We chatted with people around our office about those early money moments: what they got right, what they wish they’d done differently, and what helped them feel more confident over time. 

Let’s dive into the habits they built (or wish they had), the traps they fell into, and the turning points that helped them take control of their finances. 

First pay flashbacks 

Before we get into the serious stuff, here’s how a few people spent their very first pay: 

• Kaitlyn headed straight to Sanity to buy DVDs of her favourite shows. 
• Sara skipped shifts to hang out with friends at the beach.
• Emma used her credit card to buy clothes — and spent every pay trying to catch up. 
• Jason didn’t track a cent. 
• Julianne felt like she’d finally made it – and spent like it too. 
• Olivia bought fast fashion she never wore, some pieces still had the tags when she donated them. 

Everyone starts somewhere — and sometimes, it’s not with a spreadsheet. 

Budgeting, saving and spending wisely

Jason, 48 

“I had no idea where my money was going. I was just spending as I go.” 

Jason didn’t learn to budget until later, but he always saved a little from each pay — a habit that gave him peace of mind when bills popped up. His turning point came when he finally created a budget and stuck to it. “It proved I could save without missing out on life.” 

May, 39 

“I never had credit card debt or personal loans — that’s something I’m proud of.” 

May developed strong budgeting habits early and set a clear goal: to own a home before 30. Her regret? Not investing sooner. “You don’t realise how valuable time is when you’re young.” 

Emma, 50 

“I sold a flat in my 20s I should’ve kept and rented out — it would be worth four times what I paid.” 

Emma learned quickly that credit cards were a trap. After cutting hers up, she never bought on credit again. Her confidence grew when she got clarity on her finances and built a structure that worked. 

Julianne, 50 

“When that first decent pay cheque hit my account, I swung hard in the opposite direction.” 

Julianne grew up with a scarcity mindset around money — “I believed I was inherently bad at managing it.” She spent freely, believing saving was pointless and investing was for “fancy people.” 

“I was borrowing from the flatmate rent kitty to go out, then scrambling to pay it back. I used credit cards to pay bills so my pathetic savings would stay in my account a bit longer.” 

Her biggest regret? “Not understanding that small, consistent amounts actually do add up over time.” 

Now, she’s turned things around with automated banking, super on track, and a cautious start in investing. “It taught me that money mindset is changeable — and that mindset matters.” 

Olivia, 34 

“I was careful with money — maybe too careful.” 

Olivia always made considered choices and was good at saving, but she looks back and wishes she’d let herself enjoy life more. “I missed out on experiences I would’ve loved because I was worried about money. It tends to come back around — and I’ve learned it’s important to live in the moment too.” 

She’s proud of spending on travel and education, which gave her perspective and confidence. 

Her advice? “Think of money as a tool to protect and enhance your time.” 

Lifestyle creep and debt traps 

Kaitlyn, 34 

“Every time my income increased, my spending did too.” 

Kaitlyn describes her journey with money as “phases” — sometimes great, sometimes off the rails. She fell into buy-now-pay-later traps and supermarket discount habits that didn’t always pay off. But she’s always kept her future self in mind, making extra super contributions from early on. 

Aidan, 47 

“I enjoyed the good life a little too long and didn’t think about saving.” 

Aidan regrets not budgeting when his salary first increased. His mum’s advice to invest in quality furniture paid off — but he wishes he’d invested in assets sooner. 

Sara, 48 

“Why did I just want to hang out with my friends and go to the beach?!” 

Sara’s biggest regret is not working more in her early years. But buying a car gave her independence, and learning about compound interest helped shift her mindset. 

Turning points in financial confidence

For many, confidence came not from earning more, but from gaining clarity: 

• Jason: “Creating a budget proved I could save without missing out.” 
• Emma: “Getting clear on where I stood financially made all the difference.” 
• May: “Tracking milestones and doing an annual financial stocktake helped me stay on track.” 
• Olivia: “Buying my first home gave me a sense of stability. I got there through consistent saving, making choices that supported my goals, and living with my parents for a year to reduce expenses.” 

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Ready to feel more confident with your money?

If you saw yourself in any of these stories — the missed opportunities, the mindset shifts, the small wins — you’re not alone. 

Our webinar, Your money, your future, is designed to help you take the next step. Whether you’re just starting out or want to reset your approach, we’ll cover the essentials: 

• Goal setting 
• Budgeting 
• Good vs bad debt 
• Tax basics 
• Super strategies 

It’s practical, jargon-free, and designed to help you build confidence — just like the people you’ve read about. 

Register now and take the next step toward financial clarity. 

Book your spot


The opinions expressed are those of the staff and do not necessarily reflect CareSuper’s policies or opinions.   

 

 
Information correct as at 3 September 2025.