Nothing beats the basics.
Effie Zahos is one of Australia’s most trusted and recognised voices in personal finance, known for her clear, no-jargon discussions.
As the Money Editor for 9News, Effie is committed to helping everyday Australians navigate the often-confusing world of money. Her specialty is breaking down complex topics, from budgeting and savings to mortgages and superannuation, into news you can use.
Effie's career highlights include being part of the launch team for Money magazine and subsequently spending 20 years on the title. As Editor, she successfully led the publication to become the number one consumer finance magazine in Australia.
Her commitment to financial literacy extends to governance and digital innovation. She currently serves as a Director on the Board of the Ecstra Foundation, a not-for-profit grant-making body, and as an Board Member for InvestSMART, a leading digital wealth platform. Her mission is simple: to empower consumers to make smarter financial decisions without the headache.
Talking Points
The Economy Made Simple: What the Headlines Mean for Your Hip Pocket
Effie breaks down interest rates, inflation and housing trends into plain English. No jargon — just what’s really pushing up the cost of living and the practical steps households can take to stay ahead.The Economy Made Simple: What the Headlines Mean for Your Hip Pocket
Key Takeaways:
- The economic signs that actually matter for your budget
- How rate rises and price pressures affect everyday bills
- Practical moves to stay resilient — from budgeting hacks to smart investing
Superannuation Unpacked: Your Roadmap to a Stronger Retirement
Super doesn’t need to be confusing. Effie shows how the system works, the traps worth avoiding and the small changes that make a big difference over time.Superannuation Unpacked: Your Roadmap to a Stronger Retirement
Key Takeaways:
- The super fundamentals every Australian should understand
- How economic shifts influence your long-term balance
- Smart, simple steps to grow your retirement savings
Federal Budget Breakdown: What’s In It for Households
Effie takes Budget night’s complexity and turns it into clear, relatable insights. She highlights what matters most for families — the costs, the savings and the new rules to watch.Federal Budget Breakdown: What’s In It for Households
Key Takeaways:
- Key Budget changes affecting tax, super and cost of living
- What the measures mean for your household budget
- Opportunities and watch-outs for everyday Australians
Workshop - Money Made Easy: Become the Best Financial Version of Yourself
In a world of rising costs and constant money noise, Effie shows you how to take back control. This session gives you the tools, habits and simple systems to become your strongest financial self — no overwhelm, no jargon.Workshop - Money Made Easy: Become the Best Financial Version of Yourself
Key Takeaways:
- Bulletproof budgeting and cost-cutting hacks
- How to clear debt and stay on top of bills
- Saving strategies that stick
- Investing basics: shares, ETFs and getting started with confidence
- Super made simple — what to check and how to boost it
- Effie’s all-time real-life money hacks
Money Skills Workshops
Effie offers practical money workshops designed to give employees the knowledge, tools and confidence to make better financial decisions.Money Skills Workshops
Her approach is to take complicated money topics and turn them into simple, practical strategies that people can put into action.
Workshop format
The workshops can be delivered in person, virtually or hybrid and typically include:
- A 45 minute presentation from Effie
- A 15-minute Q&A where participants can ask questions
- An after-care guide with practical tips, tools and resources to help participants put what they’ve learnt into practice
Workshops can be run as a standalone session or as a series.
Workshop topics
1. Bill buster action plan: Your $1K money challenge
- Where does all your money go
- Understanding your money mindset
- Tactical bill-killing
- A race to find $1,000 in hidden savings
2. Goal getter action plan: Get your money on track
- Crushing toxic debt
- Building a sleep-at-night emergency fund
- Saving for your big life goals
- Pathway to your first home
3. Investing 101: Guide to property, shares & super
- Tips to overcome the fear of investing
- How to get started in property, shares and ETFs
- Making the most of your super
4. Super: Your secret wealth weapon
- Turn your super into a wealth-building machine
- How to use the FHSS scheme to save your deposit faster
- Using your super to fund the life you actually want in retirement
MC & Facilitator
Effie brings warmth, clarity and genuine engagement to every event. With deep expertise in consumer finance and economic trends, she keeps conversations sharp, inclusive and relevant — ideal for panels, forums and community-focused events.
MC & Facilitator
Video
Effie Zahos unpacks ALL of your big money questions | The Pay Off with Sylvia Jeffreys
When it comes to questions around money, there’s no shortage of them out there… This week, we're handing the mic over to you as Effie Zahos tackles your burning questions. In this special Q&A episode, Australia's most trusted personal finance expert dives deep into the real-world financial dilemmas listeners like you are facing. From understanding the power of investments to the credit card versus afterpay debate, Effie cuts through the noise with her trademark no-nonsense advice and easy-to-understand explanations.Our audience loved Effie and she had the perfect amount of energy, enthusiasm, professionalism, and humour to make our event a success. ... keep reading Sunsuper
