About Mariam

Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got to talking about money?

I'm the co-founder of MoneyGirl - a social enterprise delivering financial education to young women around Australia. I came to Australia as a University student and stumbled my way around the financial system for the first many years! I had cut financial ties with family for financial control reasons. That was when I realised how important it was to have control over your own resources in life.

As I grew up, I realised what a huge role money plays in the control and abuse of women EVERYWHERE! So I started talking about it with my co-founder. We talked about it with more friends, who talked about it with their friends. That conversation basically turned into the MoneyGirl course!

Can you give us three words that come to mind when you think about money?

Abundance, Opportunity, Independence

In your opinion, why is it important for us, as women, to be talking more about money?

Why women?

Because women still earn less, take on most caring responsibilities, forgo pay rises and promotions, and end up retiring in poverty - or completely dependent on somebody else. If that somebody else is an abusive partner or family member, this puts women in life-threatening situations.

We need to take control of our own financial situation and enjoy our relationship with money! It’s time to stop playing peek-a-boo with your money, ignoring your savings and wondering what to do at tax time. It's time to start!

“As you work towards taking control of your money, talk to your loved ones about it. Tell them what you're doing, what you're reading, what you're learning. This will encourage them to talk about money, too.”

— MARIAM MOHAMMED

What’s the biggest money ‘faux pas’ you’ve made and how’d you fix it?

Keeping all my savings in cash! Like, cash in hand - not even a bank account. Just something I learnt growing up in Pakistan. And my God, did I lose so much money to inflation. Not to forget the opportunity cost of the returns I may have earned on that money in a savings account or investment!

How'd I fix it? By coming to terms with my money story and letting go of some of the money beliefs that were not serving me anymore.

What are your top 2 tips to help more women have conversations about money?

1. Start the money convo with yourself!

YOU'RE the first person you need to have this conversation with. Pull your head out of the sand. Look at your bank statements and liabilities. Understand where you stand. Know your money story and don't let it control you anymore. Take the wheel!

2. Share this journey with family and friends.

As you work towards taking control of your money, talk to your loved ones about it. Tell them what you're doing, what you're reading, what you're learning. This will encourage them to talk about money, too.

Other Ladies Talking Money is an interview series created by Ladies Talk Money to showcase some other incredible women and non-binary people who are also working to change money for the better. We don’t have any direct affiliation with those featured, nor do we recommend or endorse their services. We just happen to love what they do, and choose to show our appreciation through this series and doing what we can to spread the word.

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Any finance info discussed in this seriously fab feature is general advice only. You should consider your personal circumstances before acting on it or reach out if you’d like to discuss your individual needs.