Get budgeting tips from money experts Jess Irvine and Dominic Powell

Hello! It’s Jess Irvine and Dominic Powell here,hosts ofThe AgeandThe Sydney Morning Herald’spersonal finance podcastIt All Adds Up,which you can find onSpotify here andApple here. If you’re a regular listener to the pod (if you’re not,what’s going on?) you’ll know that in our inaugural season last year,we covered all sorts of topics,including crypto,how to get a pay rise,how to invest in shares,and if you should pay off your HECS debt early. It was a veritable cornucopia of personal finance tips!

Dom bravely agreed to lay his finance bare on It All Adds Up

Dom bravely agreed to lay his finance bare on It All Adds UpDominic Lorrimer

However,with a new year,we’ve decided to try something a bit different. It’s no secret Australians are struggling with the rising cost of living,with the double whammy of rising interest rates and inflation meaning our dollar is stretching less than it used to. It’s never been a more important time to be on top of your money and across everything you spend. But unless you’re budget-obsessed like Jess,knowing how to put together a good plan for your finances can be a tough ask,so we’ve decided we’re going to help you out.

We want you,dear listeners,to send in any questions or issues about what you spend your money on and we’ll do our very best to provide some easy tips on how you might be able to squirrel away some more cash. Maybe you’re spending too much on health insurance,or maybe you’ve forgotten to budget for the inevitable car service? We’ll let you know. Think of it like an audio version of our popular‘Ask an expert’ series that runs in the Money section each week.

To kick us off,Dom bravely agreed to be the first test subject,laying bare his finances on last week’s episode(listen here) and discovering – despite his best intentions – he somehow has a $2000 hole in his budget. Sound like you? Send an email toitalladdsup@nine.com.au with some details about what you spend your money on each month,and,if you feel like it,a voice memo introducing yourself and asking any questions you might have. We’ll then have a look and maybe even talk about it on the pod.

If you’re keen to sink your teeth into some more finance tips once you’ve finished listening to this week’s episode,here are a few articles to check out.

Should you pay down your mortgage faster or keep investing?

I’m a retiree living off my super. Where should I invest $450,000?

In mortgage prison? How to get out of jail (almost) free

‘Window of opportunity’:Is it time to jump into property investment?

Family finances:Five areas you could cut your kid costs this year

A $477 Costco party and return Bali flights:my ‘revenge spend’ diary

Dominic Powell is the Money Editor for the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.

Jessica Irvine is a senior economics writer with The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.

Most Viewed in Money