FBI - Financially Blowing It!
I’m starting to love memes. (I have to — I’m raising teenagers, so it helps to understand what makes them laugh.) When I spotted a number plate the other day [FBI 1234] apart from thinking of law enforcement, my mind went straight to this: Financially Blowing It! 💣 💥
A Red Lexus RC F (and the Temptation of Luxury)
There it was: a shiny red Lexus RC F — the BMW M3 or Mercedes AMG C63 equivalent. A real head-turner.
Now, I still believe red cars go faster (don’t ask me to prove it ). But here’s the real question: is this a car you actually need? Sure, it looks amazing. But if you’re seriously thinking about buying a home, the discipline of not getting the fast car now will put you in a much stronger position later. And it’s not just about sports cars. Even at a smaller scale: • The latest coat. • The newest gadget. • That extra subscription. These “luxuries” add up. They feel harmless in the moment, but when you zoom out, they can mean the difference between getting ahead financially… or FBI-ing yourself.
Underestimating Living Costs
One of the most common things I see when helping clients with mortgages is this: people underestimate their living expenses. A client might tell me: “We spend about $2,000 a month."
But when we dig deeper, it’s usually closer to $3,000. And the banks don’t just take your word for it they use the Household Expenditure Measure (HEM) as a baseline for assessing living costs. So while you might think you’re “living lean,” the reality is often very different. And that gap between what you think you spend and what you actually spend? That’s where FBI habits creep in.
Dirty Dishes and Money Habits
Last week, I shared the dirty dishes story. A pile of plates left in the sink became the perfect analogy for our money habits.
Convenience vs consideration.
It’s easier to leave the plate for later. Just like it’s easier to:
• Tap now, track later.
• Assume you’ll budget someday.
• Push refinancing into the “too hard” basket.
But just like dishes, those choices stack up. And when they do, your future self is the one left with the mess. The first step to avoiding FBI territory is understanding your own money habits. Some people are natural savers. Others are spenders. Some are compulsive chasing the next purchase for that short-term hit. Knowing yourself is the first step to taking action.
The Reality Check
And here’s the reality: it’s not just about dirty dishes or the occasional splurge. Australians are under serious financial pressure right now:
The household saving ratio has dropped to around 4.2% most of what people earn is going straight back out the door (ABS, 2025).
Nearly 80% of households say they feel extreme cost-of-living stress groceries, housing, energy bills, the lot (Finder Report, 2024).
More than half of Aussies admit essentials like groceries, utilities, or healthcare are straining their budget (Real Insurance, 2024).
Around 28% of households experienced at least one major cash-flow problem in the last year (ABS, 2024).
These numbers show how urgent it is to get on top of your money habits. If you’re not intentional now, those “small” FBI moments the Financially Blowing It ones pile up fast.
What You Can Do Now
Do a spending audit. Don’t guess. Track your money for one month and see what’s really happening.
Choose one change. Cancel one unused subscription, set up an automatic savings transfer, or delay that “luxury” until after you’ve hit your bigger goal.
Set a Money Boundary. Have a simple system for bills, savings, and guilt-free spending. Spend with purpose, not pressure. The goal isn’t to keep up with everyone else, but to make sure every dollar moves you closer to what actually matters.
If you’re ready to get clear on your spending and find a path forward, let’s talk. Sometimes one honest conversation is all it takes to move from FBI, Financially Blowing It, to MGM, Mom’s Got Millions™.
Because when Mom’s Got Millions, she’s not just avoiding mistakes, she’s building clarity, confidence, and a life that actually works.
