Uncensored Money

Chances are, most of us know and understand the term body dysmorphia, but have you heard of money dysmorphia? Now money dysmorphia isn’t a clinically diagnosed medical illness, but it’s a phrase coined by the internet to describe having a warped sense or understanding of your finances, which then in turn leads to irrational money decision-making. Sound familiar? In this episode of Uncensored Money, Mel and Lawsie discuss the concept of money dysmorphia, from the types there are, to what to do if you have it. Books and resources mentioned in this episode My Financial Adulting Plan If you're on insta, come play over at @MelBrowne.Money and make sure you’re signed up to Mel's Money Musings for more tips, tricks and ideas on how to best work with your money. Finally, if you love this episode please make sure you subscribe and leave us a review.

What dragons have you had to slay in your life? Each of us have faced different dragons, big and small, that we've come up against in our lives. Talking health, wellness, and thriving, Jennifer Benfield joins Mel this week to discuss the dragon that entered her life and forced her to reassess everything about the way she was living. Tune into this episode of Uncensored Money for a discussion on health and wellness, and the impact every choice you make can have on your physical, mental, and financial health.  Books and resources mentioned in this episode Wiser & Well Wiser & Well Instagram Jennifer Benfield LinkedIn My Financial Adulting Plan If you're on insta, come play over at @MelBrowne.Money and make sure you’re signed up to Mel's Money Musings for more tips, tricks and ideas on how to best work with your money. Finally, if you love this episode please make sure you subscribe and leave us a review.

You know when you tell yourself you're not doing something anymore, and then a week later you find yourself unconsciously in the process of doing just that?  A few weeks ago, Mel found herself in just that loop. She set herself the challenge to shop her closet and not the stores, and yet when Sarah Blakely dropped her new Sneex, she caught herself adding to cart.   In this episode of Uncensored Money, Lawsie and Mel talk about the strain on our willpower that our phones have on us daily, and the habits we can create that can help give that willpower a break. Books and resources mentioned in this episode My Financial Adulting Plan If you're on insta, come play over at @MelBrowne.Money and make sure you’re signed up to Mel's Money Musings for more tips, tricks and ideas on how to best work with your money. Finally, if you love this episode please make sure you subscribe and leave us a review.

We all know that fast fashion is bad, both environmentally and ethically, but what about the latest category which encapsulates brands like Temu, Shein, and Boohoo. With faster production cycles, faster churn, faster to landfills, and clothing made with ultra plastics which will shed microfibres into waterways for years to come, this new category is like fast fashion on crack. In this episode of Uncensored Money, Mel talks about the new fashion category, Ultra Fast Fashion – who is in it and why it could be as harmful as tobacco for your health. Books and resources mentioned in this episode Good On You App The Imperfect Idealist Venetia La Manna My Financial Adulting Plan If you're on insta, come play over at @MelBrowne.Money and make sure you’re signed up to Mel's Money Musings for more tips, tricks and ideas on how to best work with your money. Finally, if you love this episode please make sure you subscribe and leave us a review.

This week it’s scam awareness week and last year, $2.7 billion was lost to scammers in Australia. That’s more than $5,200 per minute – and that’s only the scams we know about. So many more would have kept quiet. That’s why I’m excited to be talking to Tracy Hall, who in 2017 discovered the man she’d been dating for two years, Max, was one of Australia’s most prolific con men – Hamish McLaren. Also known as Hamish Watson. Also known as Hamish Maxwell. During our chat, you’ll hear just how much she lost, red flags to be aware of, what to do if someone you think is being scammed, how to move on from the shame of being scammed and so much more. Tracy’s story highlights that it doesn’t matter her you’re from, how you were raised or educated or how intuitive you think you are – anyone can fall victim to a scam. Books and resources mentioned in this episode Tracy Hall - Scam Resources The Last Victim My Financial Adulting Plan If you're on insta, come play over at @MelBrowne.Money and make sure you’re signed up to Mel's Money Musings for more tips, tricks and ideas on how to best work with your money. Finally, if you love this episode please make sure you subscribe and leave us a review.

What inspiration can we take from the Olympics for your finances this week? In this solo episode of Uncensored Money, Mel talks about the extraordinary competitors in the Olympics, examining how we can take inspiration from their practice, so we can sprint through the the next five months, to finish this year well. Books and resources mentioned in this episode My Financial Adulting Plan If you're on insta, come play over at @MelBrowne.Money and make sure you’re signed up to Mel's Money Musings for more tips, tricks and ideas on how to best work with your money. Finally, if you love this episode please make sure you subscribe and leave us a review.

Like the entirety of the world, Mel and Lawsie have spent the past few weeks with their eyes glued on the Olympics. Watching these extraordinary athletes, has made them ask the question, What if we applied a high performing mindset to our finances? In this episode of Uncensored Money, Mel and Lawsie talk about eight things we can learn from elite athletes and apply to our finances. From the power of goal setting to a great coaching team, tune in to find out what tips we can take from our Olympians. Books and resources mentioned in this episode My Financial Adulting Plan If you're on insta, come play over at @MelBrowne.Money and make sure you’re signed up to Mel's Money Musings for more tips, tricks and ideas on how to best work with your money. Finally, if you love this episode please make sure you subscribe and leave us a review.

It’s no surprise to most of us that things have gotten a little tougher financially in recent years. With so many indicators leading us to a measure of stress and uncertainty, knowing what to do to help things, can feel impossible. In this episode of Uncensored Money, Mel and Lawsie discuss this uncertainty, giving us 5 things we can look at to regain control during times of financial uncertainty and distress. Because while we know that not all of us can get a second job to bridge a financial gap, nor can we put our heads in the sand to ignore a growing financial strain. Tune into this episode where we go back to basics, and share the things you really should be doing to regain financial control. Books and resources mentioned in this episode My Financial Adulting Plan 10 Ways to Manage, Pay Off & Use Debt To Your Advantage What a BIG Difference a Decade Can Make to Your Finances 50+ Ways to Find $10K in 12 Months If you're on insta, come play over at @MelBrowne.Money and make sure you’re signed up to Mel's Money Musings for more tips, tricks and ideas on how to best work with your money. Finally, if you love this episode please make sure you subscribe and leave us a review.

In this solo episode, Mel talks about interest rates and inflation. Terrifying words for most Australians, Mel talks to what these latest inflation figures mean, and what other options could work to lessen interest rates. Tune into this episode of Uncensored Money where we break down what's going on with the economy, and Mel's opinion on whether we may or may not be in for more rising interest rates. Books and resources mentioned in this episode My Financial Adulting Plan 10 Ways to Manage, Pay Off & Use Debt To Your Advantage What a BIG Difference a Decade Can Make to Your Finances 50+ Ways to Find $10K in 12 Months If you're on insta, come play over at @MelBrowne.Money and make sure you’re signed up to Mel's Money Musings for more tips, tricks and ideas on how to best work with your money. Finally, if you love this episode please make sure you subscribe and leave us a review.

It’s time to talk about money stories. Finance is so personal, and the money stories that we grew up with or have learned thanks to our jobs, parents, education and more have huge effects on that.  In this episode of Uncensored Money, we’re talking about three different types of Money Stories that Mel and Lawsie have seen time after time through their careers as financial advisors. These money stories have big impact on the way we earn our money, treat it, and even advocate for ourselves. Understanding our Money Stories is the first step to taking charge of our financial future.  Books and resources mentioned in this episode My Financial Adulting Plan If you're on insta, come play over at @MelBrowne.Money and make sure you’re signed up to Mel's Money Musings for more tips, tricks and ideas on how to best work with your money. Finally, if you love this episode please make sure you subscribe and leave us a review.

Have you always wanted to invest ethically, but never known whether it was worth it? In this episode of Uncensored Money, ethical investing expert Alexandra Brown comes on to talk to Mel about all things ethical investing. The CEO and powerhouse behind Ethical Invest Group, Alexandra is a champion of ethical and sustainable investing. Discussing all facets of ethical investing, from the different types, to the suitability of each, tune in for a discussion that will have you thinking about what ethical means to you. Books and resources mentioned in this episode Money Talks! Quick Action Guide to Prioritising Ethical Values Learning About Strategies and Environmental/ Social Issues Researching Investments and Super / KiwiSaver Digging Deeper into Holdings and Initial Investment Research Sustainable Investing Plan Alexandra Browns Instagram @EthicalInvest Dr Bronwyn King - Ted Talk   My Financial Adulting Plan Understanding Your Numbers, Double Your Business in 12 Months Psychology of Pricing Masterclass If you're on insta, come play over at @MelBrowne.Money and make sure you’re signed up to Mel's Money Musings for more tips, tricks and ideas on how to best work with your money. Finally, if you love this episode please make sure you subscribe and leave us a review.

For many business owners, metrics and numbers bring much more anxiety than they do comfort. This is especially true in a post Covid world, with business uncertainty is especially high. In this episode of Uncensored Money, Mel discusses the idea of taking comfort in the numbers. Using an example of a former client, Mel breaks down how taking comfort in your numbers can work, and how with a better understanding, they can help you stay accountable and on track. Books and resources mentioned in this episode Understanding Your Numbers, Double Your Business in 12 Months Psychology of Pricing Masterclass My Financial Adulting Plan If you're on insta, come play over at @MelBrowne.Money and make sure you’re signed up to Mel's Money Musings for more tips, tricks and ideas on how to best work with your money. Finally, if you love this episode please make sure you subscribe and leave us a review.

A few weeks ago Mel made a reel focused on repairing some well loved shoes that she owned. One of which was a luxury brand, alongside two others that were not. It was a simple reel which highlighted something she’s done for a long time, but it sparked an interesting debate. In this episode of Uncensored Money, Mel talks about the conversation that sparked from that reel, diving into a conversation on financial values and asking the question – What Are Your Financial Values? Books and resources mentioned in this episode My Financial Adulting Plan Good On You If you're on insta, come play over at @MelBrowne.Money and make sure you’re signed up to Mel's Money Musings for more tips, tricks and ideas on how to best work with your money. Finally, if you love this episode please make sure you subscribe and leave us a review.

Last week we talked about whether investing in the property market was still worth it, using a case study to break down the numbers on whether it was still worth it. This week, we’re spinning things and looking at property, vs shares. In this episode of Uncensored Money, Mel and Lawsie dive deep into the great debate of what’s a better investment. Laying down all the pros and cons (some that you know, some that you won’t), they explore what really is the better investment. Hint, the answer may be, it depends. Books and resources mentioned in this episode My Financial Adulting Plan Investing in Property Masterclass Investing in Shares Masterclass If you're on insta, come play over at @MelBrowne.Money and make sure you’re signed up to Mel's Money Musings for more tips, tricks and ideas on how to best work with your money. Finally, if you love this episode please make sure you subscribe and leave us a review.

With rising interest rates, mortgage repayments, and a cost of living crisis, it's no wonder the question of whether property investments are still worth it. In this episode of Uncensored Money, join Mel and Lawsie as they discuss, investing in property in the current market. Using a case study to understand the numbers, they break it down explaining how they feel about property investing, and whether they still think it's worth it.  Books and resources mentioned in this episode My Financial Adulting Plan Investing in Property Masterclass If you're on insta, come play over at @MelBrowne.Money and make sure you’re signed up to Mel's Money Musings for more tips, tricks and ideas on how to best work with your money. Finally, if you love this episode please make sure you subscribe and leave us a review.

Do you find that there is such a disconnect when it comes to women, hormones, and health? In this episode of Uncensored Money, Mel digs into this disparity with her guest, Dr Ginni Mansberg. Dr Ginni is a GP who specialises in the management of menopause, a well known TV host, author of The M Word, and was voted the most trusted healthcare professional in Australia in 2022.  Mel talks to Ginni about Menopause, the disparity in treatment, and the effect this has on women, and subsequently on their finances. A fascinating talk, this episode is discusses menopause, the lack of research there has been on it in the medical world, and why treatments often start to fail after 6-12 months. Tune in for a discussion on women, hormones, and the relationship this can have on your finances. Books and resources mentioned in this episode The M Word Book  Don't Sweat It ESK Evidence Skincare For more info on Perimenopause and menopause Perimenopause & menopause symptoms checklist: Onero program My Financial Adulting Plan If you're on insta, come play over at @MelBrowne.Money and make sure you’re signed up to Mel's Money Musings for more tips, tricks and ideas on how to best work with your money. Finally, if you love this episode please make sure you subscribe and leave us a review.

After coming back from less than nothing in her thirties, Mel Browne took charge of her finances, so much so, that within a decade she had the choice to work or not.  In this episode of Uncensored Money, Mel talks about the journey that got her there. Not so you can replicate it piece by piece hoping it'll take you exactly where it took her, but so you can understand the process that she went through, becoming financially free. Listen in as Mel breaks down the 8 steps she recommends if you're thinking, "Well, what should I be doing?". Books and resources mentioned in this episode My Financial Adulting Plan If you're on insta, come play over at @MelBrowne.Money and make sure you’re signed up to Mel's Money Musings for more tips, tricks and ideas on how to best work with your money. Finally, if you love this episode please make sure you subscribe and leave us a review.

Wish you could listen in as someone just like you chatted about money? That’s what our Money Chats are all about. In this episode, Mel talks with My Financial Adulting Plan alumni, Catherine, a creative who was thanks to her financial education, is excited to learn about money, and feels she has a right to. Catherine talks about her journey, from working in theatre travelling to lumpy and sometimes inconsistent income, to finally settling down and purchasing her first home at 50. Listen to this exciting episode, and be inspired to take charge of your own finances. Books and resources mentioned in this episode My Financial Adulting Plan If you're on insta, come play over at @MelBrowne.Money and make sure you’re signed up to Mel's Money Musings for more tips, tricks and ideas on how to best work with your money.   Finally, if you love this episode please make sure you subscribe and leave us a review.

Wish you could listen in as someone just like you chatted about money? That’s what our Money Chats are all about. In this episode, Mel talks with My Financial Adulting Plan alumni, Angela (or Ferg's as she permitted Mel to call her). Angela's money story growing up revolved around 'Never Enough', scarcity and fear and discusses how the My Financial Adulting Plan helped her reject this scarcity mindset. Through this, Angela was able to shift her thinking, from constantly hoping for a windfall that would change things, into an understanding of money and how to manage it properly.  Listen to this exciting episode, and be inspired to take charge of your own finances. Books and resources mentioned in this episode My Financial Adulting Plan If you're on insta, come play over at @MelBrowne.Money and make sure you’re signed up to Mel's Money Musings for more tips, tricks and ideas on how to best work with your money.   Finally, if you love this episode please make sure you subscribe and leave us a review.

On this solo episode of Uncensored Money, Mel talks about the power and rituals, asking the question, are we holding onto the right things? Brought on by an exciting (and absolutely terrifying opportunity), Mel discusses these things from our past that we’re holding on to, are often the same things holding us back. Books and resources mentioned in this episode My Financial Adulting Plan If you're on insta, come play over at @MelBrowne.Money and make sure you’re signed up to Mel's Money Musings for more tips, tricks and ideas on how to best work with your money.   Finally, if you love this episode please make sure you subscribe and leave us a review.