The Property Couch 577 | “You’re Not Broken”: Finding Financial Freedom Through Life’s Tensions – Chat with Kat
Dec 18, 2025
Katrina 'Kat' Smith, a devoted mother and long-time listener, shares her raw money journey. She navigates the pressures of parenting, postnatal depression, and the quest for financial freedom. Kat recounts her financial awakening in university, the significance of shared plans with her partner, and the emotional triggers that challenged her progress. Her story emphasizes that perfection isn’t necessary for success and that open communication is vital. The conversation also covers teaching kids about money and the lessons learned from her first property investment.
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Small-Town Upbringing Shaped Money Beliefs
- Kat grew up in a small town where her parents modelled saving and hard work which shaped her baseline money beliefs.
- She remembers a modest but happy childhood with practical gifts and little tension around money.
University Spending Spiral
- At university Kat used a credit card and spent impulsively after leaving home and parental support reduced.
- She links that period to emotional triggers and a shift from saving to week-to-week living.
Friction Triggers Financial Action
- Kat realised real financial friction (like rent > mortgage) drove the decision to buy property.
- She argues people change only when pain or friction forces a new choice.