Dollars & Distractions

Is the Bank of Mum and Dad the Only Option? Multi Generational Living Explained Is buying a home becoming a family affair? In this episode of Dollars & Distractions, Maryanne and Bec chat about one of the biggest trends they're seeing in today's property market... families buying together. From parents helping first home buyers, to grandparents moving in, dual living homes, guarantor loans and...

With interest rates, media headlines, social media opinions, and endless market predictions flying around, it can be hard to know whether now is the right time to buy a property or whether you should sit tight and wait. In this episode, Maryanne and Bec unpack one of the most common questions they hear from clients: "Should I buy now, or should I wait?" Drawing from their own recent property buyin...

Have you ever wondered how mortgage brokers get paid? Or what happens when you're sitting on a valuable property but don't have enough cash flow to enjoy life? In this episode of Dollars and Distractions, Maryanne and Bec start with a funny story involving a curious 12-year-old and end up diving into one of the most misunderstood topics in lending: equity unlocks. They discuss: ✅ How mortgage bro...

In this episode of Dollars and Distractions, Maryanne and Bec dive into the financial wins that rarely make it onto social media, but can make a massive difference to your long-term wealth. While the internet is full of flashy cars, expensive toys, and luxury lifestyles, the real money flexes are often the boring habits happening behind the scenes. Things like driving a reliable car for years, usi...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Dollars and Distractions, Maryanne and Bec dive into an old-school banking strategy that many people have forgotten about, using credit cards and home loan structures to reduce interest and potentially pay off a mortgage faster. They unpack the difference between the old line of credit setups banks used to offer and the modern alternative using offset accounts a...

In today’s episode of Dollars and Distractions, we’re diving into something a little different… but something we’re seeing a LOT right now 👀 👉 People entering the mortgage broking industry We unpack what it’s really like behind the scenes, the common misconceptions, and what both clients and aspiring brokers need to understand before jumping in. 💡 What We Cover: 1. The low barrier to entry (and...

In this episode, Maryanne and Bec dive into a very real and relatable topic, ADHD and money habits, and how impulse spending can creep in when structure isn’t in place. From self-diagnosed ADHD tendencies to the impact of modern life (hello, constant notifications and scrolling 👀), this conversation explores how our environment may be shaping shorter attention spans and influencing the way we spe...

Money conversations in relationships… let’s be honest, they don’t always happen and when they do, they’re not always easy. In this episode, we dive into the real, unfiltered side of couples and money. The habits we bring into relationships, the things we don’t talk about, and why avoiding these conversations can create bigger problems down the track. We also share some personal stories (including...

📝 Episode SummaryBuying a property isn’t just a financial decision, it’s an emotional one too. In this episode, Maryanne and Bec dive into the real, often unspoken side of purchasing a home, from anxiety after signing a contract to the pressure of fast-moving markets. They share personal experiences, client stories, and practical insights to help you navigate the emotional rollercoaster of buying...

In this episode of Dollars and Destructions, Maryanne and Bec break down what lenders are actually looking at when assessing your borrowing power and spoiler alert… it’s not just your income. If you’ve ever wondered why someone earning less than you can borrow more, this episode will give you the clarity you’ve been missing. 💡 What You’ll Learn Income matters… but stability matters more Banks are...

Episode Summary In this episode of Dolls and Distractions, Maryanne and Bec dive into a topic that hits every household, money leaks. Those sneaky expenses that quietly drain your bank account without you even realising. From subscriptions you forgot about, to everyday spending habits, to how our upbringing shapes our perception of money, this episode is equal parts relatable, honest, and practica...

Episode Summary In this episode of Dollars and Destructions, we’re diving into a topic that can make or break your home buying journey… pre-approvals. We’ve been seeing a growing trend lately, buyers signing contracts before their finance is properly sorted, and honestly… it’s creating a lot of unnecessary stress (for you and for us 😅). So today, we’re breaking down: What a pre-approval actually...

🎙️ Episode TitleInterest Rates, Fear & Making the Right Money Decisions 📝 Episode Summary In this episode of Dollars and Distractions, Maryanne and Bec dive into one of the most common conversations happening right now, navigating interest rate uncertainty and making financial decisions in a changing market. With rising costs, media noise, and mixed opinions on whether to buy, wait, or fix yo...

Deposit Options Explained: Cash, Equity and Guarantor Support for Home Buyers Dollars and Distractions with Maryanne Elliott and Bec Watson When most people think about a home deposit, they think of one thing: cash in the bank. But in reality, there can be more than one way to come up with a deposit when buying property. In this episode of Dollars and Distractions, Maryanne Elliott and Bec Watson...

Dollars and Distractions Podcast | Featuring Maryanne Elliott and Bec Watson Understanding how much you can borrow for a home loan is one of the biggest questions for first home buyers. Many people turn to online borrowing calculators, but these tools often miss key factors lenders use when assessing a mortgage application. In this episode of Dollars and Distractions, mortgage broker Maryanne Elli...

Have you ever looked around and felt like everyone else has their finances sorted out while you're falling behind? In this episode of Dollars & Distractions, mortgage brokers Maryanne Elliott and Bec Watson, talk about the very real feeling of financial comparison and why so many people feel like they’ve missed the boat when it comes to money, property and wealth building. With social media hi...

Do you ever feel like everyone else understands money better than you? In the first episode of Dollars & Distractions, mortgage brokers Maryanne Elliott and her co-host Rebecca Watson unpack one of the biggest myths about personal finance: Most people don’t have a money problem, they have a clarity problem. Money can feel confusing, overwhelming, and sometimes even embarrassing to talk about....