Aotearoa has one of the highest rates of family violence in the developed world and we’re also a country full of pet lovers. So it’s no surprise that our furry companions play a significant role in the decisions women make about whether and when to leave an abusive relationship.

Recent data shows that 53% of women in abusive relationships delayed leaving out of fear for their pet’s safety, and 73% said they would have found it easier to leave if there were safe accommodation options for their pets.

If you’ve just downloaded the She’s Worth It Emergency Fund Tracker - yay! You’ve taken the first step toward building your financial safety net.

Now, if you’re anything like me, you’ve probably downloaded dozens of free templates over the years... and never opened half of them again. So let’s make this one different. This blog will walk you through exactly how to use your tracker, and how to keep the momentum going even when money is tight or motivation dips.

With Sorted’s Money Month coming up, I was chatting with a few of my colleagues about the Emergency Fund Challenge I’m running through She’s Worth It. It led to a great conversation:
“Where should you actually keep your emergency fund?”

I said straight away: “A high-interest savings account (HISA), hands down.”

One colleague said she just uses the savings account attached to her regular bank account. Another said she’s been using term deposits.

Your emergency fund is there for you when everything else falls apart. Keeping it in a high-interest savings account isn’t just financially smart—it’s an act of self-respect.

If you’re just starting to build one, start small. $5 a week. $20 a month. Whatever you can do. Over time, it adds up. And when life happens (because it always does), you’ll be so glad you did.

With new changes to KiwiSaver rules in July 2025, it’s easier than ever for parents and teens to set themselves up for the future. So let’s talk about what’s new, why it matters, and how you can get started, no matter your budget.

If you've lived it, you don’t need a research paper to tell you that leaving an abusive relationship is hard, especially when money is tight, or gone altogether. But sometimes, seeing the numbers laid out helps validate our experience. It shows we’re not imagining it. That it’s not just “bad luck” or “poor decisions.” It’s a system that fails women over and over again.

The latest Good Shepherd NZ report, Barriers to Exit: How financial barriers prevent women from leaving abusive relationships, is one of the clearest, most compassionate breakdowns I’ve read lately about why so many women stay. And why so many of us walk away not just traumatised, but broke.

New Zealanders have fully embraced contactless payments — about 70% use contactless as their preferred method for everyday purchases, up from 36% between 2019–2020. But convenience often comes with a hidden cost: retailers commonly add 2–2.5% surcharges to cover their processing fees.

I wouldn’t call myself a fashionista.
But I do like to feel smart — especially when I’m in professional settings.
And I’ve found a way to do that without blowing the budget.

If you’re rebuilding your finances, starting over, or just trying to get out of survival mode — please start here.
Sinking funds are simple. But they’re powerful.

If you’re stressed about money, you’re not alone.
And no, it’s not just “because you need a budget” or “should meditate more.”

For a lot of us, especially after financial trauma or divorce, money anxiety runs deep. It’s not just about the numbers, it’s about feeling unsafe, unsupported, and out of control.

Divorce doesn’t just split up a relationship. It can split up your finances, your stability, and your sense of self.

If you’ve experienced financial abuse, been out of the workforce, or suddenly found yourself parenting solo with no backup plan, the money side of divorce can feel like an impossible mountain to climb.

When you’re on a low income, recovering from financial abuse, or starting over with zero savings, you don’t always have the luxury of paying for essentials upfront.

If you’re a woman in your 40s or early 50s feeling like you're barely keeping your head above water, you’re not imagining it — the struggle is real, and you’re far from alone.

I remember the first time I ever calculated my net worth.

I was sitting at my coffee table, surrounded by scribbled budget notes, half-drunk tea, and a growing sense of dread. I had been back in Aotearoa for 10 months, arriving with just my toddler and a suitcase. No car. No money. No plan. Just survival mode.

If you’ve ever felt like most personal finance advice doesn’t speak to your life, you’re not imagining it.

It’s difficult to find personal finance information for women dealing with the extra challenges that come from a marriage or relationship breakdown — especially when financial abuse has left you starting over from scratch.

She’s Worth It exists because we need more than just money tips.
We need healing, rebuilding, and reclaiming — stability, independence, and abundance after life has knocked us down.

In Aotearoa, the gender gap doesn’t just show up in pay packets — it’s sitting in our KiwiSaver accounts too. As of March 17, 2025, the average KiwiSaver balance for men was $42,664. For women? Just $34,185. That’s a gap of $8,479 — around 25% — and it’s not getting smaller. In fact, it’s widening, especially among younger women.

Getting out of debt is hard enough on its own. But when you've been through financial abuse, a divorce, or had to start over from nothing, it’s not just a numbers game — it’s a healing journey.

You’re not irresponsible. You’re not a failure.
You’re someone who survived — and now you’re rebuilding.

In New Zealand, women are more likely than men to experience financial hardship following a relationship breakdown, and women who have experienced financial abuse report significantly lower financial resilience (Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission, 2021).
If this is part of your story, you’re far from alone — and there’s a path forward.

A study from the National Network to End Domestic Violence highlights that financial abuse occurs in 99% of domestic violence cases, underscoring just how prevalent and damaging it is. Financial abuse doesn't just limit your freedom; it chips away at your self-esteem, mental health, and ability to plan for the future.

When you’ve been through trauma, whether it’s emotional, financial, relational, or physical, your brain and body find ways to cope. Some of those coping mechanisms become patterns. And for a lot of us, those patterns involve spending.