{ "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://www.bankaust.com.au/blog/{{slug}}" }, "headline": "{{title}}", "description": "{{desc}}", "image": "{{image}}", "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Bank Australia", "url": "https://www.bankaust.com.au/" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Bank Australia", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64d5d5beb2a67e9491ecdff8/64d5d5beb2a67e9491ece00c_BA-logo-white.webp" } }, "datePublished": "{{datePublished}}", "dateModified": "{{dateModified}}" }
Alert notice

1 July 2025: updates to privacy and credit reporting policy - We have updated our privacy and credit reporting policy, effective 1 July 2025. Learn more.

2025-07-01 9:47 am
Alert notice

2 July 2025 – Qantas cyber incident. We are aware of a cyber incident at Qantas that has resulted in the release of some Qantas customers’ personal information. Learn more.

2025-06-19 11:58 am
Back to blog
Impact

Avoid divorce and reuse teabags: How bad money tips led to a hit comedy show

Photo journal

When comedian Elizabeth Davie received some misguided and highly gendered ‘advice’ from another financial institution, she turned her exasperation into a hit stand-up show: Super Woman Money Program.

Avoid getting divorced. Reuse tea bags. When Elizabeth Davie opened the email, there they were: 300 ‘tips’ on how women can improve their superannuation savings. While surely well-intentioned, it felt off-the-mark.


“They said to work on your relationship, because divorce is one of the most expensive things you’ll ever do,” Elizabeth says. “That was the tip: just avoid divorce. So simple!”


The list was the genesis of her hit comedy show Super Woman Money Program, which debuted at the Melbourne Fringe in 2017 and went on to dominate the festival circuit, nabbing a Best Comedy Award in Perth in 2018. It definitely resonated with audiences, as they’re still lining up to see it in 2023. 


“I find that a lot in my work where I think’, ‘Well, I’m really angry about that. And I don’t know what to do about it,’” Elizabeth says. “So that will become my creative engine.”

Elizabeth stands in front of a sparkly yellow backdrop resembling coins. She wears bold pink eyeshadow and red lipstick whilst holding a pink piggy bank

Elizabeth took the list and did what she often does: sat down to mine it for possible stand-up material. But the scribbled notes quickly morphed into something bigger: a show about financial literacy, institutional sexism, toxic relationships and economic independence.


“[Financial gender inequality] is such a huge, systemic issue. It's not something you can put on the individual that they just should have tried harder,” Elizabeth says. “Even if you do everything ‘right’, as a woman, you can’t get ahead. You could not have kids, and not take time off work, and not take care of anyone, and it’s still so hard.”


According to the Workplace Gender Equality Agency, for every dollar men earn in Australia, women currently earn about 77 cents. And other estimates say Australian women, on average, will earn $1 million less over their lifetimes than men, and retire with $136,000 less in the bank.


The biggest challenge Elizabeth faced was taking all of this stuff and making it, well, funny.

Elizabeth stands on a stage barefoot, wearing a sparkly gold jumpsuit

“I wanted to tackle it in a way that wasn’t just grim, or really despairing,” Elizabeth says. “That’s what I love about comedy; you can discuss a serious point without bombarding people with horrible statistics. As a comedian, it’s a professional challenge to make superannuation funny.”


Elizabeth brought Super Woman Money Program back earlier this year for a limited run at Melbourne’s Butterfly Club. It’s six years since the show debuted, but after a global pandemic and with many facing financial difficulties, Elizabeth’s stand-up feels more relevant than ever. According to the Australian Institute’s Centre for Future Work, men now have higher average salaries in a staggering 95% of all occupations. 


It's one of the reasons you’ll notice a discrepancy on the tickets for Super Woman Money Program. Women get a 13.3% discount – the current gender pay gap. $1 from every ticket also goes to WIRE, a free financial literacy service for women, non-binary and gender diverse people.


Can a single comedy show turn around gendered financial inequality? Probably not. But the way Elizabeth sees things, society needs to talk more about these issues. People need to be engaged in their finances. For Elizabeth, that also included becoming a Bank Australia customer, and knowing that by doing so she’s making a positive contribution to people and the planet. 

Elizabeth preforms in front of a crowd who is smiling and laughing. One man at the front holds a sign that reads "Woodside Pleasure Garden"

“I’ve had a great professional response to the show,” Elizabeth says. “But the thing that’s made the most difference, to me, is talking to people after each performance. I’ve had people come back and see the show five years later who say that it’s made them re-evaluate how they divide labour or manage money in their relationships. Or people who have taken charge of their finances. That’s been the most important thing for me: to feel like it has really resonated with people.”

You can learn more about Elizabeth here.

Related stories

Impact

Partnering with purpose: Bank Australia and Muru Office Supplies

Who we do business with matters. That’s why we’re proud to announce our new partnership with Muru Office Supplies—a Supply Nation certified, Indigenous-owned business that shares our commitment to creating a more inclusive and equitable future.

Impact

“Doing well and doing good”: How Coffee Club Investment Group is creating beautiful accessible housing

In a quiet, tree-lined street just 11kms from Melbourne’s CBD, a residential development is reshaping how Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) can look and feel. Named “Bumblebee”, this ten-apartment complex is more than a housing solution – it’s an example of purpose-driven design.

Read how Specialist Disability Accommodation is being reshaped in Melbourne.

Impact

“Stories of strength, resilience and self-determination”: Victorian Aboriginal News is amplifying First Nations voices

From his van on Country to the airwaves across Victoria, Uncle Charles Pakana is amplifying First Nations voices through Victorian Aboriginal News. We spoke to Uncle Charles about how the independent media project, backed by Bank Australia, is changing the narrative around reconciliation.

Read how Uncle Charles Pakana uses his VAN as a voice for the future.

Impact

How Nalderun is helping young First Nations people thrive

On Djaara Country in Central Victoria, Bank Australia community customer grant recipient Nalderun has been changing the lives of young First Nations people for over 15 years. Their aim? To help their kids thrive and become the leaders of tomorrow.

Impact

First Nations Recognition and Respect: An update one year on from our strategy launch

In May 2024, Bank Australia launched its First Nations Recognition and Respect strategy, setting out our vision for walking together towards First Nations justice, reconciliation and self-determination. One year on, we spoke with Rafe Pfitzner Milika, our Manager Reconciliation Strategy, to reflect

Read the highlights one year on from our First Nations Recognition and Respect strategy Launch

News

We've signed up to Respect and Protect – Combating financial and domestic abuse

We’re proud to announce that Bank Australia has signed up to the ‘Respect and Protect’ program where we join like-minded customer-owned banks in updating our terms and conditions to better protect customers from domestic and financial abuse. We recognise the significant responsibility we have in add