430: Vicky Quit Corporate, Moved to 4 Countries, and Finally Stopped Feeling Behind

430: Vicky Quit Corporate, Moved to 4 Countries, and Finally Stopped Feeling Behind

Author: Clever Girl Finance June 23, 2026 Duration: 44:56

On this episode of the podcast, we're joined by Vicky South for a deeply honest conversation about burnout, debt, emotional spending, and redefining success at 40.

Vicky is a British expat who has spent more than 15 years living across Vietnam, India, Hong Kong, and Argentina, navigating money across multiple countries and currencies while intentionally choosing a nontraditional path.

Despite being financially knowledgeable from a young age—even researching savings account interest rates as a child—she shares how emotional health, anxiety, and burnout shaped her financial decisions just as much as financial literacy did.

Now in the middle of an 18-month transition out of corporate life and into entrepreneurship, Vicky opens up about managing finances without a traditional paycheck, unlearning shame around money, and helping women understand that they are not "behind" just because their lives don't follow conventional timelines.

 

What Vicky Discussed on the Podcast:

  • How living across multiple countries shaped her perspective on money, freedom, and success.
  • Why choosing not to buy property was an intentional decision—not a failure.
  • Her early fascination with money and financial literacy.
  • Why financial knowledge alone isn't enough to build healthy money habits.
  • The connection between anxiety, emotional health, shopping, and overspending.
  • What burnout taught her about work, identity, and financial security.
  • How she has stayed financially stable during an 18-month career pivot without a salary or pension.
  • Why so many women feel "behind" financially by 40 and how to release comparison-based thinking.
  • How teaching herself to invest during the 2008 banking crisis shaped her confidence with money.
  • Lessons learned from managing finances across currencies, countries, and financial systems as an expat.
  • Shame narratives and money beliefs she had to unlearn.
  • Advice for women feeling embarrassed about debt, financial mistakes, or starting over later in life.

AND SO MUCH MORE

How to Keep Up With Vicky:

 

New Book - Clever Girl Millionaire; A Guide to Redefining What's Possible, Turning Ambitions into Actions, and Dreams into Millions - Available to order now

 

More Clever Girl Finance Resources:

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Money conversations often happen behind closed doors, but The Clever Girls Know Podcast With Bola Sokunbi throws those doors wide open. Here, founder Bola Sokunbi of Clever Girl Finance moves beyond theory to host frank discussions with women who are actually navigating the messy, real-world journey toward financial freedom. You’ll hear from people at every stage-from those tackling overwhelming debt to others strategically building investments and businesses. These aren’t abstract interviews; they’re personal stories about the setbacks, the windfalls, and the daily decisions that shape a financial life. This podcast digs into the emotional and practical sides of money management, all through the lens of women taking control to design a future on their own terms. It’s a space where the jargon is stripped away, replaced by relatable experiences and actionable insights. Tuning in feels like joining a trusted circle where honesty about salaries, savings, and financial fears isn’t just allowed, it’s the whole point. The Clever Girl Finance platform built its reputation on empowering women with financial education, and this audio extension delivers that same value in an intimate, conversational format. Each episode serves as both a reality check and a source of motivation, reminding listeners that building wealth is a personal journey with many paths, all worth exploring.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Clever Girls Know Podcast With Bola Sokunbi
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