Her Money Matters

19 How NOT to give your kids another SHITTY Christmas Present

Let’s be honest: Christmas shopping can bring out the best and worst in us. One minute you’re full of festive cheer, the next you’re panic-buying matching pyjamas, random gadgets, and “funny” mugs that no one actually needs and it all just ends up wasted, in landfill.
In this episode, we unwrap why we keep giving our kids shitty Christmas presents and how to stop this perpetual pattern. We’ll dive into the psychology of giving (spoiler: it’s more about us than them), why buying “stuff” makes us feel momentarily generous, and how to rewire our thinking so gifts become meaningful, not mindless.
We cover off three buckets of gifts depending on your budget: 
<$100
$100 - $500
$1,000+
So listen in to discover gifts that will help your kids into the future, or why the gift of giving to charity can be so fulfilling.  We do have lots of fun in this episode and we will have you laughing, reflecting, and maybe cancelling that Amazon cart.  The best gift you can give this year isn’t necessarily something they’ll open… it’s something they’ll grow from.
So pour the eggnog, crank Mariah, and let’s make this the year we end the reign of crappy Christmas gifts — for good. 🎄

18 Exchange Traded Funds - What are They and Why They Belong in Every Portfolio

In this episode of Her Money Matters, we’re diving into one of the most accessible and empowering ways to invest — Exchange Traded Funds, or ETFs.
Whether this is your first time hearing the term, or you’ve already got a few on your radar, this episode will break it all down — what ETFs are, how they work, and how you can use them to build a diverse, affordable portfolio.
Naomi is joined by Jessica Leung, Portfolio Manager at Global X, to explore the ins and outs of ETFs, including:
What makes ETFs different from managed funds and individual shares
How to choose and buy ETFs
Real examples like the Global X Australia 300 ETF (A300) and Global X US 100 ETF (U100)
The risks to be aware of — and how to manage them
Why ETFs have become one of the fastest-growing investment options in Australia
And yes — we even have a little fun with Madonna’s Material Girl along the way.
💬 Want to learn more about your own investment comfort zone?👉 Take the Risk Profiling Questionnaire on our website to understand what kind of investor you are:🔗 https://www.hermoneymatters.com.au/resources
📊 Keen to explore the latest ETF insights and trends?Download the Global X Australian ETF Landscape Report here:🔗 https://www.globalxetfs.com.au/australian-etf-landscape/

17 Navigating Divorce - The Legal and Financial Considerations

Divorce is one of those life events that no one plans for, but many of us face. In Australia, almost 50,000 couples separate each year, and the average age for divorce sits squarely in the mid to late 40s. It’s a big emotional and financial shift, and while it can feel daunting, understanding the process can make all the difference.
In this episode, I’m joined by family lawyer Sam Lewis, Founder of Lewis Family Lawyers.  Sam walks through the entire divorce process, explaining what you need to consider, why it is so important to be clear upfront what outcome you are seeking, and she walks through the legal process: building your balance sheet, assessing both financial and non-financial contributions, considering adjustments like income and health, and making sure the final split is fair and equitable. We also explore a client story that shows how these steps play out in real life — and the small, practical actions that can make a big difference along the way.
Divorce doesn’t apply to everyone, however ~45% of marriages end in divorce.  So, whilst this episode might not directly apply to you, but it may be helpful for you to know in case you need to support a friend or family member got through the process.  If you would like to connect with Sam for legal support, her details are samantha@lewisfamilylawyers.com.au or the website https://lewisfamilylawyers.com.au/. 
For money coaching and financial guidance during separation, reach out to me at naomi@hermoneymatters.com.au or visit hermoneymatters.com.au. And if you found this episode helpful, please share it with someone who might need it and follow Her Money Matters on your favourite podcast platform, because no one should have to go through this alone.

16 Are You a Spender, Planner, or Avoider? - The 5 Money Personas and the Associated Limiting Beliefs Holding you Back

We can all identify with a money persona: which is like a financial personality type, and each one comes with its own strengths, blind spots, and deeply ingrained habits. We discuss 5 different money personas and how they help us understand how we handle money day to day, and how they are tied to the beliefs we hold about ourselves and what’s possible for our future.
In this episode of Her Money Matters, Naomi and Helene explore how money personas develop, the limiting beliefs that keep us stuck, and the habit loops that quietly run our financial lives. From the Spender’s “I deserve this” mindset to the Helper’s “It’s selfish to put myself first,” these beliefs shape the choices we make often without us realising it.
Out link this week is to Sex and the City, and how each of the women had a completely different relationship with money. From closets full of shoes to high-powered careers, romantic entanglements, and big business moves, their financial choices were as unique as their personalities. That’s the beauty of money personas: they show up in all kinds of ways, sometimes glamorous, sometimes messy, and often more familiar than we’d like to admit.
By the end of this episode, you’ll be able to identify our dominant money persona, recognise the beliefs driving it, and start reshaping your habits so they work for you, not against you. 

15 Inheritance, Legacy and Control - Everything you need to consider about receiving an inheritance

Over the next two decades, trillions of dollars will move from one generation to the next, and women will be at the centre of it. From inheritances and divorce settlements to entrepreneurship and family wealth, women are increasingly stepping into the role of financial decision-maker.
In this episode, I’m joined by Maria Lykouras, former CEO of JBWere and the force behind the Growth of Women and Wealth white paper. Together, we explore what this historic shift means for women, families, and the generations to come. We unpack the “eldest-daughter effect,” the rise of the Bank of Mum and Dad, why self-education is so important, and the three key things every woman should do to be ready when money flows her way.
Maria has chosen Janet Jackson’s Control as her pop culture pick, which is  a perfect anthem for women taking ownership of their financial future. Just like Janet, it’s time to say: “I’ve got my own mind, I want to make my own decisions.”
We discuss two white papers that Maria commissioned - here are the links to both.
https://www.jbwere.com.au/content/dam/jbwere/documents/campaigns/JBWere-Growth-of-Women-and-Wealth.pdf
https://www.jbwere.com.au/content/dam/jbwere/documents/campaigns/JBWere-Bequest-Report.pdf
Tune in and discover how to prepare, where to start, and why having the right information will build your confidence to prepare you for when the time comes.

14 Beyond the Numbers - Designing Your Retirement Life and the True Transition to Retirement

Retirement isn’t just about stepping away from work: it’s about designing the LIFE you want to live.
So much of preparing for retirement is about the financial preparation, however there is arguably a more important aspect - the emotional or psychological transition.  In this episode of Her Money Matters, Naomi Holmes and Helene explore what it really means to design your retirement life, drawing on Naomi’s four-step LIFE framework. Inspired by David Bowie’s Ch-ch-ch-changes and that retirement is one of the most significant events in a person’s life, this conversation dives into the non-financial side of retirement.
The LIFE framework breaks retirement design into four steps:
L – Lifestyle & Wellbeing: Creating daily routines that support the life you want, while prioritising health as your real wealth.
I – Identity & Purpose: Exploring your ‘who-ness', and finding the “why” that makes this next chapter meaningful.
F – Financial & Security: We don’t unpack this piece in today’s episode, but it’s part of the bigger picture, the element of knowing your resources are secure so you can live with confidence.
E – Engagement (Social & Relationships): Staying connected through friendships, community, and family, because your relationships matter just as much as your retirement plan.
Together, Naomi and Helene share insights, examples, and practical ways to start preparing 1–2 years before retirement.  You will have everything you need to know so that when the time comes, you are completely prepared and ready to jump into retirement with open arms.

13 Want to save $10,000? Here are 10 ways to save $1,000

Saving money often feels impossible — like MC Hammer says, “Can’t touch this.” But what if $10,000 in a year wasn’t a dream, but a plan?
In this episode of Her Money Matters, Naomi breaks down the psychology of why saving is so hard — why our brains crave instant rewards, why we avoid long-term goals, and how to flip the script by linking your savings to your values. Because when your goals align with what really matters — security, family, freedom, adventure — saving suddenly feels worth it.
Naomi then counts down 10 practical, bite-sized ways to save $1,000 each, from switching mortgages and shopping around your insurance, to meal planning, packing lunch, and even side hustles you can start tomorrow. Ten steps, $1,000 at a time, adds up to your $10K year — and to more choices, more confidence, and more freedom with your money.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
Why saving feels so hard (and how to change that mindset).
How to tie savings goals to your personal values.
10 practical, real-world strategies to save $1,000 each.
How small, consistent steps lead to big wealth over time.
Saving $10K isn’t untouchable. You can touch this.
 Follow the show so you don’t miss an episode.
Visit hermoneymatters.com.au or email naomi@hermoneymatters.com.au for coaching and courses.
Share this episode with a friend — because your money matters, your future matters, and you matter.

12 Aligning your money goals with what is most important to you

Money touches every part of our lives, yet most of us were never formally taught how to deal with it. We’re expected to just “know,” but the truth is, for many women, money becomes something we avoid and a big part of this has to do with our mindset.
In this episode of Her Money Matters, Naomi is joined again by Helene Psarakis to explore how your values and beliefs shape every financial choice you make. Together, they unpack why discipline isn’t the answer, why alignment is, and how to uncover your true colours so your money reflects what matters most to you.
You’ll learn:
What values really are
Why certain values can hold you back from engaging with money
How to determine your own highest values using Dr. John Demartini’s Values Determination Process
Practical ways to link your values to money habits so they stick
Why “getting money on the way, not in the way” is the key to thriving financially
The big takeaway from this episode, is when your values and money aren’t in harmony, money becomes something you avoid. However when they are aligned, money becomes a powerful tool to help you live those values more fully.
🎧 Tune in, and let your true colours shine through your money choices.

11 Let’s Talk About Debt, Baby! - How to Save Hundreds of Thousands Off Your Mortgage

In this episode of Her Money Matters, Naomi is joined by the fabulous Helene Psarakis for a deep dive into the kind of debt we don’t talk about enough—mortgages. Inspired by Salt-N-Pepa’s iconic anthem, this episode injects a bit of fun on debt and brings the sass, the stats, and the solutions.
You’ll learn:
Why “No Debt by Retirement” should be your new mantra
The 5 levers that can save you hundreds of thousands on your mortgage
How to renegotiate your rate, restructure your loan, and supercharge your repayments
Real-life examples that show how small changes = big savings
Whether you’re refinancing, downsizing, or just starting to pay attention, this episode is your wake-up call. You’ll walk away with practical strategies that could shave years off your loan and save you hundreds of thousands in interest.
 
So grab your banking app, turn up the volume, and let’s talk about debt, baby!

10 The Time Warp of Ageing - Steps, Turns, and Twists through from the Active Years to Aged Care with Danni Dixon

If you’re helping Mum or Dad navigate the move into aged care, or starting to think about what your own retirement years might look like, this episode is for you. The journey through later life is rarely straightforward. One moment your parents are in the Active Years, still independent and enjoying freedom, the next they’re stepping into the Quiet Years where routines slow, and before long you may find yourself supporting them through the Frailty Years where care and decisions about living arrangements become essential.
 
In this episode of Her Money Matters, I’m joined by aged care expert Danni Dixon of Aged Care Steps to unpack what we call the Ageing Journey. Much like the Time Warp in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, moving through these phases can feel like a series of sudden steps and spins — sometimes to the left, sometimes to the right — and it’s easy to lose your footing if you don’t know the moves.
 
We’ll explore:
The three phases of the ageing journey and what to expect in each phase
Housing and accommodation options as needs change
Why a support network matters more than you think
The key financial and estate planning considerations along the way
Where to turn when aged care gets complex, and how to get the right help
Whether you’re planning your own future or supporting your parents through theirs, this episode will give you the perspective and practical tools to step confidently through the twists and turns of later life.
 
🎧 Tune in, because just like the Time Warp, once you know the steps you can keep your balance — even when the journey takes you somewhere unexpected.
 
👉 If you’d like help with your own retirement planning or navigating the sandwich generation, you can contact me at hermoneymatters.com.au
 or directly at naomi@hermoneymatters.com.au.
 
👉 For specialist aged care guidance, you can reach out to my guest Danni Dixon at Aged Care Steps — you can reach her at support@personaladvice.com.au.