Throughout American history, women have played a significant role in shaping the nation's financial landscape — often in ways that haven't received widespread recognition. We're taking a moment to highlight 20 women whose contributions to money and finance have helped influence systems and challenge the status quo.
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“He said the shares are speculative — in the future they could be worth something, or be worthless. Either way, he thought it would be a fun experience to follow.” In his latest update, teenage investor Jordan shares insights from his beginner's journey into individual stock investment, as he researches the ins and outs of a mining company.
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With the threat of a recession making headlines around the world, it can be hard to know how your personal finances could be affected. From rising prices to job instability, there are a number of ways an economic recession can impact you as an individual, and we’re breaking down what you need to know to help you prepare.
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Investing can seem overwhelming, especially when you're bombarded with conflicting advice. Luckily, the Bogleheads, proponents of Vanguard Group founder John Bogle's investing philosophy, offer a simple approach to investing your money that will leave you with better results than the vast majority of financial managers. The two main words you'll need to know: Index Funds!
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“I decided some time ago to make changes before I feel the financial squeeze upon my family, which, if I don't take my foot off the spending gas pedal now, it will inevitably do.” Ruth shares how she’s using PocketSmith to support her sustainable changes to her finances in the face of the current rise in the cost of living.
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“However you want to do it, PocketSmith makes tracking your loan payments easy.” Paying off your student loan — the perennial monkey on the back of many Millennials and Gen Zers. Rachel shares how she’s using PocketSmith to tackle her student loan repayments, and the peace of mind that comes with it.
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Netflix account sharing is over – what next?! The king of streaming services is finally enacting its "no password sharing" manifesto, which signals another potential monthly cost for thousands of people worldwide. So it begs the question: Do you consider your streaming services a valuable spend, or a pointless expense?
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Home renovations can be a dreamy aspiration for would-be interior designers or an absolute nightmare for those who are DIY-adverse. Whether you’re renovating your forever home, getting ready to sell or want to provide a comfortable rental, check out how you can fight the financial stress of home renovations in the latest edition of Ruth’s Two Cents.
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When it comes to spending money, we’re big fans of maximizing your bang-for-buck value — and loyalty programs are a great way to do that. From cashback rewards to credit card bonuses, here are the top seven rewards programs to join in Australia to start earning those sweet, sweet perks.
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For Ruth's husband Jonny, freelancing didn't feel so free anymore. By considering what financial freedom meant to them and using PocketSmith to get a clear picture of their financial position, Ruth says that "the move from a self-employed freelancer back to an employee could be made not based on money but on finding a good work/life balance".
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While the end of a financial year usually comes and goes without much fanfare for most salaried workers, it can be an extremely busy and stressful time for those that are self-employed. Freelancer Rachel speaks from experience and outlines ways to maneuver your finances through an important part of the tax calendar.
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While buying a house is a lifelong goal for many people, it’s become an incredibly expensive endeavor. But it’s not all doom and gloom if you’re part of the renting lifestyle! Here are five financial advantages that renting has over home ownership.
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“Like the Fellowship, PocketSmith brings a bunch of different skills to the table.” In one of history’s greatest pieces of fantasy, the core of the Fellowship is a system that is greater than the sum of its parts. Tolkein fan and PocketSmith user Rachel joins the two for a delightful comparison that will have you more satisfied than second breakfast.
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The dreaded T word: Tax. Whether you're feeling the pinch of the current cost of living or not, paying less tax is always a bonus. Accountant and tax agent Sam answers a reader's question on achievable tax-saving strategies to minimize the expense of one of life's inevitables.
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What do you do when disaster strikes? After losing her house to an earthquake, Ruth understands the stress of a situation like this. In this edition of Ruth's Two Cents, she's answering a reader's question on how to prepare for, and ultimately get through, a financial emergency.
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Being your own boss comes with many perks. You work on your own terms, get to choose when and where you spend your time, and you work towards building your own dream rather than someone else’s. Being solely responsible for your income can be overwhelming, but cash flow forecasting can help you feel more in control of your self-employed income.
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Us Kiwis are well known for our ingenuity! New Zealand is lucky to have such a deep pool of innovation, especially in fintech. Rachel details her favorite Kiwi-owned finance apps, and how she’s used them to create a living ecosystem for all aspects of her financial management.
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There’s still debate whether a recession will hit this year, and where. But just the concept and its potential financial impacts can be stressful to many people. Ruth shares her mantra for prepping for a possible recession, and why she’s not conceding to the panic.
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When you’ve got a rigid budget, it can be hard to mentally justify spending money on things outside the basics. But even a small amount invested regularly is amplified over time. Adam from The Stock Dork shares how you can still be an investor when you’re following a stringent financial plan.
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In this new era of accessible tech and remote working, the world is your oyster! Digital nomadism is skyrocketing in popularity, where people can work and play completely location-independent. If you’re considering an overseas work adventure, check out these great tips to thrive while you’re traveling and earning.
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You’ve just signed up to PocketSmith and you’re ready to fully harness its money management power — now what? If you’re looking to make the most out of your shiny new PocketSmith account, check out what user Rachel would have told her newbie self now that she’s a pro.
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Many of you have probably asked yourself whether testing Buy Now Pay Later services out is a worthwhile move. If you take a frugal and no-nonsense approach to your finances like Ruth does, you might agree with her assessment. Read why she’s opting to stay clear of Buy Now Pay Later, and letting delayed gratification steer her budget instead.
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The beginning of each year is the perfect time to get a handle on your personal finances, but with the explosion of content in the space it can sometimes seem overwhelming. Podcasts can be a great conversation to listen in on and help form a strategy for navigating your own way to financial freedom, so we’ve compiled a list of our favorites to get you started!
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Go with the flow! Sankey diagrams are a technique to show the flow of resources, and can be a great tool for visualizing data. Hear how Rachel is using PocketSmith’s native Sankey widget to see trends and better understand and interact with her finances.
Money tips
New year’s resolutions are a contentious topic. Some love them, some hate them, and as the world falls out of love with toxic hustle culture, the way we set resolutions is changing. We’re big fans of healthy resolutions that help you get closer to your goals, without burning you out. Here are eight of our favorites.
