Our Case Studies
No matter where you are in your financial journey, lifetime cashflow planning helps you see what’s possible.
Whether you’re wondering if you can afford that next step, trying to balance work and family time, or figuring out when you can retire – we map it all out, so you know exactly where you stand. It takes the guesswork out of big decisions and gives you a clear picture of your financial future.
The following anonymised case studies demonstrate how lifetime cashflow planning can add value right across the financial spectrum:
The Ambitious
Young Family
Sarah & James, Mid-30s • Two young children • Homeowners in Wellington
The Situation
Their Goals
Our Approach
The Result
Sarah and James bought their first home three years ago and had extra money each month, but couldn’t decide whether to pay off their mortgage faster or invest for the future. With two young children and busy careers, they wanted to enjoy their lifestyle now, while also making smart financial decisions for the long term. They were also considering major renovations, but weren’t sure how this would fit with their other financial priorities.
Decide whether to pay off the mortgage faster or invest surplus income
Complete kitchen renovations ($40,000)
Build long-term wealth for their family’s future
Maintain their current lifestyle and family activities
We created a comprehensive lifetime cashflow model comparing different strategies: paying off the mortgage faster versus investing surplus funds.
We modelled various combinations of mortgage payments, renovation timing, and lifestyle choices to find the optimal balance. We also reviewed their KiwiSaver settings, identified gaps in their estate planning (they had no wills despite having children), and stress-tested their plan against potential setbacks.
The modelling showed that for Sarah and James, prioritising mortgage repayment was the smartest strategy - reducing interest costs and providing the safest guaranteed return. By focusing surplus funds on mortgage payments first, then renovating in year three using built-up equity, and optimising their KiwiSaver contributions, they created a robust plan. With proper wills and backup plans in place, they would be mortgage-free by age 52 with reduced financial stress and a solid foundation for future investing.
The Successful Business Partners
Mark & Lisa, Mid-40s • Married couple • Own a construction business together • Teenagers at home
The Situation
Their Goals
Our Approach
The Result
Mark and Lisa built a successful construction business together over 15 years but found themselves both working 60-hour weeks and missing important family moments. Their teenagers would be leaving home soon, and they wanted to find better work-life balance as a couple. They also knew they needed an exit strategy but had no idea what their business was worth or when they could afford to step back together.
Reduce working hours to spend more time together as a family
Understand their business exit options and timing
Ensure financial security for their family
Plan for children’s university expenses
Protect against business and personal risks
Maintain current lifestyle with less work stress
We worked with Mark and Lisa’s accountant to value their business and model different exit scenarios - from gradual reduction to complete sale. Our lifetime cashflow planning showed how each option would impact their family’s financial future, including university costs, mortgage payments, and retirement planning. We also discovered their KiwiSaver accounts were in conservative funds unsuitable for their age and investment horizon, updated their outdated wills to reflect their business partnership and assets, and created backup plans for key person risks and potential business disruption.
Mark and Lisa implemented a comprehensive backup plan covering both partners and updated estate planning reflecting their joint business ownership. They switched to growth KiwiSaver funds and could start reducing hours immediately by hiring an operations manager. With proper backup plans in place for unexpected events, they gained confidence to gradually reduce their involvement in the business over 5 years and fully exit together in 10 years, achieving the family time they wanted while building toward early retirement at 60.
The Pre-Retirement Planners
Helen & David, Early 60s • Considering retirement • Mortgage-free homeowners
The Situation
Their Goals
Our Approach
The Result
Helen and David were both in their early 60s and starting to think seriously about retirement. They’d worked hard, saved diligently, and owned their home outright. But they had lots of questions: Could they afford to retire now? Would their money last? What would retirement actually look like financially? They wanted to travel and enjoy life, but were worried about running out of money.
Determine the earliest they could comfortably retire
Understand what retirement lifestyle they could afford
Ensure their estate planning was properly structured
Prepare for unexpected health or market events
Leave something meaningful for their adult children
Have complete peace of mind about their financial security
We modelled their complete financial picture through to age 100, including KiwiSaver, investments, NZ Super, and potential healthcare costs. We tested different retirement ages and lifestyle scenarios, including the impact of market volatility on their long-term security. We also reviewed their KiwiSaver allocations (finding Helen was too conservatively invested), updated their estate planning documents, and stress-tested their plan against scenarios like early health issues.
Helen and David discovered they could retire comfortably at 63 and 65 respectively, with backup plans for health emergencies. By optimising Helen’s KiwiSaver to a balanced fund and updating their wills and EPAs, they created a robust retirement plan. They could maintain their desired lifestyle, travel extensively, and still leave a meaningful inheritance - with complete confidence their plan would weather life’s uncertainties.