My Money Sorted: Shiane

A bit about Shiane: Shiane (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa, Te Ati Awa) is a stay-at-home mum of three tamariki who lives in Te Papa-i-Oea Palmerston North with her partner. She documents the highs and lows of their low-income life via her TikTok channel Shi.Budgets.

What’s the best money advice you’ve ever been given?

I feel like I’m yet to be given it. I come from humble beginnings and great money advice is a somewhat scarce commodity, although I did read something a while back that’s stuck with me: “Money’s not the goal, freedom is”.

Some of my own favourite money tips are:

Grocery shopping starts at home. Be aware of what you’ve got in your pantry and fridge, write a meal plan and don’t forget your grocery list. Store brands can be just as good as name brands and the best value comes from comparing the unit price, not the product price.

Utility companies value new customers over their existing ones. If your current company won’t give you a deal, there’s another one out there that will.

Most communities have free services, events and giveaways, but they don't just drop in to your inbox, so be sure to follow your local community pages on Facebook.

“I read something a while back that’s stuck with me: ‘Money’s not the goal, freedom is’.”

Are you a spender or a saver?

I’m a spender with the hopes of becoming a saver. Neither my partner nor I were taught financial literacy growing up; we’re only now learning in our early 30s with the hopes of passing that knowledge onto our tamariki.

What’s been your proudest money moment?

I was fed up living payday to payday, so this year I decided to seek help from a budget adviser. It may not seem like a big money moment, but I’m fiercely independent and proud, and my partner and I don’t often accept help from anybody, so for me it was.

What makes you feel sorted when it comes to your money?

I’ve recently learnt about cashflow projection, which is just a fancy way of looking at your income and expenses ahead of time. Like most things in life, nothing is set in stone, but this gives me the ability to adjust my budget as needed, so we’re not scrambling to pay for things down the track. I feel sorted knowing where we could be if we continue down this path.

What money beliefs have you inherited from your whānau?

Believe it or not, to answer this question, I literally had to ring my mum and siblings to find out if we had any money beliefs! “Money doesn’t grow on trees” was the only saying I heard regularly growing up. What I’ve come to realise is that money trauma goes back generations for our whānau, and by whānau I mean Māori people, Pasifika people. It’s not all doom and gloom, though. I’m determined to pass on what I learn to all who can relate through shared experiences or hardships. Financial literacy is not just for the well off.

“I’m determined to pass on what I learn. Financial literacy is not just for the well off.”

If your bank account could talk, what would it say to you right now?

“I see you trying and I’m proud of how far you’ve come.”

When you think about your retirement, what do you see?

Whenua. A little homestead, with a wraparound porch on our own whenua. Somewhere our kids, their kids, friends and extended whānau can gather to enjoy good food and great company and just be. That and passive income – when things like interest from savings or investments, dividends from shares, or rent from an investment property are doing the work for you – of course!

My Money Sorted: Emma

The motherhood penalty and ways to work around it

Comments

9 June 25
Merania

Nga mihi Shiane- love your honesty.
Ironically, sometimes the most humble beginnings produce the most freedom- you learn from the work ethic of those who only ever had humble earnings!
Great to see you learning about financial literacy (and it's not just for the well off) and for you to pass it on to your tamariki- a real plus towards freedom in however you want it to be.
I'm glad financial education will be taught in our curriculum next year and I wish I took more notice of economics when I was at school many moons ago!
However, lived experience with some hard lessons has been my best teacher and I aim to improve my own financial literacy through helping my own whanau.
Yes that quote "Money doesn't grow on trees" came from my grandparents and their similar older generation of whanau, friends and neighbours who lived with far less money than mine- and yet lived a more simpler, content life and with less mental health issues.
Appreciate your favourite money tips- I enjoy cooking home-made meals for my hubby and home baking for whanau, work colleagues and neighbours.
Actually spending the time to go through our finances and then making a plan to do the research, change the utilities, checking out what's in our communities is worth every cent- literally!
Really grateful for your insight about money trauma going back generations for our Māori and Pasifika people. I remember a Samaon budgeter saying "Our people aren't poor- they're broke!" And I've seen the wastage of money in all the wrong places which leads to more mental health issues about money and the cycle keeps going on...
But you're also right- it's not all doom and gloom. And you're shining the light in being fiercely independent to take those financial reins for your whanau first and foremost and to pass what you've learned onto others who are willing to learn and to do the mahi for themselves.
Keep going girl!
25 April 25
Monica

Love your kōrero! Keep going and smash those goals out
24 April 25
Dani

Love this “I see you trying and I’m proud of how far you’ve come.” and wholeheartedly agree!
23 April 25
Alex

This was such an inspiring read, Shiane! Your honesty, strength, and willingness to learn and grow for the sake of your whānau is so powerful. I love how you’re not just shifting your own relationship with money but creating a ripple effect for others too. Thank you for sharing your journey so openly and reminding us that financial literacy is for everyone, no matter where we start. So proud of you!