How I Turned My Money Mistakes into a Movement: The Story Behind Ladies Finance Club

By Molly Benjamin, Founder of Ladies Finance Club

Listen to the full podcast here.

In this episode of Get Rich, I’m doing something a little different, sharing my own story. How I went from being a hot financial mess (the crying-in-a-supermarket kind) to building Ladies Finance Club, one of Australia’s largest financial education platforms for women. It’s a story about bad habits, lightbulb moments, sisterhood, and how financial literacy can completely change your life.

Because if I can go from broke to building wealth, owning property, and running a business that empowers thousands of women, then you can too.

From Broke at Uni to Broke in Corporate

After university, I landed a job at a bank in Queensland,  my first “real” job. You’d think working in finance would have made me financially savvy, right? Wrong. I spent every cent of my pay cheque. My mindset was still stuck in scarcity mode.

Even though I was earning money, I always felt broke. I’d tell my friends, “I can’t afford it,” while still saying yes to brunches, clothes, and cocktails. No one had ever taught me about saving, investing, or building an emergency fund. Property ownership felt like something “other people” did.

Looking back now, I could have easily bought property back then if I’d simply learned to save.

The London Chapter: Still Broke, Still Learning

When I moved to London, things didn’t magically improve. I lived paycheck to paycheck, convinced saving was impossible in an expensive city.

But that’s where the seed for Ladies Finance Club was planted.

I started noticing that so many women, even those working in finance, had no idea how to manage their money. I remember a colleague who wanted to spend her entire bonus on a designer handbag. When I asked if she invested or had an emergency fund, she said no. That moment was a wake-up call.

At the same time, I was dating a guy who already owned two properties. He wasn’t a genius or a CEO, just an average guy who’d learned how money works. I realised: if he can do it, why can’t I?

The Birth of Ladies Finance Club

I gathered my girlfriends for what became our first “money night” in my London living room. There was pizza, prosecco, and one very patient friend from finance trying to explain shares and savings accounts.

The questions were basic, What’s a share? How do I buy one? but the energy was electric. Everyone wanted to learn more.

So I organised another event in a coworking space, found a speaker, and charged for tickets. Eighty women showed up. That’s when I knew I was onto something.

The Ladies Finance Club grew quickly from there — fun, empowering events where women could talk about money without judgment or jargon. We covered everything from “Budget Like a Boss” to “Girls Just Wanna Have Funds.”

A Turning Point: Why Financial Control Matters

In 2018, my world changed when my sister, Briony, was diagnosed with stage four blood cancer. I’ll never forget that phone call.

Because I’d finally started building better financial habits, an emergency fund, savings, and a buffer, I was able to drop everything, book flights home to Australia, and be with her during treatment.

That’s why I’m so passionate about financial literacy for women. Money isn’t just about handbags or holidays. It’s about freedom, choices, and the ability to show up when life gets hard.

And here’s a crucial reminder:

• Build an emergency fund (at least three months of expenses)
• Check your insurance (especially income protection, the one in your super might not be enough)

Money gives you options, to leave a toxic job, escape a bad relationship, or care for someone you love.

Returning to Australia: Building the Movement

After my sister recovered, I moved back to Australia and realised something huge, Aussie women needed this education too.

I started running small events and corporate workshops, which led to partnerships with major companies like Google and Vanguard. Eventually, with the help of my business mentor Dale Beaumont, I launched the Ladies Finance Club membership: an online hub for women to learn, connect, and grow their wealth together.

Fast forward a few years, we’ve hosted thousands of women through our programs, courses, and property and investing summits. I even published my book, Girls Just Wanna Have Funds, appeared on ABC and Channel 9, and launched this very podcast, Get Rich.

Walking the Talk: Property & Investing

While teaching women about investing, I realised it was time to walk the talk.

I bought my first investment property in Toowoomba using a buyer’s agent and my parents as guarantors, a 10% deposit instead of 20%. Within 18 months, that property increased in value by $120,000.

Later, I bought my second property completely on my own. I call it my “financial independence purchase.” It’s proof that women, single, self-employed, or otherwise can absolutely do this.

What’s Next for Ladies Finance Club

We’re still growing. Today, Ladies Finance Club runs:

• A membership with on-demand courses and expert webinars
• Free and paid events like the Online Property Summit
• Corporate workshops with global brands
• And soon, a new platform connecting women directly with vetted financial professionals — from mortgage brokers to financial advisers and estate planners.

Because finding trustworthy financial experts shouldn’t feel impossible.

If there’s one takeaway from my story, it’s this: you can turn your money mistakes into your biggest lesson.

Start small.

• Build your emergency fund.
• Know where your super is invested.
• Get your will and insurance sorted.
• And if you don’t have a budget that works, try the Glen James Spending Plan, it changed everything for me.

Financial literacy isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress. And when women have money, we don’t just change our own lives,  we change the world.

If you’d love your workplace to feel more confident with money too, we offer practical, jargon-free corporate workshops and programs. Get in touch to learn more.

Plus, a huge shoutout to our sponsor, InvestorKit! Australia’s #1 Buyers Agency for 2023 and 2024. They specialise in helping investors find high-growth properties utilising industry leading AI and data driven research process across Australia. 70%+ of the properties they purchase are off-market and they have consistently outperformed national average capital growth rates by over 49%. Whether you’re looking to build your property portfolio or secure your first investment. Check them out here.