Her Money Matters

55 Business Class Dreams on a Budget:  Inside the World of Australia’s Frequent Flyer Programs (Part 1)

Ever wondered how people seem to casually fly business class to Europe while the rest of us are still recovering financially from booking economy seats to Bali? Welcome to the slightly obsessive, highly strategic, and surprisingly entertaining world of frequent flyer points.   As we head into holiday season and everyone starts dreaming about escaping the Australian winter for sunshine, cocktails, long lunches, and a European summer, there is one problem… travel has become expensive. Really expensive. Flights, accommodation, airport food, baggage fees, travel insurance: it all adds up quickly. And this year, with global tensions, fuel prices, airline disruptions, and endless schedule changes, travel feels more unpredictable than ever.   So in this two-part series, Naomi and Helene are diving headfirst into the world of Australia’s frequent flyer programs, travel hacks, reward seats, points strategies, and business class dreams. In Part 1, they unpack how the major frequent flyer programs actually work, who the different “points personalities” are, and Naomi makes a shocking confession… she and her husband have essentially built their lives around the Qantas Frequent Flyer program.   From refreshing reward seats at exactly midday like Taylor Swift concert tickets, to planning multi-country “milk run” routes across the globe just to secure a lie-flat bed and champagne at 35,000 feet, this episode proves that frequent flyer points are not just luck… they are strategy.   Meanwhile, Helene reveals she absolutely hates flying and would genuinely rather walk 500 miles than board a plane — making this week’s pop culture theme from The Proclaimers painfully appropriate.   This episode is funny, nostalgic, practical, slightly chaotic, and full of insights for anyone who has ever looked at a business class cabin and wondered, “How are these people affording this?” In this episode: * Breaking down the two frequent flyer programs in Australia: Qantas Frequent Flyer and Velocity Frequent Flyer * The hidden psychology and personalities of “points people” * Naomi’s confession as a full-blown frequent flyer obsessive * The reality of chasing business class flights to Europe * Why frequent flyer points are less about luxury… and more about understanding the system Part 2 of this series dives into the practical side of points hacking, including the best ways to accumulate points in Australia, how to maximise credit card bonuses, and the strategies frequent flyer pros use to actually secure reward flights and business class upgrades.   Because travel might be expensive… but paying full price is apparently optional.

54 The Smart Way to Fund Your Kids’ and Grandkids’ Education

School fees. University costs. Tutoring. Technology. Uniforms. Excursions. Somehow, every year the cost of education seems to climb even higher and for many families, it can feel like a financial treadmill that never quite slows down. This conversation is not just for parents currently raising children as increasingly, grandparents are stepping in too. Whether it is helping with private school fees, contributing towards university costs, or wanting to create a meaningful financial legacy for the next generation, many women in their 50s, 60s and beyond are asking the same question: “How can I help my kids and grandkids without compromising my own future?” In this episode of the Her Money Matters podcast, I sit down with Marie Lazar from Futurity Investment Group to unpack one of the financial planning tools more families are beginning to explore: education bonds. For many women, this sits right at the intersection of family, legacy, and financial planning. You may be in the thick of paying school fees right now. You may have adult children struggling with the rising cost of raising kids, or you may be looking at your grandchildren and wanting to create opportunities for them in a practical and meaningful way. Marie and I discuss the rising cost of education in Australia, the different ways families currently fund education, and how education bonds actually work in practice. We also unpack who they may suit, the tax considerations, the flexibility they offer, and why this has become an increasingly important conversation for both parents and grandparents. In this episode we cover: * The rising cost of education in Australia * Why education planning matters more than ever for families * The different ways parents and grandparents fund education costs * What an education bond actually is * How education bonds work from a tax perspective * The key features and benefits of education bonds * Who education bonds may be suitable for * How grandparents can use education bonds as part of legacy planning As always, this episode is general information only and does not take into account your personal circumstances or financial needs. So join us for a practical, thoughtful, and surprisingly fascinating conversation about one of the biggest investments many families will ever make - education.

53 Should You Set Up A Self-Managed Super Fund? What You Need to Know Before You Begin

Self Managed Super Funds(or SMSF’s) can be seen as the next step when it comes to taking ownership of your money. They may carry a certain appeal, being more control, more flexibility, and the ability to make your own investment decisions. For some people that feels empowering however for others, it can feel complex and slightly out of reach. In this episode, Naomi and Helene unpack the reality behind SMSF's. They explore what they are, how they work, and why many Australians are drawn to them. They also explore the psychology behind the decision and the good, the bad and the very ugly that people need to know before starting an SMSF.   This is a highly practical conversation designed to help you understand whether an SMSF genuinely fits your needs.  It is important to be aware of both the benefits and the responsibility that is involved in running your own super fund.  In This Episode, We Cover: * What an SMSF actually is and what it means to be a trustee * The psychology of the self-directed investor and why control can be appealing * The main reasons people start SMSFs * The key benefits of SMSFs, including control, flexibility and investment choice * The disadvantages, including cost, time commitment and compliance risk * The realities of being responsible for your own investment performance * The risks associated with running an SMSF * Who an SMSF is suited to and why many people do not need one An SMSF is a structure that requires time, attention, and responsibility. Before you go down this path, take a step back and ask whether it genuinely fits your life, your interest, and your level of commitment.

52 When Women Inherit Super: What Happens to Super After a Spouse Dies

What happens to your super when your partner dies? And would you actually know what to do next? Superannuation doesn’t automatically form part of your Will, and that one detail can completely change how your money is passed on. For many women, this is the moment when they may find that they have not really engaged with super… to suddenly being responsible for it. In this episode, Naomi is joined by Maria Ganakas from Prime Super to break down exactly how super works on death, what women need to know about inheritance, and why this is one of the biggest financial transitions many women will face.  What we cover in this episode: * What happens to super when your spouse dies in Australia  * Why super does not automatically go through your Will * Binding death benefit nominations: what they are and why they matter * Reversionary pensions explained and how they create ongoing income * The emotional impact of inheriting money and making financial decisions under pressure * Key conversations to have about super, beneficiaries, and retirement This is one of those episodes that can genuinely change how prepared you feel about your financial future.  So take one step this week. Check your super. Start the conversation. Get clear on what would happen. Because understanding what happens to super in the event of death is a really important topic.

51 Finding Your Mojo After Divorce: Dating, Repartnering and Money Mistakes to Avoid

This is the final episode in our three-part series where we go through end to end how to survive separation and divorce from a financial and emotional stand point. In Episode 32 of Her Money Matters, we unpacked what to expect emotionally and financially through divorce. In Episode 42 of Her Money Matters, we walked through property settlement and the financial decisions that come with it. And now… this is the rebuild phase. This is where things start to shift, and where you begin to find your footing again. This is hopefully where confidence starts to come back and for many women, where dating and repartnering enters the picture bringing both excitement and a whole new layer of financial decisions. In this episode, Naomi and Helene talk through the emotional and practical realities of life after divorce, from rebuilding your identity and confidence, through to navigating relationships again and avoiding the money mistakes that can come with them. In this episode, we cover: * Mourning the loss of a relationship, identity and family unit * Rebuilding confidence and stepping back into your sense of self * The tension between freedom and fear when making decisions alone * Guilt, especially around kids, and how it can influence financial choices * Dating again after divorce and what to expect emotionally * Repartnering, blended families and the realities behind the scenes * The financial risks of repartnering, including debt and lack of visibility * Practical money tips and red flags to watch when entering a new relationship This stage of life can feel like a mix of excitement, uncertainty, and everything in between: and it’s also where some of the most important growth happens. Take your time. Stay curious about yourself. Stay engaged with your money. And back yourself to make decisions that support the life you’re building next.