney.com/blog/

DEBT HACKS: Need a hand? Check out our article on avoiding and abolishing debt on the blog. Search ‘abolish debt’ shesonthemoney.com/blog/

YOUR MONEY PERSONALITY: Wanna buy a horse, but aren’t sure if it’s the right decision for you? Complete our Money Personality Quiz to figure out what actually matters to you over here: shesonthemoney.com/money-personality-quiz

New here? Follow us on Instagram (@shesonthemoneyaus) for Q&As, bite-sized advice, daily money inspo... and relatable money memes that just get you. 

Acknowledgement of Country By Nartarsha Bamblett aka Queen Acknowledgements (queenacknowledgements.com).

The advice shared on She's On The Money is general in nature and does not consider your individual circumstances. She's On The Money exists purely for educational purposes and should not be relied upon to make an investment or financial decision. If you do choose to buy a financial product, read the PDS, TMD and obtain appropriate financial advice tailored towards your needs. Victoria Devine and She's On The Money are authorised representatives of Money Sherpa PTY LTD ABN - 321649 27708,  AFSL - 451289.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’ve spent this year hearing about AI stocks, huge IPOs and people supposedly getting rich overnight, and you’ve felt more confused than confident about investing… this one’s for you.

In this week’s Deep Dive, Victoria flies solo to share eight investing rules that have survived every crash, boom, bubble and “this time it’s different” moment for decades. One of them is more than 500 years old. They come from some of the most respected investors in history, including Warren Buffett, Benjamin Graham, Peter Lynch and Bob Farrell, and she tests each one against real moments in market history.

We chat:
📈Why compounding is the closest thing investing has to magic (and the 500-year-old Rule of 72)
 📈Building in a “margin of safety” so you’ve got room to be wrong
 📈Why owning lots of Aussie shares doesn’t automatically mean you’re diversified
📈 The fee maths that could cost you hundreds of thousands over your lifetime
📈 Why time in the market beats timing the market (every time)
📈 How markets always snap back, like a stretched rubber band
📈Being fearful when others are greedy… and greedy when others are fearful
📈 And why “there are no new eras” (unless you’re a Swifty)

This isn’t an episode about which shares or ETFs to buy. It’s one to bookmark and come back to whenever the media gets loud and confusing, so you can stay steady, invested. Because sometimes, quiet and “boring” beats loud and “exciting”

Whether you’re yet to make your first investment or you’ve been building a portfolio for years, there’s something in this episode that could change the way you build your wealth, starting today! 

This episode is brought to you by our friends at Sharesies. Visit sharesies.com.au to learn how to kick off (or supercharge) your investing journey.

Ready to invest? Sign up for Sharesies, use the code SOTM10 and deposit any amount and Sharesies will give you a bonus $10 to invest. T&Cs apply

READ MORE: Want to go straight to the source? Check out The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham, One Up on Wall Street by Peter Lynch, and Bob Farrell’s 10 Market Rules to Remember.

NEW HERE?: Take our Money Personality Quiz and we will send you free resources based on how YOU actually manage money here.

Join our Facebook Group AKA the ultimate support network for money advice and inspiration. Ask questions, share tips, and celebrate your wins with a like-minded crew of 300,000+.

And follow us on Instagram for Q&As, bite-sized tips, daily money inspo... and relatable money memes that just get you.

Acknowledgement of Country By Nartarsha Bamblett aka Queen Acknowledgements.

The advice shared on She’s On The Money is general in nature and does not consider your individual circumstances. She’s On The Money exists purely for educational purposes and should not be relied upon to make an investment or financial decision. If you do choose to buy a financial product, read the PDS, TMD and obtain appropriate financial advice tailored towards your needs. Victoria Devine and She’s On The Money are authorised representatives of Money Sherpa PTY LTD ABN - 321649 27708, AFSL - 451289

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Imagine spending your entire life working towards your dream career, only to have your health take it all away. At 35, this week’s Money Diarist has been through more than most people could imagine. After developing debilitating chronic illnesses, she was forced to leave her dream job as a scientist, became bedbound and financially dependent on her partner, only to discover he’d been cheating on her for four years. She lost her home, her relationship and the independence she’d worked so hard for, all while fighting a four-year battle for her income protection and TPD insurance claims. But her story doesn’t end there. Today, she’s mortgage-free, owns her own home, runs her own business and is slowly reclaiming the life she thought she’d lost. We’re talking about the financial reality of chronic illness, why personal insurance matters so much and what rebuilding your life can actually look like when everything falls apart. This one is heartbreaking, hopeful and such an important reminder that financial independence can mean so much more than having money in the bank.

SORT YOUR INSURANCE: If this week's Money Diary teaches us anything, it's that you never know when life is going to throw something completely unexpected your way. And by the time you need insurance, it's often too late to get it. A huge thank you to our long-standing partner Skye Wealth for bringing this episode to life. We only ever partner with people we genuinely trust, and if you've been putting off sorting your personal insurance, consider this your sign. Find out what cover you might need and get started here.

CHECK OUT THE SOTM INVESTING HUB: Full of our best investing freebies, resources, courses and podcast episodes here.

INVESTING FOR BEGINNERS: All our best beginner's investing podcast episodes in one place here.

Ready to binge more relatable, inspiring, and downright juicy money stories? Check out our ultimate Money Diaries playlist. Listen now

Join our Facebook Group AKA the ultimate support network for money advice and inspiration. Ask questions, share tips, and celebrate your wins with a like-minded crew of 300,000+.

And follow us on Instagram for Q&As, bite-sized tips, daily money inspo... and relatable money memes that just get you. 

Acknowledgement of Country By Nartarsha Bamblett aka Queen Acknowledgements.

The advice shared on She's On The Money is general in nature and does not consider your individual circumstances. She's On The Money exists purely for educational purposes and should not be relied upon to make an investment or financial decision. If you do choose to buy a financial product, read the PDS, TMD and obtain appropriate financial advice tailored towards your needs.  Victoria Devine and She's On The Money are authorised representatives of Money Sherpa PTY LTD ABN - 321649 27708,  AFSL - 451289.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apparently, saving for a house deposit now means saying goodbye to dinners with your friends, takeaway and basically anything that makes your twenties fun. But does it actually have to be that way?

This week, we're helping a 29-year-old who's earning a decent salary, living alone and feeling like she's doing everything wrong with money. Between rent, groceries and trying to maintain a social life, there's barely anything left to save. She's tried being incredibly strict with her budget, but ended up miserable and giving up altogether. So how do you save for your future without feeling like you're sacrificing your entire present?

Plus, with everyone talking about the AI bubble, one listener wants to know whether her superannuation could be caught up in the hype. Could an AI crash affect her retirement savings? And can you actually choose to keep AI investments out of your super?

And because it's our Halloween Friday Drinks, we're also getting a little spooky. We're debating which of us would make the worst serial killer, sharing some surprisingly morbid family history, celebrating your Money Wins and finding some genuinely clever ways to save money.

Grab a drink, friends. We're talking financial fears, questionable budgeting habits and a few things that might actually keep you up at night.

BREAK FREE: Ditch the Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) cycle for good. Here’s a blog to give your debt a run for its money. Search  ‘BNPL’ at shesonthemoney.com/blog/

DEBT HACKS: Need a hand? Check out our article on avoiding and abolishing debt on the blog. Search ‘abolish debt’ shesonthemoney.com/blog/

YOUR MONEY PERSONALITY: Wanna buy a horse, but aren’t sure if it’s the right decision for you? Complete our Money Personality Quiz to figure out what actually matters to you over here: shesonthemoney.com/money-personality-quiz

New here? Follow us on Instagram (@shesonthemoneyaus) for Q&As, bite-sized advice, daily money inspo... and relatable money memes that just get you. 

Acknowledgement of Country By Nartarsha Bamblett aka Queen Acknowledgements (queenacknowledgements.com).

The advice shared on She's On The Money is general in nature and does not consider your individual circumstances. She's On The Money exists purely for educational purposes and should not be relied upon to make an investment or financial decision. If you do choose to buy a financial product, read the PDS, TMD and obtain appropriate financial advice tailored towards your needs. Victoria Devine and She's On The Money are authorised representatives of Money Sherpa PTY LTD ABN - 321649 27708,  AFSL - 451289.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if I told you that you could be missing out on thousands of dollars a year, simply because nobody explained a benefit you were already entitled to? And no, I'm not talking about getting a pay rise.

We're talking salary packaging. And if you work in healthcare, education or the not-for-profit sector, this is one money conversation you really don't want to miss.

Because while you're busy working hard, paying your bills and wondering how to make your money stretch a little further, there could be some pretty generous tax concessions sitting right under your nose. We're talking potential savings on everyday expenses like your rent, mortgage, bills and even meals out. Things you're probably already paying for anyway.

So why aren't more people taking advantage of them?

We're breaking down how salary packaging actually works, who's eligible, the benefits you might be overlooking and the little catches you need to know about before signing up. Plus, how to get started without needing a finance degree or spending your entire weekend deciphering ATO jargon.

Because working hard for your money is one thing. Making sure you're keeping as much of it as possible? That's where things get interesting.

PAY IT DOWN: Here’s a playlist dedicated to the art of paying down debt https://open.spotify.com/playlist/02sw2NObvt18jd0ayvIHn3?si=qOdbgLrBS3STvMzELWiAqg

PERVE ON OTHER PEOPLE’S DEBT: Learn how much credit card debt other Aussies actually have by searching ‘debt’ on the blog: www.shesonthemoney.com/blog

CONTACT THE NATIONAL DEBT HELPLINE: Visit the National Debt Helpline at ndh.org.au/financial-counselling/what-is-financial-counselling/ for free, confidential, and independent support for getting out of debt, gang. 

New here? Follow us on Instagram (@shesonthemoneyaus) for Q&As, bite-sized advice, daily money inspo... and relatable money memes that just get you. 

Acknowledgement of Country By Nartarsha Bamblett (nartarshabamblett.com.au)

The advice shared on She's On The Money is general in nature and does not consider your individual circumstances. She's On The Money exists purely for educational purposes and should not be relied upon to make an investment or financial decision. If you do choose to buy a financial product, read the PDS, TMD and obtain appropriate financial advice tailored towards your needs. Victoria Devine and She's On The Money are authorised representatives of Money Sherpa PTY LTD ABN - 321649 27708,  AFSL - 451289.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Imagine buying your dream blueberry farm (!!!), finally getting your life exactly where you want it, and then having absolutely everything go wrong. This week's Money Diarist thought she was just exhausted from juggling her career and their first harvest. Turns out, she needed four emergency brain surgeries. And just when she was finally getting back on her feet, a lithium battery caught fire and destroyed their garage, nearly taking their entire home with it.

All within the space of a year.

Thankfully, she'd done something a lot of us put off: she had insurance. We're talking about the $45,000 she received through income protection and trauma cover, the $50,000 contents payout, a garage rebuild estimated at $250,000 to $300,000, and why even having insurance doesn't necessarily mean getting the payout you think you deserve. It's a pretty extraordinary story about surviving the unexpected, protecting everything you've worked for and realising that sometimes the future you're saving so hard for isn't guaranteed. If you've been putting off reviewing your insurance, this might just be the episode that changes your mind. 

SORT YOUR INSURANCE: If this week's Money Diary teaches us anything, it's that you never know when life is going to throw something completely unexpected your way. And by the time you need insurance, it's often too late to get it. A huge thank you to our long-standing partner Skye Wealth for bringing this episode to life. We only ever partner with people we genuinely trust, and if you've been putting off sorting your personal insurance, consider this your sign. Find out what cover you might need and get started here.

CHECK OUT THE SOTM INVESTING HUB: Full of our best investing freebies, resources, courses and podcast episodes here.

INVESTING FOR BEGINNERS: All our best beginner's investing podcast episodes in one place here.

Ready to binge more relatable, inspiring, and downright juicy money stories? Check out our ultimate Money Diaries playlist. Listen now

Join our Facebook Group AKA the ultimate support network for money advice and inspiration. Ask questions, share tips, and celebrate your wins with a like-minded crew of 300,000+.

And follow us on Instagram for Q&As, bite-sized tips, daily money inspo... and relatable money memes that just get you. 

Acknowledgement of Country By Nartarsha Bamblett aka Queen Acknowledgements.

The advice shared on She's On The Money is general in nature and does not consider your individual circumstances. She's On The Money exists purely for educational purposes and should not be relied upon to make an investment or financial decision. If you do choose to buy a financial product, read the PDS, TMD and obtain appropriate financial advice tailored towards your needs.  Victoria Devine and She's On The Money are authorised representatives of Money Sherpa PTY LTD ABN - 321649 27708,  AFSL - 451289.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Haaapppyyyy Friday friends! Imagine spending years saving $110,000 for your first home, only to realise you and your partner have completely different ideas about what that home should look like. One wants a bigger house further out, the other wants a smaller place in a suburb they actually love. And suddenly, saving the deposit feels like the easy part.

This week, we're tackling the property dilemma so many first-home buyers face. Do you prioritise location, lifestyle or space? Is rentvesting the answer? And does your first home really need to be your forever home?

Plus, one community member is navigating life with a new baby and a partner who's a sole trader, which means money comes in whenever clients decide to pay their invoices. Not exactly ideal when you're trying to budget. We're sharing practical ways to manage an irregular income, build a financial buffer and make your money feel a little more predictable.

And because it's Friday Drinks, we're also celebrating some seriously good Money Wins, sharing your best Broke Tips and workshopping our drag queen alter egos. Because apparently that's where we're at.

Grab a drink, friends. We've got a lot to discuss.

Thank you to our friends at Revolut for helping bring our money wins to life! To learn more about Revolut and get your $40? – click here! 

INVESTING CHEAT SHEET, INCOMING: Grab a copy of our investing cheat sheet over on our website shesonthemoney.com/download-resources.

WTF IS COMPOUND INTEREST? Learn all about what folks have described as the eighth world wonder by searching for ‘compound interest’ on the blog: shesonthemoney.com/blog

New here? Follow us on Instagram (@shesonthemoneyaus) for Q&As, bite-sized advice, daily money inspo... and relatable money memes that just get you. 

Acknowledgement of Country By Nartarsha Bamblett aka Queen Acknowledgements (queenacknowledgements.com)

The advice shared on She's On The Money is general in nature and does not consider your individual circumstances. She's On The Money exists purely for educational purposes and should not be relied upon to make an investment or financial decision. If you do choose to buy a financial product, read the PDS, TMD and obtain appropriate financial advice tailored towards your needs. Victoria Devine and She's On The Money are authorised representatives of Money Sherpa PTY LTD ABN - 321649 27708,  AFSL - 451289.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Could you really have a baby in Australia for less than $3,000? According to two mums in our She's on the Money community, absolutely. And they've brought the receipts to prove it!

After previously unpacking the costs of having a baby through the private healthcare system, we're flipping the conversation to something that deserves a whole lot more love: Australia's public maternity system.

This week, we're getting nosy with two gorgeous community members, Hannah from Melbourne and Erin from Perth, who are sharing exactly what they spent throughout their pregnancies and births. We're talking every ultrasound, appointment, pregnancy supplement, physio visit and even those sneaky hospital parking fees.

But this episode isn't just about the money. Both mums had incredibly positive experiences with Australia's public healthcare system, from the continuity of care offered by midwife-led programs to the incredible support they received during pregnancy, birth and beyond. And their stories are a pretty wonderful reminder that great maternity care doesn't necessarily have to come with a hefty price tag.

So whether you're planning a family, weighing up public versus private or just curious about what having a baby actually costs in Australia, we're breaking down the numbers, celebrating our incredible midwives and showing you just how valuable our public healthcare system really is.

GET OUR BABY BUDGET: Budgeting for a new arrival? Grab ours.

READ THE BLOG: Check out our write-up on things to consider when preparing for a baby.

RETHINKING YOUR INSURANCE? Check out our playlist devoted to choosing the right insurances for you.

New here? Follow us on Instagram (@shesonthemoneyaus) for Q&As, bite-sized advice, daily money inspo... and relatable money memes that just get you. 

Acknowledgement of Country By Nartarsha Bamblett (nartarshabamblett.com.au)

The advice shared on She's On The Money is general in nature and does not consider your individual circumstances. She's On The Money exists purely for educational purposes and should not be relied upon to make an investment or financial decision. If you do choose to buy a financial product, read the PDS, TMD and obtain appropriate financial advice tailored towards your needs. Victoria Devine and She's On The Money are authorised representatives of Money Sherpa PTY LTD ABN - 321649 27708,  AFSL - 451289

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At 38, she was raising a seriously unwell daughter, escaping a financially abusive relationship and using a credit card to pay a mortgage she couldn't afford. At 56? She owns her home outright, has $670,000 invested and works four days a week because she can.

So how on earth did she turn things around? This week's Money Diarist shares what it really looks like to start again when everything you've worked for falls apart. From navigating financial abuse and a messy separation to rebuilding her confidence, finding love again and creating genuine financial independence, her story is proof that your life doesn't have to go according to plan to turn out pretty spectacularly. 

We talk about the importance of having money that's yours, why leaving is only the first step and how small financial decisions can change everything over time. Because if you've ever felt like you're falling behind or should have your life sorted by now, this one's for you. Turns out, starting again doesn't mean starting from scratch forever.

SORT YOUR INSURANCE: A big thank you to our partner Skye Wealth for bringing this episode to life. If you're ready to get your insurances sorted, you can learn more about them here.We have a long standing referral partnership with Skye Wealth and only ever partner with people we trust. 

CHECK OUT THE SOTM INVESTING HUB: Full of our best investing freebies, resources, courses and podcast episodes here.

INVESTING FOR BEGINNERS: All our best beginner's investing podcast episodes in one place here.

Ready to binge more relatable, inspiring, and downright juicy money stories? Check out our ultimate Money Diaries playlist. Listen now

Join our Facebook Group AKA the ultimate support network for money advice and inspiration. Ask questions, share tips, and celebrate your wins with a like-minded crew of 300,000+.

And follow us on Instagram for Q&As, bite-sized tips, daily money inspo... and relatable money memes that just get you. 

Acknowledgement of Country By Nartarsha Bamblett aka Queen Acknowledgements.

The advice shared on She's On The Money is general in nature and does not consider your individual circumstances. She's On The Money exists purely for educational purposes and should not be relied upon to make an investment or financial decision. If you do choose to buy a financial product, read the PDS, TMD and obtain appropriate financial advice tailored towards your needs.  Victoria Devine and She's On The Money are authorised representatives of Money Sherpa PTY LTD ABN - 321649 27708,  AFSL - 451289

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.