Resetting Your Relationship with Debt

Reset your relationship with debt. Tips for first home buyers and those exploring debt consolidation from UNO's Jesse Bullock.

Resetting Your Relationship with Debt

Buying your first home or managing debt doesn’t just happen on paper—it happens in the real world, with all the emotions, life events, and financial curveballs that come with it. That’s why Jesse Bullock, Principal Broker at UNO Home Loans, is passionate about helping clients reset their relationship with debt—not just take on more of it.

“If you don’t have a good relationship with debt, or with your mortgage, it’s time to reset it,” says Jesse.

From Army Life to Mortgage Broking

Before entering the finance world, Jesse served in the Australian Army and worked in small business—experiences that now shape the empathy and insight he brings to every client interaction.

“I’ve had a few different perspectives,” Jesse explains. “It’s given me a different outlook on how I support people.”

That human-first approach is key, especially for first home buyers who are stepping into unfamiliar territory.

Starting Out: Buying Your First Home

Whether you're in your twenties or simply new to the market, Jesse says the best time to get guidance is early—even if you're not ready to buy yet.

“People almost feel guilty reaching out early. But I say, book the chat! You don’t need to have it all figured out.”

Understanding your budget, building a safety net (like an offset account), and resisting pressure from “property gurus” online are all part of the long game. Jesse encourages clients to slow down, tune out the noise, and build a plan that’s based on their personal goals.

Playing the Long Game with Debt

Debt isn’t just a number—it’s a relationship. Jesse urges buyers to view their mortgage not as a burden but as a tool. Used well, it can help you build equity, fund future investments, and create long-term financial freedom.

That might mean making small extra repayments, using surplus income wisely, or simply staying on track with regular check-ins.

“You can’t control the market, but you can control your relationship with debt.”

Jesse recommends touching base with your broker every 6 months—not just when you need a loan.

“Life changes. Your goals change. Your debt strategy should change too.”

What Happens When Things Go Off Track?

Life doesn’t always go to plan. Jesse sees many clients in their 30s or 40s who started strong but have ended up juggling multiple debts: a mortgage, car loan, credit cards, maybe even business finance.

That’s where debt consolidation comes in—rolling those high-interest debts into your home loan to lower your repayments and regain control.

“Debt consolidation is a way to simplify your financial life,” Jesse explains. “But it’s not just about the numbers. You need to understand what led to the debt in the first place.”

And that’s where a judgment-free, empathetic conversation with a broker can make all the difference.

“It’s okay to be vulnerable. That’s how we make real progress.”

Self-Employed? Two Balance Sheets, One Stress Point

For business owners, the debt picture is even more complex. Between ATO obligations, fluctuating income, and personal mortgage repayments, things can get stressful fast.

Jesse breaks it down simply: you’re running two balance sheets—one for the business and one for your home. And when one starts to wobble, it affects the other.

“You still have to pay yourself so you can pay your mortgage. But if the business hits a rough patch, everything is under pressure.”

The solution? Strategic planning, a good accountant, and a broker who understands both sides of the equation.

Your Plan, Not Someone Else’s

Throughout the conversation, one theme stands out: your plan has to be your plan.

“Don’t build your financial future off a 45-second YouTube video. This isn’t one-size-fits-all.”

That means setting goals that reflect your values—whether that’s paying off your home early, investing in property, or simply feeling less stressed about money.

And if you're not sure where to begin? Jesse’s advice is simple.

“Pick up the phone. Book the chat. Even if there’s no action to take today, the conversation itself might change everything.”

Dylan Aubrey
May 31, 2025
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
Jesse did a great job with helping me secure my loan, will be using him again in the future

Want a better relationship with your debt?

Need help with your home loan or debt strategy? Jesse can help you:

  • Buy your first home without overextending
  • Stay on top of your mortgage with less stress
  • Use debt to grow your long-term wealth

Book Call Now

UNO home loans

June 9, 2025
Try Plans, by UNO
Mortgage calculators completely reimagined
Get Started
Considering a purchase or refinance?

Try Plans by UNO

Mortgage calculators completely reimagined
Get Started
☎️ 🚫 No cold call promise

Related Articles

TESTIMONIALS

What our customers are saying

Kealan Kelly
November 27, 2025
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
Mike and team were an absolute pleasure to work with. Super friendly and professional throughout and got us excellent rates
Read more
W S Lam Wong
November 27, 2025
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
When seeking for a loan for my unconventional lending requirements (via a trading trust), none of the Big 4 nor regular brokers could help. I'm glad I found Jesse who has a thorough understanding of my requirements and it has been a pleasant and seamless experience to have my loan organised by Jesse until settlement. A well deserved 5 stars review from me!!!
Read more
Haylee Hollings
November 26, 2025
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
Paul was amazing from the first phone call, he knew what we needed to know before we had even thought about it.. He and his team had us feeling at ease moving from Another country knowing he had us sorted and under control and in good hands. Paul will be our go to for other financial needs in the near future! Thanks again Paul and the team! Thankful kiwis!
Read more
Claire Blackall
November 26, 2025
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
Highly Recommend Paul Davey – Exceptional Mortgage Broker We worked with Paul Davey on a very complex mortgage application, and we honestly couldn’t have asked for a better broker. Paul worked incredibly hard for us from start to finish — he was patient, knowledgeable, and relentless in finding solutions when things got complicated. His communication was outstanding, always keeping us updated and making sure we understood every step of the process. It’s clear he truly cares about his clients and goes above and beyond to achieve the best outcome. We’re extremely grateful for everything Paul did for us and would recommend him without hesitation to anyone looking for a dedicated and trustworthy mortgage broker.
Read more
H Hollings
November 26, 2025
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
Paul is absolutely fantastic, he is absolutely worth reaching out to! He explains things in ways you can understand and help you get or work towards what you are wanting to achieve. You won’t regret reaching out to him and his team at all!
Read more
Owen
November 26, 2025
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
Paul and the team at UNO are excellent, very responsive with sound knowledge, highly recommend.
Read more
Katelin Organ
November 21, 2025
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
Exceptional service from Mike Parsons at UNO Mike recently assisted me with my home loan and managed the entire process with professionalism and expertise. He provided clear guidance, was an excellent communicator, and ensured everything ran smoothly from start to finish as well as obtaining the best rates. I highly recommend Mike Parsons for anyone seeking a knowledgeable and reliable home loan broker - was an excellent experience.
Read more
Alison Bliesner
November 18, 2025
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
What a fantastic team from start to finish
Read more
Ben Power
November 13, 2025
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
Jake has been fantastic to work with. He recently restructured our investment loans. With his problem-solving mindset, deep knowledge, and strategic approach, he was able to refinance all of our loans back to a major lender at a fantastic rate. While also releasing equity to fund another purchase. Jena, the senior broker support officer, was there every step of the way to support us and keep things running smoothly. Together, they made the whole process stress-free and efficient. Highly recommend the team!
Read more
Ashley Merrett
November 6, 2025
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
Highly Recommend – Exceptional First-Home Buyer Support! My wife and I recently purchased our first home and had an amazing experience working with Andrew Wyers from UNO Home Loans. As first-home buyers, we had plenty of questions, and Andrew guided us through every step with patience, clarity, and genuine care. He made the process feel simple and stress-free, ensured we were always informed, and went above and beyond to secure a great loan for us. His professionalism and communication were outstanding, and he worked seamlessly with everyone involved to keep things moving smoothly. We couldn’t be happier with the outcome and highly recommend Andrew and UNO Home Loans, especially to anyone looking for a supportive and trustworthy broker on their home-buying journey. Thank you, Andrew! 🙌
Read more
Catherine Merrett
November 6, 2025
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
My husband and I were incredibly nervous heading into the home-buying process. As first-time property investors, it felt like a monumental decision, and the learning curve seemed steep. However, Andrew Wyers and the entire team at UNO Home Loans completely changed our perspective. They made the process so much more enjoyable than we ever anticipated—it was surprisingly exhilarating! Andrew's exceptional communication was key. At moments when we felt uncertain or stressed (especially while juggling other life commitments), his guidance immediately put our minds at ease. We knew we were in safe hands with the UNO team and quickly learned to trust the process entirely, allowing us to learn along the way. Feeling guided through each step made a daunting task enjoyable, and within a matter of a couple of short months, we had achieved our goal: we were homeowners! Thank you so much to Andrew Wyers and the entire UNO Home Loans team for making this huge milestone a genuinely positive and seamless experience.
Read more
Margaret Giles
November 1, 2025
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
Due to complications arising from processes and forms required by the lender, what should have been a simple process became super complicated. UNO Home Loans dealt with everything with calm and serenity and professionalism.
Read more