Everyone uses Shyft differently. For some, it’s an investment powerhouse, offering access to over 1 000 stocks and ETFs on the Johannesburg, New York, London, and Frankfurt stock exchanges. For others, it’s the ultimate travel companion, with the cheapest forex rates in the market, instant top-ups, and seamless global spending, making life abroad much simpler. Show us your Shyft is a series that invites users from all walks of life to share how they use the app to unlock financial freedom.
Meet Nadine and Warren Driscoll, dynamic performers whose work takes them worldwide. From ABBA, Michael Jackson, and Tina Turner tributes to gigs in Australia, Singapore, Canada, Denmark, and France, they share how they rely on Shyft to navigate complex money needs like forex management and international payments.
Q: How did you two meet?
Nadine: We met as performing waiters while we were both students. Warren started working with an international touring company when he joined the Queen: It’s a Kinda Magic show, playing Freddie Mercury. Later, I joined him on the road, performing in various shows produced by the same company.
Q: And how did you find your other love, Shyft?
Nadine: Just before joining Warren on tour, I got an email from Standard Bank about Shyft. It was exactly what I was looking for in terms of buying forex and being able to make purchases while travelling. I signed up the week before I left for Australia and my card arrived within three days!
Warren: Nadine kept telling me for over a year how convenient and easy the app was to use. Before that, I used my South African card and offshore accounts for international purchases, which still incurred charges.
Q: As travelling performers, what were your biggest financial challenges before using Shyft?
Nadine: Travelling with the rand is an extreme sport, especially in the US, Europe and Canada. Things are just so much more expensive abroad. Every time I have to drop R800 on wings and chips and maybe a cheeky cocktail, I cry a little. Do you know what I can get for R800 in South Africa?! On top of that, banks charge a fee on all international purchases, which can rack up pretty fast when you’re on the road as much as we are. In one year, I spent over R8 000 in bank charges for international transfer fees. That’s when I started taking Shyft more seriously, as the fees on Shyft are much more affordable.
Warren: As Nadine said, [banking charges] can range between R5 000 and R15 000 depending on how often you use your card, and with more and more companies not taking cash, the charges are more frequent. Shyft made it convenient by offering a card that functions like a debit card. It’s saved us quite a bit of money.
Q: Managing multiple currencies can be tricky. How has Shyft simplified your forex and international payments experience compared to traditional banking options?
Nadine: With Shyft, I can access AUD, USD, EUR, and GBP. Shyft also shows me the current exchange rate and keeps track of all my transactions while I’m on the road so that I can manage my spending. I look forward to Shyft introducing more currencies as the platform grows, but having these four major currencies available has added so much convenience to my life.
Warren: It’s definitely easier having [most of] the major currencies in one place. I have an offshore account that only trades in AUD, so that’s good for one country, but when you’re travelling to multiple places, fees start adding up. Shyft has made access to multiple currencies a whole lot smoother.
Q: Which Shyft features are indispensable in your daily life?
Nadine: The instant top-up feature is great. It’s saved me a few times when I was about to make a purchase and realised I hadn’t topped up my wallet and card. It’s reassuring to know I can instantly transfer money from my bank card to my Shyft wallet, with funds reflected in under 10 minutes. Once the money shows up in Shyft, purchasing the currency I need and transferring it to my card is done in two minutes or less!
I was also really excited when Shyft introduced Apple Pay, which made all my purchases easier. There are so many moments when you’re on tour, run into a petrol station shop with nothing but your phone, and decide you’d like to buy something on the way out. Having my Shyft card available on my Apple devices is a great feature.
Q: Based on your experience, what advice would you give to other digital nomads about managing money while travelling?
Nadine: As a South African abroad, I would discourage you from converting every time you make a purchase. There’s nothing more depressing than knowing what you’re paying in rands when you’re overseas. That’s why I deposit a set amount into my Shyft wallet every week and convert it into the currency I need, so I am no longer spending rands. I also recommend using Shyft whenever you travel. It’s so convenient to check the balance on your Shyft card at any time and top it up as needed. If travelling beyond Shyft’s four supported currencies, I buy the currency of the country closest to where I’m heading (e.g. USD for Canada, AUD for New Zealand or Singapore) since Shyft’s transfer fees are generally cheaper than regular banks.
Q: As you continue to grow in your careers, how do you see Shyft influencing your future financial planning and global ambitions?
Nadine: I definitely think Shyft will play a part in my future financial planning. Currently, I’m just using it for international purchases, but I can see myself engaging in forex trading and investing on the app. In terms of which stocks are on my wish list, I’m keeping an eye on Apple, META, JP Morgan, Moderna, and Palantir.
Q: Be honest – if you received a $1 000 wallet top-up right now, how would you use it?
Nadine: The adult answer would be, “I would invest all of it”, haha, but the honest answer is that I would probably hit up an outlet mall when I’m in Singapore and shop till I drop (and maybe invest what’s left!).
Warren: If I were given $1 000 at this very moment, I’d invest $800 immediately, save for my dream watch, and treat myself with the remaining $200!
If you’d like to Show us your Shyft, join the conversation by reaching out on our social channels. We’d love to hear how our all-in-one global money app helps you take your ambitions worldwide.
The views and opinions shared are for informational purposes only. They are not intended to serve as investment advice and do not represent the views or opinions of Standard Bank. This information should be used as a starting point for generating investment ideas and should not be relied upon as the basis for making investment decisions. The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited will not be responsible for the results of any investment decisions made based on the views provided.
