Making and Saving Money in New Zealand

Financial freedom is for normal people too.

Welcome to MumsMoney. I’m Emma. I started with a tax bill I couldn’t pay and a lot of consumer debt. I worked three jobs, paid it all off, then lived on one income and invested the other. Today my family is financially independent enough to ease back and spend time on the things that matter, including a 13-month trip around the world with our kids.

None of it came from a windfall. It was hard work: a budget, a few boring systems, and taking the next small step.

That’s what I share here: real numbers, honest caveats, and what I’d do differently now. It’s all tested in real life, not just in theory.

Start with your budget

The free Zero-Sum Budget Template: the weekly method I still use, so every dollar has a job.

Get the free template

Then keep going: start where you are

Step 1

Get your budget sorted

The weekly zero-sum method I still use. Grab the free template.

Step 2

Get out of debt

How I did it, and why knocking off small goals beat one terrifying pile.

Step 4

Invest for the long run

What I do with the money once the debt is gone. Read more.

Everything here is general information and my own experience, not personalised financial advice.

Saving Money

More articles on saving and managing money

Making Money

More articles on making money

Family

More kids and family articles

Travel

More travel tips

Home

More home articles