Stressed about money? Here’s where to start with finance guru Mel Browne

In this episode of Healthy Her, host Amelia Phillips dives into the pervasive financial stress experienced by women, particularly in midlife, highlighting alarming statistics: 60% of women feel stressed about retirement savings, and midlife women carry an additional 12 hours of unpaid care work weekly—contributing to chronic stress that undermines both financial security and mental health. To unpack the root causes and solutions, Amelia welcomes Mel Browne, a renowned financial educator and author of 'Dare to Be Wealthy.' Mel reframes financial stress not as personal failure but as a systemic issue, where patriarchal structures and predatory financial products like buy-now-pay-later (Afterpay) exploit emotional and psychological vulnerabilities. She emphasizes that women are actually better long-term investors than men, yet often abdicate financial control due to societal myths and lack of confidence. The episode offers practical, empowering steps: a 30-day spending detox to uncover emotional spending triggers, creating a clear financial picture through simple tracking, and starting small with regular investments—like $20 a week in a broad-based ETF—to build wealth over time. Mel stresses the importance of financial autonomy, including separate bank accounts and investments, even in relationships, to maintain choice and security. The conversation culminates in a powerful call to align money with personal values, recognizing that financial empowerment is a feminist act and a pathway to true freedom.