Guest Kelly Bracegirdle shares her journey of living with ADHD and discovering her diagnosis as an adult. Kelly opens up about her money story, the emotional aspects of finances, and the concept of the "ADHD tax," which includes unintentional expenses like online shopping, wasted food, and overlooked subscriptions. Kelly offers practical strategies for curbing impulsive spending and her methods for staying organised.
Read MoreMel and Darlene start by reflecting on the cathartic nature of discussing their personal financial journeys and how listening back to their own discussions feels like getting sage advice from a friend.
In this episode we explore the challenges of dealing with increasing health insurance premiums and the decisions about coverage and excess. Mel talks about feeling of having control over your budget, even while planning a much-needed holiday and juggling medical expenses.
In the heart of this episode we tackle the topic of narcissism and its impact on financial decisions and relationships. We delve into how narcissism can manifest in financial power dynamics, both in personal relationships and in professional settings like the finance industry. Learn how to recognize and respond to manipulative behaviour, educate yourself to make informed decisions, and maintain your self-worth in the face of financial narcissism.
Mel and Darlene share their passion for discussing financial challenges openly, and recognising and responding to ego-centred financial interactions, and empowering yourself by education and informed decision-making. One of the key points is knowing when to move away from an unbalanced financial interaction.
Read MoreMel and Darlene share candid insights on navigating work you're not passionate about and preparing for the emotional journey when parents retire. They discuss the unconscious biases and judgments people face about money, regardless of gender or income. They emphasize the tendency to match spending to income and lifestyle, even among higher earners, and the importance of managing social expectations and being open about financial challenges. The hosts also touch on the pressure of being a breadwinner and the toll of maintaining appearances. They stress the significance of recognizing personal biases and having honest conversations about money, and offer insights on selling and buying homes, including tips on communication and what to include on offer clauses.
Read MoreMel and Darlene are joined by Trenna Probert, CEO of Super Fierce, a company empowering women financially through superannuation. Trenna shares insights on bridging the gender retirement gap and making your superannuation feel more real and tangible. Together they discuss financial confidence, gender equity, and Super Fierce's amazing tool for smart super comparison and optimisation.
Read MoreMel and Darlene discuss setting goals with your partner, paying children for chores, and the taboo topic of financial hardship. They provide strategies for managing financial challenges and stress the importance of assessing your financial standing, educating yourself, and building a support network. The hosts also address organizing bank accounts after purchasing a home, emphasizing aligning your setup with your money management style and automating your finances.
Read MoreIn this episode Mel and Darlene discuss spending and pocket money within the context of helping their children become financially independent.
Larisha Jerome, a proud Jarowair, Wakka Wakka, and Wulli Wulli woman, Manager of Women's Economic Empowerment & Business Education at First Nations Foundation, joins as a special guest. She discusses her journey from a disadvantaged childhood to her current roles, highlighting the importance of education and financial empowerment. Larisha explores cultural and generational disadvantages faced by Indigenous communities and aims to make finance fun for younger people through approaches like vision boards. She emphasizes learning from different cultures and will be giving a TEDx Talk on decolonizing Western money concepts. Mel and Larisha both stress the importance of genuine, transparent money discussions.
Read MoreMel discusses receiving a fine for driving an unregistered vehicle and the challenges of navigating the payment system. Darlene shares insights on managing her self-managed super fund, emphasizing the need for careful monitoring. The hosts explore the gender pay gap in Australian workplaces and its impact on career choices. They also discuss women's roles in the household, career breaks, and the impact of the cost of living on households. The episode concludes with having an exit strategy after a relationship breakdown and mentions the new online financial wellbeing course.
Read MoreMel and Darlene share personal stories and practical advice on managing competing priorities like private health insurance, income protection, and saving for family holidays. They emphasize the importance of planning for financial resilience and discuss the impact of traditional gender roles on financial dynamics in relationships. The hosts encourage listeners to strive for interdependence by actively engaging in financial management together and modelling healthy money behaviours for children.
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