About The Author

Andrew Mates

ANDREW MATES is the owner and strategic money coach of Your Budget Mates and has always had a keen interest in numbers and the philosophy of succeeding financially in a world full of consumerism.

Andrew is a valued member of the team and is passionate about education and empowerment around finance and providing people with the confidence to successfully manage their own finances.

Equipped with a Diploma in Finance and Mortgage Broking (but not a broker), Andrew and his team can work with you to create a budget plan and savings strategy that is second to none which will see you kicking goals and doing the things you want to do but never thought you could!

In between helping clients and working on strategies, Andrew also enjoys walking on the beach and road trips with his wife Alyssa.

Posts by Andrew Mates

The Three Stages of Money Management

From child to master on your journey to financial success… which one are you? Everything around you is your choice. When you choose to take responsibility, change starts. Where Do You Sit? There are three stages in your relationship with money. Most people never make it past the first one. Some reach the second and [...]

The Tap That’s Bleeding You Dry

Fast Summary: Modern financial convenience—tap payments, delivery apps and digital grocery shopping—often leads to "mindless consumerism." By shifting back to physical cash and conscious shopping habits, Australian households can combat rising grocery costs (which have climbed from $200 to $350+ per week for many) and regain financial self-reliance. Our grandparents would shake their heads at [...]

Australia’s Fractured Financial Advice Model | Greta & Jason’s Story Revisited

Fast Summary: Many Australians receive expert advice from brokers, planners, and accountants in isolation, leading to "fragmented" strategies that may hinder long-term wealth. This case study of Greta and Jason explores how a holistic, coordinated approach allowed a couple in their early 40s to transition from being "investment heavy" to 100% debt and mortgage-free, protecting [...]

The Easy Way To A Hard Life

The choices you're making in your 20’s, 30’s & 40’s matter more than you think! After nearly 10 years as finance coaches and helping hundreds of Australians transform their financial lives, we've noticed a pattern. A choice that people make often without even realising they're making it. It's the choice between easy now and easy [...]

From Paycheck Stress To Financial Success | Jo & Ryan’s Your Budget Mates Story

Earning good money but stuck in a credit card cycle? Discover how Jo and Ryan went from financial stress to clarity, savings and confidence in just 12 months with a Your Budget Mates 12-month plan.

They’re Profiting From Your Dependency, We’re Here To End It

When most people hear the word "budget," they cringe. They think of spreadsheets. Restrictions. Being told what they can and can't spend. Boring meetings about numbers. Apps that track every coffee purchase. Someone else controlling their money. That's not what we do. If you're looking for someone to take control of your money, pay your [...]

Refinancing Debt: You’re Turning Your Biggest Asset Into Your Biggest Liability

Four years ago, you refinanced. Consolidated $30,000 of personal debt into your home loan. New balance: $450,000. Problem solved. Life moved on. Last year you're back at the broker's office. Another $50,000 of personal debt needs fixing. Another refinance to clear debt, and while you’re at it fund your next holiday. New balance: $550,000. Problem [...]

2026 Starts Now: Don’t Let Another Year Slip Away

Fast forward to January 2026. Past the noise of the silly season... just you, in January, a new year. A new reset. A new opportunity to begin again... Happy New year! Every January, people set big financial goals – pay off debt, save more, buy their first home, stop stressing about money. But by mid-year, [...]

Debt & Mortgage Free In Their 40’s | Greta & Jason’s Your Budget Mates Story

It’s not every day that one of your clients becomes 100% debt and mortgage free, especially in their early 40’s. We are proud to say that we have recently assisted in this experience for one of our couple clients and it was phenomenal. We planted a seed when Greta and Jason started working with us [...]

Brokers: Refinancing Is Not Always The Right Thing To Do

I recently had a mortgage broker reach out to me with serious concerns about their client. Here's the pattern they had witnessed: 2021: Refinanced client's personal debts into home loan. New balance: $450,000. 2024: Refinanced client's personal debts into home loan again. New balance: $550,000. October 2025: Client has more personal debt that needs ‘fixing,’ [...]