Client Stories Topic: Cars and vehicles

Tessa’s journey from credit issues to manageable car loan

Life can be lonely and stressful as a solo mum without family around, particularly when things go wrong. Working with Good Shepherd helped me feel like I had someone in my corner.

Now I’m working on building from strength to strength for myself and my kids.

This is Tessa’s story, edited to keep her from being identified and to help you read. Quotes are Tessa’s own words. Names have been changed.

Before I connected with Good Shepherd, life felt a bit like an uphill battle. As a solo mother of three, I was facing financial struggles without any family support to lean on. 

“I felt really alone and desperate and in a corner. I was struggling with a lot of other things, not just my finances, as a solo parent. Life was in a dark place.”

It wasn’t until my car was on its last legs that I found out scammers had been using my account, which completely tanked my credit score. It was a nightmare that took several months to sort out. I can’t begin to describe the anxiety I felt every day, driving an old car that could break down at any moment. I needed a new car badly, but my credit score made it nearly impossible to get a car loan from a traditional lender.

“I was also really worried that if I was accepted somewhere how I was going to pay the interest. Some companies advertised saying they would help, but the interest rates were just insane.”

I first heard about Good Shepherd through a Facebook group called “Mums on the benefit.” Women like me shared stories of how Good Shepherd had helped them without judgement. I did my research and decided to give it a shot. What drew me to Good Shepherd was their Christian values, their genuine care for people and their commitment to thoroughly understanding each applicant’s financial situation. It was a relief to know they wouldn’t just look at my credit score and dismiss me. I’ve been through a lot in my life. As a single mother on a benefit with no family support, I’ve faced a lot of stigma and tough deals — but my experience with Good Shepherd was different.

“I applied for finance before, and it was a horrible feeling. It felt like they were there to make money off of me… It was so different with Good Shepherd. I imagine it would be more like how a family member would treat you, where they were seeing how they could help you.”

Working with Good Shepherd was a game-changer. They gave me a loan to buy a car, and the impact was immediate. My constant anxiety started to lift. Having a reliable car gave me peace of mind and started to make everything easier. But it wasn’t just about the car. It was about how Good Shepherd made me feel — respected, uplifted and hopeful. By going through my finances with me in detail during the application process, it showed me I could not only afford the loan, but I could also trust myself to manage it responsibly.

“It gave me a strong feeling of hope because they looked really closely at my finances, and they could see that I could afford it. It really made me feel really good. It gave me a renewed outlook on humanity in general.”

My financial struggles haven’t disappeared, but having a functioning vehicle has made a huge difference. I’m proud to say I have been successfully paying it off too. There are still tough days. I had to put my work on hold because of burnout. I also worry about potential mechanical issues with the car — but I’m managing. It feels good to know Good Shepherd will be there if anything else goes wrong.

I have big hopes for the future. I want to continue to heal from the trauma of the past, build resilience and find work that fits my family’s needs and my values. Ultimately, I dream of moving off the benefit, making enough to take care of my family, and achieving a healthy balance between work and home life. I don’t want my kids to miss out on anything.

“I’m hoping to be building from strength to strength. I want to heal and grow stronger.”

Sarah finds stability in work, home and transport

I’ve worked hard to ensure my kids have the secure and steady life I never had. 

A Good Loan helped me fix my car, keep my job and protect our family home until we were able to sell. It gave me the breathing room I needed to hold on to what matters most — stability for my family.

This is Sarah’s story, edited to keep her safe and help you read. Quotes are Sarah’s own words. Names have been changed.

Life’s been a journey, but one of the toughest periods was not long ago when I almost lost everything.

At the time, we were living in a semi-rural area. As a solo mum I was working while trying to keep our heads above water. It became clear I needed to downsize from our family home, which I bought off my ex-partner when the property market was high. Interest rates were skyrocketing, and it was stressful to know I needed to sell before I couldn’t afford the mortgage anymore. I just needed to bide my time until the market started to pick up again and I could make enough to secure a new mortgage.

Around this time, the gearbox in my car failed and needed to be replaced. I couldn’t afford to fix it. But without the car, I wouldn’t be able to get to work. Public transport wasn’t an option where we lived. If I couldn’t fix the car, I’d lose my job. Without my job, I’d lose the house. We were at the brink of a spiral that would be hard to stop. 

“If Good Loans hadn’t helped me, it would have been really dire.”

Every option I explored turned into a dead end. My bank wouldn’t approve a personal loan because of my mortgage. I tried other lenders, but I kept getting declined. It was my boss who suggested I apply for a loan through Good Shepherd.

“I felt trapped. I felt like my best efforts weren’t working.”

The process of applying for the loan was straightforward once I got started. Bex, the person who helped me, was incredibly kind and supportive. She treated me like an individual, not just another application. She could see my situation — that I was equity-rich but serviceability-poor — and she understood the challenges I was facing. She didn’t judge and treated me with respect, which made all the difference to me when I was at my wits’ end.

“I feel like it helped me not have a nervous breakdown. It was a really huge sense of relief. Bex was just really kind…She could see I had equity and money that I couldn’t access. She empathised with me and saw I was a good steward of money with no credit cards or afterpay or anything. I felt seen.”

There was a bit of a delay before I was connected with Bex, which was stressful given how urgent my situation was. When people are desperate, they’re more likely to turn to predatory lenders. I’m grateful I held out, but I can see how others might not have that patience. Once everything was finalised, though, I could breathe again.

The interest-free loan allowed me to repair my car without sinking deeper into debt. Given my situation with the house, I don’t think I would have been able to afford a car loan with high interest rates. The Good Loan helped me manage everything so things didn’t fall apart. I could get to work, earn my income and hold onto our home until it was sold. That stability meant the world to me and my kids. Growing up, my parents’ divorce left me feeling constantly uprooted. I didn’t want that for my kids.

“I would have been devastated if I had to rent because the only time I’ve ever had stability is when I was in charge of my own money and had my own house. My kids have been able to stay in the home they grew up in their whole lives until I could sell it. They had stability I never had. That was really big for me.”

Life is still challenging, but it’s more manageable. I’ve downsized to a smaller house closer to town, which means I can walk to shops or catch a bus if the car ever has issues again. My mortgage is smaller — though with the current interest rates, my weekly payments haven’t decreased much. I’m just treading water until the rates hopefully drop next year. But we have a home, and that’s something I’m deeply grateful for.

“I count myself as one of the lucky ones. I feel blessed, and we have a roof over my head. It could always be worse.”

Looking back, the Good Loan wasn’t just financial assistance. It prevented a cascade of other losses. Sometimes, one small thing can stop everything else from spiraling. It helped me keep my job, my house and my peace of mind. The weekly payments for the loan are really manageable. Without the burden of interest, I can focus on moving forward.

I’m proud of the steps I’ve taken to provide for my family. The loan gave me the breathing room we need to get through that difficult time. For anyone in a tough spot, sometimes all you need is a helping hand, and for me, that’s exactly what Good Shepherd provided.

Manawa’s car unlocks a more confident life

My car gave me the freedom to connect to myself, my family and my community. 

I’m feeling confident about who I am and where I’m headed — and I’m passionate about helping others find their way too.

This is Manawa’s story, edited to keep her from being identified and to help you read. Quotes are Manawa’s own words. Names have been changed.

A couple of years ago, I was in a bad place. I broke up with my partner and lost custody of my kids. My mental health had taken a hit. I let my car go because I couldn’t keep up with the expenses. Without a car, I had to rely on buses or walk long distances just to get to school or visits with my children. I was doing good with what I could, but life felt like a journey full of challenges.

“I was kind of like losing my marbles…I was really educated in the last few years to understand life. No one tells you about life, you know. You’re figuring it out.”

The first time I applied for a Good Shepherd loan, I was turned down. My budget just didn’t work. At the time, I was paying a lot in rent each week, and I barely had enough money for other expenses.

About a year later, my situation had changed. I had fewer living expenses. I also needed a car more than ever. So I decided to try again. It took a lot of persistence on my end to get Good Shepherd to respond to my initial application, but I didn’t give up. To my surprise and relief, I was eventually approved for a loan to buy a car.

That car changed everything for me. It wasn’t just a vehicle — it was my ticket to freedom and stability. When I first got it, I was going through a rough patch with my living situation and ended up living in the car for a couple of weeks. I had chosen it carefully, making sure it had foldable seats so I could sleep in the back if needed. And it served that purpose well.

“Yeah, it’s just a car, but it was a safe place I could go. No one could kick me out, and I could take myself anywhere.”

With my car I moved to a little house near the beach, where I spent time healing and learning to live sustainably. I collected rainwater, used a generator and paid close attention to the rhythms of nature. Being by the ocean helped me calm my mind and process everything I’d been through. I used that time to reflect on my choices and figure out what kind of future I wanted to create.

“I had to go find myself, sort myself out and heal a bit from all my trauma. The car helped me on my healing.”

Over the past year, my life has transformed. My car has been an important tool for me to reclaim my life for the better, allowing me to get to school, visit my kids and travel into town for groceries and appointments. I now have 50/50 custody of my kids. I’ve moved to a rental closer to town. 

I’m nearly finished with a diploma in accounting. It’s something I am very passionate about, and I’m excelling in so many ways. I’ve just been offered an exciting internship to become an accounting technician. I know a good career will help ensure my kids don’t have to go through the same things I have been through. I’m proud of the progress I’ve made and the example I’m setting for my kids and others.

“From the low point, I am now passionate about teaching and inspiring others to learn and grow too.”

I’ve also been able to show up for my family and my community in ways I couldn’t before. I’ve traveled to tangi to support my family. I’ve been able to connect with my whakapapa and even contributed to research about my family history. 

I am feeling really positive about life these days, which is so different from a year ago. Having faith and belief in myself has made a world of difference. I love helping others to feel the same way. Looking back now, I can see that all the things I went through were meant to be. They’ve helped me find my path.

“Now I know who I am. I stay more confident and stronger in myself and what I want, rather than being the flock following the flock.”

The support I’ve received from Good Shepherd has been life-changing. I’m so grateful for the chance to rebuild and create a brighter future. Today, I’m learning to enjoy life rather than just endure it. That’s a gift I’ll never take for granted.

Abbie plans for a debt-free life after economic harm

Facing my finances and past head-on wasn’t easy — but with practical and empathetic support, it freed up my life again.

Today I’m lighter, more confident and planning for the future. I’m proud to be rebuilding a secure and happy life for me and my son.

This is Abbie’s story, edited to keep her from being identified and to help you read. Quotes are Abbie’s own words. Names have been changed.

I had just come out of a string of abusive relationships, one of which left me in significant financial trouble by taking out loans in my name that he never repaid. When my car broke down, I was buried in debt with no credit and no real support to help me through.

Reaching out to Good Shepherd was one of the best financial decisions I ever made. When I first got in contact, I was hoping to get a loan for a car — but I ended up getting so much more.

Once Good Shepherd’s loan team heard more about my experience, they put me in touch with Charlotte in their economic harm team. Her support was beyond anything I could have imagined. Charlotte reached out to all my creditors and negotiated with them, managing to erase nearly $12,000 worth of debt.

The process did bring some challenges. It was long-winded, with a lot of paperwork and financial details to sort through. At times, I wasn’t sure if I’d be approved for the loan because of all the debt I was carrying. The process also forced me to face my finances — and the aftermath of those abusive relationships — head-on and confront things I had been avoiding.

“I had been hiding from it with my head in the sand, which is what you do when you are completely overwhelmed. It was a very hard time — but when the loan came through, the relief that I felt. Everything was worth all the work.”

I’ve always found it hard to ask for help, especially after everything I’d been through. But Charlotte was incredibly understanding. She had been through a similar experience, which made things easier. She was always there for me, checking in with updates as she worked hard behind the scenes to clear all those debts. It’s hard to explain how important it felt to have someone who genuinely cared about my situation. Charlotte didn’t judge me but instead helped me turn things around.

“Who was this amazing person who came into my life at the right time?…I felt completely blessed.”

There were some immediate changes in my life after working with Charlotte and Good Shepherd. It was such a relief to clear most of those debts and to have a good working car again. It was also an important starting point for a life that felt like my own again.

“I said to [Charlotte] that she came into my life and helped me remove those awful exes in my life bit by bit. I feel freer. I feel more ordered. And that’s a good and secure place to be in.”

I haven’t missed a payment with Good Shepherd yet, and I’ve been able to increase my payments too. My finances are much more in order. I no longer feel burdened by the debts that once seemed impossible. I know exactly what I owe and what’s coming out each month. I finally have the ability and confidence to save and make decisions I couldn’t have made before.

My son has a birthday coming up. I’m able to afford a little birthday party. That’s a huge shift for us, both financially and emotionally. It feels so good to be able to contribute to school fundraisers and events — things that may seem small to some, but make a huge difference to me.

“[My son] had photographs taken…that were beautiful. I was able to buy four of them. These sorts of things make an impact on you and him and your parenting, and make your child feel valid too.”

I even just bought a self-propelled lawn mower, something I have managed to save up for. It wasn’t a huge expense but the ability to make that purchase was something that felt out of reach before.

I’m feeling so much more stable these days. Money is still tight, but I have enough to live — and I get to enjoy precious time with my son while he’s still young. I don’t spend on things I don’t need. I’m proud of that. But I can afford to take myself out to dinner every now and then without too much stress. I can just enjoy the moment.

Looking ahead, I hope to be completely debt-free in five years. I want to have a steady income and a routine that supports my family. I’m also thinking about going back to study, possibly in healthcare, which feels like the right path for me based on my own experiences with injuries. I want to help others the way I’ve been helped. In the meantime, I am thankful for where I am now. Good Shepherd’s support has made such a big difference in my life.

“I’m very grateful…It was just at such a turning point in my life. No actually, this whole thing was the turning point at a really tough time.”

Lagi gets a reliable car for medical treatments

For Lagi, a reliable car is important. When her car stopped working and needed to be replaced, it felt like there was no way to avoid the pressure of a high-cost loan.

Two of Lagi’s family members depend on her for transport to medical appointments.  

When her car stopped working, Lagi knew life was going to be challenging. A mechanic explained that the car wasn’t worth repairing, so she looked for replacement options.  

Lagi found some suitable cars but they were out of her price range. Several finance companies rejected her application for a loan.  

Friends recommended Lagi get a car from a local dealer. The dealer offered her a loan through their in-house finance.  

Lagi’s work in education and financial services means she knows about good financial decisions. But after weighing her circumstances she felt out of options. The dealer said she needed to put down a deposit while she was there. Lagi borrowed money from family and signed the contract.  

She felt uneasy for a few days. Lagi decided to cancel the contract, and pushed to have her deposit returned. 

Lagi knew she needed to sort out her finances. She arranged to talk with one of Good Shepherd’s team about her situation. Existing debt was putting Lagi too far into deficit and she was not immediately able to get a Good Loan to buy a new car. But her Good Loans Coach, Rosh, helped her with options. 

They talked through a plan to change Lagi’s budget to pay off some high-cost debt, negotiate a plan with her creditors and free up some money to repay a loan for a car, and consolidate a larger debt she was struggling to get on top of.  

Lagi planned to reduce her debt over a month but managed to clear it within two weeks. With enough surplus in her budget, Lagi had a car loan confirmed and bought a car. She felt really good about getting her family where they need to be.

“I can’t find words to express my gratitude for Good Shepherd. I have already started spreading the word to my community”.

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