Her Money Matters

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.

09 It’s My Life - The Goal Setting Episode to Dream it. Plan it. Do it.

It’s my birthday week, and every year I use this moment as my own personal checkpoint — a time to pause, look back at the year that’s been, and set fresh goals for the year ahead. That’s why we’re talking about goal setting this week — because just like Bon Jovi sang, “It’s my life, it’s now or never” — the best time to get intentional about your future is now.
In this episode of Her Money Matters, I’ll share why I choose my birthday as my annual reset, and how you can pick a date that works for you — whether it’s your birthday, New Year’s Day, 1 July, or any date that feels meaningful. Together we’ll explore:
Why goal setting is the single most important step in creating the life you want
The psychology of motivation (and why action comes before inspiration)
How to use the SMART framework to turn vague dreams into achievable plans
What meaningful goals look like for women progressing towards retirement
Tools and accountability strategies to actually follow through
By the end of this episode, you’ll be ready to choose your own date, set goals that matter, and start building momentum. As Bon Jovi sang: it’s your life, it's now or never, and your goals deserve more than “someday.”

08 Holding Out For A Hero - Why Super needs to be your 'Super Hero'

Your super is one of the most powerful tools you have to build wealth, but it can just as easily work against you if you ignore it. In this episode of Her Money Matters, we’re diving into everything you need to know about super, from what it is to how you can make it work harder for your future.
You might not think of your super as a superhero, but it has the power to be one of the greatest financial forces in your life. However it can also turn into a bit of a villain if you leave it to its own devices.
In this episode, we’re diving into what super actually is, how it works, and why giving it a little attention now can make a big difference down the track. You’ll learn:
Why should we care about it and what makes it so attractive
What happens if you don’t pick a fund (and why that’s still a choice)
The difference between industry, retail and SMSFs
How and when you can access your super
Channelling Bonnie Tyler, "If you’ve been holding out for a hero" this episode will show you that your super might just be it.
🎧 Subscribe to Her Money Matters for more real conversations about money, or head to hermoneymatters.com.au if you’d like a hand getting your super sorted through 1:1 coaching.

07 Wicked Games and Taking Back Your Power - From Financial Coercion and Control to Freedom

What happens when you realise you’ve been playing by someone else’s rules with your money and it’s time to take the pen back and write a new story?
 
In this episode of Her Money Matters, we use Chris Isaak’s haunting Wicked Game as the soundtrack to a conversation about regaining control, rebuilding confidence, and designing a financial future on your own terms. You’ll hear:• How financial control can creep in and how to recognise when it’s happening• Helene’s inspiring story of reclaiming her independence and rewriting her financial life• The practical steps that helped her move from confusion to clarity and confidence• Why knowing your numbers is one of the most powerful tools for freedom and choice
 
By the end of this episode, you’ll feel uplifted and inspired by what’s possible when you decide to take ownership of your money and your future.
 
If you’d like support in building clarity and confidence with your finances, you can find out more about coaching at:https://www.hermoneymatters.com.au/coaching
 
So join us for this powerful episode because you deserve to be in the driver’s seat of your financial life, and it’s never too late to take it back.

06 Your Never Ending Money Story - How It Shapes Your Habits and Beliefs

We all have a money story. It’s shaped by our upbringing, what we learned (or didn’t) about money, our life experiences, and the beliefs we’ve carried along the way. And the good news? Your story isn’t fixed. 
 
In this episode of Her Money Matters, we’ll use a little pop culture nostalgia—yes, we’re talking The NeverEnding Story—to unpack why your financial past doesn’t have to define your future. You’ll discover:• How your upbringing shapes your beliefs about money• Why education is key to rewriting your financial story • How your lived experiences with money influence the choices you make today• The most common limiting beliefs that hold women back—and how to start challenging them
 
You’ll also hear a powerful real-life story of a client who completely transformed her money mindset and changed her trajectory—and how you can do the same.
 
💡 At the end of this episode, you’ll feel clearer on your money story, more confident about what’s shaped it, and ready to start writing a new chapter—one that puts you in charge of the ending.
 
👉 If you’d like support in unpacking your money story or building a clear plan for what’s next, you can find out more about coaching at:https://www.hermoneymatters.com.au/coaching
 
So tune in, grab a notebook, and let’s dive into your money story—because it’s never too late to change the narrative.

05 From $10k to Financial Freedom - What every Independent Woman needs to know about Investing

In true Independent Women fashion, this episode is all about learning what most of us were never taught: what you need to know about investing and demystifying the jargon. Destiny’s Child gave us the anthem, but being an independent woman today also means knowing how to invest, build wealth, and make confident financial decisions.
So in this episode we will focus on:
The four main asset classes
What benchmarks are really telling you
Why compound interest is the quiet achiever of the investing world
And how one woman’s $10K inheritance could’ve turned into $237K if only she’d known what to do with it
This isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being informed so that when the money does land in your lap, whether through inheritance, divorce, or decades of hard work — you’ll be ready.
🎶 You’re an independent woman. Let’s make sure your money is too.

04 Show Me The Money - The Surprising Secret to Building Wealth

We often think wealth is about earning more but the real magic happens when you keep more of what you earn. That’s where surplus cashflow comes in. It’s not flashy, but it’s one of the most powerful ways to build long-term financial security, and it’s completely within your control.
 
In this episode of Her Money Matters, we break down why surplus cashflow is potentially the single biggest key to building wealth. You’ll learn:
Why earning more doesn’t always mean getting ahead
What surplus cashflow actually is (and why it’s not about restriction)
How to spot the hidden leaks in your money habits
And how a few simple tweaks can help you create the breathing space to save, invest, and plan for the future
We’ll also talk about how to reframe budgeting—so it feels less like punishment and more like empowerment.
 
💡 Need a tool to help you get started? I’ve included a link to the MoneySmart Budget Planner, a free and practical tool that makes tracking your money simple and clear.
👉 https://moneysmart.gov.au/budgeting/budget-planner
 
If you’d like help getting clear on your cashflow and how to use it to build the life you want, I offer personalised financial coaching. You can find out more at:👉 https://www.hermoneymatters.com.au/coaching
 
So tune in, grab a notebook, and let’s start showing you the money—because wealth starts with what you keep.

03 Sweet Dreams Are Made of This - Building Your Dream Retirement

We all have a vision of what retirement could look like—slow mornings, blue skies, freedom to do what you love (and none of what you don’t). But how do you go from daydreaming to actually designing a retirement that works?
 
In this episode of Her Money Matters, we unpack what it takes to turn sweet dreams into reality. We’ll walk through the key questions you need to be asking right now:When will you retire?How much income will you need? (This is where we find your number.)And how much capital will you need to make that income last?
 
Once we’ve explored those pieces, we’ll talk about how to start building a plan that’s clear, doable, and designed just for you. Because your dream retirement shouldn’t be left to chance—it should be shaped by choice.
 
If you would like help planning your own retirement, I offer personalised financial coaching sessions.  You can find out more at: https://www.hermoneymatters.com.au/coaching. 
 
So tune in and let’s start connecting your numbers to your vision—because sweet dreams are made of this.
 
SHOW MENTIONS:
 
ASFA 'Moderate Versus Comfortable Lifestyle' https://www.superannuation.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/ASFA_Retirement_Standard_Budgets_Mar_25_quarter.pdf

02 Money for Nothing - 6 Ways to Help Your Kids into the Property Market

As much as we loved that Dire Straits song back in the day, there’s no such thing as money for nothing - especially when it comes to your kids! In this episode, I explore the topic of ‘The Bank of Mum and Dad’, and 6 of the most common ways parents are supporting their kids into the property market.  I will discuss things like whether to ‘gift’ or to ‘loan’ your kids the money for a deposit, and the things you need to consider about these two options.  We look at going guarantor, covering upfront costs or even buying a property together.  Each one comes with things you’ll want to understand before jumping in.   
 
Very importantly, before you hand over money, sign on as a guarantor, or share property ownership, it’s so important to understand your own financial position. I’ll talk you through what to consider so that any help you give is thoughtful, sustainable, and doesn’t come at the expense of your own security.
 
Just remember – money isn’t for nothing!  The support you give your kids has impacts both you and them, and it’s okay to take a step back and make sure you’re in the right position to offer it. Because… Your Money Matters.