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 18. Why reading your insurance policy could save you from a devastating shock: Andrew Hall uncut

    An insurance policy can feel like a safety net. Like protection. Like peace of mind. But what if the person who shares that policy with you can cancel it without your knowledge, or adjust the cover so low it won't do the job if the worst happens? In this bonus episode, host Catherine Fitzpatrick returns to her conversation with Andrew Hall, Chief Executive Officer of the Insurance Council of Australia. Andrew says insurers better understand how their products can be weaponised in relationships, and what needs to change to protect people when trust breaks down. He unpacks what insurance actually is and why it's designed to help you carry risk you can't afford to take on alone. He explains why reading your policy could save you from a devastating shock, how malicious damage exclusions are being rethought in cases of domestic violence, and why it's so easy to cancel an insurance policy without the other person knowing. From understanding whose name is on the policy to knowing what happens if your home floods or your ex threatens to burn it down, this episode is a practical guide to protecting yourself before, during and after your circumstances change. Because love shouldn't cost your freedom. YOU'LL LEARN ·       What an insurance policy actually is, and why it's designed to take risk off your side of the ledger ·       Why reading your policy is critical, and what questions to ask when you're taking out cover ·       How joint insurance policies work, and what it means when both names are on the policy ·       Why malicious damage exclusions exist, and how insurers are rethinking them in cases of domestic and family violence ·       How easy it is to cancel an insurance policy, and why that can leave you exposed if someone does it without your knowledge ·       What to say to your insurer if you're experiencing domestic violence or financial abuse, and how to ask for extra care GUESTS Andrew Hall: Chief Executive Officer, Insurance Council of Australia RESOURCES ·       Insurance Council of Australia: https://insurancecouncil.com.au/ ·       Andrew Hall LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-hall-07305a10/ ·       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 18. Why reading your insurance policy could save you from a devastating shock: Andrew Hall uncut

  2. 3d ago

    Ep 17. Why joint accounts can become a trap if your relationship breaks down: Rebecca Glenn uncut

    A joint account can feel like partnership. Like trust. Like building a life together. But what if the person you love walks away, and you're left with the debt, the disconnected electricity, or a loan you didn't even know existed? In this bonus episode, host Catherine Fitzpatrick returns to her conversation with Rebecca Glenn, founder and CEO of the Centre for Women's Economic Safety. Rebecca has spent years sitting across from people when the emotional reality of relationships collides with the fine print of joint accounts, shared bills and informal arrangements that feel fair but leave one person exposed. She unpacks what makes joint products so sticky, why informal arrangements about who pays what can leave you with all the liability and none of the protection, and the small steps you can take before, during and after a relationship to protect your financial identity. From setting up a safe email address to understanding what happens if one person won't agree to change a joint 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 ·       Why joint accounts and shared bills are so sticky when a relationship breaks down, and what makes them hard to disentangle ·       The difference between using an account every day and being the named authority on it ·       Why informal arrangements about who pays what can leave you with all the liability and none of the protection ·       The first steps to take if you're thinking about leaving: a safe email address, a separate bank account, and a way to communicate privately ·       How to check if there's alignment between who uses a product and whose name is on the paperwork ·       The one question to ask before you say yes to any shared account or bill: what is my liability with this product, and what happens if things don't go as planned? ·       Why smartphones have become the most powerful tool for financial abuse, and what to do if someone has access to yours GUESTS Rebecca Glenn: Founder and CEO, Centre for Women's Economic Safety (CWES) RESOURCES ·       Centre for Women's Economic Safety: https://cwes.org.au/ ·       Financial Safety website: https://financialsafety.org.au/ ·       Rebecca Glenn LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-glenn-9ab70a4/ ·       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 17. Why joint accounts can become a trap if your relationship breaks down: Rebecca Glenn uncut

  3. Oct 28

    Ep 16. What banks can - and can't - do when a relationship breaks down: Simon Birmingham uncut

    A joint account can feel like trust. Like partnership. Like building a life together. But what if the fine print says something different? What if joint doesn't mean 50/50, and the person you love can legally empty that account overnight? In this bonus episode, host Catherine Fitzpatrick (Fitz) returns to her conversation with Simon Birmingham (Birmo), Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Banking Association. Simon explains the intersection of consumer rights, legal frameworks and the realities of financial abuse. He unpacks what joint and several liability actually means, why you can't just walk into a bank and exit a joint account without the other person's consent, and what the Banking Industry Code of Practice says about how banks should respond when someone discloses financial abuse. From the guidelines that protect your safety to the new terms and conditions that make it clear misusing a bank product to cause harm has consequences, he explains what you can expect from your bank and what you need to know before you share your financial life with someone else. From confirmation of payee to the friction that might save you from a scam or worse, this episode is a practical guide to understanding your rights, your responsibilities, and what safer financial design really looks like. Because love shouldn't cost your freedom. YOU'LL LEARN • What joint and several liability actually means, and why it's not a 50/50 arrangement • Why you can't just walk into a bank and exit a joint account without the other person's authority • What the Banking Industry Code of Practice says about how banks should respond when you disclose financial abuse • Why banks are embedding financial abuse protections into their product terms and conditions, and what that means for customers • How scam prevention technologies like confirmation of payee can also help detect financial abuse GUEST Simon Birmingham: Chief Executive Officer, Australian Banking Association RESOURCES • Australian Banking Association: https://www.ausbanking.org.au/ • Banking Industry Code of Practice: https://www.ausbanking.org.au/priorities/code-of-banking-practice/ • Simon Birmingham LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-birmingham-a2a22a10/ • 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 decision

    Ep 16. What banks can - and can't - do when a relationship breaks down: Simon Birmingham uncut

  4. Oct 26

    Ep 15. Why one shared account can expose your location and risk your money: Karen Bentley uncut

    A shared password can feel like trust. Like partnership. Like proof that you've got nothing to hide. But what if the person who knows your iCloud password can also see your location, read your messages, and track every move you make? In this bonus episode, host Catherine Fitzpatrick returns to her conversation with Karen Bentley, CEO of WESNET, Australia's national peak body for domestic and family violence services. Karen has spent 15 years helping frontline workers understand how everyday technology can be weaponised in relationships, and what survivors can do to reclaim their digital lives. She unpacks why 99.7% of domestic violence clients are experiencing tech abuse, how sharing one password can give someone access to your entire life, and why the phrase "if you don't share your password with me, you don't love me" is a red flag, not a sign of commitment. From setting up separate email accounts for your banking and super to using Safety Check on your iPhone, Karen shares the simple digital habits that protect your autonomy before, during and after a relationship changes. Because love shouldn't cost your freedom. YOU'LL LEARN Why 99.7% of domestic violence clients are now experiencing some form of tech abuse How sharing your iCloud or Google account can give someone access to your emails, messages, location and calendar Why you should never use the same password and email for every account, and how to set up separate email addresses for banking, shopping and social media What Safety Check is on your iPhone, and how it can help you see who's connected to your device and disconnect from everyone in an emergency How to use two-factor authentication and password managers to protect your accounts without losing your mind Why sharing your password shouldn't be a test of love or loyalty, and how to set boundaries around your digital life The one question to ask yourself before you say yes to sharing your passwords or accounts: am I feeling any pressure to do this, and what happens if this relationship ends? GUESTS Karen Bentley: CEO, WESNET (Women's Services Network) RESOURCES WESNET: https://wesnet.org.au/ Karen Bentley LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-bentley-46047a16/ 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 15. Why one shared account can expose your location and risk your money: Karen Bentley uncut

  5. Oct 21

    Ep 14. How to talk about money before it becomes a control tactic: Moo Baulch OAM uncut

    Money conversations can feel harder than talking about sex. But what if the skills we're teaching young people about consent could also help them protect their financial future? In this bonus episode, host Catherine Fitzpatrick returns to her conversation with Moo Baulch OAM, Chair of Our Watch and a leader in violence prevention work who has spent decades on the frontlines helping people recognise coercive control before it has a name. Moo unpacks why financial abuse is so hard to spot when you're in it, how gender stereotypes about money start forming in early childhood, and why prevention means starting the conversation long before someone opens a joint account or co-signs a loan. She explains what to say when you're worried about a friend or family member, how to check in without taking over, and why the most powerful thing a bystander can do is stay connected and keep the door open. From teaching kids about money through a "what if" lens to calling your bank and saying the words that will get you help, this episode is a practical guide to building financial literacy, spotting control, and supporting someone who might not be ready to leave. Because love shouldn't cost your freedom. YOU'LL LEARN What prevention means, and why it starts with teaching kids about gender stereotypes and money from an early age Why money conversations feel scarier than talking about sex, and how to make them a regular, low-stakes habit How to use the "what if" lens: planning for when things go wrong before you're in crisis What to say when you're worried about someone: name what you've noticed, ask if they're okay, and stay connected How to check in on a mate or family member without making them feel judged or isolated What to say when you call your bank, telco or energy company if you're experiencing financial abuse Why growing a shared literacy around financial abuse gives hope, and how private sector involvement is changing the conversation The one question to ask yourself before you say yes to anything: how would I explain this to my five-year-old self? GUESTS Moo Baulch OAM: Chair, Our Watch RESOURCES Our Watch: https://www.ourwatch.org.au/ Moo Baulch LI: https://au.linkedin.com/in/moobaulch 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 14. How to talk about money before it becomes a control tactic: Moo Baulch OAM uncut

  6. Oct 19

    Ep 13. Just because you make more money doesn't mean you make all the decisions: Dave Kramer uncut

    Earning more money doesn't mean you get to make all the decisions. But for men and boys taught to believe that being a provider means being in charge, sharing financial power can feel like losing control. In this bonus episode, host Catherine Fitzpatrick returns to her conversation with Dave Kramer, behavioural scientist and facilitator who works with men and boys on respectful relationships. Dave unpacks the pressure men face to provide, the rigid gender beliefs that shape how young people think about money, and what happens when control becomes a substitute for communication. He explains why making more money shouldn't mean making more decisions, how to call someone in rather than call them out when something doesn't feel right, and why setting realistic financial goals as a couple protects both partners. From the language we hear at work to the beliefs boys absorb online, this episode explores how financial control shows up on a continuum and what men can do to hold each other accountable before it escalates. This is the conversation for anyone who wants to build an equal financial partnership, even when the world tells you the person with the bigger pay packet should be in charge. Because love shouldn't cost your freedom. YOU'LL LEARN Why earning more money doesn't mean you get to make all the decisions in a relationship The pressure men and boys face to be providers, and how that belief can lead to control How rigid gender beliefs about money show up in schools, workplaces and relationships What calling someone in looks like compared with calling them out when something doesn't feel right How controlling behaviour can escalate along a continuum, from jokes and rigid beliefs through to financial abuse How to check in on a mate without judgment: stay curious, ask questions, and keep the door open GUESTS Dave Kramer: Behavioural scientist and facilitator RESOURCES 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. 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 13. Just because you make more money doesn't mean you make all the decisions: Dave Kramer uncut

  7. Oct 14

    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

  8. Oct 12

    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
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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
    19
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Catherine Fitzpatrick 2026
  • Show Website
    Before you say yes

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