Money
IF YOU WANT TO SAVE
in a substantial way, say the experts, make small daily changes. Think long term, and spend time planning your financial future. Be clear on your goals, expenses and disposable income. In such a tight labour market, it’s worth asking for a pay increase at work, or exploring your options elsewhere. But if you’re on a fixed income, or your boss is deaf to your pleas, then the only way to improve your financial situation is to trim costs. Tracking your spending with apps such as PocketSmith and Wally can help. Many banks also provide basic online tools to track your spending. Automate bill payments using online banking, to better track ingoings and outgoings, and check out websites such as Sorted for oodles more advice.
DO YOUR RESEARCH ON POWER, insurance, internet and phone plans, using websites such as Powerswitch, Glimp and LifeDirect. If you haven’t yet retired, then putting at least $20 a week into KiwiSaver is almost always a good idea – the government will part-match your contribution up to $521 a year, and who doesn’t want free money? Make sure you know who your provider is and check the fund you’re in is right for you, using online tools such as Sorted’s Smart Investor.
This story is from the September 3 - 9, 2022 edition of New Zealand Listener.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 3 - 9, 2022 edition of New Zealand Listener.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Candid cameras in wartime
Clandestine photos have been unearthed and turned into a documentary showing Kiwi soldiers during World War II as they have never been seen before.
Return of the queen
Beth Orton brings the personal songs of her career-reviving album to NZ.
Fanny, the musical
How do you turn Jane Austen into opera and why pick Mansfield Park, her most demanding novel? Composer Jonathan Dove explains his approach to Richard Betts.
It's in the blood
Michael Bennett returns his Maori detective to her roots ina convincing, highly anticipated second novel.
Touchstones
Ahead of the Aotearoa Art Fair, Sally Blundell asks New Zealand artists about their favourite local artwork and why it moves them.
Room at the Top
The Opportunities Party could well be a force to be reckoned with as a centrist voice - it's just lacking a leader, a campaign and a lot of money.
Brought to book
He's rich, opinionated and believes in doing good for the community. Property developer Mark Todd is a study in contrasts.
'Why aren't you listening to me?!"
To really understand each other, our brains need to be in sync, says author Charles Duhigg. And, yes, there are ways to get on to the same wavelength.
The virus that came to stay
With current funding for our Covid response drawing to a close, there’s growing recognition that many people are suffering debilitating long-term effects. What’s the next move?
The chips are down
It's a forecast no Irish person with a sense of history expected ever to hear again: a severe potato shortage looms.