At enable.me, one of the biggest myths we hear is that you’ve missed your chance for financial freedom if you’re in your 40s. In reality, it’s often far from the truth. We always say the best time to start your financial plan was yesterday; the second-best time is today.
So, when Challen came to us at 44, determined to build her financial future, we knew she had plenty of opportunity to get ahead.
An ambitious business owner, MBA student, and devoted mother, she seemed to have it all on paper. But despite her career and academic success, she couldn’t shake the feeling she wasn’t making the most of her money. She worked hard for it – yet the results didn’t seem to match the effort.
She described her starting point as “no man’s land”. She wasn’t drowning in debt, but she wasn’t moving forward quickly either. She hadn’t yet owned a home but wanted to, and she knew that if she wanted to retire comfortably, she’d need to increase her savings rate. The trouble was, she wasn’t sure where her money was going.
That’s when she came to enable.me – to create a plan that would boost her savings, grow her investment knowledge, and help her buy her first home.
Creating the Right Structure
When enable.me Performance Coach Karen Beckham first met Challen, she could see the potential straight away.
“Her income was great – it was just a matter of creating the right plan and structure,” Karen says.
The solution didn’t require extreme sacrifices. It came down to automating savings, tracking spending, and getting crystal clear on her goals.
Challen explains, “I thought I’d have to give up a lot to get ahead. But really, it was about having the right banking structure and tracking my expenses so I could see exactly where my money was going.”
Setting Boundaries to Get Ahead
Another key shift was having some difficult but important conversations – particularly around the financial support she was providing to others.
“It’s easy to say, but really hard to do,” Karen says. “We care for our kids, but part of caring is letting them be independent.”
In Challen’s case, her daughter had a good job and steady income, so it was time to encourage more independence. Setting these boundaries allowed Challen to prioritise her own financial future.
This is a challenge many New Zealanders face. Around one million Kiwis still support their adult children – and while the cost of living makes this understandable, there’s a fine line between casting a safety net and creating dependency.
enable.me Head Strategic Coach Katie Wesney puts it this way:
“We can be a safety net in times of crisis, but it’s a safety net, not a hammock. The most impactful way we can help our kids is by looking after ourselves first. They learn by what they see, not what they’re told.”
Building Momentum
For Challen, putting her financial oxygen mask on first was about more than money – it was about being a role model. She wanted her daughter to see that it’s possible to take control of your finances and thrive.
“The biggest change for me was having the right account structure, knowing what was going out, what was being saved, and what my day-to-day would look like. Knowing this was revolutionary.”
Seeing her savings grow kept her motivated and, more importantly, her plan still allowed her to enjoy life in the present.
Karen says, “You’ve got to provision for the things you enjoy in your financial plan. Have a good life while you’re working towards your goals – if you don’t, you likely won’t stick with it.”
Challen agrees:
“Once I knew how, it was easy. I could still enjoy the things I loved – I just needed the structure and clarity to make it happen.”
Looking Ahead
With her first home on the horizon and a clear path to a thriving retirement, Challen’s focus now is on growing her savings, learning to invest more effectively, and making time for overseas travel.
Her story proves that even if you feel like you’re “floating,” the right plan can help you take off – and keep soaring.
Listen to Challen’s full story on the Where’s My Money? podcast below.
Build the Future You Deserve
Like Challen, you might be working hard but not seeing the financial progress you’d hoped for. Whether it’s buying your first home, creating the right banking structure, or building a clear path to retirement, our Financial Coaches and Strategists can help you turn things around.
We’ve helped thousands of Kiwis take control of their money, grow their savings, and invest with confidence — all while still enjoying life along the way.
Get in touch today to start your plan, and take the first step toward a future where you’re not just floating, but truly soaring.