25/06/2026
$206,000. That's how much better off one couple was after their first 12 months of financial coaching with me.
A year ago, James and Claire told me a $20,000–$30,000 improvement would be a realistic win.
WHERE THEY STARTED
They felt lost, confused, and frustrated — like they were probably making some progress, but couldn't see it or celebrate it.
No system for money management.
Mortgage moving at a glacial pace.
Investments underperforming.
Living off the credit card
They'd even been set up with a sophisticated mortgage system before — but no one had ever properly explained it or coached them through using it.
WHAT CHANGED
→ Built an emergency fund and sinking fund from $0
→ Reviewed their KiwiSaver and investments, swapping out underperformers → Moved them onto a simple mortgage system and coached them through it — shaving 23–24 years down to 12 (≈$230,000 saved in interest)
→ Stopped credit card use altogether
→ Deep work on limiting beliefs — from scarcity to abundance
Today, they feel happy, successful, and abundant — genuinely in the driver's seat of their own finances, with possibilities ahead instead of walls.
THE RESULT
≈$206,000 better off in 12 months.
KiwiSaver + super up $140K+ combined.
Mortgage down $41,619.
Four new savings accounts built from zero.
A $6,000 pay rise along the way.
And beyond the numbers: a new car bought with zero guilt, three vet surgeries handled without stress, two trips fully funded — and money dates they now actually look forward to.
James is in his early forties, Claire in her early fifties — and on their current trajectory, they're on track for a $2,000,000 portfolio by 65.
I'm curious - What's your biggest financial challenge at the moment that you'd like to resolve? Drop it in the comments.