Money with Alpha

As women enter our 40s, something changes. We start to want to know who we really are, and how we got to where we did. Plus, what do we really want in life? Frances Scadden's journey has lead her to help other women in their 40s, 50s and beyond with this question. To help the feel empowered and confident in their life and what they think they are capable of doing. A great conversation! Here is where you can find out more about Frances and what she does: Instagram Website Confidence Circle

Why is it that we avoid things (like looking at our finances)? Our brains are a complex "computer", and understanding how they work makes it easier to program them in a way that actually works FOR us, rather than against us. In this episode I talk about 3 key concepts to understand our brains, specific to money: Survival - our brains are wired to make sure we survive (it isn't interested in thriving), and this is done through making sure we remain with what is familiar to our brain; Change - this is seen as a threat to our survival, as the change may hurt or kill us. So, we need to make any kind of change, incrementally; Habits - to reduce the mental load and energy exertion that goes with change, we need to embed as much as we can into a habit, which requires consistency. Here is the link to the FREE Financial Health Self-Assessment quiz that I mention at the beginning of this episode - FREE Financial Health Self-Assessment (money-madesimple.com.au)

Parenting (like money) is not something we are taught, yet we have to navigate somehow. Where you are also parenting a child who is neurodiverse, there is potentially more complexity. Leanne Tran is a psychology who specialises in helping parents understand their neurodiverse child, and how to help the children understand themselves better. A fascinating conversation, with lots of great information. Here are Leanne's links, so you can find out more: Leanne's Website Leanne's Instagram For Psychologists

Lately I've been drawn to books and podcasts that talk about how we are not here in this life to gather "stuff". We are here to connect, grow, evolve, share, help, and even make an impact (on whatever scale). This has resonated with me quite a lot, so wanted to share this with you as well. I started gradually decluttering "stuff" out of my home, and letting go of things I wouldn't use or wear anymore. It feels so good to be "lighter". In this episode I also give you ideas for how you can find more simplicity and enjoy life without spending more, or any, money.

Maree Kirkpatrick is passionate about helping business owners learn how to sell without it feeling uncomfortable and something to actively avoid. Her approach is simple, straight forward, and very human-centric. In this conversation we delve into money, selling, business and psychology. As a successful business owner and mum, she is also well aware of the juggle that is life. She has a wealth of knowledge and she openly shares SO much in this conversation. To find out more about Maree: https://www.mareekirkpatrick.com/ https://www.mareekirkpatrick.com/club https://www.instagram.com/mareekirkpatrick/ https://www.facebook.com/mareekirkpatrickconsulting

Mother's Day is a good opportunity to be reminded to take a pause and appreciate life, inspite of all its challenges. Here are 3 areas I focus on in this episode: Gratitude - being consciously grateful for what we have in our life. Even where there are challenges, look for the things that you appreciate within everything else. Giving - this isn't just about giving money, it's about caring for others and giving time and attention to the things that matter most to you. Receiving - to complete the energetic loop, it's important to be able to receive as well. If you only give, it's likely you will burn out. Being open to receiving also allows others who care for you to give. Ultimately, it's a timely reminder to be kind to yourself (and others), and come from a place of love. In the intro I mention a workshop I'm running in Brisbane on 21 May. Here are the details - Budgeting Essentials for Small Business (money-madesimple.com.au)

There is nothing that beats the smell and taste of bread fresh out of the oven. When I was a kid my mum had a breadmaker and we used it pretty regularly. Nowadays, with sourdough being a bit kinder on some tummies (including mine), I prefer this, as well as using spelt flour. Sourdough can be a little difficult to work with though, and I've found that with spelt flour there are added complexities. So, after almost a year of trying different things, I've found a recipe and process that works consistently! And, because I get asked how I make my bread pretty regularly, I'm recording it so it can be shared! Plus, the cost of each loaf is around $7, which is also a bonus. If you would like the video version of this, please check out my YouTube video - https://youtu.be/haXGm788jHA There is also a written blog article as well - https://www.money-madesimple.com.au/blog/spelt-sourdough-bread-recipe To find out more about the in-person workshop I mention at the beginning, please go here - Budgeting Essentials for Small Business (money-madesimple.com.au)

Are you experiencing the problem where you are making money, but your bank account doesn't reflect this? Worse still, your tax return says your business is turning a profit (which you're paying tax on), and you aren't seeing this the cash you have? This episode will help you to understand these issues, which plague many small business owners.

How much of our lives are we living truly based on our own design (and not someone else's, or society's)? Our lives are influenced by our Beliefs, Stories and Behaviours, around money, and other areas. Being inspired by others is one thing. Comparing ourselves to them is a recipe for depression and anxiety. In the episode I talk about some strategies I use on myself and my clients to help manage situations when I'm not feeling that my life is really heading where I want it to go.

Procrastination and avoidance is something we do when we don't like it. Money tends to be one of those somethings. And it doesn't need to be like that. Especially as money is extremely important. In this episode I take you through 3 steps to help you find more fun in sorting out your finances.

Travel is something I've loved since I was a very little girl. When I started working at the age of 14, my primary goal was to save up to travel. Apart from a few years when my daughter was first born, I've gone away somewhere every year. I even worked at an airline for a few years, and did a lot of travelling in that time - taking advantage of the standby deals! So, I've cultivated my travel budgeting too over the years. However, this last trip I just took with my mum and daughter didn't go quite to plan. Have a listen to find out why, and what I did.

Budgeting is something that many of us avoid, but know we really should do. It's a bit like exercise, only exercising you can make somewhat fun (think Zumba!)... Being aware of what is coming in and what is going out each month is part of it. Forecasting is important also. Many accounting systems will try and help you with this, however, the budgeting side doesn't connect in with your personal budget. This episode takes you through the principles behind how I do this. To watch this episode on YouTube: Click here.

Money is something we are not taught about - neither personal finances nor business finances. And yet, we feel so much shame and guilt around our ability to manage money. This episode is me delving into the "why" of this, and also to give you some strategies to help yourself move beyond it and head towards confidence and financial empowerment.

Manifestation and Money Strategy might seem like a odd combination, but in order to make anything real (which is what manifestation essentially is), you first need to be super clear. Strategy gives you direction and is a way to condense your "wish list" into a structure that you can make plans and then tasks lists on. Alignment between your strategy, plans and tasks are important. Think about making a meal, or organising and holiday, or renovating a house. Without first knowing what you want to do (or where you want to go, or what you want to eat), it makes everything else completely random and even more difficult. Here are the 5 elements I go through in this episode: What do you want? Why do you want it? How will you do it? (what action step(s) will create movement towares what you want) Money audit (knowing where your money is coming and going) Visualisation. Now is the time to get clear and be strategic about your money and finances! If you want some help with this, here is what I mention in the episode - Money Makeover (money-madesimple.com.au)

What better way to reach retirement faster than to pay off your debts and invest more! Debt is not a fun topic, so the best thing to do is talk about how to get rid of it as quickly as possible! Especially debt that has a high interest rate. In this episode I go through how to pay down debt faster, including your mortgage, and why it's important to invest while you're doing this. Also important to consider is how much you need in retirement, so you can make decisions about how to get there faster. Here are some resources mentioned in the episode: If you want to watch this on Youtube (where I also have some visuals) - https://youtu.be/UM0xr1qHdL4 a good calculator to help you figure out how much you need for the retirement lifestyle you want - https://www.australianretirementtrust.com.au/learn/tools/retirement-calculator#/personal-details/about-you

Habits have the power to help us and hold us back. Are you happy with your money habits and how they are influencing your finances? These habits apply to both your business finances and your personal finances. Here are the 5 Money Habits I go through in this episode: Get Clear on Your Vision/Purpose Watch your Money Monthly Streamline Your Spending Use Savings Instead of Credit Invest on a Monthly or Quarterly Basis Here are some resources that I mention during the episode as well: Money & Lifestyle Vision - guide and meditation Money Habits Reset - mini-program waitlist

Think of the different areas of your life, and what happens if you don't pay them enough attention: Relationship with your partner - this doesn't get better with less communication (especially if you avoid talking about money) Relationship with your kids - they want to be seen and heard, and that means paying them focused attention Your garden - it won't be beautiful or healthy if you complete ignore it! Your relationship with money - it will deteriorate the more you ignore it, and the issues that are there now will just get bigger. I could go on, but I think you get my point. I could go on, but I think you get my point. The more attention you pay something, the healthier it becomes. This was inspired by my recent gardening endeavours and how much better my vege patch is after paying it some decent attention!

Money brings up all sorts of emotions in us - overwhelm, fear, shame, guilt, anger, confusion. Wouldn't it be great if instead of these emotions, it make us feel - joy, excitement, determined, clear, confident. How then, do you shift from one end of the scale to the other? In this episode I go through: Challenging Your Beliefs around Money Get Clear on What You Want Money For Look at or Prepare a Workable Budget See Where You Can Make Better Decisions Take Action

This week, Emma Gilmour from Hope Rising talks about her experiences with alcohol and how quitting back in 2020 has changed her life for the better. She now works with other women to help them develop a better sense of self, without alcohol. Here are the FREE Awareness Worksheets mentioned - Preparing for a break from booze or just wanting to get intentional with your drinking https://www.hoperisingcoaching.com/awareness-worksheets-opt-in Her 5 day virtual retreat is starting on 19 Feb. To find out more - https://www.hoperisingcoaching.com/5dayvrfeb2024 To connect with Emma: Midlife AF Podcast: https://www.hoperisingcoaching.com/podcast Website: www.hoperisingcoaching.com Social handles: @hoperisingcoaching

In this week's podcast episode I go through the 5 financial game changers that have influenced where I am today. It's been a 10 year long journey, so hopefully some of this might help you shorten your journey! You can now also watch this episode on YouTube - https://youtu.be/cbwlCbVaDN4

It's a New Year - yay! So much excitement goes into thinking about and planning for another year. What happens if something happens and this all falls flat? That's what happened to me, and I go through my experience and what I'm learning from it (it's still an active process). Some of this may help you too.

As we approach the end of the year, here are some ideas for you to ponder over as you wind down. Take some time for yourself over the next few weeks. Do some planning, and map out what you want the coming year to bring. Here are some resources to help you: Free download of a simple 3 page annual plan - Annual Plan Template FREE Download (money-madesimple.com.au) Mini program to get your energy and mind on track - Elevate Your Money Vibration: 30 Daily Practices (money-madesimple.com.au)

Emma Lovell leads a life that many of us would love - combining her passion for travel with her business. She recently came back from a retreat she held in India and her approach is to help clients achieve more prosperity and results with greater ease and taking time to rest. This is something Emma has learned the hard way and she now builds rest and ease into her business and helps others to do the same. In this episode we talk about money, building wealth, mindset, challenging the status quo - it's full of inspiration and great ideas that you too can implement. To find out more about Emma: Hot off the press - her next retreat is just being announced. These sell out, so get in quickly - https://www.emmalovell.au/srilankaretreat Emma "Lovelly" Lovell (@emmalovell.au) • Instagram photos and videos Emma Lovell - Live a life you LOVE! The EMMA LOVELL Show on Apple Podcasts

There are 5 main components that contribute to a mind that is fueled up with the right elements to help you experience more joy and ease when it comes to money: Language Assumptions Sleep Nutrition Support.

Money is energy. The energy we give to our thoughts and behaviours around money has an impact to the way money shows up in our life. In this episode I delve more into this and how you can raise your energetic vibration around money and create the abundance you want. Here is the link to the program I mention in the episode, which is starting on 2 January: Elevate Your Money Vibration: 30 Daily Practices (money-madesimple.com.au)

As we start to wind down for the end of this Calendar Year, there are some great books that you can curl up with and enjoy some much needed "me time". I really tried to get this list down to 3, but I ended up with 7. Here they are in no particular order: "The Four Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz "The Gap and the Gain" by Dan Sullivan and Dr Benjamin Hardy "The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck" by Mark Manson "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill "Be Seen" by Jen Gottlieb "Atomic Habits" by James Clear "Life Admin Hacks" by Mia Northrop and Dinah Rowe-Roberts.

Christmas is coming! The best way to keep the cost and effort as low as possible over Christmas is to start planning - preferrably now. In this episode I give you some ideas and also let you in on what I do to keep Christmas manageable - both financially and mentally. Every year I host a large Christmas Eve dinner, and I've worked out how to make it fun and as fuss free as possible. Enjoy!

Being an adult can often feel just plain hard - especially as a woman, a mum and a business owner. There is SO much to do. Life Admin is also something we don't really acknowledge to the fullest extent of its impact. We realise there is housework, taking care of the kids, taking care of parents, taking care of the household in general. Life Admin forms a HUGE part of this. Over a glass of wine, Mia Northrop and her good friend Dinah Rowe Roberts were lamenting all the "stuff" that just needs to get done, and they decided to do a lot of work and research to put together the amazingly helpful book, "Life Admin Hacks". In this episode Mia takes us through lots of great tips to make your life easier to "adult" (I love how language develops, and that this can be used as a verb!). Get the Book! Follow on Instagram Follow on Facebook

Feeling overwhelmed in the present day is completely understandable. There are SO many facets to our lives that have multiple layers. Anytime anything changes, this adds to the mental load. There is an Inner Layer that goes with this: Your Beliefs The Thoughts you think, based on those Beliefs Emotions you feel as a result of your Thoughts Actions that you do or don't take as a result of your Thoughts. HOW do you work on the Inner Layer in your Outer World, so you can take the right action and feel less overwhelmed, or at least manage everything better? Here is a process for that: Reflect on what you have done and achieved so far in your life and whether you want to keep going how you are going now. Take the Time to both reflect and just "be". Sit with your Thoughts, and think back to how these relate to the Beliefs you have. Write down the Beliefs that come to you (good and not so good). Reflect on the Thoughts you have. Feel where in your body you are feeling the Emotions that are coming to you. Gain Clarity from these reflections, and write down what comes to you. It's important to get this out of your head. Ask yourself questions about what you want, why you want it, and how you want your life and business to be. Make a Plan of at least 1 to 3 Action steps, and then DO the things you have on your plan! Here is the free download I mentioned, about helping you to document and shift your Limiting Beliefs - Kick Your Limiting Beliefs Out of Your Life! (money-madesimple.com.au).

What is the Enriched Life Club, you might be asking? It's the ONE PLACE for Women Business Owners who want to generate enough money to support the lifestyle they want now and in retirement, with the confidence to know they won't run out of money! PLUS, Mindset Tools and Strategies to support you actually achieving your goals! It is a live, online group that will help you gain: Greater confidence in your decision making when it comes to money Peace of mind to know you can pay your bills Comfort to know you will have enough money in retirement Happiness when you see your savings and investments grow Excitement when you realise your business can now scale and make more money! More time to enjoy life as the systems you have set up hum along. Find out more here - www.EnrichedLifeClub.com If you would like to book in for a complimentary Clarity Chat to see if this program is right for you, click here.

Can you be both spiritual and a successful business woman? ABSOLUTELY! How you practice spirituality is part of your journey and we all evolve in this space. It goes beyond personal development, and into the realm of "being" and "receiving". There is a peace and calm that goes with bringing spirituality into business, which is not always easy. Part of this blending of the spiritual and business impacts how we make decisions in our business - who we work with, what we offer, how we offer it. And our decision making style grows and evolves with us as we pursue the journey of enlightenment. Recognising that it is a part of who you are is important, and then you can also recognise that in order to amplify your impact and make decisions that will support your growth, you need to be aware of your numbers. The financial side becomes important as a tool for growth. There is then energy that is injected in how you see money and how it shows up for you in your business. This blends the spiritual and business beautifully.

If you find yourself in a situation, whether it be in your personal life or business, that you don't completely like, the only way to make a change is to first become aware of the issue or problem. Awareness is THE first step in any journey. Without it, you don't actually go anywhere, do anything or change anything. When it comes to money, this is essential. Until you become aware of needing to understand your finances more and know how your money mindset is impacting you, then you won't do anything about improving either your finances or your mindset. Once you have the awareness, next comes Curiosity. Questioning why you are in the situation you're in, why you believe the money stories that you do, etc. This helps you to figure out what you need to change, which is where Clarity comes in. Clarity makes everything SO much easier. We often launch off into problem solving mode, before we are even aware of what problem we are trying to solve. Heading off without this means you haven't started with awareness first, and then comes frustration, procrastination, and more "fun" things.

Cashflow is something that is the lifeline for small businesses. Having started out as a corporate tax accountant, I was always trained to focus on the Profit and Loss (or Cash Statement) and the Balance Sheet. However, cash really is the health check of any business. Your accounts can look very healthy. However, if you don't have cash available to pay for things, then that becomes a big problem. Because many of us have never been taught how to manage money, it often means that managing money within your business can be equally, if not more, challenging. There are a number of ways to both track and improve your cashflow. Here are 5 ways that you can do straight away: Review your business plan and the goals you have set for yourself this year. Are you on track? If not, what is the cause and how can you get on track? Streamline systems you use - review what you use against what you're paying for Look at your monthly cashflow - your profit over the prior 6 months and next 6 months to see when you are most profitable and why. Trends can help you to make better decisions about what product or service to focus on promoting. This is like a budget and cashflow statement in one, where you document what you plan to earn and spend, then go back and record what actually came in and went out. Make sure you put month aside for tax (GST, company tax, and any other taxes you may be liable for), and super. This also includes any withholding tax and superannuation that you need to pay for your staff. Put money aside each month to cover months where expenses are higher, so you don't dig into either profits or an overdraft.

Mindset is something that impacts every aspect of our lives, particularly money. What is it though and how is it formed? There are 4 aspects that I believe are how our mindset is formed: Identity or Sense of Self Beliefs (about you we are based on our identity) Behaviours (that reinforce who we believe we are) Habits (repeated behaviours that embed our beliefs and reinforce our sense of identity). In this episode I go through the foundations of mindset. Here is a link to my new FREE Guide, which I mention in this episode: Money Mindset Makeover for Female Entrepreneurs

In this episode Rudi opens up about an incredible journey and how navigating stereotypes and biases has been part of a life altering transition. We cover off many topics here from following your innate curiosity about life to experimenting and using your Values as a compass to help you gain clarity. Rudi works with women to help them reveal their authentic best current self. To find out more about Rudi, here is where you can go: Website Instagram Facebook

Life is about polarity - things come easily to us or are difficult to, problems are big or small, people are challenging or easy, life flows or feels stuck. I could go on, but I'm sure you see what I'm getting at. Prosperity is a goal that many of us aspire to achieve in our lives, both personally and in business. It's about more than just accumulating wealth; it encompasses a sense of well-being, fulfillment, and the ability to make a positive impact. One powerful way to pave the road to prosperity is by harnessing your strengths. We are often taught to focus on working on our challenges, because our strengths are something that come easily to us. There is certainly merit in this approach, however, it assumes that we know what our strengths actually are. And then, even if we do know, how we can translate them into something that improves our lives and the lives of others? As with all things relating to improving our lives, it starts with awareness. Have a listen to find out the other elements of this.

While money itself is something we exchange for something we want or need, there is so much emotion attached to it. We are taught from a young age to believe that money is the thing that we all need in order to live a happy life. And, while money does enable a more comfortable life, we aren't actually taught about it, and the messages we are fed are often very gender biased. Men are told to invest, take on risk, grow wealth. Women are more likely to be told to save money, budget, don't take risks. The end result becomes very different for men and women, plus women take time out of the workforce to raise children, so they are even further behind financially. In this episode I talk about ways we need to start changing this.

Stories are powerful. We learn through stories, and we tell ourselves stories all the time. When it comes to money, we need to make sure these stories aren't holding us back. When it comes to relationships this is amplified, as there are now at least two potentially conflicting stories being told! Here are 4 strategies to help manage destructive money stories in relationships that are covered in this episode: Awareness Language & Communication Kindness Habits.

Time is one of those limited resources that we all want more of. Having enough time to do "everything" drives many of us to follow new fads and hacks. The thing is, we can have all the time we need, if we have clarity on what we want and we support ourselves with the right habits. Sounds super easy right? Well, yes and no. Yes, because if we had clarity and habits to support the available time we have, everything would flow smoothly. No, because this looks different for everyone, and life has a way of getting IN the way. As soon as one "block" of time tumbles, the rest come falling down, and it feels difficult to get everything built back up again. So, what is the solution? Here is a 5 step process to help you figure out and map out how to manage your time, and then make sure you have habits in place to support what you want to achieve within the time you have available: Clarity Prioritise Your relationship with time Review your habits Align your habits and time.

Managing your money as it comes in and goes out can be challenging at the best of times. It's even more challenging when your income fluctuates and some of your expenses do also (when they are linked to your income). This is particularly the case if you are employed casually, are self-employed or run a business. Using a cashflow management method for both Personal and Business Finances becomes even more important when your income is variable. There is the "bucket" method, which is essentially using different bank accounts to manage different areas of your personal and business life. This episode goes through a way you can do this that is simple and effective.

What comes to your mind when you think of being "financially free"? It's a term that gets used, but it's unlikely that we really understand. I know I had no idea until not that long ago! Freedom is one of those words that is often interpreted differently. There is perspective and mindset that goes with this, and when it comes to money it also is different for different people. The important thing is to have thought about it and be conscious of what financial freedom is for you, so you can better plan for it, and then celebrate it once you have achieved it! In this episode I go through some ways to help you identify what financial freedom is for you, and how to calculate a number to help you figure out when you get there!

Frustration is something we all feel at some point in our lives. The question is, WHY are we feeling frustrated? What is the problem that's causing this feeling? Before even answer this, get EXCITED about the fact that you're frustrated. Why? Because it means you have energy and you care enough about your life to feel like there should be changes made. So much change in our lives is borne out of frustration. The key is to make it measured and intentional change that is aligned with where you want to go. In this episode I take you through the framework that I use on myself and with clients, for harnessing frustration for good: Talk about it. Share your frustrations with people you trust and can help you at least make sense of it or support you; Be aware of and harness the energy, rather than turning everything in your life as a trigger for frustration. Be conscious and find the source of the problem; Get clear. Clarity is the best way to help you move forward and use this energy for good (instead of it turning into anger); Take focussed action. Once you are clear on what the problem is, develop action steps to help you move passed the frustration and into focussed action.

Investing is something we often put off because we have to get all our other "ducks in a row" - save for a house, buy a car, pay off personal loans, go on a holiday... There are any number of reasons. Mostly, there is avoidance behind this because we are taught that investing is complex and risky. While there is risk involved (like most things in life), it doesn't have to be risky. Nor does investing need to be complex. In today's world, there are SO many ways you can get into investing, and it doesn't require a lot of money or complexity. What it does need though is a fundamental knowledge of investing, which I go through in this episode. Why is investing so important? It's the ONLY way to build wealth. If you want to be financially independent, comfortable, or whatever your motivation, investing is something you need to do. Can I invest while paying off my mortgage? Absolutely! Investing works best when you have more time, and by the time you pay off your mortgage, you will have missed out on decades of good investing years. The time is now!

Have you ever sat back and wondered where time has gone? It seems to fly, especially after kids, and as I approach my mid-40s, it feels like the last 2 decades have just slipped by. It makes you think about where you're headed and what it is that you want to still do. At least, I have been thinking about this lately! Many things I have done, but there are things I still want to do and I need time for them. What this also does is it means we can get stuck in a rut of doing what we have always done, financially. This may be a good thing, but it also may not be. It's always good to have a look at your finances and check that everything is working for you, so you're headed in the direction you actually want to go. In this episode I go through ways to get out of a financial rut, and how to challenge your current thinking in terms of how you see money and the ways in which it plays out in your life.

Travelling is meant to be fun. It is also expensive and there are lots of things that can go wrong, where the costs go up a lot more than you expect. I have been travelling my whole life. My first overseas trip was with my parents when I was 4 years old. As a grown up, I have gone overseas at least every second year, and sometimes multiple times in a year. Then, the borders closed and we couldn't go anywhere. This year travelling overseas was back, and then came planning and the costs in a post-pandemic world. I hadn't been over to Europe in 5 years, and I really noticed how much more expensive everything was. Food, petrol, even the flights over, transport. Literally everything. Travelling as a family also means that you need to consider how you travel, especially with a young child. So, in this episode I take you through how I tried to keep costs down, without spoiling the fun. Some of it is being patient and researching. Some of it is looking at things with a different lens and, dare I say it, mindset. Hopefully this episode will inspire you with ideas for not only how to travel on a budget, but also to start saving and planning for a holiday - they really are necessary!

I get a bit passionate in this episode! Understanding what lifestyle YOU want and WHY is very important. Without this clarity, it makes getting where you want to go very difficult, and take longer. In this episode I go through what you can do to gain this clarity, and the 7 things you need to do to then achieve this lifestyle: Calculate how much money do you need to make this lifestyle a reality Rewire your Beliefs around money to match the person you need to be in order to have this lifestyle Make changes to your money habits, so they will help you achieve the lifestyle you want Understand your current Net Worth Set up your Money Pie Automate your Money Pie as much as you can Check in regularly to track the progress you are making, and tweak where necessary.

While you probably didn't go into business to be a finance expert, there are some key numbers you need to know to help your business grow. Numbers tell you about how your business is performing, and what levels of debt you're carrying, or how much cash you actually have. This helps you to make better decisions about how to grow or scale your business and do it in the areas that your customers and clients actually respond the most to. Here are the top 7 most important numbers you need to know: 1. Your income goals – this will impact the products and services that you offer, the pricing of each, and how much of each that you need to sell. Once you know this, you can better plan how to run your business and the areas to focus on; 2. Profit and Loss – this will depend a bit on the accounting treatment, but basically it's – the income you make, minus all your expenses. If the number is positive, you are in Profit. If the number is negative, you are in Loss; 3. Expenses – knowing where your money is going and what you're spending it on is very important, especially for small businesses. 4. Accounts Receivable – depending on how your business is set up, this is money you are owed from clients or customers, i.e. unpaid invoices. It will impact your cashflow; 5. Profit by client – this will help you to know which client relationships to nurture better. You can also look at ways to increase the repeat business from other clients as well; 6. Cashflow – this is how much actual cash is coming in, and what expenses you are paying out; 7. Sales per product or service - knowing what your most profitable products or services are will help you to focus on promoting these more than those that don't make as much.

Failure, as unpleasant as it is, is an important, necessary part of life. Life is about polarity – the only reason we even know what happiness is, is because we have experienced sadness and failure. We can't always know the outcome of something before we do it, so there is always a chance of failure. That doesn't stop us giving it a go. Just think of all the things you can do now. At some point you couldn't do them. It's highly unlikely that you did them the first time you tried them either. Even things like learning to walk, riding a bike, driving a car, writing a winning sales letter, getting a job. What we learn from failure: Experience Knowledge Resilience Growth Ways you can manage failure: Clarity of vision/purpose Language and the people you surround yourself with Accept failure as necessary, and stop trying to avoid it Write an action plan to keep you focused on moving towards your vision. Remember, this failure could be one step away from success and happiness. Get clear on what will make you happy, so you can recognise it once you are there, and then celebrate!

Willpower is one of those words that most of us scringe at the thought of, but somehow think we need more of. What is willpower? Psychologists define it as the ability to delay gratification, resisting short-term temptations in order to meet long-term goals The capacity to override an unwanted thought, feeling, or impulse The ability to employ a "cool" cognitive system of behavior rather than a "hot" emotional system. There is evidence that while willpower is a finite resource (which means that we don't have it available to us 100% of the time), it is like a muscle that can be trained and built upon. Here are 5 ways to build your willpower: Understand yourself - what triggers you, what you want in life and why. What time of day do you have the most willpower, etc. Have a goal - if you are going to forgo something in the short-term in lieu of something in the future, then it needs to be for a good reason! Otherwise it will be too easy to fall "off the wagon". Remove temptation - unsubscribe from emails that tempt you to buy things. Set up your savings and investing on auto-pilot. Buy groceries online, so you minimise the "add-on" purchase temptation. Do the things you need willpower for earlier in the day, when you're more refreshed. Exercise your willpower - make a commitment to yourself and then go one step further. Get used to going that extra step, and you will flex your willpower muscles. Save 11% instead of 10%, for example. Plan for fun - schedule and budget fun in! Attach it to an achievement, so you are rewarding yourself for seeing through a commitment or achieving a goal you set yourself. Sometimes we just need to do the things that we don't think we WANT or NEED to do. This is where willpower can help you to get it done!

When we are children we love to dream. Dreaming of games, far away places, new worlds, you name it. There are no boundaries to imagination when you're a child and haven't heard "you can't do that" enough times. My daughter has some pretty big dreams, and it has made me realise that I have put some of mine on a shelf in the back of my mind, and they have gathered a lot of "dust". Many I have actually done, but the bigger ones are either a work in progres, or I haven't even tried. The prospect of failing at our dreams, holds us back, and then we listen to the naysayers too much, who generally talk us out of even pursuing the dream before we even start! There's no way to achieve your dream then! In this episode I suggest some ways to reignite that "dream fire" inside you.