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  • 14th share (after 50 lessons, 4 years in & semi retirement?)

    Well 4 years ago I’d post every week, as I was focussing on my business. Nowadays it’s every 2 months and I’ve been focussing on my relationships more. Lately I’ve had to confront some demons that I thought I’d dealt with 10 years ago when I broke off my relationship and referred myself to a male and female psychologist. Mild abandonment issues from Mum leaving when I was 15 were nothing to worry about as both psychologists confirmed my mental health was tip top.

    So now my current partner is understanding if I say I feel a little “funny / concerned” about our future together. We’re about to buy acreage in northern New South Wales and for me it could be semi retirement. However my parents’ messy split has me questioning if “happily ever after” with a man who views money very differently to myself, is possible. Indeed I know it is but we’ve had to work out what’s important to each of us (goals & values), and the reason WHY money’s played out differently in our lives. I’ve seen that money has been my security blanket and if you look hard enough, you can find a solution between two people who are very different. We’ve also both realised that when your dream is finally presented, you may have a tendency to self sabotage at the first hurdle.  While I’ve been saying for years that I’ll be retired by age 45 with 4 investment properties paid off and one environmentally friendly home, at 41, buying the eco friendly home has scared the “bleep” out of me. Little Miss Independent is about to commit to be one of two, and get back into debt (with only 2 investment properties).

    So as I prepare to speak with 60 women in south west Sydney tonight you can do the same activity I’ll be asking them to do. Look at what makes your heart sing, then:

    • work out financially what the first few steps have to be
    • choose who you want to do it with (on your own is harder and MUCH less fun)
    • protect the downside (ie do a risk assessment)
    • Let go and trust in the universe!!

    So that’s it for now. In a couple of months, when we get the internet on in the bush, I’ll write again 😉 Until then, remember that your presence is more important at Christmas than your presents!! 🙂 xx

  • 13th share: Reunions, reductions & realising your dreams!

    Hi guys, you know it’s the new Financial year so I’m not going to harp on about adopting new habits 😉 If you need ideas just read back through the last 4 years of blog posts xx I would however like to hear from you if you’d like to come along to a reunion (even if it’s your first time to a Financial Fitness gathering). Come along and lose your Financial Fitness virginity with Your Money Mistress in Canberra ACT on the 29th August or Campbelltown NSW on the 5th Sep. Just let me know for catering purposes here, via email or the websites (www.yourmoneymistress.com or  www.financialfitness.com.au).

    Also, having just had a neighbour drop by to ask for another copy, you can buy my book at a discounted rate til the end of July. All orders made by 31 July will receive a $10 cash back (that’s a 50% discount)! Just go to https://yourmoneymistress.com/products-and-services.html Happy New Year!

    And lastly, what are your dreams? Do you keep them up on your wall? I do and one dream is to make a difference for masses of people as opposed to a few. So on the 25th July I’ll be speaking at a Canberra event that will be broadcast to Sydney and online. Check it out here and then make sure you have a picture of your dream(s) up on a wall somewhere at home so it sinks into your subconscious. That’s it for now – love you heaps!!

    http://www.jakeman.com.au/upcoming-events/jbs-talks-2013

  • 12th share: S&M Taster

    Well it’s self inflicted “busyness” again until end June and in Australia the fiscal year ends on June 30. So with the new financial year almost upon us how are you going to make managing your money more fun? Perhaps this will give you some ideas. Please enjoy and of course I’d love your feedback!! xx http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHrSjMeMejo

  • 11th share: Would you like to walk “naked” across Sydney with me?

    Remember the fable The Emperor’s New Clothes? Where the Emperor and his Ministry don’t want to appear “unworthy” so they pretend they can see the “fine, invisible cloth”. The townsfolk also pretend to see it as their egos are at stake if they don’t. It takes a young boy who hasn’t been “conditioned” and isn’t concerned with other peoples’ opinions to state the fact that the Emperor is in his underwear. SO.. I’ve submitted a Proposal to Premier O’Farrell’s office on his request (he played the Emperor as a child at school – what coincidence ;-). The aim of the walk (in sarongs / tasteful underwear) is to raise awareness of issues that are important to the people AND possible solutions, because we should never complain about something without posing a solution. In line with the NSW 2021 goals (however you can come from any state and relate it to Australia as a whole), there will be a submission put to the Premier / States at the end of the walk of all the “Peoples’ Solutions”. Date is TBC but if you’re interested please email me, contact me via the website www.yourmoneymistress.com or comment here. Thank you – I look forward to having you along! And now the S&M tip: If you haven’t already, clean out your wallet and treat it like the valuable vessel it is for keeping your wealth safe (ie if it’s tattered it may indicate how little you value money). xx

  • 10th share: New year – new habits

    Wow – 2 months since I last posted! So much has happened and I always want to give you the best I can. Right now, as always at this time of year, reflection on the past and what we want to create in the future can give us mixed feelings. We might be excited by the clean path ahead and yet concerned as to whether we’ll actually achieve our goals / stay with our new habits. Without going into all the science behind adopting new habits, let me suggest what I consider an absolute MUST (although 10 years ago I would’ve thought the following words were for weirdos – no offence intended). Each day (more…)

  • 9th share: How do you get people to take effective action of the information learnt?

    Good question! Ad hoc action will result in ad hoc results so make a date with yourself and significant others each week. What follows are some (more…)

  • 8th share: How much is enough?

    Another question from our survey was “How much is enough? How can I rate my financial health myself?” Well a couple of places to start are:

    1. www.moneysmart.gov.au has calculators to see how long your super (401K) will last, as well as compound interest and credit card calculators, plus much more. Some are basic calculators but there is also a financial health check.
    2. www.yourmoneymistress.com has a “With compliments” page that gives you basic forms to fill out and start you thinking about your goals. The Scenario budget should be filled out twice, one for your present spending (which we aim to improve) and another for your desired situation in retirement.

    Everyone has different requirements and thus different amounts for what is “enough”. The best way is to record what you spend now over a 6 month period which will enable you to accurately fill out the Scenario budget (ie do it in pencil then come back and adjust the figures after 6 months of recording). Remember that someone who can live on $500 / week will be able to retire earlier than someone who “needs” $1000 / week. Ultimately it comes down to the lifestyle we lead determining how much money we need, now and into the future.

  • 7th share: Blending finances after previous relationships

    Another question from our survey was how to blend finances after both parties have been married before and thus set in their financial ways. Well there are 2 points to remember here. 1. The past does not equal the future so if your previous partner left you with an STD (sexually transmitted debt) that doesn’t mean this partner will. Speaking from experience, having a binding financial agreement is a great place to start. Then, once both parties record their individual spending over a period of time, including the joint household bills you can work out whether a. you have a joint account for joint expenses & keep the rest of your money to yourself or b. due to unpaid work around the house / personal circumstances / non monetary contributions, you come to an agreement about who pays what (eg one wage to living, one wage to saving). Of course there are many more options but make sure you have something in writing at all times.

    And the 2nd point is that “if you want different results you’ll need to do things differently”. This means looking at where you went wrong last time (yes, all financially independent people take responsibility for where they are ;-), and work out what you can do to improve & when you will discuss this (eg Money Mondays or Wealth Wednesdays). You can always buy a copy of my book too at www.yourmoneymistress.com as well as using the forms on my With compliments page 😉 May you have a beautiful blended relationship!! xx

  • 6th share: Financial New Year Resolutions

    Another question on our survey requested hints for staying true to your convictions. Without going on for days 😉 here’s a quick list: (more…)

  • 5th Share: How much money do you need in retirement?

    Depending what country you live in the amount you require in retirement will vary greatly however the principle is the same. The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia states that (more…)