We all know that dopamine drives our spending, whether it’s impulse shopping, online browsing, or grabbing a little treat just because. That quick hit of excitement can make spending feel effortless, while saving? Not so much. But what if we could flip the script and make saving just as rewarding as swiping our card?

This week, I’m unpacking how to retrain your brain to crave financial wins instead of spending sprees. By understanding the psychology behind our money habits, we can start making small shifts that give us that same dopamine rush, not from spending, but from watching our savings grow.

I'm covering:
Why we’re wired to seek dopamine from spending
How to make saving feel just as rewarding
Simple ways to gamify your savings

If you’ve ever struggled to break the cycle of impulse spending, this one’s for you!



Order my book, Good with Money: 

Australia: https://amzn.to/4eLOi5x 

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Good-Money-Reprogramme-Spending-Control/

Where to find The Broke Generation

Website: https://thebrokegeneration.com/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/the.brokegeneration
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the.brokegeneration  

Sign up to The Glue: the weekly money psychology and mindset newsletter www.thebrokegeneration.com/subscribe

We all know that dopamine drives our spending, whether it&rsquo;s impulse shopping, online browsing, or grabbing a little treat just because. That quick hit of excitement can make spending feel effortless, while saving? Not so much. But what if we could flip the script and make saving just as rewarding as swiping our card?
This week, I&rsquo;m unpacking how to retrain your brain to crave financial wins instead of spending sprees. By understanding the psychology behind our money habits, we can start making small shifts that give us that same dopamine rush, not from spending, but from watching our savings grow.
I'm covering:
<ul>
<li>Why we&rsquo;re wired to seek dopamine from spending</li>
<li>How to make saving feel just as rewarding</li>
<li>Simple ways to gamify your savings</li>
</ul>
If you&rsquo;ve ever struggled to break the cycle of impulse spending, this one&rsquo;s for you! 
Order my book, Good with Money:&nbsp; Australia:&nbsp;<a href="https://amzn.to/4eLOi5x">https://amzn.to/4eLOi5x</a>&nbsp;
UK: <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Good-Money-Reprogramme-Spending-Control/dp/1399822446/ref=asc_df_1399822446?mcid=8cfd172ad9473176be1ff7bdcdfd9f24&amp;th=1&amp;psc=1&amp;hvocijid=8186753501660029287-1399822446-&amp;hvexpln=74&amp;tag=googshopuk-21&amp;linkCode=df0&amp;hvadid=696285193871&amp;hvpos=&amp;hvnetw=g&amp;hvrand=8186753501660029287&amp;hvpone=&amp;hvptwo=&amp;hvqmt=&amp;hvdev=c&amp;hvdvcmdl=&amp;hvlocint=&amp;hvlocphy=9220538&amp;hvtargid=pla-2281435176378&amp;psc=1&amp;gad_source=1">https://www.amazon.co.uk/Good-Money-Reprogramme-Spending-Control/</a>
Where to find The Broke Generation
Website:<a href="https://thebrokegeneration.com/subscribe/?utm_source=podcast&amp;utm_medium=link&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_subscribe_link_click&amp;utm_id=Podcast+Show+Notes"> https://thebrokegeneration.com/ </a>Instagram:<a href="https://instagram.com/the.brokegeneration"> https://instagram.com/the.brokegeneration </a>TikTok:<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@the.brokegeneration"> https://www.tiktok.com/@the.brokegeneration</a> &nbsp;
Sign up to The Glue: the weekly money psychology and mindset newsletter<a href="https://thebrokegeneration.com/subscribe/?utm_source=podcast&amp;utm_medium=link&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_subscribe_link_click&amp;utm_id=Podcast+Show+Notes"> www.thebrokegeneration.com/subscribe</a>

Feel good finance podcast, packed with frank and honest money conversations, and practical tips to help you be better with money.

The Broke Generation

How to get dopamine from saving instead of spending

In this episode I'm joined by Tash Etschmann (@tashinvests) for a chat about all things POINTS! We unpack everything from Qantas versus Velocity for frequent flyer points, Everyday Rewards vs FlyBuys, and other programs that offer added benefits. 

Join me as an Everyday Extra gal here: https://rewards.app.link/wc7wWEYYoOb

 

 

In this episode I'm joined by Tash Etschmann (@tashinvests) for a chat about all things POINTS! We unpack everything from Qantas versus Velocity for frequent flyer points, Everyday Rewards vs FlyBuys, and other programs that offer added benefits.&nbsp;
Join me as an Everyday Extra gal here: <a href="https://rewards.app.link/wc7wWEYYoOb">https://rewards.app.link/wc7wWEYYoOb</a>
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Reviewing the best points and rewards programs in Australia, with Tash Etschmann

We're back again with another week in our wallets brought to you by PocketSmith. This week Victoria galivants around Japan while Emma has a low key week of hustling.

Head to www.pocketsmith.com/thebrokegeneration to get 50% off your first two months of PocketSmith's foundation plan.

We're back again with another week in our wallets brought to you by PocketSmith. This week Victoria galivants around Japan while Emma has a low key week of hustling.
Head to <a href="https://www.pocketsmith.com/thebrokegeneration">www.pocketsmith.com/thebrokegeneration</a> to get 50% off your first two months of PocketSmith's foundation plan.

A week in our wallets: The Comments Section with E & V

In this episode I'm joined by Kim Heironymous, education manager at AustralianSuper, to talk all things superannuation and how to get engaged with your superfund for the benefit of your future self.

Highlights:
Understanding how super contributions work
How you can make up for years of low/no super
How spousal splitting and co-contributions can help you level the super playing field in your relationship
The impact of small additional contributions
Small ways you can take steps towards a better retirement

Take your Super Snapshot here to see how you’re tracking!

-

Disclaimers:

If you’re considering making a decision about AustralianSuper, please read the relevant PDS and TMD available at www.australiansuper.com.

Before making a decision to combine your super, consider any fees or charges that may apply, and the effect a transfer may have on benefits in your other fund such as insurance cover.

If you wish to claim a tax deduction for personal super contributions, you must lodge a notice of intent to claim a tax deduction with your other fund before you combine your super.

Before adding to your super, consider your financial circumstances, eligibility, contribution caps that may apply, tax issues and when your super can be accessed.

AustralianSuper modelling projections show a high school graduate who starts their retail career at 18yo and earns 12% SG on their Ordinary Times Earnings (OTE) of $56,000 throughout their working life can expect a balance of $556,000 when they retire at 67. At 20yo, they change their investment option from Balanced to High Growth. They continue to earn 12% SG on their OTE of $56,000 throughout their working life. By changing their investment option, they can now expect a balance of $641,000 when they retire at 67 – that’s $85,000 more than if they hadn’t taken action.

The projection is only an estimate and isn’t a guarantee. The actual benefits you receive will depend on a range of factors including future economic conditions, investment performance and legislative change. Assumptions: Calculations at September 2025. Salary as per General Retail Industry Award (Retail Employee Level 4) 1 at 25 June 2025. Salary indexed at 3.5% pa. AustralianSuper administration fees of $1 pw and 0.10% of account balance (capped at $350 pa) and AustralianSuper average insurance costs of $450 p.a. Assumes member will receive a tax benefit of 15% on any administration fees and any insurance fees deducted directly from the account. Investment returns projected over the working lifetime are 6.5% p.a. for the Balanced option and 7.0% p.a. for the High Growth option, net of fees and applicable taxes. SG contributions are 12% pa from 1 July 2025. Assumes member works full-time throughout the projection period with no career breaks. 

In this episode I'm joined by Kim Heironymous, education manager at AustralianSuper, to talk all things superannuation and how to get engaged with your superfund for the benefit of your future self.
Highlights:
<ul>
<li>Understanding how super contributions work</li>
<li>How you can make up for years of low/no super</li>
<li>How spousal splitting and co-contributions can help you level the super playing field in your relationship</li>
<li>The impact of small additional contributions</li>
<li>Small ways you can take steps towards a better retirement</li>
</ul>
Take your Super Snapshot <a href="https://www.australiansuper.com/campaigns/super-snapshot?utm_medium=digital&amp;utm_source=the_broke_generation&amp;utm_campaign=pr_campaign%7Cstay%7Cfy26%7Cq2%7Cnovember" data-renderer-mark="true" data-is-router-link="false" data-testid="link-with-safety">here</a> to see how you&rsquo;re tracking!
-
Disclaimers:
If you&rsquo;re considering making a decision about AustralianSuper, please read the relevant PDS and TMD available at www.australiansuper.com.
Before making a decision to combine your super, consider any fees or charges that may apply, and the effect a transfer may have on benefits in your other fund such as insurance cover.
If you wish to claim a tax deduction for personal super contributions, you must lodge a notice of intent to claim a tax deduction with your other fund before you combine your super.
Before adding to your super, consider your financial circumstances, eligibility, contribution caps that may apply, tax issues and when your super can be accessed.
AustralianSuper modelling projections show a high school graduate who starts their retail career at 18yo and earns 12% SG on their Ordinary Times Earnings (OTE) of $56,000 throughout their working life can expect a balance of $556,000 when they retire at 67. At 20yo, they change their investment option from Balanced to High Growth. They continue to earn 12% SG on their OTE of $56,000 throughout their working life. By changing their investment option, they can now expect a balance of $641,000 when they retire at 67 &ndash; that&rsquo;s $85,000 more than if they hadn&rsquo;t taken action.
The projection is only an estimate and isn&rsquo;t a guarantee. The actual benefits you receive will depend on a range of factors including future economic conditions, investment performance and legislative change. Assumptions: Calculations at September 2025. Salary as per General Retail Industry Award (Retail Employee Level 4) 1 at 25 June 2025. Salary indexed at 3.5% pa. AustralianSuper administration fees of $1 pw and 0.10% of account balance (capped at $350 pa) and AustralianSuper average insurance costs of $450 p.a. Assumes member will receive a tax benefit of 15% on any administration fees and any insurance fees deducted directly from the account. Investment returns projected over the working lifetime are 6.5% p.a. for the Balanced option and 7.0% p.a. for the High Growth option, net of fees and applicable taxes. SG contributions are 12% pa from 1 July 2025. Assumes member works full-time throughout the projection period with no career breaks.&nbsp;

How to get dopamine from saving instead of spending

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