I’m Sylvia Bowden, and I’ve been a CAP Money Coach for over 13 years — and I’m just as passionate about it today as when I first started.

 

My husband and I have personally used the CAP Money system through every season of life: from both of us working full-time, to periods of unemployment, running a business, raising kids, working commission-only jobs, and now living on a pension. We’ve truly road-tested this system — and I know firsthand that it works.

Using CAP’s simple online tool, I help individuals and families create clear, accurate money plans. It’s all about taking control of your finances — telling your money where to go instead of wondering where it went.

​

I’m also the author of three practical guides for families:

• How to Stop Your Kids from Going Broke

• Get Out of My Pocket: 5 Ways to Stop Your Kids Sending You Broke

• A Spending Plan for Kiwi Families

 

My qualifications include:

• CAP Money Coach & CAP Debt Coach

• Diploma of Counselling

• Certificate in Adult Teaching and Training

• Certificate of Money Management

• Former Seminar Facilitator for Sorted at Work – Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission

 

Whether you're just starting out, navigating a change in circumstances, or planning for retirement, I'm here to help you gain confidence and clarity with your money.

I am a retired finance professional with over 50 years of experience in budgeting, finance, and accounting. Having worked with TVNZ and Warner Bros. International Television, I have developed a strong foundation in financial management, specialising in budgeting and accounting practices. I have also served as a Treasurer and Board Member for schools, further expanding my expertise in school finances during my tenure with MultiServe Education Trust.

​​

Now semi-retired and living on a fixed income, I am a passionate advocate for financial literacy, believing that everyone, regardless of income, needs a clear budget and spending plan. As a volunteer with GSB Money Coaching, I use my extensive knowledge of finance to help others gain control of their finances, teaching budgeting strategies through the CAP Money tool.

​​

I practice what I preach, so I use the CAP Money budgeting tool to manage my own finances effectively and believes it’s crucial for people to have a plan for spending, saving, and budgeting at every stage of life.

I’m Lauren, and I became a CAP Money Coach because I genuinely want to help people take control of their finances and experience the freedom that comes with having a plan that works.

​

I live in Papamoa with my husband and our two children, and alongside coaching, I work full-time in the airline industry.

​

Like many families, we’ve experienced the challenges of balancing work, family life, rising costs, and financial goals, which is why I’m passionate about helping others create practical money plans/budgets that fit real life.

Over the years, I’ve spent a lot of time reading budgeting and personal finance books and applying those principles in my own life. Using the debt snowball method, my husband and I worked our way out of debt and then created our own balanced budget to save for our first home, which we proudly moved into in 2020. That journey completely changed the way we viewed money and showed me that financial freedom is possible with consistency, structure, and the right support.

​

I’ve also helped many family members get out of debt and put simple, realistic budgets in place that actually work for everyday life. Seeing the confidence and relief that comes from having control over money is what inspired me to become a CAP Money Coach myself.

​

Using CAP’s simple and practical money system, I help in guiding individuals and families to create money plan/budgets that are flexible, achievable, and tailored to their circumstances. I’m passionate about turning lives around by showing people just how simple it can be to put together a spending plan that works for you, and how easily it can be adjusted (using the on-line tool) no matter what season of life you’re in.

Whether you’re trying to get out of debt, save for a goal, reduce financial stress, or simply feel more confident managing your money, I’m here to help you build a plan that gives you clarity, control, and hope for the future.

​

My Qualifications include:

• Trained CAP Money Coach

• New Zealand Certificate in Business (Firstline Management)

• New Zealand Certificate in Small Business Management 

• Bachelor of Arts

• Certificate in Tourism

• Certificate in English Language Teaching

• Currently studying a Diploma in Business Project Management

     ​