Episode 266

full
Published on:

29th Jul 2026

Deal with your debt

Debt can help fund life's big purchases. But for some, it can become a major source of financial stress. So where should people start if they want to get on top of it?

On this episode of the Friends With Money podcast, Money's Tom Watson is joined by Deb Shroot, financial counsellor and Financial Counselling Australia sector advocate, to discuss prioritising debt, freeing up cash flow and working towards becoming debt free.

00:00 Introduction

02:00 Rising debt stress: mortgages, credit cards and utilities

03:00 First steps when debt feels overwhelming

04:30 How to prioritise multiple debts

07:00 The danger of the debt spiral

08:00 Common debt repayment mistakes and hardship options

09:00 Where to find extra money in a tight budget

12:00 Why you should seek help before reaching breaking point

14:00 Building healthy financial habits that last

15:00 Seeking trustworthy financial advice

16:05 Conclusion

#friendswithmoney #tomwatson #debshroot #debt

Podcast Links:

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Listen on Spotify

Money Website

YouTube Podcast Playlist

Email Us: podcast@moneymag.com.au

Get stories like this in our newsletter: https://bit.ly/4pKl3ai

Show artwork for Friends With Money

About the Podcast

Friends With Money
Earn. Save. Invest.
We all have questions about money; how to earn it, how to spend it, and the best ways to invest so we can watch it grow.

The Friends With Money podcast, created by Money Magazine (Australia’s longest-running and most-read personal finance magazine), shares its extensive network of finance experts, in-depth knowledge of markets and timely advice to help you understand the world of money.

Hosted by senior writer, Tom Watson, Managing Editor, Vanessa Walker and editor-in-chief, Michelle Baltazar, Friends With Money is a weekly chat with a variety of credentialed guests that you won’t want to miss. Listening and learning will help you on the path to financial freedom.