She's On The Money - Reflecting on the year of 2021, setting goals for 2022

Episode Date: January 4, 2022

Happy New year angels, we are SO glad to be back for another year with you AND with our friends from Shopback. We say this because can you believe this is the THIRD year they've partnered with us for the first episode of the year?! ABSOLUTELY WILD, but also is a somewhat no brainer given how much you guys adore them. Check them out at https://app.shopback.com/aus/partner/SOTM and you'll get a cashback bonus when you sign up!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. Victoria Devine is an Authorised Representative of Australia Pacific Funds Management Proprietary Limited ABN 34 132 463 257 - AFSL 339151.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

She's on the money. She's on the money. Hello and welcome to She's on the money, the podcast for millennials who want financial freedom. 2021 wasn't quite the relief we all expected it's been another long and difficult year and while there are probably some moments we'd rather forget in today's episode we want to take a look back at what we've all achieved and learned plus we want to talk about goal setting as we move into 2022 heck yeah my name is Georgia King and joining me for our very first deep dive of 2022

is Victoria Divine Fee. Hello, Georgia King. Girl, good to see you. Looking very fresh in early Jan. Oh my gosh, thank you. It's the active wear, isn't it? It is definitely the active wear. That is the one thing I am taking into 2022 and that is my love for wearing active wear to every occasion. The active wear is coming. I love it. Fee, tell me about your 2021. It did have like garbage fire energy carried over from 2020 let's be honest we thought we were done in 2020 with the year of the garbage fire yet here we are talking about 2021 in the same vein but in saying that we always like to see the positive in everything and 2021 was a gorgeous year i mean i wrote a book let's just be a little bit self-promotional for a hot second that was pretty

cool. And the She's On The Money community literally doubled. Like, can you believe that? We started 2021 with half the amount of community members that we have today. And that type of growth, guys, that's big, like 50% return. Like we like those numbers. We really like those numbers. But honestly, I could not be more grateful for the community. And then obviously to talk about my personal life for a hot second gee I got engaged and I'm planning a wedding oh my gosh I'm planning a wedding so I have lots of things that I need to set goals for and budgets for in 2022 because to be honest setting budgets it's feeling a little bit overwhelming because George in very very exciting news we've booked in a wedding oh my god this year it's gonna happen

in 2022. And I'm literally so excited. And I've never felt more sick because I'm starting to get quotes back for how much wedding stuff costs. And I'm telling you right now, this ain't it. This ain't it. Girl, girl, girl. But it's so exciting. You've had a massive year. Honestly, it is so exciting. I feel like I have had a massive year and getting engaged was honestly the icing on the cake that I feel like we really needed. Like we had had a flat year, like, you know there were so many things that we didn't get to celebrate like we didn't get to celebrate the book launch and you know obviously online we definitely shouted about it and got to celebrate it but it's just not the same as being able to talk to people in person so I just feel like 2022

for us and for She's On The Money is going to be a very in-person year like I want to do so many events I want to do live podcasts I just want to get out there I want to meet our community I want to hug them. I don't care about COVID. I want to share stories and just, you know, know more about you guys. So, it'll be a very special year, I am hoping. Yay. Oh, that's exciting. But G, last year, it was a bit of a dumpster fire. I get it. We thought that 2020 was a dumpster fire year. It was not. It was also 2021. But you were saying before, you were like, oh, it was pretty flat year girl no you graduated you have another degree under your belt who is she two degrees um yeah i guess that's exciting isn't it the old masters done and dusted that's exciting that's

literally an achievement that is worthy of celebration like that is so cool like you're a master a master who is she a master of a dying industry that i'll never be employed in but that's okay we push on and we stay positive sorry what was that industry journalism technically is this journalism let's call it i feel like a small like creative writing present but you know it's in it's in the media so it counts all right let's go with that we'll stay positive all right right that counts that counts g counts um no it has it has been a really another quite difficult year i guess but we made it to the end. We're at a fresh year. I'm feeling quite rejuvenated, which I love after a big festive period. But Vy, I wanted to ask you about the importance of looking back on the year

that was, if it even is important, because, you know, it can be quite intimidating to look back at the last year and the last two years and think, gee, what have I actually learned? But would you say it still is quite important to do that to help inform what we'll be doing moving forward? Of course, if we don't know where we've been and we don't honor the journey that we've been on, how are we going to see the value in the journeys that we're going on in the future? That sounds really fluffy and I don't mean it to be, but to be really genuine, like you can't have the sunshine without a little rain. Like you actually have to have gone through some levels of negativity or some level of hardship to really appreciate what we have in the here and now. And

I know that that sounds super cliche but in a way I'm grateful that as a community we've gone through such hardship and I know that coming out the other side is going to look very different to very different people but to have gone through everything that we've gone through to now coming out in 2022 and hopefully we're not going to go into any other lockdowns and you know we've been promised that but who knows anything could happen but it's just it's very cool to think that we've gone through so many things we've survived yeah and we get to go above and beyond for the next year and really honor the journey that we've been on and go you know what we missed out but what are we going to do this year and some of us are going to be like oh my gosh yes victoria

2021 was so challenging but i've never saved more in my life or some people are going to turn around and be like look v it was so hard i literally struggled financially i'm still looking for a job but oh my gosh, how lucky am I to still be around and have a good community and be surrounded by friends and family. I just feel like there's lots of different stories that are going to continue to come out over the next 12 months and lots of flourishing stories from 2022, seeing people go from strength to strength. And I just think that we really do need to learn from the year that was so that we can have the best year yet. Totally. I think it also really makes you appreciate the smaller things. And the other thing I wanted to add was just how special it is that we've all

kind of gone through this hideous time really all together. Like as the She's On The Money community, we've all been through such a big, weird time. And, you know, I feel like She's On The Money has been such a big part of this time in my life, for sure. I hope so. Like you're literally the co-host of the show. So that would make sense. But I agree, Like having experienced it online and through the Facebook group and through our Instagram DMs, knowing that we have been part of your journey, even just like a small part, even if we just on in the car on the way to work and we get to hang out with you, like that's just to us so special to think that you guys choose to have us in your ears and us in your

cars and us in your bathrooms and us everywhere that you are listening to us. It's just, it's very cool because obviously there are lots of podcasts out there. There is lots of content being produced and we're not the only content out there. It's just very cool that you choose us and we're very grateful for it. So, hopefully, we can give you another solid year of content that you absolutely adore and devour. Well said, V. No, you're right. It is such a privilege. We did talk about this on Friday's episode and we touched on it a little bit just before. But what's in store for She's On The Money this year, V? Are we still sticking to three episodes a week what's in store we are sucked in georgia king we still will be doing

three episodes a week which to be honest as a team we absolutely adore we have a monday money diaries we have our deep dive which is this episode with our best friend georgia king and then we get to wrap the week with jessica ricci on a friday and it is just i really like that vibe and i really like that we get to see you multiple times a week now instead of just every wednesday but so that'll continue no changes there we'll have live events which is going to be really fun i'm trying to coordinate a few at the moment if you listened to our episode on friday you would know that i am currently in the works of planning an international women's day event yeah but it's one of those things where it's like okay it's international women's day but

how do we make that super diverse and how do we make sure that we celebrate the she's on the money community in that because She's on the Money is not about women. And I know that a lot of people are going to be like, wait, what, Victoria? It's actually about just financial literacy and the She and She's on the Money. That is me. I am the She and She's on the Money because I am incredibly self-centered, but we embrace everybody and every person in our community. And I just want to make sure that an International Women's Day event that we pull together is not just celebrating women. Obviously, there is a lot to do when it comes to the gender pay gap and there is a lot to do when it comes to women. But there are so many more minority groups that need recognition that

I'm hoping over the next 12 months, we can really celebrate those days as well. So, it won't be just that. G, also, spoiler, which if you listen to the Friday episode is not a spoiler, there's a new book coming. Which, oh my gosh, there will be a new book coming and I'm genuinely so excited. And we're obviously going to keep up three episodes and the other podcasts are going to continue on as well. So, the Business Bible and the Property Playbook are going nowhere. But the other exciting thing, G, is, and you might not have noticed this because you're only here recording, but for everybody listening, you would have heard the pre-roll ad and you'll also hear the mid-roll ad. And that is something that we are genuinely so grateful to have. Like, imagine people sponsoring

our show. Genuinely, I'm so grateful for it. But for those OG She's On The Money listeners you would have picked up, it was Shop Back. Do you know, G, this is now the third year that we have had our friends from Shop Back celebrate with us the first episode of the year? G, that is loyal from the team. That is loyal. Oh my gosh. Emily, if you're listening, I adore you. Emily is my contact at shop back and she is delightful but oh my gosh you guys have not only embraced shop back but allowed them to absolutely flourish and I could not be more proud of that partnership and the fact that one we've kept it for three years like there are relationships I haven't even managed

to keep alive for three years let alone a partnership like girl what but the fact that they have been in our community for that long but also gee the fact that we've been doing podcasts for that long like what it's bizarre girl this podcast has existed since 2019 like what how old were you in 2019 can't remember 27 my age okay i think i was 26 when i started the facebook group 27 when i started the podcast and then i got old and now i'm in my 30s and i'm old and wise and that's very helpful you need to stop achieving so much my friend yeah age is pretty impressive V let's move on I'm so excited there's so like it's gonna be a good year I've got it I've got a good feeling I've got a good feeling as well I don't want to tempt fate but you know no don't do

that remember the time you called 2020 a dumpster fire and then 2021 was like haha saw that raise you a million exactly I'm gonna pour gas all over that dumpster um let's true though let's let's talk a little bit about 2022. Let's leave 2021 behind and chat a little bit about our goals. Now, we will be talking later in the show about the best ways of setting your own goals and tools to kind of keeping you accountable. But I want to know what your big goals are for this year. Oh, do we have to do mine first? Can't we do yours first? I mean, we can. Oh, I just, I don't like going first when it comes to goal setting.

Yeah, but you're the big dog. Yeah, I know. I know. All right. So this year, what are my goals? All right. So first things first, I have made the goal that I want to embrace happiness more. I'm obviously quite a happy person to begin with, but I just feel like I don't appreciate it. Like I want to have a better level of gratitude than I already do. And I feel like I'm one of those people like, George, you know me very well personally, I would say by now. and I'm always like I'm so grateful for x y and z but I just really want to embrace happiness and gratitude a little bit more than I already am because I just know how that impacts me personally when I am embracing that yeah and I mean that's not really a measurable thing it's just something you want to be more conscious of the second thing I am doing when it comes to I guess big goals we won't talk about my fluffy stuff but I am currently doing two really big things and I feel kind of guilty if I'm being honest talking about these because it's not often that people get to achieve

these things in the same year and I do want to preface this with I have been saving for a very long time for this and as you guys know in 2020 Steve and I purchased our very first home which was so exciting but we haven't been able to afford to renovate it yet so hopefully over the next few months we'll be in a position where we can finally get a new kitchen because we have George as you know an incredibly dysfunctional current kitchen that honestly should have got the boot a very long time ago so hopefully we can go through that process and in the same year getting married which was a very big undertaking but as I've said we have been saving for a while for both of those things and finally they're coming up but the thing that makes me feel a little bit guilty

is seeing how much money is going to go out of our accounts this year it honestly gives me anxiety. Like I know we've saved for it. I know that was the plan. I'm like, oh, I know it was the plan, but do we really want to do that? Because now it's there. Is there not something better we could spend it on? It just gives me a lot of anxiety, but that is okay. And it's important to talk through, but the kitchen is a very big goal. And also the wedding is a massive goal. So it will be, yeah, it'll be interesting. And as I said, at the start of this episode, I'm very surprised at how much things cost for weddings and over the last month or so that Steve and I have been planning this wedding, it definitely has been a journey of values and

really understanding what his values are versus mine and what he's prioritizing and what I'm prioritizing. And, you know, I didn't know how much dresses were. And so going through that process of me going, do you know what? I think I'm going to purchase a secondhand dress because I just don't like for me, that's not my value. I just don't want to spend money on something in that realm. And I'm not saying that that's, you know, the right thing to do. But for me, that's where I'm prioritizing our funds. And I think that, you know, over time, I'm hoping to share more of that with you guys. But, you know, it is actually quite a stressful process. And so, having goals written down, it'll be really cool to be able to achieve those two things. But I

don't want you to think that those two things were only thought about in 2022. Like, we've been saving for this kitchen since 2020. Yeah. She's not just filthy rich. No, like, I mean, guys, I would like that, but maybe one day, maybe one day. George, what are your big goals? What are you going to achieve in the next 12 months? Okay, so first I'll start out a little bit cushy, a little bit mushy, as you did. So I feel like one of my main personal goals is to continue to be really kind to myself.

I feel like over the last two years it's been a real battle of like that little negative voice in my head kind of putting me down all the time and being like you're not where you should be and then this other voice is like sis relax it's a pandemic you're doing a great job just existing you know so I feel like that's one of the big ones yeah like I feel like there's so much pressure on us to not just exist well but to somehow perform like that's not what life's about. Life should be about love and sharing it and, you know, being surrounded by beautiful people, not beautiful things. And I guess I'm just a little bit fluffy when it comes to things like that. But if I have learned anything over the last 12 months, it's definitely money provides a

level of financial freedom, but it is not the be all end all, especially when we were all in isolation and couldn't see our friends and family. Like, let's get our priorities right. But you are absolutely correct, George. I feel like as an outsider and also a friend, you have put a lot of pressure on yourself over the last 12 months, and I'm glad that you are realizing that and planning to change it. Yeah, yeah. So, I'll keep on working on that. And then from a financial perspective, I am going to start having conversations. So, what this means- What does that mean, G? Let me sit down. We have a lot of conversations, are those ones not good enough?

So, I want to start investing. So, if that means going to a financial advisor and having a chat. I know, a gal. But like, yeah, sitting down with you and start like creating a plan and figuring out what I'm going to do and what I'm comfortable with and getting that sorted. Obviously, having access to you is an immense privilege, but that's one of my goals. And then also speaking to like a broker or again, someone like Amy and chatting about next steps in terms of entering the property market at some stage. That won't happen this year, but just kind of preparing myself. Yeah, but it'll be cool to start understanding what the expectations are on you and understanding what that means. And I know that one of the things that has been really powerful for our community

and that we're actually relaunching this year, which is so exciting, G, is the hour of power that i used to do yes i'm not running it though full disclosure it is not me but is it jessica rucci no it's not jessica rucci it is actually my friend kate from inspire and she has spent a very long time with me training up in how i did it and what's going on so kate and nikki are going to run those so they're joining the she's on the money team in 2022 which i'm genuinely so excited about But the reason I'm excited about that is because so many times I have spoken to people in the She's On The Money community and they're like, oh, I really want to buy property, but I'm like five years away. And you're like, oh, I really want you to talk to a broker, but a broker isn't going to want to talk to you because you're so far away and they're not going to give you the time or the energy to go, oh, I'll sit with you, G, for an hour and make a plan because they're like, I'm not going to make any money from this. Yeah.

Yeah. So we've relaunched the hour of power so you can sit down with a mortgage broker and talk about buying your first property or get a savings plan in place so that you can achieve that and really understand what your options are. Or if you want to refinance, you can book a refinance hour of power. Or if you're in debt, you can book a get out of debt hour of power and sit down with someone and go, all right, this is what this looks like. This is how I get out of debt and get all the tips and tricks that you need personally to get out of that situation. So, I'm just so excited for that. But do you know what, George? You can be a guinea pig. You're going to get set up with Kate. You're going to do an hour of power. And then, you know what? We're going to talk about what you got

out of that on the pod. Yes, I'll report back to the team, let you know how it goes. Yeah, you're going to be the guinea pig and everybody's going to know how it went. So, Kate, I hope you perform well. It's going to be like the mystery shopper, but like everyone knows who you are. Yeah, exactly. Okay. Enough about us, V. I feel like we have gone on about ourselves. Hopefully people are interested. If you're not, so sorry. If you're not, I hope you learned that you can actually skip in 30 second increments on your Apple app. So, don't feel like you actually had to listen to us. That's on you, babe. But we wanted to share some inspiration from the community as you guys had so many incredible goals last year, which you absolutely smashed. And we also thought

maybe for anyone setting some goals as they move into the new year, that this could be kind of a good, a good way of stealing some goals. Yeah, this is inspo. Yeah. If you're a bit stumped for what to, what to set yourself, these are some really good ideas. It's literally the worst having to sit down. Someone's like, oh my gosh, write a goal list. And I'm a very big advocate of not just writing a goals list because it's the new year. Like, it's a great time. It feels like a fresh page. Like, it is a good time to set goals. But you shouldn't be limited. You shouldn't have to wait till next year to set a goal. If you think of one in February, in March, in November, chuck it on the list. Start working towards it now. But, George, run us through what has the

community achieved? Okay. So, our first goal achieved is from Katie. So, her money goal has been in existence since 2014, and that was to get out of credit card debt. So, she still has a little bit of debt hanging over her head with family due to changing jobs and houses, but she wiped out her personal loan in September, which was the accumulation of her credit card debt. So, that's huge. That is massive. That's years and years of hard work finally paying off. congratulations the next one here is from talia v so her money goal was to purchase a motorbike outright vroom vroom check you out have badass i know have 2k in an emergency fund amazing even more badass save 10k for a u.s trip in 2023 and start investing and she has big ticks against all

of those goals. She nailed all of them. What? George, she already has 10 grand saved for a trip that's not even this year. It's next year. I thought you were going to say that's not even going to happen because of COVID. Oh my God, no. But like she said in 2023, not 2022. Yeah, that's realistic. We love that from Talia. I love you. And she started investing. And then she says for my 2022 goal, she's going to increase her emergency fund to five grand, find a new job and have 20 grand saved for that trip. Who is she? I love this woman. They're big goals and she's crushing them. Talia, check you out. The next goal here is from Jen V. So, her 2021 money goal was to save enough to cover her mortgage for her nine-month maternity leave. Oh, that's

a smart money goal. It is. It's very smart. And she managed to do it even though their little girl arrived two months early early to the party yeah yeah oh my gosh i hope she's all healthy and happy but oh my gosh imagine achieving that goal because that's a mean feat like that's a lot of money to save like nine months worth of repayments huge and she did it with enough time to still have a preemie baby check you out i'm so proud of everyone oh my gosh and i really love babies oh don't we all tell you should have one thank you no no no no 10 years later money is my baby yes we will think about that in 2028 um now it was our next little goal setter and achiever here hi mel so her goal was to save up three months worth of her wages for emergencies increase her

mortgage repayment so she's paying triple the minimum repayment if you don't mind and to pay off $11,000 in debt, which she did. She did it all. What? All of that? Oh, my God. That makes me feel like, oh, that's unrealistic, Mel, but check you out. Mel has done it. What a little champion. You're a legend. You're a legend. She absolutely is a legend, V. And Amy, she is our next one on the list. And she is also a legend. Her goal was to save $20,000 this year, which she reached last week. How good's that? Oh my God. She also, she also said she learned a lot of things along the way, thanks to She's On The Money. And she's hoping to purchase her first home this year. Oh my God. I love you, Amy. That is so special, but oh my gosh, 20 grand in one

year. What a queen. We love to see it. Well, she said get to $20,000. So maybe it took her longer than a year but that's right she got to 20 grand i'm very impressed our last one here v is from the lovely gabrielle whose theme this year was to level up in all capitals so her first goal was to change her career direction and get a pay rise while she was at it both yep she got the new job yes queen in a new industry with a 35 000 increase on her base weight she's now earning What a queen. Yes. And there's also uncapped commissions. So, rolling in. Sorry, rude to not share with us what you do as a job. Okay, Gabrielle. We're coming for you. Another one of her big goals was to move in with her partner, which she did. We love. Oh, that's a very special

time in your life. Yeah, for sure. And her theme this year, V, is double or nothing. Again, in all capitals. Oh, she has a, I love that she has a theme. G, have you ever thought about having a theme for your goals? Absolutely not. My theme is just like push on. No, I didn't think you'd say yes. Okay. How about you? No, but is this lame? I have like a word of the year. Cute. What's your word this year? Gratitude. Okay, good. Like remember how I said I want to embrace more happiness. I've just picked gratitude as the actual word. And I just feel like that's a thing. Like I have a group of friends and we all choose a word for the year and I just feel like that's really special and quite cool. And it's like the theme of the year. I wouldn't say it's the theme

of my goals, but like it's definitely the theme of the year. Like that's the thing I want to embrace more over the next 365 days. And that's pretty cool. But tell me, what's she doing with her double or nothing year? Okay. So, number one is she's going to renovate her house. Part A is already scheduled for later on in this month number two is to buy a second house and number three is to double her income through commissions what unrelatable content not the most relatable content but i'm happy for gabrielle she's she's doing it i'm really happy with that as well and i think it's actually a really good lesson in if you want to achieve it you just need to put your head down and get it done. I'm a very big believer that everybody has the capacity to change their

money story. Everybody has the capacity to achieve a goal as long as we surround ourselves with like-minded people. She's on the money. And we actually create plans for these goals. Everything is achievable. At the end of the day, some of these have been epic. But I also want to recognize before we jump into a quick break. And I know we'll get to it a little bit later, but if you're listening to these and you're like, oh my God, I have achieved nothing in comparison. Like my friend, that does not matter. The achievements of others does not mean that your achievements are any less or any different or not worthy. At the end of the day, a rising tide lifts all ships. And the better you do, George, the better all women do, the better everybody does. And I just want to really

embrace that energy going into 2022. It's not about comparison. It's not about what you do versus what I do. Like I am stoked for Gabrielle. Like, oh my God, you have increased your base salary by 35 grand. That's quite literally the salary of somebody else in the She's On The Money community. That's not a bad thing, but I think we should all be in awe of each other's achievements and know if she can do it, I can do it. For sure. Let's go to a break, but I don't want anybody to feel like their goals, whether they had smaller goals, or maybe you didn't manage to achieve your goals. That doesn't make you anything less. That doesn't change anything. That doesn't mean that you don't have the potential to smash it out of the park this year. Okay, V, let's now move into

our goal setting section of the show. There are a few rules that we've kind of established over the journey, which we wanted to remind everyone of today when it comes to setting goals, like little tips and tricks that make it easier to stick to them, if that makes sense. Genius. Genius. Great reminder. Our first tip is to set achievable goals, Faye. How does this work?

Honestly, it is so easy to get completely disheartened and feel like a dumpster fire if we set a goal that we aren't able to achieve. So, setting small goals that lead to a larger goal is absolutely preferable. And the way to do that is to actually work backwards. So, if you want to save $100 in 10 months, we'd work backwards and go, okay, what does that mean for every single month? $10 a month. Okay, no problems.

Can I feasibly find that in my budget to save? If the answer's no, we know that in 10 months time, we're going to be really disheartened with our goal because we're not going to achieve it. Because at a base level, that was never going to happen. So I think it's really important to set smaller goals that lead to a larger goal than just set this massive goal and start working towards it. It's also so hard. In this day and age, saving up for a house, which I know is the goal of a lot of people in our community, that can take years. And if you don't set those smaller, realistic goals, you're going to find yourself falling off the bandwagon or feeling disheartened

or feeling like it's never going to happen. And who wants to set a goal that's five years away with no ability to celebrate along the way? So we really need to break them down into bite-sized pieces that make a lot of sense. And at the end of the day, setting more realistic and achievable goals is going to land us in exactly the spot we want to land in. And I feel like often when you don't meet a goal, you do feel really useless, as you said, and sometimes that can kind of propel you to maybe impulse spend or do a little bit of retail therapy, which puts you in a worst position anyway. It honestly feels like trash. Like, and I'm not saying that because I don't know what it's like. I've been there, like I've been in debt before and I've had, you know,

a personal loan lording over my head. And I remember so many times I set the goal and I would say, I'm going to get out of that. Okay, Victoria, with what plan were you going to get out of that? How were you going to do that? Maybe one morning on a Saturday, I woke up super motivated and I would be like, do you know what? I'm done with that. I'm going to smash it down. But I never gave myself the grace of creating that plan so that when I didn't have that same level of motivation, I was like, ugh, can't be bothered working it out. Or maybe this month, I won't transfer an additional loan repayment or whatever it was. So, I didn't achieve that as quickly as I could have had I been like, okay, all right, I found my level of motivation. This is how much I

owe. How quickly can I repay it back? What money do I have that I could contribute to it? And then automating it is really helpful as well. So, if the plan is to get out of debt and you've worked out your budget and cashflow so you can afford another 50 bucks a month onto a debt repayment, automate it, put it on direct debit so it happens. Because as much as it's upsetting, and I don't mean like deeply, I'm so depressed, upsetting. I more mean we aren't always going to hold the same level of motivation for things or the same goals. It's going to depend on our mood and what's going on around us. But if that is deeply a goal of yours, create a plan that is foolproof. Make sure it is automated. Set up those direct debits. Get your stuff in order when you do

have that high level of motivation so it can carry you when you're not feeling as on top of it. Brilliant. Which I feel like this kind of leads to our next rule, writing the goals down. I feel like that's a really good way of staying on top of things, Faye. Exactly. Writing down our goals really clarifies them and allows us to visualize things. So, why not stick them on the fridge or on your wardrobe? If you want to save another thousand dollars, we literally have our savings hacks that you can print out. They're very aesthetic. And stick them on your fridge so that you can cross them off and stay motivated. things that are front of mind are far more likely to be achieved. The other part is what's actually

happening on a neurological level. Now I'm paraphrasing a super interesting article from Forbes here, but basically when we write down our goals, we're encoding them, which is a biological process where whatever we are perceiving actually travels to the hippocampus, which is in our brain and is analyzed. And from there, our brain sorts out what will be stored in our long-term memory and what won't be. When we write things down, it is more likely that that thing is going to end up in our long-term memory and things that are in our long-term memories, they stick and they happen. Are you a scientist? No, I'm not, but I did study psychology and that's why I know where the hippocampus is located, Georgia. That's really cool to know because everyone always says

that like writing it down makes it stick in your brain. That's fluffy. No, it's literally science and science is sick. It's also great to have something to refer back to if we lose track or need to recall what our goals are. And at the end of the day, it helps us keep accountable. If we're writing it down, it is just more likely to happen. Believe me, it's science. Love it. Dr. V, our next step. Can you imagine, maybe I should go back to uni again and like not become a real doctor because I don't really like the sight of blood, but like maybe get a PhD or something. So everybody has to, in the future, refer to me as Dr. Divine. Yeah, the money doctor, money doc, cash doc. That's all I can think of. Dr. Divine does not sound like I work in money.

Yeah, it doesn't sound like I work in money. It sounds like I work in another industry. Maybe I should just change industries. I wouldn't say no. Got to go where the money is, G. Okay. The next little goal, the next goal, I'm flustered. Look how red I am. The next step is to check in with our goals and adjust them as needed throughout the year. I think that's a really good suggestion that you have made, G. And the reason I think it's a good suggestion is what we want today might be what we want tomorrow. I guarantee the goals I set last year might not all fit into the values that I hold this year. So, it is always a really good idea to check in and see if one, we're on track with achieving our goals or if we need to

modify either our behaviors or our goals to see if we're going to still achieve them. But on the flip side of that, what if you're crushing it and you need to make your goals harder? Then you definitely should make them harder and change them so that we can achieve more and be the best version of us. I definitely recommend checking in at least once a month or once every second month, depending on the size of your goal. But from my perspective, it is really important to not just check in and be like, am I progressing? Yes. Great. Is this still of value to me is really important. And I've spoken to people historically, and I know that there are a lot of you in our community who have messaged me or talked to me, or even my clients who have been like,

V, yeah, so I've spent the last four years saving for a house and I don't want to buy a house anymore. That is fine. Great. We've been working towards a goal. We have an asset that we have been saving up for. Any goal is not a waste of time just because you change the parameters of what that might look like. And don't feel disheartened if you're like, oh my God, I've been working towards this massive goal and now it's not going to happen. Like, that's fine. We've learned a lot along the way. We've changed our values and that's okay. But the same thing goes for careers. And I know that this is not what we were talking about, but maybe your goal is this year to change careers or get a different job. The time, energy and effort that you have put into your current career

to date or current job to date or current uni degree to date, it's never lost. Even if you're not going to work in that industry, you have learned a lot. Like look at what I have done. I have gone from being in psychology and now I'm in finance and there is no way that I would say that that was a waste of my time. It has absolutely gotten me to where I am today. So, even if you're going from medicine to being a journalist or going from being, George, a journalist to being something completely different, it doesn't matter. I think we really need to drop this idea of, oh, but I've worked there for 10 years, so maybe I should just stay.

Or, oh, but I did that degree and it would be a waste if I didn't work in that area. Like, no, follow your heart, follow the things that you love, and I promise the money and the joy will follow. I'm welling up over here. No, you're not. Yes, I am. That was stunning from you. Oh, thanks, G. Our last little rule here is my personal favorite. Oh, what is it? It's to celebrate our wins along the way. And share them with the Shades on the Money community because I literally read every single one of them. Exactly. So, why is this so important? Like, why is acknowledging our success so pivotal? Okay. So, I'm going to be a little bit fluffy

again. And I was watching a video the other day on Instagram, because that's what my life is, really. It's either scrolling through my Instagram feed or scrolling through my TikTok feed, let's be real. But this video came up and it said, if somebody else was as critical of me as I am of me, I wouldn't want to spend an hour with them. And I think it's really important to take that energy and go, you know what? That's true. I want to be celebrated. You deserve to be celebrated. It doesn't matter what you do or who you are, like you deserve love and you deserve respect. And you need to start by giving that to yourselves and you need to be treating yourself with self-worth along the way and actually making sure that all this time, energy and effort and the

hard work you're putting in is not only rewarding, but really respected. And that actually starts with you. And it's a really good motivator as well to stay inspired, like celebrate the small things I don't care what it is or how you celebrate obviously please please please don't go overboard and jeopardize all your hard work like there's treat yourself and then there's absolutely ruin yourself those two things are very different but one thing that I've got a girlfriend right and she adores chocolate like honestly she could eat chocolate till the cows come home but she buys these real bougie chocolates from Hakes in the city and she puts little like post-it notes on them and sticks them in the fridge and whenever she achieves something she

goes and gets the chocolate that has the post-it note on it to celebrate she doesn't drink I would probably do it with champagne or something but like she does chocolate but like labeling the chocolate and it says if I achieve x like this is the celebration and she's just so cute and I just feel like work out a way that you want to celebrate and think about it is it a small thing like a chocolate? Or is it a bigger thing like maybe going out for dinner or popping a bottle of champagne? It honestly doesn't matter, but it's actually really sweet to put yourself in a position where that's definitely going to happen. Because I think that one thing that I'm really good at, and I know that a lot of people in our community are going to resonate with this,

is that we don't celebrate our wins enough. But often that is a product of us not planning to celebrate our wins. So, whether that is buying the chocolate and putting it in the fridge before that win happens so that you know it's there and you get it when you achieve that. Or it's, I know I'm going to achieve my savings goal and I really want to go out for dinner with my friend George, book it in in advance and say, George, let's go out for dinner. I'm going to achieve this goal next month. Can we celebrate it? I promise your friends and family will be so excited to celebrate those goals with you. Write them down, but please make sure if you do anything in 2022, one, it's make sure you have an emergency fund, get that thing in place. But two, please celebrate your

achievements. Like you are so worth it. And I honestly want to see you win at everything. Bless. Okay. So, to summarize, I guess the four keys to goal setting are writing them down, making them achievable, checking in regularly, and finally acknowledging your own success. They're pretty, four is like a good number. That's memorable. I feel like four is the new three. Four is the new three. Four is the magic number. We love. Okay. So, before we do head off, Faye, we were talking before the show about how we wanted

to touch on comparison and how everyone over the last two years has had such a different experience. You know, there's states that have not been affected by the pandemic at all, really. There's others that have been, you know, they've spent a lot of time in lockdown and maybe we're all at different places financially. How do we not succumb to that kind of toxic, sludgy feeling of comparison if we are seeing our contemporaries kicking goals that we wish we maybe were? Honestly, please, please, please, please have the self-worth to know that you are good enough and your efforts are never going to betray you. Everybody has had such differing experiences over the last two years. Some of you have lost your jobs. Some of you have had to remortgage your

houses. Some of you have lost your houses. Some have lost loved ones. Some have taken massive pay cuts some have been battling with their mental health i know some people who have been battling with not just mental health but physical health and very serious illnesses during this period of time who haven't been able to even have family in the hospital with them while they go through these things like there have been some people george who've been completely unaffected like it's been such a unique and absolutely bizarre time and what we really don't need right now especially, is to be comparing ourselves to the journeys of other people, especially because we have not experienced their journeys at all. We don't know how to walk a mile in somebody else's

shoes because they're currently wearing them and they're not actually up for you to try on. So, I think that we really need to remember who we are and remember that we are worth so much more than often what we give ourselves credit for. And just because somebody else is making an achievement or somebody else is in a situation where over the next 12 months, especially because we've been in lockdown, you know what we're going to see, George? We're going to see lots of people buying their first homes. We're going to see lots of people buying property. We're going to see lots of weddings. We're going to see a lot of money being spent over the next 12 months because so many people haven't been able to do that during lockdown. And that is going to put us in a

position where we sometimes feel a little bit inadequate. You'll be like, oh my gosh, how did Victoria afford a wedding after the year that was? Like, you don't know my personal situation and my friend, I do not know yours. But what I do know is that I want to celebrate you and I hope that you would extend that same grace to everybody else and not see somebody else's achievements as a competition. Like, achievements are not a competition. And I said it earlier in the show, a rising tide lifts all ships. And that's why we always in the She's On The Money community want to embrace your money wins and your money confessions because I am richer knowing that you're going through that. I'm richer having those experiences shared with me. In terms of tips to

avoid that gross feeling of inadequacy or the jealousy that honestly comparison does breed, please, please, please pause and remind yourself that you are doing a great job. If it's on social media, George, unfollow those people that you just don't need to see the highlights reels of. Like, at the end of the day, that's what social media is. People aren't going to be sharing all of the stuff that's kind of crappy. They're only going to share the good stuff. And I think that there's a lot of power in the mute button. Like, you don't necessarily have to unfollow them. If they're a friend and you're like, I just don't want to see your stuff, do a cheeky mute. They don't know. It won't pop up on your feed and you won't feel that gross

feeling in the bottom of your stomach if that's what you're going through. I want you to learn to be happy for others and actually understand that the more love you give, the more love you end up receiving. I promise the more you give, the more you get back. And one hot tip from me, and this was a tip that we had earlier, is write it down. Write it down. Start a gratitude journal and start reminding yourself of everything you have now and all the things that you are amazing at. Because I promise as much as you might be looking at other people and comparing yourself to them, I guarantee there is somebody looking at you in exactly the same way. That's it. And you never, you never think of it that way.

You never know. No one ever thinks of it that way. Like you might be feeling super inadequate and somebody else is looking over being like, oh my gosh, they have it so easy. Like I can't believe they're debt free or I can't believe they're in a loving relationship or I, you know what? I can't believe they get to live in Australia. Like we live in such a privileged location that sometimes we just don't see the reality of our own situations but george maybe we leave it maybe we leave it there a cracking ep for the first the first deep dive of 2022 my friend we've done it i'm so grateful to be back so grateful to have you and genuinely cannot wait for another year of she's on the money me me either all right well that is all we have time

for today so just before we head off we'd like to acknowledge and pay respect to australia's aboriginal and torres strait islander peoples they're the traditional custodians of the lands the waterways and the skies all across australia we thank you for sharing and for caring for the land on which we are able to learn we pay respect to elders past and present and we share our friendship and our kindness and remember friends that the advice shared on cheese 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 a financial decision.

And we promise Victoria Devine is an authorised representative of Australia Pacific Funds Management, Proprietary Limited, ABN 34132463257, AFSL 339151. We'll see you next week. See you next week, guys. Bye, guys. Bye. Thank you for watching.