SugarMamma’s Fireplay

In today’s episode of SugarMamma’s Fireplay , I sit down with Lindsey — a wife, mother, and inspiring example of what’s possible when you combine courage, discipline, and vision. Back in 2008, Lindsey and her husband were both earning $55,000 a year. They dreamed of building a life together but didn’t want to be tied to a huge mortgage forever. So they took a leap of...

If you’ve ever looked at your super and thought, “Am I in the right investment option?” — this episode is for you. One listener recently asked me: “Hi Canna, I’ve just realised I’m in the Balanced option with my super, but I don’t think this is right for me or my age group. Should I switch to Growth or High Growth?” It’s such a common que...

What happens when your body can no longer do the work you’ve built your career around? It’s a confronting thought, but one we all need to face. Whether it’s illness, injury, burnout, or simply age — the day may come when your body says “enough.” In this episode of SugarMamma’s Fireplay , I explore the financial and emotional reality of what happens when yo...

One of the biggest fears for new investors is simple: what happens when the market crashes? In this Start Here episode of SugarMamma’s Fireplay , I answer Katrina’s question: “As we will one day have another GFC-style slump, how long will it take my high-growth ETF portfolio to recover?” Together, we explore what 150 years of market history teaches us about crashes, recover...

Hope Housing is not a government scheme — it’s a private initiative using shared equity to reduce entry barriers. It allows eligible buyers to get into the market sooner. Eligibility goes beyond first-time buyers The program shares in the future growth of the property, so it’s important to weigh up both benefits and trade-offs. Preparation is key: budgeting, savings buffers,...

In this deeply moving episode of Start Here , I answer a heartfelt question from Vicki. A woman in her mid-50s who found herself carrying unexpected debt after a marriage breakdown. Despite earning a good income and having a solid super balance, she feels overwhelmed, stuck, and exhausted, battling 17.5% interest debt with no clear way forward. This isn’t just about numbers, it’s about...

How to stretch your Christmas budget, shop mindfully, and turn every saving into financial progress! With Christmas just around the corner and the cost of living still rising, most of us are looking for practical ways to stretch our money further, without sacrificing the joy of the festive season. In this special episode, proudly supported by Amazon Australia , Canna shares how to make the most of...

Many Australians believe there’s no inheritance tax in Australia. Technically, they’re right, death duties were abolished in 1979. But there’s a catch: taxes on superannuation death benefits and capital gains can still quietly erode what you leave behind, or what you receive from a non-financial dependent loved one. In this episode of SugarMamma’s Fireplay , I break down:...

What do you do when the dream of home ownership feels impossible in a big city? In this Start Here episode of SugarMamma’s Fireplay , I respond to a young family of four, with a third baby on the way, who wrote in with this heartfelt question: “We are desperate to buy a home but can’t seem to save while living in Sydney. Should we move to a regional area where housing is cheaper,...

In this episode of Out of Thin Air , I sit down with Australian artist Anna Price , who turned her love of painting into a flourishing full-time business. Anna’s story proves that success doesn’t always start with money, it can start with an accident, curiosity, passion, resourcefulness, and the courage to take the first step. To connect with Anna:  www.annapriceart.com anna@annap...

Are you in your 30s or 40s and wondering what to do first with your money? Is the best thing to smash the mortgage, clear HECS, invest in shares, or boost your super? You’re not alone. Lots of people ask me the same question! In this Start Here episode of SugarMamma’s Fireplay , I respond to a couple who asked: “We’re 40 and 42. We owe $148,000 on our mortgage, have $20,000...

Almost half of Australians say their income isn’t enough to cover the basics. Furthermore, nearly 2 in 5 are planning to take on extra work in the next 6 months. With rising costs, stagnant wages, and families feeling the pinch, more Australians are turning to side hustles to create breathing room in their budgets. In this episode of SugarMamma’s Fireplay , I break down the latest YouG...

Imagine turning 18 and gaining access to $25,000 that’s been sitting in trust since childhood. What would you do with it? keep it safe in cash, invest it for the long term, or a mix of both? In this Start Here episode of SugarMamma’s Fireplay , I respond to a thoughtful mum whose daughter is about to receive compensation money from a childhood accident. The money has grown only modestl...

In this deeply personal and transformative episode, I share with you my experience in confronting my fears and doing the work I needed to do, to help myself. I am talking about the Phoenix Program, created by Jamie Ryder, who is a coach, trauma educator and just a lovely caring person. After completing the program myself, I felt called to share this conversation with you because it helped me conne...

In this Start Here episode, I tackle a thoughtful and highly relevant question: “Should I reinvest my dividends OR use them to pay down my mortgage?” As a Financial Planner and dividend-focused investor, I help unpack this decision from both a practical and mindset perspective. Explaining how each option can serve different goals and life stages, and how to think clearly about risk, re...

Investing time upfront to understand each other's goals, dreams but also values and boundaries, is always a wise bet and will only add to your financial efficiency in building sustainable wealth. When you can understand and respect yours and your partner's position, making big financial decisions will be so much more enjoyable and harmonious.  These questions and insights provided by Adam McC...

Have you ever wondered how compounding actually works? And why it’s so important for building wealth and financial independence? Don't worry, you aren't alone! In this Start Here episode of SugarMamma’s Fireplay , I answer a listener’s question about understanding compounding before she invests her $5,000 savings and begins adding $400 per month. I break compounding down into sim...

Start Here: Why You Might Owe the ATO This Year & How to Avoid It in the Future If you were expecting a juicy tax refund this year but instead got hit with a bill from the ATO you’re not alone. Thousands of Aussies, particularly younger generations like Gen Z, are finding themselves owing money at tax time. And for some, it’s not just a few hundred dollars, but thousands. In this e...

Start Here: How Should I Invest $10,000 for Each of My Kids? Have your children received an inheritance or cash gift and you want to make sure it sets them up for the future? In this Start Here episode, I answer a powerful question from a listener whose three boys each received $10,000 from their grandfather. She wants to invest the money wisely and honour his legacy. If you're in a similar positi...

If you are retired or approaching retirement, this episode is essential listening for you. By understanding the power and security of this very simple savings strategy, AKA "My Sleep Well" strategy, you can help give your retirement goals a greater level of support, longevity and quite possibly even capitalise on long term opportunity. If you find this episode helpful, you want to hear more, or if...

Have you found yourself relying on Afterpay, Zip, Klarna or any Buy Now, Pay Later service just to get through the week? You’re not alone. And there’s zero shame here. But if BNPL has quietly built up into overwhelming debt, it’s time to take back control. In this Start Here episode, I walk you through five powerful, practical steps to break the BNPL cycle and build a stronger, m...

Welcome back to  SugarMamma’s Fireplay , the podcast where we explore all things financial independence, early retirement, and long-term financial freedom, with honesty, empathy, and a touch of elegance. Today, I’m so excited to be joined by Michelle, a self-employed mum of two, who, along with her husband, has been building a life of freedom, purpose and balance through the FIRE...

Start Here: How to Get on Top of Your Finances When You've Been Avoiding It for Years 💬 Podcast Description: If you've spent years avoiding your finances—feeling overwhelmed, stuck, and unsure where to even begin—this episode is for you. In response to a heartfelt DM from a listener who's spent the last 20 years dodging financial stress and is finally ready to make a change, we’...

In this empowering episode of  SugarMamma’s Fireplay , we meet Jessie a remarkable young woman who defied the odds and bought her first home in regional NSW without any financial help from family. Growing up in housing commission, Jessie knew she wanted to create a different life for herself and together with her partner, she saved $73,000 to make it happen. We talk about the emotional...

Start Here: I Lost My Super… What Do I Do Now? 💬 Podcast Description: What happens when the unthinkable happens—your superannuation disappears? This episode is a response to a brave listener who recently discovered that her $130,000 superannuation balance had been reduced to just $13,000 overnight after the fund went into liquidation. We unpack the emotional, legal, and financial cha...