Megan Christie, Certified Money Coach (CMC)® | Financial Educator (Money Behaviour Junkee)

“Generational stories are money stories”.

“I’ve always known I wanted to help people, especially women, “do money better.” That calling came from the stories I heard (and experienced) growing up: stories of financial wins, struggles, and strength passed through the generations, especially by the women in my family.

I write this now from the deck of ‘Strathbogie’, a beloved family beach shack.  As I’m listening to the waves and reflecting on the generations before me, it strikes me how all the stories involve decisions and impacts around money. 

Firstly, my paternal great-grandmother, a seamstress who had the foresight and uniquely the financial means to buy a block of land to give her family a break from the farm. That it can still be in our family, thanks to the effort and great financial sacrifices of later generations, is something we never take for granted.

Also, my other paternal great-grandmother, who fled a violent marriage in the 1930s, when silence was expected and leaving was rare (and very shameful) has incredibly influenced why I do what I do.  Her story shaped my understanding of money’s role in safety and freedom and the realities of violence, drinking and gambling in devastating families and wealth.

Then there’s my maternal side and my grandmother, who worked in a department store and raised three kids while my grandfather battled post-war PTSD. Money was tight, but she managed with good systems and grit. Her envelope budgeting was legendary - I still have her notebook tracking every dollar.

And of course, my mum. She’s always known how to make every dollar count. It used to frustrate me, but now (with age) I understand how much thought and care she puts into every financial decision. Her quiet strength still guides me.

I’m so grateful for the lessons these women have taught me.  That financial capability isn’t a luxury; it’s a life skill. That money isn’t just about numbers, it is about joy, agency, identity, and choice. And that even in loving relationships, financial independence is non-negotiable.  I also must give a shout out to my dad, who has always been astute with money and taught me the power of investing, even from my first pay. An invaluable lesson our kids are now getting to learn.

As a Certified Money Coach (CMC)© and mentor, it is a privilege and honour for the same reason. I get to walk beside my clients as they re-write their money stories.  To see young people, women and couples find clarity, confidence, and calm with money – often for the first time.  It is why I do what I do.  We can all learn to “do money better.”