FINANCIAL FREEDOM IN JUST SIX MONTHS
During this most challenging series of the Absa/City Press Money Makeover boot camp yet, four of our contestants experienced a drop in household income, yet they still managed to meet all the goals they set in January. They are proof that the power to change your financial circumstances lies within you and that you do not have to wait for a “miracle” to achieve financial freedom.
WINNER: CATHERIEN THE GOAL: TO GET MY HUSBAND ON THE SAME PAGE FINANCIALLY
Catherien is an executive PA, and is married with three children. Her biggest challenge was that she and her husband Jan were not on the same page when it came to managing money. Jan earns an erratic income and didn’t feel it was possible to budget. This put a great deal of pressure on Catherien financially as she felt responsible for finding the money to pay for extra bills through her side businesses. She also faced an enormous emotional challenge as her 16-year-old son had a brain operation at the beginning of the year and will most likely require further surgery.
She worked with Absa financial adviser Riette Visser, who helped her draw up a realistic household budget. She and Jan completed a Money and Marriage questionnaire to understand their respective money attitudes, and the Money Makeover team created a plan to
