She's On The Money

She spent almost everything she'd saved travelling around the world, came home with just $1,000 in her bank account and has $74,000 in HECS debt. Oh, and now she wants to buy a house. At 23.
You'd probably assume this week's Money Diarist has some questionable money habits. But here's where things get interesting, because she's actually doing a whole lot better than you might think.
After years of diligently saving half her income, she decided that travelling, studying in Paris and enjoying her early twenties were worth spending her savings on. And while she wouldn't trade those experiences for anything, there's still that little voice wondering whether she should have put the money towards a house deposit instead.
Now she's earning $75,000 as a law graduate, has rebuilt her savings, started investing in ETFs and has around $12,000 eligible through the First Home Super Saver Scheme. She's also about to move out of home for the first time, which means swapping the comfort of living with her parents for $320 a week in rent, bills and all the other little expenses that somehow add up to a small fortune.
And despite being pretty financially switched on, she's giving herself a C+.
We get into her early investing mistake with crypto, why she's terrified of debt, the $350 she spends on entertainment every fortnight and whether spending your savings on experiences is actually a financial mistake.
Because when you're in your twenties, it can feel like everyone expects you to save for a house, invest for retirement, pay off your HECS and somehow have the time of your life.
Preferably all at once. Which is... ambitious.
But what if spending money on the life you want now isn't necessarily holding you back from building the future you want later?
SORT YOUR INSURANCE: A big thank you to our partner Skye Wealth for bringing this episode to life. If you're ready to get your insurances sorted, you can learn more about them here.We have a long standing referral partnership with Skye Wealth and only ever partner with people we trust.

CHECK OUT THE SOTM INVESTING HUB: Full of our best investing freebies, resources, courses and podcast episodes here.

INVESTING FOR BEGINNERS: All our best beginner's investing podcast episodes in one place here.

Ready to binge more relatable, inspiring, and downright juicy money stories? Check out our ultimate Money Diaries playlist. Listen now
Join our Facebook Group AKA the ultimate support network for money advice and inspiration. Ask questions, share tips, and celebrate your wins with a like-minded crew of 300,000+.
And follow us on Instagram for Q&As, bite-sized tips, daily money inspo... and relatable money memes that just get you.
Acknowledgement of Country By Nartarsha Bamblett aka Queen Acknowledgements.
The advice shared on She's On The Money is general in nature and does not consider your individual circumstances. She's On The Money exists purely for educational purposes and should not be relied upon to make an investment or financial decision. If you do choose to buy a financial product, read the PDS, TMD and obtain appropriate financial advice tailored towards your needs. Victoria Devine and She's On The Money are authorised representatives of Money Sherpa PTY LTD ABN - 321649 27708, AFSL - 4451289
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Real talk, have you been preparing your Milo wrong? Join Jess and Bec for a special edition of Friday Drinks, where they discuss our community’s best Money Wins, Broke Tips and Question of the Week.
That’s right, Victoria’s away so the gang will be taking your ears on a detour from our regular programming to bring you a more laid-back episode. Featuring a DM concerning Buy Now, Pay Later habits and a community dilemma about what sounds like a very expensive hobby, this is proving to be one of our more amusing installments yet.
To buy a house or a horse? That is the question.
Want to learn more about Revolut and get your $40? – click here!
BREAK FREE: Ditch the Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) cycle for good. Here’s a blog to give your debt a run for its money. Search ‘BNPL’ at shesonthemoney.com/blog/
DEBT HACKS: Need a hand? Check out our article on avoiding and abolishing debt on the blog. Search ‘abolish debt’ shesonthemoney.com/blog/
YOUR MONEY PERSONALITY: Wanna buy a horse, but aren’t sure if it’s the right decision for you? Complete our Money Personality Quiz to figure out what actually matters to you over here: shesonthemoney.com/money-personality-quiz

New here? Follow us on Instagram (@shesonthemoneyaus) for Q&As, bite-sized advice, daily money inspo... and relatable money memes that just get you.
Acknowledgement of Country By Nartarsha Bamblett aka Queen Acknowledgements (queenacknowledgements.com)
Thank you Revolut for sponsoring this episode.
The advice shared on She's On The Money is general in nature and does not consider your individual circumstances. She's On The Money exists purely for educational purposes and should not be relied upon to make an investment or financial decision. If you do choose to buy a financial product, read the PDS, TMD and obtain appropriate financial advice tailored towards your needs. Victoria Devine and She's On The Money are authorised representatives of Money Sherpa PTY LTD ABN - 321649 27708, AFSL - 4451289
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Be honest. How much do you know about parental leave? Because for many of our listeners, it’s one of those things that you don’t really pay attention to, until you need to.
Welcome to a special solo episode of Deep Dive where Victoria takes us through the ins-and-outs of paid parental leave and what you might be entitled to, should you (and a partner) need it.
This episode will introduce you to what the current status of Parental Leave Pay is in Australia, who’s responsible for it, and what happens if you’re employed… or self-employed. From describing how much time and money you might be eligible for, to whether your partner has any support throughout this whole process, we’ll unpack the current state of play.
Whether you’re planning to have a family, or know someone navigating the process, V explains what entitlements to expect, when you’re expecting. And what to ask your employer should you need more support.
DOWNLOAD OUR BABY BUDGET: Figuring out the costs of having a baby? Grab a free copy of our baby budget spreadsheet over on our resources page here: shesonthemoney.com/download-resources
NEWBORN LIST: Prams, high-chairs, car seats. Check out our blog on some of the things you might be considering when budgeting for a baby. Search for ‘baby’ on the blog: shesonthemoney.com/blog
IT COSTS HOW MUCH? Tune into Victoria’s Deep Dive episode about how much it cost her to have a baby through the private healthcare system over here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2LF287iIFC143YjlgoCjg0?si=H-2PCKo1Qk2qDDtYIySV1g
New here? Follow us on Instagram (@shesonthemoneyaus) for Q&As, bite-sized advice, daily money inspo... and relatable money memes that just get you.
Acknowledgement of Country By Nartarsha Bamblett aka Queen Acknowledgements (queenacknowledgements.com)
The advice shared on She's On The Money is general in nature and does not consider your individual circumstances. She's On The Money exists purely for educational purposes and should not be relied upon to make an investment or financial decision. If you do choose to buy a financial product, read the PDS, TMD and obtain appropriate financial advice tailored towards your needs. Victoria Devine and She's On The Money are authorised representatives of Money Sherpa PTY LTD ABN - 321649 27708, AFSL - 4451289
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

She became a mum straight out of Year 12. Four years later, she had her second son and was raising two boys on her own. Money was tight. Really tight. She used to keep a Word document mapping out six weeks of expenses because she needed to know exactly what was coming in and exactly what had to go out. Some weeks, once the rent was paid, there was food in the cupboard and petrol in the car, she had $20 left. So they got hot chips. They camped in the backyard. Ate breakfast on the trampoline. Had treasure hunts around the house with a bowl of lollies waiting at the end. Years later, she asked her son whether he remembered growing up feeling like they had no money. He said no. He remembered having the best childhood ever.
I think that tells you quite a lot about this Money Diarist. Today, at 44, those boys are adults and she’s in a completely different season of her financial life. She runs her own building design business, which turned over $220,000 last financial year. She’s put $50,000 into shares, has hit $200,000 in super and is preparing to buy into a home with her new partner. But she’s also trying to make up for lost time without treating the present like a waiting room for retirement. Because after spending so much of her life making sure everyone else was okay, she’s now working out what it looks like to build wealth, travel, enjoy her money and create the future she wants. Turns out, you can start later and still build something pretty bloody incredible.
SORT YOUR INSURANCE: A big thank you to our partner Skye Wealth for bringing this episode to life. If you're ready to get your insurances sorted, you can learn more about them here.We have a long standing referral partnership with Skye Wealth and only ever partner with people we trust.

CHECK OUT THE SOTM INVESTING HUB: Full of our best investing freebies, resources, courses and podcast episodes here.

INVESTING FOR BEGINNERS: All our best beginner's investing podcast episodes in one place here.

Ready to binge more relatable, inspiring, and downright juicy money stories? Check out our ultimate Money Diaries playlist. Listen now
Join our Facebook Group AKA the ultimate support network for money advice and inspiration. Ask questions, share tips, and celebrate your wins with a like-minded crew of 300,000+.
And follow us on Instagram for Q&As, bite-sized tips, daily money inspo... and relatable money memes that just get you.
Acknowledgement of Country By Nartarsha Bamblett aka Queen Acknowledgements.
The advice shared on She's On The Money is general in nature and does not consider your individual circumstances. She's On The Money exists purely for educational purposes and should not be relied upon to make an investment or financial decision. If you do choose to buy a financial product, read the PDS, TMD and obtain appropriate financial advice tailored towards your needs. Victoria Devine and She's On The Money are authorised representatives of Money Sherpa PTY LTD ABN - 321649 27708, AFSL - 4451289
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lovers, we’re in a romance recession! :’[
Join Bec and Jess for a laid-back episode of Friday Drinks, featuring this week’s Money Wins and Broke Tips, plus a romantic Question of the Week (aww cute). While Victoria is away, these microphone mice will play, bringing you some casual yaps concerning community dilemmas and DMs.
Starting off, they’ll be discussing a relationship-related dilemma concerning superannuation and permanent residency. Then they’ll be rounding out the ep with a very relatable experience concerning an investing practice. Raise your hand if your share portfolio has ever put you in a state of fight, flight or freeze? Tune in if you want to feel less alone and more prepared for the highs, lows and realities of investing.
INVESTING CHEAT SHEET, INCOMING: Grab a copy of our investing cheat sheet over on our website shesonthemoney.com/download-resources.
WTF IS COMPOUND INTEREST? Learn all about what folks have described as the eighth world wonder by searching for ‘compound interest’ on the blog: shesonthemoney.com/blog
LOVE WINS: Whether you or your partner is pursuing a PR, learn all about your superannuation rights over at the ATO: https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/coming-to-australia-or-going-overseas/coming-to-australia/returning-to-your-home-country
And https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/super-for-individuals-and-families/super/temporary-residents-and-superannuation/departing-australia-superannuation-payment-dasp#ato-HowDASPistaxed
New here? Follow us on Instagram (@shesonthemoneyaus) for Q&As, bite-sized advice, daily money inspo... and relatable money memes that just get you.
Acknowledgement of Country By Nartarsha Bamblett aka Queen Acknowledgements (queenacknowledgements.com)
The advice shared on She's On The Money is general in nature and does not consider your individual circumstances. She's On The Money exists purely for educational purposes and should not be relied upon to make an investment or financial decision. If you do choose to buy a financial product, read the PDS, TMD and obtain appropriate financial advice tailored towards your needs. Victoria Devine and She's On The Money are authorised representatives of Money Sherpa PTY LTD ABN - 321649 27708, AFSL - 4451289
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.