All in PocketSmith

DIY Financial Education for my Daughter

DIY Financial Education for my Daughter

Ruth
Kids and Money, Money Education, PocketSmith

From time to time I take an hour to google personal finance-related media that is close to home here in New Zealand. It’s not exactly plentiful and it all too often revolves around my least favourite topic of housing or the proliferation of easy credit and how as a country we think it’s a good idea to educate our children about money, but then fail to do so. On this last topic, I’m all for educating our kids, but when I read on, we always seem to focus on the “why we should” yet lack the “how we should”. It always leaves me wondering about the financial education of my own child.

The Family Christmas Newsletter

The Family Christmas Newsletter

Ruth
Hatch, Index Funds, Investment, Kids and Money, PocketSmith, Sharesies, Simplicity, SmartShares, ETF

Christmas at my house when I was growing up was always a busy, crowded and fun time. We used to receive heaps of Christmas cards and the most exciting ones were the cards that contained the “annual Christmas letter” from the sender. So, I thought I would write you a Christmas Newsletter from my whanau, with a personal finance twist of course…

Money Routines, Methods, Habits, Rules and Obsessions to Live By

Money Routines, Methods, Habits, Rules and Obsessions to Live By

Ruth
Personal Finance, PocketSmith, Sharesies, SmartShares

A lot of people get in touch with me asking how to get started and how to stay consistent with money. Because that’s the thing, you can start with a hiss and a roar but lose momentum and stop and that is a bit of a disaster for your money. So you want to create good, long-lasting routines and habits that set you up financially, which become so ingrained they are automatic.

Meridian Energy just paid me $684!

Meridian Energy just paid me $684!

Ruth
Personal Finance, Shares, Sharesight, PocketSmith

I had a nice surprise on the 16th of October. I logged onto PocketSmith and saw that my bank account had an additional $684 in there. When people talk about “passive income” this is what it actually looks like. Money, deposited in my account, without me having to actually do anything except investing in a company and trusting that they will work hard on my behalf.

My PocketSmith analysis: We buy a lot of eggs!

My PocketSmith analysis: We buy a lot of eggs!

Ruth
Budgeting, Reviews, Personal Finance, PocketSmith

So far, in 2019, we have spent exactly $240 on eggs. We buy them from a woman who lives up the road who has chickens (obviously) and every Monday she drops them (or places them gently) in my mailbox, then I jump online and pay her $5 a dozen. That means we have eaten 48 dozen or 576 eggs this year to date. The moral of the story? PocketSmith can give you some detailed figures IF that is what you are looking for.

REVIEW: PocketSmith Part 2

REVIEW: PocketSmith Part 2

Ruth
Budgeting, Personal Finance, PocketSmith

Any time of year is a great time to finally sit down and get your financial house in order, but January in particular, is a time when many people finally do it. One of the first tips I offer people who are wanting to take control of their personal finances is to tell them that it’s crucial that you track your earning and spending, otherwise, how do you know if you are getting ahead or falling behind?

Take Control of Your Finances: PocketSmith Part 1

Take Control of Your Finances: PocketSmith Part 1

Ruth
Budgeting, Personal Finance, PocketSmith

Personal finance is deeply personal, and everyone goes about it slightly differently but the key to those who succeed and get ahead is working out exactly where their money is. One of the first tips I offer people who email me is to track their financial activity. Only when you do this in some form or other can you make the right changes and start to understand where all of your money is going.