If you’ve ever found yourself in a dreaded dialogue about dollars, you’re no doubt familiar with the unease and pain that can rise to the surface of the conversation quicker than depression-era interest rates. Embarrassed about your lack of savings? Guilty that you’re earning more than your pals? Money – for all of its utter lack of care about your emotions – feels like a darn touchy subject. But it doesn’t have to be taboo. We chat to Breana Davidson – the clever cookie behind social media account Bree on a Budget – about how she approaches convos about cash.

Hi Bree! Tell us a little bit about you and your platform, Bree on a Budget. I started Bree on a Budget because I wanted money to stop being a taboo topic. I learnt a lot through trial and error in my early 20s, and I realised so many people were in the same position with no one to talk to. My platform is now a place where I share what I’ve learnt to help others feel more confident with their finances. I post my monthly spending breakdowns, simple budgeting habits, underconsumption content, and what intentional living looks like in a real and relatable way.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Breana Davidson (@breeonabudget)

You’re very open about your finances on social media. Have you always been like this or is it something you’ve worked on? It’s definitely something I’ve worked on. I used to feel embarrassed about the financial mistakes I made when I was younger. I didn’t grow up with much financial education, so a lot of my lessons came from experience. Being open online meant I started to keep myself accountable, but I quickly saw how much it helped other people feel less alone. The more transparent I became, the more freeing it felt.

Why do you think it’s hard for people to talk honestly about money? Because money is emotional. It’s tied to our upbringing, our identity, our mistakes, and our sense of security. It can bring up shame, comparison, pride and guilt. Most of us were also taught from a young age that we shouldn’t talk about money, so it naturally feels uncomfortable. It has become a topic loaded with meaning before any real conversation even starts.

Why do you think it’s important to be transparent about your finances? Transparency removes shame. When we avoid talking about money, people feel like they’re the only ones struggling or the only ones who haven’t figured everything out. Being open helps normalise the conversation, close knowledge gaps, reduce stress, and make relationships healthier. For me, it’s a way to lead with honesty instead of perfection.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Breana Davidson (@breeonabudget)

Do you have any tips for starting conversations about money without it feeling awkward or confrontational? Start small and stay neutral. A gentle way to begin is by sharing something from your own experience, like a budgeting habit that has helped you. Ask curious, open questions rather than ones that feel like a test. Choose the right moment when everyone is calm and not already stressed. With partners, frame it as working together. A money conversation feels very different when it starts from a place of teamwork rather than criticism.

Are there certain phrases or language people can use to make talk about money feel more neutral? Absolutely. Neutral language helps soften the whole conversation. Phrases like: “Can we look at this together?”, “I want to understand how you approach this”, “This isn’t about blame; I just want clarity”, and “What feels realistic for both of us?”.

Using the word “we” instead of “you” makes the whole discussion feel safer and less personal.

What are some healthy ways to talk about income differences between partners and friends? It helps to normalise it. Income differences are incredibly common and say nothing about someone’s value or work ethic. Some healthy approaches include focusing on fairness instead of absolute equality, planning activities that fit everyone’s comfort level, and setting expectations early for things like group holidays. In relationships, it’s important to talk about financial values, not just numbers. Understanding what matters to each person makes the practical side so much easier.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Breana Davidson (@breeonabudget)

Is it ever OK to not be completely transparent about money? Yes. Transparency is valuable, but that doesn’t mean you owe every detail to every person. There is a difference between privacy and secrecy. It’s completely fine to keep certain things to yourself if the information isn’t relevant to someone or if you don’t feel safe sharing it. What matters is being honest in the situations where your finances affect someone else, like shared bills, joint decisions, or long-term planning with a partner.

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