Finances

Finances

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PIGGY BANK

Dummies' guide to shares

Government asset sales are making the sharemarket relevant again. Here's how to get up to speed.

Sweeteners please solo mum

The Budget contains some surprise sweeteners for struggling families.

Five ways to get ahead

The only way to get away from living from one pay packet to the next is to commit to a household budget.

Credit-card rewards fall

Credit-card reward schemes are slipping in value, with annual fees and interest outweighing the benefits for many.

First home purchase just got harder

First-home buyers are in the firing line as the Reserve Bank takes aim at the overvalued housing market.

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credit union

A viable alternative

Credit unions are essentially the same as a small bank. The real difference is the way they operate.

Kiwisaver

Chossing a KiwiSaver fund

Take responsibility for KiwiSaver choices - you're going to have to live with the results.

sparksman

Save on school costs

Mid-year school expenses can catch busy families off-guard, so Laura Walters has some tips for parents on budgeting.

grandmother

Golden years sacrificed

Retirees have a sweet spot of 10 years to enjoy themselves, but are increasingly caring for grandkids.

Money, cash, coins, New Zealand dollar

Savings for second baby

At 26 weeks, I've still not bought anything for baby number two. There's plenty of stuff I don't need and won't use.

Money, cash, coins, New Zealand dollar

Blended-family finances

Couples who have children from previous relationships have to overcome a number of tricky financial issues.

Smile

Parental leave bill veto

PM says parents will have to wait until at least 2015 before the Government considers extending paid parental leave because it can't afford it now.

Piggy bank

Money 'stressful'

A dismal 43 per cent of us are feeling bad about our long-term financial future, survey reveals.

mortgage

Mortgage heaven?

Home owners face pressure when low mortgage rate-rising house market combination ends.

Young worker

Time is money for young savers

When used wisely, youthfulness gives young bucks a big advantage over the old fogeys.

Kiwisaver

Your KiwiSaver

What you need to know about the biggest KiwiSaver fund categories: conservative, balanced, and growth.

Piggy bank kid

Kids' banking falls short

If banks were to get a school report on their packages for youngsters, most would read "Could do better".

Cash generic

Banks are banking on you

Banks made $2.13 a day for every man, woman and child in the country in the final months of 2012.

Lyn Webster

Baking soda beauty

Lyn Webster now spends only $35 a week on household shopping, she tells us how.

Ondine Grace

Ten tips for savings success

Rather than going to the same old experts, here are 10 pearls of wisdom gleaned from two Super Savers.

mortgage

Mortage decision time

OPINION: What are the advantages and disadvantages of fixed and floating interest rates?

PIGGY BANK

Good debt versus bad debt

Financial experts say you should never borrow money to purchase an item that isn't going to grow in value.

shopping

Men the big spenders

Women are managing finances better than men for the first time in nearly two years, a new survey shows.

windfall coins

What to do with a windfall

When it comes to money, we're used to hearing, "I don't have enough", but what about those who have some?

birthday party

Simplifying birthdays

Not so long ago that a child's birthday party was celebrated at home with a few friends, games of pass the parcel, and some fairy bread and cheerios.

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