After months as a digital nomad, working from cafes and cabins around the world, Rachel realised she longed for stability. Ultimately, she decided to quit freelancing and return to New Zealand, embracing a more grounded lifestyle. Rachel shares why she chose to go local and find new fulfilment in her career and life.
Money tips
Conversations about money and ageing can be uncomfortable, but they’re some of the most important ones we’ll ever have. In this edition of Ruth’s Two Cents, Ruth The Happy Saver draws from her own experience to respond to a reader facing the decline of a parent’s health.
Money tips
Political uncertainty can shake our sense of financial security, even when the changes aren't happening in our own backyard. While we can't control these larger forces, we can control how prepared we are. Here are some practical ways to safeguard your finances and stay confident, no matter what's happening on the political stage.
Money tips
Financial literacy is finally finding its place in classrooms — but for many adults, that education came too late or not at all. If you’ve ever felt unsure about budgeting, credit, or how loans actually work, you’re not alone. We’re answering some of the most common financial literacy questions to help you fill in the gaps.
Money tips
A plan for retirement should be an essential part of your financial wellbeing. Unlike traditional employees who have access to employer-sponsored retirement plans, self-employed individuals need to take a more proactive approach to saving for retirement. Freelance worker Rachel shares how she’s preparing to enjoy her golden years.
Money tips
Freelancing offers freedom, but unpredictable income can make managing money stressful. In this edition of Ruth’s Two Cents, Ruth shares her tried-and-true approach to creating stability when paydays are anything but regular.
Company
Buried in the good news that the Consumer Data Right (CDR) has reached the next milestone, comes a bombshell: It will let banks charge apps to let consumers access their own data. Contrary to every other country that has implemented CDR, New Zealand is poised to let banks profit from what is a right. It's like having the right to vote, but then being charged $20 at the voting booth.
Money tips
Freelancing can be a game-changer for your career and income, but finding clients requires a strategic approach. Learn from a seasoned freelance copywriter about finding and attracting clients by identifying your ideal clients, establishing online credibility, using your network, and connecting with agencies.
Money tips
Death and taxes are life’s only certainties — and one doesn’t end with the other. After you pass away, your tax obligations live on, creating potential headaches for your loved ones. Accountant Sam Harith covers how to manage your estate and taxes now, so you can make life easier for those you leave behind.
Money tips
Identity theft is becoming increasingly common in America, and even careful consumers can fall victim. As a recent victim of fraud, Brynne explores how to reduce your risk, from smarter spending habits to freezing your credit, and what to do if your identity is stolen, with practical steps for recovery and protection.
Money tips
Being self-employed brings a unique set of financial challenges and opportunities. It's essential to stay proactive and organised, which is why a quarterly finance check-in routine is invaluable. Freelancer Emma shares a step-by-step guide tailored for the self-employed, so you can ensure you're on top of your financial game all year round.
Money tips
Discovering that a partner has made significant financial decisions behind your back can be deeply unsettling. In this edition of Ruth's Two Cents, Ruth explores how to address the betrayal and work toward rebuilding both your finances and your relationship.
Money tips
In the quiet of her office, a simple email query sparked a profound realization for Rachel: Words wield power over our financial relationships. Often discussing money from market trends to in-depth budgeting with PocketSmith, she observes how language influences actions and attitudes, reshaping financial realities.
Interviews
We asked some of our wonderful users to share how they use PocketSmith to be productive with their money and plan for the future. Read how Cibrán has gone from messy money management to structured budgeting using PocketSmith to balance his family’s finances.
Money tips
Throughout American history, women have played a significant role in shaping the nation's financial landscape — often in ways that haven't received widespread recognition. We're taking a moment to highlight 20 women whose contributions to money and finance have helped influence systems and challenge the status quo.
Money tips
Investing is more accessible than ever, with the UK offering a range of platforms to suit beginners and seasoned investors alike. From automated tools to low-cost ETFs, these platforms make growing your wealth easier and more affordable. Here are six of the best options to consider for your investment journey.
Money tips
Rising incomes often lead to enhanced lifestyles, allowing us to indulge in luxuries previously beyond our reach. While it's rewarding to experience these upgrades, they introduce the challenge of lifestyle creep. Ruth The Happy Saver explores effective strategies for enjoying your growing income while maintaining sound financial health, ensuring that your success is sustainable long-term.
Money tips
Self-employment offers freedom but also financial uncertainty, making debt management crucial. Without a steady paycheck, balancing mortgages, loans, and business expenses requires a considered approach. Sam Harith shares practical ways to manage debt wisely for financial stability despite fluctuating income.
Money tips
Managing money with ADHD isn’t about fitting into rigid financial systems — it’s about finding what works for your brain. Traditional budgeting advice can be frustrating, but ADHD-friendly strategies can turn challenges like organization and impulse control into opportunities by leveraging technology and tapping into your strengths.
Money tips
When Rachel was a kid, she watched her dad meticulously track their car's fuel and mileage. Now, two decades later, she does the same with her shoes. Walking everywhere means her shoes wear out quickly, so she tracks their usage and expenses in PocketSmith. This simple habit helps her budget better and ensures she gets the most value from each pair, ultimately saving money.
Money tips
Do you know your worth? Net worth, that is. Net worth is a fantastic way to look at your financial health without getting bogged down in the details, and tracking it is something you can start doing immediately — no matter what your age is. Because you’re what? Worth it.
Money tips
Health struggles can shake up every part of life — including finances. In this edition of Ruth’s Two Cents, Ruth shares her practical advice for dealing with financial uncertainty amid a medical crisis.
Money tips
Despite setting ambitious resolutions to cut back on drinking, Americans are spending as much on alcohol now as they did during the pandemic, according to PocketSmith's Global Spending Map. The data highlights a complex relationship with alcohol shaped by generational attitudes, historical habits, and post-pandemic life.
Money tips
Money can be a tricky subject for couples, often surfacing in the most unexpected moments. On a shopping trip in Nebraska, Katie and Alan from The Rebel Finance school found themselves at a crossroads — not just over buying Fitbit trackers but over something deeper. How do couples navigate money without letting it become a source of division?
