On today’s episode, we meet a real life Brady Bunch family with four adult children from different relationships. The parents, Craig and Suzette, reveal what it’s like having three of the kids still living at home. We also hear from their youngest, Nicola, about how she is making the most of the opportunity. And David Wright, founder of the Spending Planners Institute, also joins Effie and offers his tips for families. Podcast resources: What is the average age to move out of home in...

On today’s episode, we meet Carolyn. She shares how she ended up in prison at age of 64 after stealing $400,000 to pay for her gambling. Effie is also joined by financial counsellor Annette Devereaux who works with people experiencing gambling harm. She offers tips for anyone struggling with a gambling addiction and their loved ones. Podcast resources: How financial counsellors can help Australians in difficulty Gambler’s Help 1800 858 858 Alliance for Gambling Reform If any issues on...

Jess shares the financial impact her mum’s bipolar disorder had on the family On today’s episode, we meet Jess. As a teenager, she noticed a change in her mum’s spending behaviour. She went on a year-long shopping frenzy that saw her spending $250,000. It turned out to be a result of bipolar disorder. Jess recalls the effect this overspending had on the family. Effie is also joined by Dr Alexis Whitton from The Black Dog Institute. She offers her insights about the financial impact mental...

On today’s episode, we meet Samantha. She spent years in a bad relationship but didn’t realise she was experiencing abuse until after she left. Samantha reveals the toll this relationship had on her finances. Then, Rebecca Glenn from the Centre for Women’s Economic Safety joins Effie to share the many ways economic abuse can present itself and where you may be able to go for help. Have you got a money story you think someone could benefit from hearing? Contact Effie at...

On today’s episode, we meet Naomi. She explains how she was blindsided by her now ex-partner’s financial deceit and reveals the red flags to watch out for. Relationship counsellor, Fiona Baillie, also joins Effie and shares where you can go for help. Plus, we hear from family law specialist Brett Hartley who runs through information you may want to consider if ending a relationship. Got a story you‘d like featured on the podcast? Contact Effie at [email protected] Podcast...

On today‘s episode, we meet Kathleen. She was forced to sell her music school business nearly ten years ago but was still left with significant debt. Over the years, as she started a new career, that debt steadily grew and she was told her bankruptcy was the easiest way out. Rather than going bankrupt, Kathleen turned to “spending planner” Carolyn Moes for help. Kathleen and Carolyn tell us the steps they have taken to turn Kathleen’s finances around, why ignoring debt is never the answer...

On today‘s episode, we meet Maree. She shares her experience of losing $165,000 to an internet pop-up scam and how she, and her husband Peter, dealt with the fallout. Effie is also joined by David Lacey from IDCARE, an organisation that receives hundreds of calls a day from people like Maree. He walks us through what you should do if you’ve been scammed. Plus the ACCC’s Delia Rickard shares her tips about what we can do to protect ourselves.

On today‘s episode, we meet Natasha. Her self-confessed spending addiction got so bad she was relying on buy now pay later schemes to get what she wanted and was left with less than $50 per week. She talks with Effie and behavioural psychologist Phil Slade about how COVID-19 lockdowns and learning to love herself helped her break the spending cycle.

Welcome to Real Money with Effie Zahos, powered by Canstar - a podcast about real people and their real money stories. Effie has been writing and talking about money issues for more than 20 years. One thing she has discovered is that we can all learn from people's experiences.  The first season of Real Money will tell the stories of real Australians who tell their experiences with money, including overcoming spending addiction, divorce and financial deceit and internet scams. The good...