MY STORY STARTS HERE...
Owning a business at 18 was tough - but I did it!! It was a period filled with intense learning curves, and plenty of mistakes.
I also accomplished so many things that I am proud of.
The Debt Free Diva story started six years into that first business, when at the age of 24 I found out I had a tumor in my throat and needed surgery.
I knew it was time to close up shop and move to a different part of my life.
Unfortunately I wasn’t very savvy at that age and made a lot of financially crippling decisions along the way. When I closed the doors on my business I walked away with $94,000 worth of consumer debt sitting on a whopping 20% interest rate.
I was on the brink of bankruptcy.
I had been to an insolvency officer and had the paperwork in my hand ready to sign away my rights when I got home and saw the little face of my dog. That sweet little face was one of the only things keeping me going at the time.
It finally hit home that signing those insolvency papers would mean giving her up. To me this wouldn’t be an option - she was so innocent and loving.
It wasn’t her fault that I had got myself into so much financial difficulty!
IT WAS TIME TO TAKE CONTROL OF MY LIFE AGAIN
And that meant I had to pay back every cent plus interest and pull back from the brink.
I had to think of everything under the sun - I knew I had to increase my income, decrease my debt and master the art of budgeting – and quick!
Within three years I had paid back the total amount of $113,375.40 including interest, making me debt free and officially back from the brink of bankruptcy.
I officially became debt free in November 2019 and I couldn't be happier.
NEXT STEP: FIRST HOME OWNERSHIP...
I wasn't done yet, and I didn't stop there… with everything I learnt on the Debt Free Journey I set my eyes on the next Big Goal - my very own house.
Applying my new Debt Free Diva principals to this next adventure, I purchased my own first home only a year after I became debt free.
I managed to put a deposit of $73,500 down on my first home and officially became a homeowner in December 2020.
FOLLOWING ON FROM THAT... PROPERTY INVESTMENT
I ventured into property investment in an unconventional way by transforming my home into a short-term rental (Airbnb) for two years.
This gave me hands-on experience and valuable insights into managing guests rather than traditional tenants, preparing me for the transition to long-term property management.
Property investment has been an incredible learning journey, revealing countless tricks and strategies that I now use to navigate the market and maximize returns. It’s been an eye-opening experience, and I’m passionate about sharing what I’ve learned to help others succeed.
How I can help you
With everything I have learnt from this journey, I am super passionate about helping others find financial freedom on their own terms. I would love to see people all over the world working towards a financial lifestyle that suits them - whatever that might look like!
If you're struggling with debt or have big goals to achieve and you're not sure where to start, get in touch! Whatever level of support you need to start your journey I can help get you on your way.
THE ESSENTIALS
Email: tracy@debtfreediva.co.nz
Now as a fully accredited Financial Adviser, I can provide you with advice on behalf of DebtFreeDiva - FSP1006988.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION