Budgeting for the first time?

Budgeting for the first time?

Ruth
Budgeting

Budgeting for the first time? Then, please let me make it as painless as possible! I regularly speak with people who are, for the first time, looking at their money correctly. Like, I mean, actually looking hard at each transaction, which is what you need to do to understand where your money is coming from and going to. For many, we get by; earning, spending, and not taking too much notice. But this “head in the sand” attitude to money will only get you so far and will keep you living week to week or month to month.

What to Do With an Inheritance

What to Do With an Inheritance

Ruth
Inheritance

I first published this blog post back in June 2017. I’ve dusted it off and rewritten it today purely because of many conversations I’ve had over the last six months with people who have inherited large sums of money. Receiving money due to the death of someone you love is an awful way to come into money. So, if you are the recipient, make it count and make that person proud of the decisions you make with their money.

Debt won’t solve your money problems

Debt won’t solve your money problems

Ruth
Budgeting, Debt, Money Education, Mortgage

Recently the banking/lending industry changed the way they view lending applications in response to new government legislation and changes made to the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act. The government’s changes are to protect borrowers, which sounds fair to me. However, my personal view is that banks also saw this as an opportunity to reset the expectations of some borrowers.

How is my “Kernel S&P Kensho Moonshots Innovation Fund” performing?

How is my “Kernel S&P Kensho Moonshots Innovation Fund” performing?

Ruth
ETFs, Index Funds, Kernel, Sharesight, SmartShares

How is my “Kernel S&P Kensho Moonshots Innovation Fund” performing? In a word. Poorly. It’s down 27% with no signs of stopping its slide. But I can’t complain; the fund manager themselves forewarned me. Now that I’ve invested in this specific fund for almost a year, I thought it an interesting exercise to see if the returns are living up to my high expectations. Hmmm, let’s just say, it’s not quite what I was hoping for.

Happy Christmas!

Happy Christmas!

Ruth
ETFs, KiwiSaver, Personal Finance

I’m a giant jumble of competing thoughts as I sit down to write this final blog post of the year. I’m not much into the generic inspirational end of year content that gets pushed out, so instead, I’ll just keep this one real, and it’s a bit of an insight into my life during the first two weeks of December. I’ll try (and fail) to be brief.

What does my home cost to run each week?

What does my home cost to run each week?

Ruth
Mortgage, Insurance, PocketSmith, Saving, Index Funds, ETFs

Today’s blog post is a follow on for all the non-homeowners who told me that they were curious about the expenses I incur for my own home, which you are missing out on by renting. There are a lot more expenses than just paying your mortgage. Knowing what owning a house costs ME might help you plan your future house purchase or make you even happier renting than you already were.

The Happy Saver Christmas Gift Giveaway!

The Happy Saver Christmas Gift Giveaway!

Ruth
Index Funds, Hatch, Kernel, PocketSmith, Sharesies, Sharesight, Tertiary Scholarship

I’m delighted to tell you that Christmas is imminent! At the time of publishing this blog post, it’s just 34 days away. Yes, indeed it is. You will no doubt have noticed the headlines telling us to shop early for Christmas and stock up due to a predicted lack of supply? Therefore, I have been doing a little bit of shopping for the readers of my blog. Jonny and I have come up with a plan to give away a bunch of goodies, all of which aim to help you in your journey to financial independence.

How to Pay Cash for Tertiary Education

How to Pay Cash for Tertiary Education

Ruth
ETFs, Index Funds, Kids and Money, Money Education, Sharesies, SmartShares

This blog post results from a brief yet alarming conversation I had with a 15-year-old who has three years remaining at school before they planned to head off to university. In answer to my question, “how are you going to pay for it,” they quickly replied, “with student loans, because they are interest-free”. It was not my place to comment at the time (although in my head I was screaming to say something), but given I write a blog, I’ve created a space where I can give their response some thought. So, I will.

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