The disturbing trend we need to shut down...

disgusting and degrading this is. But just to give you a bit of a background, this trend is actually suggesting that women should rely on a partner for financial stability, even going as far as giving tips, instructions and traps and even tests as to how to achieve it. That is,

how to find the perfect financial provider. Now, as someone who has dedicated my entire working life to help and that is everyday people achieve financial independence security, I find this trend deeply troubling and deeply troubling for so many different reasons that I feel that we have to break this down and discuss this further. So whilst I just catch my breath, let my heart rate calm down, and hopefully let my blood pressure reduce. Let's take a quick

ten second break with some music before we begin. All right, deep breaths, canna. Okay, apologies for my passion here, but I just am beside myself that this is actually something that's being entertained. So first and foremost, let's talk about the pride and the satisfaction that comes from working on your own financial goals, your own financial goals that are

focused around building your own financial freedom and independence. There is an incredible sense of accomplishment that comes from earning your own money, managing your own finances, taking control and deciding where you would like to invest and what financial goals are important to you, and when you like to achieve those financial goals. And then of course, proudly, and I say proudly because this is so important. It is not until you start doing it you actually feel how

valuable that sense of priety is. Watching your wealth grow as a result of all of your hard work and your smart, intelligent decisions with the money that you have earned. And even along the way, I will admit some sacrifices, but well worth sacrifices along the way. Let me tell you this, doing the hard work is what builds character, strength, and resilience, and those things last a lifetime, and those things will also help you face other challenges in other

areas of your life. Trust me on that I have been there and experienced this multiple times. So if you go and just try and bank a financial provider, you're going to miss out on building your character, building your own strength, and building your own resilience. That to me, I would rather have an empty bank account but have character, strength and resilience. Now, when you rely on someone for your own financial wellbeing, you miss out on those fundamental

aspects for personal growth. Financial independence is not just about money. I know that sounds crazy coming from a financial planner. That's all about investing and building up passively incommon, having financial freedom and the right amount of emergency money. But financial wellbeing and financial independence is about dignity. It's about self respect, and it's about empowerment. Why in the hell

would you ever want to compromise on this. Imagine their freedom to make your own choices without having to seek approval from a financial provider, whether it be pursuing further education, changing careers, starting a business or a hobby, or maybe even something fabulous like traveling the world. When you have your own financial independence and freedom, These are your decisions and you get to make them on your own terms.

When you're aligned on a financial provider, you have no control, you have a very restricted say, and you have absolutely no sense of financial independence because essentially you are relying on someone else for your financial survival. You're restricting yourself in so many ways, so many ways that you probably won't realize how bad those ways are until you are knee deep and pretty much lost so much about yourself

along the way. You become completely dependent on their goodwill, their moods, and you lose the autonomy to be able to shape your own future. This is not about money. This is about your freedom and your right to live a life, your life on your own terms. Another critical aspect to consider is the financial risk involved in relying on a partner for financial stability, that is, your financial provider. Relationships can change. Life is unpredictable, can change in the

blink of an eye. What happens if that relationship ends? What happens if your partner faces financial difficulties and makes some bad financial decisions and loses at all You're now both stuck with no money. Or if something happens to them, maybe from a health point of view, and they are no longer able to work or to earn the type of income that they previously were. That skill maybe has

been superseded. Their earning capability is now void, and you are now completely reliant on someone who is unreliable themselves and can't even necessarily provide for you, let alone themselves. By relying on someone else, you're putting yourself into such a financially and emotionally vulnerable position. Not only do you lose the control and security that comes with managing your own finances, you miss out on the education, the advice,

the wisdom that is gained from doing it yourself. Building your own financial foundation is the only way to protect yourself and to PreTect your future and the excitement, empowerment and drive that is, in my opinion, incredibly attractive, regardless of whatever sex you choose to identify with. Now, whilst I'm on my soapbox, I also want to talk about dignity and self worth. As women, we should never feel that our value is tied to our ability to attract

a financial provider. Our worth is inherent and not dependent on our financial situation or our relationship status. For the last decade, women and even men have fought so hard to help create equality, fight salary gaps, superannuation gaps. And whilst our progress, I will admit, is small, the best is yet to come. We are certainly making progress, and that progress is only going to get bigger and happen faster.

So do we really want to show such disrespect and disregard for all those people who have been trying to help build a fairer world for our daughters, our granddaughters, and our great granddaughters by selling yourself and your freedom short by being reliant and looking for a financial provider. Now, on that note of daughters and granddaughters, would you actually want them to settle themselves in their lives for a

partner just because they have money. Would you really look them in the eye and be happy that they found someone who's got money? Or would you want them to find a partner that will love them unconditionally, support and encourage each other both ways, and make each other feel safe, protected and respected at all times, regardless of money. If your answer is yes, which I seriously hope is, then why the hell would you settle for anything less your self?

If my daughters, Tiger and Apple and Rocco. Happen to choose a partner that has money, great, that is a bonus, but that doesn't mean or matter at all. What matters is what's inside. Are they going to be a great team.

Are they going to love each other? Are they going to make each other smile, make each other feel safe, support and encourage each other to chase their goals and dreams Regardless of the financial interest there that is what's important, and that's what creates happiness, stability, and fulfillment in life.

Not a financial provider as a financially independent woman, but also a financially independent woman who has seen it all and also gone through a lot myself personally, I truly believe that empowerment comes from knowing that you can stand on your own two feet, financially and otherwise. It comes from the confidence that you know you can face whatever challenges life throws you at you because you have the skills, the knowledge, the life experience, and the financial security to

do so. So what can we actually do to combat this troubling trend? Well, first of all, we need to spread awareness, awareness of the importance of financial independence and how absolutely ridiculous and disgusting. This current social media trend is and I really hope it's a trend that is short lived. Then it is essential that we start continue and increase the number of success stories of other women who have achieved financial successes on their own terms. Then

we need to obviously provide education. Education is key, and education is what breaks poverty and creates opportunities. And make sure that we provide resources to help women take control of their own finances. And this includes everything from budgeting, saving to investing, investing in shares, property wherever you're that person's heart desires, and of course planning for retirement and

understanding the importance of where superannuation fits in here. Knowledge is power and financial literacy is the key to empowerment. And of course we have got to change the narratives it suggests that women need a financial provider to be successful or to be happy. We need to be celebrating and supporting each other in our own financial journeys, whether they be small accomplishments or massive accomplishments, it doesn't matter.

Everything is a win, and everything is one step better and one step closer to having true, authentic financial freedom and independence. Recognizing that true successes come from within and are never dependent on someone else or someone else's money. Now, as we wrap up today's episode, I want to leave

you with this thought. Financial independence is a journey, not a destination, and part of that journey may be fast and efficient with no traffic along the way, but there will be times where you hit detours, may have to pay some tolls along the way, But then you may hit the open roads and can accelerate ahead. And again you may need to pull over and get petrol, you may need to get your car serviced. That's all okay. As long as you are on the path, heading in

the right direction, that's what's most important. So it really boils down to making smart, informed decisions based on factually correct information, and making decisions and doing something every single day so that you can move closer and closer to

your financial goals. It's about building a life that reflects your values, your dreams, and your potential while shining brightly to inspire others along the way to have a go at following your path, even if it means at times feeling alone or vulnerable, because more often than not, it is those darkest parts of the journey that is where the richest growth is to be found, both personally and financially.

Trust me on that. All right, Okay, now that I've got this off my chest, I feel so much better. So thank you everyone for listening, and of course thank you for joining me. Now, as we wrap up today's episode, I want to remind you that your financial journey is your own journey, and you have the power to shape it every single day. So stay strong, stay informed, and stay independent, and keep that financial fire burning bright within you. This is sugar Mamma's fire.