Tag: Budgeting | Page 4

RNZ Radio 28 January 2021

January 28, 2021

Watch Your Spending
New Zealanders’ household spending is way up, compared with late 2019.
Spending is OK if not getting into debt
Why spend on non-essentials?:
– Happiness. But often short-term.
– Appearances.
– Pressure to spend on special shopping days.
What to do:
– Use credit cards?: pluses and minuses
– Estimate spending in different categories, then keep track for 2 months
– Change a habit for just a month. Letter to futureme.org.
– 2 birds with one stone: Cut spending on unhealthy things
– Help w budgeting: MoneyTalks. Free, confidential and non-judgmental, around NZ.

RNZ Radio 3 December 2020

December 3, 2020

RNZ Radio

The high costs of Christmas
– Survey — NZers value time with family way ahead of giving and getting gifts
– Ideas to cut cost of gifts
– Donate to charity in the name of family member
– Thoughts about Christmas food, drinks and decorations
– I wrote article on this — on RNZ website from December 18

NZ Herald 15 February 2020

February 15, 2020

NZ Herald Q&A Column

Q&As:
– Reader plans to retire at 45
– Simplicity defends CEO’s colourful past
– Christmas grinch reports back on progress
– Scrap KiwiSaver and give the money to beneficiaries, says reader
– Hatch exec responds to Smartshares’ comments last week

Money Talk January 2020

January 31, 2020

Money Talk column

It’s a great idea to get all the incentives in KiwiSaver

Employees usually receive their full employer and government contributions, unless they are on a savings suspension. But what about everyone else?

RNZ Radio 3 October 2019

October 3, 2019

RNZ Radio

Ways to boost your everyday saving. Last time we looked at setting a savings goal. This time, it’s other tips to boost savings: Open a separate savings account; Pay yourself first; Start small and gradually increase savings; Play mind games — take a “pay cut” or use a picture; Seize big opportunities when expenses fall or income increases; Take inspiration from champion savers or extreme saver movements.

RNZ Radio 19 September 2019

September 19, 2019

RNZ Radio

How to set a goal for saving or debt repayment
Importance of setting a goal, Goals that work are SMART: Specific; Measurable; Achievable; (W)ritten; Time-bound.

RNZ Radio 29 November 2018

November 29, 2018

RNZ Radio

Sorting your finances step by step. Based on Mary’s new book “Rich Enough? A laid-back guide for every Kiwi”: Why it’s best to do it in steps. Why the steps are in this order. What the steps cover: Step 1. Start now — it’s easy; Step 2. Kill off high-interest debt; Step 3. Set up insurance — and a rainy day fund; Step 4. Join the best KiwiSaver fund for you; Step 5. Boost your saving painlessly — how and where; Step 6. Stay cool; Step 7. Head confidently towards retirement — and through it; Step ? (when it’s the right time for you — if ever): Buy a house, or sell one.

NZ Herald 16 June 2018

June 16, 2018

NZ Herald Q&A Column

Q&As: Who to appeal to on KiwiSaver financial hardship withdrawal; Check insurance if doing Airbnb; Upset reader wants me to apologise to fathers; Pick your term when ‘laddering’ term deposits; Ask the bank, and ye shall receive; Tax on landlords ‘would be unfair’; One reason some don’t contribute to KiwiSaver.