Testimonials

Shaquille Stephens

Shaquille was previously employed by Training and Budget Services Inc. as a financial consultant. She came to us as a school leaver and developed her knowledge and skills in customer service and business and financial administration. She has recently been employed at ASB Bank and is now focusing on a career in finance. The opportunities given to her at TABS have given her the confidence and the abilities to enter the corporate industry to further her career and we wish her all the very best.

For over ten years, I have run my own small business but have experienced problems in budgeting and in the wise management of the money, especially when my income is erratic. Feeling I needed help, I asked Dawn Sadd of the Training and Budget Service (TABS) Papatoetoe if this organization would be willing to help me via their total money management system. By this system my entire monthly income was transferred to the TABS trust account. TABS then pay the monthly bills, debts, and other financial commitments.

TABS supported me, both in managing my money and in advising me with the issues that arose, the assistance offered by the TABS organisation is excellent. It is a relief to know bills are paid monthly, and whenever insufficient funds for a time make payments difficult, TABS advises me on the best course of action to adopt regarding distributing what is available. This assistance they give has enabled me to concentrate more on my primary focus which is generating income.

A complete ledger showing an account of every transaction done by TABS is sent to me regularly. The ledger shows the honesty of this organization is impeccable.

Dawn Sadd whom I communicate with regularly is conscientious, approachable and courteous: always patient and always encouraging. She has a remarkable ability to see the ‘big picture’ as well as the ‘details’ in things financial and this gift is invaluable during frustrating moments when insufficient funds have come in and good decisions are critical. Over the year that I have put my business into the control of this total money management system, Dawn has won my unflinching respect and trust and it is a real pleasure to work with her.

Occasionally I come into the office for an update meeting and everyone I have dealings with there has warm and welcoming aspect.

To anyone who many have trouble in the management of their income and needs temporary assistance through total money management, I have no hesitation in recommending the Training and Budget Service of Papatoetoe.

I have been a client with Training and Budgeting Services under their total money management service I became irresponsible in not paying for my monthly bills and asked Winz for information on budgeting services.

I chose Training and Budgeting Services as they were the only service that took total control of ones finances, and this is what I needed at that time

In the initial stage, it took a while to adjust having to travel on public transport with a toddler and collecting an weekly allowance of $60. After a month my mindset had changed and I began to treat it as a day out. From the onset I was always kept informed on my progress. At the end of that first year TABS had paid 1 debt off and I had savings of just over $600 for Christmas.

When I was informed that we were nearing the end of a debt being totally wiped, my budgetor would ask if I wanted more allowance or to utilize this paying another debt, I chose the latter.

Nearing the end of the second year all my debts were wiped and I was collecting $120 allowance along with a sizeable Christmas saving.

My third year I bought a brand new washing machine, my utilities were in credit and my credit rating had improved dramatically.

Every year I was buying new house appliances and my utilities were always in credit and every now and then my budgetor would always tell me I could have more allowance, but I felt I didn't need more as I had then become accustomed to the amount that I was given. In 2004 I was able to buy a van for for over $10 000 and took a total of $6000 personal loans, in the space of 3 years all those debts were paid and my credit rating was so good that companies sought my custom and I got fair interest rates.

When I gained full time employment in 2010, a portion of my wages were being paid into their account and in those years my utilities-rent etc were always in credit, savings of over $16,000, along with more household purchases a GE Finance card that had $1400 credit.

I could walk in at anytime and ask for some money. A few times I had visited TABS to obtain money for trips out of Auckland or maintenance for my van.

TABS deserve so much recognition for the tireless work that they do, not only for the people that use the service but also for the community. Dawn is a fantastic passionate woman who has everyone's best interest at heart, not to mention the team that works alongside her. I salute them and praise the good work that they have undertaken and wish them all the best.

As a client of TABS, I will advise others to come here 100% whole heartedly.

When in doubt, Dawn and her staff will be here as caring people and you will never feel like you are just a number.

My highlight of every week is coming to TABS to pick up a little extra money to help and how great that makes me feel knowing that all my bills are being paid and I get the little bit more. Wow! A big thanks to dawn and her awesome staff.

Personally for me, I am so emotionally loving this service and the great staff. I would not have it any other way. A friend in need is a friend indeed.

"My husband and I came to Training & Budget Services with over $90,000 worth of debt. To date we only have one debt to a finance company that now stands at $3,000 from $15,000 and we are now receiving Superannuation.

We have high praise for the staff at Training & Budget Services, for the way they have handled our financial matters. But most importantly - their immediate response to a client in the most distressing situations and the steps to teaching us money management skills. We would highly recommend their services to anyone in similar circumstances."

Having been a client of Training and Budgeting Services for just over a year , I wish to express praise and thanks to Dawn and her team for the marvellous work they do.

Ill health forced me to give up work where I was earning a decent wage , to becoming reliant on a sickness benefit - There was also the added complication of a six week stand down period. Due to the amount of debt and regular outgoings, I sought assistance from Training and Budgeting Services (TABS) after searching the phone book for budget advisors.

Using TABS has helped me enormously - just by removing f the stress factor / Sleepless nights of how I’m going to pay! I intend to stay with TABS for the foreseeable future they are life-savers, financially speaking. I cannot finish this letter of praise without a special ‘thank you’ to Peter @ TABS who has been my personal budget ‘Angel’ - he always has a smile on his face an never seems phased at my dilemma.

"Due to the circumstances beyond my control - I was in a situation without a job, incumbent of the recession at that time, having lost my rental property due to being unable to pay the rent while also undertaking a custody battle in court for my three children."

"Having a friend associated with Training & budget services, I decided to approach the service and I have never looked back. The service came up with a plan to accumulate my living expenses whilst paying off fines, unpaid loans and other debts that were I thought totally unpayable. The biggest thing for me was the fact they were professional and more importantly they are committed to ensuring my financial stability."

" I came off the benefit, got a full time job and have a shared care arrangement for my three children and am almost debt free. Without the help of Training & Budget services - I couldn't imagine the outcome that may have been in my predicament."

"I absolutely recommend this awesome team at Training & Budget Services and thank them so much for helping me turn my life into a success story."

Our family have been with the service for the last 8 years. Prior to our involvement with them, we were in a distressed state. I lost my job due to the recession and we came close to losing our home. Bills became unmanageable and creditors became more insistent - I felt like I could never get ahead.

On the brink of declaring bankruptcy and walking out on our home, we approached TABS as our last resort. I remember going there for the first time and speaking with the Manager Dawn Sadd. At the conclusion of our meeting, I felt a huge weight fall from my shoulders, while crying tears of relief that we had someone who could help, support, guide and protect us.

They worked along side us, making negotiations and necessary adjustments to pull us out of the debt hole of depression. TABS has given safety and security and we have traveled this journey together to gain the outcome that we have been striving for these last few years - to work towards being debt free.

If we didn't have such a service, one can only but surmise what situation that people like us and others would be in and no doubt become one of the sad statistics of the world wide recession. Safety and protection is a big part of the service that Dawn and her staff give us, and that is of immeasurable relief.