All tagged KiwiSaver

What does ‘locking in your losses’ mean?

What does ‘locking in your losses’ mean?

Ruth
Investment, KiwiSaver, Retirement, Simplicity

In mid-March, I happened to have RNZ on in the background when one of their guests mentioned that they got such a fright at the drop in their KiwiSaver balance that they immediately switched from a Growth fund into a Conservative fund in an effort to stop themselves losing money. I remember stopping what I was doing and smacking myself on the head in a Homer Simpson ‘DUH’ moment and saying out loud to myself “Noooo. What did she do that for? And why did she have to say it on the radio where other people might think it’s a good idea to do the same?”

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 share market is doing what it does, so JUST CHILL!

The share market is doing what it does, so JUST CHILL!

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

I’ve had a “conscious uncoupling” from worldwide events and am instead reflecting back on the basics of how Jonny and I operate to make sure we are steering our waka in roughly the right direction during these rough waters. This is the first more serious market dip I’ve been through but I’ve read enough and learned enough from those who have gone before to know that the right thing to do is just hold my course and hold my nerve.

Applying The Barefoot Investor in NZ - UPDATE

Applying The Barefoot Investor in NZ - UPDATE

Ruth
Index Funds, KiwiSaver, Personal Finance, Retirement, Shares, Simplicity, SmartShares, SuperLife, Insurance, Sharesight, Hatch, Sharesies, ETF

I originally wrote this blog post back in December 2018 and I’ve decided it was time to make a few updates to it so that all those people reading the book for the first time and those who are following along with the Barefoot Investor principles have a good New Zealand resource to come to. If you have read my original post, while it’s still relevant, this one is quite different because it takes into account different providers of services, so I encourage you to read this one too!

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.

What's my Asset Allocation?

What's my Asset Allocation?

Ruth
Cryptocurrency, Gold, Hatch, Index Funds, KiwiSaver, Shares, Sharesies, Simplicity, SmartShares, ETF

I’ve been getting a few emails and comments along the lines of “can you please consider a post about your overall investment portfolio.” My investing strategy is pretty simple and straightforward and I can't help but think that those who work day in day out in the finance space will scoff and laugh at my lack of analysis and strategy. But don’t scoff too hard, because it appears to be working just fine, thank you. Here is how I allocate the money that comes into my life.

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