Money in the bank for future studies

Working more than 25 hours a week has given Year 13 student Celene Aitchison a valuable lesson in finance.

The 17-year-old has had jobs for most of her time at secondary school and has sacrificed wants for needs and learned how to make the most of money.

She has bought a secondhand car, a high-spec laptop and saved money for university. Nothing has been bought on hire purchase, all has been cash upfront.

"Every week I have to decide what's important," she said.

"It can be hard, but it's worth it. My mum is on a benefit so I've always wanted to work hard for money and to support myself. Most kids have parents who can buy them the things they need but I don't.

"I've saved for things. I'm really impatient so I save really fast."

Celene works 17 hours a week at Life Pharmacy on the shop floor and nine hours a week for Redwoods Dominos delivering pizza.

She has held down a job since she was 14, getting her first wage from Central Pharmacy, where she worked for two-and-a-half-years.

She said she never struggled with her schoolwork - last year she gained 70 excellence credits at NCEA Level 2. It helped having a dream, she said.

"Ever since I was 9 I've had a plan to go to Victoria and study law.

" I've got photos of me outside the law school aged 9 or 10. That's always been my dream and I'm in line for a scholarship."

Naturally, she has savings already earmarked for her university years.