Meet Queenie Tan: self-made finance creator, budgeting app founder, and the woman making money make sense for the next generation.
If you’ve ever felt behind when it comes to investing, overwhelmed by budgeting, or like you’re not “good with money,” this episode will change your mind – and your bank balance.
Gabi Saper sits down with Queenie Tan, one of Australia’s most recognisable finance creators, whose journey from seven failed business attempts to building a thriving brand and SaaS company is as inspiring as it is instructive.
Frugal Beginnings, Big Dreams
Raised by a single dad who had reached financial independence early, Queenie learned the power of budgeting and living below your means from a young age. But that didn’t mean her path was easy.
From dropshipping and lashes to marketing freelance gigs and e-comm sites that flopped, Queenie tried it all before finding her true voice in finance content creation. What started as a creative outlet turned into a career – one video, one view, and one breakthrough at a time.
“So in a way I kind of hated my upbringing that he was so frugal. But I think the older I got, the more I realised that was actually a superpower because my dad taught me about living below your means, and that you actually don’t need a lot of stuff to be happy.”
The Business of Building a Budgeting App
Queenie didn’t just preach smart money moves – she built a product to help others live it. Her self-funded app, BillRoo, now with 1,000+ paying subscribers, is transforming how people track expenses and plan for financial freedom.
After investing $120,000 of her own money into development, Queenie is now on track to reach profitability – without investors, without handouts, and without sugar-coating the journey.
Paying Yourself First (and Why Most Founders Don’t)
One of the biggest mindset shifts Queenie made? Paying herself first. Not after bills. Not after staff. First.
She shares how that one habit not only stabilised her personal finances but also improved her relationship with her business.
If you’re a founder who’s been avoiding your pay slip, or feeling guilty every time you treat yourself, this might be your wake-up call.
“I would say definitely paying myself first has been one of the best things that I’ve ever done for myself and my finances. There’s actually this quote from Warren Buffett, one of the best investors of all time, that I love. Don’t save what is left after spending, but spend what is left after saving.”
Let’s Talk Investing (Even If You Know Nothing)
Whether you’re managing a household, running a brand, or just trying to make your money work harder, Queenie breaks down the easiest ways to start investing – from as little as $5.
She explains how ETFs, micro-investing platforms like Sharesies and Perla, and even crypto (yes, Bitcoin!) can help women build long-term wealth in a way that feels doable, not daunting.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✨How Queenie went from e-com flops to financial freedom
✨Her “pay yourself first” mindset shift and why it changed everything
✨Simple tips for building an emergency fund in your biz
✨Where to start with investing (even with $5!)
✨Why separating business success from personal wealth is essential
This episode is a reminder that financial empowerment isn’t about getting everything perfect. It’s about starting, building habits, and shifting your relationship with money one smart decision at a time.
Queenie’s mission is clear: help women understand their money, invest in their future, and live a life that’s funded with freedom.
