Her Money Matters

25 Planning a Holiday over the Festive Season? Here’s How to Avoid the Holiday Hangover

If there was ever a time to channel Madonna and belt out Holiday — it would be so nice! — it’s the festive season. Between the Christmas chaos, end-of-year burnout, and the annual migration to beaches, airports, and relatives’ spare rooms, the silly season can be a very expensive time to “celebrate.”
In today’s episode, we’re talking all things festive travel — the real costs, the hidden costs, and the “I did not budget for this!” costs. Whether you're heading up the coast, flying interstate, or just trying to escape your own kitchen, we’re breaking down how to plan, budget, and enjoy your holiday without coming home to a financial hangover.
We are taking a page straight out of Madonna’s book, because if Holiday taught us anything, it’s that taking a break should feel joyful, simple, and liberating — not stressful, guilt-ridden, or funded by a credit card you’ll resent until Easter.
We’ll cover:• Why festive-season expenses creep faster than a heatwave• Clever ways to plan your travel budget (that actually stick)• How to avoid blowing the cost-of-living Christmas budget• Smart money moves for accommodation, transport, food and the sneaky extras• And how to start the new year feeling refreshed — not financially frazzled
So grab an iced latte, put on your favourite summer playlist, and let’s make this year’s holiday feel less like a financial avalanche… and a little more Madonna-level fabulous.

24 The Heart Behind Insurance Cover: Why it Matters

When we think about insurance, most of us picture paperwork, premiums, and things going wrong. But behind every policy is something far more meaningful: real people, real families, and real moments where life suddenly changes, and the right cover becomes the difference between crisis and stability.
In this episode, Naomi sits down with Jacqui Lennon, Chief Technology and Transformation Officer at Zurich Insurance Australia, to explore the deeply personal side of insurance — the part we don’t talk about enough. Jacqui has seen first-hand working with customers at their most vulnerable: illness, injury, loss, recovery, and everything in between. She’s encountered what happens when people do have the right cover… and when they don’t.
Together, they dive into:
The life moments where insurance steps in and holds things together
Real client stories that show how a claim can change someone’s path, from medical crises to unexpected life twists
Why GoFundMe shouldn’t be your financial plan
The emotional decisions we make about insurance, and why so many women put it off
What the four major covers — Life, TPD, Trauma, and Income Protection — are actually designed to protect
This episode is all about understanding the heart behind the cover — how insurance supports you when the rest of life feels uncertain, and why building this safety net is one of the most powerful gifts you can give yourself and the people you love.

23 New Year, New Career: Is Now the Time for Change?

As the year winds down and the champagne starts calling, so does that little voice in your head asking, “Is this really what I want to be doing next year?”
 
In this episode, Naomi and Helene dive into the end-of-year phenomenon that has so many people standing at a career crossroads — weighing up whether to stay, go, or reinvent themselves altogether. December is bonus season, reflection season, and, for many, career-questioning season.
 
Naomi marks one year since her redundancy — and what a transformation it’s been, moving from corporate life to self-employment. Helene’s done the same, and together they unpack what triggers people to think about changing careers, how to recognise the signs it might be time, and what to consider — both financially and emotionally — before making a move.
 
They also dig into the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data, which shows that 40% of Australians have been in their jobs for just one to four years, and 8.5% of women changed jobs last year, mostly for better opportunities, family reasons, or improved work conditions.
 
And of course, in true Her Money Matters style, there’s a pop culture nod — this time to The Clash and their 1982 anthem “Should I Stay or Should I Go” — because sometimes, deciding whether to stay or leave a job feels exactly like that.
 
So if you’ve been feeling restless, stuck, or just curious about what’s next, this episode is your permission slip to reflect, reassess, and maybe take that first step toward something new.

22 How to Smash Your 2026 Goals - Recorded LIVE with the Balmain Rozelle

If you’ve never been to a live podcast recording, picture this: fifty powerhouse women, a packed pub, a few glasses of wine, and a whole lot of laughter, energy, and inspiration flying around the room. We recorded this podcast in one take, with a LIVE audience - the audio fed straight into our computers.  
This was recorded the day after Melbourne Cup, and we packed out the room with 50 incredible women from the Balmain Rozelle Chamber of Commerce who were ready to swap champagne flutes for goal sheets and channel their 2026 ambitions.
With The Power by Snap! as our pop culture reference, we turned up the volume (literally) on what it means to set goals that align with your values, habits, and vision for the year ahead. We went through a couple of activities live which you can find in the resources below and talked about the importance of setting your goals early, and making sure they are SMART.  
Now while the concept of setting SMART goals sounds simple, turning broad intentions into clear, measurable goals is often the hardest part and where most of us get stuck.
Then came the magic moment: we asked everyone in the room to write down their 2026 goals. Some focused on fitness and wellbeing (including a future yoga teacher in the making), others on home renovations or creating more balance with family, and some were focused on growing businesses, increasing income, or taking brave steps into new ventures.
Different goals, same thread — each reflected courage, clarity, and the determination to make next year count.
 
⚡ Download & Get Involved
Keep the momentum going with our free downloads:
📝 Goal Setting & Values Activity Sheet – https://www.thinkbowl.com.au/wheel-of-life-her-mindset-matters?qr=view
🎯 DL Flyer + QR Code –
GOALS FROM OUR ATTENDEES
Start my second business in Europe and Asia Pacific before the new year, website and media packs by end of January and first clients in Feb and continue to expand with incremental and measurable goals
My goal is to set my SMART goals for 2026 - sitting here today I realize I need to spend time on clarifying this
Increase income within the next 12 months by $100,000
To build my team to senior roles so I can have time off with my kids during school holidays
Sell house in February for $xxm
My Goal is to drop down to working 5 days a week by June 2026
Make $10,000 per month net by the end of the year
A better understanding of my finances being a single women in my 50’s
Renovate our house by Dec 2026
Home Renovation finished by Christmas
Get married in September in Whistler
Do yoga teacher training by September 2026
 
🎧 Press play and feel the power.Because when women back themselves, set direction, and share the journey — that’s when the real magic happens.
👉 Listen now, and use the QR code in the flyer to send us your 2026 goals.

21 What Your Super Statement is Really Trying to Tell You

For most of us, opening our super statement lands somewhere between “mildly overwhelming” and “absolutely not today.” In this very real and surprisingly empowering episode, Helene opens her actual superannuation statement live on the podcast — giving all Avoiders a soft place to land.
Naomi walks through the 6 key things your super statement is trying to tell you — Fees, Investments, Performance, Contributions, Insurance, and Beneficiaries — breaking down what they mean in simple language, why they matter, and how to turn a yearly dread into a moment of clarity.
Together, they unpack why our brains avoid financial information, how curiosity rewires money confidence faster than you think, and the small mindset shifts that turn “free-falling” into taking back control of your future self.
This week’s pop-culture throwback is Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin’” (1989/1990) — the perfect anthem for the emotional rollercoaster of pretending you’re fine while things feel chaotic underneath. Just like Tom, many of us look calm while quietly avoiding the numbers… until today.
By the end of this episode, you’ll know exactly what to look for on your super statement, why even one small action counts, and how awareness always costs less than avoidance. Your future self will thank you.

20 Why a Property Valuation is Your Best Friend to Help You Decide Whether to Stay, Renovate or Move

Ever caught yourself wondering whether to stay, renovate, or move - but felt unsure where to even start?Before you call the agent or start planning that kitchen makeover, this episode of Her Money Matters is a great place to start.
I’m joined by professional Property Valuer Belinda Botzolis, who takes us inside the world of property valuations.  We cover off what they really mean, how they’re done, and why understanding your home’s true worth can help you make every decision with more clarity and confidence.
Inspired by Flo Rida’s hit “My House”, we’re talking about what it really means to own, love, or leave your home, and how a proper valuation can help you decide whether to marry it, spruce it up, or move on.
We’ll break down why valuations differ from real estate appraisals, the surprising factors that influence your home’s value, and the practical steps you can take to get the most accurate result. Whether you’re refinancing, renovating, downsizing, or just curious, this episode will help you make informed choices about your biggest asset.
🎧 So kick back, press play, and welcome to your house — because knowing what it’s worth is the first step in shaping your financial future.

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.