How It Started
I established Cash Flow Goals in 2017 to empower individuals and give them the tools, skills, language, and confidence to take control of their financial future. The idea for the business emerged from conversations with friends and colleagues that revealed a gap in people's understanding of money management.
While people seemed to know the basics of saving money and paying off debt, they weren't aware of the ‘bigger picture’ - creating a vision for how they want to live their lives, understanding what they truly value and using money to achieve it.
Talking to people living paycheck to paycheck, taking a dieting approach to budgeting and failing, and feeling stressed, frustrated and ‘not in control’ of their finances prompted me to dive in and start sharing what I knew. I gained qualifications in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), which is about understanding how our thoughts and language impact our behaviours, and in financial literacy education. I kicked off 2018 by teaching my first Cash Flow Goals class through Laneway Learning, and continued from there with more group classes as well as 1:1 coaching.
I thrive on having conversations about money with anyone, but especially with those I coach. It’s not about the numbers and how much money you have. It’s about helping you use your money to achieve your dreams and live a fulfilled and enriched life, which really floats my boat!
I have always been interested in money, how it works, and how people use it. I have lived in eight countries and travelled extensively. I have seen how the wealthiest people in the world live their lives and have visited some of the poorest communities on the planet. Let me tell you that those with access to everything they desire are not always the most fulfilled.
How money was used and talked about when you were growing up, including the influence of people and environments around you, deeply impacts your money journey later in life. You can transform your approach to money by tapping into your money psychology, something we look at closely in CFG coaching sessions. Here is a taste of mine.
Money in my Childhood
Our values, including those about money, are said to form early in life, around seven years old. I owe my financial savvy to my amazing parents, who instilled sound attitudes about money early on. Growing up in New Zealand, my sister and I were fortunate to have a loving and adventurous childhood, but we also learned the value of hard work. I vividly recall stories of financial struggles - like when there wasn't enough money to buy food for family coming to visit us or my mother working extra night shifts as a nurse while we slept soundly in bed. My parents were both very handy. Dad did a lot of work on our house himself, and Mum's sewing machine could usually be heard buzzing into the wee morning hours while she made clothes for us and to sell for extra cash.
Other notable money memories from my childhood include:
Saving up all my birthday and Christmas money to buy a long-awaited Care Bear in the store at the age of 4
Writing a letter to my mother explaining my desire to return to ballet lessons and promising to “stick it out this time”
Operating a popcorn and lemonade stand with my sister and busking at Christmas time to earn money
A memorable trip to return a disappointing science experiment kit when I was 10 —lesson learned: things don’t always work in real life as they show on TV!
My First Big Investment at 21
When I was 12, my father’s job took us from New Zealand to Singapore and then to Hong Kong, where we lived in rented apartments with someone else’s furniture. As I reached my late teens, this sparked a strong desire to purchase my own home and have my own things. Achieving this goal required a solid strategy and a significant amount of savings. I sought the necessary knowledge, worked diligently, saved hard, and negotiated with my parents to help me purchase my first property in 2006. It was a three-bedroom house in Nelson, New Zealand, acquired for $125,000 with an interest rate of 7.6%. Since then, I have invested in three other properties and sold two of them.
Making the Most of My Opportunities
In my early twenties, I started travelling the world to work at major international sporting events, like the Olympic Games. My friends and I were earning good money, and some began indulging in luxurious vacations, once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and enviable wardrobes. But I felt like I had a different perspective. I realised this increased income gave me an opportunity. And while I made the most of living in incredible places, I was very mindful of my spending; I set money aside for my investments and kept organised with the required administration. I was also curious to learn more, so I immersed myself in books and online resources. These experiences and learnings lay the groundwork for the financial strategies I continue to use today.
The Big Lessons I’ve Learned
After more than two decades of travel, learning, and discussions about money, these are the principles that guide my approach to a financially fulfilling life:
Money is not about numbers and spreadsheets: It’s deeply tied to psychology, emotions, and mindset
Money management is a skill: Like riding a bike—challenging at first but immensely rewarding once you get the hang of it
Contentment is the ultimate goal: When you prioritise happiness and satisfaction, your financial goals naturally fall in line
Definitions of “rich” and “successful” vary: For some, it’s a yacht; for others, it’s a well-stocked pantry
You can’t achieve what you don’t pursue: Set those goals and go for them!
A bit of luck goes a long way: Sometimes, the Universe hands you a break. Recognising these opportunities can be the tricky bit
Expertise isn’t necessary: With a bit of knowledge and determination, anyone can manage their finances effectively
It’s not about how much you have: It’s about how you align your spending with your values that brings true fulfilment
Setting the Right Foundation
In today’s world, online personal finance content is abundant - complex spreadsheets, countless books, and extensive online courses are just a click away. It’s fantastic to see an increase in financial literacy and wealth generation material; however, much of it is overcomplicated, overwhelming, and unnecessary. While growing your money is critical to achieving financial freedom, if the foundations of your money system are not solid and you don’t have a clear vision or the right mindset, then you’re unlikely to be successful in the long term.
Time to Take Control
Money can be a taboo topic; many people find it difficult to discuss, yet it underpins almost everything we do and impacts our most important relationships. Money is a leading cause of stress and relationship issues across all cultures. Through CFG, I aim to help break the stigma, demonstrate the simplicity of taking control, and empower individuals to achieve their version of financial success.
Ready to achieve your financial goals? Schedule a free 15-minute call with me today and start your financial empowerment journey. Let’s work together to achieve your Cash Flow Goals!