Adding Up: Recent Episodes

Serena Dot Ryan

Serena Dorothy 'Dot' Ryan is an award winning Entrepreneur, Marathon Runner and Digital Marketing Strategist.

After spending most of her adult life in debt, it wasn’t until Serena started working with Accountants and Cloud Accounting Service Providers that she saw how important it was for her to take control of her finances.

October 2018 she decided to re-write her future, get financial education and become debt free.

Consistent small changes are adding up.

Listen as Serena shares her personal finance journey.

Ep.100 Adding Up - The Power Of Documenting

Welcome to one hundred episodes! I’ve just re-listened to episode one of the Adding Up Podcast. My voice was shaking and I stated that if I could help just one person in the process of recording this podcast it would be a success.

4 years and thousands of downloads later, I am humbled. The power of documenting is something that I completely underestimated.

I started the podcast buoyed by a shred of hope, I had made enough changes to my spending habits to pay off $5,000 off of one credit card. I still had more on that balance plus another 2 cards maxed out, but I could see quite literally little changes could add up.

I have stumbled more than once in 4 years. I have had 2 significant breaks in recording episodes. The first when I was on the verge of burnout during the 2nd lockdown of my local area trying to keep up with running my business and homeschooling my children. Something had to give and thankfully I noticed at the time that I wasn’t prepared to give up my health.

The 2nd time I became bedridden for 2 weeks. I simply didn’t see the warning signs the 2nd time. This time I had no choice but to not record the podcast.

Listening to the first episode of the podcast again today, reminded me of just how far I have come.

Taking stock of my achievements since starting this podcast in May 2019, I have:

As of May 2019 Serena I had reduced my debt by $6,000 without increasing my personal budget. By December 2019, I reduced my debt by $11,200 and had $3,046 left on my 3rd and final credit card. My target was to have no more credit cards by June 2020.

As of April 2020 I achieved this goal and had reduced my debt by $17,507.54.

As of March 2023, I have reduced my debt by $47,097.54.

It’s important to note that as of March 2022 I adjust the budget to save for a family holiday as the need to pay down extra debt hasn’t been as important. Interest rates have also been increasing so this has impacted the ability to pay extra as I see the importance of paying debts.

Learn more about the Adding Up Podcast and discover more episodes to listen to https://addingup.com.au

Also included are my tips and experience on:

Saving Money Tips
Interest on savings
7-Eleven Coffee
Having difficult conversations
Money mindset

Do you want to be my guest sharing your Money Story? Use this link to share your details and we'll be in contact.

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/serena-dot-ryan/message

Ep.099 Adding Up - What Happens When Interest Rates Go Up, Again

Deep breath and here we go, again. Another month, another interest rate rise. I’m feeling like it’s groundhog day. It’s getting harder to stay positive and even harder to save money, or, is it? There’s no point crying about it (well at least not all the time). This episode is one where I share the hard feelings, the pity party and then how I’m moving on and getting focused on the future.

Learn more about the Adding Up Podcast and discover more episodes to listen to https://addingup.com.au

My Budget Highlights:

My Best Saving - Pausing

My Best Learning - Continuing to learn

Money Bravery - Get clear and open to creative solutions

Also included are my tips and experience on:

Saving Money Tips
Paying in instalments
Interest on savings
Negotiating better rates on a mortgage
Shop around on insurance premiums
Service NSW Premium and Savings Vouchers and Rebates
Shopping Online Vs In Store
The Convenience Tax
Reusable Coffee Cups
7-Eleven Coffee
Checking your details are up to date with your insurances
Having difficult conversations
Get rid of unnecessary costs
Money mindset

Do you want to be my guest sharing your Money Story? Use this link to share your details and we'll be in contact.

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/serena-dot-ryan/message

Ep.098 Adding Up - Learning New Ways To Save Money

Another month, another interest rate rise. It’s getting harder to stay positive and even harder to save money, or, is it? In this episode it’s about looking for creative and different ways to save money despite the current economic challenges.

Learn more about the Adding Up Podcast and discover more episodes to listen to https://addingup.com.au

My Budget Highlights:

My Best Saving - Raiding The Freezer

My Best Learning - I Can Always Learn

Money Bravery - If You Don’t Speak Up You Don’t Have Opportunity Of A Yes

Also included are my tips and experience on:

Saving Money Tips
Paying in instalments
Interest on savings
Negotiating better rates on a mortgage
Shop around on insurance premiums
Service NSW Premium and Savings Vouchers and Rebates
Shopping Online Vs In Store
The Convenience Tax
Reusable Coffee Cups
7-Eleven Coffee
Checking your details are up to date with your insurances
Having difficult conversations
Get rid of unnecessary costs
Money mindset

Do you want to be my guest sharing your Money Story? Use this link to share your details and we'll be in contact.

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/serena-dot-ryan/message

Ep.097 Adding Up - How Is Your Money Understanding Setting You Up

Is your money understanding setting you up for success? Or failure? The funny thing is if we’re not paying attention to the money we have and what we are using it for we can find ourselves struggling. Going on a journey to get better with my finances I’ve discovered that more people are challenged with money understanding and money confidence than I realised. Staying in control with finances is my focus in 2023. For me to break the myth that it doesn’t happen to everyone, more stories from many different backgrounds need to be brought to light. In this episode I also detail what and where I’m seeking more support and advice to continue to be and do better with my budget and finances.

Learn more about the Adding Up Podcast and discover more episodes to listen to https://addingup.com.au

My Budget Highlights:

My Best Saving - Don’t Buy What You Don’t Need

My Best Learning - Centre For Women’s Economic Safety

Money Bravery - Always Ask For Alternatives

Also included are my tips and experience on:

The value of documenting
Kids don’t listen, they watch
What is the purpose of money
Having difficult conversations
Get rid of unnecessary costs
The cashless envelope system
Money mindset

Do you want to be my guest sharing your Money Story? Use the link this link to share your details and we'll be in contact.

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/serena-dot-ryan/message

Ep.096 Adding Up - Don't Think It Won't Happen To You

You don’t know what you don’t know. Going on a journey to get better with my finances I’ve discovered that more people are challenged with money understanding and money confidence than I realised. Staying in control with finances is my focus in 2023. For me to break the myth that it doesn’t happen to everyone, more stories from many different backgrounds need to be brought to light. In this episode I also detail what and where I’m seeking more support and advice to continue to be and do better with my budget and finances.

Learn more about the Adding Up Podcast and discover more episodes to listen to https://addingup.com.au

My Budget Highlights:

My Best Saving - Service NSW Back To School Vouchers

My Best Learning - Research, there can be more for free than you realise

Money Bravery - Use the payment plans

Also included are my tips and experience on:

The value of documenting
Kids don’t listen, they watch
What is the purpose of money
Having difficult conversations
Get rid of unnecessary costs
The cashless envelope system
Money mindset

Do you want to be my guest sharing your Money Story? Use the link this link to share your details and we'll be in contact.

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/serena-dot-ryan/message

Ep.095 Adding Up - Staying In Control With Finances

Staying in control with finances is my focus in 2023. For this to happen I’m taking the time to review all the things I can control and even plan for the things I can’t control. In this episode I also detail what and where I’m seeking more support and advice to continue to be and do better with my budget and finances.

Learn more about the Adding Up Podcast and discover more episodes to listen to https://addingup.com.au

My Budget Highlights:

My Best Saving - Walking the dog

My Best Learning - Routine with choice

Money Bravery - If you don’t have all the facts you can’t make an informed decision

Also included are my tips and experience on:

Saving money on food
Eating leftovers
How to avoid the fridge to bin problem
Favourite leftover meals
Switching off lights
Service NSW vouchers
Combatting the costs of going back to school

Do you want to be my guest sharing your Money Story? Use the link this link to share your details and we'll be in contact.

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/serena-dot-ryan/message

Ep.094 Adding Up - What Does Financial Security Look Like?

What does financial security look like? I spoke at an event recently about financial literacy. Afterwards a woman approached me to thank me for sharing my story. She then went on to say I only have a credit card for emergencies. I had been there myself at one point. In this episode I share why I have changed that approach and how I did it.

Learn more about the Adding Up Podcast and discover more episodes to listen to https://addingup.com.au

This episode is one of a series pre-recorded so I have a break with my family over the Summer Holidays in Australia. No weekly highlights mentioned in the episode, but in saying this, the fact thatI’m having a break with my family it’s a HUGE highlight for me.

Also included are my tips and experience on:

Issues Grow When We Ignore Them
Kids don’t listen, they watch
What is the purpose of money
Having difficult conversations
Get rid of unnecessary costs
The cashless envelope system

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/serena-dot-ryan/message

Ep.093 Adding Up - New Year Resolution For Saving

Is it possible to save more money with the cost of living rising?

Review your spending of 2022

Adjust your budget

Shop around on essentials

Do your homework

Automate saving

Consistently look for savings

Every saving matters

Learn more about the Adding Up Podcast and discover more episodes to listen to https://addingup.com.au

My Budget Highlights:

My Best Saving -

My Best Learning -

Money Bravery -

Also included are my tips and experience on:

Issues Grow When We Ignore Them
Kids don’t listen, they watch
What is the purpose of money
Having difficult conversations
Get rid of unnecessary costs
The cashless envelope system
Money mindset
The Good Fight by Dr Liane Davey

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/serena-dot-ryan/message

Ep.092 Adding Up - Are You Really Saving Money At The Sales?

Is it possible to save more money with the cost of living rising?

What I’ve learned from sales:

Have a budget

You’re only saving money if you are going to use it

If it doesn’t fit it’s a waste of money

If you don’t have the money don’t turn up

Don’t use your credit card

There will always be another one

Learn more about the Adding Up Podcast and discover more episodes to listen to https://addingup.com.au

My Budget Highlights:

My Best Saving - Avoiding the sales

My Best Learning - Only use the money you have

Money Bravery - Saying no to going shopping with others

Also included are my tips and experience on:

Issues Grow When We Ignore Them
Kids don’t listen, they watch
What is the purpose of money
Having difficult conversations
Get rid of unnecessary costs
The cashless envelope system

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/serena-dot-ryan/message

Ep.091 Adding Up - 10 Holiday Season Tips For Saving Money

My top 10 tips for holiday saving. As my anxiety rises at the thought of having my kids on holidays for the next 6 weeks. Here are ways I help to reduce my anxiety and spending while having the kids around for a lot more than usual.

Plan
Look For Free
Beware of Free
Don’t leave home hungry
Parks, Beaches, Gardens
Rest
Boredom is good
Board Games
Projects
Slow down

Learn more about the Adding Up Podcast and discover more episodes to listen to https://addingup.com.au

My Budget Highlights:

My Best Saving - Kris Kringle

My Best Learning - Extra special cards

Money Bravery - It’s okay to not spend money

Also included are my tips and experience on:

Issues Grow When We Ignore Them
Kids don’t listen, they watch
What is the purpose of money
Having difficult conversations

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/serena-dot-ryan/message

Ep.090 Adding Up - What Would Financial Decisions Look Like If They Were Easy?

It’s officially the holiday season aka ‘silly season.’ I’m having moments of feeling overwhelmed and I have found myself wishing my financial decisions easy. So what does that look like? My attitude is everything.

Learn more about the Adding Up Podcast and discover more episodes to listen to https://addingup.com.au

My Budget Highlights:

My Best Saving - I don’t need to keep all my books

My Best Learning - Be aware of auto renew

Money Bravery - Stand up for yourself

Also included are my tips and experience on:

Issues Grow When We Ignore Them
Kids don’t listen, they watch
What is the purpose of money
Having difficult conversations
Get rid of unnecessary costs
The cashless envelope system
Money mindset

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/serena-dot-ryan/message

Ep.089 Adding Up - Can I Really Change My Bad Money Habits?

This week I got another letter from the bank letting me know the interest rates and payments on our mortgage were going up. It sent me into a tailspin.

The interesting thing about this process has been my learning about my own money relationship.

Learn more about the Adding Up Podcast and discover more episodes to listen to https://addingup.com.au

My Budget Highlights:

My Best Saving - Driving Past The Drive Thru

My Best Learning - Mistakes Happen The Reaction Is More Important

Money Bravery - Share Your Story

Also included are my tips and experience on:

Issues Grow When We Ignore Them
Kids don’t listen, they watch
What is the purpose of money
Having difficult conversations
Get rid of unnecessary costs
The cashless envelope system
Money mindset
Grocery Shopping Without a Shopping List
The Good Fight by Dr Liane Davey
Journaling

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/serena-dot-ryan/message

Ep.088 Adding Up - When Money Is Not The Motivator

One of my greatest fears has been becoming a reality. Having ungrateful kids. The worst part of this has been trying to teach them financial literacy and they haven’t been motivated to do chores to earn money. This blows my mind. So in the episode I share the journey to get them motivated to not just earn money but also to help around the house and even take the step to save money.

The interesting thing about this process has been my learning about my own money relationship.

Learn more about the Adding Up Podcast and discover more episodes to listen to https://addingup.com.au

My Budget Highlights:

My Best Saving - Repurposing my bra

My Best Learning - Kids are amazing teachers

Money Bravery - Have the conversations

Also included are my tips and experience on:

Issues Grow When We Ignore Them
Kids don’t listen, they watch
What is the purpose of money
Having difficult conversations
Get rid of unnecessary costs
Value exchange
Money mindset

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/serena-dot-ryan/message

Ep.087 Adding Up - Money Gets Messy When We Are On Mute

As a reformed spender and someone who has struggled with being a people pleaser and avoiding tough money conversations this episode focuses on how I’ve discovered the power of the mute button. When you are aware of it you can be better with your awareness and this leads to productive money conversations.

Keeping myself in check is a daily task. The biggest lesson I’ve learned to date is that being better with money and having better budgets is a constant series of positive actions. In this episode I share the steps I’m taking to focus on the positive in every situation, even the money mistakes. Who says a budget can and has to be an excel spreadsheet to be successful?

Learn more about the Adding Up Podcast and discover more episodes to listen to https://addingup.com.au

My Budget Highlights:

My Best Saving - Op Shopping Right On Cue

My Best Learning - Be An Active Listener

Money Bravery - Back Yourself

Also included are my tips and experience on:

Prepare Enrich Can Be Done At Any Time In Life
Issues Grow When We Ignore Them
Me Money
What is the purpose of money
Having difficult conversations
Get rid of unnecessary costs
The cashless envelope system
Money mindset

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/serena-dot-ryan/message

Being A Force For Good Budgeting

As a reformed spender and someone who has struggled to naturally enforce sticking to a budget, how do you do better?

In this episode of Adding Up the podcast I explore ; 'Being A Force For Good Budgeting.’

Keeping myself in check is a daily task. The biggest lesson I’ve learned to date is that being better with money and having better budgets is a constant series of positive actions. In this episode I share the steps I’m taking to focus on the positive in every situation, even the money mistakes. Who says a budget can and has to be an excel spreadsheet to be successful?

Learn more about the Adding Up Podcast and discover more episodes to listen to https://addingup.com.au

My Budget Highlights:

My Best Saving - Best & Less Clearance Rack

My Best Learning - Tokens Can Be A Teacher

Money Bravery - Talking About My Money Challenges

Also included are my tips and experience on:

What is the purpose of money
Having difficult conversations
Get rid of unnecessary costs
The cashless envelope system
Money mindset
Ep.020 Adding Up - What I learned Buying Property At 20 years old

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/serena-dot-ryan/message

Ep.085 Adding Up - Flicking The Switch The Power of Focus

Where you look is where you go. So how does this translate when you’re struggling with your relationship with money and the cost of living rising simply out of your control.

In this episode of Adding Up the podcast I explore ; 'Flicking the switch, the power of focus.’

I’ve felt my bad money habits creeping back in as rising interest rates are biting and cost of living is pushing upwards. I’m struggling to keep myself in check.

This episode is an important one as I share how I’m combating the challenge of focusing on maintaining the essentials. I share the thought process and how I’m holding myself accountable.

Learn more about the Adding Up Podcast and discover more episodes to listen to https://addingup.com.au

My Budget Highlights:

My Best Saving - Not spending money

My Best Learning - Being Open To Learning

Money Bravery - Pulling The Plug On What You Think You’re Not Using

Also included are my tips and experience on:

What is the purpose of money
Having difficult conversations
Get rid of unnecessary costs
The power of accountability and action
Money mindset

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/serena-dot-ryan/message

Ep.084 Adding Up - Sucking It Up And Having Hard Money Conversations

Following on from Episode 83 and talking about ‘Why is changing money habits so hard?’ In this episode of Adding Up the podcast I explore ; 'Sucking It Up And Having Hard Money Conversations.’

Our kids are seemingly oblivious that things cost money. I hate that. This has been so frustrating. We’ve tried pocket money and the jar system of donating money to charity, saving and spending money, but quite simply it’s not working.

In this episode I share how I’m combating this challenge with a new way of looking at kids' financial literacy. I share the thought process and challenges I’m currently going through as a result. Where is the easy answer?

Learn more about the Adding Up Podcast and discover more episodes to listen to https://addingup.com.au

My Budget Highlights:

My Best Saving - My wardrobe is a treasure trove of fashion

My Best Learning - You’re only as good as your decisions, the next decision could be better

Money Bravery - Take time to remind yourself and others of your worth

Also included are my tips and experience on:

What is the purpose of money
Having difficult conversations
Get rid of unnecessary costs
The power of accountability and action
Different views of money and value

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/serena-dot-ryan/message

Ep.083 Adding Up - Why Is Changing Habits With Money So Hard

In this episode of Adding Up the podcast I explore ; 'Why Is Changing Habits With Money So Hard. There’s never a shortage of things to spend money on. Cost of living is steadily increasing, this week the mortgage has increased for the 6th time. I’m faced with the challenge to either increase my income or be more creative with what I have. I share the thought process and challenges I’m currently going through as a result. Where is the easy answer? Why is changing money habits so hard?

Learn more about the Adding Up Podcast and discover more episodes to listen to https://addingup.com.au

My Budget Highlights:

My Best Saving - My wardrobe is a treasure trove of fashion

My Best Learning - You’re only as good as your decisions, the next decision could be better

Money Bravery - Take time to remind yourself and others of your worth

Also included are my tips and experience on:

Look for money
What is the purpose of money
Having difficult conversations
Get rid of unnecessary costs
The power of accountability and action
Different views of money and value

Mentioned in this podcast:

Cliff Ravenscraft https://www.cliffravenscraft.com/

Ep.008 Adding Up - Cliff Ravenscraft His Debt Journey

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/serena-dot-ryan/message

Ep.082 Adding Up - Spring Cleaning The Budget And Finding Money

In this episode of Adding Up the podcast I explore ; 'Spring Cleaning The Budget And Finding Money' It’s finally getting warmer and almost like clock work I’m finding reasons to clear out things we no longer need in the house and as the prices of things are going up, I’m finding reasons to double check and evaluate what do we or don’t we need in our budget.

Learn more about the Adding Up Podcast and discover more episodes to listen to https://addingup.com.au

My Budget Highlights:

My Best Saving - The washing machine is fixed!

My Best Learning - Kids don’t listen, they watch

Money Bravery - If you say yes to everything you miss opportunities

Also included are my tips and experience on:

Teaching Kids Financial Literacy
Create Checklists
Look for money
Get rid of unnecessary costs
The power of accountability and action

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/serena-dot-ryan/message

Ep.081 Adding Up - Time or Money. What’s more valuable?

In this episode of Adding Up the podcast I explore ; 'Time or Money. What’s more valuable?' I share my challenges making decisions and the impact of this and how I’ve shifted my approach and gained so much more of what I wanted.

Learn more about the Adding Up Podcast and discover more episodes to listen to https://addingup.com.au

My Budget Highlights:

My Best Saving - Online Shopping

My Best Learning - Resist getting the new machine

Money Bravery - Time with your kids is never wasted

Also included are my tips and experience on:

Teaching Kids Financial Literacy
Create Checklists
Look for money
Get rid of unnecessary costs
Share with others what you want
The Highlight reel vs highlight real

Book mentions in this episode:

Your Money or your life by Vicki Robin

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/serena-dot-ryan/message

Ep.080 Adding Up - What To Do When Unexpected Opportunities Come Your Way

This week I've had an unexpected opportunity come up for work. I wasn't sure whether to make the most of it, especially since it is school holidays. In this episode I share the thought process I have gone through and what the potential is for this to be an opportunity to teach my kids financial literacy.

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/serena-dot-ryan/message

Ep.079 Adding Up - Making Hard Money Decisions

In this episode of Adding Up the podcast I continue to explore ; 'Making Hard Money Decisions.' I share my challenges making decisions and the impact of this and how I’ve shifted my approach and gained so much more of what I wanted.

Learn more about the Adding Up Podcast and discover more episodes to listen to https://addingup.com.au

Plus, following on from Episode 78, I continue to share how I’m planning to cope these school holidays and do my best to have fun too!

My Budget Highlights:

My Best Saving - Google Airfares

My Best Learning - Complete The Warranties or take photos!

Money Bravery - Invest in what you value

Also included are my tips and experience on:

Budgeting for School Holidays (again)
Teaching Kids Financial Literacy
Pack Your Snacks (and save!)
Resist
Create Checklists
Look for money
Get rid of unnecessary costs
Share with others what you want
The Highlight reel vs highlight real

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/serena-dot-ryan/message

Ep.078 Adding Up - Budget Friendly School Holidays. Are they really possible? I’m feeling the pressure as school holidays are coming around again!

In this episode of Adding Up the podcast I continue to explore ; 'Budget Friendly School Holidays. Are they really possible?'

Learn more about the Adding Up Podcast and discover more episodes to listen to https://addingup.com.au

There’s nothing like growing, constantly hungry kids being around for 2 weeks to make the blood pressure and budget rise!

I share how I’m planning to cope these school holidays and do my best to have fun too!

My Budget Highlights:

My Best Saving - Having a holiday outside of school holidays (seriously!)

My Best Learning - More Money Conversations With The Kids Are Needed

Money Bravery - Show Your Failures

Also included are my tips and experience on:

Budgeting for School Holidays (again)
Teaching Kids Financial Literacy
Pack Your Snacks (and save!)

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/serena-dot-ryan/message

How To Avoid The Squeeze Of Inflation. Is a great question and one that is continuing to challenge many in Australia and the world right now as inflation continues to stay high and interest rates have gone up 4 times in 4 months.

In this episode of Adding Up the podcast I continue to explore ; 'How To Avoid The Squeeze Of Inflation?'

Learn more about the Adding Up Podcast and discover more episodes to listen to https://addingup.com.au

Groceries are still uncomfortably $150 per week

Our Mortgage Has Increased 4 Times

We are saving less

How I am coping with the changes

My Budget Highlights:

My Best Saving - Not replacing the dishwasher

My Best Learning - Watching Bluey

Money Bravery - Buying things for others

Also included are my tips and experience on:

Budgeting for School Holidays (again)
The Value Of Supporting Others
Teaching Kids Financial Literacy

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/serena-dot-ryan/message

Beginning Again When It's Easier Not To

This is a tough episode, but I'm glad I've done it. When we stop doing something, time can suddenly slip by and if enough time goes by, we can stop doing it altogether. This was my track record with dieting and budgeting and now podcast episodes.

8 weeks ago I got sick. It was the sickest I had been in at least 3 years and I had to stop doing virtually everything, including this podcast.

I had almost 3 weeks bed rest and now 8 weeks later I finally feel like I have caught up with work and I have had the opportunity to do more, including starting podcast episodes again.

This episode is a little different than the previous few episodes, but I still include:

My best saving, my best learning and my money bravery.

It's important to focus on the positives in any situation no matter what, I'm still incredibly further along in my money journey than I was even 8 weeks ago, let alone 3 years ago when I first started this podcast, and for that I am grateful.

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/serena-dot-ryan/message

What do better budgets look like without earning more? Is a great question and one that is continuing to challenge many in Australia and the world right now as inflation continues to stay high and interest rates have gone up 3 times in 2 months..

In this episode of Adding Up the podcast I continue to explore ; 'What Do Better Budgets Look Like Without Earning More Money?'

Learn more about the Adding Up Podcast and discover more episodes to listen to https://addingup.com.au

Groceries are now uncomfortably $150 per week

My Budget Highlights:

My Best Saving - Staying home

My Best Learning - Blankets and pillow make the best forts

Money Bravery - Stop saying no for other people

Also included are my tips and experience on:

Saving Money On Groceries
The Value Of Time Together
The Opportunity Of Flexible Work
UnPaid Vs Paid Work
Teaching Kids Financial Literacy

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/serena-dot-ryan/message

Ep.074 Adding Up - Not Blowing The Budget In School Holidays

School holidays are upon us. This brings up anxiety for me. Essentially because it's a change in routine and when routines change it's easy to be unprepared and things to blow out in time and money. I’m determined I’m not blowing the budget in school holidays. So how do I make that work?

In this episode of Adding Up the podcast I explore; ‘Not blowing the budget in school holidays’ what this means for me and sharing how I’m planning to stay on budget and still have fun with the kids. This particular holidays are a challenge with many things like the recent increase in cost of living that I cannot plan for or control.

My 3 Highlights This Week

My Best Saving - Finally using up Service NSW Vouchers

My Best Learning - Keeping the pantry stocked can save you

Money Bravery - Checking the calendar first

Plus, also included:

How I am planning
Looking for the free things
Avoiding driving places
Where are the free activities

Learn more about the Adding Up Podcast and discover more episodes to listen to https://addingup.com.au

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/serena-dot-ryan/message

Ep.073 Adding Up - Being Resourceful With Money

Being resourceful with money is easier said than done. Especially when you are determined to not rush to increase your income.

In this episode of Adding Up the podcast I explore; ‘Being Resourceful with money.’ I love being resourceful and making the most of what I have, but what does this look like? I'm sharing how my resourcefulness has enabled me to successfully clear more than $43,000 in debt and maintain my quality of life in the process.

Being With Resourceful With Money Intro 00:08

My 3 Highlights This Week 01:04

My Best Saving - Leftovers are so good 01:11

My Best Learning - Don’t assume you are the only one 02:48

Money Bravery - Maintain the awareness 05:41

The Good Fight By Liane Davey 06:32

Being With Resourceful With Money 07:07

What Is Resourcefulness? 07:29

Where To Start With Money Resourcefulness 08:10

Money is an exchange of value

Debt the first 5,000 years explores the birth of money and why it came into existence

Your Money or Your Life concept of enough

Reduce waste

Leftovers are amazing

Raid the pantry

Value Exchange

Baby Sitting

Holiday with others

Share sports activities

Buy & Sell 2nd Hand

Gumtree

E-Bay

Facebook Market Place

Op Shops for Fashion

Learn more about the Adding Up Podcast and discover more episodes to listen to https://addingup.com.au

Resources:

Your Money or Your Life: https://www.amazon.com.au/Your-Money-Life-Transforming-Relationship/dp/0143115766/ref=asc_df_0143115766/

Debt the first 5,000 years https://www.amazon.com.au/Debt-David-Graeber/dp/1612191290

The Barefoot Investor https://www.amazon.com.au/Barefoot-Investor-Scott-Pape/dp/073039753X

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Your Money or Your Life: 9 Steps to Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Achieving Financial Independence: Fully Revised and Updated for 2018

Debt: The First 5,000 Years

Adding Up - Is The Perfect Budget Possible Now

I’ve always aspired to have the perfect budget. After so many years of financial and budget mistakes I am pondering is the perfect budget possible now?

In this episode of Adding Up the podcast I explore; ‘The Perfect Budget.’ Just exactly what this means to me and how I have always seen the perfect budget to be so elusive.

00:45 Is The Perfect Budget Possible Now?

00:54 My 3 Budget Highlights

01:02 My Best Saving - Being sick has its benefits

02:36 My Best Learning - Practise is preparation

06:21 Money Bravery - Calling the bank

07:09 The Perfect Budget

08:58 The Surprising Learning

09:09 The Power of Reflection

10:49 What No One Ever Tells You About Savings

Learn more about the Adding Up Podcast and discover more episodes to listen to https://addingup.com.au

Adding Up Podcast Episodes Referenced:

Ep.020 What I Learned Buying Property at 20 years old

Ep.030 Surviving the financial disasters of my 30 year old self

Ep.040 Forty fit and failing at finance

Mentioned in this episode:

Stacey Copas https://staceycopas.com

Man's Search For Meaning Viktor E. Frankl https://www.audible.com.au/pd/Mans-Search-for-Meaning-Audiobook/B00FG9FSA2

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Adding Up - Finding Ways To Stay Calm When Interest Rates Go Up

This week the interest rates in Australia went up 0.5%, the biggest hike in interest rates since February 2000.

After several weeks of recalculating the household grocery budget, it’s hard to not feel a little anxious about yet another way our budget is getting squeezed. In this episode, I’m going to share what other measures I’m taking to tighten the family budget that goes beyond groceries and what opportunities I’m finding for free events and activities to keep the fun in our family life and try not to be so focused on money for enjoyment.

01:23 My Budget Highlights

01:29 My Best Saving - Service NSW Vouchers to be used by 30 June 2022

04:00 My Best Learning - Online Shopping doesn't always work

07:17 Money Bravery - Staying home

08:32 Finding Ways To Stay Calm When Interest Rates Go Up

09:10 Financial Literacy learnings

09:43 Breaking the cycle of debt

11:58 Shopping around for savings

12:40 Saving money with solar power

Learn more about the Adding Up Podcast and discover more episodes to listen to https://addingup.com.au

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Ep.070 Adding Up - Making Saving Money On Groceries Possible

The struggle and pain is real. As groceries seem to be increasing in price every single week, I’m noticing I’m not the only one feeling it. I’m using all my creative skills to make every dollar count. It’s not helping that my kids seem to be eating me out of house and home!

In this episode of Adding Up the podcast I explore; ‘Making Saving Money On Groceries Possible’ even when the kids won’t stop eating.

00:40 My Budget Highlights

00:49 My Best Saving - Raiding the pantry

02:05 My Best Learning - There value in the mundane

03:12 Money Bravery - Not signing up for another subscription

04:55 Making Saving Money On Groceries Possible

05:10 Confessions of an over spender

09:59 Finding money in school lunches

13:11 Teaching kids financial literacy

16:45 What to do when you’re not a chef

17:34 The cooking budget killer

Learn more about the Adding Up Podcast and discover more episodes to listen to https://addingup.com.au

A life changing book for entrepreneurs and really anyone who is time poor and wants to save money, is one I used and continue to refer to is 4 Ingredients by Kim McCosker & Rachael Bermingham.

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Ep.069 Adding Up - Making It Harder To Access My Money

Technology is great to increase accessibility to money. But what if you don’t want to access it so easily?

In this episode of Adding Up the podcast I explore; ‘Making It Harder To Access My Money.’ How I have put barriers in place to restrict my access so I can grow my savings.

01:35 My Best Saving - Sending My Husband To Hockey Training

02:34 My Best Learning - It’s Okay To Be Messy

02:59 Money Bravery - Wait For The Invoice

05:09 Living Paycheck to Paycheck

11:05 Going to the shops daily

12:24 I used the envelope system

15:23 So how could I recreate this for my lifestyle now

16:00 Removing cards from my wallet

22:05 Transitioning to using one card

23:50 The Convenience Tax Of Shopping Online

Learn more about the Adding Up Podcast and discover more episodes to listen to https://addingup.com.au

A life changing book for entrepreneurs I have read and continue to refer to is Profit First by Mike Michalowicz.

Also mentioned in this episode; Barefoot Investor by Scott Pape and Dave Ramsey.

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Ep.068 Adding Up - What No One Ever Tells You About Savings

This is tough and it's personal. There are so many things I wish I knew about savings when I started my journey to get out of debt. I didn't realise the impact my ability to save money would have on my ability to have long term success with debt reduction.

My 3 highlights from this week are shared:

03:02 My Best Saving - 7eleven coffee. It’s $1 and still amazing :)

04:25 My Best Learning - The oven was worth the wait

05:24 Money Bravery - Kids didn’t get canteen lunches this week

05:43 Teaching my kids financial literacy.

06:17 The value of time together.

07:28 The challenge of building savings.

09:10 Things I wish I knew when deciding to get out of debt.

09:40 How I kicked my credit card debt.

10:01 How to prepare for emergencies

11:05 The super power that unlocks change

12:56 Why goals matter

13:55 The consequences of not changing

14:15 Saving is expensive

16:34 Being Empowered with cash

17:39 New habits take time

18:42 The unexpected feelings savings bring

20:48 It's okay to be a learner

22:13 Money management for entrepreneurs resources

You have to say no.

It’s expensive. It’s literally at the expense of everything else

It’s easier when you have a goal.

If you don’t have a reason to hold onto it you won’t.

On Tuesday I will be releasing a video on my 4 things I have focused on to achieve savings without earning more.

A life changing book I have read and continue to refer to is Profit First by Mike Michalowicz

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Ep.067 Adding Up - What Do Better Budgets Look Like Without Earning More?

Rising Cost of Living
Inflation now 5.1%
Groceries are now uncomfortably $150 per week

This week’s episode includes:

My Budget Highlights:

My Best Saving - Buying Presents At Post Office

My Best Learning - Kids listen to everything!! Wednesday Night we

Money Bravery - Somethings can wait. New oven was installed this week 3 weeks after the old one broke.

Saving Money On Groceries

The Value Of Time Together

The Opportunity Of Flexible Work

UnPaid Vs Paid Work

Teaching Kids Financial Literacy

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Ep.066 Adding Up - Avoiding Panic Mode With Interest Rates Rising

This episode includes:

Interest rates have risen for the first time in more than 10 years. I’m doing my best to not go into panic mode. I’m revisiting all my habits I set up when I started my journey to become debt free. I’m reminding myself of what works. It’s okay to not be okay, the key thing is to find and reach out to your support network. Groceries are needed but are all of them needed? What is in the cupboard? Can I make it from scratch? The oven is broken, now what?

My 3 highlights from this week are shared:

My Best Saving - Waiting to purchase what I need when it is on sale!

My Best Learning - Saying no can give the opportunity for yes

Money Bravery - Talk about your fears

Repeat behaviours can be hard to break. Things like over spending, using credit cards, avoiding difficult conversations, saying yes all the time. When you are not agreeable you risk offending others. But who pays the consequences of this?

Includes:

The discovery of my most popular episode in the last month ‘How do you cope with the rising cost of groceries.’

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Is It Possible To Lose Everything?

Repeat behaviours can be hard to break. Things like over spending, using credit cards, avoiding difficult conversations, saying yes all the time. When you are not agreeable you risk offending others. But who pays the consequences of this?

My 3 highlights from this week are shared:

My Best Saving - Making My Own Lunch
My Best Learning - Every decision is a new opportunity
Money Bravery - Following up is powerful

This episode includes:

Saying no more, gives space to say yes more
The scarcity mindset and how to break it
What happens when you give into instant gratification
The consequences of living beyond your means
Credit cards are not your own money. What happens when you treat them like they are.
‘The Good Fight’ by Liane Davey

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Ep.064 Having A Holiday When You Don’t Have The Money To Have One

This week I have managed to have a holiday but it has not been without its challenges. School holidays 4 times a year create the opportunity for holidays and quality time with our kids but that doesn't mean it is easy. School holidays can easily blow the budget!

In this episode I share the challenges to have a holiday when we simply don't have the money to have one. I share the different kinds of holidays we have had since I've made the active decision to reduce our debt and live under our means.

My 3 highlights from this week are shared:

My Best Saving - Go To The Beach! It's FREE
My Best Learning - Entertainment doesn’t need to be expensive (see point 1)
Money Bravery - Waiting 48 hours before making a commitment and seeing if I change my mind...

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Ep.063 Is It A Budget Breakthrough Or Bust?

Is it a budget breakthrough or bust? That is a great question that I explore in episode 63 of the Adding Up Podcast. After working hard to pay off credit cards and officially be credit card free since April 2020. I started to save money that was previously going toward credit card payments. I saved over $49,000 in 18 months. This is still really new for me and I started to contemplate using some of this money to do house renovations. What I didn’t expect was the anxiety that would come from spending money that I had worked hard to save.

I include the challenges of the unexpected things out of my control and how I have coped. Things such as; rising cost of living kicking in, record torrential rain, a leaking roof, oven blowing up and front screen door breaking.

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This week's episode is an express version. It's a necessary and important one. Being dedicated to sharing my money journey warts and all is important. This week has been challenging to fit everything in. It would have been easier to not record an episode but that I believe would miss the point of documenting. The most important thing I'd like to you take from this episode, is to reflect on where the journey to become better educated about Money starts. It rarely starts from an easy place, and once you start it is important, especially on the challenging weeks to remind yourself of how far you've come.

If you haven't already, go and listen to Ep.001 Adding Up - What Would You Do If You Knew You Could Change Someone's Life?

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Ep.061 Adding Up - When I Realised Why Liquidity Matters

This week I reflect on the incredible advice I received from my Accountant that has helped me to break the cycle of being dependent on credit cards. Breaking habits that have been formed over 2 decades are not easy to break, the life changing advice helped me to see differently the value of understanding and focusing on liquidity as a personal finance goal.

My Best Saving - Thanks to David from In Macarthur Magazine I discovered coffee roaster, La Casa Del Caffe that roasts great beans AND saves me $$$.
My Best Learning - Find out how much things are! (Before worrying how much they will cost!)
Money Bravery - Having an invoicing error is not the end of the world, talk about it.

This episode includes:

What is liquidity?
What happens when you don't have liquidity.
What it's like having credit cards for 25 years.
How I broke the cycle of having credit cards by paying less on debt.

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Ep.060 Adding Up - What It Looks Like When You’re Having A Budget Reset

This week I was on the ABC’s program 7.30 Report. Quite fittingly to talk about the rising cost of living. Having the cost of groceries increase from $100 on average to now between $140 - $150 is quite gobsmacking and in last week’s episode I talked about how to do you cope with the rising cost of groceries. Over this past week I started looking at our whole budget, not just groceries and noticed how much everything is going up. To stop my blood pressure going up too, I have decided to have a budget reset and in this episode take you through what that looks like. I’m determined to not fall into the trap of working more to finance our budget and debt. So this leads to creativity with what we have.

My Best Saving - Ordering online $9 delivery! Cheaper than driving
My Best Learning - Have boundaries
Money Bravery - Scheduling a date night to talk money

This episode includes:

Budget Meeting with significant other
Listing all expenses including insurance renewals
Removing nice to haves from shopping
Going back to baking - Banana Bread
Pausing any more renovations

Useful episodes to listen to if you're having a budget reset:

Ep. 044 Adding Up - Preparing the Family Finance In A Pandemic 27/03/2020

Ep.042 Adding Up - Financial Certainty In Times Of Uncertainty 13/03/2020

Ep.029 Adding Up - What Empowered Financial Education Look Like 13/12/2019

Ep.021 Adding Up - The 1% Difference That Stopped Debt In Its Tracks 18/10/2019

Ep.018 Adding Up - Coping With Routine Changes 27/09/2019

Ep.016 Adding Up - When Creativity Helps Budgeting 13/09/2019

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I can’t recall the exact date my grocery bill started getting more expensive. But it was this week I suddenly noticed fuel at $2.19 a litre, I started feeling nauseous. My Accountant mentioned lifestyle creep at our last in person meeting. It was as a cautionary tale just after I had completed paying off the credit cards. This episode I share my experiences with changing my habits with grocery shopping, how I've had success and how I'm revisiting the habits to save money again and exploring new habits and opportunities to save money when grocery shopping.

This episode starts with 3 amazing things I have achieved this week:

My Best Saving - A $12 Mirror instead of $49.
My Best Learning - Saying No. This week I resigned from a role. It was an important reminder I’m not Wonder Woman.
Money Bravery - I immediately followed up a non-payment notice.

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Quality without compromise. It's an underlying theme of this personal finance podcast. Another way to say this is, making the most of what you have. We shouldn't have to sacrifice time or money to have the life we want, but what if we looked at this differently. What if we were unnecessarily spending money?

This episode starts with 3 amazing things I have achieved this week:

My Best Saving - $5 Gumboots from Kmart (you won't believe how I discovered them)
My Best Learning - Done is better than perfect. Yes this is a popular saying, but seriously so true, overcoming this is a game changer.
Money Bravery - I share how I have tackled a bad habit of non-confrontation and ended up being better financially for it.

PLUS: In this episode I share how the process I went through that changed what I thought about spending money on fashion and in the process saved $4,362!!

Mentioned in this episode:

Op Shop Personal Stylist

The Red Cross Shop Newtown

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Time flies when you're having fun and the funny thing is it also flies even if you're not having fun too. I had every intention of this podcast being weekly until I didn't. Little did I know a temporary pause in podcast episodes in June 2020 would extend to March 2022.

It wasn't until I received a message today asking me to confirm if I was still a podcaster that I realised it was time to start weekly podcast episodes again.

On Tuesday 8th March 2022 it is International Women's Day. I see this as timely to recommence the podcast episodes. After all financial literacy is something I see as equally important for women but often seen as being a male dominated arena. I feel it's important for my voice and perspective on financial literacy to be heard.

The fact is, incredibly, since June 2020, my financial education has grown exponentially. I have had challenges I didn't think were possible and believe it or not I have had to work hard at not letting history of bad money mistakes repeat themselves.

In 2020, life got busy. When home learning kicked in on top of family responsibilities and running my business, I found myself pondering, do I sleep or record a podcast episode? It was in that moment of exhaustion I made the decision to stop the Adding Up Podcast weekly episodes. The initial relief was and still is mixed with a feeling of failure. It's interesting though as I was working out what intro to put on this episode I heard myself talk about learning and we don't fail if we learn from our mistakes. It is with this in mind I am proud to recommence this podcast weekly. I have so much news and learning to share too!

In the new episodes of the Adding Up podcast I will be sharing these lessons and what I have gained from them.

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Successfully Saving Money, When You Don't Have Savings

Welcome to another episode of Adding Up the podcast where I, Serena Dot Ryan am sharing my experiences with money as I become debt free.

In this episode:

Savings Tip of The Week - How do you start saving when you're not used to it? Inspired by Mike Michalowicz author of Profit First , this week's tip is to hide money from your biggest obstacle, yourself! I show how I have created a hidden savings account to protect my money from me!

Book Of The Week - Debt by David Graeber.

My Weekly Money Challenge - This week I tackle the challenge of the viability of re-starting to pay my mortgage. Should I do it? What are the pros and cons. How do I break my old habits of ignoring tough decisions when faced with so many unknowns.

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How Much Does Appreciation Cost?

Welcome to another episode of Adding Up the podcast where I, Serena Dot Ryan am sharing my experiences with money as I become debt free.

In this episode:

Savings Tip of The Week - October 2018 I decided to audit my expenses, one of the casualties of this was to stop having a cleaner every 2 weeks and no longer have a gym membership. Interestingly enough I discovered great unexpected benefits to this. Cleaning the house is great exercise!

Book Of The Week - Profit First by Mike Michalowicz whilst written for Entrepreneurs for better money management, in this episode I share why I believe this book is for everyone and what you can gain from it.

My Weekly Money Challenge - This week I tackle the challenge of buying gifts and the relationship between how much the gift costs and how much you love someone.

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Can You Really Live Without That?

Welcome to Episode 54 of Adding Up.

In this episode:

Savings Tip of The Week - My curiousity led me to have my first coffee at 15 years old, in this episode I share how this lead to a very expensive daily habit and how I changed this habit without compromising quality and saving myself and my family thousands in the process.

Book Of The Week - I read this book first in 2017, but it took a full 12 months before I took action, or so I thought. The Barefoot Investor by Scott Pape.

My Weekly Money Challenge - This week, just when I thought I wasn't thinking about money or being challenged by it, I discovered I was. It's funny how when you spend so much time learning about money management consistently for almost 2 years it starts to be absorbed into your life you don't even see it. For that I am grateful.

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Starting Where You Are, Again

Welcome to another episode of Adding Up, the podcast with Serena Dot Ryan. Happy New Year! This is the moment the podcast is entering its 2nd year and with that comes a refresh and a new format. This episode details the reflection and thinking behind this.

Each episode will now include, a spotlight on a book or podcast, a savings tip that can be easily actioned and a documentation and reflection on my weekly challenges with money.

Mentioned in Episode 53, Adding Up:

Book: Your Money Or Your Life - Vicki Robin

Savings Tip: Write a grocery list with a set budget including the amount of each item. If you're not sure where to start, go to the grocery store online and look up the cost of each item.

Money Challenge: Are My Financial Decisions Racist? How Can I Do Better?

Also mentioned: Sway Them In Color Podcast Hosted by Christina Blacken.

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When Stopping Debt Payments Messes With Your Head

Welcome to another episode of Adding Up.

One year ago this week I decided to push the button and start publicly sharing my challenges with money and learning from my money mistakes, how I'm gaining financial education and most importantly, re-writing my financial future.

In this episode I share one of my hardest challenges at the moment, dealing with being in a pandemic and not paying down debt. This is a challenged I never even considered I would ever have. yet, here we are. I am determined to stay on track even though progress on my journey to become debt free is currently paused. I also reflect on the importance of remembering savings and wealth creation.

Mentioned in this episode:

Dr John Demartini

Ep.023 Adding Up - Financial Freedom, Is Debt Or Wealth The Answer?

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What's The Point Of Money Anyway?

Welcome to another episode of Adding Up, the podcast I am Serena Dorothy 'aka' Dot Ryan. In this episode I'm reminded by Instagram Memories that a year ago this week I published the very first episode of Adding Up the podcast.

A lot sure can happen in a year and I'm grateful for the opportunity to reflect on how far I have come. Small, consistent changes, positively moving towards my goal of becoming debt free, really have added up to being $18,000 less in debt. If I hadn't publicly taken the step to become accountable for moving towards the goal of becoming debt free I doubt I would be this far ahead.

In this episode I give my 20 something self advice I wish I had taken sooner. You don't have to have it all figured out, but you do need to be clear on what you are aiming for. After all, earning money and saving money, what's the point of it anyway?

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Cleaning Up The Mess Of Money

Welcome to Episode 50 of the Adding Up podcast with Serena Dot Ryan. I am still in awe of making it here.

In this episode I reflect on the shaky start to podcasting in May 2019 and not being too sure of what to do, but I did it anyway. It has been a huge learning curve podcasting each week and I haven't yet had a podcast I was excited and confident to publish, but again I am doing it any way. I am grateful as each episode is accountability, a benefit I didn't expect when I started a year ago.

The evolution of this podcast is an interesting one, initially starting as one where I thought I needed to interview others, I realised several episodes in that whilst that is a great format for many of my favourite podcasts, the purpose of this podcast was not to be interviewing others. This podcast is one where I am here to be a living example of re-writing my financial future. Documenting my journey as I become debt free and help others to see what is possible, even when you yourself thought you would never not be in debt.

Mentioned in this episode:

Michael Port

Your Money or Your Life - Vicki Robin

Ep.001 Adding Up - What Would You Do If You Knew You Could Change Someone's Life

Ep.002 Adding Up - How Do You Know If You Have The Right Accountant?

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Breaking Bad Spending Habits Is Hard

Welcome to another episode of Adding Up with Serena Dot Ryan. In episode 49 I'm having a moment of realising my habit of spending is harder to break than I first thought. Especially with the current global pandemic, the stress is persistent and my default mode for stress release was one of two things that required money, eating or shopping. Given my desire to not spend money is stronger than eating right now, I share the power of this realisation and what I'm doing about it.

Mentioned in this episode:

Profit First by Mike Michalowicz
Ep.020 Adding Up - What I Learned Buying Property At 20 Years Old

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I Don't Have A Spending Habit, Or Do I?

Welcome to another episode of Adding Up with Serena Dot Ryan. In this episode I share my challenge, do you need to spend money to be happy? My credit cards are officially paid off and closed. I am credit card free, but being cooped up at home has me questioning what I do for happiness and what I have done in the past. I discover new habits can easily be broken, unless there is a healthy level of awareness and accountability.

Of all things that trigger me it is our TV Unit being a mess, before I know it I am setting a budget, researching buying a new one and organising contactless delivery. It is only when I catch myself after all this time automatically going to spend money, that I start to question myself and hold myself accountable. I set myself a challenge to not spend money to fix my problem and that's where it gets interesting.

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No Credit Cards, Is It A Win?

Welcome to Episode 47 of Adding Up, the podcast with Serena Dot Ryan. In this week's episode I'm sharing the milestone that I have completed and submitted the application to close the last of my credit cards. I am officially credit card debt free. $17,504.54 paid off in 18 months.

I share my struggle to celebrate this milestone. I don't want to spend money or indulge. I feel stuck, there is so much uncertainty, but at the same time I don't want this milestone to go past unnoticed. I've got as far as window shopping online, but no purchases, yet.

What would you do?

Mentioned in this episode:

Profit First - Mike Michalowicz

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How I Stuffed Up My Final Credit Card Payment

Welcome to another episode of Adding Up, the podcast with Serena Dot Ryan. Every episode is a documentation of my learning as I become debt free. In this episode I share that after 18 months of focused debt reduction I'm finally making my final payment on my last credit card, or so I think.

In the process of making the final payment, I discover my spending habits and how I could have reduced my payments, if I'd noticed the trend sooner. I didn’t think keeping on using my credit card for small purchases was a big deal, turns out it was.

I also discover rewards points and actually redeem them!

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Adding Up - Losing The Plot At the Grocery Store

Welcome to another episode of Adding Up, the podcast I am Serena Dorothy 'aka' Dot Ryan. In this episode I share, $154.16 away from cutting up the credit cards.

We are in the middle of a pandemic and it will cost up to $11,000 and 6 months in jail if we breach orders and leave our home. So we are staying put except for getting out for essentials like grocery shopping.

This week one of the hardest things I have done is the grocery shop. Over the last 18 months it is something I have absolutely loved. And slowly yet quickly over the past month it is something I have come to dread. This episode I share the events that lead me to cracking.

Budget planning has become more important than ever.

What can we cut from the budget is a persistent question.

However a huge win is coffee at home for saving anyway ;)

Nats What I Reckon Cooking Show - if you don't like swearing, I recommend you don't watch the show on YouTube and IGTV.

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Preparing The Family Finance In A Pandemic

Welcome to another episode of Adding Up, the podcast. We are more thank 2 weeks into self isolation. 4 days after I got home from a work trip to San Diego, USA, my 6 year old son got sick with a cold. 4 days after that my other son, 7 years old also got a cold. The combined result was to take the proactive approach for our whole family to self isolate. With the rapidly changing environment in Australia, now we are in self isolation indefinitely.

I am grateful for many things starting with the decision to take stock of our finances in October 2018, and then to make the executive decision to pay down debt. No one saw the pandemic challenge coming, least of all me. This week I am due to make the final payment on our 3rd and final remaining credit card. Yet now at a moment of time of celebrating this milestone, I am surrounded with uncertainty and my family. I'm feeling consumed by both. Rather than dwell on this, episode 44 of the Adding Up podcast is sharing the challenges of 'what now' with my finances, surviving being home, every day with my family and finding positivity, gratitude and opportunity in every day.

Mentioned in this episode:

Liane Davey 'The Good Fight'
Ep.023 Adding Up - Is Debt or Wealth The Answer?
Ep.034 Adding Up - Will I Ever Get Used To Talking Money?

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The Good Fight: Use Productive Conflict to Get Your Team and Organization Back on Track

Are You Ready To Add Up?

Welcome to another episode of Adding Up, the podcast. In this episode I focus on how do you prepare for the unknown? I share how I've realised that the habits I started in October 2018 have been preparing me for the unknown and whilst it is definitely an unnerving time right now, the fact that I have been living under my means for 18 months we have breathing space with our budget. This is bringing relief. Whilst we are not completely out of debt, the circumstances are much better than they could have been if this pandemic had hit sooner.

I gain the realisation that despite starting the Adding Up podcast to share my learning, I realise I have been hiding my story by not sharing it through sheer embarrassment and my own shame about my money story. I see how ironic this is and see how it is more important than ever I find ways to be of service and help others who are financially challenged.

I announce that I have created a new Facebook group for the financially challenged who want a safe space to talk about money and discover resources and tools to help them with positive money management.

To join the group go to: https://facebook.com/theadders

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Financial Certainty In Times Of Uncertainty

Welcome to another episode of Adding Up the Podcast with Serena Dot Ryan. How do you gain financial certainty when things are so uncertain? Australia has had its fare share of extreme weather with record breaking fires followed by floods and storm damage. Just when we thought we were over it, the global pandemic has caused a heighten sense of awareness as reality is kicking in of the possibility of school closures and Social Distancing protocols in full force.

In episode 42 I focus on how I feel like everything I have done to gain financial education since 2018 has led me to be where I am now.

Mentioned in this episode:

- Having difficult conversations about money Episode 25 of Adding Up

- Conscious spending Episode 17 of Adding Up

- Accidental Savings Episode 38

- The 1% Difference Episode 21

- Difficult conversations - The Good Fight - Liane Davey

- Payment plans

- Multiple Income Streams

- Personal Finance App You Need A Budget

- Michael Port

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The Good Fight: Use Productive Conflict to Get Your Team and Organization Back on Track

31 Tips To Cope With Unbudgeted Travel Expenses.

The last 5 years I've been traveling for work. Whether I've traveled for work or leisure what has become clear, little expenses and lack of planning add up.

I love travelling. I've done so much travel over more than 20 years. Up until the last 12 months I still relied on my credit card to be a back up plan when traveling. In only 3 weeks time I will have officially paid off 3 credit cards totally $16,000. I'm determined to longer be reliant on a credit card at all, whether at home or on the road. That is the inspiration for episode 41 of Adding Up the podcast. I'm documenting my travel mistakes that impacted my finances and blew my budget. I want to make sure I don't make these mistakes again and that you don't either.

In this episode I share the many ways my budget for travel has easily blown out. I hope you get a tip or 2 that enables you to save money or at least not waste money when you travel.

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Forty, fit and Failing at Finance

Welcome to another episode of Adding Up the podcast. I'm sharing my experience as I take ownership of my finances, become debt free and re-write my financial future.

In this episode I reflect on the 'milestone episodes of this podcast and my life. I give a snapshot of where I was at 20 years old, 30 years old and go into detail of the financial decisions I made at 40 years old that led to financial strain that 3 years later I'm only just recovering from.

Mentioned in this episode:

Episode 20 I talked about what it was like buying property at 20 years old.

Episode 30 I talked about turning 30 and having 2 properties and hating my job.

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Why I'm Making My 6 Year Old Pay Rent

How do you teach your children about money? In this episode of Adding Up The Podcast I share the moment I realised I needed to start teaching my children about money and its various uses. Money is so much more than earning and spending, how do you convey that lesson when your 6 and 7 year olds are fixated on buying Pokemon cards? The struggle is real.

We have started a weekly chores regime and provided the chores are completed each week they are earning $6 per week. We are using the Spriggy App to help manage and monitor their pocket money.

Mentioned in this episode:

Pokemon Headaches - Arguments, fights and headaches

Scott Pape Barefoot Investor for families

The Soul of Money - Lynne Twist

Profit First - Mike Michalowicz Chapter 10 Profit First for Life

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Accidental Savings

Welcome to episode 38 of Adding Up with Serena Dot Ryan. In this episode, I'm excited to share the moment I discovered accidental savings. I also go in to detail on the process I go through to decide what to do with this 'new money.'

I'm challenged on where my priorities lie. I'm die hard wanting to get rid of debt as quickly as possible and at the same time want to use the money for 'fun' aka shoes. I discuss my conflict and what actions I'm taking.

Mentioned in this episode:

Ep.017 Adding Up - Conscious Spending
Ep.037 Adding Up - The Limitations of Cash

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The Limitations of Cash

Welcome to another episode of adding up the podcast. I’m your host, Serena Dot Ryan. I’m dedicated to sharing my journey as I become debt free and give my family financial freedom. I’m sharing my financial mistakes, my wins, and well some of my terrible mistakes, but the positive that comes out of all of this, you’ll always get my learning that comes along the way.

In Episode 37 of the Adding Up Podcast, I share:

a credit card balance update, only $2,506 to go until credit card free!
I discuss how I'm managing my own excitement at becoming credit card free and how I'm putting measures in place so I don't go into credit card debt again.
I share the shame and embarrassment of blowing my budget grocery shopping and how I learned a critical lesson the hard way.
How I've applied to be a mentor with the Smith Family.

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Donating To The Gym

Little things do literally add up. As of January 2020, I am excited that I have a balance of $2705.15 owing on my last and final of 3 credit cards. A far cry from $16,000 on 3 Maxed out credit cards in October 2018.

In this episode I want to talk about overcoming the temptation to join a gym to get fit.

The excess of spending to look like we are taking action.
Applying for Smith Family Volunteering
Walking and running Vs the Gym
The mindset and struggle of returning to old habits and repeating past mistakes.

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Owning Money Mistakes

Welcome to another episode of the Adding Up Podcast. I'm your host Serena Dot Ryan and I'm dedicated to sharing my personal finance experience, the mistakes and the learnings to enable others to get inspiration and education to ask better questions about their financial situation and be empowered to make their circumstances better.

Mentioned in this episode:

The merging of my 2 worlds in my latest blog post Owning Success Not Gimmicks
An update on my progress clearing credit card debt.
Owning my learning, Ep.029 Adding Up - What Empowered Financial Education Looks Like
Owning my savings, Ep.023 Adding Up - Financial Freedom, Is Debt Or Wealth The Answer?
Owning my profit, Ep.034 Adding Up - Will I Ever Get Used To Talking Money?
Becoming aware of living beyond my means and what I'm doing about is.

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Will I ever get used to talking money?

In this episode of Adding Up the podcast, I talk about my struggle with talking money and what I'm doing to make it easier.

Mentioned in this episode:

- The Power of 'Profit First' by Michael Michalowicz.

- How listening to the Audio Book of Profit First compelled me to order the physical book.

- The impact of failing Accounting 3 times at University and how I'm overcoming this to master my numbers in business and in life.

- Ep.002 Adding Up - How Do You Know If You Have The Right Accountant.

- Getting over a fear of failure.

- How I'm using my lived experience to create a better financial future.

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When Donations Are Not Healthy

Welcome to another episode of the Adding Up Podcast. I'm your host Serena Dot Ryan and I'm dedicated to sharing my personal finance experience, the mistakes and the learnings to enable others to get inspiration and education to ask better questions about their financial situation and be empowered to make their circumstances better.

In this episode I share my challenges regarding donating to charities when you are debt challenged. I include the sad mistakes I have made and the steps I now take to be better informed, educated and set up for success AND helping charities in the process.

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Learning To Try One More Time

It’s 2020! Happy New Year!

I’m not one to set New Year’s resolutions, but I am very goal oriented. I make the most of the new year to review my goals and set a few new ones.

I have found that setting goals can be very positive and motivating if you set them with the SMART approach. However, I haven’t always done this. Setting goals that are unrealistic and can have the exact opposite effect of being positive, and that is what I explore in episode 32 of Adding Up.

In this episode I share my experience failing multiple times to lose weight with Weight Watchers and the valuable lessons I learned in the process.

How I kept setting myself up for failure and what key action I took to break this pattern.

Mentioned in this episode:

Ep.029 Adding Up - What Empowered Financial Education Looks Like

Be my guest. Would you like to share your lived experience with getting out of debt? Leave me a message on why you think you’re a fit for the Adding Up Show using the link below:

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2020 What Is Possible?

Since 2016, every year I set a word of intention. In this episode I share why I do this and the impact it has had on my progress personally and professionally. I continue sharing the challenges I'm having with this time of year, celebrations, budgeting and finances and what I'm doing about it to stay on track.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Power of Setting Intentions - Mari Smith - Queen of Facebook

Ep.012 Adding Up - Are You A People Pleaser?

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Surviving The Financial Disasters Of My 30 Year Old Self

There are many things I wish I had learned sooner in my financial education journey. In this episode I discuss how I ended up having 2 mortgages by 27 years old. I touch on the circumstances that led to immense financial strain and why I ended up crying in the toilets at my own 30th Birthday Party. It definitely wasn't an easy time, but I do go on to share my learnings and how I'm now re-writing my financial future.

Mentioned in this episode:

Ep.020 Adding Up - What I learned buying property at 20 years old

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What Empowered Financial Education Looks Like

Welcome to another episode of adding up the podcast. I’m your host, Serena Dot Ryan. I’m dedicated to sharing my journey as I become debt free and give my family financial freedom. I’m sharing my financial mistakes, my wins, and well some of my terrible mistakes, but the positive that comes out of all of this, you’ll always get my learning that comes along the way.

In this episode, I’m sharing the process I am going through to educate myself on Finances.

Plus,

- Christmas has come early! A New Website! https://addingup.com.au

- Christmas planning - last Sunday was our first Family Gathering, Kris Kringle was a big hit

- How I decided to create a present limit of $30 each with my husband.

- Why I haven’t had guest experts on the Adding Up podcast.

- Will I have guests in the future?

My financial education book reading list:

The Big Leap - Gay Hendricks
The Barefoot Investor - Scott Pape
A Real Girl's Guide To Money - Effie Zahos
The Soul of Money - Lynne Twist
Unleashing The Soul of Money - Lynne Twist
Thou Shall Prosper - Rabbi Daniel Lapin
Debt - David Graeber
Secrets of the Millionaire Mind - T. Harv Eker

On my to read list (hint hint)

Moolala - Bruce Sellery
Stop Overthinking Your Money - Preet Banerjee

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Secrets of the Millionaire Mind: Mastering the Inner Game of Wealth

The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level

Thou Shall Prosper: Ten Commandments for Making Money

Debt: The First 5,000 Years

Stop Over-Thinking Your Money!: The Five Simple Rules Of Financial Success

Unleashing the Soul of Money

Becoming Brave - Facing The Finances

How Do You Become Conscious Of Your Finances?

Welcome to another episode of Adding Up the podcast. I’m your host, Serena Dot Ryan and this podcast is all about sharing my financial education, my journey to become debt free and in the process share my learnings so that I’m not the only one who gains from all of this experience. I’d love you to be able to gain inspiration and perhaps a bit of education along the way to make key changes in your life to become debt free.

In this episode I share the moment I realised, how can you get what you want when you haven't stated what you want. I go through the process of how I defined and then connected with what I want to enable the changes in my financial habits to change my financial future.

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Dealing With Debt Fatigue

What happens when you’re fatigued? In this episode I focus on the challenges of when fatigue sets in on my debt journey. It's like it's almost feeling like it's too hard.

Highlights from this episode:

Feelings of missing out - FOMO is real! Especially in the silly season o full of parties and celebrations
Feelings of boredom
Not seeing the light at the end of the tunnel
Overwhelmed, will this ever end
Does it matter?
It’s ugly messy
Too hard, the temptation to stop trying
Like a fad diet
Remembering why I started
Looking at how far I have come
Ep. 024 I share how much I’ve paid of debt $10,600.69
Sharing my story with others

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Having A Christmas Without The Debt Hangover

In this episode, Christmas is coming! It is only a month away. I'm focusing on how I am going to cope with my first ever Christmas without a Credit Card as a crutch. I go into detail the one key decision that has helped me cope with being from a large family that loves to celebrate Christmas.

Before I get into talking Christmas preparations, I give an update and context on where my passion for number crunching comes from. Being self employed I share some of my business debt challenges and learnings and how they have set my personal finance up for success.

I also share how the impact of focusing on debt repayment has caught me a little off guard with the preparations for the festive season. However, most importantly I share the action plan I have to get around this and stay on track with debt reduction and also have a fun and memorable Christmas. A tricky but not impossible task. Let's have fun and reduce debt at the same time!

I'm determined to get through this Christmas and party season without a debt hangover.

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Having difficult conversations about money

Welcome to another episode of Adding Up the Podcast. In this episode I focus on the consequences of avoiding difficult conversations, the fact that it can waste energy, well being and opportunity to help ourselves be better and in turn be there more fully for others.

I also delve into the techniques I have developed to increase the difficult conversations I am now having and the learning resources I am using.

Mentioned in this Episode:

The Good Fight By Liane Davey

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The Good Fight: Use Productive Conflict to Get Your Team and Organization Back on Track

Is Saving Money And Having Fun Possible?

Welcome to another episode of Adding Up the podcast with Serena Dot Ryan. This episode is inspired by my recent interview published in Money Magazine. I share tips I use to make saving money (and paying off debt) fun. Yes it is possible!

I also share the total amount I have been able to pay off debt in 12 months by applying these tips consistently.

I am in awe of the progress I have made through making the most of what I have.

Mentioned in this episode:

Money magazine is Australia's longest-running, highest-selling and most-read personal finance magazine. Money magazine provides credible, independent, easy-to-understand financial advice to help its readers save money and make the most of their investments.

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Financial Freedom, Is Debt or Wealth The Answer?

In this episode of Adding Up, The Podcast I focus on my 'aha' moment I had this week after attending a Wealth Building Seminar with Dr John Demartini. My focus since October 2018 has been on debt reduction and a belief that once I removed debt from my life I could be free to have the active choice to work and the type of work I do. This episode explores the flaws with this approach and what I am doing to course correct and achieve financial independence.

Mentioned in this episode:

Dr John Demartini

Stacey Copas

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When You Need A Financial Do Over

Welcome to another episode of Adding Up the podcast with Serena Dot Ryan. In this episode I focus on what happens when you relax newly formed habits and the consequences. I also share what I do to get back on track.

"It's not the mistakes that derail us, it's our ability to recognise we are off track and do what we need to and get back on track again."

I feel each episode is raw, but the reality is every single episode is sharing personal experience and learning in the hope it helps not just myself but others who have challenges with money, are determined to gain financial education and become debt free.

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The 1% Difference That Stopped Debt In Its Tracks

Debt can and does easily overwhelm. I know because this has happened to me more than once. Rather than dwell on this, in this episode of Adding Up the podcast I focus on the power of the 1% difference and how I have broken the cycle of debt I have found myself in for more than 20 years. I reflect on the last 12 months and the one decision I made to apply the 1% rule.

Mentioned in this episode:

Tamlyn Van Zyst

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What I learned buying property at 20 years old.

This is one if the hardest episodes I've recorded in a little while. It's pretty raw. Knowing that it was so easy for me to buy property and realising that I didn't make the most of it is still hard to come to terms with.

This episode is about sharing my story. The incredible opportunity I had and what I learned from the experience.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Barefoot Investor
Effie Zahos

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Having Holidays Without The Budget Hangover

Challenges with my routine changes continue as I come home from nearly a month of travel to the school holidays commencing for 2 weeks.

October 2018 I made the commitment to have 4 family holidays a year. This episode of Adding Up I share:

What an ideal family holiday looks like
What has helped me to plan and prepare for each family holiday
How I have broken the habit of holidays on credit
How I stretch the budget even further to have longer and more frequent holidays

Mentioned in this Episode:

The Barefoot Investor

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Coping With Routine Changes

I've discovered budgets are easy when you have a routine. So what happens when your routine is thrown in the air? This episode I discuss what strategies are my go to when my routine becomes a distant memory. After almost a month on the road, I share what habit I stick to no matter what and stay on track with my budgeting and continuing to reduce debt as a result.

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Conscious Spending

This is the 2nd episode of Adding Up on the Road. Currently in Toronto, Canada. I recap the challenges for planning and doing an unbudgeted trip to USA and Canada. Specifically I focus on, once you are away from home what things can you do to maximise your money to enable it to go further.

What would you be willing to go without to enable a business and personal development trip?

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When Creativity Helps Budgeting

In this episode of Adding Up with Serena Dot Ryan we are on the road in Franklin, Tennessee.

I recap on the power of creativity and give tips on how I use creativity to be better at budgeting and to grow my income.

I also reveal how I almost didn't go to Franklin Tennessee and the steps I took to make the trip happen.

Mentioned in this episode:

Free The Dream Conference

Cliff Ravenscraft

Stephanie Ravenscraft

Tim Ferriss - Tools of Titans

James Altucher

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Overcoming Credit Card Addiction

In this episode I talk about my challenges with credit cards. How I realise the moment of being reliant on them and then the steps I have gone through to release myself from this pattern of behaviour. This episode is raw, real and cathartic.

I also share the number one tip my Accountant gave me to change my behaviour.

Mentioned in this episode:

James Altucher
Tools of Titans
Tim Ferriss

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Tools Of Titans: The Tactics, Routines, and Habits of Billionaires, Icons, and World-Class Performers

Taking Stock Of Progress.

Welcome to another episode of Adding Up The Podcast. I’m the host, Serena ‘Dot’ Ryan and I’m dedicated to sharing my journey as I become debt free.

In this episode I talk about the consequences of having a credit card and what happens when you want to close it. I also reflect on the journey to have paid and closed 2 credit cards within 10 months. 2 down, 1 credit card to go!

I’m also getting ready for travel for the month of September. In this episode I talk about the challenges and opportunities travel presents when sticking to a budget.

Mentioned in this episode:

Ausmumpreneur Conference

Cliff Ravenscraft

Stephanie Ravenscraft

Free The Dream Conference

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Predicting The Future

In this episode of Adding Up with Serena Dot Ryan the focus is on the impact of not planning out spending and learning from the consequences of this. There can be immense value in taking the time to budget and forecast for events planned and Serena shares how she has learned from her mistakes and what process she now goes through to budget and literally predict the future to enable her to get closer to her goal of becoming debt free.

Mentioned in this episode:

Tools of Titans by Tim Ferriss

"Discipline equals Freedom." - Jocko Willink

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Are you a people pleaser?

In this episode I share one of my biggest challenges to date. Being a people pleaser. I talk about the consequences of it and what has compelled me to change this long held habit.

I share the steps I have taken to change it and the positive outcomes as a result.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Stephanie Ravenscraft https://stephanieravenscraft.com

Tony Robbins https://tonyrobbins.com

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The Dividend of Discipline.

In this episode of Adding Up The Podcast, I give a financial update. It's time to celebrate no longer having 2 credit cards, but also acknowledge that there is still one more credit card to go.

I also take you through step by step, the new habits I have created to save money and pay down debt. The challenges that have also come from creating new habits. The challenge of getting uncomfortable and the power of challenging myself to the game of mastering the weekly grocery shop that has led to unexpected benefits.

Personally the power of this episode is to remind myself of how far I have come, and to remind myself it's not easy but it is worth it. Having discipline with my finances is paying dividends.

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Welcome to episode 10 of Adding Up with Serena Dot Ryan. This episode is unique in more than one way.

Sally Hams is an award winning Bookkeeper and the founder of Balance Books. I interviewed Sally in January 2018 for my first podcast See Digital Clearly with Serena Dot Ryan. I'd spread myself too thinly and after just 8 episodes of See Digital Clearly with Serena Dot Ryan, I retired the podcast so I could consolidate my efforts on a rapidly growing digital marketing business.

The interview with Sally Hams sat in my archive until recently when I considered publishing the episode as a "Bonus" episode. Then something special happened. I started editing the podcast. I was in awe as Sally shared the moment where she developed a passion for numbers. She then shares incredible insights and such a passion for numbers I couldn't resist sharing this interview as episode 10 of the Adding Up Podcast. More than once I felt this episode was like going back to the future.

Listening to this episode I have laughed and even cried. It brings me so much joy and re-affirms the path I am on.

Whilst this episode focuses on being on the entrepreneurial path, Sally also shares her personal finance journey. It was because of this I decided to make this interview a part of the Adding Up Podcast.

Mentioned in this episode:

Sally Hams - Balance Books

Balance Books on Facebook

Xero Cloud Accounting Platform

Ausmumpreneur

Scott Pape - The Barefoot Investor

Craig Rispin - Business Futurist

John Kapos 'aka' Chocolate Johnny - Live Streaming Expert

Social Media Marketing World

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The Doors Debt Opens.

Welcome to another episode of Adding Up, the podcast. I'm your host Serena 'Dot' Ryan. I'm in awe of the opportunities that continue to happen as a point of being open and vulnerable to share my story.

In this episode I share the sequence of events that led me to have Cliff Ravenscraft, The Mindset Answerman as the very first guest on the show.

I also share the sequence of events that led me to share my story with the largest Newspaper and significant Media Outlet in Australia, the Sydney Morning Herald.

Mentioned in this episode:

Cliff Ravenscraft, the Mindset Answerman
Stephanie Ravenscraft
The Free The Dream Conference
Stacey Copas
The Source Bottle
The Sydney Morning Herald and How Different Generations Plan To Spend Their Tax Refunds

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Welcome to a very special episode of Adding Up with Serena Dot Ryan. Yes, that’s me and I’m dedicated to sharing my debt free journey with the hope of helping people like me. Especially if you’ve wanted to become better educated about financial education and haven’t known where to start. I’m using my financial failures and learnings to help you see you’re not alone and demonstrate there are incredibly positive things you can do about it.

And if you’re an Accountant or Bookkeeper tuning in, my aim is that you gain insight into the financial challenges

In this special episode is extra special because it’s my very first interview and it’s with one of my mentors and dear friends, Cliff Ravenscraft.

If you don’t already know, Cliff is the Mindset Answerman and he also happens to be a very successful Online Entrepreneur. I’m a regular listener of his podcast, The Cliff Ravenscraft Show. As I’ve discovered from listening to his content, he is also very successful in clearing debt from his life. In fact $80,000 of unsecured debt.

I love how he shares insight into his learning about clearing debt and how he challenges me on my beliefs holding me back.

Mentioned in this episode:

Cliff Ravenscraft https://cliffravenscraft.com

Free The Dream Conference https://www.cliffravenscraft.com/free-the-dream

Thou Shall Prosper by Rabbi Daniel Laplin https://www.amazon.com/Thou-Shall-Prosper-Commandments-Making/dp/0470485884/

Debt The first 5,000 years by David Graeber https://www.amazon.com/Debt-First-5-000-Years/dp/1612191290

Stephanie Ravenscraft https://stephanieravenscraft.com

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Thou Shall Prosper: Ten Commandments for Making Money

Debt: The First 5,000 Years

How conscious are you when it comes to paying money for things? Especially when it comes to loans? Is there a better way and you don't know it...

These questions and more are addressed in this episode as I tackle head on the loans I have and the interest I'm paying.

Being informed is one of the best super powers you can have. I'm sharing what I'm doing to become informed and most importantly save money.

None of what I'm sharing is professional advice and in fact I strongly recommend getting your own professional advice for your circumstances. If anything I'm sharing the importance of taking a proactive approach to the meeting you are having with professionals and doing your homework before the meetings you are having.

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Raw, real and very personal. Getting sick is never easy and there is never a good time for it to happen. The vulnerability especially as an entrepreneur and mother is definitely present in this episode.

In this episode:

What happens when you force things
The value of setting boundaries
The value of having a team
Asking for help
Ways I am resourceful
How I diversify my income
Who helps me understand finance

Mentioned in this episode:

The Cliff Ravenscraft Show Ep. 605

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This episode of Adding Up is listed as bonus content as it is a little different and takes a detour from focusing on Numbers.

Who do you meet in your life that impacts you so profoundly with their vision that you find yourself inspired to connect and take action?

It is however important when it comes to adding up the life experience that gets you to where you are.

Peace Mitchell, little did I know, was one of those key people that has come into my life. Peace Mitchell Co-founded Ausmumpreneur and The Women's Business School. I met Peace in 2016 at the 2016 AusMumpreneur National Conference in Melbourne. To say this was a pivotal moment in my life is an understatement.

This is an interview done in January 2018 for a different podcast, 'See Digital Clearly' with Serena Dot Ryan. It is a little different, but however instrumental in where I am today. I also find it a fascinating listen.

In this episode Peace Mitchell shares:

What she wanted to be when she grew up.
What her 10 year vision is.
How she overcome her obstacles to be where she is today.

Connect with Peace Mitchell:

LinkedIn

Instagram

The Women's Business School

Ausmumpreneur

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In this episode of Adding Up, I question what success looks like. The catalyst for this debate was of all things being nominated for a national award. It's easy to judge ourselves let alone willingly putting ourselves out there for everyone else to judge us.

In this episode of Adding Up the Podcast, I share:

The debate I have had with myself regarding success.
Why I am skeptical about awards.
What happened when I reviewed my business performance.
The learnings I have received from reviewing my business numbers.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Ausmumpreneur Awards
Rochelle Courtenay, Founder of Share The Dignity
Julia Christie, Founder and CEO, Christie and Christie Pty Ltd and the Nail Snail

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Just when I thought I couldn't get any more personal, I did. Becoming debt free is a series of adding up experiences and knowledge and taking action for a better result.

In this episode of Adding Up the Podcast, I share:

What it was like buying property at 20 years old.
Why I lost 2 properties.
My pitfall that caused my failure with money.
What I'm now doing to change my financial future.

Mentioned in this episode:

Debt, the first 5,000 years by David Graeber

Melissa Browne, Uncensored Money

Quick Books Connect

XeroCon

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Debt: The First 5,000 Years

Do you realise how important your Accountant is in your life? Little did I know that when I started in business how important it would be to have an Accountant (and Bookkeeper!) I could work alongside with.

In this episode I share:

The moment my Accountant laughed at me (and what I did about it)
My challenges with understanding my Accountant (and the consequences)
I acknowledge I didn’t know what I Bookkeeper was. (Yes I am embarrassed, and yes I do know what they are now).

Numbers go far beyond the spreadsheet. And when we discover this it is life changing. I know this as I'm living it!

Join me as I start documenting my financial education journey, warts and all, and discover a passion for numbers I never knew I had.

Mentioned in this episode:

Cliff Ravenscraft https://www.cliffravenscraft.com/

Stephanie Ravenscraft https://www.stephanieravenscraft.com/

Free The Dream https://www.cliffravenscraft.com/free-the-dream

Xero Cloud Accounting Solution https://www.xero.com/

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You never really know what you will do until you are presented with a situation for the first time. In this, the first episode of Adding Up, I share the moment I discover talking about my financial disasters actually helps someone. This episode is very raw and very real when it comes to personal finance, and the importance of numbers in our life.

Numbers go far beyond the spreadsheet. And when we discover this it is life changing. I know this as I'm living it!

This episode touches on the many aspects of where numbers can and do affect my life.

Join me as I start documenting my financial education journey, warts and all, and discover a passion for numbers I never knew I had.

Mentioned in this episode:

A real Girl’s Guide To Money by Effie Zahos -- https://www.qbd.com.au/a-real-girls-guide-to-money/effie-zahos/9781925695854/ Who is Paul Clitheroe -- https://www.investsmart.com.au/author/paul-clitheroe/11667 Pocket Money podcast: ‘A Real Girl’s Guide to Money’ with Effie Zahos -- https://www.finder.com.au/pocket-money-podcast-a-real-girls-guide-to-money-with-effie-zahos

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/serena-dot-ryan/message