We Escaped With a Backpack. Now I’m Building a Home for My Kids.

She's On The Money · Sep 13, 2026 · 52m · transcript

Growing up, this week’s Money Diarist knew there was no money. She’s a First Nations woman who grew up surrounded by domestic violence, gambling, alcoholism and financial hardship. At nine, she escaped with her mum and brother, quite literally leaving with a backpack and hiding until it was safe to come home. She watched her mum rebuild from absolutely nothing. But while that showed her incredible resilience, it didn’t magically teach her how to manage money. She started working at 14 and spent every dollar she earned. At 19 she became pregnant, at 20 she became a mum, and…