Our Story
A little bit about me
I started in the finance world 24 years ago as a Mortgage and Wealth Creation Specialist and I’ve been running my own business for 22 of those years. Helping people with their finances has always been my passion, and I genuinely love seeing them reach their goals.
Where it all began
When I had kids, I thought I’d have financial literacy covered. After all, I’d been teaching it to adults for many years. But when my son was around six, I found myself wondering when the right time was to start, and what I should actually begin with. I wanted to get it right. Not too much, not too soon.
Founder, Vanessa Cage
The missing piece
So I started doing some research online to find out the recommended age to begin, what concepts to introduce first, and how to make it fun for him.
But I was honestly quite surprised by what I found. There was plenty of information out there, but it was either short, generic blurbs that lacked substance, or pages of text that even adults would struggle to get through — let alone a child!
I also looked to the Australian curriculum to see what would be taught at school, only to find that many of the basics of financial literacy weren’t really being covered. I was shocked, to say the least.
But I was honestly quite surprised by what I found. There was plenty of information out there, but it was either short, generic blurbs that lacked substance, or pages of text that even adults would struggle to get through — let alone a child!
I also looked to the Australian curriculum to see what would be taught at school, only to find that many of the basics of financial literacy weren’t really being covered. I was shocked, to say the least.
My wake-up call
This made me realise that it’s actually on us as parents to teach this at home. And what really stopped me in my tracks was a statistic I came across... that most of what children learn about money comes from what they see and hear at home, and many of their beliefs are formed by the age of seven. Eeek!
That’s when it really hit me: this wasn’t just my problem. It was a much bigger issue. And trying to piece it all together felt far more confusing than it should have been. How could something so important not be properly taught, or easy for parents to access and know where to start?
And if even I, as a finance professional, felt unsure about what to teach my own children, then surely so many other parents were feeling exactly the same.
That’s when it really hit me: this wasn’t just my problem. It was a much bigger issue. And trying to piece it all together felt far more confusing than it should have been. How could something so important not be properly taught, or easy for parents to access and know where to start?
And if even I, as a finance professional, felt unsure about what to teach my own children, then surely so many other parents were feeling exactly the same.
Time to take action!
After coming to this realisation, I decided it was time to make a change. Not just for my own children, but for kids everywhere.
The more parents I spoke to, the more I knew I had to create something. Every conversation came back to the same feelings and concerns, and one message kept coming up again and again: “I wish I had learned this when I was younger.”
With a newfound sense of determination, I set out to create a solution.
The more parents I spoke to, the more I knew I had to create something. Every conversation came back to the same feelings and concerns, and one message kept coming up again and again: “I wish I had learned this when I was younger.”
With a newfound sense of determination, I set out to create a solution.
Designing for kids
As a parent, I knew what would work... And what wouldn’t. Anything too theory-heavy? They’d switch off in seconds.
So I set out to create something different.
I brought together a team to help bring it to life, and worked with educational experts to understand how kids learn best: what makes things stick, how habits are built, and how to keep them coming back for more.
Reading scattered online info or a book about money wasn’t going to cut it. I wanted something that would make a lasting difference.
Knowing how much kids love screens, I wanted to lean into that — creating something that feels more like a show than a lesson. Kids learning from kids, backed by animation, energy, and something they actually want to watch. And with gamification now such a big part of how kids interact with learning, that became essential to keep them motivated.
Alongside this, I brought in everything I know from over two decades of experience in finance and combined it with the right educational structure so it’s not just fun to watch, but actually builds real understanding, confidence, and lasting habits with money.
There was a lot that went into it, but I knew if I was going to do this, it had to be done properly.
So I set out to create something different.
I brought together a team to help bring it to life, and worked with educational experts to understand how kids learn best: what makes things stick, how habits are built, and how to keep them coming back for more.
Reading scattered online info or a book about money wasn’t going to cut it. I wanted something that would make a lasting difference.
Knowing how much kids love screens, I wanted to lean into that — creating something that feels more like a show than a lesson. Kids learning from kids, backed by animation, energy, and something they actually want to watch. And with gamification now such a big part of how kids interact with learning, that became essential to keep them motivated.
Alongside this, I brought in everything I know from over two decades of experience in finance and combined it with the right educational structure so it’s not just fun to watch, but actually builds real understanding, confidence, and lasting habits with money.
There was a lot that went into it, but I knew if I was going to do this, it had to be done properly.
Bringing Mind Over Money to you
Two of our wonderful hosts in action!
After 5 years of development and pouring my heart and soul into creating a solution to this long-overdue problem, Mind Over Money was created!
My boys, along with many of their friends, have come together as presenters in the program, and I’m so proud of the role they’ve played in helping create this for other kids. You’ll get to watch them grow along the way!
Every single word of this program has been carefully written and reviewed many times over with the support of experts long before AI tools were even around.
My boys, along with many of their friends, have come together as presenters in the program, and I’m so proud of the role they’ve played in helping create this for other kids. You’ll get to watch them grow along the way!
Every single word of this program has been carefully written and reviewed many times over with the support of experts long before AI tools were even around.
It’s not generic information; it’s real, practical guidance designed to actually teach kids how money works in a way that sticks, builds good habits, and gives them strong foundations for life.
I am so proud of Mind Over Money, and so confident that your kids will not only enjoy it, but genuinely benefit from it. I can’t wait to hear your feedback, and I’d love your support in helping spread the word so we can create real change for our kids and the generations to follow.
This is about more than just a program. It’s about changing the way the next generation grows up with money — for good.
I am so proud of Mind Over Money, and so confident that your kids will not only enjoy it, but genuinely benefit from it. I can’t wait to hear your feedback, and I’d love your support in helping spread the word so we can create real change for our kids and the generations to follow.
This is about more than just a program. It’s about changing the way the next generation grows up with money — for good.
Our Story
A little bit about me
I started in the finance world 24 years ago as a Mortgage and Wealth Creation Specialist and I’ve been running my own business for 22 of those years. Helping people with their finances has always been my passion, and I genuinely love seeing them reach their goals.
Founder, Vanessa Cage
Where it all began
When I had kids, I thought I’d have financial literacy covered. After all, I’d been teaching it to adults for many years. But when my son was around six, I found myself wondering when the right time was to start, and what I should actually begin with. I wanted to get it right. Not too much, not too soon.
The missing piece
So I started doing some research online to find out the recommended age to begin, what concepts to introduce first, and how to make it fun for him.
But I was honestly quite surprised by what I found. There was plenty of information out there, but it was either short, generic blurbs that lacked substance, or pages of text that even adults would struggle to get through — let alone a child!
I also looked to the Australian curriculum to see what would be taught at school, only to find that many of the basics of financial literacy weren’t really being covered. I was shocked, to say the least.
But I was honestly quite surprised by what I found. There was plenty of information out there, but it was either short, generic blurbs that lacked substance, or pages of text that even adults would struggle to get through — let alone a child!
I also looked to the Australian curriculum to see what would be taught at school, only to find that many of the basics of financial literacy weren’t really being covered. I was shocked, to say the least.
My wake-up call
This made me realise that it’s actually on us as parents to teach this at home. And what really stopped me in my tracks was a statistic I came across... that most of what children learn about money comes from what they see and hear at home, and many of their beliefs are formed by the age of seven. Eeek!
That’s when it really hit me: this wasn’t just my problem. It was a much bigger issue. And trying to piece it all together felt far more confusing than it should have been. How could something so important not be properly taught, or easy for parents to access and know where to start?
And if even I, as a finance professional, felt unsure about what to teach my own children, then surely so many other parents were feeling exactly the same.
That’s when it really hit me: this wasn’t just my problem. It was a much bigger issue. And trying to piece it all together felt far more confusing than it should have been. How could something so important not be properly taught, or easy for parents to access and know where to start?
And if even I, as a finance professional, felt unsure about what to teach my own children, then surely so many other parents were feeling exactly the same.
Time to take action!
After coming to this realisation, I decided it was time to make a change. Not just for my own children, but for kids everywhere.
The more parents I spoke to, the more I knew I had to create something. Every conversation came back to the same feelings and concerns, and one message kept coming up again and again: “I wish I had learned this when I was younger.”
With a newfound sense of determination, I set out to create a solution.
The more parents I spoke to, the more I knew I had to create something. Every conversation came back to the same feelings and concerns, and one message kept coming up again and again: “I wish I had learned this when I was younger.”
With a newfound sense of determination, I set out to create a solution.
Designing for kids
As a parent, I knew what would work... And what wouldn’t. Anything too theory-heavy? They’d switch off in seconds.
So I set out to create something different.
I brought together a team to help bring it to life, and worked with educational experts to understand how kids learn best: what makes things stick, how habits are built, and how to keep them coming back for more.
Reading scattered online info or a book about money wasn’t going to cut it. I wanted something that would make a lasting difference.
Knowing how much kids love screens, I wanted to lean into that — creating something that feels more like a show than a lesson. Kids learning from kids, backed by animation, energy, and something they actually want to watch. And with gamification now such a big part of how kids interact with learning, that became essential to keep them motivated.
Alongside this, I brought in everything I know from over two decades of experience in finance and combined it with the right educational structure so it’s not just fun to watch, but actually builds real understanding, confidence, and lasting habits with money.
There was a lot that went into it, but I knew if I was going to do this, it had to be done properly.
So I set out to create something different.
I brought together a team to help bring it to life, and worked with educational experts to understand how kids learn best: what makes things stick, how habits are built, and how to keep them coming back for more.
Reading scattered online info or a book about money wasn’t going to cut it. I wanted something that would make a lasting difference.
Knowing how much kids love screens, I wanted to lean into that — creating something that feels more like a show than a lesson. Kids learning from kids, backed by animation, energy, and something they actually want to watch. And with gamification now such a big part of how kids interact with learning, that became essential to keep them motivated.
Alongside this, I brought in everything I know from over two decades of experience in finance and combined it with the right educational structure so it’s not just fun to watch, but actually builds real understanding, confidence, and lasting habits with money.
There was a lot that went into it, but I knew if I was going to do this, it had to be done properly.
Bringing Mind Over Money to you
After 5 years of development and pouring my heart and soul into creating a solution to this long-overdue problem, Mind Over Money was created!
My boys, along with many of their friends, have come together as presenters in the program, and I’m so proud of the role they’ve played in helping create this for other kids. You’ll get to watch them grow along the way!
My boys, along with many of their friends, have come together as presenters in the program, and I’m so proud of the role they’ve played in helping create this for other kids. You’ll get to watch them grow along the way!
Two of our wonderful hosts in action!
Every single word of this program has been carefully written and reviewed many times over with the support of experts long before AI tools were even around.
It’s not generic information; it’s real, practical guidance designed to actually teach kids how money works in a way that sticks, builds good habits, and gives them strong foundations for life.
I am so proud of Mind Over Money, and so confident that your kids will not only enjoy it, but genuinely benefit from it. I can’t wait to hear your feedback, and I’d love your support in helping spread the word so we can create real change for our kids and the generations to follow.
This is about more than just a program. It’s about changing the way the next generation grows up with money — for good.
I am so proud of Mind Over Money, and so confident that your kids will not only enjoy it, but genuinely benefit from it. I can’t wait to hear your feedback, and I’d love your support in helping spread the word so we can create real change for our kids and the generations to follow.
This is about more than just a program. It’s about changing the way the next generation grows up with money — for good.
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Why Do We Need Financial Literacy?
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45%
of adults in Australia are deemed financially illiterate
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Mind Over Money® acknowledges the Turrbal and Yuggera people as the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the original custodians of the land and to all Elders past, present and emerging.
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