580 | The Spreadsheet, Setback & Perth Property That Lost $160k: Stephen & Santina’s Comeback

_“That’s future Steve’s problem.”_ That’s how Stephen described his growing debt, his spending habits, and even a $160K loss on a Perth apartment. But then… the future arrived. In this inspiring Summer Series episode of The Property Couch, you’ll hear how Stephen and his wife Santina turned one of life’s biggest financial setbacks into a powerful comeback story built on teamwork, education, and real-life financial discipline. From spreadsheets and Barefoot budgeting to Moorr, Property Plans, and the long game of lifestyle design: this episode is about how a couple rebuilt their confidence, their wealth, and their partnership after hitting rock bottom. Listen now 👉 https://thepropertycouch.com.au/ep580-summer-series-stephen-santina *TIMESTAMPS* 0:00 – 580 | The Spreadsheet, Setback & Perth Property That Lost $160k 0:55 – Bryce’s Sabbatical: Send Us Your Favourite Messages & Memories 2:47 – Meet Stephen: Long-Time Listener With a Big Comeback Story 4:10 – Money Story: A One-Income Family, Dolomite Days & Living For The Moment 7:40 – “Future Steve’s Problem”: Ignoring Debt, The Breakup & The Personal Loan For Europe 9:10 – The Debt Spiral That Followed A Four-Month Overseas Trip 14:45 – The Perth CBD Apartment Mistake: 46m²… And $160K Down?! 16:40 – 300 Leaking Bathrooms (But Somehow Still Holding Up Better Than West Coast’s Backline 😉) 18:45 – Why Banks Hated The Property (And Why That Matters For Every Investor) 20:35 – The Turning Point: Meeting Santina & Getting Serious About Money 23:15 – Cashing Out Long Service Leave To Clear Credit Card Debt 24:20 – Spreadsheets, Discipline & Rebuilding Trust 28:20 – Young Kids, NDIS, Exhaustion & “Survival Mode Footy” 32:12 – Discovering Financial Education: Cashflow Co & TPC 38:10 – Building A Property Plan & The “Big Rocks” Chat: Europe 2027, 2032 Olympics & Family Lifestyle Goals 40:35 – Realising It’s About Lifestyle Design, Not Just Property 43:15 – Turning $453K Into ~$825K On Their Family Home 44:05 – Buying Their First Investment Property Sight-Unseen In Victoria 48:40 – Convincing Santina To Go Borderless & Trust The Process 50:30 – How Moorr Replaced The Spreadsheet & The Buyers Agent Kept Emotion Out 55:00 – Stephen’s Message: You Can Mess Up, Learn… And Still Win 59:50 – Reflections: Maturity, Mindset & Staying The Course 1:05:00 – Market Tip: Christmas–New Year Opportunity Window 👍 Like this video if it helped! 🔔 Subscribe for weekly insights on property, finance & money management 📲 Join 19,000+ investors on Moorr: https://moorr.com.au 💡 Access free resources via MyKnowledge: https://moorr.com.au/myknowledge #thepropertycouch #perth #propertyinvesting #financialfreedom #lifestylebydesign #moorr #summerseries