Smart Money Moves for Disabled Adults [Dec 19th Episode]

Ruby Sturt

Hey everyone, welcome back to Beyond the Label! I'm Ruby, coming to you from a kitchen table littered with—wait, let me count—yep, four old typewriters tonight! As always, I'm joined by Eric. You good, Eric?

Eric Marquette

Absolutely, Ruby. Lovely to be back, and honestly, I'm a bit envious of your mechanical symphony over there! So, today we're diving into smart money moves, right? I think it's such a necessary topic—finances can feel, well, pretty overwhelming, especially when you add disability-related expenses into the mix.

Ruby Sturt

Totally! And it’s not just about the big stuff, like equipment or carers—sometimes it’s the little weird costs you never plan for, like, I dunno, replacing a lost wheelchair part or finding an accessible cab late at night. But before we spiral into stress-land, let’s start simple: budgeting doesn’t have to be scary. There’s that old “envelope system”—classic but, honestly, I always lose the envelopes. So, digital stuff’s my jam. You tried any of the apps, Eric?

Eric Marquette

Yeah, you know, I’m a bit old school but even I’ve switched to apps. Money Brilliant, Mint—both of those are quite clear and free, which I like. What I find helps is tracking every expense, at least for a month. You get a snapshot—sort of a money diary. And for folks juggling disability costs, it’s about being honest with what’s non-negotiable—medications, care—and what can flex, like...well, maybe takeaway coffee. I struggle with giving that up, to be honest. But can I share a quick listener story?

Ruby Sturt

Go for it! I love a real-life angle.

Eric Marquette

Alright, so, this is Lisa from Manchester. She’s a wheelchair user and told us she uses checklists—not just for her shopping, but for all her regular expenses. She budgets for everything fixed, like rent and power, then notes extras—say, new tires, surprise medical appointments. And she sets aside a tiny “whoops” fund for unexpected health costs. It’s dead practical, and—well—I think more people should try it, regardless of ability.

Ruby Sturt

That’s a cracker of an approach. I reckon checklists work because, like, our brains sometimes blank under pressure. Also, it ties into what we covered back in Episode 6 about being proactive, not panicky. Alright—should we dig into the bigger, gnarlier beast: benefits?

Eric Marquette

Good segue. Benefits are a lifeline for so many. Depending on where you live—so, NDIS down under, Social Security Disability Insurance over in the States, or PIP here in the UK—they all come with their own maze of rules and hoops. And you’ve got to know what you’re eligible for and stick to the reporting side, or things can unravel fast.

Ruby Sturt

Yep. Oh, and here’s where I get sweaty-palmed, because policy details still twist me up. But, deep breath… even little mistakes—like, not reporting a change in pay from your side hustle—can get your payments frozen, or worse, lead to overpayments you’ve got to pay back. Which happened to my cousin, Liam. He took a summer gig, didn’t update his NDIS info, and almost copped a whole year’s worth of headaches. He ended up calling the NDIS helpline, got help submitting the right forms, and, look, it wasn’t fun, but it saved his plan.

Eric Marquette

It’s a brilliant point. And honestly, I get confused too. I always mix up reporting deadlines between systems—like, is it within seven days, or a month? It’s different by program! The bottom line is, whenever your situation changes—work, living circumstances, even volunteer hours—tell them, pronto. And, keep copies of everything. That paper trail we mentioned in the advocacy episode a few weeks back? It’s just as important here.

Ruby Sturt

And if you’re totally lost, don’t be shy about asking for help. Advocacy groups or even your local MP’s office—they can point you in the right direction. That brings us to something just as vital: how do you actually save a bit without it messing up your benefits? It’s tricky, but it’s doable…

Ruby Sturt

So, this is the stuff I wish schools taught. If you want to save, but you’re worried the rules will knock out your income support, there are specific tools—like ABLE accounts in the US, or Special Disability Trusts in Australia. These let you stash savings or get family help, without risking your benefits cutoff. Still, I have to say, it can feel like you’re reading a foreign language trying to set them up.

Eric Marquette

Absolutely, and the technical paperwork alone can make you go barking. That's where free financial counseling services are invaluable—Disability Advocacy Network Australia, Scope, and the National Disability Institute in the States, for example, have people who’ll walk you through your options in plain English. Actually, on that note, I wanted to share Jamie’s story. Jamie’s visually impaired, wanted to start a microbusiness selling custom gadgets. He worked with a local matched savings program, which means for every pound—or dollar—he put in, they matched a portion. He got tiny grants for setup, used supported decision-making to wade through all the forms, and now he’s up and running.

Ruby Sturt

That’s brilliant. And it’s proof you don’t have to go it alone. These groups can even help you with supported decision-making—and just having another brain at the table, to say, “Hey, let’s double-check that form before we send it,” makes all the difference. Actually, quick tangent: My sister, Tash, she finally found a financial mentor through her local disability network—a total game-changer for her confidence. Okay, okay, back on track! Once you’ve got those savings tools down, how do you keep trusting yourself with bigger money plans?

Eric Marquette

Right, developing a financial plan that actually fits you—it’s a journey, not a checklist. Think about what you want in the next month, but also in five years. Maybe it’s getting your own place, maybe it’s a trip you’ve always wanted. Start with realistic, short-term goals, then add the long-term ones. I find writing them down helps keep me honest. And Ruby, you’re great with practical ideas—what helped your family build those skills?

Ruby Sturt

Honestly? Support groups. Mum dragged us along—sometimes we didn’t wanna go, but we always left with a nugget or two. Some groups even run free money workshops or online classes geared especially for disabled adults—stuff that just gets it, instead of talking around you. If you’re a podcast person, like clearly you are, there’s webinars and podcasts too—keep learning, keep asking questions. And the bigger thing? Don’t let anyone talk over you at the bank or at Centrelink or wherever. If you’re confused or anxious, ask for your options in plain words. It’s your money, your life. You deserve to feel in the driver’s seat.

Eric Marquette

That’s so important. Sometimes just knowing you can bring an advocate—even a friend—when you’re dealing with officials, levels the playing field. And if you hit a wall, document it and keep pushing. Building up confidence is a lot like, well, building a muscle. It gets easier the more you flex it. Well, that about wraps it for this episode. Ruby, any final thoughts?

Ruby Sturt

Just—don’t beat yourself up if you’re still figuring it out. Money stuff’s a work in progress! We’ll have more tips and stories coming. Eric, thanks for the chat, and everyone listening—thanks for going beyond the label with us again.

Eric Marquette

Thanks, Ruby. Always a pleasure, and thanks to all our listeners. We’ll catch you next time on Beyond the Label. Take care.