Sarah Lindsay

34 | Auckland

What is your name/age/where are you living?

Hey I’m sarah, 34 (god that sounds weird saying out loud), Est London native, Central Auckland habitant.

How do you make money?

I own a multidisciplinary movement studio called SALA. ‘Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life’ they said, bahahahhah. Yeah right.

Describe the state of your finances in a few words.

SALA being only three years old (two of those during a pandemic) has meant a lot of setbacks, which have really affected where I hoped the business would be at this point. It’s still very much a start up, for which I was an unpaid intern until recently. Is that a long winded way of saying; finances, very bad?

What is your relationship with money like?

I’ve always been a really good saver, just naturally. If I have a goal I find it really easy to live frugally. I’m not very risk adverse though. I’ve never had a credit card or loan in my life, and have always saved in order to pay as I go.

Where do you think NZ is in regards to overall gender equality?

Hm that’s a really interesting question. I’ve only lived here four years so it’s difficult to say. There’s spaces I have noticed disparities though, including genderised work and lower wages.

Do you think it’s important for women to start having more conversations about money?

I think everyone could benefit from more financial transparency.

As women, especially in NZ and AUS we are embarrassed when it comes to conversations around money. Why do you think that is?

I actually noticed this immediately when I moved here. It comes through in the subtlest of ways, but I have no idea what its root is. I think being transparent will help break through those barriers… And moving away from the ‘after pay’ lifestyle.

Have you ever had any hairy calls when it comes to your finances?

I think my husband and I are the only people to keep making unsuccessful property market investments. Our London property (currently going to market if anyone is looking to relocate to dalston) has made no profit since we bought it over five years ago, and we bought our Auckland house in the peak too. I don’t think property is where we’ll be making our fortune.

What does financial freedom mean or look like to you?

I’ve actually been thinking a lot about this recently. I think it’s realigning to my core values and how I really want to live, rather than what I want to own. I think the future for me is simplifying my goals, which sometimes get swept up in the chaos of what I think my goals and achievements should be.

What's one money goal you have right now?

For SALA to earn enough to pay me what I deserve to be paid. I’ve sacrificed so much (including only having 12 weeks maternity leave.) I think it’s time to start focusing on what I deserve, not just what I can give. Manifesting #receiving out here.

What's one money tip you've learned and found hugely helpful?

Only in terms of objects or smaller items I suppose, but I live by, if you can’t pay in cash, you can’t afford it. I really can’t get behind this ‘after pay’ way of living I’ve experienced in Auckland.

What do you like most about being a part of the Curve community?

A safe space to learn.

What do you feel like is the biggest thing you’ve learnt from The Curve?

I recently felt really touched by Sophie’s post about her ‘lack of investing’. A powerful reminder that we are always looking over to the person beside us thinking they’ve somehow figured out the secret. We’re all just trying our best. And that’s ok.