All tagged Saving

Jonny makes more money working for someone else!

Jonny makes more money working for someone else!

Ruth
Saving, Retirement

This is an update on my blog post: We now work just two days a week! In the previous blog post, I talked about Jonny transitioning from being self-employed to working for someone else. In 2022, Jonny and I wrestled with the concept of him going to work for someone else as an employee. Given that many New Zealanders work for themselves or desire to, there is the misconception that you make more money and have more freedom when you work for yourself, and while this can certainly be true, it is not always the case

What is my saving and investing rate?

What is my saving and investing rate?

Ruth
PocketSmith, Saving, Investment

Recently, a question came in via email asking, “how do you calculate your savings rate, please, Ruth?”. I thought it was a question worth elaborating on with a blog post. First up, why even take the time to work out how much you are saving? Put simply, the higher your savings rate, the faster you will have saved up enough money to retire or make going to work entirely optional.

How to Pay Cash for Tertiary Education

How to Pay Cash for Tertiary Education

Ruth
ETFs, Index Funds, Kids and Money, Money Education, Sharesies, SmartShares

This blog post results from a brief yet alarming conversation I had with a 15-year-old who has three years remaining at school before they planned to head off to university. In answer to my question, “how are you going to pay for it,” they quickly replied, “with student loans, because they are interest-free”. It was not my place to comment at the time (although in my head I was screaming to say something), but given I write a blog, I’ve created a space where I can give their response some thought. So, I will.

KiwiSaver and First Home - Invest For Both

KiwiSaver and First Home - Invest For Both

Ruth
ETFs, Index Funds, KiwiSaver, Retirement, Saving, Shares, Simplicity, SmartShares, Sharesies

With our house prices continuing to climb, more and more pressure is going on first home buyers to save up the large deposit they need to buy a house. This is hardly news to you I know and this blog post is not really aimed at those of you who are poised and on the cusp of buying your first home, instead, it’s aimed at your far younger children, siblings, nieces, nephews and friends who might also want to both buy a home one day AND retire.

Why save, plot and plan for my financial future?

Why save, plot and plan for my financial future?

Ruth
Personal Finance, Retirement, Debt, Investment, Saving, Money Education

There has been quite an increase in questions over the last couple of weeks, which is not at all surprising given how much uncertainty is out there. And this week, having answered so many emails, plus I was finishing writing and recording my final podcast episode of this series, I’ve not quite gotten around to a new blog post. So this week I’ve decided to republish a post I wrote back in 2017 because I feel that it’s still very relevant today.

How to avoid a student loan. Start saving today!

How to avoid a student loan. Start saving today!

Ruth
Kids and Money, Money Education, Personal Finance, Saving, KiwiSaver

A few weekends ago a young guy was scanning my groceries and he was chatting away about his final exam and his finish date. When I asked him what he had planned for the summer, he said he will be working for about 35 hours a week. Although I was desperate to ask him the finer details of his financial life, I didn’t want to freak this young guy out so I kept my questions to myself. But my absolute main one was “what is a 16-year-old proposing to do with all the money they will make this summer?

How I avoid the holiday hangover.

How I avoid the holiday hangover.

Ruth
Saving, Personal Finance

There are no two ways about it. Overseas travel ain’t cheap. It’s awesome. But it sure ain’t cheap. We said to ourselves that 2019 would be a ‘stay at home’ year because we have bills coming up, there is not enough in our travel fund and we can’t afford a trip this year. But how have we managed to do it, despite saying we couldn’t afford it this year?

Load More