Tell us a bit about yourself

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I’m based in Auckland and work in operations at a SaaS company. I enjoy finding ways to work smarter, not harder - whether it’s through automation, process improvements, or smart money systems. Outside of work, I like reading books and learning about personal finance. Right now, I’m focused on achieving financial independence and building a strong foundation for the future.

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What's your money story?

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I was fortunate to grow up with my parents providing for me, but everything changed when I moved to New Zealand for university. That’s when I had to start managing my own finances. I became very frugal and disciplined because I understood the value of saving and earning on my own. Back then, I used spreadsheets and manually exported my transactions each month to track spending. It worked, but it was time-consuming and hard to keep up consistently. My main challenge was visibility, knowing where my money was going and how all the parts (bank accounts, investments, KiwiSaver) fit together. Over time, I’ve become more intentional and confident with my money decisions.

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What drew you to BudgetBuddie?

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I was looking for a personal finance tool that worked well for New Zealanders and could connect with all my accounts: banks, KiwiSaver, Sharesies, and more. Most global apps didn’t support these integrations. BudgetBuddie stood out because it was local, automated, and cleanly designed.

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How has BudgetBuddie changed the way you think about and manage your money?

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I use BudgetBuddie regularly to check my cashflow, track my net worth, and review spending habits. It helps me feel in control and allows me to make better, faster decisions. Instead of second-guessing where my money went each month, I can just open the app and get a full picture instantly. The automation and account syncing make it easy to stay on top of things without spending hours manually tracking. Additionally, the BudgetBuddie's founder Tim replied to the support emails quickly and was really helpful, which gave me confidence in the team behind the product.

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What’s a money goal that really matters to you, and how is BudgetBuddie helping you work towards it?

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Right now, my focus is on building strong savings and setting a solid financial foundation as I start my early career. It’s important for me to live below my means, stay on top of my cashflow, and invest aggressively. BudgetBuddie makes it easy to track how my savings and investments are growing, which keeps me motivated and accountable.

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In the future, I plan to buy my first home, and I know I’ll be using BudgetBuddie’s mortgage tracking feature to stay on top of repayments and long-term goals.

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What would you say to someone thinking about using BudgetBuddie?

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If you want a clearer, smarter way to manage your money, especially if you live in New Zealand, this is the best tool I’ve found. It connects everything in one place, and the experience feels personal and intuitive. You won’t regret it.

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