Money & You

Why hibernating isn't always good for your pocket

July 9, 2024

At a time when more and more New Zealanders are juggling their finances, and many are finding it harder to breathe, the recent announcements of funding cuts to budgeting services can feel like a difficult pill to swallow.

Sasha says, "We'd expect that increasing the capacity and reach of organisations supporting whanau with their finances is crucial for Aotearoa to collectively weather this current cold economic spell.

If you read the headlines at the moment, it's all a bit depressing. If you haven't read them here are a few (dismal) lowlights:

  1. The latest Centrix report shows that 474,000 people are behind in their debt repayments
  2. Recent announcements by MSD saw 44 budgeting services lose their funding, making many wonder whether people will go for help
  3. As winter temperatures bite, families are making tough choices between food, electricity, and other bills. Energy poverty is on the rise...
  4. Unemployment has risen to 4.3%, with more people chasing fewer jobs

It's important to remember that even if you live in an area where your local budgeting service is closing, or has a long wait list, fear not!

There ARE options that can help you.  Here are a few of our favourites:

💡Sorted Set up your account, review your spending, and create goals!💡

💡 Frances Cook - Journalist Cooking the Books podcast has digestible (and relatable!) content and information. 

💡 Keep The Change is a Kiwi based page that provides tips, tricks, and opinions on current news

And, there's always your friends, family, and heaps of content available through your bank or our blog spot https://www.moneysweetspot.co.nz/blogspot

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