Her Money Matters

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.

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.

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.

This week’s episode is a special one, I am so excited that this is episode 50!  How the has flown, especially when I think back to my first recording in June last year and how far the podcast has come since then.

In our conversation for this episode, we focus on the cost of living pressure many households are feeling from multiple angles. Fuel prices have surged, with petrol sitting around $2.50 - $3.50 per litre and pushing even higher in some areas, driven by global supply disruptions and rising oil prices. At the same time, interest rates have continued to rise, with the Reserve Bank of Australia lifting the cash rate multiple times in recent months and the possibility of further increases still on the table.

For homeowners, this is having a very real impact. Higher borrowing costs, rising everyday expenses, and tighter cashflow are becoming part of the day to day reality for many Australians.

In this episode, I sit down with Sharon Bae, Founder of Artemis Finance, to unpack what is happening in the lending market right now: and more importantly, the five key reasons you may want to consider refinancing your mortgage.

In this episode, we cover:

What is driving interest rates and cost of living pressures right now

How lenders price loans and why loyalty doesn’t always pay

What happens when fixed rates expire and repayments jump

How increased equity can unlock better loan options

When your current loan no longer suits your life

Using refinancing to simplify and reduce high interest debt

A Loving Kick Up the Bum
When costs are rising around you, it is easy to absorb it and move on. But your mortgage is one area where a small change can make a meaningful difference. Take the time to review it, ask questions, and explore your options — because the impact can be far bigger than you think.

If this conversation has led you to consider whether refinancing could work in your situation, you can reach out to Sharon Bae via email at Artemis Finance: [email protected], or via the website: https://artemisfinance.com.au/

Your 60s are a decade where everything starts to shift where for many women we are considering the next phase of life - whatever that looks like - where you potentially have the financial freedom to choose whether or not you continue to work.  There are some women who can't wait to retire and head off into the retirement sunset, and others who could think of nothing worse than stopping what they love doing and want to work until they are no longer able.

So in this episode, Naomi and Helene walk through the five things every woman needs to understand about money in her 60s:  from accessing your super, to making decisions about work, housing, family, and getting your affairs properly in order.

In this episode, we cover:

Turning 65 and what it unlocks: specifically relating to superannuation.  We talk about accessing your super, drawing lump sums, and creating new planning opportunities

The big question: can you afford to stop working, and do you actually want to, including how much is “enough” 

How income is built in retirement and the different options available to generate income, combining super, Centrelink, employment income, and other assets to create sustainable cashflow

Housing decisions in your 60s - this is about downsizing, retirement living, or modifying your home, and the financial and lifestyle implications of each

The realities of ageing parents and inheritances and understanding aged care costs, timing, and the options available for your  inheritance

Getting your “life admin” sorted, including your  wills, super nominations, powers of attorney, and making sure your affairs are in order

This stage of life is about making clear, informed decisions that support how you want to live, for this decade as well as the years ahead.

There is a bunch of information in this episode to help you navigate the move from working to either reducing your working hours or retiring completely, so pick one area that is the most relevant to you and focus on that.  The future is yours!