Where’s My Money? Season 7, Episode 11
Where’s My Money? is back with another inspiring conversation, following up with one of the podcast’s most memorable guests.
When Ashley Jones first joined the podcast alongside Emily Owens, she shared her experience of surviving domestic violence and financial abuse, and the determination that ultimately led to legislative change through what has become known as Ashley’s Law.
If you haven’t heard Ashley’s original story, you can read our previous article, Financial Abuse: Two Kiwi Women’s Story of Survival , before diving into this next chapter of her journey.
This time, Ashley returns with a very different story to tell. While her advocacy continues to make a real difference for other survivors, she has also achieved something she once believed was out of reach: purchasing her very first home, on her own.
Her story is a powerful reminder that financial recovery isn’t simply about rebuilding your bank balance. It’s about rebuilding confidence, understanding the financial tools available to you, and creating opportunities that may once have seemed impossible.
Ashley Jones reflects on a journey she never imagined
When Ashley first appeared on Where’s My Money?, she spoke candidly about the financial control that had kept her trapped in an abusive relationship and the challenges of rebuilding her life afterwards.
Returning to the podcast, she reflects on just how much has changed.
Host Reagan White describes the achievement as a “full circle moment,” acknowledging just how far Ashley has come since their first conversation.
Ashley admits the milestone still doesn’t quite feel real.
Looking back, she says that when she sat in the studio for her first interview, buying a home wasn’t even something she thought was possible.
That perspective makes her story particularly powerful. Rather than following what many consider the “traditional” path to home ownership, Ashley has built a future on her own terms.
She also shares something many first-home buyers don’t often talk about – that alongside excitement came grief.
While she was incredibly proud to purchase her own home, she also reflected on letting go of the future she once imagined.
It’s an honest reminder that two emotions can exist together, and that achieving a major life goal doesn’t always look exactly how we pictured it.
The role KiwiSaver played in buying her first home
One of the biggest financial lessons Ashley shares is around KiwiSaver.
Earlier in her career, she stayed in a conservative KiwiSaver fund for longer than she now believes was appropriate because she was worried about losing money.
Learning more about investing eventually changed her perspective.
As Ashley explains, her KiwiSaver ultimately became the deposit that made buying her home possible.
She also reflects that understanding how KiwiSaver funds work earlier may have changed the outcome even further, reinforcing how valuable financial education can be when making long-term decisions.
Her experience is a great reminder that reviewing your KiwiSaver regularly, understanding your investment timeframe and making sure your fund matches your goals can have a significant impact over time.
Book a KiwiSaver Review
There isn’t only one path to home ownership
Throughout the conversation, Ashley is refreshingly honest about the reality of buying her first home.
She explains that she didn’t have a huge cash deposit, she still carried some consumer debt, and she explored the support available through first-home buying schemes.
Rather than presenting home ownership as something that only happens when every financial box is perfectly ticked, Ashley demonstrates the value of asking questions, understanding your options and seeking advice before assuming something isn’t possible.
As Reagan reflects, there are often “so many little options that can help people in vast amounts of situations.”
Whether that’s understanding KiwiSaver, exploring lending options or creating a long-term financial plan, knowing what’s available can make a significant difference.
Ashley’s Law continues to make a difference
Since Ashley’s first appearance on the podcast, Ashley’s Law has officially come into force, helping survivors of family violence access a faster divorce process.
Perhaps even more meaningful than seeing the legislation passed has been hearing from the people already benefiting from it.
Ashley shares that survivors have reached out through social media and online communities to tell her the law has already made a difference in their lives.
While she acknowledges the personal cost of sharing her own story so publicly, she also says seeing others helped reinforces that it was worth it.
As she reflects on where she is today, Ashley says she feels lighter, more confident and proud of the life she’s continuing to build.
Where’s My Money? Hotline with enable.me financial coach Rebecca Starkey
Each week on Where’s My Money?, enable.me financial coach Rebecca Starkey joins Reagan White to answer a listener’s money question in the Hotline segment.
Rebecca challenges the common misconception that good financial planning means cutting out everything enjoyable.
Instead, she explains that successful financial planning is about creating balance.
Rather than viewing money as the end goal, Rebecca encourages listeners to think of it as a tool that helps create the life they want.
One practical strategy she recommends is to pay yourself first.
By automatically putting money towards long-term goals – whether that’s KiwiSaver, investments, paying down your mortgage or saving for your first home – you’ve already taken care of future you before deciding how to spend what’s left.
Rebecca also encourages people to regularly review their spending and ask themselves one simple question:
For some people, spending money on travel or dining out genuinely aligns with their priorities. For others, redirecting some of that spending towards future goals may bring greater satisfaction.
There isn’t one right answer – the key is ensuring your spending reflects what matters most to you.
Support is available
Ashley’s story is ultimately one of hope, but she also acknowledges that she couldn’t have rebuilt her life alone.
Throughout the episode, she speaks about the support she received from Women’s Refuge, along with the confidence-building work of Dress for Success, organisations that continue to make a meaningful difference for New Zealanders experiencing difficult circumstances.
At enable.me, we’re proud to support Dress for Success and the incredible work they do helping women prepare for employment and new opportunities.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or financial abuse, please know that support is available through Women’s Refuge and other specialist organisations across New Zealand.
If you’re looking to better understand your KiwiSaver, create a plan for buying your first home, or build greater confidence with your finances, an enable.me financial coach can help you create a personalised financial plan tailored to your goals (costs apply).
Watch Ashley’s inspiring return and the full Hotline segment below.
Disclaimer: The Where’s My Money? podcast and the information shared by host Reagan White and his guests does not constitute individual financial advice. If you’re interested in receiving financial advice, you can book a consultation with an enable.me financial coach. Costs apply.
