All in PocketSmith

Did my financial plan stand up to the test?

Did my financial plan stand up to the test?

Ruth
Budgeting, PocketSmith, Sharesight, ETFs

Even though Level 2 had felt quite ‘normal’ here in Alexandra, going to Level 1 on the 9th of June did have me going “phew, we did it”. Collectively as a town, region and as a country, WE DID IT! That’s a pretty good feeling. Well done whanau of 5 million! But personally speaking, I don’t quite feel out of the woods yet. My thoughts are along the lines of “don’t relax too soon Ruth”. Therefore, I’m going to listen to my gut instinct and from a financial standpoint, I’m not done with being cautious just yet.

Budgeting really does work!

Budgeting really does work!

Ruth
Budgeting, Debt, KiwiSaver, Minimalisation, Mortgage, PocketSmith

I got a message this week from Joe. He said that he is after some “relevant situational budgeting help” and would like to see me help out and offer thoughts on “the most basic of budgeting for the families in severe need now”. So I thought I would reach out to someone else to help me write the blog post this week, someone who I consider to be a bit of a Budgeting Queen herself. It’s none other than Bradie from @kiwigirlonabudget

So, together we have worked on this blog post for you this week.

My Lockdown Diary

My Lockdown Diary

Ruth
Budgeting, Index Funds, KiwiSaver, PocketSmith, Sharesies, Simplicity, SmartShares, ETF

I thought I’d keep a diary for this week, so you can see what we are doing to prepare for the months ahead in this rapidly evolving situation. Take from it what you will and discard the rest. But first and foremost when it comes to money at a time like this, whether your job is secure or you have just lost it, the absolute key thing to keep in mind is to: Always spend less than you earn

The COVID-19 Emergency Budget Meeting

The COVID-19 Emergency Budget Meeting

Ruth
Budgeting, Debt, Index Funds, KiwiSaver, Personal Finance, PocketSmith, SmartShares, Simplicity, Sharesight, Sharesies, ETF

If there was ever any doubt about what an emergency might look like, well this is it, folks! I hope that each and every one of you is coping well and today I wanted to let you know what Jonny and I are doing, in the hope that you might gain a few pointers about what to do with whatever situation you may find yourselves in.

PocketSmith Q+A

PocketSmith Q+A

Ruth
Budgeting, Sharesies, PocketSmith, Personal Finance

In February 2020 I went to Dunedin to spend the day with the PocketSmith team. I asked my audience if there were any specific questions they had about using the PocketSmith budgeting software and I put those questions directly to the support team in the office. PocketSmith has answered all of your questions and I’m the first to admit that I’ve learned a thing or two by reading them.

The blog post I never wanted to write: TAX

The blog post I never wanted to write: TAX

Ruth
Hatch, Index Funds, Investment, KiwiSaver, PocketSmith, Sharesies, Sharesight, Simplicity, SmartShares, ETF, Tax

With so many new investment platforms coming on stream in the last couple of years, it has never been easier to buy a stake in a company via either an index fund or by buying individual shares. It is awesome how accessible investing has become. But in this effort to uncomplicate becoming an investor a lot of these newer investment platforms have inadvertently put investing through the complicator when it comes to tax time, because many of you are unsure about how to handle investments in regards to tax. So this blog post is going to focus on how I go about things at tax time.

Finally, I'm a net worth millionaire!

Finally, I'm a net worth millionaire!

Ruth
Index Funds, Hatch, Investment, KiwiSaver, Personal Finance, PocketSmith, Shares, Sharesies, Simplicity, SmartShares, ETF

I’ve waited a long time to fill out my own Net Worth Millionaire Questionnaire! YES, our net worth has finally ticked over from 6 numbers to 7 and it’s fair to say I’m delighted. But what is the purpose of me and other people sharing this information? It’s so that you can apply it to your own situation and see the variety of ways that other Kiwi’s have created wealth for themselves and know that it is possible for you as well.

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…

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