Testimonials
People are kind. People are thoughtful. People are caring. PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW HOW TO BE GOOD WITH THEIR OWN MONEY. Here are just a few of the comments I have received from readers; I have removed their names to protect their anonymity and have just shared a snippet of their emails. But when people write to me they do so with a personal conundrum and I’m honoured that they share them with me and use me to help them make a decision:
“Hi Ruth. Thank you very much for that very clear and informative instruction. I finally got that “aha, so that is how the heck that works”.
I have read many blogs, articles etc., but they all seem to get bogged down in investment jargon which is confusing. Then I click on other links, which I hope explains what they meant, but that normally confuses me even more. Your blog and email make things very easy to understand. You have a gift of explaining concepts that I think everyone can understand. Thank you, thank you. Keep up the good work; you are an inspiration to me.”
“We needed to sanity check our plans and thoughts after a change in circumstances, and I wanted to informally discuss options (rather than formally meet with a financial advisor etc) but not with friends or family members, so when I saw Ruth’s phone-a-friend service, it was a perfect fit. Ruth is easy (and fun!) to talk with, and asked lots of pertinent questions to help clarify where we want to be and what actions we should take to get there. I’ve got a wee list of homework to get on with, but I’m no longer paralysed to act. Straight after our phone call, I changed my KiwiSaver fund to growth and progressed some long overdue admin with an old share portfolio.”
“Hey Ruth, I just wanted to say that you have the most amazing blog and podcast ever! I am obsessed with personal finance and I have listened to so many podcasts and read so many blogs, but yours is my absolute favourite! The structure of your podcasts is great, and you’re knowledgeable and friendly and have so many nice things to say.”
“After listening to one of your podcasts a couple of weeks ago, I got up and through my credit card into the fire!”
“I did pick up from your podcasts your suggestion about finding someone you can confide in about your finances and ask them to help you and be accountable”
“Ruth, what you do is appreciated :-)”
“I thought I’d give a little update on our post-COVID situation, we made it through after our “convocation” really well.”
“Prior to discovering your podcast, I had never really thought too much about money or retirement. It was after chewing through a dozen podcasts that I stopped and asked myself and spoke with my wife about what our goals were and we realised, we didn’t really have any… We had never talked about goals and like most, assumed you worked until you were 65 and hoped that you had enough put aside that you could enjoy life and not have to simply exist… I have had a revelation which I can thank you for.”
“Hi Ruth, just wanted to say ‘thank you’ for the recommendation!.... I am loving the book ‘The Simple Path to Wealth’.... finally a $ book that is easy to read and understand.”
“I love how you break down all their complicated sneaky small print and tell it like it really is!”
“Just wanna say a big thanks to you for your blog and podcast. I read it regularly. Its helped me focus much more on my finances and life etc...”
“I’m feeling so grateful right now and excited to learn and put your information into effect”
“I wanted to let you know how much your blog post “mortgage be gone” has meant to me. The exact arguments you made for and against is what was going on in my mind for months!! Your article made it soooooo obvious to me to pay the mortgage first!!”
“Oh my goodness, I am so thrilled to get an email back. It’s like making a new friend...”
“I wish that I had had your advice when I was younger. I am certain I would have accumulated more savings if I had.”
“Thank you so much Ruth, for all this wonderful advice and support. We are working through all the resources you have sent us. I will let you know how he gets on!”
“You are so astute & completely hit the nail on the head!”
“Thank you so much Ruth, no hurry to reply to this novella-length email but again I truly appreciate having someone to discuss this stuff with.”
“I’ve recently found your podcast and within the last 2 weeks have burned through both seasons. I really enjoy the range of people you have interviewed and how relevant the info is to living in NZ as opposed to all of the American information that is out there.”
“I think it’s great what you are doing and it encourages others to get involved and share ideas.”
“I’ve found something useful in every podcast episode and have recommended it to a number of family and friends.”
“I’m trying to sort some stuff out and was planning to email you at some stage to run my thinking past someone sensible and knowledgeable! A massive thanks for your time invested into trying to share with others the learnings you have gained.”
“As always I’m loving your blogs. Keep up the good work.”
“Hi Ruth, I’ve only recently discovered your blog - since reading your article in the MAS journal. You’ve been such an eye opener, it’s truly amazing - thank you so much for all that you do...”
“Hi Ruth, Lucky me! I have just discovered The Happy Saver, through a FIRE article in the MAS magazine, and have rapidly become an avid podcast listener. I am using The Happy Saver almost daily to keep motivated to support my desire and interest in being my own personal finance manager and openly giving me permission to do so. Thanks for your enthusiasm, your blogs and references to other blogs...”
“Hi Ruth, I came across your blog a few months ago and it’s about time I got in touch to say a huge thank you. My workplace had a ‘Financial Fitness February’ promotion earlier in the year which included links to a number of blogs including yours. I started reading and listening to your podcasts and found them so, so interesting and useful. It came at just the right time because…”
“Hello! I just wanted to say thank you. I’m a new reader to your blog and also new to getting myself financially sorted. I’ve always been a bit clueless... I’m trying to turn things around, but finding information is hard from a NZ perspective, especially when it comes to investing. I’m looking forward to learning more from your site!”
“Hey there, I just came across this blog while scrolling through the Kiwi Mustachians facebook page and I felt the need to say you’ve done an excellent job with the content and design of the website. It’s very informative and relatable to New Zealanders, which is always hard to do because there are so few of us and there is limited information out there. Awesome job and keep it up!”
“First of all, thank you so much for doing the podcasts! It’s really helped me understand the importance of saving money. Listening to the stories from other people’s life has given me the confidence to take my first step towards financial independence. Keep up the good work and keep inspiring more people. Cheers”
“Hi Ruth, I just wanted to say how thrilled I am to have stumbled across your blog. I’ve spent the last week staying up until the wee hours of the morning using the resources you’ve provided, as well as the depth of advice to revamp my financials.”
“Hi Ruth, My wife and I enjoy your blog and podcasts. We have recently paid off our mortgage. We’ve been studying where to go from here, reading lots of books and subscribing to online financial people like yourself. We’ve found you and the Barefoot Investor great. Do you mind answering some questions?”
“Hi Ruth. Thank you for covering my topic suggestion so beautifully and thoroughly. It gave me hope and excitement for the future. And I am pleased to say I am already following a lot of your suggestions!”
“Hi Ruth, I’ve only recently discovered your blog. You’ve been such an eye opener, it’s truly amazing - thank you so much for all that you do.”
“Hi Ruth. Thank you for supporting the world wide FI movement and I look forward to covering all your articles over the next week or two!”
“Hi Ruth. I now have a number of work mates following my lead and I’m helping the young guys by explaining the errors of my youth. It’s a tough balance doing this without preaching and sounding like a lunatic! :-).”
“Hi Ruth. Your blog is super helpful! Would you be free to catch up over a coffee, it’s not often that I meet like minded folks who are open to discussing money (and how to make the most of it!).”
“Hi Ruth. Can I also say I love the blog and the podcast, especially your upbeat attitude. I’m always inspired to do more (saving, debt reduction, investing) when I listen/read your content so thank you for all your hard work.”