My Money

27/04/2026

Teaching children about money - have you heard about Moneytime?

Moneytime - programme being run in NZ Schools
Do you know what your children are bing taught in school?

This is brilliant and I only just found out from my 10 year old’s teacher because he logged in and didn’t complete the module?

Apparently there are modules they are supposed to complete with parents – giving you a heads up so you don’t miss this experience to connect with your child and build some fundamental life skills.

MoneyTime is the ideal homeschool financial literacy curriculum for 10 to 15 year old kids in New Zealand and Australia.

It combines 30 self-directed personal finance lessons with an interactive game. It teaches them the key principals of successful money management then they learn through trial and error what works while having fun

MoneyTime comprehensively provides the building blocks for your child’s financial future; from earning, saving and investing, to purchasing property, business and insurance

MoneyTime also includes 13 modules created specifically for you to complete with your child. They are optional but recommended as they put your child’s learning into real life context and give them an awareness of real living costs

MoneyTime is an online, self-directed financial literacy program for New Zealand children aged 10–15, featuring 30 interactive, gamified lessons covering earning, saving, investing, and taxes. Used by over 700 schools and 60,000 students, it fits into theNZ curriculum and is also available in te reo Māori.

www.moneytime.co.nz

Key Aspects of the MoneyTime Curriculum

Target Audience: Students aged 10–15 (intermediate and high school levels).

Structure: 30 self-directed, modular lessons that combine interactive gameplay with financial education, reducing the need for direct teaching.

Topics Covered: Saving, budgeting, debt management, investing in shares/property, business basics, taxation, insurance, and career planning (e.g., CV writing).

Gamification: Students earn virtual money for correct answers, which they can spend in virtual stores, helping them make practical, risk-free financial decisions.

Curriculum Alignment: Designed to align with the New Zealand curriculum's financial capability progressions.

Flexibility: Suitable for both classroom use and as a homeschool financial literacy curriculum for New Zealand kids.

Accessibility: Offers a te reo Māori version, ensuring money education for New Zealand kids online at home is accessible to immersion schools.

Parental Role: Includes 13 modules designed for students to complete with parents to encourage family discussion, according to MoneyTime's overview of their program.

Curriculum Context in NZ

Schools Integration: Financial literacy in the New Zealand curriculum is increasingly vital. While some financial math is in the math curriculum, personal finance often fits within Social Studies.

Purpose: The curriculum aims to help students move from "trial and error" with money to making informed financial decisions.

Highly recommend you engage with your children on these matters and don’t be embarrassed if you learn something along the way.

MoneyTime is an online financial literacy program for schools, homeschoolers and home use. Created in NZ to teach financial education to children aged 10 - 14.

06/04/2026

Is it worth switching banks? Some food for thought in this article:

Perceived lack of competition and difficulty combine into an overpowering inertia.

31/03/2026

Navigating Rising Costs and Uncertainty in New Zealand: Practical Steps to Stay in Control

If it feels like everything is getting more expensive lately—you’re not imagining it.

Across New Zealand, many households are feeling the squeeze. Fuel prices continue to fluctuate, the cost of groceries and essentials remains high, and uncertainty around employment is making it harder to plan ahead with confidence.

While these challenges are real, there are still practical steps you can take to regain a sense of control and protect your financial wellbeing.
1. Focus on What You Can Control
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by factors outside your control—global fuel markets, inflation, or economic shifts. Instead, bring your attention back to the things you can influence:
• Your spending habits
• Your savings strategy
• Your debt management
• Your financial planning
Even small adjustments can make a meaningful difference over time.
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2. Review Your Weekly Spending
Start with a simple question: Where is my money actually going?
Fuel and food are two of the biggest pressure points right now, so it’s worth taking a closer look at:
• How often you’re driving and whether trips can be combined
• Subscriptions or expenses you may no longer need
• Opportunities to switch to more cost-effective providers (insurance, power, broadband)
A quick review can often uncover $50–$100 per week in savings without drastically changing your lifestyle.
3. Build a Buffer (Even a Small One)
With job security feeling less certain for many Kiwis, having even a small financial buffer can reduce stress significantly.
If saving feels difficult right now, start small:
• $10–$20 per week is a great beginning
• Use automatic transfers so you don’t have to think about it
• Treat it like a non-negotiable bill
The goal isn’t perfection—it’s progress and peace of mind.
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4. Stay Proactive About Employment
If you’re feeling uncertain about your job, it’s better to act early rather than wait.
Consider:
• Updating your CV and LinkedIn profile
• Checking what roles are currently in demand
• Upskilling or taking short courses where possible
• Having conversations with your employer about stability and future plans
Even if you don’t need to make a move, being prepared puts you in a stronger position.
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5. Be Strategic With Debt
Rising interest rates mean debt can become more expensive over time. If you have loans, credit cards, or a mortgage, now is a good time to:
• Review your interest rates
• Prioritise paying down high-interest debt first
• Talk to your bank or adviser about restructuring options if needed
A small change in your repayment strategy can save you thousands over time.
6. Don’t Go Through It Alone
Financial stress can feel isolating—but you’re not alone. Many New Zealanders are navigating the same challenges right now.
Talking to a financial adviser or using tools that help you track and manage your money can provide clarity and confidence.
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Final Thoughts
Times of uncertainty can feel uncomfortable—but they also create an opportunity to reset, refocus, and build stronger financial habits.
You don’t need to have everything figured out today. What matters most is taking the next small step.
Because even in uncertain times, having a plan—even a simple one—can make all the difference.

18/02/2026

https://youtu.be/6UP0FRHmKE0

The Reserve Bank has kept the Official Cash Rate on hold at 2.25 percent but signalled a gradual increase later this year.It was Governor Anna Breman's first...

07/11/2025

Getting the banks to approve lending on properties with unconsented works be like this. Unless you have the right team

09/10/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/196qR4bU5G/

The Reserve Bank’s eighth rate cut in a year delivers mortgage relief, while a new poll shows voter confidence in National slipping.

20/08/2025

We contacted Stephen initially to assist us in obtaining for first mortgage.
Following our first video meeting I felt Stephen was very professional yet still personable in his approach to our financial situation and understood what we wanted to achieve. He guided us through the process with advise and even taking the time to correspond with us in the evenings and weekends, well outside of traditional working hours.
Within a relatively short period of time Stephen and his team managed to get our pre-approval sorted and we are currently in the final steps of obtaining our unconditional approval for our first home loan.
I cannot thank Stephen enough for his work and patience in this regard, what initially felt like an impossible dream for our little family has been turned into a reality and for that there will always be a space at our dinner table for him.
I highly recommend his services to anyone serious about obtaining a mortgage

28/11/2024

I have noticed some really stressed out people this week and saw this challenge this morning from Keep The Change and I like it so I am repeating it here:

I’m challenging you to sell $200 worth of stuff you don’t need anymore.

You know the stuff I mean: items sitting around your house gathering dust that could be useful to someone else.

Or make an additional $200 before Christmas by service to others.

Once you’ve raised $200, you’ll split it like this:

1. $100 toward Christmas gifts for your family or friends. Helping toward your festive season’s expenses.
2. $100 as a gift to a stranger, someone who could use a hand or a little joy in their life.
Why $100 to a Stranger?

The $100 gift to a stranger doesn’t have to be $100 exactly (that’s just a guide), but it’s about stepping out of your comfort zone.

This is a challenge to look around and notice the people who could use a bit of kindness, especially during the festive season. A time that can be stressful for many.

I’m talking about everyday people: Kiwis, friends, or neighbours who might be carrying financial burdens you can’t see.

It could be:
• A family in the supermarket car park with a big grocery bill,
• A parent juggling three kids leaving the dentist,
• Someone behind you in a queue.
Personally, I’m going to pick a complete random in the street.

Sometimes, just a little act of generosity can lift someone’s spirits in ways you and I can’t imagine.

And it’s not just about the money, it’s about letting someone know that people care, even complete strangers.

To be honest, this is also to challenge you to see what you have money tied up in. To get you thinking about turning an item or service into $$$.

To prove to yourself that you can do it.

I believe that when we are scared of money never coming back around, we are often stuck in scarcity thinking and not giving ourselves the chance of abundance and seeing that there is plenty of money in the world!

In 3 steps, here’s how you can take on the challenge:

1. Declutter your home: find $200 worth of stuff you don’t use anymore and sell it. It could be unused tech, shoes, clothes, tools, or furniture. If you believe you have nothing lying around your house, go into service mode and offer your services to make $200.
2. Split the money: use half for your own Christmas spending and put the other $100 aside for a gift to a stranger.
3. Do the deed: carry that $100 with you until you find someone you feel could use it. You’ll know the moment when you see it.
If you’re shy, you are not off the hook either! You can give anonymously.

• Pay part of someone’s restaurant bill before you leave,
• Cover the cost of their groceries at the checkout.
Or, like I once did, say thanks to a bus driver or someone in a job where gratitude is rare.

It doesn’t even have to be money! Your $100 could be expressed in time, advice, help, or even a thoughtful gesture.

What matters is the thought and the act of giving itself.

06/11/2024

We have been getting a lot of enquiry from people keen to secure their first home. If you would like a copy of our first home buyers guide or know someone who could benefit from reading it, reach out.

The median price paid by first home buyers has fallen in recent years, sitting at $685,000 across the first nine months of 2024.

10/10/2024

With funding being pulled for food banks it is nice to be able to give back. Shout out to Arnott's for the generous supply of Blueby biscuits and Shapes when I asked to help kids who come to school with no lunches.
C3 Ellerslie were able to add the Shapes to the Food Packs that go out to those in need and so nice to be able to receive not just necessities but treats in not just the food hampers but also the lunch packs which I'm sure will bring some sparks of joy