She's On The Money - I Earn $280K… But I’m Completely Burnt Out and Trapped

Episode Date: April 9, 2026

This week’s Friday Drinks is a little bit rogue… and we’re not mad about it. We’re diving into a money dilemma from someone earning a very impressive income… but feeling completely burnt out, overwhelmed, and stuck. Think multiple mortgages, a business, big financial commitments, and the very real question of “how do I change my life when everything depends on this income?” It’s a conversation about burnout, lifestyle creep, financial pressure, and what happens when your income grows… but so do your responsibilities. We also get into a DM that has us asking: is a gift really a gift if it costs you money to use it? Because while a surprise trip sounds generous in theory… it hits a little differently when you’re the one footing the bill for flights, food and everything in between. Plus, as always, we’re sharing your community money wins (including a very satisfying warranty moment and a first-time investor win), and broke tips that are equal parts clever and chaotic. If you’ve ever felt stretched too thin, financially committed to the point of stress, or quietly annoyed at a “gift” that wasn’t really a gift… this one’s going to hit. Join our Facebook Group AKA the ultimate support network for money advice and inspiration. Ask questions, share tips, and celebrate your wins with a like-minded crew of 300,000+. And follow us on Instagram for Q&As, bite-sized tips, daily money inspo... and relatable money memes that just get you.  Acknowledgement of Country By Nartarsha Bamblett aka Queen Acknowledgements. The advice shared on She's On The Money is general in nature and does not consider your individual circumstances. She's On The Money exists purely for educational purposes and should not be relied upon to make an investment or financial decision. If you do choose to buy a financial product, read the PDS, TMD and obtain appropriate financial advice tailored towards your needs.  Victoria Devine and She's On The Money are authorised representatives of Money Sherpa PTY LTD ABN - 321649 27708,  AFSL - 4See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My name is Natasha Bamblett, I'm a proud First Nations woman, and I'm here to acknowledge country. Tii, gilinyan ganya, nianakaka yao yinbina waka, nianakai ninbina yakarumja, duminyagumiga dumiga ithawakanidawamundamun imalan, mumubangaraboma ininyalan waka, gaunonyakarumja, wutunadanar. Hello beautiful friends. We gather on the lands of the Aboriginal people. We thank, acknowledge and respect the Aboriginal people's land that we're gathering on today. Take pleasure in all the land and respect all that you see. She's on the Money podcast acknowledges culture, country, community and connections, bringing you the tools,

knowledge and resources for you to thrive. She's on the money. She's on the money. Hello and welcome to She's on the Money, the podcast that makes personal finance fun is specially on Fridays. It is our favourite day of the week because it's when we get the team together and we celebrate you, the incredible She's On The Money community. Today, it's just Bec and I, so be prepared for things to be a little bit more rogue than usual. But I will be sharing some of my favourite community money wins, Bec will still be sharing all of her best broke tips, and will be helping to answer a money dilemma from someone who is suffering from burnout but has so many financial commitments they feel trapped in their job, plus a DM that you slid

into our inbox with that asks the question, is a gift really a gift if it costs the receiver money to use it? Huh. My instinctive reaction is no. No. But it's like when people give pets as gifts. Yeah, I know. I'm very, unless it's like parents gifting them to the kids.

Yeah. Their kids specifically. Anyway, I'm getting ahead of myself. I'm so sorry. No. Before we get into it. Yeah. We always like to start the show with a five-star review, but not today.

I'm just kidding. Have you got one today, Jess? I sure do. This one is from The Lily. She said, She's on the Money has genuinely changed my mindset around money and personal growth. I love how relatable you three women are and it feels like you're just sitting and listening with friends who totally get it.

It has made money simple and investing not a scary word. That's gorgeous. Thank you, The Lily. I don't, the, the. It's a very wrinkle feeling, isn't it? Yeah, it's like, I know a few lilies, but this is the lily, you know, that's crazy. And we appreciate you. Thank you, Lily.

We appreciate you. Thank you. This is my favourite part of the show. Well, I have so many favourites. I don't know about you, but we have Question of the Week. I do love Question of the Week. I love Question of the Week. You get to ask us one question you're dying to know.

It can be about literally anything. So this week's question comes from Miranda, who wants to know, what hill will you die on that most people think is ridiculous? Oh, this is such a great question. And you know what? I know there are so many because I'm so weirdly particular about things and not a single one is coming to mind right now. I know.

Isn't that crazy? It's like when someone asks you to put a song on and you're like, I can't think of a single song, but I know songs. Yeah, literally. My one is that I don't – well, actually, maybe it's like a two-pronger. So firstly, I'm in the dinner realm. I'm in like going out for dinner. I just think going out for dinner or like having dinner with friends

or like in this kind of way where we socialize, like I hate it. Really? I mean like is there something about like seeing a cross from someone for starters also depends who you're sitting next to like this structured eating around a table and also the eating part as well i think is so like i just don't like it but also that's usually tied with a really dim lighting and i really like and i think i've said this on the show before i really like like 7-eleven fluorescent bright light yeah because it helps me feel awake so if i'm gonna be sat and the only objective when you're sat across the table from someone is to

like talk and connect which is great we love to do that but that's the only thing you can do there's nothing that's like you can't like sit next to each other and like get cozy or like get affectionate or look at each other's tiktoks and you know the only thing you have is chit chat and so if i'm gonna have that then it has to be paired with a bright light that's keeping you like alert and active i think maybe be the only person in the world that feels that way everybody hates big light except i know i really like that bright light especially when you must stay attentive and alert you know so are you into the concept of like group dinner at home you just don't like the rigidity of at a restaurant or you just don't like sharing meals like broadly as a

general rule I don't think I like any of it but if we are going to share a meal I would like it to be like we're all sat on the floor or like around like on the lounge or something like that I don't mind that but the eating together as an activity you're eating like can't talk properly I don't no, I don't like it. I don't like it. It's messy. I don't like it. Yeah. So yeah, I don't think I'd like going out for dinner or going out for food, going for brunch with friends. Wow. That is, that is a hot take from you. I'm shocked, honestly. The only thing that I can think of, and it's only because I just got out of my car to get to the studio, is you need to use your blinker before you break. Like if you're turning and you are not turning your blinker on before

you break yes i agree immediate loss of license i i tend to agree hate it yeah yeah yes and i'm pretty sure like that is the correct way to do it like it's not like i'm just saying this is a personal preference like that is the correct way to do it yeah and i'm just actually shocked by how many people don't i know i know and well actually while we're on that if you are at the lights and you're you are in the right lane so you can turn right if you want but you haven't put your blinker on yet and we're sitting in jail jail that's jail because you're sat behind them thinking like oh they're going straight and then the light goes green they put their blinker on yeah now you're stuck I know I don't like it that's jail weekend I literally stuck behind

someone I was literally in my car you should have seen me if you looked in from the outside it would just be me like screaming like fair enough in my car follow the rules follow the rules that is the hill that I will die on yeah yeah yeah yeah okay I like that I like that that's a great question I really liked that one. That was so good. And if you've got a money question that you want us to answer, leave it in the comments on Spotify. It doesn't have to be finance related. In fact, our favorite ones generally aren't. So leave whatever you want. It's only on Spotify at the moment. Hopefully other places soon, or you can DM it to us if you would like. Yes. Thank you. And actually the ones that aren't finance-y mean that we can both,

I mean, you've got a finance brain, but that means that I can get involved every once in a while. Speaking of getting involved, do you have some community money wins? I absolutely do. What a segue. Firstly, this week I've got one from Laura who says she was exchanging money for an overseas trip and the exchange rate was better online doing click and collect for cash instead of in-store. So she did that and she got so much more out of it. I didn't know that click and collect cash exchanges were a thing.

Yeah, I did not know. What, you go and you pay cash? No, so I think like online you exchange, like you would pay from your debit card, for example, I'm assuming, online and then they'll just have the cash ready for you to pick it up is my guess. I understand. Instead of, and I don't know why that would be a better, maybe because then they don't have to handle the money and they're trying to get it to be digital. I'm not sure, but an option that I didn't know about and I thought I would share in

case anybody else is changing money over. That's great. Next, I've got a money win from Hannah who said she finally opened up a Sharesies account and invested in shares for the first time. She said, I was always somewhat scared, but after listening to the podcast and doing a heap of my own research, I finally took the plunge and I am so glad that I did. Anytime someone says they've started investing for the first time, I just get so excited for them.

that's awesome well done Hannah next I've got a money win from Shani who said I got a hundred dollar visa gift card award from work for special recognition and I'm going to use it for my work day treats amazing I always think one of my friends he works in sales yeah and they do like giveaways all the time like apparently there's all he was saying there's all these competitions that they run and most people don't really care about them so he just cleans up and wins them all oh my god he's had like vouchers for dinner and like all kinds of things I just think how fun does that sound? I know, I know. That's the sales people always get these and they get like those free client breakfasts and like everything, I feel like everything in their world is kind of free.

It sounds so fun. So fun. Next, I've got a money win from Naima who said, I used the 7-Eleven fuel lock last week before the price hike. Yesterday, I saved 25 cents per litre when I filled up my car, so I ended up saving $14. Amazing. My fuel lock has been getting a workout with the prices being as high as they are, I am like locking it in the second I can if I can find it for cheap. Next, I've got a money win from Alicia who said, I've been on a trip away and I managed to make it through three excellent vintage stores without making a single impulse purchase. Wow. And then lastly this week, I've got one from Lauren who said she called up to book her punctured tie in to get replaced only to find out that it's still under warranty. Oh, incredible. How good

is that? Car stuff is the worst too. That's actually very timely because I just realized I had to get all my tires replaced right before this. Oh, so expensive. I know, but that's okay. It all comes out in the wash. And sometimes it just means I will be doing more work this week, actually, is what. Well, at least you can pick up an extra shift using the app that you've been using. Yes, that is so true.

I've really been trying to avoid it. I tell you what, shout out to all the hospital workers. You are on your feet, but I'm going to be back in there. So let me know if you need a kitchen hand. Anyone listening? Is that one of your break tips for this week? It is not going to be, but I did want to mention that, I guess, because of the price hike, the petrol price hike, just a reminder to everyone, I have said this before, Petrol

Spy, please use Petrol Spy before you fill up because it will show you all the prices around you or even all of Australia. So make sure you're using that. Do not forget. Okay. So I've got some great tips here, if it's quite all right. Oh, I would love to hear some. I'm surprised, taken aback and absolutely ready.

okay so first one comes from emma who says whenever i sign up to a website's loyalty or emailing list for free shipping or a new customer discount i always put my birthday as the next day and 90 of the time will get another voucher or discount for my birthday at the same time to use on the purchase i was already going to make saves buying something you didn't want or need just because near your birthday you got a 20 off voucher or whatever they send so clever very clever although I signed up last year to a bunch of things because I wanted to make this video of all the different freebies you can get on your birthday yeah I will do that guys we just have to wait for July because I didn't realize that a lot of the places I was signing up to at least

you had to be signed up for two weeks before you got it so I had to wait a whole year so just double check maybe if that's your plan maybe put your birthday in for two weeks away instead of that's crazy what are you waiting period on a voucher I know thank you so much Emma. This next one comes from Hayley. If you don't have it already, get ambulance cover. It's actually very affordable. And as a fit and healthy human, I didn't think there was any need for it until there was. That is so ominous. And I'm so sorry. I hope you're okay, Hayley. We don't have context for that, but I assume that Hayley lives to tell the tale. Hence why they were my broke tips. But I do hope you're okay. That is really true. I think a lot of like sporting clubs and

stuff may tell you that you need to have it before you can play, which is great. But yeah, I think when signing up for health insurance a while ago, it was kind of just a default thing to have. That is included. But if you don't have health insurance, you can take an ambulance cover on its own, I think is the point that Hayley is making. Yes. And it's like quite affordable.

Because from what I've heard, if you do have to take a spontaneous ride in the ambulance, it's very expensive if you don't have cover. Yeah, that's true. And has that always been a thing? It's only in recent years that I've started to properly adult. Yeah. I'm not honestly entirely sure. That's probably something my parents were all over.

But, and I mean, I think it's always been covered by my health insurance, but if you can only do one thing, it may be worth doing that. That's very true, actually. It's a really, really good tip. Thank you, Hayley. And this next one comes from myself. If you are in Melbourne, I'm sure there are these things everywhere in Australia, but in Melbourne, specifically Eddie Gardens, my favorite place in the world.

So there's like, there's bins in the park usually. And so if you are in Eddie Gardens, you might find there are these little crates that say drop or collect cans and so it's for if you i wish actually i did this morning with my friend randomly she really wanted to go and drop off a bunch of bottles and cans and stuff and we made like five bucks and there was only like 20 bottles so i don't know i've seen photos of these little baskets that's such a good idea and so there i'm sure there are places like let us know if there are but right now all i know of is eddie gardens so yeah if you're just strapped for cash obviously try and leave them for the less fortunate, but drop them in there and then, or take them if you

need. So that is my brick tip. That's a really good one. I'm a big fan of that. Thank you so much. I think this is a good time to head to a quick break. We'll be helping to answer a money dilemma from someone who is suffering burnout, but has so many financial commitments. So she feels trapped in her job and a DM you slid into our inbox about that asks the question, is a gift really a gift if it costs a receiver money to use it? Don't go anywhere. Welcome back, everybody. Let's take a listen to this week's Money Dilemma. Hi there. Have you got a money dilemma you just can't solve? The She's on the Money team is here to help. Every week, we tackle your dilemmas, both big and small, to answer your most burning

money, career and life questions. To get involved, simply head to our website and leave us a short voice recording and you might just find yourself on the show. Now, let's take a listen to this week's money dilemma. Hey, she's on the money. I really need some help. I currently earn $280,000 a year and need to earn the same amount of money to keep paying for my own home, but also a home that I bought for my parents and a business that I've recently bought. But I'd really like a career change because I'm extremely burnt out and there's never enough hours in my day. Please help me before I go criminally insane, I'm pretty sure. Thanks.

That's such a stressful situation. It's so nice of you to buy a place for your parents. God, I don't know. I know the feeling and so all I really can offer is validation that that is such a stressful situation and it's so annoying because I mean I have been saying, I haven't been working, but I have been saying that you can't just really put a pause on life, which is crazy.

So if you get burnt out, if you get tired, you just, you gotta keep going i suppose what else do you do which is really a shame so i think maybe for starters if you have any leave banked up like use it right now and use all your leave use your sick leave use your mental health leave because this is what it's there for really and in that time maybe figure out what you want to do that's an extremely impressive salary i gotta say I guess I would try and figure out what is not essential. And I really mean that in like the most crazy way as well. If it means that you could downsize yourself, then really consider that.

I know that maybe it's a bit tricky with your parents. Like you don't want them to up and move and you probably, I'm assuming they're in a situation where they can't really help pay. So let's, in our minds, think that that's, we can't really change that. But maybe you can change your own living situation. or yeah it's I mean it's a cost of living crisis right now and so that like really does affect everyone and so when I say like cut down it's getting to the point where it's like make your own bread for 60 cents instead of two dollars which is insane you don't have that much time

I'm assuming on your hands is what it sounds like so yeah I think just like definitely take all your leave as much as you can and just try and figure out next steps maybe even try and find a new job maybe something that's remote or like a little more hybrid so you can squeeze things into your day. Yeah. That's a tricky situation. I'm sorry. It's not really that helpful. I don't think. Yeah. It is tough. I think we all love to dream like hearing, oh my God, you earn $280,000. Yeah. I can only dream. However, I think a lot of people do forget that generally speaking with higher salary comes higher levels of responsibility, higher levels of hours worked, higher levels of stress, and all of those absolutely do impact your work-life balance and your feelings of

burnout. I'm really sorry that you're feeling that way. It is shit. The reality of it is though, unfortunately, like we're operating on the assumption that you can't adjust your existing, you know, your two mortgages and what I'm assuming is a business loan probably to purchase this business. Those are fixed costs. So I would exactly as you said, be looking at your existing expenses more often than not when people start earning higher incomes lifestyle creep sets in you start spending more you know you buy nicer clothes you buy more expensive makeup you maybe order in more because you're super busy look at those things audit and be realistic I know that it can feel like taking a step backwards where you go oh well you know I was buying clothes from

really nice shops and now I'm shopping at Target or whatever and that can feel like a downgrade However, firstly, Target is signing the clothing department right now. They're doing a really good job. But also, that's the reality of making it work. If you really have tightened your belt to the point where $280,000 is not covering your expenses and your mortgages and stuff, then I think you do. You need to go, okay, well, what can I change? Moving your parents out I'm assuming is probably the least likely to happen just because that's very disruptive. So can you downgrade your own house?

can you look at what's happening with the business you purchased? Was the purchase of that business the best choice for where you are in life right now? Was the purchase of the business with the intention that you would then move full-time into that business? Is that business eating up your time and making you feel stressed because you're saying you're feeling really burnt out? Is that because you are working a full-time job and working on this business? What does that look like? I know that it is not a small, easy thing to buy and sell a business, but it may be that that's something that you look at and go okay well is this right for my season of life right now or you may look at everything and I hate to be you know not not on your side obviously we're on your side

but sometimes the reality is that you are burnt out and you just got to push through it and I don't want to say that lightly because I know that burnout is really all-consuming and it is really hard to live with and I always want you guys to be prioritizing your health but if you are saying to me that ultimately you can't adjust your financial situation or like if you go I can't sell the business I'm already living in a small house I definitely can't move my parents out I can't cut my expenses at all then you need to either find another job that pays you a comparable salary or you need to find a way to make your existing job work I think the suggestion of hybrid work or working from home is a great one working from home for me has made my work-life

balance feels significantly easier to manage, is that an option in the job that you have currently? Using the leave, also a really great situation. I'm sure other people have probably got other suggestions, but to me, it's kind of black and white. Like you either can make this situation work as it is, or you need to change the situation. I don't know. I feel like that's not the most helpful advice, but to be pragmatic. And I think this is actually a very good example to people of as your income grows, I think it can be really tempting to do lots of things like buying your parents a home is incredible and kind and so wonderful. Buying a business, which I'm assuming was with the outlook of that bringing you income at some point, really wonderful,

really admirable, fantastic ideas. However, it feels like maybe you've bitten off a bit more than you can chew all at once and it's taking its toll. And it probably is worth just reminding people here you know having all these things is great having all these goals and these ambitions is wonderful like taking these steps is fantastic but you've got to make sure that you can do everything that you're taking on because otherwise it is going to run your body down and that's really hard to deal with totally I guess the last thing I want to say is maybe you can move in with your parents or you can go into a share house and I know it doesn't sound like this person might that's a great idea but I think share houses are so much fun or moving with your parents if they're

close enough I meant that was a good idea I mean the share house is also a good idea but I feel like if you're already paying the mortgage for your parents, can you move in? Like that's an awesome one. Like do they have a spare room that you could, I know again, not ideal. You might feel a bit like you're going backwards, but if we need to lose one of the mortgages, that's a great way to do it. Or can you move them in with you? Totally. Yeah, exactly. Exactly. And then that way you can kind of like get rid of some of your furniture, sell it, make more money. Oh my God, maybe that's an idea. Yeah. So, well, I hope this has been helpful, but keep on keeping on and make sure you are taking your mental health seriously because burnout, yeah, as exactly

these days is really, really hard. So we're thinking of you genuinely. Yeah. And if you've accumulated sick leave, remember that you can use that to take mental health days as well. Very important. Very important. You look after yourself and that's absolutely an option that's available to you. For sure. But should we get into this week's DM? Yeah. This week you guys sent our inbox with a dilemma that says a little something like this. Hi ladies, I've got a money dilemma and I need to know, am I the arsehole? My parents completely out of the blue and with no consultation bought my partner and I two nights accommodation in Tasmania for Christmas. We live in Melbourne.

We didn't ask for it, didn't hint at it, and it wasn't something we were planning or budgeting for at all. To be honest, I'm feeling a little bit annoyed. It's not in our plans or our holiday budget for next year, but now it feels like it has to be, otherwise they lose their money. If we go, we'd have to pay for flights or take the boat, plus all of the other costs that come with a trip to Tasmania. I feel ungrateful for even thinking this way,

but it also feels like a gift that comes with a financial obligation we didn't agree to. Am I being unreasonable for not wanting to go? Not at all, but it's giving, won it in a lottery or something. A hundred percent. Like why would you? It's one thing if you'd been saying, oh, I've always, which like is me, I've always wanted to go to Tasmania.

I'd love to go, da-da-da-da-da, like put me on the boat, you know what I mean, like stay at a little captain's rest or something beautiful. If someone gave me that gift, I'd be like, that makes perfect sense. Totally. I feel like I've said to like 15 people, I really want to go to Tanzania. You've never mentioned it in your life. Where has this come from?

So random. It's like I call you like two nights stay in Mozambique. It's like, okay, good luck. You've got to get there yourself. That's just so random. And it's so like, yeah, it will cost you money. But I want to come back to what the actual question is because this is so annoying when people say this, what I'm about to say. I don't want to sound all toxic positivity, but I do want to say it definitely can work.

Like flights to Hobart are always on sale. It's so, so cheap sometimes. I saw literally a flight was like $40 or something return. And so it is possible. I know probably right now when you're in this headspace and you're like, you're just annoyed. Like I don't even want to look at the flights because like why the hell did you get this for me? I'm not even thinking about how I can make this work because that's so annoying, which is very valid and very annoying. There's so many other costs though.

I know. You're going to need a car. You're going to need a car. You're going to need to buy the food. Or Ubers, food, literally all of those things. It's crazy. if you ever get to a point where you're like not annoyed anymore and you're like okay then just know it's possible and oh my god you're gonna have so much fun if you do go but coming back to this

yeah you could be annoyed it feels like they maybe won it in a raffle or something like they won this somehow it just feels so random and so I think you have every right to be annoyed because yes it is like kind of is a financial burden it's a lovely thought it's probably something like unless they've argued it in this way where it's like oh someone's secretly proposing to you and we're just like kind of the messengers and you know they're trying to like yeah like maybe that maybe there's a reason that they can't tell you about but it doesn't feel like that right now so like there could be a secret reason why you have to go there but if it maybe they want it or maybe they're like oh well we'll just get them some these things on sale we'll just like get them

some tickets to a hotel randomly for Christmas then they're not probably so attached to it that they wouldn't be upset if you were like, hey, actually, this is crazy. I can't afford to go to Tasmania. So how about we give these to someone else or you gift them to someone else? If you hear of anyone going to Tasmania, you'd be like, oh, my God. We couldn't go anymore. Do you want to buy these off us? Or here's a gift from me to you.

Happy early Christmas. Happy early Christmas. So, yeah, if you hear of anyone specifically going to Tasmania, specifically at Christmas, but I think you have every right to be annoyed, basically. Yeah, it doesn't feel like a very thoughtful gift at all. And I know that I'm very much, there we go, that's a hill that I will die on, is that a gift is a gift and that, why did I not say this earlier?

The hill that I will die on is that a gift should not be judged against any standard, right? Like, do you know what I mean? A gift is given with love and thought. I have a friend who has a grandma who has gotten on in years and she gives things that make their way back to the op shop pretty quickly, we'll say. However, they're given with love. And it's like, you've always got to appreciate that a gift is given with love. I stand behind that.

I'm on that hill firmly waving to you people down below. However, I will also say that just because you've received a gift doesn't mean you're under any obligation to use it. So that you can take this gift and say, thank you. I appreciate that it was given with thought. Maybe they'd just been to Tasmania and they thought, oh, you know who would love this? The kids. However, you're absolutely within your rights to not want to spend money to use a gift.

And I think that applies broadly. same as the puppy analogy we used earlier, same as, you know, anything. I think that you are well within your right to appreciate the thought that it was given with, but not make use of it. What I would personally do if that was the case, if you are in a place where you go, it just doesn't feel worth the trip or we do not have the funds to spend on the additional things that we need to spend on or whatever the reasoning is, and you absolutely are not going to use it. There are two things I would do. Firstly, is it a hotel chain? If so, can you transfer the accommodation to somewhere you do want to go true you know if it falls under like a lot of hotel

chains will allow you to move with enough notice yeah to a different hotel in which case problem solved staycation staycation do something in melbourne or you know did you have plans to go to sydney or did you have plans to go somewhere else is there some on your list you can use it that you would you know you would want to also potentially you could contact them and see if they can extend the expiry i'm pretty sure now vouchers have to last a minimum of two years so double check that and also a lot of places are really fantastic if you say hey I received this as a gift we aren't able to use it by the date is there any chance of extending some companies are really good and we'll do that for you don't ask don't get there's no harm in trying the third

thing I would do if those first two things don't work for you is go back to your parents and say hey really grateful for the gift we're not going to be able to use it would you like to use it instead or do you know somebody else and kind of let them know you know is there a way for them to cancel and get the money back or is there an opportunity for them to find it a home use it themselves also give them maybe a little bit of awareness as to why it wasn't a good gift because there must have been some reason that they picked it unless as you said they won it in a raffle or whatever and they just went oh they'll use it yes I think you don't have to worry about wasting their money because you're not obliged to use it but there are lots of things that you can do

to offload it responsibly, I guess, so to speak, if that makes sense. Totally. That definitely makes sense. And it's sounding like it's less of a voucher. Maybe they went on and purchased those dates, which I think is also totally fine. I feel like that kind of even gives you more leeway in terms of like changing the dates and things like that. I feel like it'd be easier to do that than change the date of expiry on a voucher.

You know what I mean? So, and then the other thing you do is sell on, there's like last minute trips or whatever where you can like sell or like auction off your trip details, holiday, whatever. Check it up on Facebook Marketplace, join a Facebook group. There are probably lots of places that you could maybe get like a portion of it back. But ultimately, I think you are not the arsehole, is my opinion.

Yes, yes. But we did, of course, ask everybody else what they thought. So the first question we asked was, what would you do if you were our community member? 50% of you said you would rework your plans and enjoy the gift. 24% of you said I would be honest and say that it's outside of our budget. 19% of you said I would transfer the accommodation to somebody else. And 6% of you said you would reluctantly go to avoid the drama.

Next, we asked, is a gift really a gift if it costs the recipient money to use it? 48% of you said only if it was agreed upon first. 29% of you said it depends on the amount of money. 13% of you said, no, that's a financial obligation. And 10% of you said, yes, it's okay if there are costs involved. Okay, okay. And then finally, of course, we said, what are your two cents? We got lots of responses.

Somebody said, Melbourne to Tasmania has to be one of the cheapest flight routes in Australia. Take the money, win a free accommodation. Sounds like Beck got in the DMs. Someone else said, if there are birthdays or special events between now and then, ask for money to cover the flights. True, ask for flights next time. Which is kind of clever. It's the gift that keeps on doing.

Somebody said, call the hotel and see if it can be moved further out to allow them to save for the trip. One person said, my mother-in-law does this and it's a form of her pushing boundaries. So I guess it also does depend on the relationship that you have. And their intention. Like maybe they're just being passac for some reason. Well, you know what? Like we always like to assume the best in people, but you know, there are people out

there who do operate in that way. It's always a possibility. Somebody said, and I really like this. It's okay to disappoint others when it comes to your finances. Yeah. Which I think is very true. Like you don't owe anybody anything. You don't owe it to them to use it.

Yeah. And if you disappoint them, like, that's okay. Like, that's how it is. Absolutely. Somebody else said it could be the trip of a lifetime. Just do it. Find the cheapest flat and the cheapest eats. Someone said, I'll buy them off them.

So maybe we can hook you guys up. Oh, my God. Yeah. This could be, like, the perfect little way to end it. And last person said gift it back to them. That would be so funny if you're like, I got you this. Happy birthday. I got you a combination of Tasmania.

Yeah. See how you like it. It becomes like one of those meme presents that just goes back and forth between everybody. Well after the expiry as well. But I think that's a really good place to leave it. I think so as well. We'll do our best in the background to hook those two people up if we can make this work for everybody.

What a dream. But otherwise, thank you guys so much for tuning in. If you haven't already, don't forget to subscribe, join the Facebook group and follow us on Instagram if you want to participate. That's where we post these dilemmas every week. We love hearing your opinions. Everything will be linked in the show notes if you need it. and I think we're going to roll out.

So have a lovely weekend and Victoria, we'll see you bright and early on Monday for a Money Diary. Bye, guys. Bye. The advice shared on She's On The Money is general in nature and does not consider your individual circumstances.

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