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Build good money habits

To make the most of your money, it pays to think about how and why you spend and save. Pick up tips on how to boost your savings, spend carefully on your wants and living costs, and check your financial health.

Nice ways to say 'no I can't afford that'

Whether it’s a Friday night pub meal with your pals or a weekend away with the whānau, sometimes you just have to say no.

Ways to say I can't afford it

Also in this section

Take on the new year with a financial bang

We knew if we put resolution in the headline you might not read on. So, let’s call it a plan – a plan to leave you financially stronger at the end of the year.

Take on the new year with a financial bang

Starting financial wellbeing conversations

Thinking about your finances can feel hard enough, let alone discussing money with your friends and whānau. These conversation starters could help.

Financial wellbeing conversations

How to manage rising living costs

Food, power bills, petrol prices – you name it – remain high. Here are some ideas that could help you manage higher costs as well as options for assistance.

Managing rising living costs

Five ideas for your financial wellbeing WOF check

Set aside 30 minutes to put your money under the spotlight. There’s no pass or fail, just five easy steps that could help your finances run smoothly.

Financial wellbeing WOF check

Cut your grocery bill with these six hacks

How do you keep grocery costs down without giving up things you love? Here are our top supermarket hacks that could help you save money.

Cut your grocery bill

Five ways to save without sacrificing what you love

Saving – the key is having a realistic plan. Here are five ways to reduce spending and help save more money, without giving up things that are important to you.

Save without sacrifice

How to build a saver mindset

Want to grow that account balance? Your mental approach is key. Saving is less about putting aside large chunks of money and more about attitude.

Build a saver mindset

Three digital habits to help you save

Adapting traditional ways of savings to suit a digital and cashless world can make a big difference over time – to your money habits and your bank balance.

Digital habits to help you save

How to thrive with fewer subscriptions

Hidden among your must-have apps and subscriptions may be some you rarely or never use. Work out which to keep and cut, your bank balance will thank you.

Trim your subscriptions

How to have fun on a shoestring budget

Catching up with friends and whānau needn’t be a budget breaker. Here are cheap and cheerful ideas to balance a social life with spending carefully.

Fun on a budget

How compound interest works

Compound interest might not be widely understood, but it can be powerful when it comes to planning for your future – especially if you start early.

How compound interest works

How to save a $2k cash cushion

A financial reserve or emergency fund helps when the unexpected happens. Here are some ideas to kick-off or build your buffer.

Save a cash cushion

Top tip

To help you save or reduce debt, try paying yourself first. This means setting up regular payments each payday to move money into your savings or loan repayments.

It's a good way to make sure your money goes where it'll benefit you most.

Related articles

Ways for couples to combine their income

Three couples told us their stories about managing money as a team. Here’s how they negotiated their shared expenses and savings goals.

Ways for couples to combine their income

Saving tips for couples

Saving with a significant other means you’re not going it alone. You’ll have twice the skills, resilience and capacity to max your savings.

Saving tips for couples

Save for the future you want

How do you save for a house deposit while also saving for your retirement? And how much do you need? The key is starting early and being consistent.

Save for future you

Related tools

Budget calculator

Plan your spending and saving with our budget calculator. Plug in your after-tax income and main expenses to create a budget that works for you.

Budget calculator

Savings goal calculator

Use this calculator to work out how much money you need to save weekly, monthly or each year to reach your savings goal.

Savings goal calculator

Saver personality type quiz

Take this nine-question quiz to find out if you’re a Spender, Striver or All-Rounder.

What 'Saver Personality Type' are you?(PDF 401.7KB)

Steps to financial wellbeing

Our financial wellbeing programme can help. Try one step or two, or work through the programme's six steps in any order.

Plan your spend

Tips to understand your needs and wants, and then track how you spend your money.

Plan your spend

Set a savings goal

Start with microsavings – putting aside a bit of money each payday – and build up to a goal.

Set a savings goal