1424 days ago

First Rung: Debt Free Diva saves deposit for first home in 12 months

Kylie Klein Nixon Reporter from Homed

One of the best things about working for homed is all the inspiring people I get to chat to. One of my favs, and the most inspiring was Tracey Hemingway, who as The Debt Free Diva offers advice and guidance on getting your finances under control and working for you.
She knows what she's talking about, too. Not only did she smash more than $90k of debt in three years, but in the year since she paid it off, she's saved enough, on top of her Kiwisaver, to pay the deposit on a home of her own.
It wasn't easy, and Tracy would be the first person to tell you that! But it is doable. Check out how, and have a listen to our episode of First Rung about Settlement day, on this link below. It includes some tips from Tracy on setting up a budget to manage your finance when you have a mortgage to pay.

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More messages from your neighbours
12 days ago

Kalle

The Team from Humans of Christchurch Ōtautahi

"Sports and travelling run in the family, and that's kind of what's led me to come to New Zealand."

"I grew up in a small town in Finland. My dad was involved with sports all his life, he was a shot putter, discus thrower, powerlifter, we traveled quite a bit when I was a kid. He never mentioned much of the rugby days. He just said he broke both of his shin bones playing rugby, so he said, ‘never play the sport, It's crazy.’

I started playing when I was 18. I played my first cap for the Finnish national team in 2014, we won the Finnish championship with my club. Rugby is not a big thing in Finland.

I moved here to play rugby in 2017. The club that wanted me to come over was Methven Rugby Club. They got me here and they were like, ‘what do you do for work? I’d just finished chef school in Finland. ‘We'll get you a job at Mount Hutt as a chef, you can do that while you play rugby with us.’ I said, ‘Perfect. Yeah, I'm in’.

I've always loved food. My mum was an amazing cook, and still is. When I was studying tourism I worked in some hotels in Finland, and I saw how the chef's worked. I just loved the kitchen vibe and I was like, Yeah, that’d be something I'd love to do.

I've had more of a culinary journey In New Zealand than in Finland. I started at Mount Hutt, after that I worked at The Dubliner in Methven. I worked as a senior pizza chef at Sal’s for maybe six months then worked as chef de partie at Cellar Door. At Eliza's Manor, I worked myself up to a junior sous chef. Then the opportunity came to work my first head chef job at Moon Under Water.

We're privileged to have a busy atmosphere, we can try new things and get a bit creative. There are no TV’s, just come here with your family or with your mates, play board games, to socialise.

I really want to drive the local food and ingredients through the menu. We don't mind spending more for quality ingredients as long as it's supporting New Zealand businesses. We just love to use local. And it's pub food, but I feel like it's elevated.

I play club rugby here for the Christchurch Football Club, the oldest club in New Zealand and I still play regularly for the Finnish national team, whenever they can fly me over to play."

- Kalle

View more stories, or nominate someone: @humansofchch
www.humansofchch.org......

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5 days ago

Vanessa

The Team from Humans of Christchurch Ōtautahi

“Giggly girt! Giggly girt!”

“See I got my hair cut on Friday. I've got my hair band to keep it up. See? Like this I keep it up.

Biscuit Blair - she's my favourite woman. And you. And that cheeky lady over there.

My last name is Rule. I'll write it down for you, you silly old duff.
I was born on West Coast. I moved here when I was a little girl.

I like doing pictures here that’s why I like pictures. Doing art. I like going for a walk. I come here Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday.

My sister, I go see her on Saturday. Have a cup of coffee, at home. She's five, nine. 59. I'm five, seven, 57. This year I'll be 58. My birthday's on a Thursday. I'm having chocolate cake and pizza. And lolly ice cream.
Some people are noisy. Nicholas, and Peter and Chris, they are my friends and that giggly girt over there.

I get headache sometimes at other work, because noisy.

I'm happy here. I could go for a walk if I want to. I'm good.”

- Vanessa, White Room Creative Spaces

The White Room is a community creative space that removes barriers to
making art. Through this, artists build confidence and connections and
embrace new opportunities.

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3 days ago

Tray chic

Resene

Repurpose an old picture frame and serve up a message of love to family or friends with Resene colours, Resene FX Blackboard Paint and Resene FX Paint Effects Medium.

Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
Find out more

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