Finance expert Natasha Etschmann offers advice to Newcastle man after he lied his superannuation

Aidan from Newcastle thought he was protecting his pride.

Now, he’s protecting his marriage.

“My wife thinks I’ve got about $150,000 in super,” he confessed to the 7NEWS Money Talks, powered by Vanguard, podcast.

“The truth is closer to $80,000. I switched to conservative during the pandemic and never switched back. She’s planning our retirement around numbers I made up. I don’t know how to tell her without looking like a fool.”

Finance expert and Money Talks guest Natasha Etschmann — known as TashInvests — didn’t sugarcoat it.

“What a hole you’ve dug, Aidan,” she laughed.

“It’s always better to be honest. Admit the mistake now — don’t wait 20 years and make it worse.”

The hidden side of money lies

Financial secrecy in relationships is far more common than most people think.

Studies show around one in five couples have hidden financial details from their partner — from debt and gambling losses to secret savings accounts.

Money shame, experts say, often drives secrecy.

“People lie because they feel embarrassed or scared,” says Money Talks host Tim McMillan.

“But the longer it goes on, the harder it is to come clean.”

Etschmann says there’s only one way forward — full honesty.

“It’s painful, but it’s better now than when you’re 65 and can’t undo it,” she says.

“Be transparent, rebuild trust, and start making decisions together.”

Why it happens — and how to fix it

Vanguard Australia’s Managing Director Daniel Shrimski says financial disengagement is one of the biggest problems facing Australians today.

“We need to talk about money more openly, not less,” he says..

Experts recommend checking your super at least twice a year, consolidating any old accounts and using the ATO’s Super Comparison Tool to see if you’re in the right fund.

You might also like to read:

• Natasha is 28 years old with $310,000 in shares and a $1 million net worth - these are the rules she swears by
• Melissa Browne is one of Australia’s leading finance experts but her shocking divorce decision still haunts her
• The $250 rule: Finance expert Melissa Browne on the small habit every teenager should be doing

As for Aidan, Tash says there’s a silver lining.

“It’s a hard conversation, but it might also be the moment you both start paying attention to your money together,” she says.

Because when it comes to your finances — honesty really is the best investment.

What is the MoneyTalk podcast?

Money Talks, the new 7NEWS podcast powered by Vanguard, cuts through the confusion to help Australians take control of their money — from investing and super to saving and retirement.

Hosted by Tim McMillan, each episode features Australia’s leading personal finance minds and Vanguard experts sharing smart, practical insights to help you make confident decisions and build lasting financial freedom.

Along the way, listeners reveal their most honest money confessions — real stories of fear, failure, and success — giving experts the chance to unpack what’s really going on behind our financial habits and start the conversations we’ve all been too afraid to have.

It’s time to talk money — openly, honestly, and without the jargon.

Money Talks is brought to you by Vanguard. Do you not like money? Start investing in your future with Vanguard’s investments and low-fee super.

Vanguard Investments Australia Ltd (ABN 72 072 881 086 / AFSL 227263) is the product issuer of Vanguard Personal Investor and the Vanguard Australian funds and ETFs. Vanguard Super Pty Ltd (ABN 73 643 614 386 / AFSL 526270) is the trustee of Vanguard Super. Read the relevant IDPS Guide, PDS and TMD available at vanguard.com.au and consider if a product is right for you before making an investment decision.

Vanguard analysis using SuperRatings Fee Report, shows Vanguard MySuper Lifecycle as one of the lowest fee MySuper products as at 30 June 2025.

Other fees and costs may apply, please refer to the PDS.

All information in MoneyTalks is general in nature and does not take into account your personal circumstances. You should always seek independent, professional financial advice from a licensed expert before making any financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

The names in these finance confessionals have been changed to protect privacy, and some details refined for storytelling purposes. Each letter was drawn from anonymous submissions – gathered either through social media, street vox-pop interviews, and phone calls with a producer. No financial records were required to take part.