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Posts Tagged :

budgeting

Top tips to avoid over spending at Christmas

As we approach the silly season and our bank accounts begin to bear the brunt of it, Kiwis should aim to be careful shoppers and only spend what they can afford. We commissioned research which reveals nearly one in three New Zealanders put their Christmas and holiday spending on their credit card and are potentially facing a New Year hangover, saying they won’t pay the full bill before the due date (29%). CreditSimple.co.nz spokesperson Hazel Phillips said the holiday season was…

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Have you ever felt too lazy to budget? (We may have the answer)

It’s a more common feeling than you might think. According to our recent survey, nearly one in 10 people say they don’t budget because they simply feel too lazy to. Beyond that, one-fifth started a budget but gave it up because they felt it was too difficult. That’s understandable – and it’s okay. But it doesn’t have to be the way things go. Use technology to help you budget When you’re on a budget, how do you track your spending?…

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5 hobbies you don’t have to spend a fortune on

Everyone wants to go fishing without spending money, right? But how do you manage that? You need fishing rods and tackle, a boat (or a lucky spot on the coast) and bait. If you’re new to the game, you’ll have to invest in the equipment, and that expense can really add up. Taking up a new hobby on a budget is possible, but it requires forethought. We all want to try new things (golfing, fishing, off-roading) but don’t have the…

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Money worries giving you a headache? Talk to a financial mentor straight away for free

Being snowed under by bills or chased by a lender or debt collector can feel stressful. Having your bank balance constantly in the red can feel like life is spinning out of control. It can help to talk to someone about what’s happening, get another perspective and put a plan into place. Thanks to Fincap, you can get support for free. Fincap has set up a new helpline, MoneyTalks, which is an easy first port of call for anyone needing…

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Using a credit card for everything? There are other ways to pay

Don’t believe you have to have a credit card. Paying interest sucks. It sucks the lifeblood out of your finances. That’s because unless you clear your entire bill within the interest free days, you pay interest. That interest means you’re paying as much as 22.95% more than your mates at the mainstream banks for the same things, which has a detrimental effect on your finances over time. Other (cheaper) ways to pay Thankfully there are way more credit-free ways to…

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Budget Betty: How much could you save by being smarter with your shopping?

Are you throwing money away every week on your shopping? Maybe you’re committing the Seven Supermarket Shopping Sins? Think online shopping for clothes you absolutely don’t need, or popping into a nice store because you like the look of something in the window and then walking out having spent $300. It’s okay – we’ve all been there. But putting thought into saving money on your grocery shopping can help you to keep your bank account healthy, which means you’ll have…

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Has Cupid’s arrow struck? Don’t date your way into debt!

We know your new girlfriend or boyfriend wants to go out every Friday. Even two drinks each, some snacks and an Uber ride home could set you back $50. It’s dead easy to blow $100 if you throw food in as well. What’s more, dating can send your credit score south. Fast. Let’s say you spend $150 a week going out, $300 a couple of times a year on a weekend away, $200 on his/her birthday, and flowers or chocolates…

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Why being a credit ‘deadbeat’ is actually a good thing

Are you a deadbeat? When it comes to credit cards, that’s actually a good thing. Yep, a ‘deadbeat’ is a term for someone who pays off their credit card in full and on time every month. Why a deadbeat? Well, if you pay off your card each month, the credit card company doesn’t charge you interest  –  so they won’t make any money off you. (Credit card companies also use the much more polite terms ‘non-revolver’ and ‘transactor’.) As a…

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Sick of paying through the nose for power? Here’s how to switch (and save)

Switching power companies sounds straightforward. And it is.  It’s just not quite as simple to get the best deal from electricity and gas suppliers as it appears in the adverts. Armed with a bit of knowledge, however, I promise you it’s almost impossible not to find a better deal. Unless, that is, you’ve already switched in the past few months. Step 1: Choose your site There is a bunch of comparison websites that claim to get you the best deal…

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Are you off your trolley? You could be, with our sneaky tricks to save money on your groceries

Are you off your trolley? You could be if your supermarket bill is creeping over $50 per person for a family. There are so many sneaky tricks to save money on food. You might even find that you’re healthier and happier when you buy more basic food. Don’t say it can’t be done. If your bill is out of control, try some of these tips. Budget. Start with a figure that you want to spend on food each week and…

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