Uncensored Money

If you're in your 50s and thinking it might be "too late" to change your financial future, this episode is for you.  In this Gen X edition of the series, Mel shares what she would do differently if she was turning 50 again when it comes to money, investing and financial independence.  Because while time matters, strategy matters more.  Too many women in their 50s are focused solely on paying off the mortgage, assuming investing is over, or avoiding the uncomfortable question of "how much do I actually need?"  This episode is about replacing wishful thinking with clarity and making the next decade financially powerful.  We cover why your home is an asset but not necessarily a retirement plan, why knowing your "number" matters more than ever, and how to find more cash without working yourself into the ground.  If you're Gen X, consider this your financial pep talk.  Because we've adapted before and we can absolutely do it again.  In This Episode, We Discuss  • Why focusing only on paying off the mortgage can limit your retirement strategy • The difference between assets and investments • Why knowing your retirement "number" matters in your 50s • How to find more cash and create more financial choice • Why investing is not "over" just because you're in your 50s • Using superannuation and investing strategically in this stage of life • Rethinking housing options including downsizing, rentvesting or alternative living arrangements • Why financial literacy becomes even more important for women as we age  For more tips and resources, visit us at melissabrowne.com.au, on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok @MelBrowne.Money or send us an email at hello@melissabrowne.com.au.  Links mentioned in the episode are below My Financial Adulting Plan can be found at melissabrowne.com.au/financialadulting   My Financial Adulting Plan can be found at  melissabrowne.com.au/financialadulting  Find $10K in 12 Months Freebie can be found at  melissabrowne.com.au/find$10kin12months  Finally, if you love this episode please make sure you subscribe, share it with a friend and leave us a review.

What if the world of finance was never designed with women in mind?  In this special episode, Mel sits down with Lawsie to talk about her new book, Dare to Be Wealthy and the deeper truth behind why wealth still feels uncomfortable, taboo or "not for us" for so many women.  This isn't just a conversation about investing, debt or super. It's about the subtle messages women absorb over a lifetime that shape how we earn, spend, save and dream, often without even realising it.  Mel shares the personal experiences she's never spoken about publicly before, why she believes women need a financial revolution, and the biggest myths keeping women from building real financial independence.  We also explore the things traditional finance books never talk about including hormones, ADHD, shame, reinvention, and why so many capable women still believe they've left it too late.  If you've ever felt behind, overwhelmed, or quietly unsure whether wealth is really "for you," this episode is your reminder that it is.  And that it's never too late to begin.  In This Episode, We Cover  • Why the word dare matters and why wealth can still feel rebellious (or shameful or icky) for women  • The hidden money messages women absorb growing up  • Why shame keeps so many women stuck in debt or inaction  • The biggest misconception about investing (and why it's simpler than you think)  • How hormones, ADHD and life transitions affect financial decisions  • Why financial independence is about choice, not greed  • What Mel hopes women feel when they finish Dare to Be Wealthy  For more tips and resources, visit us at melissabrowne.com.au, on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok @MelBrowne.Money or send us an email at hello@melissabrowne.com.au.  Links mentioned in the episode are below Dare to be Wealthy: melissabrowne.com.au/books   

Turning 40 isn't a crisis. It's clarity.  In this episode, Mel and LL unpack what they'd do differently financially if they were entering their 40s again. From investing myths to hormone health, divorce realities and reinvention.  Because here's the truth: Your 40s aren't too late. They're often where confidence, income and courage finally align.  We cover:  • Why women (but not men) think they've "left it too late" to start investing • How $500 per month invested for 30 years could approach $1 million • Why investing doesn't have to be complicated (yes, even one broad-based ETF can be enough) • The mortgage obsession trap and why paying it off first doesn't always "math"  • The real overspending stats behind Buy Now Pay Later (+54%) and credit cards (+18%) • The $17 billion impact of perimenopause and menopause on Australian women's earnings and super • Brain fog, automation and protecting your financial decision-making during hormonal transitions • Why your 40s are peak divorce years and how to protect your financial independence • Why 40 is not "too old" to start something bold (and the women who prove it)  This episode isn't about panic. It's about power.  If you're in your 40s this isn't a warning. It's an invitation.  You still have time. But only if you start  For more tips and resources, visit us at melissabrowne.com.au, on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok @MelBrowne.Money or send us an email at hello@melissabrowne.com.au.  Links mentioned in the episode are below: The 10k in 12 months link: melissabrowne.com.au/find$10kin12months  Investing in shares masterclass link:  melissabrowne.com.au/shares  Dare to be Wealthy: melissabrowne.com.au/books  If you enjoyed this episode, make sure you subscribe, share with a friend and leave a review! 

Your 30s are loud.  Careers accelerate. Babies arrive (or don't). Relationships change. Houses get bought. Everyone looks like they've figured it out and suddenly money decisions feel heavier and more permanent.  In this episode, Mel and Lawsie talk about the decade where momentum matters more than perfection. Because wealth in your 30s isn't built through dramatic moves. It's built through consistent ones… and by refusing to compare your life to someone else's highlight reel.  We cover:  – why small, boring investing still wins (even now) – the super conversation couples avoid and why women pay for it later – the insurance decisions that need to happen before life happens – avoiding the "dream home" golden handcuffs – lifestyle creep, pay rises and actually keeping your extra income – and the two habits quietly sabotaging women's finances: comparing and pressing pause  This episode is for women earning well and women rebuilding because both can feel behind for different reasons.  You're not late.  You just need to start moving.  For more tips and resources, visit us at melissabrowne.com.au, on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok @MelBrowne.Money or send us an email at hello@melissabrowne.com.au.  Links mentioned in the episode are below: Choicey link: https://calendly.com/d/ctfq-ktz-9zc/switch-save-on-health-insurance-expert-review-mbm  The 10k in 12 months link: melissabrowne.com.au/find$10kin12months  Investing in shares masterclass link:  melissabrowne.com.au/shares  DTBW: melissabrowne.com.au/books   

If you could rewind to your 20s… would you actually change anything?  In this episode, we're not doing regret, we're doing perspective.  Because your 20s aren't about earning the most money. They're about owning the most valuable asset you'll ever have: time. And whether you're currently 25, 45 or 55, understanding what a "time millionaire" is might completely change how you think about your finances today.  Mel and Lawsie unpack the money moves that matter early (and the ones that quietly derail women for decades): – why bad debt steals your future without you noticing – how a few inconvenient years can transform your entire financial trajectory – the shocking long-term power of tiny, consistent investing – the financial truth behind relationships and wealth – and why confidence, not perfection, is the real goal of your 20s  This episode isn't really about your 20s. It's about realising you're not as behind as you think and what to do next, no matter your age.  You're richer than you think  For more tips and resources, visit us at melissabrowne.com.au, on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok @MelBrowne.Money or send us an email at hello@melissabrowne.com.au.  Links mentioned in the episode are below  My Financial Adulting Plan can be found at  melissabrowne.com.au/financialadulting  Find $10K in 12 Months Freebie can be found at  melissabrowne.com.au/find$10kin12months  Share Investing Masterclass can be found at  melissabrowne.com.au/shares  Dare to be Wealthy can be found at melissabrowne.com.au/books  Finally, if you love this episode please make sure you subscribe, share it with a friend and leave us a review. 

This season we're diving into the hot topics and issues that we think you need to know about when it comes to your money.  This episode is the fourth in our miniseries where we're talking about the big impact a decade can really have on your finances. We've covered where you're at, and where you might want to go, and today, we're talking about getting rid of bad debt – completely.   Bad debt is like a gaslighting, toxic boyfriend. It seems okay, but the reality is that it's keeping you trapped and controlled. If you want to build a better future, one of the best places to start is with kicking him out, and getting things under control.  In this episode, Mel dives into the 4 types of debt, the common ways many of us fall victim to bad debt, and gives you tools and tips on how you can manage and get out of it.   If you're ready to break up with your bad debt for good, this is the episode to tune into to learn how to make that happen.   For more tips and resources, visit us at melissabrowne.com.au, on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok @MelBrowne.Money or send us an email at hello@melissabrowne.com.au.   My Financial Adulting Plan is here    25 Ways to find $10K in 12 months is here  What are your Credit Card Points Costing You is here  Her Wealth, Her Way Conference is here  Finally, if you love this episode please make sure you subscribe, share it with a friend and leave us a review.

This season we're diving into the hot topics and issues that we think you need to know about when it comes to your money.  This episode is the third in our miniseries where we're talking about the big impact a decade can really have on your finances.  We started off by looking at financially where you're at now and then dove deeper into what that looks like, as well as where you'd like to go. In this episode, we continue with this, and Mel talks about challenging what you're working with.   Lifestyle creep is something that all of us can fall victim to, as our expenses rise with our income. And as small an impact as you might think it's making, the reality is over time it's adding up.   In this episode, Mel offers strategies to manage that lifestyle creep, exploring ways you could potentially increase your income to help you maximise your financial potential over the next decade.   If you're stuck wishing you had just a little bit more in your account each pay but have no clue how to make that happen, this is the episode to tune into to make things finally change.   For more tips and resources, visit us at melissabrowne.com.au, on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok @MelBrowne.Money or send us an email at hello@melissabrowne.com.au.   My Financial Adulting Plan is here    25 Ways to find $10K in 12 months is here  Her Wealth, Her Way Conference is here  Finally, if you love this episode please make sure you subscribe, share it with a friend and leave us a review.

This season we're diving into the hot topics and issues that we think you need to know about when it comes to your money. This episode is the second in a where we're talking about the big impact a decade can really have on your finances. We started off by looking at where you're at now financially and giving yourself a score out of 10. This week, we're looking deeper into that now, really examining where you are now, and where you want to go.  It's an easy thing to say but putting it into practice is where things get tricky. Understanding where you are now can be confronting, and knowing where you want to go might be something you haven't thought about till now. But by assessing what you truly want from your finances, rather than just what society expects, you can create the financial plan and future that you've always dreamed of. In this episode, Mel talks through her own experience with this, covering practical steps to assess your financial health, set achievable goals, and create a roadmap for financial success. If the idea of looking at your finances in a decade terrified you, make sure to tune into this episode to learn how to get it under control, and what next steps to take.  For more tips and resources, visit us at melissabrowne.com.au, on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok @MelBrowne.Money or send us an email at hello@melissabrowne.com.au.  My Financial Adulting Plan is here  My Financial Focus is here  Her Wealth, Her Way Conference is here Finally, if you love this episode please make sure you subscribe, share it with a friend and leave us a review.

This season we're diving into the hot topics and issues that we think you need to know about when it comes to your money. Today we're talking about the big impact a decade can really have on your finances. Starting off, Mel asks the question, how old you'll be in 10 years time. For some of you it's a number you're itching to get to, while for others that number can be confronting.  Society today is all about living in the moment, it's built on ageism, valuing youth and beauty and as a result for so many women, looking ahead can be daunting at best, and frightening at worst. While we can't impact how you feel about that age physically, we can help you financially and emotionally, by helping you understand the big impact you can have on your finances in just a decade.  So, if you're thinking of that age you'll be and feeling a little nervous for her, this is the episode for you to tune into. For more tips and resources, visit us at melissabrowne.com.au, on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok @MelBrowne.Money or send us an email at hello@melissabrowne.com.au.  My Financial Adulting Plan is here  Mel's Money Quiz is here Her Wealth, Her Way Conference is here Finally, if you love this episode please make sure you subscribe, share it with a friend and leave us a review.

This season we're diving into the hot topics and issues that we think you need to know about when it comes to your money. Today we're talking investing during uncertain times, diving into whether it's all 'back to normal' now. When Donald Trump took office, many people were nervous about what might happen to the markets. When he announced tariffs and the markets crashed earlier this year – many people panic paused, sold or bought. When he reversed some of those decisions and the market bounced back – many people think it's back to business as usual. In this episode, I want to give my take on what I think we should expect. And what that means for you, your money and investing. For more tips and resources, visit us at melissabrowne.com.au, on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok @MelBrowne.Money or send us an email at hello@melissabrowne.com.au.  My Financial Adulting Plan is here  Share Investing Masterclass is here Double your Business Masterclass is here Pricing Psychology Masterclass is here Free 25 Ways to Find $10k in 12 Months download is here Finally, if you love this episode please make sure you subscribe, share it with a friend and leave us a review.

This season we're diving into the hot topics and issues that we think you need to know about when it comes to your money. Today we're talking money and hormones. While we've talked in previous episodes about perimenopause, menopause and money - today we're diving into money and hormones, for those still menstruating.  It's about leaning into what we as women already know. We behave and feel differently during different parts of our menstrual cycle. Knowing this, understanding how different stages can impact your behaviour and how you might best set your self up for success. For more tips and resources, visit us at melissabrowne.com.au, on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok @MelBrowne.Money or send us an email at hello@melissabrowne.com.au.  My Financial Adulting Plan is here  Listen to my episode talking about Money and Hormones with Dr Ginni Mansberg here. Finally, if you love this episode please make sure you subscribe, share it with a friend and leave us a review.

This season we're diving into the hot topics and issues that we think you need to know about when it comes to your money. Today, we're talking unconscious biases when it comes to money. The episode is the result of reactions to an article Mel wrote for a publication that a very lovely gentleman described as a 'moronic analysic' as it dove into the questions: Are you in an echo chamber where you're just receiving the same answers from people around you because you all believe the same thing? Do you react strongly to something financially without thinking about whether that really is something that you do? What would it mean if you were to let go of unconscious bias and consider an alternative point of view? Todays episode looks at unconscious bias and loss aversion and how you might be inadvertently sabotaging your finances as a result. For more tips and resources, visit us at melissabrowne.com.au, on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok @MelBrowne.Money or send us an email at hello@melissabrowne.com.au.  My Financial Adulting Plan is here   What are your credit card points costing you is here   Finally, if you love this episode please make sure you subscribe, share it with a friend and leave us a review.

This season we're diving into the hot topics and issues that we think you need to know about when it comes to your money. Today, Mel is talking about what is normal financially.  Am I doing okay?  It's a question one of Mel's friends asked her recently, and it's one she hears a lot. What they're asking when they say that is:  How am I compared to other women my age  How am I compared to how I want to live  Todays episode looks at that question more in depth, diving into what is financially normal anyway.  If you've ever wondered how you compare, tune in for the episode that answers just that.  For more tips and resources, visit us at melissabrowne.com.au, on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok @MelBrowne.Money or send us an email at hello@melissabrowne.com.au.  My Financial Adulting Plan is here   Share Investing Masterclass is here   25+ ways to find $10K in 1 months is here  Super Catch Up Calculator is here  Finally, if you love this episode please make sure you subscribe, share it with a friend and leave us a review.

This season we're diving into the hot topics and issues that we think you need to know about when it comes to your money. Today, Mel is talking about ageism and money, because it's a conversation that just isn't affecting the blokes in the same way.  Too often women are opting out of investing because they fear that they're too old and that they've aged out. In reality, it's more important than ever that now is the time to start to lean in.   Talking about ageism in money and investing, in this episode Mel is here to give you hope that no matter what age you are – there's still so much you can do.  For more tips and resources, visit us at melissabrowne.com.au, on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok @MelBrowne.Money or send us an email at hello@melissabrowne.com.au.  My Financial Adulting Plan is here   Share Investing Masterclass is here   25+ ways to find $10K in 1 months is here Finally, if you love this episode please make sure you subscribe, share it with a friend and leave us a review. 

It's a new season and we're talking about your Financial Second Act and whatever form that may come in. Today, Mel talks about some of the scary headlines that have been appearing when it comes to share investing and money generally. From the R word – recession – in US markets, to crashes in the US market, global markets, and even in Australian markets, the headlines appearing are far from reassuring.  In this solo episode, Mel talks about what she thinks you should be doing, and most importantly what you shouldn't be doing. And maybe even how to turn down that noise a little so that you can keep investing, or start investing with confidence.  For more tips and resources, visit us at melissabrowne.com.au, on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok @MelBrowne.Money or send us an email at hello@melissabrowne.com.au.  The link for the My Financial Adulting Plan is here: https://www.melissabrowne.com.au/financialadulting  The link for our Share Investing Masterclass is here: https://www.melissabrowne.com.au/shares   Finally, if you love this episode please make sure you subscribe, share it with a friend and leave us a review.

It's a new season and we're heading back to the basics to help you reduce your financial overwhelm and start (or keep) doing money better. This week Mel and Lawsie are talking about a money topic we're sure you've been itching for, all things insurance.  Okay, okay, so it's not the most exciting topic. BUT, having insurance when life happens gives you incredible peace of mind while you're dealing with the big things when life inevitably happens.  In this super important episode, they're talking about the type of insurance you might want to consider, when you might think about not having insurance, and things to consider when you're taking out insurance.   It's a super practical episode, and it's definitely one to tune into to help you when considering the insurance you have or need.   For more tips and resources, visit us at melissabrowne.com.au, on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok @MelBrowne.Money or send us an email at hello@melissabrowne.com.au.  Books and resources mentioned in this episode  My Financial Adulting Plan   Finally, if you love this episode please make sure you subscribe, share it with a friend and leave us a review.   

It's a new season and we're heading back to the basics to help you reduce your financial overwhelm and start (or keep) doing money better. This week Mel and Lawsie talk everything business, side hustle, and hobby related. Starting a business, side hustle, or paying hobby is easier than ever, but if you're going to do it, you may as well be as successful and profitable as you can while you do. In this episode they'll share things they've seen business owners do badly (so you can dodge those same mistakes), top tips, and the things that they've seen business owners do successfully that you should absolutely implement. Whether you're firmly unemployable like Mel (AKA a business queen), or forever and always an employee like Lawsie, this is the episode to learn all things business, and more.  For more tips and resources, visit us at melissabrowne.com.au, on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok @MelBrowne.Money or send us an email at hello@melissabrowne.com.au. Books and resources mentioned in this episode My Financial Adulting Plan   Mel's Money Lesson: Double My Business  Mel's Money Lesson: Pricing Psychology Finally, if you love this episode please make sure you subscribe, share it with a friend and leave us a review.  

It's a new season and we're heading back to the basics to help you reduce your financial overwhelm and start (or keep) doing money better. Today, Mel and Lawsie are talking investing. Whether it's investing in shares or in superannuation, chances are investing is something that feels confusing, like gambling, or something for future you to think about. By the end of todays episode, Mel and Lawsie want you to feel more confident about investing in shares, and to start giving a sh*t about your superanuation.  We'll be talking how to make money for shares, why investing in individual shares isn't right for most people, and what to look for when you're assessing your super plus loads more. For more tips and resources, visit us at melissabrowne.com.au, on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok @MelBrowne.Money or send us an email at hello@melissabrowne.com.au. Books and resources mentioned in this episode My Financial Adulting Plan  Mel's Money Lesson: Share Investing Basics Finally, if you love this episode please make sure you subscribe, share it with a friend and leave us a review.

It's a new season and we're heading back to the basics to help you reduce your financial overwhelm and start (or keep) doing money better. Today Mel and Lawsie dive into all things property and home ownership in 2025.  We know that so many people don't feel like they're really 'adulting' until they own their own home. Today, we're calling BS on that, sharing why that's simply not true. But, for those of you who do have buying a property (whether its a home, or investment), here's a few tips and tricks to make sure you're being financially smart with what you're doing.  From their own experiences, to interest rate predictions, and some of the best financial property tips, if climbing the property ladder interests you, this is the episode you'll want to tune into.  For more tips and resources, visit us at melissabrowne.com.au, on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok @MelBrowne.Money or send us an email at hello@melissabrowne.com.au. Books and resources mentioned in this episode My Financial Adulting Plan  Mel's Money Lesson: Buying and Investing in Property Finally, if you love this episode please make sure you subscribe, share it with a friend and leave us a review.

It's a new season and we're heading back to the basics to help you reduce your financial overwhelm and start (or keep) doing money better. Today Lawsie & Mel are talking about all things debt from what to know, why you should get comfortable with it, and what you should focus on.  Chances are, one of your new years resolutions is to get into, or out of debt. From getting rid of credit cards or personal loans, to getting into mortgages or investment loans, debt is a big topic many of us have on our mind especially as a new year begins. From the different types to the secrets about debt that the wealthy already know. Because while it's often something we think we should avoid at all costs, in reality, it's not quite that simple. For more tips and resources, visit us at melissabrowne.com.au, on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok @MelBrowne.Money or send us an email at hello@melissabrowne.com.au. Books and resources mentioned in this episode My Financial Adulting Plan  The link for our HIIT new year money challenge is here Freebie 25+ Ways to find 10K in 12 months Finally, if you love this episode please make sure you subscribe, share it with a friend and leave us a review.