Voices of Resilience: Women’s Stories of Overcoming Financial Hardship
Harriet and the Scary Drawer
“I had two years’ worth of unopened bills in a drawer.”
"It only took me one afternoon to work through all the unopened bills in my ‘scary drawer’ - and the weight that lifted off me was incredible."
Harriet had no idea what her finances looked like. She spent months avoiding thinking about money as the costs of living soared. One day, she found the courage to open the ‘scary’ drawer and tackle its contents - and quickly found a few simple ways to ensure she and her son could stay in their home even when the rent increased.
"At 47, I found myself at a crossroads in life. For years, I had avoided dealing with my finances, letting bills pile up and ignoring my bank statements. It felt overwhelming, and I often thought that if I didn’t look at it, maybe it would sort itself out. However, as costs soared and my rent went up, I got scared that my 10-year-old son Jake, and I wouldn't be able to stay in our apartment near his school. I wanted to create a safe and secure home for him and I couldn't face moving. But I knew if we were going to be safe, I had to face the ‘scary drawer’ first.”
“Then a friend confided in me that she had turned up to an appointment with a financial counsellor with a plastic bag full of bills after reaching breaking point. She said they worked through the entire bag in an hour and half, and it changed her life.
“That inspired me. I sent Jake out to play, made a strong coffee and opened the ‘scary drawer’ where I was keeping all the things I couldn't bear to look at. I hated it, but after a while, the unopened pile got smaller, and it was like lifting a heavy weight off my shoulders. I used a simple online budget to track what I found, and every entry I made helped me feel more in control.
“I was able to see some really simple things I could change straight away - like switching to a cheaper supermarket and picking up an extra shift at work. My goal now is to keep balancing our budget and make sure there is $3,000 squirrelled away in case something goes wrong.
“My message to other people with a ‘scary drawer’ of bills and letters is - you CAN do it!
“I felt so alone and ashamed and overwhelmed, but I have been astonished at how much better I feel now I know more about my money.
“I've reached out for help. I got started on my own, but I realised that there was more help that I needed. Now I know what my situation is, it's been much easier to find support that's right for me. I've spoken to a financial counsellor who gave me some great advice. She helped me stay on top of my bills and finances by connecting me with the Firmer Foundations NSW program run by Good Shepherd.”
Learn More about Firmer Foundations NSW Program here:
Mya and the Family Business
“My finances were putting my family was at risk and I didn’t even know it.”
“Our “old-fashioned” approach to finances was putting our family at risk and we didn’t even realise."
Mya and her husband AJ had been married for 15 years and running a successful restaurant together for 10. When AJ suffered a stroke at 55, Mya realised that leaving the family finances to AJ had left the business and the whole family incredibly vulnerable, and she decided to step up.
“My husband and I always had an old-fashioned relationship. This has suited us wonderfully for many years. I am a fabulous cook, and he was always better with numbers. So, when we opened our restaurant, he took on the operational side and I managed the kitchen. It was the same in our home – I didn’t even have my own bank account.
“Things were wonderful until my poor husband had a stroke at age 55. Whilst fortunately he was in and out of the hospital within a month, the fear of another stroke or major illness really shook the whole family.
“When AJ was ill, I became briefly responsible for the business, the bills, the household expenses, and the mortgage. I knew the business was in my name, but I didn’t know what that meant. I had no idea how to even access any money for the business.
“Having to answer calls from suppliers and banks when I was in and out of the hospital added so much stress to an already awful experience. I just didn’t have anyone to turn to - I had always relied on AJ.
“I realised that to keep my family safe, I needed to understand the family finances. If I didn’t – we could end up losing everything. And my husband and I have worked too hard for too long for that to happen.
“It was a big shift for us in our relationship. AJ struggled because he had always been the provider, and this felt different. For me, I was scared that I wouldn’t be able to understand it and I might make the wrong decision. It was very scary.
“We ended up working with a financial counsellor. I much prefer face-to-face support, and the woman we worked with went at exactly my pace and talked through everything, so I felt confident.
“I now understand much more about the family business, and I have my own bank account with $3,000 in it for a rainy day. My daughters and I have even gone on to do a financial literacy course. I didn’t realise how empowering it would be for them too!
“I am very grateful that we took this step now. I am so much more confident in my family’s future.”
Learn how you can take a step towards a more confident future financially here:
Anja and Accessing Support
“I don’t believe I deserved support or services.”
“I didn’t think I had the right to any sort of support – changing my mind about that was the biggest hurdle for me."
Anja has worked all her life and supported herself through a fabulous career with international travel. Despite this, she found herself in the unfortunate position of having to leave her job due to a toxic work environment that – at 56 – left her rattled, second guessing herself, and without a way to pay rent.
“I wouldn’t swap the adventures I’ve had or the stories I’ve got for the world. But I have to admit that in my younger years I never thought about money beyond making sure I would have some savings for a rainy day, and enough coming in to make rent. Investment was barely a word I knew.
“That was never a problem until last year. I had to leave my job because of relentless bullying from colleagues. I couldn’t sleep, I couldn’t eat. I had to get out of there.
“It was the right decision to leave, but with the rising cost of living and exorbitant rent increases, I found myself for the first time facing the idea that I might not be able to make rent before I found another job.
“I talked to close friends, but my friends are in one of two categories: either they don’t get it because they are married and financially comfortable – or they are single (like me) and facing the exact same type of dilemma. I didn’t know where to turn.
“When a friend asked what government or charity support I had looked at, I had to say “none”. I couldn’t face the idea that I might be the kind of person who might need that kind of help. I’ve worked so hard and contributed so much. I thought it couldn’t be me. I do the charity work. I’m a survivor.
“Having that conversation was the first time I really questioned my beliefs about getting help. I realised that services are out there to help people like me, and that the fact that someone like me would need them says more about the state of the world than it does about my achievements or contributions.
“Moreover, I realised that getting support now – before things get really scary – was going to help me keep achieving and contributing to society as I want to do. I’m a vibrant 56 with so much potential and the world deserves to see it!
“So, I applied to Centrelink and reached out to a financial counsellor at Good Shepherd to get the ball rolling. I’ve got additional income now, a savings plan and – when I get my next job – I’ve got a plan to start investing so I can have a retirement that allows me to do the things I’ve always wanted to do. Like write a book to share my fabulous life (and some of the harsh lessons) with other women.”
Like Anja, access the support that you deserve here: