💸 Personal Finance 101: How to Get Your Money Together (Without Giving Up Your Iced Coffee)
👛 What Is Personal Finance, Really?
Personal finance is basically how you manage your money:
Earning (hello, salary + side hustles)
Saving (for goals and emergencies)
Spending (with intention, not guilt)
Investing (making your money work while you sleep)
Protecting (think insurance, superannuation, and smart choices)
It’s about making your income work for you, not the other way around.
🧠 Step 1: Know Your Numbers
Before you can build wealth, you need to know where your money is going.
Here’s what to do:
Track your income and expenses (use Aussie apps like WeMoney or Pocketbook)
Look at your last 2–3 months of spending
Categorise: Essentials, Lifestyle, Savings, and Debt
You might find your “just a coffee here and there” adds up to $200/month. Awareness = power.
💰 Step 2: Build a Boujee Budget
A budget doesn’t mean cutting out everything fun — it’s about prioritising.
Try the 70/20/10 Rule (our fave for Aussie young professionals):
70% for living expenses & lifestyle (rent, food, fashion, travel)
20% for savings & investing
10% for guilt-free splurges (yes, you deserve it)
💡 Pro Tip: Open separate accounts for each category — automation is your financial BFF.
💳 Step 3: Manage Debt (Without Shame)
Got Afterpay, credit cards, or a cheeky HECS-HELP balance?
Tackle your debts by:
Listing what you owe and interest rates
Paying off high-interest first
Avoiding “Buy Now, Panic Later” habits
Setting up pay-in-full systems with rewards cards (if you're disciplined)
Remember: debt doesn’t define you — but a plan frees you.
📈 Step 4: Start Investing — Yes, Even with $5
Investing sounds scary, but it’s not just for finance bros.
Aussie-friendly apps like Raiz, Spaceship, or Sharesies let you start with as little as $5. You don’t need to be rich to build wealth — you just need to start.
👉 Learn about ETFs (low-risk, long-term) and always invest with your goals in mind (home, travel, early retirement — your vibe, your future).
🛡️ Step 5: Protect the Glow-Up
Don’t forget to:
Check your Super: Consolidate old funds + choose ethical or high-growth options
Review Insurance: Health, income protection, renters’ coverage
Build an Emergency Fund: Aim for $1,000 starter, then 3–6 months of expenses
Boujee doesn’t mean broke when life gets real.
✨ Final Thoughts: Being Smart Is the New Boujee
You don’t have to pick between glowing up and growing wealth — you can have both.
Being financially empowered means you get to choose how you live, spend, and save. And guess what? It’s never too late (or too early) to start.
🎁 Want More?
Download our freebie:
“10 Boujee Things That Actually Save You Money”
…and get weekly Smart & Boujee money tips straight to your inbox.
📲 Keep Up with the Boujee Finance Glow-Up
Follow us on [Instagram], [TikTok], or [Pinterest] for daily money inspo, luxe-on-a-budget finds, and aesthetic lifestyle hacks.
