Mindful Money Design (MMD) is a consulting service that provides support and insight as to the emotional challenges that surround money management. MMD believes that your relationship with money is behaviour driven and, therefore, having a healthy relationship with money is essential for financial success. MMD supports its clients to have positive behaviours in place, promoting better financial practices, especially those experiencing current financial concerns. MMD also specialises in helping clients who have a physical or mental disability, mental health challenges, and any vulnerable members of the community, such as migrants, young adults, mature-aged individuals, and those living with a chronic illness or caring for a loved one with a chronic illness.
Maria Pasa is the founder of MMD. In 2018, Maria was diagnosed with legal blindness, causing her to experience profound challenges with her personal wellbeing. However, the care and support she received from her family, friends, and various support organisations, along with reconnecting to what she values has helped her. Her journey gave Maria the passion and drive to want to help others. Her experience also led Maria to do a post graduate course in psychology at Monash University, giving her the knowledge to further understand people, their thoughts, behaviours and their emotional needs. In addition, Maria attended various peer support groups, where she was able to really connect with vulnerable people and form many meaningful interactions.
Maria also volunteered with admin support within the Vision Australia Seeing Eye Dogs Division, giving her a deeper understanding and a greater awareness of the importance of community service; supporting some of the most vulnerable sectors in society today.
Previous to her legal blindness diagnosis and psychology studies, Maria worked in finance for 13 years. She found this work to be rewarding; supporting clients and giving solutions to their financial concerns in such departments as personal finance, home and investment lending and small business finance.
With her strong background in money management, her psychology qualification, her care in the community, and her profound experience of living with a disability, Maria has the expertise and the lived experience to support those in need and is dedicated to making a positive difference in their lives, empowering them to be their best selves; her goal is to implement good emotional health and wellbeing, and healthy, authentic money management in their lives.
“My experience has been enriching, which made me want to share my knowledge with anyone going through similar challenges and help them to see each challenge as an opportunity for growth, rather than a limitation.”
Maria is here to support you and will work with you with warmth, empathy and diligence. With her lived-experience, Maria also believes in the person-centred, behavioural approach in supporting clients.
When Maria is not working, she loves to spend quality time with her family and to volunteer in the local church community. She also enjoys going on hikes through the rainforest. Another passion of hers is travelling, and in 2023, she travelled to Italy, where she got to experience the Roman culture and visit the ancient churches, especially the Basilica of St Peter which was special for her as a Catholic.