Her Money Matters

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.
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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.

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.