Before you say yes

Catherine Fitzpatrick
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We talk about sexual consent - what it is, how to ask for it, how to give it, how to change your mind. But we don’t have the same conversation about our finances. Most of us just fall into sharing money and bills . We say yes because it's easier, because someone has to, because it seemed fine at the time – until life throws a curve ball and things aren’t set up the way we thought. Before you say yes™ is the practical guide to sharing money safely with someone you love. Each episode gives you the practical tools to know what to look for, what to ask, and what to say – to each other, and to the companies you rely on every day. Because the way you set things up matters more than you think. Hosted by Catherine Fitzpatrick — former bank executive, consumer advocate, and the person who should have explained all of this years ago. Before you say yes™ IG: https://www.instagram.com/beforeyousayyes.pod/ Catherine IG: https://www.instagram.com/catherinefitzpatrick.official/ Catherine LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-fitzpatrick-designedtodisrupt/ Website: https://catherinefitzpatrick.com/ Check the fine print: https://fine-print-check.replit.app/

  1. 1d ago

    Ep. 12 Before you say yes to tech access, ask this one question: Stephen Wilson uncut

    We share passwords, accounts and locations with the people we love. It feels normal, even necessary. But what if that access becomes a weapon? In this bonus episode, host Catherine Fitzpatrick returns to her conversation with Stephen Wilson, security expert and CEO of Protective Group, to explore how everyday technology can be weaponised in relationships and what you can do to protect yourself without living in fear. Stephen has spent years helping victim-survivors reclaim their digital lives. He unpacks how smart devices, from fridges to vacuum cleaners, can be used to stalk and control. He explains why sharing passwords and location settings might feel like trust, but can quietly erode your autonomy. And he shares the simple digital habits that protect you before, during and after a relationship changes. From baby monitors left recording for five years to loyalty cards that reveal your location, this episode is a clear-eyed guide to keeping your digital autonomy while still building a life with someone you love. Because love shouldn't cost your freedom. YOU'LL LEARN What tech-facilitated abuse actually looks like, and why it's more common than you think How everyday devices like smart fridges, vacuum cleaners and baby monitors can be used to stalk and control Why sharing passwords, accounts and locations is a decision worth making deliberately, not by default How supermarket rewards cards, Uber accounts and toll passes can quietly reveal your location and habits What to check on your phone, apps and accounts if your circumstances change The one question to ask yourself before you say yes to sharing your digital world: would I still feel comfortable if the relationship ended tomorrow? GUESTS Stephen Wilson: Security expert and CEO, Protective Group RESOURCES Protective Group website: https://www.protectivegroup.com.au/ Protective Group IG: https://www.instagram.com/protectivegroup_au/ Stephen Wilson LI: https://au.linkedin.com/in/swilson-aust Before You Say Yes IG: https://www.instagram.com/beforeyousayyes.pod/ Catherine's website: https://catherinefitzpatrick.com/ Catherine IG: https://www.instagram.com/catherinefitzpatrick.official/ Catherine LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-fitzpatrick-designedtodisrupt/ FIND SUPPORT (Australia) If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, contact 1800 RESPECT (https://1800respect.org.au/) (call 1800 737 732). If you are in immediate danger, dial 000. The Men's Referral Service (https://mrs.org.au/) provides counselling, advice and support for men. Please call 1300 766 491. 13YARN (http://13yarn.org.au) offers confidential, culturally safe crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Contact 13 92 76. For crisis support or suicide prevention services contact Lifeline (https://www.lifeline.org.au/) on 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14 at any time. Kids Helpline (https://kidshelpline.com.au/) is Australia's free, private and confidential 24/7 phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25. Call 1800 55 1800. Listening from outside Australia? If you or someone you know needs help and you're not based in Australia, please reach out to local emergency services or visit https://findahelpline.com to find trusted crisis support, financial advice, or domestic violence services in your area. THIS ISN'T FINANCIAL ADVICE The information provided on Before you say yes™ the podcast is for general educational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Always consider your personal circumstances and seek independent professional advice before making any financial decisions.

    Ep. 12 Before you say yes to tech access, ask this one question: Stephen Wilson uncut

  2. 3d ago

    Ep. 11 Why joint accounts and share debt can cost you everything: Sue Fraser OAM uncut

    Joint accounts and shared debt can feel like trust. Like partnership. Like building a life together. But what if the person you love walks away, and the debt stays with you? In this bonus episode, host Catherine Fitzpatrick returns to her conversation with Sue Fraser OAM, a financial counsellor with more than 30 years' experience sitting across from people when the emotional realities of relationships collide with the fine print. Sue unpacks what "joint and several liability" actually means, and why it's not 50/50. She explains how everyday decisions about whose name goes on the electricity bill, the mortgage, or the car loan can quietly shift power and risk in ways most couples never discuss. And she shares the questions to ask before you co-sign anything, the conversations to have when your head is cool and your heart is calm, and the small steps that protect your financial independence before you need it. From guaranteeing a loan for your own child to understanding who controls the money versus whose name is on the account, this episode is a practical guide to sharing your financial life without losing yourself in the process. Because love shouldn't cost your freedom. YOU'LL LEARN What "joint and several liability" really means, and why it's not a 50/50 arrangement The difference between owning something and being financially responsible for it How to protect yourself when buying property together: joint owners versus tenants in common What becoming a guarantor really means, including for your own child's loan Why you should never sign anything until you understand your legal responsibility The questions to ask before you say yes to shared debt: what is my liability with this product, and what happens if things don't go as planned? How to have financial conversations with a cool head and a calm heart, before you're in crisis What to check if your circumstances change: superannuation beneficiaries, secondary contacts on accounts, and who controls the money GUESTS Sue Fraser OAM: Financial counsellor RESOURCES Sue Fraser LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanjfraser/ Before You Say Yes IG: https://www.instagram.com/beforeyousayyes.pod/ Catherine's website: https://catherinefitzpatrick.com/ Catherine IG: https://www.instagram.com/catherinefitzpatrick.official/ Catherine LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-fitzpatrick-designedtodisrupt/ FIND SUPPORT (Australia) If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, contact 1800 RESPECT (https://1800respect.org.au/) (call 1800 737 732). If you are in immediate danger, dial 000. The Men's Referral Service (https://mrs.org.au/) provides counselling, advice and support for men. Please call 1300 766 491. 13YARN (http://13yarn.org.au) offers confidential, culturally safe crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Contact 13 92 76. The National Debt Helpline (https://ndh.org.au/) provides free advice on how to manage your debts. Call 1800 007 007 for support. For crisis support or suicide prevention services contact Lifeline (https://www.lifeline.org.au/) on 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14 at any time. Kids Helpline (https://kidshelpline.com.au/) is Australia's free, private and confidential 24/7 phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25. Call 1800 55 1800. Listening from outside Australia? If you or someone you know needs help and you're not based in Australia, please reach out to local emergency services or visit https://findahelpline.com to find trusted crisis support, financial advice, or domestic violence services in your area. THIS ISN'T FINANCIAL ADVICE The information provided on Before you say yes™ the podcast is for general educational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Always consider your personal circumstances and seek independent professional advice before making any financial decisions.

    Ep. 11 Why joint accounts and share debt can cost you everything: Sue Fraser OAM uncut

  3. Oct 7

    Ep 10 Before you say yes, talk about money: David Koch AM uncut

    Talking about money isn't romantic. But neither is discovering, too late, that joint doesn't mean 50/50. That your name on a loan makes you liable for all of it. Or that the savings account you both built can be emptied by one person, legally, overnight. In this bonus episode, host Catherine Fitzpatrick returns to her conversation with David Koch AM, finance commentator, former Sunrise co-host and one of Australia's most trusted voices on money. Kochie has spent decades helping Australians understand their finances, and in this uncut conversation, he gets personal about what it takes to build a healthy financial partnership. He explains why he calls hidden debt "financial infidelity", the golden rule of never signing anything you don't understand, and why becoming a guarantor for someone, even your own child, can cost you your house. He shares the 15-minute monthly ritual he and his wife Libby have kept for 47 years, why cheese and crackers make money conversations easier, and how to spot the red flags before you co-sign anything. From joint accounts and secret credit cards to the difference between delegating responsibility and surrendering it, this episode is a practical, unflinching guide to sharing your financial life without losing yourself in the process. Because love shouldn't cost your freedom. YOU'LL LEARN Why talking about money is part of a healthy relationship, not a sign of distrust The 15-minute monthly ritual Kochie and his wife have kept for 47 years What "joint" really means: you're liable for all of it, not half What Kochie calls "financial infidelity", and why secret debt is a form of it The difference between delegating financial responsibility and surrendering it The red flags to watch for: secrecy, control, and "don't you trust me?" How AI can help you understand terms and conditions before you sign GUESTS David Koch AM (Kochie): Finance commentator, former Sunrise co-host and economic director, Compare the Market RESOURCES David Koch IG: https://www.instagram.com/kochie_online/ Kochie LI: https://www.linkedin.com/today/author/kochie Before You Say Yes IG: https://www.instagram.com/beforeyousayyes.pod/ Catherine's website: https://catherinefitzpatrick.com/ Catherine IG: https://www.instagram.com/catherinefitzpatrick.official/ Catherine LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-fitzpatrick-designedtodisrupt/ FIND SUPPORT (Australia) If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, contact 1800 RESPECT (https://1800respect.org.au/) (call 1800 737 732). If you are in immediate danger, dial 000. The Men's Referral Service (https://mrs.org.au/) provides counselling, advice and support for men. Please call 1300 766 491. 13YARN (http://13yarn.org.au) offers confidential, culturally safe crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Contact 13 92 76. The National Debt Helpline (https://ndh.org.au/) provides free advice on how to manage your debts. Call 1800 007 007 for support. For crisis support or suicide prevention services contact Lifeline (https://www.lifeline.org.au/) on 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14 at any time. Kids Helpline (https://kidshelpline.com.au/) is Australia's free, private and confidential 24/7 phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25. Call 1800 55 1800. Listening from outside Australia? If you or someone you know needs help and you're not based in Australia, please reach out to local emergency services or visit https://findahelpline.com to find trusted crisis support, financial advice, or domestic violence services in your area. THIS ISN'T FINANCIAL ADVICE The information provided on Before you say yes™ the podcast is for general educational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Always consider your personal circumstances and seek independent professional advice before making any financial decisions.

    Ep 10 Before you say yes, talk about money: David Koch AM uncut

  4. Oct 5

    Ep. 9 Why consent is also about money, bills and shared financial decisions: Angelique Wan uncut

    Young people are being taught about consent when it comes to sex. What if the same skills that help us navigate awkward conversations in the bedroom could also protect our financial future? In this bonus episode, host Catherine Fitzpatrick returns to her conversation with Angelique Wan, Co-founder and CEO of Consent Labs, to explore how the principles of affirmative consent apply to shared financial decisions. Together, they unpack why financial literacy programs haven't worked in Australia, and how consent frameworks might offer a missing piece: the language and confidence to have those money conversations before you split the bill, move in together or open a joint account. From setting boundaries around spending to checking in about who pays for what, this episode offers a practical guide to sharing money safely with someone you love. Because love shouldn't cost your freedom. YOU'LL LEARN Why consent and boundaries absolutely apply to money, bills and shared financial decisions How to use open-ended questions to start a conversation about finances with your partner How to talk about money when it feels awkward or you've never done it before What red flags look like in financial relationships, including pressure, coercion and lack of transparency How to check in on someone you're worried about without making them feel judged or isolated The one question to ask yourself before you say yes to any shared financial decision: what are my boundaries? GUESTS Angelique Wan: Co-founder and CEO, Consent Labs RESOURCES Consent Labs: https://www.consentlabs.org.au/ Consent Labs IG: https://www.instagram.com/consentlabs/ Angelique Wan LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelique-wan-0aa024b4/ Before You Say Yes IG: https://www.instagram.com/beforeyousayyes.pod/ Catherine's website: https://catherinefitzpatrick.com/ Catherine IG: https://www.instagram.com/catherinefitzpatrick.official/ Catherine LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-fitzpatrick-designedtodisrupt/ FIND SUPPORT (Australia) If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, contact 1800 RESPECT (https://1800respect.org.au/) (call 1800 737 732). If you are in immediate danger, dial 000. The Men's Referral Service (https://mrs.org.au/) provides counselling, advice and support for men. Please call 1300 766 491. 13YARN (http://13yarn.org.au) offers confidential, culturally safe crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Contact 13 92 76. The National Debt Helpline (https://ndh.org.au/) provides free advice on how to manage your debts. Call 1800 007 007 for support. The Centre for Women's Economic Safety (https://cwes.org.au/) offers free Money Clinics™ for women, non-binary and gender diverse people experiencing financial and economic abuse, or who are concerned about their finances in the context of domestic and family violence. To book an appointment call 1800 730 031. For crisis support or suicide prevention services contact Lifeline (https://www.lifeline.org.au/) on 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14 at any time. Kids Helpline (https://kidshelpline.com.au/) is Australia's free, private and confidential 24/7 phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25. Call 1800 55 1800. Listening from outside Australia? If you or someone you know needs help and you're not based in Australia, please reach out to local emergency services or visit https://findahelpline.com to find trusted crisis support, financial advice, or domestic violence services in your area. THIS ISN'T FINANCIAL ADVICE The information provided on Before you say yes™ the podcast is for general educational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Always consider your personal circumstances and seek independent professional advice before making any financial decisions.

    Ep. 9 Why consent is also about money, bills and shared financial decisions: Angelique Wan uncut

  5. Sep 16 ·  Bonus

    EP 8. BONUS: This episode is different. Let's talk about financial abuse.

    Content warning: This episode discusses domestic and financial abuse. Please take care while listening, and feel free to skip ahead if this isn't the right conversation for you today. Support services are listed in the show notes. If you are in immediate danger dial 000 (in Australia). This episode is different. It's a conversation about what most of us don't see coming: how financial abuse happens, what it looks like, and what to do if you recognise yourself or someone you love in that pattern. In this bonus episode, host Catherine Fitzpatrick returns to a conversation that started 30 years ago with Anne O'Neill, a survivor of unthinkable violence who taught her the most important lesson: it wasn't what she did. Catherine is joined by Anne O'Neill, domestic abuse survivor and advocate; Moo Baulch OAM, Chair of Our Watch; Rebecca Glenn, CEO of the Centre for Women's Economic Safety; Sue Fraser OAM, financial counsellor; Angelique Wan, Co-founder and CEO of Consent Labs; and Dave Kramer, behavioural scientist and facilitator who works with men and boys on respectful relationships. Together, they unpack what financial abuse actually is, how it shows up in everyday decisions, and what to say to a bank, a service provider, or a friend when you're not ready to tell your whole story. They also explore what it means to walk alongside someone who's not ready to leave, and what men can do when they recognise control in their own behaviour. This is the episode for anyone who's ever wondered how to help without taking over, how to ask without isolating someone, and how to stay connected when the door needs to stay open. YOU'LL LEARN What financial abuse is and how it shows up in relationships Why fear is the defining feature of abuse, not the amount of money involved How to ask for help from a bank, phone company or service provider without disclosing your whole story The first practical steps to take if you're thinking about leaving: a safe email address, a separate bank account, and a way to communicate privately Why working backwards from how you want it to end can help you figure out the first step The difference between pressure and choice, and why controlling behaviour is always a choice How to check in on someone you're worried about without making them feel ashamed or isolated Why the most powerful thing a bystander can do is walk alongside, not take over What to do when someone's not ready to leave: keep the door open GUESTS Dr Ann O'Neill OAM: Trauma specialist, survivor and advocate Moo Baulch OAM: Chair, Our Watch Rebecca Glenn: Founder and CEO, Centre for Women's Economic Safety (CWES) Sue Fraser OAM: Financial counsellor Angelique Wan: Co-founder and CEO, Consent Labs Dave Kramer: Behavioural scientist and facilitator RESOURCES Our Watch: https://www.ourwatch.org.au/ Centre for Women's Economic Safety: https://cwes.org.au/ Financial Safety website: https://financialsafety.org.au/ Consent Labs: https://www.consentlabs.org.au/ Dave Kramer website: https://www.davekramer.com.au/ Before You Say Yes IG: https://www.instagram.com/beforeyousayyes.pod/ Catherine's website: https://catherinefitzpatrick.com/ Catherine IG: https://www.instagram.com/catherinefitzpatrick.official/ Catherine LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-fitzpatrick-designedtodisrupt/ FIND SUPPORT (Australia) If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, contact 1800 RESPECT (https://1800respect.org.au/) (call 1800 737 732). If you are in immediate danger, dial 000. The Men's Referral Service (https://mrs.org.au/) provides counselling, advice and support for men. Please call 1300 766 491. 13YARN (http://13yarn.org.au) offers confidential, culturally safe crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Contact 13 92 76. The National Debt Helpline (https://ndh.org.au/) provides free advice on how to manage your debts. Call 1800 007 007 for support. The Centre for Women's Economic Safety (https://cwes.org.au/) offers free Money Clinics™ for women, non-binary and gender diverse people experiencing financial and economic abuse, or who are concerned about their finances in the context of domestic and family violence. To book an appointment call 1800 730 031. For crisis support or suicide prevention services contact Lifeline (https://www.lifeline.org.au/) on 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14 at any time. Kids Helpline (https://kidshelpline.com.au/) is Australia's free, private and confidential 24/7 phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25. Call 1800 55 1800. THIS ISN'T FINANCIAL ADVICE The information provided on Before you say yes™ the podcast is for general educational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Always consider your personal circumstances and seek independent professional advice before making any financial decisions.

    EP 8. BONUS: This episode is different. Let's talk about financial abuse.

  6. Sep 2

    Ep 7. More money doesn't mean more decisions: Before you say yes to minding your own business

    Content warning: This episode discusses domestic and financial abuse. Please take care while listening, and feel free to skip ahead if this isn't the right conversation for you today. Support services are listed in the show notes. If you are in immediate danger dial 000 (in Australia) Money conversations can be awkward. But avoiding them can leave us exposed when life changes - a job loss, illness, separation or simply a relationship that isn’t working the way we thought it would. In this episode host Catherine Fitzpatrick is joined by Moo Baulch OAM, Chair of Our Watch, and Dave Kramer, behavioural scientist and facilitator who works with men and boys in schools, workplaces and communities on respectful relationships. Catherine talks to Moo and Dave about the conversations couples should be having before there’s a crisis, and what friends, family and especially men can do when something doesn’t feel right. From shared accounts and realistic savings goals to the pressure some men feel to be “the provider”, this episode asks a bigger question: what does an equal financial partnership really look like? And when you hear a comment or see behaviour that makes you uncomfortable, should you call it out, or call someone in? YOU’LL LEARN The importance of planning for “what if” in relationships Why a regular money date beats revisiting finances only in a crisis Why making more money doesn't mean making more decisions in a relationship What "calling in" looks like compared with "calling out" when something doesn't sit right How controlling behaviour can escalate along a continuum, from jokes and rigid gender beliefs through to coercive control A simple way to check in on someone: naming what you've noticed and asking if they're okay Why staying curious, not judgmental, keeps the door open for someone to talk GUESTS Moo Baulch OAM: Chair, Our Watch Dave Kramer: Behavioural scientist and facilitator RESOURCES Our Watch: https://www.ourwatch.org.au/  Moo Baulch LI: https://au.linkedin.com/in/moobaulch  Dave Kramer website: https://www.davekramer.com.au/  Dave Kramer LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davekramer/  Dave Kramer IG: https://www.instagram.com/_davekramer/  Before You Say Yes IG: https://www.instagram.com/beforeyousayyes.pod/  Catherine's website: https://catherinefitzpatrick.com/  Catherine IG: https://www.instagram.com/catherinefitzpatrick.official/  Catherine LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-fitzpatrick-designedtodisrupt/ FIND SUPPORT (Australia) If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, contact 1800 RESPECT (https://1800respect.org.au/) (call 1800 737 732). If you are in immediate danger, dial 000. The Men’s Referral Service (https://mrs.org.au/) provides counselling, advice and support for men. Please call 1300 766 491. 13YARN (http://13yarn.org.au) offers confidential, culturally safe crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Contact 13 92 76. The National Debt Helpline (https://ndh.org.au/) provides free advice on how to manage your debts. Call 1800 007 007 for support. The Centre for Women’s Economic Safety (https://cwes.org.au/) offers free Money Clinics™ for women, non-binary and gender diverse people experiencing financial and economic abuse, or who are concerned about their finances in the context of domestic and family violence. To book an appointment call 1800 730 031. For crisis support or suicide prevention services contact Lifeline (https://www.lifeline.org.au/) on 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14 at any time. Kids Helpline (https://kidshelpline.com.au/) is Australia's free, private and confidential 24/7 phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25. Call 1800 55 1800. Listening from outside Australia? If you or someone you know needs help and you’re not based in Australia, please reach out to local emergency services or visit https://findahelpline.com to find trusted crisis support, financial advice, or domestic violence services in your area. THIS ISN’T FINANCIAL ADVICE The information provided on Before you say yes™ the podcast is for general educational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Always consider your personal circumstances and seek independent professional advice before making any financial decisions.

    Ep 7. More money doesn't mean more decisions: Before you say yes to minding your own business

  7. Aug 26

    Ep 6. When love becomes a liability: Before you say yes to an insurance policy

    Content warning: This episode discusses domestic and financial abuse. Please take care while listening, and feel free to skip ahead if this isn't the right conversation for you today. Support services are listed in the show notes. If you are in immediate danger dial 000 (in Australia) Do you have car insurance? House and contents? A CTP? Insurance sounds boring, but it's one of the biggest decisions you'll make when you're signing on the dotted line with someone else. In this episode host Catherine Fitzpatrick is joined by Andrew Hall, CEO of the Insurance Council of Australia. Andrew explains what an insurance policy is, how it works and why owning things jointly adds a layer of complexity most couples never discuss. He also unpacks how insurers are building flexibility into the “malicious damage” exclusion for people affected by domestic and family violence, and shares the exact words to use with your insurer if your relationship or circumstances change. This is the conversation for the moment before you sign, or renew, a policy with someone else. YOU’LL LEARN What an insurance policy actually is: shifting risk off your ledger and paying someone else to carry it Why joint ownership means joint liability – and why it pays to check who's actually covered to drive, claim or use a shared asset Why product disclosure statements are long, and the most important questions to ask Why there's often a mismatch between what people think they're covered for and what they're actually covered for How the “malicious damage” exclusion works when a partner or ex-partner deliberately damages shared property What to say to your insurer if your circumstances change, including how to set a safer contact method GUESTS Andrew Hall: CEO, Insurance Council of Australia RESOURCES Insurance Council of Australia: https://insurancecouncil.com.au/ Andrew Hall LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-hall-09919710/ Insurance Council of Australia LI: https://au.linkedin.com/company/insurance-council-of-australia Before You Say Yes IG: https://www.instagram.com/beforeyousayyes.pod/ Catherine’s website: https://catherinefitzpatrick.com/ Catherine IG: https://www.instagram.com/catherinefitzpatrick.official/ Catherine LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-fitzpatrick-designedtodisrupt/ FIND SUPPORT (Australia) If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, contact 1800 RESPECT (https://1800respect.org.au/) (call 1800 737 732). If you are in immediate danger, dial 000. The Men’s Referral Service (https://mrs.org.au/) provides counselling, advice and support for men. Please call 1300 766 491. 13YARN (http://13yarn.org.au) offers confidential, culturally safe crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Contact 13 92 76. The National Debt Helpline (https://ndh.org.au/) provides free advice on how to manage your debts. Call 1800 007 007 for support. The Centre for Women’s Economic Safety (https://cwes.org.au/) offers free Money Clinics™ for women, non-binary and gender diverse people experiencing financial and economic abuse, or who are concerned about their finances in the context of domestic and family violence. To book an appointment call 1800 730 031. For crisis support or suicide prevention services contact Lifeline (https://www.lifeline.org.au/) on 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14 at any time. Kids Helpline (https://kidshelpline.com.au/) is Australia's free, private and confidential 24/7 phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25. Call 1800 55 1800. Listening from outside Australia? If you or someone you know needs help and you’re not based in Australia, please reach out to local emergency services or visit https://findahelpline.com to find trusted crisis support, financial advice, or domestic violence services in your area. THIS ISN’T FINANCIAL ADVICE The information provided on Before You Say Yes™ the podcast is for general educational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Always consider your personal circumstances and seek independent professional advice before making any financial decisions.

    Ep 6. When love becomes a liability: Before you say yes to an insurance policy

  8. Aug 19

    Ep 5. Debt doesn't care who walks away: Before you say yes to getting into debt together

    Content warning: This episode discusses domestic and financial abuse. Please take care while listening, and feel free to skip ahead if this isn't the right conversation for you today. Support services are listed in the show notes. If you are in immediate danger dial 000 (in Australia) Most of us take on debt at some point – a credit card, a car loan, a mortgage. Alone, it's straightforward: you owe it, you pay it back. Shared debt works differently, and almost nobody explains how before you sign. In this episode host Catherine Fitzpatrick is joined by finance commentator David Koch, along with returning guests Simone Weston, executive leader and domestic and financial abuse survivor, and Sue Fraser OAM, financial counsellor of 30 years. Kochie explains why he calls hidden debt “financial infidelity”, the golden rule of never signing anything you don't understand, and why becoming a guarantor for someone – even your own child – can cost you your house. Simone revisits the moment she lost “structural power” over her own finances: the difference between using an account every day and actually being the named authority on it. And Sue discusses the importance of understanding how contracts are structured when you take on shared debt. This is the conversation for the moment before you co-sign anything – a loan, a lease, or a favour for family. Because love shouldn't cost your freedom. YOU’LL LEARN Why “joint” debt means you're liable for all of it, not half – and why a joint savings account works the same way in reverse What David Koch calls “financial infidelity”, and why secret debt is a form of it The difference between the asset (who owns what) and the debt (who's liable)  What “structural power” means, and why being the named account holder matters Why you should never sign anything until you understand it What becoming a guarantor really means, including for your own child's mortgage How to make money conversations a regular, low-stakes habit instead of a crisis conversation What to check the next time a joint statement lands in your inbox GUESTS David Koch (Kochie): finance commentator, former Sunrise co-host and economic director, Compare the Market Simone Weston: executive leader, keynote speaker and women's advocate; domestic and financial abuse survivor Sue Fraser OAM: financial counsellor RESOURCES David Koch IG: https://www.instagram.com/kochie_online/ Kochie LI : https://www.linkedin.com/today/author/kochie Simone Weston: https://simoneweston.com.au/ Simone LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simone-weston-38a616b/ Simone FB: https://www.facebook.com/SimoneWestonCo/ Sue Fraser LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanjfraser/ Before You Say Yes IG: https://www.instagram.com/beforeyousayyes.pod/ Catherine’s website: https://catherinefitzpatrick.com/ Catherine IG: https://www.instagram.com/catherinefitzpatrick.official/ Catherine LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-fitzpatrick-designedtodisrupt/ FIND SUPPORT (Australia) If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, contact 1800 RESPECT (https://1800respect.org.au/) (call 1800 737 732). If you are in immediate danger, dial 000.  The Men’s Referral Service (https://mrs.org.au/) provides counselling, advice and support for men. Please call 1300 766 491. 13YARN (http://13yarn.org.au) offers confidential, culturally safe crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Contact 13 92 76. The National Debt Helpline (https://ndh.org.au/) provides free advice on how to manage your debts. Call 1800 007 007 for support. The Centre for Women’s Economic Safety (https://cwes.org.au/) offers free Money Clinics™ for women, non-binary and gender diverse people experiencing financial and economic abuse, or who are concerned about their finances in the context of domestic and family violence. To book an appointment call 1800 730 031.  For crisis support or suicide prevention services contact Lifeline (https://www.lifeline.org.au/) on 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14 at any time. Kids Helpline (https://kidshelpline.com.au/) is Australia's free, private and confidential 24/7 phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25. Call 1800 55 1800. Listening from outside Australia? If you or someone you know needs help and you’re not based in Australia, please reach out to local emergency services or visit https://findahelpline.com to find trusted crisis support, financial advice, or domestic violence services in your area. THIS ISN’T FINANCIAL ADVICE The information provided on Before You Say Yes™ the podcast is for general educational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Always consider your personal circumstances and seek independent professional advice before making any financial decisions.

    Ep 5. Debt doesn't care who walks away: Before you say yes to getting into debt together
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About

We talk about sexual consent - what it is, how to ask for it, how to give it, how to change your mind. But we don’t have the same conversation about our finances. Most of us just fall into sharing money and bills . We say yes because it's easier, because someone has to, because it seemed fine at the time – until life throws a curve ball and things aren’t set up the way we thought. Before you say yes™ is the practical guide to sharing money safely with someone you love. Each episode gives you the practical tools to know what to look for, what to ask, and what to say – to each other, and to the companies you rely on every day. Because the way you set things up matters more than you think. Hosted by Catherine Fitzpatrick — former bank executive, consumer advocate, and the person who should have explained all of this years ago. Before you say yes™ IG: https://www.instagram.com/beforeyousayyes.pod/ Catherine IG: https://www.instagram.com/catherinefitzpatrick.official/ Catherine LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-fitzpatrick-designedtodisrupt/ Website: https://catherinefitzpatrick.com/ Check the fine print: https://fine-print-check.replit.app/

Information

  • Creator
    Catherine Fitzpatrick
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Catherine Fitzpatrick 2026
  • Show Website
    Before you say yes

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