Financial Growth

Financial Growth & Confidence

By Donna Baden

The day I was told “no” – and why that still matters for women today

There’s a moment I can pinpoint that changed the direction of my life.

I was going through a separation (and later a divorce). Nothing dramatic. We’d split everything evenly (we didn’t have kids). We’d just bought a modest home (mortgaged) and we had a block of land at the beach we owned outright. I kept paying my half of the mortgage & bills. He stayed in the home. It was all 50/50 – fair, practical, and amicable.

So, I did what back then, I thought you’re “supposed” to do. I went to the bank we had our loans with and asked a simple question: Can I keep the loan in my own name?

The answer was blunt: No. You’ll have to sell.

No explanation. No “let’s look at options.” No advice about what could strengthen my position. Just a closed door.

And honestly? That was the part that hurt the most – not the no, but the lack of guidance. Because when you’re trying to rebuild your life, the last thing you need is to feel powerless.

Not long after everything was sold and finalised, I learned something that changed my perspective completely: another lender would have said yes.

That was my “what do you mean not all banks are the same?” moment.

It’s also why I’m so passionate about women having options – and the confidence to ask for them.

Because financial growth isn’t always about earning more or building an empire. Sometimes it’s about feeling steady. Feeling informed. Feeling like you have a say in your next step.

Over the years (and after doing what I needed to do to gain access to a wide panel of lenders), I built Lending Connections on a simple belief: the right loan should fit your life – not force your life to fit a single bank policy.

And I’ve seen this play out again and again with women – business owners, professionals, single mums, partners building a life together, and women who simply want to feel more in control of their money.

So, if you’re reading this and feeling you’d like more financial confidence (without feeling like you need to become an accountant), here are a few gentle, practical starting points.

1) Start with clarity, not perfection

Confidence grows when things feel measurable. Pick one place to begin:

What’s coming in each month?

What’s going out?

What debts, subscriptions, or “silent expenses” are tagging along?

You don’t need a flawless budget. You just need visibility.

2) Build a buffer that buys you breathing space

A buffer is more than a savings goal – it’s peace of mind. Even a small “life happens” fund can stop one unexpected bill turning into months of stress. If you’ve got a mortgage, an offset account (when suitable) can be a simple way to make your savings work harder while staying accessible.

3) Treat your loan like a tool, not a life sentence

A home loan isn’t just a rate. It’s structure – things like repayment flexibility, offset, redraw, fixed vs variable, and the way your loan is set up to suit your season of life. That’s why I see finance as a journey, not a single transaction – because your needs change.

4) Ask better questions (and don’t accept the first “no”)

If you’ve ever been dismissed, talked over, or made to feel like you “should already know this,” please hear me: you’re not alone, and you’re not behind.

Sometimes the most powerful question is:
“What would need to change for this to be a yes?”

And if the answer is still no – it might simply mean you need different options.

5) Borrowing should feel supported, not scary

My favourite part of this work is watching someone’s shoulders drop when they finally understand what’s possible. That’s what this is really about: honest answers, real solutions, and support through the maze.

Because financial growth isn’t one big leap. It’s a series of small, confident steps – and you deserve to take them with someone in your corner.

About Donna

Donna Baden is the founder of Lending Connections, a Brisbane–based Mortgage and Finance Broking business she’s grown over the past 20 years. Living in the Bayside area with her partner and teenage son, Donna is passionate about helping women feel confident and informed when it comes to borrowing and building long–term security. With access to a wide panel of lenders, she supports clients through home purchases, refinancing, debt consolidation, investment lending and SMSF lending – always focused on finding the right–fit solution for each season of life.

PHOTO (right/below)

Donna is a beautiful supporter of our Ladies Who Long Lunch community, always bringing warmth, connection, and a vibrant, fun energy into every room she’s in.

This photo is from our June 2025 event at Rydges in South Bank, where Donna was a sponsor for the LWLL event.

Be sure to follow Donna on her socials to learn more and stay connected.

Donna’s article: Financial Growth & Confidence was originally printed in Issue 9 of The Lunch Mag.

To get in touch or Follow Donna on Social Media: