Sue from Auckland writes, “My budgeting system: to make sure all expenses are prepared for, I have separate bank accounts for different purposes – eg power, groceries, car, education, gifts, fun, etc (12 accounts in total), every week at payday I put the calculated weekly expense of each category (averaged across the whole year) into […]
Sue from Auckland writes about her budgeting system. To make sure all expenses are prepared for, I have separate bank accounts for different purposes – eg power, groceries, car, education, gifts, fun, etc (12 accounts in total). Every week at payday I put the calculated weekly expense of each category (averaged across the whole year) […]
Last week the Government released its Budget, and given that lots of people had lots to say about lots of things, we thought we would report on the Oily Rag Minister of Finance’s Alternative Budget. The first paragraph of that budget speech went like this: “Let us not wallow in the valley of despair. I […]
I am on a low income and started a coin jar. I only ever took money out for the bus and I just took it to the bank and cashed in (five month later), it turned out to be $309. Just goes to show how quickly it builds up!
Pay bills on time and if there is a discount for early repayment then take advantage of it. Don’t get behind on your power and telephone to avoid disconnection and re-connection charges. Avoid the temptation to buy on tick. This applies especially to motor vehicles, furniture, clothes, holidays and hobbies. It’s bad enough that […]
I have a lot of fun entering free competitions. I do well winning cash and goods. All of the winnings are used for debt repayment.
If you use a credit card, and many people are nowadays to collect reward points, make sure you make prepayments in full and on time.
I think the only way to prepare for each Xmas is to put some money away each week, fortnight or whatever and try NOT to use it during the year. It makes things so much easier and not so stressful. Buy presents during the year but it this doesn’t happen put a limit on each […]
Always include some sanity money in your budget as it means you are less likely to spend other money that you need for something else. Get this money out in cash each pay day and when it is gone it is gone – NO SWIPING!
Save all change given to you at shops that is under $1. Our family of three adults has made this a habit. We use an old glass vase and all the 10, 20, and 50 cents pieces get dropped in after each shopping trip. We only dip into it if we need parking meter money. […]