Managing Money - A life skill

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Growing up in Germany, money was never a topic of conversation in our household. It was just there, a silent presence that supported our lives. My parents worked hard, running their own business, and while their company was always a significant topic at home, the intricacies of managing and growing money were never discussed. I saw how they made money, but I never learned how they kept it or made it grow.

At 23, my world turned upside down. My parents' company went insolvent, and they lost all their life savings. It was a shock to all of us. Suddenly, the financial stability I had taken for granted was gone. In response, I did what I knew best: I founded my own company and started making money. But making money was only part of the equation. I struggled with keeping and growing it.

This struggle led me to a crucial realization: I needed to educate myself about finances. I was shocked to discover that financial literacy wasn't taught at home, in school, or even at university. I embarked on a journey of self-education, devouring books, attending seminars, and learning from every resource I could find.

In my thirties, I moved to South Africa, a country with a unique cultural landscape. Here, I learned that different cultures have different values, opinions, and beliefs about money. South Africa operates on a "we make a plan" mentality—addressing financial issues as they arise rather than planning for a secure future. With minimal state support and no social security, financial literacy and education are even more critical.

It was here that I decided to join the Financial Services industry as an Independent Financial Planner. In my practice, I noticed that, before one can talk to clients about Financial Planning for their future, one must actually take a step back and start the money conversation by assessing their beliefs, their habits, and their knowledge in regard to money. That is when I discovered that there is a big need for financial coaching to help people make better money decisions for their future.

Witnessing the financial challenges faced by many in South Africa, I became passionate about spreading financial knowledge, especially to women. I realized that empowering women with financial literacy could help them tackle the financial challenges of their lives and build a more secure future for their families and communities.

My journey with money has been one of learning and growth. I have been self-employed and self-reliant my whole life. I have worked across numerous industries and businesses, but the "money" topic has always been a constant factor in my life. 

As it is, I guess, in everybody's life.