Uncensored Money

Content warning: This episode discusses financial abuse, coercive control, and intimate partner violence. Support services are listed at the end of these notes, including 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732. If anything in this episode is distressing, please reach out. 

In New South Wales, on 1 July 2024, coercive control became a criminal offence in intimate partner relationships. Queensland followed in May 2025. In 2026, the federal family law reform formally recognised financial abuse for the first time in Australian history. Which means a lot of the behaviours we've spent decades calling "a controlling marriage" or "he's just careful with money" are now, in a pattern — illegal.  

In this episode, Mel and Lawsie walk through the six signs of financial coercive control. Some you'll recognise. Some you'll have lived through and never had a word for. All of them are named in the legislation, the BOCSAR research, or both.  

The six signs covered 

The six signs of financial coercive control: 1. A lack of control over your own income — or a strict, often small, allowance that is tracked  

2. Sabotaging your career or education to keep you financially reliant  

3. Surveillance of every dollar you spend — big or small  

4. Pressuring or tricking you into signing for loans and credit in your name 5. His money pays for him; your money pays for the kids, the groceries, and the essentials 6. Keeping you in the dark about household finances, debt, and investments 

Plus: Mel reclaims the term sexually transmitted debt: and explains why it's never been more relevant. Including the three things every Australian woman needs in her own name, no matter her relationship status.  

Save this episode, send it to a woman in your life, and we'll see you next week. 

For more tips and resources, visit us at melissabrowne.com.au, on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok @MelBrowne.Money or send us an email at hello@melissabrowne.com.au. 

Links mentioned in the episode are below
https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcasts/what-the-finance/sexually-transmitted-debt/ 

1800RESPECTNational sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service. 24/7, free, confidential. 1800 737 732 1800respect.org.au 

National Debt HelplineFree, independent financial counsellors. Specialists in financial abuse. 1800 007 007 ndh.org.au 

Centre for Women's Economic SafetyNational charity focused on economic abuse. Runs free Money Clinics — one-on-one sessions with a trauma-informed female financial counsellor. Bookable online from anywhere in Australia. cwes.org.au · financialsafety.org.au 

Lifeline24/7 crisis support. 13 11 14 lifeline.org.au 


Your bank's DV teamEvery major Australian bank has a specialist domestic and family violence assistance team. Call your bank's main customer service line and ask to be referred — they will help with account separation, hardship arrangements, and credit reporting. 

Finally, if you love this episode please make sure you subscribe, share it with a friend and leave us a review.

After more than a decade, 6,000+ women and many of their partners, and more financial transformations than we can count, Mel is closing the My Financial Adulting Plan. For good. 
Yes, she's closing rather than selling her continuing her 7 figure business. 
You might think she's crazy (she does a little too, that's OK.) 
But in this episode, Lawsie turns the microphone around and asks Mel the questions everyone has been too polite to ask. Why? What did it cost her personally to keep going? Was there a moment she almost changed her mind? And what does she hope the 6,000+ women who've been through MFAP actually walk away with? 
This is an honest, unscripted conversation between two people who built something together and are figuring out in real time what it means to close it. No sales script. No polished answers. Just Mel and Lawsie the way you love them. 
If MFAP has ever been on your radar, there are two rounds left. This conversation is the best reason to stop waiting. You can check out MFAP here: https://www.melissabrowne.com.au/financialadulting  
For more tips and resources, visit us at melissabrowne.com.au, on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok @MelBrowne.Money or send us an email at hello@melissabrowne.com.au. 

Links mentioned in the episode are below
My Financial Adulting Plan can be found at  melissabrowne.com.au/financialadulting 

Finally, if you love this episode please make sure you subscribe, share it with a friend and leave us a review.

Last night's Federal Budget made a splash — but did it go far enough? In this episode, Mel gives you her unfiltered take on the 2026/27 Budget and walks you through exactly what's changing, who's affected, and what (if anything) you actually need to do about it. 

No political spin. No media clickbait. Just plain-English answers from someone who's spent 25 years in accounting and financial education. 

In this episode, Mel covers: 

Her honest take on the Budget — and why she thinks Labor stumbled on the biggest reform opportunity 


The Working Australians Tax Offset and the lifted $1,000 receipt-free deduction threshold 


Negative gearing changes for established properties — who's affected, who isn't, and the critical timeline 


The new build exemption and why Mel has thoughts 


Capital Gains Tax explained through Maxine's story — a worked example showing how the 50% discount, indexation, and the new minimum 30% tax rule all fit together 


What happens to pre-1985 assets (this one matters for older investors) 


The crackdown on discretionary trusts and income splitting 


Small business wins — including the permanent $20,000 instant asset write-off and loss carry-back rules 


The NDIS overhaul and what it means for 160,000 Australians 


Support changes for young people at risk of homelessness 


Mel's action list — five things to actually do with this information 


This podcast contains general information only and does not take into account your personal circumstances, objectives or needs. Please speak to a licensed financial adviser, accountant, or tax professional before making any financial decisions based on the content of this episode. 

For more tips and resources, visit us at melissabrowne.com.au, on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok @MelBrowne.Money or send us an email at hello@melissabrowne.com.au. 
Finally, if you love this episode please make sure you subscribe, share it with a friend and leave us a review.

After more than a decade, 6,000+ women and many of their partners, and more financial transformations than we can count, Mel is closing the My Financial Adulting Plan. For good. 
Yes, she's closing rather than selling her continuing her 7 figure business. 
You might think she's crazy (she does a little too, that's OK.) 
But in this episode, Lawsie turns the microphone around and asks Mel the questions everyone has been too polite to ask. Why? What did it cost her personally to keep going? Was there a moment she almost changed her mind? And what does she hope the 6,000+ women who've been through MFAP actually walk away with? 
This is an honest, unscripted conversation between two people who built something together and are figuring out in real time what it means to close it. No sales script. No polished answers. Just Mel and Lawsie the way you love them. 
If MFAP has ever been on your radar, there are two rounds left. This conversation is the best reason to stop waiting. You can check out MFAP here: https://www.melissabrowne.com.au/financialadulting  
For more tips and resources, visit us at melissabrowne.com.au, on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok @MelBrowne.Money or send us an email at hello@melissabrowne.com.au. 

Links mentioned in the episode are below
My Financial Adulting Plan can be found at  melissabrowne.com.au/financialadulting 

Finally, if you love this episode please make sure you subscribe, share it with a friend and leave us a review.

If it feels like everything is getting more expensive right now… you're not imagining it. 
Petrol prices are rising. 
Inflation is back in the headlines. 
Interest rates may move again. 
And share markets are bouncing around. 
Add global uncertainty into the mix and it's no wonder so many people are feeling nervous about their finances. 
In this episode, Mel talk through what's actually going on and more importantly, what you can do about it. 
This isn't about panic or drastic changes. 
It's about coming back to the fundamentals and building a strategy that works no matter what's happening in the economy. 
For more tips and resources, visit us at melissabrowne.com.au, on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok @MelBrowne.Money or send us an email at hello@melissabrowne.com.au. 

Links mentioned in the episode are below
Find $10K in 12 Months Freebie can be found at  melissabrowne.com.au/find$10kin12months 
Finally, if you love this episode please make sure you subscribe, share it with a friend and leave us a review.