With the fees-free scheme coming to an end, many New Zealand families are suddenly facing a bigger university bill than expected. In this edition of Ruth's Two Cents, Ruth looks at how to talk honestly with your teen about the real cost of study and make a plan that keeps their options open.
Money tips
Instead of taking decisive steps toward their financial goals, those who experience analysis paralysis become immobilized by the fear of making a wrong choice or missing out on potential opportunities. To give your wealth-building a jump start this year, Kate suggests striking a balance between informed decision-making and taking action to dispel your stagnation.
Money tips
Money management isn't just about accumulating wealth; it's also an opportunity to cultivate a spirit of generosity that can enrich both our own well-being and the lives of others. Avid giver Ruth shares the transformative power charitable giving holds for your financial journey and the world around you.
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 PocketSmith veteran Chris manages his finances — from simple transaction categorization to the more complex, like forecasting cash flow.
Money tips
If you're self-employed, the end of the year can be a reflective time. You might be looking at how much your business has made over the last 12 months, the things you've achieved as a business owner, or perhaps dreaming of what's next for you in 2024. Get your goal-setting on with Emma's experienced suggestions.
Money tips
If you're a freelancer, you know that navigating the holiday period can be a tricky endeavor. It's a time when many clients and businesses wind down for the year, leaving freelancers with potential income gaps. This year, Rachel plans to make the most out of the holiday slowdown and come back refreshed and re-energized for the new year.
Money tips
As the holiday season approaches, it's easy to get caught up in the festivities and overspend. But have you ever wondered why we tend to spend more during this time of year? From the pressures of tradition and year-end reflection to the temptations of buying for ourselves and justifying overspending, understanding these triggers is the first step toward regaining control of your holiday budget.
Product feature
Mint's user migration to Credit Karma will mean the loss of Budgets, a much-loved and well-used feature. Here are ten reasons why you'll find PocketSmith's Budgets feature familiar and how our advanced features give you more insight, options, control, and flexibility.
Money tips
Are you eager to explore the world but worried about the financial hurdles of holiday travel? As a passionate traveler herself, Ruth understands the challenges of balancing wanderlust with a limited budget. She shares her tried-and-true tips on how to save money while planning for your dream holiday, ensuring that you can embark on unforgettable adventures without breaking the bank.
Company
The news of Mint's impending closure caught us here at PocketSmith off guard, considering its status as one of the leading brands in personal financial management (PFM) software. Its wind-down in 2024 marks an end to a nearly two-decade-long experiment at making PFM more accessible to the broader public. Whether for better or worse, Mint has played a significant part in driving the shape of online money management.
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 Suresh is getting as much understanding of his personal finances as he does with his business finances using PocketSmith.
Money tips
In the vast landscape of personal finance, it's easy to become overwhelmed by the sheer volume of books, blogs, podcasts, seminars, apps, and products available for furthering your money education. In this edition of Ruth’s Two Cents, Ruth explores building a solid foundation for expanding your financial knowledge.
Money tips
Black Friday 2023 isn't too far away, and while we're responsible shoppers here at PocketSmith (obvs), we love a sneaky discount as much as the next person. Here are our top tips on strategically shopping the Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals.
Product feature
With the recent announcement of Mint.com merging with Credit Karma — and with it dropping most of the key features that people loved — you might find yourself at a crossroads, searching for a robust alternative. PocketSmith is the home for your personal finances you're looking for, with tools to seamlessly transfer your transaction history, and a wealth of features which match and go far beyond what Mint.com offered. Let's see how all the pieces fit together!
Money tips
In this insightful piece, teenage investor Jordan Turner wades into a hotly debated topic in New Zealand politics: The importance of teaching financial literacy to Kiwi youth. As a high schooler, he adds his two cents to this dialogue.
Money tips
From the serene landscapes of New Zealand to the bustling streets of the United States, the cost of living can vary significantly, impacting everything from groceries to housing. Kiwi local Rachel examines some of her purchases and experiences from her recent travels through the US, and uncovers the surprising distinctions in the financial landscape of each country’s residents with the help of PocketSmith’s Global Spending Map.
Money tips
While general expenses continue to rise, Australians are feeling the pinch when it comes to their car-related payments. Gary Ross Hunter, insurance specialist at Finder, shares seven practical tips that can help you save substantial sums on your car insurance bills, potentially putting hundreds of dollars back in your pocket annually.
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 Cliff manages all of his investments and pensions in retirement using PocketSmith.
Money tips
Mic check, mic check. As an ever-increasingly popular form of media, starting a podcast can be alluring in all of its accessible and gratifying glory. But does it make a worthwhile side hustle? As the host of more than one successful podcast, Emma pulls from her own experience to weigh in.
Interviews
We asked some of our PocketSmith net worth nurturers about their investing philosophy and what their investing journey has looked like so far! Dora balances spontaneity in her personal life and moderation in her investments, which is something she’s instilling in her son’s investing habits too.
Product feature
With Money Dashboard shutting its doors for good at the end of October 2023, we understand the need for a reliable platform to manage your finances. We warmly welcome you to transition your data over to PocketSmith, where all your accounts, transactions, and categories can be seamlessly imported. Dive into the world of PocketSmith and discover how you can embark on this new financial journey!
Interviews
We asked some of our PocketSmith net worth nurturers about their investing philosophy and what their investing journey has looked like so far! Nic has been preparing for her future with investing since her days at university, and it’s that strong sense of her “why” that keeps her investing consistently to gain financial independence.
Interviews
We asked some of our PocketSmith net worth nurturers about their investing philosophy and what their investing journey has looked like so far! Olav is PocketSmith's resident data wizard, so he's no stranger to getting down into the details of potential share options to develop his investment portfolio.
Interviews
We asked some of our PocketSmith net worth nurturers about their investing philosophy and what their investing journey has looked like so far! Chloe's relatively new to investing in the grand scheme of things, but she's already experimenting with different kinds of global investments to set her up for the future.
Money tips
For decades, the nebulous world of investing has been steeped in misconceptions, preventing scores of everyday people from achieving their dreams of financial freedom. Just as Sharesies was created to give the masses access to financial markets, this book gives ordinary people a crash course in investing that has too often been reserved for those in the industry or who were lucky enough to grow up in families that taught them financial literacy.
