Dollars & Distractions

About Dollars & Distractions

🎙️ Dollars & Distractions – Podcast Description (SEO Optimised) Welcome to Dollars & Distractions, the Australian money and property podcast hosted by two mortgage brokers who believe financial conversations shouldn’t feel intimidating. Each week, we talk about real-life finance — from home loans and borrowing power to saving for a deposit, money mindset, property investing and building long-term wealth. We break down: How much you can actually borrow What banks really look at when assessing home loans First home buyer tips in Australia Saving strategies that actually work Fixed vs variable rate decisions Money habits, behaviour and mindset Financial confidence for women The emotional side of buying property And because we’re human (and slightly distraction-prone), you’ll also hear the tangents — client stories, real estate drama, relationship money conversations and the behind-the-scenes reality of being mortgage brokers. If you’re: ✔ A first home buyer in Australia ✔ Unsure about your borrowing power ✔ Trying to save a house deposit ✔ Feeling financially behind ✔ Wanting clearer money strategy ✔ Or just love honest, unfiltered finance conversations This podcast is for you. We believe financial confidence doesn’t come from knowing everything — it comes from clarity and action. New episodes weekly. Because money doesn’t respond to chaos — it responds to clarity.

Publisher

Maryanne Elliott

Category

education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

11 Mar 2026

Latest episode

14 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

32 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   14 Oct 2026

   Dollars & Distractions - Episode 32 Feeling Behind in Life? You're Not Running Out of Time!

   Feeling Behind in Life? You're Not Running Out of Time Ever looked around and thought, "Hang on… wasn't I supposed to have my life together by now?" 🙋♀️Maybe you thought you'd own a home, be married, have kids, be financially comfortable or have a healthy savings account by this age. But life hasn't exactly gone according to plan.In this episode of Dollars & Distractions, Maryanne and Bec are talking about something we've probably all experienced at some point, feeling like we're falling behind.And let's be real, it's pretty hard not to compare yourself when everyone on social media seems to be buying houses, driving fancy cars, going on holidays and living their best lives.But here's the thing… just because someone looks wealthy doesn't mean they are! We're chatting about: 💰 Why comparing your financial position to someone else's can be dangerous 🏡 Buying your first home young and the lessons we wish we'd known beforehand 🚗 Why fancy cars, boats and beautiful homes don't always equal financial success 📱 How social media can make you feel like you're falling behind 🎯 Setting financial goals based on what YOU actually want, not what everyone else is doing 📝 Why understanding your income, expenses, assets and debts is the best place to start ❤️ And why it's never too late to change direction and start building the life you want.Of course, there are a few distractions along the way, including $55 lip gloss, questionable spending habits and some rather interesting Gold Coast observations! 😂The biggest takeaway?You're not behind. You're just on your own timeline.And the best time to start getting your finances on track? Right now. 🎁 WANT OUR FREE BUDGET PLANNER?We mention our budgeting spreadsheet in this episode, and we'd love to share it with you!Simply email info@360mortgagesolutions.com.au and ask for the budget planner. We'll send it straight through — no blood samples required! 😂 🎙️ Thanks for listening to Dollars & Distractions with Maryanne & Bec.General information only. This episode isn't personal financial advice.

2. 

   7 Oct 2026

   Dollars & Distractions - Episode 31 Are Offset Accounts a Gimmick?

   Are offset accounts a gimmick? Is redraw better? And should we really be getting our financial education from TikTok? This week, Maryanne and Bec unpack a social media video that got them fired up, particularly the claim that offset accounts and other common home loan features are simply gimmicks designed to benefit the banks. We break down what offset accounts, redraw facilities and lines of credit actually do, why the way you use them matters, and why there isn't necessarily one home loan structure that's right for everyone. We also get into the bigger issue of financial advice on social media and how easily a clever Reel or TikTok can make something complicated sound very black and white. Plus, in true Dollars & Distractions style, we somehow wander into socks, Bunnings, screwdrivers, teenagers, AI and Bec's potential alternative career before eventually finding our way back to money. In this episode: Are offset accounts really a gimmick? How does an offset account work? Offset accounts vs redraw What is a line of credit? Why understanding your home loan matters Making every dollar work harder Financial education and financial literacy Money advice on TikTok and social media Why asking questions about your finances is so important The impact of social media and AI on critical thinking The takeaway? Don't make a financial decision based on one Reel, TikTok or catchy headline. Understand how the product works, ask questions and work out whether it actually suits you and the way you manage your money.🎙️ Dollars & Distractions — more money, more mindset, and plenty of distractions along the way.General Information Only: This podcast contains general information and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs.

3. 

   30 Sept 2026

   Dollars & Distractions - Episode 30 Is the Money Advice Our Parents Gave Us Outdated?

   Buy a house. Pay it off. Avoid debt. Credit cards are bad. Your first home should be somewhere you can stay forever.Sound familiar? In this episode of Dollars & Distractions, Maryanne and Bec unpack some of the money and property advice many of us grew up with — and ask whether it still makes sense in today's financial and property landscape.The reality is that property prices, mortgages, lifestyles and the way people build wealth have changed significantly. That doesn't necessarily mean the advice our parents gave us was wrong — but it might not always fit the goals we're working towards today.Maryanne and Bec chat about rentvesting, whether paying off your mortgage as quickly as possible should always be the goal, principal and interest vs interest-only loans, using credit cards strategically, buying your first home and why there's no single “right” way to build wealth.They also dive into how our own upbringing influences the way we think about money — and the financial lessons we're now passing on to the next generation.In this episode: • Why financial advice from parents and family isn't always one-size-fits-all • What rentvesting is and why people choose to rent where they want to live while investing elsewhere • Paying down debt vs investing and building wealth • Principal & interest vs interest-only home loans • Why an interest-only strategy that works for an investor may not suit a first home buyer • Whether credit cards are actually “bad” — or whether it comes down to how they're used • Using an offset account and understanding your spending • Why your first home doesn't have to be your forever home • Getting into the property market without ticking every box • Property investing and alternative ownership structures • Why accountants and other professionals can be an important part of investment decisions • Teaching kids about money, work and starting from scratch • The importance of defining your own financial goals Ultimately, the message is simple: listen to the advice, educate yourself, ask questions and then decide what works for your circumstances and your goals. There is more than one way to build wealth — and someone else's financial strategy doesn't automatically need to become yours. 🎧 Dollars & Distractions — more money, more mindset and plenty of distractions along the way.DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for general information and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute personal financial, tax, legal or credit advice. Always consider your individual circumstances and seek appropriate professional advice before making financial decisions.SEO Keywords: outdated money advice, money advice from parents, Australian personal finance podcast, Australian money podcast, rentvesting Australia, rentvesting explained, property investing Australia, first home buyer Australia, mortgage tips Australia, home loan advice, principal and interest vs interest only, interest only home loan, paying off your mortgage, building wealth Australia, credit cards and mortgages, money mindset, financial education Australia, property investment podcast

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Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings