Instagram story viewer> @bai.talissa> Posts

Mortgage Broker | Serial saver | Average Australian

@bai.talissa

2K

followers

5898

following

💸 Cost-of-living survival tips
📈 Building wealth for the average Australian, without pretending it’s easy
🤝 Mortgage Broker @baimortgageco_

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Because buying a home isn’t just about offering more —
it’s about offering better.
Let's make sure your strategy is solid. 👊🏻 #mortgagebrokeraustralia #firsthome #homebuyingtip #mortgagebroker #investing101 by @bai.talissa

55

4

10 months ago

INVESTMENT FIRST vs USING GOVERNMENT SCHEMES FIRST
Which one actually suits YOU?
Theres no "BETTER" option - only what suits you. Want personalised guidance?
I'm a message away 🤍 #firsthomebuyers #mortgagebrokerau #propertyinvestors by @bai.talissa

3

3

10 months ago

At 20 years old, I worked 3 jobs and saved $50K.
So naturally… I got a tattoo.
Sorry mum 😅

It’s not about the ink.
It’s about discipline, sacrifice, and belief.

If that girl knew she’d become a mortgage broker—
turning hard work and property into a career—

she might have chosen something a little less permanent 😂 #mortgagebroker #mortgagebrokeraustralia #tattoo #savingschallenge #savings by @bai.talissa

47

5

10 months ago

8 things that have become ridiculously expensive in Australia — this is why so many people feel broke. by @bai.talissa

7

2

a day ago

Hot take: You can earn a good income and still struggle with money.

Because earning money and knowing how to manage it are two completely different skills.
You don’t have to be “bad with money” to need better money habits. And you’re never too old to learn.
Here are things I’d buy online to make saving money more practical, visual and even fun — for adults AND kids. 👇 1️⃣Budget binders & bill organisers — Separate your bills, everyday spending, savings and emergency fund. Give your money a clear purpose.
2️⃣ Money cards & allowance systems — Teach children and adults how to save, spend and use a debit card responsibly. Start the conversations early.
3️⃣ Board games —
Cashflow -- Created by Robert Kiyosaki, author of Rich Dad Poor Dad. Learn about income, expenses, assets and financial decisions through play.
Payday board game -- Learn about bills, budgeting, unexpected expenses and making your money last until the next payday.
Monopoly -- More than a family game-night argument 😂 Use it to start conversations about property, rent, cash and risk.
The Game of Life -- Get kids and adults talking about careers, income, housing and the financial choices we make along the way.
4️⃣ Save, Spend, Invest & Give money box — Four compartments to help children and adults practise giving every dollar a purpose.
5️⃣ ATM-style savings box — Make depositing money feel rewarding. A visual, hands-on way to practise saving instead of spending. Give your self that instant dopamine hit. 6️⃣ Colour-coded folders & cash envelopes — One for bills. One for groceries. One for savings. One for fun. Make your money easier to see and organise.
7️⃣ 100-envelope savings challenge — Pick an envelope, save the amount inside and watch your progress grow. Adapt the amounts to suit your budget.
8️⃣ $10,000 savings challenge money box — Track your progress with envelopes and a visual savings chart. Break a big goal into smaller, achievable steps.
Why I love these ideas: They’re tangible. You can see your money, practise decisions and build routines instead of relying on motivation alone. #moneyhabits #financialfreedom #savingschal by @bai.talissa

3

0

2 days ago

🏡 BUYING A HOUSE TOGETHER? READ THIS BEFORE YOU SIGN ANYTHING.

You’ve found the house. You’re picturing the furniture, choosing paint colours and imagining your future together. ❤️

But before you start scrolling real estate listings, there are 5 conversations every couple should have:

🏡 1. What happens if one of you loses your income?

💰 2. How will you split the deposit, mortgage repayments and bills?

📄 3. Will you own the property 50/50, or in different proportions?

💔 4. What happens if you separate or one person wants to sell?

🔑 5. Can you still afford the house if interest rates rise or unexpected expenses hit?

Nobody buys a house expecting things to go wrong. But life can change, and having these conversations early can help protect and prepare both of you.

Romanticising the house is easy. Planning for the unexpected is just as important.

Buying together is about more than finding your dream home. It’s about making a financial decision that works for both of you.

💬 Have you and your partner discussed these things or is it just awkward and uncomfortable?

Save this for when you’re ready to buy, and send it to someone planning their first home with their partner.

#firsthomebuyeraustralia #buyingahouse #financialfreedomjourney #australianproperty #mortgagebrokeraustralia by @bai.talissa

17

7

4 days ago

🏡 FIRST HOME BUYERS — SAVE THIS BEFORE YOU START HOUSE HUNTING! 👀🔑

Buying your first home is exciting… but a few small mistakes could cost you thousands. Here are 10 things I wish every first home buyer knew BEFORE they started! 👇

1️⃣ Check your credit file — Look for errors or defaults. Equifax is a great place to start.

2️⃣ Know your debts AND credit limits — That credit card with a $0 balance? Its limit can still affect your borrowing power!

3️⃣ Speak to a mortgage broker EARLY — Even if buying is 6–12 months away, a plan now can put you in a much stronger position later. It’s NEVER too early! 🤍

4️⃣ Tidy up your debts strategically — Car loans, credit cards, Afterpay, Zip Pay and HECS-HELP can all affect your borrowing power. Get advice before making big financial changes.

5️⃣ Build your savings habit — Start saving consistently and get comfortable living on a future mortgage budget.

6️⃣ Know your REAL budget — Being able to borrow a certain amount doesn’t mean you should spend it all! Budget for repayments, bills, rates, insurance and unexpected costs.

7️⃣ Look for FREE MONEY! 💰 — Grants, deposit guarantee schemes and stamp duty concessions could save you thousands. Check what you’re eligible for!

8️⃣ Budget beyond your deposit — Conveyancing, inspections, moving costs and an emergency buffer matter too.

9️⃣ Get pre-approval — Understand your budget before falling in love with a property. Remember, pre-approval isn’t a guarantee of finance.

🔟 Get your conveyancer involved BEFORE signing — And arrange appropriate building and pest inspections. Never assume you can simply walk away from a contract!

✨ MY BIGGEST TIP? You don’t have to be ready to buy to start preparing to buy.

The earlier you start, the more time you have to create a strategy, understand your options and work towards your own front door. 🏡🤍

📩 Thinking about buying, even if it’s a year away? Let’s chat. No question is too big, too small or too silly.

Your dream is our dream. 🤍

#FirstHomeBuyer #FirstHomeBuyersAustralia #MortgageBroker #HomeBuyingTips #propertytips by @bai.talissa

13

5

6 days ago

He isn’t even born yet… and we’re already thinking about his financial future.

Unpopular opinion: we should be preparing our kids for financial independence long before they turn 18.

Because the reality is, most of us weren’t taught how money actually works.

We learnt through mistakes. Through debt. Through watching house prices climb while trying to save a deposit. Through figuring out superannuation, investing, interest rates and the cost of living as we went.

And I don’t want the next generation to have to learn everything the hard way.

So, as my sister prepares to welcome her little boy, we’re thinking beyond the nursery, the cute outfits and the baby shower.

We’re looking at ways to give him a financial head start:

🤎 Building good savings habits from day one
📈 Exploring long-term investing and the power of compound growth.
🏦 Learning about money, assets and how wealth is built over time.
🏡 Teaching him about property, deposits, borrowing and financial responsibility when he’s old enough to understand.
🧠 Most importantly, teaching him that money is a tool — not something to fear, hide from or spend without thinking.

And no, you don’t have to be wealthy to start teaching your children about money. You don’t need thousands of dollars or a perfect financial situation.
You can start with the habits, conversations and knowledge you build at home.
Because imagine being 18 and not only having some money behind you, but actually understanding how to manage it.

That’s the kind of head start I want for him.
Not because money is everything. But because having options, financial confidence and a little more freedom can change the direction of a person’s life.
And if we can start laying that foundation before he’s even born, why wouldn’t we? 🥹

Now I’m curious… what would YOU include in a baby’s financial starter pack?

A high interest savings account? Investments? EFT set up? Financial education? Money Box? Something else?
Let’s share ideas for the next generation.
The goal isn't to raise a rich kid. It's to raise an adult who understands money. 🤎🐻
#investingforthefuture #financialliteracyforkids by @bai.talissa

16

2

8 days ago

In your 20s, you might be living at home, earning a wage and enjoying life. And you absolutely should enjoy yourself! 🤍

But you can ALSO grind, get ahead of the game, make intentional financial choices and set yourself up for the future.

You don’t have to sacrifice your life now to build a better one later. You can do BOTH — enjoy your money today while making sure future you has more choices, freedom and opportunities. 💸🏡

1️⃣ 🎰 GAMBLING: It might start as a bit of fun, but gambling can become a gateway to addiction, chasing losses and serious financial stress later on. The cost isn’t just what you lose today; it’s the savings, opportunities and goals that money could have gone towards. And honestly that debt just sits on your chest and weighs you down.

2️⃣ 💳 AFTERPAY & GENERAL DEBT: Just because you can make the repayments because your living at home, doesn’t mean you should. Stop buying things to keep up with everyone else. Be intentional with what you want. Try saving for what you want instead of using pay in 4 , after pay. Buying something with money you’ve worked hard to save hits DIFFERENT.👏🏻

3️⃣ 💵 CASH IN HAND: Extra cash might feel good now, but if your income isn’t properly declared, you could run into tax issues and struggle to prove your income when applying for a home loan. Think about your superannuation, too.

4️⃣ 🏡 YOU’RE NEVER TOO YOUNG TO GET AHEAD: If you’re working and living at home, you have a huge opportunity to build savings and start planning for your future. You don’t have to buy a house at 21 or miss out on having fun. But imagine what starting five years earlier could do for your future. Enjoy your 20s AND make your money work for you. So you can enjoy your whole life.

You don’t have to be perfect with money. Most of us are learning as we go. The important thing is to start making decisions your future self will thank you for. 🤍

💾 SAVE THIS for later and share it with someone who wants to get ahead!

#MoneyTips #FinancialLiteracy #BuildingWealth #MoneyHabits #australianproperty by @bai.talissa

14

0

10 days ago

When everything started getting more expensive, I realised I couldn’t control what things cost…

But I could control what I did with my money.

I wasn’t going to stop living.

I wasn’t going to sit at home miserable and never spend a dollar.

I just had to get smarter.

So I started finding little ways to save money, make extra money and make the money I already had stretch further.

Some of them are ridiculously simple…

But they added up. 👇🏼
1️⃣ I STARTED GETTING PAID TO WASTE TIME.

This sounds ridiculous.

But if I was already sitting on my phone…

I started doing paid surveys.

Some of the ones I’ve used:

💰 Pureprofile
💰 Octopus Group
💰 Purkle

Waiting for an appointment?

Survey.

Watching TV?

Survey.

Sitting around doing absolutely nothing?

Might as well make a few dollars. 😂

BUT — I don’t treat this like a job.

I’m not spending two hours completing surveys for $4.

I use them when I have dead time anyway.

It’s money I wouldn’t have had otherwise.

⸻⸻

2️⃣ I STARTED CHECKING FOR CASHBACK BEFORE I BOUGHT ANYTHING.

This became a habit.

Before I buy something online:

ShopBack.

Then:

TopCashback.

I compare the cashback and use whichever gives me the better deal.

Because if I’m buying the thing anyway…

WHY NOT GET SOME OF MY MONEY BACK?

But here’s the important part:

Cashback is NOT saving money if it makes you buy something you didn’t need. 😂

Don’t see:

“20% CASHBACK”

…and suddenly convince yourself you need a $300 dress.

You just spent $240 instead of $0. 💀

⸻3️⃣ I STOPPED BEING LOYAL TO COMPANIES THAT WEREN’T LOYAL TO MY WALLET.

This one saved me WAY more than cutting out coffees.

Insurance.

Internet.

Phone plans.

Electricity.

Subscriptions.

Every now and then I’d actually ask:

“Is this still the best deal?”

And sometimes a 10-minute phone call can save you hundreds of dollars a year.
However be mindful this can affect your credit score. So don't go to crazy.
⸻ by @bai.talissa

12

0

12 days ago

At 35, did I ever think I’d still be working days this long?

Honestly… no.

But life happens.
The cost of living happens.
Plans change.
And sometimes, if you want something badly enough, you have to be willing to work for it.

I’ve recently started my own mortgage broking business, and I’m also about to start the process of buying my late Grandma & Grandpa’s house.

As a single woman, I know it won’t be easy.

But I also know exactly what I’m working towards.

When I was around 20, I worked three jobs. So I should be able to do it again right?

Is it harder now?

F >%^ Yes.

Is it exhausting?

Absolutely.

But is it worth it?

100%!!!

Because this isn’t forever.

This is a season.

A few more years of grinding.
A few more years of sacrifice.
A few more years of building.
A few more years of backing myself.

Because these 17-hour days aren’t my destination.

They’re part of the journey to get there.

And I’d rather work incredibly hard for the life I want than sit back one day wondering what could have happened if I’d just backed myself.

So if you’re reading this and you feel like you’re starting over, starting late, or working harder than everyone around you…

You’re not too old.
You’re not behind.
And it’s never too late.

Dream big.

Work hard.

Back yourself.

And remember — you don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to keep moving towards the life you want. 🤍

One day, I’ll look back at these 17 hours and 45 minutes and know exactly why I did them.💕 #hustle #smallbusiness #financegoals by @bai.talissa

39

13

13 days ago

How I survived on my lowest wage during a cost-of-living crisis… while starting a business, studying AND paying a full mortgage as a single girl. 😅

Setting up a new business and studying at the same time is NO JOKE.
There were moments it genuinely took me to breaking point.
I was seriously worried I wasn’t going to make it.
But sometimes, it’s only when you get to your lowest point that you’re forced to get really smart about your money.

Here’s what I did… and still do 👇🏼

1️⃣ I KEPT SAVING — EVEN WHEN IT WAS ONLY $50.

$50 was still more than I had before I saved it.
Instead of thinking “it’s only $50”, I started thinking “look what I just achieved.”
I got positive about saving. I got proud of it.
And then I started looking at ways to make that money work for me — whether that was ETFs, stocks, saving for an investment or putting money back into my business.
It wasn’t about how much.
It was about building the habit of making my money work for me.

2️⃣ I STOPPED BUYING BOOKS.
This one was HUGE for me.
I was spending hundreds of dollars a week on books when I looked at my account.
So I started reading on my iPhone and iPad instead and used free resources such as my library, Ebook Hunter, All Books World and Ocean of PDF.

3️⃣ GOODBYE SPOTIFY.
I cancelled Spotify and used free YouTube music videos instead.

4️⃣ I REFUSED TO UPGRADE MY IPHONE.
This phone was FULL.
The screen was smashed.
It was basically held together by hope.
And yes… I desperately wanted a new one.
But I decided to keep it.
I also kept my phone plan around $30 a month using providers such as Amaysim, Kogan and ALDI Mobile.
That decision saved me a surprising amount of money.
of money.

5️⃣ I STARTED LIVING LIKE THE OLDER GENERATION DID. 😂

This might honestly be one of my favourite lessons.
I stopped running the ducted heating through the entire house and used my split systems only in the rooms I was actually sitting in. I brought out the heated blanket.
Used heat packs.
Stopped leaving lights on all over the house.
If I wasn’t using the room, I wasn’t heating or lighting it. Suddenly I understood why our parents & grandparents by @bai.talissa

35

14

15 days ago