Posts in Season 1
Season 1 Episode 8: Why see a Mortgage Broker

Mel and Darlene discuss spending on clothing, and the importance of aligning spending to your values. Darlene talks about how upwards of 70% of Australians are now taking out loans via a Mortgage Broker, and touches on best-interest duty and industry regulation, as well as how Mortgage Brokers are paid, how commission works, as well as clawbacks. Mel and Darlene also mention the long-term client relationships and the shift to a more holistic approach to money in the industry. They also discuss purchasing a vehicle through novated lease, finance, or part-finance and go into depth on novated leasing.

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Season 1 Episode 7: The impact of our money stories and our values

Deep dive into understanding more about what forms your behaviours, thoughts, actions, and relationship with money in this episode all about money stories. Mel and Darlene share their own personal money stories and what factors helped shape their views of, use of, and plans with money in their life. They discuss personal values, beliefs, and the real importance of having your own vision and purpose in life to guide your spending. They also touch on debt consolidation, and the key things to be considered before taking action.

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Season 1 Episode 6: The 8 Step Financial Wellbeing Program; A New Beginning

Explore the 8 Step Financial Wellbeing Program with Mel and Darlene as they unpack a little about each of the key areas and why they are critical to achieving an uplift to your financial wellbeing. These include having a vision, knowing your purpose, setting goals and priorities, knowing your numbers, understanding your financial products, creating a budget, growing your financial resilience, and more. They also discuss options and what to do if you’re unable to make mortgage repayments, offering a way forward for people unable to meet their expenses with the cost-of-living crisis.

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Season 1 Episode 5: Money personalities and how they influence our relationships

Have you ever wondered why you make certain financial decisions, while others seem to have completely different approaches? Listen as Mel and Darlene unpack each unique money personality, looking at their inherent strengths and weaknesses and their hallmark traits. They discuss how being aware of your money personality and seeking support when needed can bring balance and confidence to your financial choices.

They discuss how the money personality quiz can be used to gain deeper insights into the "why" behind your impulsive responses when it comes to money, and can help you recognise opportunities for uplifting your financial wellbeing.
They dive deep into relationships and discuss the need for understanding your partner on a financial level. At the beginning in ‘Our Truth’ the topic of parents giving pocket money is raised, and the episode ends with an in-depth talk about ‘mortgage prisoners’ being people stuck in certain home loan situations and what some possible options are to change their situation.

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Season 1 Episode 4: The difference between financial planners, financial wellbeing coaches, and financial counsellors

Listen to Mel and Darlene explore different professionals in the finance industry and unpack where financial wellbeing coaches fit, when you might engage one, and what exactly they can do for you.
They discuss financial planners and financial counsellors, and what the differences are between them, as well as money coaching and how financial wellbeing encompasses that but is far more holistic in its approach and outcomes.
Further examining the capability and resilience that form financial wellbeing, they touch on the concepts of scenario planning, the balance of power in relationships, and the fear emotion that so many people have around money.

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Season 1 Episode 3: Writing Our Kids Money Stories

This episode discusses what we’re teaching our children and modelling for them when it comes to money, and how our money story impacts them. As a very common thing we discuss in financial wellbeing coaching, the money relationship with children and young people is important, and understanding the balance between truly helping, versus creating the ‘I’m bad with money’ feeling or the weight of expectation.

This episode unpacks how everything we do and the conversations we have as parents forms part of our children’s personal money story and impacts their view and feelings about money with lasting effect. It highlights the importance of being real, honest, and open about money and how things work for your family.

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Season 1 Episode 2: Gender equity and money

Join a real conversation about financial wellbeing and the gender gap. Mel and Darlene discuss recent reporting on financial wellbeing for women and comment on the key statistics we need to know, highlighting it as an issue everyone can help make cultural change in. They go in depth on the biggest things impacting the financial wellbeing of women including the importance of workplaces, earning capacity, choices around personal careers, and juggling social expectations with independence and feeling equal about their contribution in the home and decision making.

Mel and Darlene raise some key questions for employers around women in their workplaces. They touch on the importance of independent financial resilience when it comes to relationship breakdown and being able to have choice in unforeseen circumstances.
This episode underscores the importance of understanding your own money story and how it impacts your expectations and experiences of money in your life now and into the future.

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