Maximising Annual Leave, AI Holiday Hacks and 2026 Planning – Q&A

Nov 6, 2025

In this engaging discussion, Lexi Smith, a money coach and financial adviser at MoneyVine, shares her expertise on budgeting and family financial planning. She provides practical tips to save during the festive season and maximize annual leave for rejuvenating holidays. Lexi dives into the costs of raising kids and offers strategies for effective savings and investing for their future. Plus, she introduces clever AI tools to aid in holiday planning and emphasizes the importance of setting solid financial goals for 2026.

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Reduce Gift Spend With Practical Presents

Use gifts you would buy anyway (like school shoes) to reduce extra spending on kids.
Opt for Secret Santa or shared presents to limit the number of full-price gifts you buy.

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Use AI For Cheap, Thoughtful Gifts

Use AI (ChatGPT) to brainstorm creative, low-cost gift ideas tailored to the recipient.
Personalised outputs like poems can be inexpensive and emotionally powerful.

ADVICE

Book Leave Early To Stretch Your Time Off

Pre-book annual leave and coordinate with public holidays to maximise paid time off.
Take a genuine break between Christmas and New Year to recharge and protect productivity for 2026.

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In this Friday episode of The Australian Finance Podcast, host Gemma Mitchell is joined by Money Coach Lexi Smith from MoneyVine to answer your money questions. We look at how to get through the most expensive time of year, how to plan for holidays, the real cost of raising kids, and how to set yourself up well for 2026. Gemma and Lexi cover: - Practical ways to save over the silly season without feeling like you’re missing out - How to plan for a workplace shutdown or reduced income period over Christmas - Simple holiday budgeting tips and how to maximise annual leave for better breaks - How to start a budget that actually works and whether budgeting apps are worth it - Planning for children from pregnancy to school costs and how to set up savings or investing for kids - Deciding between offset accounts, term deposits or micro-investing apps for family savings goals - When moving for a school catchment makes financial sense and when it may not - Easy AI tools that can help plan travel, gift lists, meal prep and household admin over the holidays - Steps to set yourself up for your best financial year in 2026, even if things feel tight right now Plus, we need your help! Gemma’s set a challenge for our listeners: can we get Owen to write a book? Help make it happen by signing up to our newsletter — we’re aiming for 3,000 new sign-ups in November. If you like this episode of The Australian Finance Podcast, make sure to subscribe for weekly shows on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts — and don’t forget to send in your questions for future Q&As using the link below. Episode Resources - MoneySmart Budget - Sign up for the newsletter - Buy Gemma’s book The Money Reset - Ask a question (select the Finance podcast)

Show partner resources - Join Pearler using code “RASK” for $15 of Pearler Credit - Get 50% off your first two months using PocketSmith - View Betashares range of funds: Rask resources - All services - Financial Planning - Invest with us - Access Show Notes - Ask a question DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG) #finance #asx

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