In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve sits down with Jacqui Clarke, ex-Deloitte Private Partner and author of Stop Worrying About Money, to talk about the single most important number 95% of people don't know: "What does it cost to open your front door?"

With the cost of living skyrocketing and "inheritance impatience" on the rise, financial stress is no longer just for those struggling to make ends meet. Jacqui explains why earning more money rarely solves a spending problem and why even high-net-worth individuals are terrified of their own bank accounts. She breaks down the "Toyota vs. Porsche" mindset trap and why smart women often find themselves financially vulnerable after a divorce.

Jacqui shares her background advising Australia’s wealthiest families and the brutal reality of the "ghosts" that come out of the woodwork when you leave a major firm. She also opens up about the "Orphan Club"—losing both parents in six months—and how it reshaped her view on legacy. Together, they prove that financial freedom isn't about how much you make, but about clarity, control, and honest conversations.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: Steve’s 15-year history with Jacqui

02:00 – The "Orphan Club": Losing both parents in 6 months

08:00 – The secrecy of money & why families don't talk

12:15 – Divorce & financial literacy: Why smart women get stuck

17:45 – Leaving Deloitte: Bad leadership & the decision to jump

21:30 – The exit: Non-competes and the relief of walking away

24:40 – The "Ghosts": When former colleagues circle back

30:30 – The Big 4 Model: Why the "magic" is fading

36:00 – Writing a bestseller in 12 weeks (The 5am routine)

49:15 – The 95% Stat: Knowing the cost to open your front door

52:10 – The Toyota vs. Porsche mindset for young adults

56:30 – Longevity Risk: Can you afford to live to 100?

58:30 – Closing thoughts

LINKS

Connect with Jacqui → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquiclarke/

Stop Worrying about Money → https://www.jacquiclarke.me/stop-worrying-about-money

Connect with Steve → https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevegrace/

The Nudge Group → https://thenudgegroup.com/

Give It A Nudge Podcast → https://www.youtube.com/@giveitanudge/

The Trouble With People → https://thetroublewithpeople.substack.com/