$0 To 20% Deposit In 2 Years: A First Home Buyer’s Story

When Jordan first returned from overseas, he was like many Kiwis — working hard, spending freely, and wondering where all his money went. Despite not spending on luxury items or lavish experiences, he was always broke before payday, often relying on credit cards and hoping that luck — or a bonus — would bail him out.

There was no structure. No KiwiSaver strategy. No financial goals. Just a cycle of earning and spending. As Jordan puts it, he didn’t think seriously about money — and certainly didn’t think buying a house with no savings was on the cards.

“It’s not like you spend money on stupid stuff… but the pay just disappears.”

That all changed when he got help building a plan — not just a budget, but a framework to grow his wealth slowly and sustainably.

The first step? Getting the foundations right:

• Maximising KiwiSaver contributions

• Automating payments into a managed fund

• Cutting out temptations like Uber Eats

But not everything worked perfectly at the start. Automatic payments were too easy to skip, so the Lighthouse team changed tactics — switching Jordan to a direct debit that couldn’t be missed or paused. That shift made all the difference.Once that structure was in place, Jordan began to see real progress. He started each pay cycle with less in his account — but more going towards long-term goals. He even got a kick of motivation watching his balances grow.

“Seeing the large balances was a real motivator… you feel like you’re making progress.”

Importantly, this wasn’t an overnight transformation. It took three years of building better habits, adjusting the plan, and sticking to the process. Eventually, Jordan was in a position to move — even if he didn’t realise it yet.

By the end of year two, Jordan technically could have bought — but mentally, he wasn’t quite there. It took time, conversations, and eventually, the right property to give him the confidence to act. The tipping point came at a family dinner, where everything clicked.

“It wasn’t just the numbers – it felt right.”

Once he committed, things moved fast. He secured a new build in Glen Innes and received a $6,000 cash-back from the bank, which helped cover legal fees. While the upfront costs added up — including a $3,000 solicitor fee and around $10,000 for furniture and whiteware — his plan had accounted for it all.

Now that Jordan’s on the ladder, the journey isn’t over. He’s using PocketSmith to track spending, maintain his mortgage repayments (which he’s already topping up beyond the minimum), and save for future travel. There’s even a long-term plan for an investment property once equity builds.

“You don’t need to max yourself out — you can buy a house and still live a life.”

Jordan’s story proves that buying a house with no savings isn’t about shortcuts — it’s about structure, commitment, and getting help from the right people at the right time.

• A strong plan beats willpower — structure creates consistency.

• Automating savings via direct debit removes the temptation to spend.

• You don’t need a massive deposit to buy — timing, planning, and strategy matter more.

• Property ownership doesn’t mean sacrificing lifestyle — balance is possible.

• Working with advisers gives clarity, direction, and confidence to act.