Money with Alpha

"I don't have enough money to invest." If you've ever thought this, you are not alone, but this belief may be the very thing holding you back from building wealth. In this episode, Alpha breaks down one of the most common (and limiting) beliefs about money, that you need more of it before you can start building wealth. She shares why this isn't true, what's really going on beneath the overwhelm, and how small, consistent actions can completely change your financial future. This is not about restriction, discipline, or becoming "good with money." It's about clarity, simplicity, and creating a system that works for you. What you'll learn: Why "I don't have enough money" is not the real problem The hidden reasons women avoid managing money (hint: it's not laziness) How financial noise, comparison, and "shoulds" create paralysis The simple shift from survival mode → wealth-building mindset What investing actually is (in plain English) How small amounts (like $100/month) can grow into real wealth Why consistency matters more than income Practical ways to start, even if you feel behind Key takeaway: You don't need more money to build wealth. You need clarity, structure, and a starting point.

Many women quietly carry a belief that they're "not good with money." Yet these same women run businesses, raise families, manage teams, coordinate complex lives, and solve problems every day. So why does money feel so overwhelming? In this episode of Money with Alpha, Alpha addresses one of the most common questions she hears when speaking with women about finances: "How do I know what to do next with my money?" After numerous conversations during recent International Women's Day events, Alpha noticed a pattern. Women were eager to ask questions about money — but often quietly, cautiously, and sometimes with embarrassment. Feeling unsure about money is incredibly common. And it has far less to do with intelligence or capability than most people think. In this episode, Alpha breaks the problem down into three simple but powerful questions that can immediately bring clarity and direction. Rather than trying to solve everything at once, these questions help you identify where to begin and how to move forward with confidence. The Three Questions to Ask Yourself 1. Where are you feeling the most financial stress right now? Your starting point is almost always where the pressure is greatest. Whether it's day-to-day bills, insurance costs, mortgage pressure, or simply not knowing where your money goes each month, identifying the main source of stress helps you prioritize action. Sometimes, the solution isn't dramatic. It may simply be renegotiating bills, reviewing insurance, or gaining visibility over your cashflow - changes that can save thousands of dollars annually. 2. What are your goals and have you actually written them down? Clarity changes everything. When you know what you want financially, whether that's property investment, financial independence, more lifestyle freedom, or simply less stress, you can begin asking the right questions and seeking the right advice. Without goals, money decisions become reactive instead of intentional. 3. Are your habits supporting the future you want? Money habits matter more than most people realise. Do bills get ignored until reminders arrive? Do you rely heavily on credit or "buy now, pay later"? Or do you consciously manage timing, cashflow, and payments? Your habits either support your goals or quietly sabotage them. The key isn't perfection, it's awareness. Small Steps Build Powerful Momentum One of the most empowering parts of this process is that wealth doesn't begin with huge leaps. Sometimes the first step is as simple as: Saving $10 a month Starting a micro-investment Reviewing one recurring bill Tracking where your money actually goes Small actions build confidence. Confidence builds momentum. Momentum builds wealth. And perhaps the most important truth Alpha shares in this episode: You are capable of managing money, and building wealth, even if you don't believe it yet. In This Episode You'll Learn Why so many capable women doubt themselves with money The three questions that bring clarity to your financial priorities How financial stress can reveal your next best action Why writing down goals changes the entire conversation The hidden role habits play in wealth building How small financial steps build confidence and momentum.

In this week's episode of Money with Alpha, we flip the familiar phrase "work smarter, not harder" and apply it to your money. You don't need to hustle harder. You don't need to earn endlessly more. And you certainly don't need to live in a constant state of financial stress. Instead, you can make your money work smarter. In this episode, Alpha breaks down three powerful shifts that transform money from a source of overwhelm into a facilitator of freedom: 1️⃣ Give Your Money a Purpose Money is energy. It flows in and out. But without intention, it feels chaotic. When you decide what your money is for — travel, security, generosity, lifestyle experiences — it stops being about restriction and starts being about design. 2️⃣ Create a System The mental load of money is often heavier than the reality. A simple, flexible system creates visibility, removes guesswork, and eliminates constant decision fatigue. 3️⃣ Automate What You Can When your savings, investing, and categorisation are automated, money becomes quieter. Less stress. Less noise. More compounding. More ease. Alpha also shares: Why guessing is often worse than reality How clarity changes financial anxiety Why "How much do I need?" is the wrong starting question The power of building flexibility into your system How automation builds wealth without constant effort ✨ Stop guessing. ✨ Start growing. ✨ Let money support your life.

In this episode of Money with Alpha, we're talking about the silent tug-of-war so many women live in every day: managing immediate financial pressures while completely avoiding long-term wealth building. Payroll. School fees. Groceries. Mortgage. Clients. Staff. The next invoice. The end of the month. When you're juggling so much in the "now," thinking about retirement, investing, or wealth can feel overwhelming, unrealistic, or even impossible. But, avoiding it doesn't make it disappear. In this episode, Alpha shares: Why the "I'll deal with it later" mindset is quietly costing you time and money Why wealth is not about earning more, it's about starting and working with what you have now Different investing pathways (property, ETFs, shares, superannuation), and how to choose what suits your personality, age and risk profile Why clarity and knowledge reduces overwhelm instantly How small, incremental actions shift your financial future dramatically The emotional patterns of hoarding vs spending, and how to find balance Why money gives you one powerful thing above all else: choice How the Money Pie Framework connects your day-to-day cashflow with long-term wealth If you've been telling yourself: "I don't have time." "I don't earn enough." "It's too complicated." "It's too late for me." This episode is your gentle wake-up call. Because you are not behind. You are not incapable. You are not bad with money. You've just been stuck in survival mode. And it's time to shift.

Wealth. It's a word that can trigger excitement… or a full-body freeze. In this episode of Money with Alpha, I'm unpacking why wealth is absolutely available to you, even if: No one in your family has ever been wealthy You think you're "bad with money" You believe you don't earn enough to invest You feel like managing money is complex, time-consuming, or overwhelming I'm breaking this down into seven key areas that shift you from doubt and avoidance into clarity, confidence and momentum. In This Episode We Cover: Identity & Beliefs The stories you've absorbed about who you are, "I'm not good with money," "I make bad decisions," "We're not wealthy people", and how those beliefs quietly shape your financial results. Habits & Stories How beliefs create habits (late payments, minimum repayments, avoiding investing) and how those habits reinforce the same old story. Defining Wealth Wealth doesn't have to mean private jets and millions in the bank. For many women, wealth is about choice. What does it mean for you? Purpose Why building wealth just for "more money" rarely works, and how aligning it to your values changes everything. Confidence Confidence isn't something you wait for. It's built through small, consistent action. Calm (Hint: Automation) How systems and automation remove the mental load and create physiological calm around money. Momentum Why momentum, not perfection, is what accelerates wealth. This episode is your invitation to stop outsourcing your financial power and start building wealth in a way that feels aligned, calm and possible. You can do this. Now it's time to believe that you can.

In this 200th episode of Money with Alpha, I take you behind the scenes of building my new financial app, and the unexpectedly powerful parallels it revealed about women and money. I am not a tech person. In fact, I've been on one of the steepest learning curves of my life, navigating tech stacks, hosting regions, API keys, compliance requirements, and software integrations. There were days when my head felt like it might explode. And then it hit me: This is exactly how many women feel about money. Not incapable. Not unintelligent. Just unfamiliar with the language, systems, and tools. In this episode, I unpack the five biggest hurdles I've encountered while building the app, and how they mirror the common blocks women face when managing money: Language – Jargon creates overwhelm. Knowledge gaps – Not knowing where to start. Cost (visible and invisible) – The price of action vs. the price of inaction. The Build – Creating visibility and systems. The Tech/Tools – Finding the right tool changes everything. You'll hear why: You don't need to be a "numbers person" to build wealth. Investing doesn't have to be complicated (hello ETFs and micro-investing). The real cost is often doing nothing. The right tool can fast-track your confidence and clarity. You are not behind, you're simply on a learning curve. This episode is about empowerment. If I can build a tech app from scratch with zero background, you can absolutely learn to manage and grow your money. You might not be there yet, but you are getting there. 🎧 Listen now 📌 Join the waitlist for the upcoming app at www.money-madesimple.com.au

So much of the anxiety we feel around money doesn't come from a lack of income, it comes from a lack of clarity. In this practical and grounding episode of Money with Alpha, Alpha walks you through a simple but powerful exercise to help you identify your retirement number. Not to overwhelm you, but to give you something solid to aim for. If the future feels like a big black hole… If you're doing "all the right things" but still feel unsure… If money feels like one more thing you don't have the mental space to deal with… This episode is for you. Alpha breaks down: Why uncertainty fuels money anxiety How having a number changes your present-day decisions A simple, step-by-step way to calculate your retirement target How to assess your current net worth (without judgment) What to do once you see the gap, and why it's not as scary as it sounds The small, realistic money levers that actually move the needle Why momentum matters more than perfection This isn't about scrimping, sacrificing, or living a joyless life now for a future that may never come. It's about clarity, intention, and balance, so you can enjoy your life now and later. 🎧 You may want a pen and paper for this one or listen once, then come back to it. 🔗 Join the waitlist for Alpha's upcoming app (designed to make all of this easier): 👉 www.money-madesimple.com.au

There is a lot of focus and information on "money mindset", and while that is important, it misses how your body responds to money. This applies to what you currently have or don't have, and where you want to be (which is often an arbitrary "I want more money"). Before you can have more, your body needs to recognise and feel that it's safe to have more, and that's where your nervous system comes into it. In this episode of Money with Alpha, Alpha explores the powerful (and often overlooked) relationship between your nervous system and your financial capacity. Drawing on her own journey, including personal growth, and years of working with women around money, Alpha unpacks why sudden financial growth can feel unsafe, why incremental change matters, and why success can feel more threatening than failure. This episode is for you if you: Feel like you want more money, but struggle to hold onto it Notice self-sabotage when things start going well Feel conflicted between wanting more and judging yourself for it Know you need both practical money systems and emotional safety In this episode, we explore: Why success (not failure) often disregulates the nervous system The difference between safety and security with money Why lottery winners often lose everything Money as energy: inflow, outflow, and intentional circulation How confidence is built through small, consistent actions Why self-judgment is more damaging than external judgment How clarity, visibility, and flexibility support financial growth Alpha invites you to reflect on where you are right now: safety, security, energy, confidence, or judgment, and how you might begin expanding your capacity to hold more, without overwhelming your system. 🎧 Listen now and discover how to grow your wealth without overloading your nervous system.

Investing can feel like a black hole: confusing, intimidating, and risky, especially when you've worked hard for every dollar you've earned. In this episode of Money with Alpha, I share my real, lived investing journey. Not from a financial markets background, but as someone who had to figure it out step by step. I walk you through: The difference between income returns and capital growth (and why this matters more than most people realise) How to understand your risk profile beyond generic questionnaires What diversification actually means (and what it definitely isn't) How I structure my own portfolio, including defensive vs growth assets Why I invest in ETFs and micro-investing Why "time in the market" always outperforms "timing the market" How consistent, boring investing quietly builds wealth over time. This episode is about taking the fear out of investing, simplifying your decisions, and helping you feel more confident taking action, even if you're starting small. 🎧 Listen now and discover why investing doesn't have to feel like gambling.

In this episode, Alpha invites you to rethink your relationship with money. Not as something to fear or avoid, but as something to get to know and to come at with curiosity rather than confusion. Using the metaphor of dating, Alpha walks through simple, practical steps to help you reconnect with your finances, gain clarity, and reduce money anxiety. In this episode, you'll learn: Why avoidance makes money stress worse (not better) How your past money "mistakes" can become learning points The five key steps to building visibility and clarity with money Why knowing when bills hit matters as much as how much they are How to create a money date that actually feels supportive Takeaway: Money doesn't need perfection, it needs attention. A little curiosity can transform your entire financial relationship.

Big New Year's resolutions often lead to big overwhelm, and very little follow-through. In this episode, Alpha explores why micro-changes are the real key to sustainable financial growth and confidence. Rather than focusing on drastic transformations, Alpha invites you to look at the small shifts in awareness, habits, language, and identity that quietly create powerful momentum over time. In This Episode, We Cover: Why New Year's money resolutions often fail The role of identity in financial behaviour How beliefs, stories, and language shape your money habits The difference between intentional money management and avoidance Why micro-investing and small automations are so powerful How to create CEO-level clarity without micromanaging your finances Simple micro-actions you can implement immediately This episode is perfect for anyone who feels overwhelmed by money, short on time, or stuck in cycles of avoidance, and is ready for a gentler, smarter way forward. 🎧 Tune in and start building momentum through micro-changes.

In this solo episode, Alpha invites listeners behind the scenes of her personal money journey. From her multicultural upbringing in Australia, shaped by financial scarcity and cultural expectations, to discovering her passion for financial empowerment for women. Alpha dives into: Growing up as a daughter of migrants who had no money when they were growing up How money stories are inherited from generations before us — even when no one talks about money directly Why she became a "squirreler" with money, and the pivotal moment she realised she needed to learn how money really works The career path that didn't fit — including depression, burnout, and a brave leap into something new The spark that led her to financial education, property investing, and ultimately launching Money Made Simple How her love of travel helped her reconnect with joy and lifestyle vision in mid-life Why the Money Pie framework was born, and why "simple + intentional" will always beat complexity ✨This episode is your reminder that your past does not dictate your financial future, and that it's never too late to rewrite your money story with intention.

In this episode of Money with Alpha, Alpha sits down with financial advisor Dylon Mackriel, founder of DreamWise Financial Services, to unpack what financial planning actually involves — beyond the jargon, beyond the misconceptions, and beyond the old-school commission-driven model many people still fear. Dylon shares his personal journey from South Africa to Australia, shifting from accounting into financial planning, and why the emotional side of money plays such a huge role in his work. You'll hear: ✨ In this episode, we explore: Why everyone earning an income can benefit from financial advice What financial planners do beyond investing How superannuation, insurance, and retirement strategies really work The truth about self-managed super funds (SMSFs) — who they're for and who they're not ETFs vs direct shares vs SMAs (and why diversification is essential) How to choose the right advisor, and why education is a non-negotiable part of quality advice The emotional and behavioural side of money Dylon's personal money story, including growing up with limited resources and how that shaped his mission This is an empowering conversation that helps remove the mystery from financial planning — so you can make smarter decisions, feel more confident, and understand the mechanics behind wealth-building… at any age. Connect with Dylon: DreamWise Financial Services – DreamWise Financial Services Dylon Mackriel | LinkedIn

In this enlightening episode of Money with Alpha, Alpha Schulte sits down with Selena Hillier, Human Design practitioner, life coach, and corporate leader turned soul-led entrepreneur. Together they explore how understanding your unique Human Design type can unlock self-acceptance, release shame, and create alignment in every area of life — including money. Selena shares her journey from corporate sales manager to Human Design guide, explaining how this blend of science and spirituality helps people reconnect with who they truly are. She and Alpha discuss practical ways to apply Human Design in relationships, parenting, business, and even how we relate to money. From breaking free of conditioning and "shoulds," to accepting your natural energy flow, this conversation will inspire you to live—and spend—more consciously and authentically. Key Takeaways Human Design blends science and spirituality using birth data to reveal how you're uniquely wired. Five energy types—Manifestor, Generator, Manifesting Generator, Projector, and Reflector—each operate differently. Self-awareness leads to self-acceptance. Understanding your design removes shame and judgment. Parenting and relationships transform when we honour how others are designed to operate. Money blocks often mirror conditioning. Human Design helps uncover energetic patterns behind financial habits. Goals aren't for everyone. Some people thrive through flow and intuition rather than rigid planning. Connect with Selena Hillier Instagram: www.instagram.com/selena_hillier_/ Website: www.pivotalmoments.com.au