Her Money Matters

54 The Smart Way to Fund Your Kids’ and Grandkids’ Education

School fees. University costs. Tutoring. Technology. Uniforms. Excursions. Somehow, every year the cost of education seems to climb even higher and for many families, it can feel like a financial treadmill that never quite slows down.
This conversation is not just for parents currently raising children as increasingly, grandparents are stepping in too. Whether it is helping with private school fees, contributing towards university costs, or wanting to create a meaningful financial legacy for the next generation, many women in their 50s, 60s and beyond are asking the same question: “How can I help my kids and grandkids without compromising my own future?”
In this episode of the Her Money Matters podcast, I sit down with Marie Lazar from Futurity Investment Group to unpack one of the financial planning tools more families are beginning to explore: education bonds.
For many women, this sits right at the intersection of family, legacy, and financial planning. You may be in the thick of paying school fees right now. You may have adult children struggling with the rising cost of raising kids, or you may be looking at your grandchildren and wanting to create opportunities for them in a practical and meaningful way.
Marie and I discuss the rising cost of education in Australia, the different ways families currently fund education, and how education bonds actually work in practice. We also unpack who they may suit, the tax considerations, the flexibility they offer, and why this has become an increasingly important conversation for both parents and grandparents.
In this episode we cover:
The rising cost of education in Australia
Why education planning matters more than ever for families
The different ways parents and grandparents fund education costs
What an education bond actually is
How education bonds work from a tax perspective
The key features and benefits of education bonds
Who education bonds may be suitable for
How grandparents can use education bonds as part of legacy planning
As always, this episode is general information only and does not take into account your personal circumstances or financial needs.
So join us for a practical, thoughtful, and surprisingly fascinating conversation about one of the biggest investments many families will ever make - education.

53 Should You Set Up A Self-Managed Super Fund? What You Need to Know Before You Begin

Self Managed Super Funds(or SMSF’s) can be seen as the next step when it comes to taking ownership of your money. They may carry a certain appeal, being more control, more flexibility, and the ability to make your own investment decisions. For some people that feels empowering however for others, it can feel complex and slightly out of reach.
In this episode, Naomi and Helene unpack the reality behind SMSF's. They explore what they are, how they work, and why many Australians are drawn to them. They also explore the psychology behind the decision and the good, the bad and the very ugly that people need to know before starting an SMSF.  
This is a highly practical conversation designed to help you understand whether an SMSF genuinely fits your needs.  It is important to be aware of both the benefits and the responsibility that is involved in running your own super fund.
 In This Episode, We Cover:
What an SMSF actually is and what it means to be a trustee
The psychology of the self-directed investor and why control can be appealing
The main reasons people start SMSFs
The key benefits of SMSFs, including control, flexibility and investment choice
The disadvantages, including cost, time commitment and compliance risk
The realities of being responsible for your own investment performance
The risks associated with running an SMSF
Who an SMSF is suited to and why many people do not need one
An SMSF is a structure that requires time, attention, and responsibility. Before you go down this path, take a step back and ask whether it genuinely fits your life, your interest, and your level of commitment.

52 When Women Inherit Super: What Happens to Super After a Spouse Dies

What happens to your super when your partner dies? And would you actually know what to do next?
Superannuation doesn’t automatically form part of your Will, and that one detail can completely change how your money is passed on. For many women, this is the moment when they may find that they have not really engaged with super… to suddenly being responsible for it.
In this episode, Naomi is joined by Maria Ganakas from Prime Super to break down exactly how super works on death, what women need to know about inheritance, and why this is one of the biggest financial transitions many women will face. 
What we cover in this episode:
What happens to super when your spouse dies in Australia 
Why super does not automatically go through your Will
Binding death benefit nominations: what they are and why they matter
Reversionary pensions explained and how they create ongoing income
The emotional impact of inheriting money and making financial decisions under pressure
Key conversations to have about super, beneficiaries, and retirement
This is one of those episodes that can genuinely change how prepared you feel about your financial future.  So take one step this week. Check your super. Start the conversation. Get clear on what would happen.
Because understanding what happens to super in the event of death is a really important topic.

51 Finding Your Mojo After Divorce: Dating, Repartnering and Money Mistakes to Avoid

This is the final episode in our three-part series where we go through end to end how to survive separation and divorce from a financial and emotional stand point.
In Episode 32 of Her Money Matters, we unpacked what to expect emotionally and financially through divorce.In Episode 42 of Her Money Matters, we walked through property settlement and the financial decisions that come with it.
And now… this is the rebuild phase.
This is where things start to shift, and where you begin to find your footing again. This is hopefully where confidence starts to come back and for many women, where dating and repartnering enters the picture bringing both excitement and a whole new layer of financial decisions.
In this episode, Naomi and Helene talk through the emotional and practical realities of life after divorce, from rebuilding your identity and confidence, through to navigating relationships again and avoiding the money mistakes that can come with them.
In this episode, we cover:
Mourning the loss of a relationship, identity and family unit
Rebuilding confidence and stepping back into your sense of self
The tension between freedom and fear when making decisions alone
Guilt, especially around kids, and how it can influence financial choices
Dating again after divorce and what to expect emotionally
Repartnering, blended families and the realities behind the scenes
The financial risks of repartnering, including debt and lack of visibility
Practical money tips and red flags to watch when entering a new relationship
This stage of life can feel like a mix of excitement, uncertainty, and everything in between: and it’s also where some of the most important growth happens.
Take your time. Stay curious about yourself. Stay engaged with your money. And back yourself to make decisions that support the life you’re building next.

50 Feeling Cost Pressures From Fuel and Interest Rates? 5 Reasons to Consider Refinancing Your Mortgage

This week’s episode is a special one, I am so excited that this is episode 50!  How the has flown, especially when I think back to my first recording in June last year and how far the podcast has come since then.
In our conversation for this episode, we focus on the cost of living pressure many households are feeling from multiple angles. Fuel prices have surged, with petrol sitting around $2.50 - $3.50 per litre and pushing even higher in some areas, driven by global supply disruptions and rising oil prices. At the same time, interest rates have continued to rise, with the Reserve Bank of Australia lifting the cash rate multiple times in recent months and the possibility of further increases still on the table.
For homeowners, this is having a very real impact. Higher borrowing costs, rising everyday expenses, and tighter cashflow are becoming part of the day to day reality for many Australians.
In this episode, I sit down with Sharon Bae, Founder of Artemis Finance, to unpack what is happening in the lending market right now: and more importantly, the five key reasons you may want to consider refinancing your mortgage.
In this episode, we cover:
What is driving interest rates and cost of living pressures right now
How lenders price loans and why loyalty doesn’t always pay
What happens when fixed rates expire and repayments jump
How increased equity can unlock better loan options
When your current loan no longer suits your life
Using refinancing to simplify and reduce high interest debt
A Loving Kick Up the Bum
When costs are rising around you, it is easy to absorb it and move on. But your mortgage is one area where a small change can make a meaningful difference. Take the time to review it, ask questions, and explore your options — because the impact can be far bigger than you think.
If this conversation has led you to consider whether refinancing could work in your situation, you can reach out to Sharon Bae via email at Artemis Finance: sharon@artemisfinance.com.au, or via the website: https://artemisfinance.com.au/

49 The 5 Things Every Woman Needs to Know About Money in Their 60’s

Your 60s are a decade where everything starts to shift where for many women we are considering the next phase of life - whatever that looks like - where you potentially have the financial freedom to choose whether or not you continue to work.  There are some women who can't wait to retire and head off into the retirement sunset, and others who could think of nothing worse than stopping what they love doing and want to work until they are no longer able.
So in this episode, Naomi and Helene walk through the five things every woman needs to understand about money in her 60s:  from accessing your super, to making decisions about work, housing, family, and getting your affairs properly in order.
In this episode, we cover:
Turning 65 and what it unlocks: specifically relating to superannuation.  We talk about accessing your super, drawing lump sums, and creating new planning opportunities
The big question: can you afford to stop working, and do you actually want to, including how much is “enough” 
How income is built in retirement and the different options available to generate income, combining super, Centrelink, employment income, and other assets to create sustainable cashflow
Housing decisions in your 60s - this is about downsizing, retirement living, or modifying your home, and the financial and lifestyle implications of each
The realities of ageing parents and inheritances and understanding aged care costs, timing, and the options available for your  inheritance
Getting your “life admin” sorted, including your  wills, super nominations, powers of attorney, and making sure your affairs are in order
This stage of life is about making clear, informed decisions that support how you want to live, for this decade as well as the years ahead.
There is a bunch of information in this episode to help you navigate the move from working to either reducing your working hours or retiring completely, so pick one area that is the most relevant to you and focus on that.  The future is yours!

48 The 5 Things Every Woman Needs to Know About Money in Their 50’s

This week's episode is the second in a three-part series: last week was what women in their 40’s need to know about money, next week will be about women in their 60’s - and this episode is all about the Fabulous 50’s!
Women in their 50’s tend to find a new sense of freedom. The kids are moving on in life, you have a great sense of who you are and can be much more authentic, and many women are very comfortable in their own skin and so give no ‘F’s.  It is the decade where women get some time back in their life, and they can finally focus on themselves again.
So in this episode, we’re breaking down the five things every woman needs to know about money in her 50s, with some great tips to help you embrace this fabulous decade and get your finances under control.
In this episode, we cover:
Why it’s not too late and how your 50s still offer a powerful window to strengthen your financial position
The importance of building your asset base and understanding what you actually have working for you
Why this is the decade to get serious about reducing debt and improving your financial flexibility
What “things can get messy” really looks like, including things like menopause, illness, redundancy, divorce, and loss of a partner
The financial and emotional reality of being part of the sandwich generation
Your Loving Kick Up The Bum:
If there is one thing to take from today, it is that you have more than enough time to make a difference to your financial future.  This is the decade to get involved, to understand where you stand, to make a plan, and to take action.
So this week, pick one thing. Get a plan together to focus on what is going to make the biggest impact, focus on this, and define what you actually want your future to look like.
 

47 The 5 Things Every Woman Needs to Know About Money in Their 40's

Your 40s are often a decade of everything. Peak earning years, peak spending years, and peak responsibility years, and normally this is all happening at once. You might be raising teenagers, supporting ageing parents, navigating a relationship or separation, and stepping up in your career or business… all while wondering, “Am I actually on track financially?”
This is the decade where money starts to feel different. For many women, this is the point where they realise they’ve been managing life… but haven’t fully stepped into their financial world.
In this episode, Naomi and Helene break down the five things every woman needs to know about money in her 40s, combining real-life experience, practical strategies, and the mindset shifts needed to move from reactive to intentional when it comes to your finances.
In this episode, we cover:
Why your 40s are one of the most financially demanding decades of your life
How major life events like divorce, career shifts, and caring responsibilities impact your finances
The mindset shift from “I’ll deal with it later” to “I’m in the room now”
The 5 biggest things that women need to know about money in their 40’s
Each of these tips has practical tips that can be applied to help you apply it
Your loving kick up the bum — how to pick one area and take action this week
Pick one area from this episode that resonated with you — cashflow, debt, super, kids’ costs, or protection — and take one action this week.
If you’d like help getting clarity and direction with your money, you can reach out:naomi@hermoneymatters.com.auwww.hermoneymatters.com.au
helene@hermindsetmatters.com.auwww.hermindsetmatters.com.au

46 Mortgage vs Super: Should You Pay Down Debt or Contribute More to Super?

In today’s episode, Naomi and Helene are discussing one of the most common questions that gets asked - especially by women in their 40s and 50s.
When you have got to the stage in life when you have some surplus cash every month, the million dollar question is ‘What do I do with this’?  Do you focus on paying down your mortgage so you can become debt free sooner, or do you contribute more to your super so it has longer to grow and support you in retirement?
On the surface, both options make sense, however there are many factors to consider including things such as timing, tax, risk, lifestyle, and even how you think and feel about money.
In this episode we cover
The key difference between paying down your mortgage (certainty) and contributing to super (growth)
How tax, interest rates and compounding impact the outcome of each strategy
The psychology behind the decision — security, control and how we think about risk
A simple real-life example comparing mortgage reduction versus investing in super
How to decide where your next dollar should go based on your stage of life and goals
This episode is inspired by Cher’s If I Could Turn Back Time - because the last things we want for any of our peeps is to have retreat about making the wrong decision and wish they could turn back the clock.
 
If this episode has sparked questions for you and you would like to get some help, you can reach out to Naomi and Helene to organise an initial discussion:
naomi@hermoneymatters.com.au
helene@hermindsetmatters.com.au

45 Imposter Syndrome: What Is It, Why Does It Exist and How Can We Minimise It

In this episode, Helene and I dive into something that affects a lot of women when it comes to money, career, and life decisions: and that is Imposter Syndrome. 
We explore how Imposter Syndrome shows up in the financial world, everything from negotiating salaries and charging what you’re worth, to investing, building a business, or even just speaking confidently about money. We talk about how prevalent it is and especially with women, and the likely places in life that it will occur.
We drill right down into the psychology of Imposter Syndrome, about why your brain event thinks it needs to do this in the first place, through to tips to reduce the impact.
In this episode we cover:
• What imposter syndrome is and why women are particularly prone to it• The role your subconscious brain plays in fear and self-doubt• How imposter syndrome can hold you back in many ways• How doing the “work” helps build new mental pathways and confidence
We’d love to hear any real stories you have about experiencing Imposter Syndrome, so if you would like to send us your story shoot it through to naomi@hermoneymatters.com.au