Credit card debt can be overwhelming, especially when it feels like there’s no room in your budget to get ahead. But with the right plan, you can regain control and start making progress. In this edition of Ruth's Two Cents, Ruth addresses the challenges of juggling essential expenses while tackling credit card balances.
Money tips
Oh to be young and have the freedom of your entire life ahead of you. But you aren’t a teenager anymore and it could be the right time to start thinking about your future finances — how do you want to spend your retirement? Lavishly or pinching pennies? Starting early can put you on the right path.
Money tips
From YouTube to TikTok, young people have never been exposed to as much financial information as they are now. But with more teens gaining interest in a subject as nuanced as investing, it’s important that they’re equipped to confidently make the most of it. We’re sharing how the next generation can develop a strong foundation to start their investing journey.
Money tips
It seems like every other day that you see a headline about some company pledging to go net-zero emissions by 2050. The primary method they use is carbon offsetting. You might have even purchased carbon offsets yourself. But what are they, and are they actually a viable solution for solving our emission problems?
Money tips
Mind the leak! It’s pretty normal to experience hairline cracks in your budget from the day-to-day stresses of life, but it’s important to keep them in check. Emma shares how you can spot those leaks and plug them up before they become an absolute deluge.
Money tips
Side hustles aren’t just a hobby, they’re a job and they can make an excellent addition to your resume for demonstrating your skills to further your career. Hiration co-founder Aditya Sharma shares how you can add your side hustles to your CV and put your expertise on full display.
Money tips
Whether it’s due to economic uncertainty or self-imposed for movements like the Great Resignation, the average worker will experience unemployment at least once or twice. Ruth The Happy Saver reminisces about her own experiences with unemployment, and shares what you can do during this period to keep moving forward to your next stage in life.
Money tips
In late 2021, the NZ government introduced legislative changes aimed at protecting Kiwis from high-cost loans and unaffordable debt. One unintended result is that banks now closely scrutinize your spending habits when you apply for finance. Mortgage Lab CEO Rupert Gough explains how using PocketSmith to track your expenses can make all the difference to your application.
Money tips
Many people get calls regarding the debt they don’t own, but you’ve got some tools up your sleeve to dispute your debt and deal with such creditors. Lyle Solomon from Oak View Law Group breaks down the recourse available to our friends in the USA if you’re being hounded by pushy debt collectors.
Money tips
So your account has been hacked or there’s been suspicious transactions in your bank account — now what? In the final part of our fraud series, Emma from The Broke Generation shares the steps you can take if you ever fall victim to a scam so your money stays intact.
Money tips
As the saying goes, “tidy house, tidy mind”. Keeping a tidy wallet can have a similar effect on your well-being. But it can be easier said than done keeping something as complex as your finances organized and effective. Ruth The Happy Saver channels her inner Marie Kondo and shares how she’s decluttered her financial life.
Money tips
“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new lands but in seeing with new eyes.” In the spirit of Proustian self-discovery, Head of Marketing Dora asked her 13-year-old son, Jordan, to pen some observations about common ways he thinks adults waste money. What she received was surprisingly pragmatic insight with a few truth bombs thrown in! Read on to see what he had to say.
Money tips
Goodbye 2021, hello 2022. After another year of ups and downs, a new year offers the opportunity to reset and reboot. If you want to leave questionable spending habits and bygone goals in the past, now’s the perfect chance. Emma from The Broke Generation shares the actions you can take to make sure you start off this year on the right financial footing.
Money tips
As a part-time employee with her own blog and podcast side business, Ruth Henderson has a more complex tax-life than the average person. That said, she decided from the outset to manage her freelance income the same way she runs her household finances: simply and fuss-free! Read on to see how she organizes her taxes.
Money tips
Amidst fancy hors d'oeuvres and a chorus of ‘new year, new me’, a celebration of glitz and glamoring could have you clamoring to save your bank account in the morning. Emma Edwards shares her best tips for making sure you keep your budget intact over the new year period — because New Year’s Eve is one night, but financial confidence is forever!
Money tips
Christmas is mere days, minutes, seconds away. If your gift list is looking woefully empty this close to December 25th, fear not! The Broke Generation’s Emma has been a helpful little elf for us and gathered up some easy, low-cost options for last minute Christmas presents. You’ve still got time, so get cracking!
Money tips
Do you have a secure password? And are your devices secure? There are plenty of actions you can take to ensure your money and related data are protected. In the second part of our fraud series, Emma from The Broke Generation shares ten ways you can defend yourself from would-be hackers and scammers.
Money tips
Shopping can be a rotten experience this time of year. People are stressed, shops are busy, and you have to buy presents for every second cousin once-removed at the family Christmas party. That’s why Anton, our Marketing Intern, has created this list of fun and easily accessible Christmas gifts. So whether you’ve got no time or simply have no idea what to get your loved ones, you can check out these ideas for inspiration.
Money tips
Accountants aren’t just number-lovers deep in spreadsheets. If you handle your household’s finances, you can consider yourself one too! Sam Harith, The Comic Accountant, is an accountant by trade and he explores the benefits of using home accounting software and why PocketSmith is his go-to.
Money tips
No doubt you’re not a stranger to scams — you’ve probably been hounded by an unknown number, or had a suspiciously constructed email show up in your inbox. Money scams and attempts to fraud you are a dime a dozen. But what other scams are you likely to come across? Emma from The Broke Generation explores today’s common money scams and fraud.
Money tips
Whether it’s the holiday season, a birthday or an upcoming special event, picking the right gift can be a hassle. Have you ever thought about a gift that keeps on giving? Ruth The Happy Saver is a big fan of giving shares as a gift, and talks about how it can be a thoughtful present for experienced and budding investors.
Money tips
Thanks to the gig economy, side hustle opportunities like Uber are abundant, but you might not have the capacity, nor the want, to go out and drive after work. By picking up a side hustle you can do online, you can earn a bit of extra income in comfort and at your own pace. Guest contributor Brian explores six of the best online side hustles for making the most of your time and resources.
Money tips
The mention of Black Friday sales evokes images of both mammoth bargains and massive fights at the cash register. As a sale period that’s so close to Christmas, it could be your chance to keep your holiday budget intact. If you’re wondering how you can make the most out of this annual sale, check out Ruth The Happy Saver’s tips for sorting your Black Friday game plan.
Money tips
E-waste is a growing environmental and economic burden. Mobile phones contribute a whopping 10% to all global e-waste. Instead of adding to that when you upgrade your phone, consider giving it a new lease on life! Stewart from Freedom Mobiles shares some of the many ways you can repurpose your old phone and save it from the landfill.
Money tips
It’s an inherently human desire to want to make a difference. When it comes to leaving a financial legacy, most would just think of a savings account that you leave behind. But can it be more than that? Ruth The Happy Saver ponders the concept of a financial legacy, and how you can make an impact before and after you’re gone.
