Gabby always had a passion for travel. Working in the travel industry, she set up a separate bank account to make sure she had the funds to enjoy her adventures. But when she hit her 30s, got married, and had children, everything changed.
“All of a sudden it’s not all about you anymore,” she says.
“You’re managing not just your money, but everyone else’s too.”
Balancing her new family life, Gabby found it challenging to keep track of her finances. She didn’t return to work after having children, except for a few casual jobs. “It gave me the opportunity to think, okay, how do I get this under control?” Gabby explains. “You want to have money for Christmas, birthdays, holidays—and that’s where things started to feel out of hand.”
A Shift in Financial Circumstances
Gabby and her family went through a period of financial strain. They decided to sell their home and investment property due to changing circumstances. “I got super scared,” Gabby admits. “I couldn’t manage our money, and I had no system to work from.”
She kept asking her accountant for advice, but the guidance she received wasn’t enough. “He wouldn’t give me that advice,” she recalls. That’s when she decided to take matters into her own hands.
Gabby was frustrated with her financial situation. “I was having trouble working with the data I had,” she says. “I’m very visual, so I thought there’s got to be a better system.” Rather than searching online, Gabby decided to drive to the nearest bookstore. There, a book caught her eye: Make Money Simple Again. The title spoke to her immediately. “I just want to make my money simple again,” she recalls thinking.
Gabby devoured the book, reading it cover to cover in just one week. The next week, she went back to the bookstore, highlighting the key steps she needed to take. “I was surprised by how much more there was in the book than I originally thought,” she says.
“It wasn’t just about figuring out your living and lifestyle expenses—it was about everything. My banking, my accounts, and how to make all of it work.”
Determined to make a change, Gabby followed the instructions in the book and started implementing MoneySMARTS. She took the first step by setting up new bank accounts and working out how to use her offset account. “I didn’t know how to use it properly,” she admits, “and our mortgage broker hadn’t explained that to us at the time.” It took time for Gabby to make these changes, but soon, she found a rhythm. “I had to close the old accounts, set up new ones, and change the direct debits,” she says. “I messed up a bit initially, but I learned along the way.”
Gabby didn’t just make financial changes herself—she also involved her family.
“I sat down with my kids at the dinner table, something I never had growing up, and explained that we were implementing a new system,” she says. “I told them I’d only be grocery shopping on Fridays or Saturdays to stick to our budget. They were worried they’d miss out on things, but I assured them we could still manage.”
As Gabby got her finances organised, she also found herself becoming more disciplined. “I had to plan my groceries better, make sure I was using what was in the freezer, and account for everything,” she says. “But the visual tools (in Moorr) really helped me see where we stood financially. That gave me the confidence that everything was working.”
A New Perspective
Gabby’s mindset shifted from worry and panic to peace of mind. “Before, I would worry about where I was going to pay the bills from, but now, I know it’s all accounted for,” she says. “
It’s not a concern anymore. If a bill comes in, I know exactly how to handle it.”
More than just managing the day-to-day, Gabby also started to see the bigger picture. “Before, I didn’t understand debt, or how it could actually assist us in the long term,” she reflects. “But now, with Moorr’s system, I get it. Using the equity in our property, I can see how to build long-term wealth and even buy another property.”
Gabby now trusts the system completely. “It’s about getting the everyday systems in place and having a long-term plan,” she says. “If you can do that, you’ll be able to make everything work. The system will help you. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about having faith in the system.”
Take the First Step Today
Gabby’s journey is a reminder that with the right tools and systems in place, anyone can take control of their finances and work towards long-term wealth. If you’re ready to simplify your financial life and build a better future, Moorr and MoneySMARTS can help you get there.
Start your journey with Moorr today and feel confident in managing your finances.
Note: Keen to watch the full video? Gabby appeared on The Property Couch back in Episode 262. You can tune in to her episode here >
