Casey’s financial journey has been shaped by relentless challenges. Her debt wasn’t simply the result of poor spending habits – it was a series of life pressures that led to financial hardship. She endured domestic and family violence in a previous relationship, was raising a high-needs child with her husband, and had to resign from her job to provide full-time care. At the same time, she was also managing C-PTSD, depression and anxiety.
As a mother of two, Casey tried to keep everything afloat, but the financial stress became overwhelming.
“I had a variety of debt, including mortgage stress, a lot of unsecured loans, payday loans. We weren’t even making it week to week. I was figuring out which bill I was going to pay and which one I wasn’t. Figuring out where I was going to get grocery money from, dodging phone calls from creditors. And just burying my head in the sand.”
The shame and weight of her financial situation took a toll on Casey’s mental health. But despite everything, she and her husband remained determined to turn things around. So, Casey took a brave step and went to the YFS Financial Hub for support.
“When I came to financial counselling, there was no shame, no embarrassment, no judgement. Lisa [my financial counsellor] was so welcoming and empathetic. She just understood. She understood why I was there and how to help me.”
Through financial counselling, Casey began to understand her finances and feel more in control.
“The impact financial counselling has had on my family and myself is massive. I did not think I was ever going to mentally recover. I thought I was going to be a broken person – from DFV, having to leave work to care for my high-needs son, getting into debt just to get him medical help, you know?”
“So, to be able to budget and come up with a plan took so much stress off.”
Casey slowly began advocating for herself. She learnt how to negotiate payment plans for her rates arrears and mortgage – skills she never had before.
“Lisa was able to give us so many tools we could apply – not just budgeting, not just getting rid of debt – but teaching us how to advocate for ourselves. Showing us how to read interest rates and statements. And you know, how to speak and negotiate.”
As the pressure eased, Casey and her husband saw real change – both financially and mentally.
“I’m ahead in my mortgage now and all of my bills. I have a comfortable buffer. We have savings.”
“I was able to pay for my children to go on excursions this year. They’re in extracurricular activities, which they have not been in for years. My son’s doing Ninja Warrior class, and my daughter is doing gymnastics. My children are thriving. Now that their parents are healthy and happy it flows onto them – they’re healthy and happy too.”
Even Christmas, which was once a source of dread in their household, has become a time of joy again.
“My kids were able to get iPads for Christmas, which I didn’t think I was ever going to be able to buy them, you know? And just to see their faces light up and cherish them.”
“We didn’t have stress at Christmas. My kids were able to open gifts and I wasn’t in debt. I wasn’t sitting there thinking, oh no, it’s going to be six months of me paying this off now.”
“It was the first Christmas my husband and I had ever enjoyed. It wasn’t stressful. We actually had a ham – just those little things I guess people take for granted.”
Today, their lives look very different. Casey’s son is thriving at an independent school, and both she and her husband are working full-time while also studying. After seeing the impact a place like YFS can have, they both felt inspired to give back – Casey is now studying Human Services, and her husband is studying Youth Work.
“I’ve been able to return to university. I’m studying again. I’ve just recently gained full-time employment.”
“We’re saving, and we’re hoping to even go on a family holiday next year. We actually have financial goals now – and have a plan.”
Casey and her husband grew up in a small town with limited job opportunities. Her husband was raised by a single mother, and Casey had a difficult childhood. Neither of them were taught how to manage money – but now that they have the skills, they’re passing those on to their children.
“Financial counselling is invaluable,” Casey says. “Everyone deserves to know how to use their money and how to live. Because that’s what it is. Financial counselling teaches you things they don’t teach you at school.”
She’s now helping to break the cycle.
“Financial literacy is everything. Our system, our whole society runs on a financial system, and if you don’t know how to use that system, then you become downtrodden.”
Determined to give her children a better foundation, Casey has now made financial literacy a part of everyday life, teaching them how to budget and save in ways that are fun and playful.
“I want them to be involved and have those conversations. I don’t want money to be a dirty topic.”
