All in Index Funds

Lotto Loser / Investing Winner!

Lotto Loser / Investing Winner!

Ruth
ETFs, Index Funds, Sharesies, Sharesight, SmartShares

November is the only month that I ever buy a Lotto ticket. The reason is that when my Dad was alive, he always liked receiving a Lotto ticket on his birthday. Almost five years have passed since he died, and I’ve continued to buy a single ticket for his birthday, eagerly checking it to see if Dad had better Lotto luck in death than he did in life. Yeah, Nah. He didn’t! Imagine if, instead of buying a Lucky Dip, I began to buy a share investment instead of Lotto when my Dad died almost five years ago; how much would I have today?

Which is better: TWF or USF?

Which is better: TWF or USF?

Ruth
ETFs, Index Funds, Shares, SmartShares

This week I’m answering a question that Paul has sent to me, and it is a question that I’ve been dwelling on myself. I’m going to do my best not to get too deep in the weeds with my answer. It might sound like a niche question (Which is better: TWF - Total World Fund or USF - US 500?), but the answer I give is, in my opinion, widely applicable to investors.

We just received a $68,082.50 windfall!

We just received a $68,082.50 windfall!

Ruth
ETFs, Index Funds, Investment, SmartShares

Over the last 22 weeks, Jonny and I have been doing a bit of life admin that relates to the Christchurch earthquakes. Remember them? We have been working our way through a top-up of our original insurance claim. Recently, this claim paid us out $68,082.50. It’s a significant sum of money which we were grateful to receive. Today I just wanted to share with you why we came to receive this money and what we will do with it.

Following Mr. Money Mustache’s Simple Strategy to Financial Freedom

Following Mr. Money Mustache’s Simple Strategy to Financial Freedom

Ruth
Index Funds, ETFs, PocketSmith

Back in January 2012, blogger Pete Adeney, aka Mr. Money Mustache, wrote a blog post that changed my life when I eventually discovered it in about 2016-2017. I don’t think I would not be sitting here today, in our position, had I not stumbled upon it. Then his following article explaining the 4% Rule, which he wrote in May of 2012, set our wheels in motion. And these two powerful blog posts have just turned 10.

How is my “Kernel S&P Kensho Moonshots Innovation Fund” performing?

How is my “Kernel S&P Kensho Moonshots Innovation Fund” performing?

Ruth
ETFs, Index Funds, Kernel, Sharesight, SmartShares

How is my “Kernel S&P Kensho Moonshots Innovation Fund” performing? In a word. Poorly. It’s down 27% with no signs of stopping its slide. But I can’t complain; the fund manager themselves forewarned me. Now that I’ve invested in this specific fund for almost a year, I thought it an interesting exercise to see if the returns are living up to my high expectations. Hmmm, let’s just say, it’s not quite what I was hoping for.

What does my home cost to run each week?

What does my home cost to run each week?

Ruth
Mortgage, Insurance, PocketSmith, Saving, Index Funds, ETFs

Today’s blog post is a follow on for all the non-homeowners who told me that they were curious about the expenses I incur for my own home, which you are missing out on by renting. There are a lot more expenses than just paying your mortgage. Knowing what owning a house costs ME might help you plan your future house purchase or make you even happier renting than you already were.

The Happy Saver Christmas Gift Giveaway!

The Happy Saver Christmas Gift Giveaway!

Ruth
Index Funds, Hatch, Kernel, PocketSmith, Sharesies, Sharesight, Tertiary Scholarship

I’m delighted to tell you that Christmas is imminent! At the time of publishing this blog post, it’s just 34 days away. Yes, indeed it is. You will no doubt have noticed the headlines telling us to shop early for Christmas and stock up due to a predicted lack of supply? Therefore, I have been doing a little bit of shopping for the readers of my blog. Jonny and I have come up with a plan to give away a bunch of goodies, all of which aim to help you in your journey to financial independence.

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.

Are you scared of NOT buying a house?

Are you scared of NOT buying a house?

Ruth
ETFs, Index Funds, Investment, Mortgage, KiwiSaver, Hatch, Kernel, Sharesies, SmartShares

I received an email recently that brought tears to my eyes if I’m frank. It was from someone who is in despair about not being in a position to own a house in New Zealand. I wanted to create a blog post about it because the struggle that the writer is experiencing is not unique; in the same week, I received several other messages along the same lines.

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