https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/Mon, 27 Apr 2026 09:05:55 +0000en-USSite-Server v@build.version@ (http://www.squarespace.com)Ruth - Personal Finance BloggerAsking New Zealanders the Personal Finance questions everyone else is too polite to ask.falseRuthruth@thebuxsaver.comepisodicYour friends might not want to talk about money, but I do! Hi, I’m Ruth and I’m a blogger on Personal Finance and in this podcast I tell the stories of Kiwis and their experiences with the money in their lives. How do they use it or how does it use them? Where do they save and invest it and does it work? What are their financial triumphs and financial train wrecks? How can you extract the most out of life and spend as little as possible while doing it? Join me as I ask the questions everyone else is too polite to ask but is dying to know about New Zealanders and their money. Happy Saving! Ruth

]]>Money JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithFinancial IndependenceKiwiSaverRuthWed, 29 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/rebuilding-after-divorce572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:69ef2703053aed54d3af9950Ruth120. Rebuilding After DivorceThis episode shares the story of Emma, a solo mum who, from the outside, appears to have it all together: a home of her own, strong finances, and a clear plan for the future. But behind that picture is years of hardship, resilience, and determination to rebuild her life after leaving an unhealthy marriage. She is now rebuilding from a much stronger foundation, describing her life as being in “financial rehab,” making up for lost time as she steadily rights her waka and moves into calmer waters. Through grit, determination, and a series of deliberate, intentional steps, she has rebuilt her confidence and created a safer, more stable life for herself and her children. Emma chose to share her story to help other women who may be feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to begin. Her journey is a powerful reminder that change is possible, step by step, and that with the right support, courage, and practical action, you can work your way toward safety, stability, and a future where you truly believe: I am going to be OK.false01:11:26120. Rebuilding After Divorce120. Rebuilding After DivorceMoney JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithMoney EducationFinancial IndependenceKiwiSaverRental PropertySharesSimplicityRuthWed, 08 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/out-of-property-into-funds572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:69d181632b29ce400a43f98aRuth119. Revisit with Rachel and David: Out of Property, Into FundsBack in November 2017, in Episode 04, I sat down with Rachel and David. They had reached financial independence long before the term was widely used, doing it through property and achieving what many Kiwi investors dream of: owning a portfolio of rental properties outright, spending little time managing them, and living off the income. They had around $3 million in equity across their rental properties, not including their own home, and a lifestyle built on freedom, travel, and choice. It was one of the first real examples I’d seen of property generating enough income to fully fund a life. Eight years later, their story has taken a very different turn. They’ve moved away from property and into the share market, with the help of a plan they took the time to properly understand and make their own. We talk about why they made the change, how they approached it, and what it looks like to shift from one asset class to another without losing sight of the bigger picture. Rachel and David are a great reminder that money is not just something to protect and preserve, but something that can be used to create freedom, joy, generosity, and a life well lived. As they said to me at the end of our chat: “We have abundance.” And it’s pretty special to hear what that looks like in real life.false00:43:55119. Revisit with Rachel and David: Out of Property, Into Funds119. Revisit with Rachel and David: Out of Property, Into FundsMoney JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithMoney EducationRuthTue, 10 Mar 2026 23:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/living-well-spending-less572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:69ac9bfc1dff2d14e974e4eaRuth118. Living Well, Spending LessEmily and I first met over email and via one of my Phone A Friend chats back in late 2023. Like me, she loves regional Aotearoa and everything it has to offer. She’s happily ensconced in the Taumarunui community, and she has exactly the right attitude to thrive in a small town. She gets stuck in, makes things happen, and helps out whenever needed. She owns a tiny house on rented land and works a variety of jobs. From a young age, Emily decided that financial independence was essential to her. Since the age of 19, she has stood on her own two feet financially, and she told me that doing so is essential to her well-being. She has never been a high earner, but she has paid her own way regardless. More recently, she has invested time in her financial education, and that has led to her investing her money too. She’s focused on living a vibrant life today, while also planning for a secure future. By sharing her own journey today, she hopes to be the catalyst that inspires others to take control of their money and build a life they absolutely love, as she has.false00:53:10118. Living Well, Spending Less118. Living Well, Spending LessMoney JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithMoney EducationRental PropertyRuthTue, 17 Feb 2026 23:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/owning-rental-property-is-a-business572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:698e4df3a241657823c75b37Ruth117. Owning Rental Property is a BusinessI really enjoyed creating this episode because it explores a form of investing that doesn’t often feature heavily in the wealth-building stories I usually share. I spoke at length with Lilly about the successful property investment business she and her husband, James, built together, and what struck me most was the intention behind it. This wasn’t accidental landlording, but a strategy grounded in maths, business savvy, long hours, and consistent hard work. The more I learned about how they deliberately grew their rental portfolio, the more I wanted to share their story as an example of how property, when done well, can be incredibly lucrative. I have no doubt this conversation will leave many listeners reflecting carefully on their own investment property decisions.false01:07:36117. Owning Rental Property is a Business117. Owning Rental Property is a BusinessMoney JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithMoney EducationRuthTue, 27 Jan 2026 23:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/separating-finances-after-decades-of-marriage572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:6976b243186a0c7831748935Ruth116. Separating Finances After Decades of MarriageIn today’s episode, I had the great pleasure of speaking with Carla. She lives in a small regional town in the South Island with her husband and their three children. Carla’s story is about money, but it’s also about health. I don’t think I’ve spoken with someone with quite the mix of things going on that Carla has, but listening to such a wide variety of people share their money journeys on this podcast has given her the courage to make some big changes in her own life, because she knows that no two people manage money the same, and you do what works for you and your whānau. Her story is about stress. It’s about values. And it’s about what it can look like to protect your relationships, while also protecting yourself. Carla and I have been emailing back and forth for quite a few years now, and those emails tell a story I absolutely love to witness: the slow, steady progression of thought over time. It’s like watching someone move from, “I should probably look at this,” to, “Oh wow, I’m actually doing this,” to, “This is now how I live.”false00:42:02116. Separating Finances After Decades of Marriage116. Separating Finances After Decades of MarriageMoney JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithMoney EducationRuthTue, 16 Dec 2025 23:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/i-feel-like-im-the-only-one572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:693f321503bf205945222755Ruth115. I Feel Like I’m The Only OneJennifer first emailed me in early 2023 after listening to all my podcasts. She knew I was a big advocate for parents teaching kids to invest and had a few questions, including one detail that really caught my attention. Her then 17 and 19-year-old children didn’t know they had a small amount of money coming their way at 25. She wanted to keep it secret, plus they had zero interest in investing. That sparked an ongoing email exchange, and nearly three years later, we’re here, with Jennifer finally agreeing to share a much deeper financial story than she first intended. She genuinely thought she was the only one in her position, struggling to make ends meet, trying to get out of debt, and managing a solo financial journey within a happy marriage. This episode is a frank look at how so many couples who think about money very differently are actually dealing with it today, and why her experience is far more normal than she realised. I know there will be people listening who see themselves in her story and come away with reassurance, clarity, and a sense of what’s possible.false00:57:49115. I Feel Like I’m The Only One115. I Feel Like I’m The Only OneMoney JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithMoney EducationRuthTue, 18 Nov 2025 23:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/engineering-a-solid-financial-life-together572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:69113b89fd36f67331a10919Ruth114. Engineering a Solid Financial Life TogetherToday I’m sharing the story of Steve and Sarah, a UK couple who, many years ago, packed up their lives, moved to Aotearoa, and built a really solid financial life together. From the get-go, they’ve been a great team with money: well-educated, curious, hard-working, and brave enough to take big leaps when the chance came along. Over the years, they’ve invested in property, shares, and themselves, learning plenty along the way. Like many of us, they’ve had a few financial detours, several property disasters, but their long-term habit of saving and investing has quietly set them up for a strong and flexible future as they approach retirement in their late 50s. This conversation is full of insights from Steve’s engineer’s brain, the steady teamwork he and Sarah share, and the real-life curveballs that have made them rethink what matters most. It’s an honest, practical story about the power of keeping things simple, staying curious, and building the kind of financial life that lets you enjoy today, while still planning for tomorrow. Whenever I pick up the phone for a kōrero with someone like Steve, I know I’m in for a detailed chat, and he didn’t disappoint, and I’m sure that those listening will be able to pull out little nuggets of wisdom from the information he shared.false01:07:44114. Engineering a Solid Financial Life Together114. Engineering a Solid Financial Life TogetherMoney JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithMoney EducationRuthTue, 28 Oct 2025 23:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/late-financial-bloomers-proof-its-never-too-late-to-start572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:68fde2aa595dd8755a8bbaa0Ruth113. Late Financial Bloomers: Proof It’s Never Too Late to StartMaria and Michelle were late financial bloomers who only really got started in their 50s. Now 71 and 69, they’ve paid off their mortgage and student loan, invested in the sharemarket, built up $1,000,000 in savings and investments, and receive NZ Super and a US pension. Through hard work, investing as much of their income as they possibly could, and carefully tracking and measuring their progress, they went from feeling anxious about retirement to completely calm about it. For Maria, money had always meant security, yet for a variety of reasons, she kept making poor financial decisions throughout much of her adult life. She knew what to do, save, invest, be sensible, but never quite managed to pull it all together. Moving from the US to New Zealand at age 50, however, felt like pressing a giant reset button. She’d always invested in her education, and she brought that knowledge with her. Soon after, she met her partner Michelle, who was equally qualified but also late to the financial party. Together, they realised they were well set up to succeed if they put in the effort. And so, they did. They’re a textbook example of starting right where you are, no matter your age. And I have to say, this was one of the most enjoyable conversations I’ve had in a long time.false01:07:44113. Late Financial Bloomers: Proof It’s Never Too Late to Start113. Late Financial Bloomers: Proof It’s Never Too Late to StartMoney JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithMoney EducationRuthTue, 07 Oct 2025 23:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/resilience-balance-community-and-happiness572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:68e1b874d52acc382f4a814dRuth112. Resilience, Balance, Community, and HappinessThis week, I’m sharing the story of Rachel, a 90s kid from Timaru. Rachel is the youngest of four, with three brothers, and a ten year gap between her and her oldest brother, and they all grew up with a stay at home mum and a Dad who always took any and every job he could to provide for their family. Although Rachel just assumed that hers might be a standard life plan of go to school, complete some tertiary study at some point, get a full-time job and work your way up the career ladder, she has ended up veering off on a path entirely of her own making. Aged 32, she now works where and when she wants to and is not afraid to work full-time or not at all. She’s created a financial cushion for herself, which is smaller than you might expect, but it's plenty enough for her. This is coupled with a large and supportive family and community, meaning she gets to go out and be herself, knowing she’s never alone. I reckon that Rachel’s story is one of resilience, adaptability, and crafting a life that balances work, faith, community, and financial independence on her own terms, and she is genuinely happy and content with where she has been and where she is yet to go.false00:58:08112. Resilience, Balance, Community, and Happiness112. Resilience, Balance, Community, and HappinessMoney JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithMoney EducationRuthWed, 17 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/moving-closer-to-financial-independence572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:68c3924fcc7af614d4847aa3Ruth111. Moving Closer to Financial IndependenceIn today’s episode, I spoke with Marian, who in turn spoke on behalf of herself and her husband, Jon. Originally from the Netherlands and now based in New Zealand, they’re in the middle of a big transition, preparing to sell their home in the greater Wellington region and move down to Canterbury as they edge closer to semi-retirement. It’s a big transition in many ways, but moving location is something this couple have regularly done throughout their lives, and Marian in particular enjoys the whole process of heading off to live in a new house and discover a new area. Today’s episode gave me a fascinating insight into growing up and working in the Netherlands, and how and why a couple would want to give all of that up to move to New Zealand. Born savers, these two have always had their eye on their wallet, and that simple habit, of living on less than you make, has certainly been a big part of their success today. But forays into using a financial advisor and investing in rental property didn’t serve them well when they tried to take that next step into investing. It was really only when they stepped back and decided to educate themselves and manage their own index fund investments that they got off the side roads and onto the freeway to financial independence. Now, with a move to Te Waipounamu ahead and the ability to step back from full-time work, Marian and Jon are at an exciting stage of life, still aiming to reach their financial goals, but with the freedom to shape what the future looks like.false00:54:14111. Moving Closer to Financial Independence111. Moving Closer to Financial IndependenceMoney JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithMoney EducationRuthWed, 27 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/no-more-using-the-house-as-an-atm572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:68aae59ceda60a05a3b4f9bdRuth110. No More Using the House as an ATMToday’s guest, Gail, has been on quite the financial trip and she’s still very much on it. Back in 2019, at age 41, she experienced a wake-up call. She found herself with plenty on her plate: a failing business, an income of just $25,000, no savings, no emergency fund, drawing down on her mortgage to pay the mortgage, mounting IRD debt, $4,000 on the credit card, and using buy now, pay later just to cover the basics in life. After listing down her not insignificant problems, she asked herself how on earth she could get out of this mess. But, at that stage, no ideas were forthcoming other than finding a new husband, getting back together with the old one, or winning the lottery. Ultimately, she realised that she was the solution to her own problems. As you’ve heard from many guests on this podcast, a bit of knowledge and time can make all the difference. Today, aged 47, Gail’s got a plan. And that is to put the past behind her, build her future and retire by the age of 53. Her financial situation is so common, and by sharing her story, she’s not only showing how far she’s come, but also helping others believe they can turn things around too. In fact, Gail credits this very podcast as one of the sparks that got her started on this journey. She told me, “I never would have thought it possible if I hadn’t heard of other people doing it, and just hearing the variety of ways that people have made their situation better was a huge help to me.”false01:09:41110. No More Using the House as an ATM110. No More Using the House as an ATMMoney JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithMoney EducationRuthWed, 06 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/putting-up-some-financial-scaffolding-after-50572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:688d6bb86ebe9f5b6eb43a45Ruth109. Putting Up Some Financial Scaffolding After 50This week's podcast is all about 51-year-old Julian. We picked up the phone for a good old kōrero in late June 2025. Let’s just say, if talking were an Olympic sport, Julian and I would tie for first place. Late in 2023, useful financial resources started appearing on his radar, not that he tuned into them fully, but they set him on a journey. From there, he began his financial U-turn, which led him to The Bux Saver and all the inspiring stories I’ve shared. He discovered The Barefoot Investor, Rebel Finance School, Mr. Money Mustache, and the world of financial security and independence in general. In this way, he feels that as a late starter, he has found a community that values discussing money. And although he still has a way to go, and he’s easily distracted, he’s feeling increasingly confident with the financial scaffolding he has begun to put in place. He’s got 14 years to go before his 65th birthday and, if he can keep himself on track (something that doesn’t come easily to him), he’s setting himself up for success.false01:02:25109. Putting Up Some Financial Scaffolding After 50109. Putting Up Some Financial Scaffolding After 50Money JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithMoney EducationRuthWed, 16 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/living-by-design-not-by-default572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:68743dc79e0cfe390932672cRuth108. Living by Design, Not by DefaultIn today’s episode, you’ll hear from an awesome couple, Kate and Taka, aged 33 and 34, who are doing life and money a little differently, and doing it well. From the moment we started talking, I could tell they’d put a lot of thought into not just their finances, but how they want to live. Over the past few years, they’ve made some bold, intentional choices: moving south, stepping back from full-time work to each working just two days a week, and prioritising time with their three young kids. It’s not the typical path, but it’s one they’ve carved out thoughtfully and intentionally. And mathematically. We chat about how they’ve managed to build a life that gives them both freedom and stability by sticking with frugal habits from their student days, questioning whether more work really means more money, and making financial decisions as a true team. Taka’s a fan of the numbers, Kate brings the big-picture perspective, and together they’ve found a rhythm that works. This episode is packed with practical tips, honest insights, and a refreshing example of what it looks like to live by design, not by default.false01:04:14108. Living by Design, Not by Default108. Living by Design, Not by DefaultMoney JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithMoney EducationRuthWed, 25 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/revisit-with-hamish-an-investor-with-military-precision572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:68522e73d3065b3993c92435Ruth107. Revisit with Hamish: An investor with military precision!This is a revisit episode, I enjoy doing these because I like you wonder, “Whatever happened to…?” I last spoke with Hamish in 2021, Episode 50, An Investor With Military Precision, back when he was a 27-year-old solo homeowner and disciplined saver working in the New Zealand military. Fast-forward four years, and life has changed: he’s now 31, married to Sophie, and the two of them are navigating homeownership, investing, and future planning as a team. It’s clear from talking to Hamish that theirs is a partnership built on communication, respect, and shared goals. With two minds on the case, they’re refining their investment strategy, slowly shifting from property-heavy assets toward a simpler, more diversified approach, while still living a good life with their growing whānau.false00:36:55107. Revisit with Hamish: An investor with military precision!107. Revisit with Hamish: An investor with military precision!Money JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithMoney EducationRuthWed, 04 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/revisit-with-neil-a-financially-complicated-breakup572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:68390d6ceaf0e605f61ff2fcRuth106. Revisit with Neil: A Financially Complicated BreakupThis episode revisits my August 2022 conversation with Neil in Episode 69, A Financially Complicated Breakup. Now 52, Neil has lived in New Zealand for 20 years, working in IT since moving from the UK in 2005. He retained his UK property as a rental and began learning about personal finance around 2006. When KiwiSaver started in 2007, he joined up, and by our first chat, his KiwiSaver had grown to $200,000. After a previous long-term relationship ended with a fair asset split, Neil began to invest more and more in a range of ETF funds. A new relationship followed, and he became a father, but without a relationship property agreement in place, the eventual breakup led to a bitter legal dispute over money. Hearing his story offered a valuable male perspective on something I more often hear from women: lengthy, painful separations marked by financial and emotional strain. Often, there’s already a financial imbalance, which becomes even more difficult when children are involved and time off work affects a woman’s earning power. While I’m mindful this is only Neil’s side of the story, I’m pleased to share that this challenging chapter ultimately ended well, and I hope the details provide insight and hope to others navigating similar situations.false00:36:41106. Revisit with Neil: A Financially Complicated Breakup106. Revisit with Neil: A Financially Complicated BreakupMoney JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithMoney EducationRuthWed, 14 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/a-lumpy-journey-no-need-to-go-anywhere-in-a-straight-line572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:681ace903fedac46feace4c3Ruth105. A Lumpy Journey – No Need to Go Anywhere in a Straight LineIn this episode, I chat with Tracey, a long-time reader and listener of The Bux Saver who first came on my radar through her detailed Debt Free Questionnaire in 2022. Tracey and her husband have reached what's known as Coast FI—meaning they already have enough money invested that, even if they never added another dollar to their investments, by the time they reach 65, it will have grown to their required amount. This gives them the flexibility to reduce their working hours in their self-employed HR roles if they choose. We dig into how Tracey got herself to this point and where she plans to take it from here. It’s an interesting episode, with quite a bit of complexity, but I think it’s a fascinating one, as this couple have independently and collectively created a lot of options for themselves. Tracey said she has had a “lumpy” journey, and that “there is no need to go anywhere in a straight line.” The key for her is that she is making progress. She is a firm believer in setting up an investment, making regular contributions to it, but not being afraid to make changes and do things differently as you continue to research and learn new information.false00:51:59105. A Lumpy Journey – No Need to Go Anywhere in a Straight Line105. A Lumpy Journey – No Need to Go Anywhere in a Straight LineMoney JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithMoney EducationRuthWed, 23 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/i-have-stopped-sleepwalking-through-my-finances572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:67f89b81e44845136dde5726Ruth104. I Have Stopped Sleepwalking Through My FinancesAfter my long kōrero with Sammy to prepare this episode, my head was spinning from all the twists and turns of her story. After 57 years of personal and financial trauma, last year, in 2024, Sammy had her “aha” moment when she said “Screw it, I’m sick of this,” and started to let a little light shine on her money. Once she had opened the door a crack, she basically just ripped the whole roof off her financial life, and has had a complete, and hopefully permanent, financial transformation. She’s not done yet; she has some mahi in front of her, but she is well on her way. I’ll often meet people who blow up their financial lives for the better, and the progress they make is astounding. Sammy is one of these people. Twice divorced, and with three children, one of whom has special needs, she has spent many years often living below the poverty line and buying bread and milk on a credit card that she could not pay off, and sometimes she has made decisions that kept her on the poverty line. Over the decades, she trained as a teacher and stabilised her situation, but still made questionable financial choices, until finally, aged 58 today, she is charging ahead.false01:03:07104. I Have Stopped Sleepwalking Through My Finances104. I Have Stopped Sleepwalking Through My FinancesMoney JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithMoney EducationRuthTue, 01 Apr 2025 23:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/20-year-old-on-the-path-to-financial-freedom572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:67e5f0c1a88d2928fadfacabRuth103. 20-Year-Old on the Path to Financial FreedomIn November 2024, I attended Black FI-Day, New Zealand’s first financial independence hui. Nearly 40 people gathered for this three-day event to share their financial journeys. One of them was Amelie, the person in the spotlight today. Just 19 at the time, she showed up on her own and was understandably nervous. But before long, every participant was in awe of this young wahine from Taranaki, who had decided that if spending a weekend with a bunch of strangers meant learning about money and building financial confidence, it was worth the risk. She got fully involved in the weekend, even sharing her situation in a case study that she presented to the group. Now 20, she joined me for a kōrero, giving me the chance to dive deeper into her money journey. I hope today’s episode resonates with teens, 20-somethings, and to the adults who happen to have a young person in their midst.false00:46:27103. 20-Year-Old on the Path to Financial Freedom103. 20-Year-Old on the Path to Financial FreedomMoney JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithMoney EducationRuthTue, 11 Mar 2025 23:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/once-you-have-won-the-money-game-stop-and-enjoy-life572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:67c51baa18b9881a1fe96a00Ruth102. Once you have won the money game, stop and enjoy life.Today, I’m sharing the financial ins and outs of Alan and Katie Donegan, the world-travelling English couple behind Rebel Finance School. Over the years, we have become friends, and learning about their journey to financial independence and then watching them move into full retirement has been incredibly motivating for both Jonny and me. They finally made it to New Zealand, and back in early December 2024, we sat down at my kitchen table, where they generously answered all of my nosy questions. I’m looking forward to sharing their personal finance journey with you because once they discovered the concept of financial independence, these two were on FIRE!false01:01:05102. Once you have won the money game, stop and enjoy life.102. Once you have won the money game, stop and enjoy life.Money JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithRuthTue, 18 Feb 2025 23:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/pushing-themselves-financially-going-for-it572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:67b2879940324540b1130238Ruth101. Pushing Themselves - Financially Going For It!I first met today's guest, Ajith, when he emailed me with a couple of questions back in 2024. He’d come across The Bux Saver while on the hunt for some motivation to keep pushing towards the goal that he and his wife Arya have to become debt-free by his 39th birthday, which is in 2028. When they began to lose patience and motivation, hearing both my journey with money and that of others helped to keep them on track. This couple are in their mid-thirties, with an eight-year-old daughter and live on the East Coast of the North Island. When I spoke with them at length in October of 2024 and again in February 2025, they were debt-free except for the $223,000 mortgage they have on the home they had built in 2021. They have also been investing in their KiwiSaver plus in investments outside of KiwiSaver. I wanted to share their journey today because his email to me and our subsequent kōrero threw up the dilemma of paying down debt fast vs investing. I think you will enjoy it.false01:00:05101. Pushing Themselves - Financially Going For It!101. Pushing Themselves - Financially Going For It!Money JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithRuthTue, 17 Dec 2024 23:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/a-solo-journey-to-financial-independence572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:675b97bd60241727e3c1bcf3Ruth100. A Solo Journey to Financial IndependenceIn mid-October 2024, I brewed a coffee, sat down, and gave Poto a call. She’s been a long-time listener of the podcast, drawing on insights from past guests to help guide her decisions over the years. Back in 2021, she and I started exchanging emails, and we've stayed in touch ever since. When we recently crossed paths in person, I learned more about her journey and couldn’t help asking if she’d join me for a kōrero. True to her kind and generous nature, she agreed. Poto is 57 years old and calls the Central Plateau, in the centre of the North Island, her home and playground. She loves the area and loves the great outdoors. She had been heading down a few avenues that didn’t sit quite right with her and backing out to take another path, but steadily, she tracked towards the FI (Financial Independence) community and a more simple path to wealth. With dedication and mahi, she’s reached a point of financial independence—and today, she’s here to share her story.false00:44:04100. A Solo Journey to Financial Independence100. A Solo Journey to Financial IndependenceMoney JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithRuthTue, 26 Nov 2024 23:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/work-life-balance-with-plenty-of-free-time572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:673fa231d15c644ce915f67bRuth99. Work, Life, Balance: With Plenty of Free Time!This week, I’m making a bit of an exception and chatting with someone who was a bit reluctant to talk about money. Which is ironic, given this is a podcast that talks about money. Rob, a 33-year-old plumber from Western Australia, took a little persuading to come on my podcast, but I persisted because I knew enough about him to know that his personal finance story is one that many of us will be able to relate to and draw ideas from. Rob is essentially financially independent, working just a quarter of the year, and he recently hosted Tribe FI, a personal finance retreat. I met Rob after he invited me to speak at the event, and after some detective work to confirm he wasn’t a scammer (spoiler: he’s not), Jonny and I attended—and loved it. In this episode, I delve into Rob’s journey to financial independence and what inspired him to create a space for like-minded people to connect.false00:38:2699. Work, Life, Balance: With Plenty of Free Time!99. Work, Life, Balance: With Plenty of Free Time!Money JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithRuthTue, 05 Nov 2024 23:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/life-and-times-of-a-property-investor-turned-global-traveller572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:67243bac70ef64067cfc2098Ruth98. Life and times of a property investor, turned global traveller.In today's episode, I will be sharing the financial journey of Jack, a Kiwi from the lower North Island. Jack found The Bux Saver when he was searching for podcasts on money. As an investor in rental property, he was looking to learn about shares. As you’ll find out shortly, he leads an interesting life. He has a personality that I can relate to; he said he could talk to a lamp post, and as a result, he meets heaps of people, so he had no qualms about stopping in to visit Jonny and I when he was down in Central Otago riding the famous Rail Trail and doing other interesting things, earlier in the year. We’ve stayed in touch since, and I’m pleased I have because Jack gets about. When we chatted for this podcast, he was sitting in San Fransisco, having just had many months overseas and was getting ready to board a three-week cruise to bring him back home to Aotearoa.false00:45:1698. Life and times of a property investor, turned global traveller.98. Life and times of a property investor, turned global traveller.Money JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithRuthTue, 15 Oct 2024 23:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/revisit-with-chris-and-rosemary-these-two-are-not-mucking-around572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:67073636363d1f17334a6ed0Ruth97. Revisit with Chris and Rosemary: These two are not mucking around!Today’s episode is an update on North Island couple Chris and Rosemary. Their first episode came out in March 2021 — it was episode number 49. Since then, we’ve kept in touch, and today’s episode is an update on where this couple are now, in terms of both money and life. It’s safe to say they have absolutely transformed their situation, and I hope this episode lights a fire under those listening and prompts you to reach for a few stretch goals, whatever they might be. Over the last four years, Chris has sent me some pretty epic emails as he went on a deep dive into learning about personal finance. I watched from the sidelines as he got Rosemary on the same page. They’ve since both utterly transformed their financial lives, embarking on a new journey toward financial independence. Today’s update won’t disappoint — these two are not mucking around.false00:46:5097. Revisit with Chris and Rosemary: These two are not mucking around!97. Revisit with Chris and Rosemary: These two are not mucking around!Money JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithRuthWed, 25 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/reality-check572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:66ea377d49410c26ec19f340Ruth96. Reality CheckToday's episode began with an email from a Kiwi couple in their mid-40s, who asked to be called Tokyo and Rio, inspired by the show Money Heist. Tokyo reached out just before Christmas 2023, sharing how a sinking fund she started nearly a year ago was making her happy amidst a tough financial year. It had been a challenging one—an overseas trip, big bills for their rental property, tax and ACC bills, and a lower-than-expected income. They were considering a $15,000 mortgage top-up to cover it all. But Tokyo wanted to know if there was a better way. Of course, there is another option. I hit reply to her email and proceeded to throw the cat amongst the pigeons.false01:01:4996. Reality Check96. Reality CheckMoney JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithRuthWed, 04 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/on-the-verge-of-lasting-change-hopefully572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:66ce5e477a87f76f20d35b5eRuth95. On the Verge of Lasting Change. Hopefully.When I received an email from a guy called John saying that he and his wife Betty have gone from being terrible with money and trying (unsuccessfully) to grow wealth via debt to completely changing their mentality to one of getting away from debt, even going so far as to head to the mines in Australia to clean up the consumer debt mess they had created, they had my attention. Today, I want to share the story of a 38 and 39-year-old married couple with two primary school-aged kids who are on the crest of a knowledge wave when it comes to money. Month by month, they are reassessing everything they thought to be true about money and now are tackling their biggest remaining debt head-on, their $480,000 mortgage.false01:08:2395. On the Verge of Lasting Change. Hopefully.95. On the Verge of Lasting Change. Hopefully.Money JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithRuthWed, 14 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/continuous-improvement572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:66ac106dbc391d430793655fRuth94. Continuous ImprovementRuby stumbled across The Bux Saver in October of 2022, prompting her to email me with a couple of questions. She’d recently signed up with Sharesies and was testing the waters by investing $20 a week, and had a few questions about where to start. Plus, she had a question about her KiwiSaver. While at home with two young tamariki, she had just realised that even when she was not in the paid workforce, she could voluntarily contribute money into her account, which she immediately started doing. Taking a moment to think about investing made her start digging around for more information about her money. From then on, her thirst for financial literacy grew, and she began to search for information that could teach her to be better with her pūtea. A year went by, and I heard from her again. She went into more detail, which led to me asking her to be on my podcast today. She is now 34, and her husband Tim is 38. They live in rural Canterbury with their two preschool children. I think their journey is typical of a lot of Kiwis, and what I particularly like is that they continue to adjust their financial course as new information comes to light.false00:49:4094. Continuous Improvement94. Continuous ImprovementPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithFI SERIESFinancial IndependenceRuthWed, 24 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/part-6-investing572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:66972591491a3a18d5fbbbafRuthPart 6: INVESTING - FI SeriesCongratulations, you have made it to the final episode of this series of six: INVESTING. Investing can be incredibly complex, but I found a way to simplify it. I used to feel overwhelmed by the options available, but now I don't. I’m hoping to help you feel the same way. But still, this is one of the most challenging podcasts I have EVER written. Condensing “investing” into a single episode is no easy feat. The Bux Saver was born out of my search for information about what I could invest our money in. It took me years to arrive at our current strategy, which combines KiwiSaver and ETF investments. I don’t want you to take so long to settle on your own strategy. I’m no different to you when I say, “I wish I knew then what I know now”. We had some margin in our budget, and I was looking for something to make us money. I started by asking my bank's opinion and followed a trail of crumbs of information from there. Ultimately, I finally found good information, which I want to share today.false00:34:18Part 6: INVESTING - FI SeriesPart 6: INVESTING - FI SeriesPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithFI SERIESFinancial IndependenceRuthWed, 10 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/part-5-debt-free572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:66848a0617601d3318d2ac1dRuthPart 5: DEBT FREE - FI SeriesGet out of debt, and stay out of debt. I think of debt as a phase of life that I moved through. That period has passed, and I’ve moved on. Jonny and I have been entirely debt-free since our early 30s, and I encourage you to head down the debt-free path as well. Debt has always had an ‘ick’ factor for me, a feeling I am grateful for. I like earning interest, but I hate paying it. Despite our bank trying to lure us back into debt to buy a rental property, there has never been a day that we regretted becoming permanently debt-free. We never have to seek the bank's opinion about our financial decisions again.false00:25:06Part 5: DEBT FREE - FI SeriesPart 5: DEBT FREE - FI SeriesPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithFI SERIESFinancial IndependenceRuthWed, 26 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/part-4-kiwisaver572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:6672444af00cd419ec17046eRuthPart 4: KIWISAVER - FI SeriesThe fourth part of this six-part series is one of the easier topics to cover, KiwiSaver. Joining KiwiSaver is a no-brainer, and it still surprises me when I meet people who are not in it. I’m always looking ahead and doing my best to determine what I might need money for and how much I might need. I keep my ear to the ground about how affordable retirement is for New Zealanders. I talk to people over 65 and ask them what advice they would give me about financially preparing for retirement. Then I ask myself if, on my current trajectory, I’m heading in the right direction.false00:22:03Part 4: KIWISAVER - FI SeriesPart 4: KIWISAVER - FI SeriesPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithFI SERIESFinancial IndependenceRuthWed, 12 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/part-3-emergency-fund572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:665fd0ced9c4f72ce8025805RuthPart 3: EMERGENCY FUND - FI SeriesThe best thing I ever did was set some cash into a bank account, which we could instantly access in a financial emergency. It is an amount of money set aside in a specific bank account to be used for bailing myself out if something happens that I didn’t otherwise plan for, but I need money to pay for. It takes me less than one minute to log into my banking and move money from my emergency account to my spending account. My previous episode discussed budgeting and planning for upcoming expenses. However, try as I might, I can’t think of everything. Your emergency fund covers the things you forgot despite your best intentions.false00:19:10Part 3: EMERGENCY FUND - FI SeriesPart 3: EMERGENCY FUND - FI SeriesPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithFI SERIESFinancial IndependenceRuthWed, 29 May 2024 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/part-2-budget572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:66416556fef6ff2a83679497RuthPart 2: BUDGET - FI SeriesIn the first episode in this series of six, I quickly showed you how to calculate your net worth. It will take a little longer today, but I want to explain why you need to keep an eye on how and where you earn and spend your money, i.e., budgeting. When you learn to budget, your net worth will begin to increase. Budgeting is simply making a plan for your pūtea (money). Although I meet hundreds of people who are keen, motivated, and willing to do better with their money, I meet few who are, “Oh yay, let’s track our spending and earning each month.” I know. I understand your reluctance, but if you want to grow your wealth, you must do what wealthy people do. And they know how much they earn and spend. So, I’m sorry, there are no shortcuts here; you’ve just got to suck it up and budget anyway. Most will come to enjoy it as I do, simply because it gives me a feeling of control over my life and removes any anxiety around my pūtea. But for some of you, it will always be a chore. So be it! Do it anyway.false00:26:21Part 2: BUDGET - FI SeriesPart 2: BUDGET - FI SeriesPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithFI SERIESFinancial IndependenceRuthWed, 15 May 2024 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/part-1-net-worth572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:66414c182368801b43f309acRuthPart 1: NET WORTH - FI SeriesWelcome to the first episode in a short six-part series. On my blog, thebuxsaver.com, I created a comprehensive Financial Independence Series of six blog posts where I mapped out a plan to help you on your way to becoming financially independent. Because I know that there are some in my audience who only read my blog and others who only listen to this podcast, I wanted to make sure that both parts of my audience got the same information, so what I've done is I have turned each blog post into a podcast episode. Part 1 focuses on ‘Net Worth’. How much wealth do you have right now? If you added it all up and subtracted what you owe, what are you worth? This can be daunting if you’ve never thought about it. However, the objective is not to objectify wealth; it’s to create a level of wealth that makes you feel comfortable and in control of your present and future.false00:14:06Part 1: NET WORTH - FI SeriesPart 1: NET WORTH - FI SeriesMoney JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithRuthTue, 26 Mar 2024 23:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/revisit-with-nic-in-the-process-of-making-a-financial-u-turn572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:65fe24ca079fef4a80d58676Ruth93. Revisit with Nic: In the process of making a financial U-turn!Today, I have an update on Nic from Episode 78, released in March 2023. A lot can happen in a year, which I wanted to share with you today. When Nic and I spoke in early 2023, Nic was still very new to the whole concept of personal finance and long after we had finished the episode, I wondered how she was getting on. A year after we spoke, an update email arrived in my inbox. She said it's been an interesting 12-plus months, and they are slowly but surely getting ahead. It seems like a case of one step forward and then half a step back, as on occasions in the last year or so, it seemed her luck had deserted her. But even with some upheaval thrown into her life, plus some pretty ill-controlled budgets, she said they are still managing to pay down debt, lower their mortgage, and increase her KiwiSaver balance. I wanted to share her update because many of you listening will relate to her progress.false00:31:1293. Revisit with Nic: In the process of making a financial U-turn!93. Revisit with Nic: In the process of making a financial U-turn!Money JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithRuthTue, 05 Mar 2024 23:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/an-adventurous-19-year-old572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:65de8d6e69f5f2111e705b4bRuth92. An adventurous 19-year-oldI met 19-year-old Josephine in mid-2023 when she emailed me with some questions about money. I actually already knew a little about her because her Mum and I have been in contact for a number of years, chatting about personal finances over email. Josephine hoped that I might be able to answer a few of her questions too. She mentioned that her Mum had sparked an interest in personal finances in her, which had led her to do a lot of reflecting on her money skills. She had been out of school and working for a couple of years, managed to save up a solid chunk of money and was planning on heading into study in 2024. Her intention was to get through her study with no student loan, which is entirely possible to do, if you plan well ahead. However, there was one small problem. She had caught the travel bug, and with a huge urge to travel, she knew it had the potential to be pricey. Her question to me was how could she balance living in the now while planning for the future and how could she set herself and her pūtea up to do both. So, the emails back and forth began, and I learned enough about Josephine to know that she would make an inspiring guest for my podcast.false00:38:3792. An adventurous 19-year-old92. An adventurous 19-year-oldMoney JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithRuthTue, 13 Feb 2024 23:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/with-only-100-dollars-in-the-bank-something-had-to-change572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:65c91d09f16fce6c9afc1a8dRuth91. With only $100 in the bank, something had to change.In early January, I was lucky enough to have a long chat with Grace, who is now in her late 20s. Grace has been following my podcast since 2019, which is when her money journey did a sharp U-turn as she moved out of about $40,000 of consumer and education debt and onto a new path of saving up to buy a home by the age of 30. Listening to money stories on this very podcast from people all across our motu gave her ideas of where to start because, for her, this whole ‘money thing’ was pretty overwhelming, so hearing from others has been imperative in helping her plot her path. false00:45:0091. With only $100 in the bank, something had to change.91. With only $100 in the bank, something had to change.Money JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithRetirementIndex FundsInvestingKiwiSaverDebt FreeFinancial IndependenceSmartSharesRuthTue, 23 Jan 2024 23:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/the-first-year-of-early-retirement572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:65a9a9b55371bf708b9171d9Ruth90. Revisit with Bradie and Paul: The First Year of Early RetirementI’m particularly excited about today’s podcast because it is a revisit episode with Bradie and Paul. This is actually the fifth time we have caught up on their money journey. The elevator pitch for them is that they felt they were drowning in debt just seven short years ago, and now they have just completed their first year of early retirement! The entire point of this podcast is to show you that becoming financially independent is entirely possible. Bradie and Paul did it, Jonny and I are well on our way to doing it, and you can too! Today, I’m really happy to give you an update on a story that keeps getting better over time. false00:26:3690. Revisit with Bradie and Paul: The First Year of Early Retirement90. Revisit with Bradie and Paul: The First Year of Early RetirementMoney JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithRetirementRuthTue, 28 Nov 2023 23:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/creative-planners-working-towards-a-retirement-of-plenty572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:65601a63b652be535ff6e912Ruth89. Creative Planners Working Towards a Retirement of PlentyI chatted with Isobel and Sam for almost three hours on a sunny Sunday afternoon. As with all of these interviews, straight out of the gate, we were into the nuts and bolts of the financial lives of this 56 and 57-year-old deeply-in-love couple who are parents to three adult tamariki. Very handily, Sam had sent me a four page Vision Board of their financial and life journey. To sum it up I’d say they are creative planners who work as a tight team towards their goal of creating a really strong financial footing by the age of 60. He said that he is like a balloon, impulsive and trying to float off in random directions, while she is the rock who grounds him. They are finally hitting their financial stride as they work their way towards a retirement of plenty. Their intention is to reach what is referred to in the early retirement community as Coast FIRE, where your already invested money will take you to FI by itself and for Sam and Isobel, the age they will reach this point is 60.false00:47:1889. Creative Planners Working Towards a Retirement of Plenty89. Creative Planners Working Towards a Retirement of PlentyMoney JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithRuthTue, 07 Nov 2023 23:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/birds-of-a-feather-flock-together572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:6546fef89842d03cfca7af4fRuth88. Birds of a Feather Flock TogetherIn this episode, I’m going to be sharing the experiences of Scott and Jane. This couple are from completely different backgrounds and also from different countries. Scott’s from New Zealand, in his late 20s and Jane’s from South America and in her mid-30s. They’ve been together about four years and have settled into life in the Central North Island. Today, I want to share how they have melded their lives together and where they are headed from here. Jane wanted to share their journey to home ownership in the hope of inspiring and helping other migrants who decide to make New Zealand home realise that they can afford to buy their first home if that is what they aspire to do. Birds of a feather do flock together, and although these two hail from completely different parts of the globe, they managed to connect with each other and build a life together.false00:46:5788. Birds of a Feather Flock Together88. Birds of a Feather Flock TogetherMoney JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithRuthTue, 17 Oct 2023 23:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/my-partner-died-without-a-will572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:652b43900e07a554fd57d9f9Ruth87. My Partner Died Without a WillToday I am really looking forward to sharing the financial ins and outs of Rachael, a wonderful wahine who has been listening to this very podcast for years. She enjoys this podcast because the stories I share are relatable because they are, of course, about everyday Kiwis in Aotearoa. Hers, as you are about to find out, is a cautionary tale that she hopes you don’t have to go through yourself, but you will come out more aware and informed having heard about it. Her partner of eight years, Tony, died suddenly in mid-2020. While coping with the shock and grief of this, she then also had to embark on a long journey of unravelling the financial side of his life, but because he died intestate or without a will, she had shaky legal rights to do so. These days, she is really focused on her finances and said she will squawk at anyone about them, particularly when it comes to retirement plans, end-of-life plans and the necessity of having a will. Coping with her grief was hard enough; sorting out the settlement of his estate made it doubly hard, and she wants you to avoid this same situation at all costs.false00:56:3187. My Partner Died Without a Will87. My Partner Died Without a WillMoney JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithSavingRuthWed, 16 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/you-cant-live-with-a-lifestyle-that-is-above-your-income572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:64d2e3898ab29a563b217cf4Ruth86. You can’t live with a lifestyle that is above your income.The standout for me today is how quickly you can change your financial lot in life simply because you decide to. Helen and Scott are 45 and 42 respectively, and have lived a life common to many of us, with good bits, not-so-good bits and, to a large extent, following the crowd for whom managing money is a struggle. With five tamariki between them, they have known each other a long time, yet only became a couple a few years ago. Both carry the scars and financial lessons from previous marriages, including reliance on consumer debt and being excluded either willfully or unwillingly from handling pūtea, yet they both jumped in boots and all with their money in their relationship today. Working harder was always their way out of a financial jam, but finally, they are learning to work smarter.false01:04:5086. You can’t live with a lifestyle that is above your income.86. You can’t live with a lifestyle that is above your income.Money JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithSavingRuthWed, 05 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/revisit-with-kiri-the-rollercoaster-continues572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:649b595f831412027d7c197cRuth85. Revisit with Kiri: The Rollercoaster ContinuesI’ve been corresponding with Kiri for about five years now. Those back-and-forth email conversations eventually led to me picking up the phone and chatting in person for the first time, and back in September of 2021, I released that episode: 60. First Home Buyers, where I detailed the rollercoaster that Kiri and her husband John had been on with their money and their life. That episode was all about the lead-up to buying a home. Today’s episode is what happened after that; it’s much less house focussed, much more life-focused, but it’s safe to say that the rollercoaster continues.false00:30:2585. Revisit with Kiri: The Rollercoaster Continues85. Revisit with Kiri: The Rollercoaster ContinuesMoney JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithDebt FreeFinancial IndependenceKiwiSaverRetirementRuthWed, 14 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/early-retirement-but-still-working-stuff-out572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:648514ee8bcd526cdb9860b5Ruth84. Early Retirement: But still working stuff out.Today, I have the pleasure of sharing the story behind how Tony and his wife Karen came to create a net worth of $2.8 million and retire aged 49 and 54, respectively. Now that I have your attention, you might also be interested to know that they own one home and have a large retirement fund which they built from always investing a portion of their take-home pay, about 10%, from their 20+ year careers in the New Zealand Police. Despite their success, there are still many unknowns as they try to work out how to structure their money to support them during their long and adventurous retirement. This episode shows how steady saving in a retirement scheme can build a substantial nest egg. I think it will be particularly useful to those interested in retiring one day, which, by my reckoning, is everyone!false00:56:5884. Early Retirement: But still working stuff out.84. Early Retirement: But still working stuff out.Money JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithMoney EducationRuthWed, 24 May 2023 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/iron-fisted-lucy572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:646ac96a78c97e5aeaf953e6Ruth83. Iron Fisted LucyLucy, Steve and their two teenage children openly talk about money in their family. It comes from them trying to make sense of their complicated financial upbringing and then joining their financial lives together at 19. When they were young, they made many decisions because their backs were against the wall, and they now know they want their children to head out into the world more prepared than they were. While I understand that failure is a good teacher, I just don’t see why you would willingly set your kids up to fail with money when it is far easier to do as this couple is doing and instead just teach your kids some basics from the get-go.false00:58:0383. Iron Fisted Lucy83. Iron Fisted LucyMoney JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithInvestingRuthWed, 03 May 2023 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/from-paycheque-to-paycheque-to-home-sweet-home572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:6448546c4103b05163218f96Ruth82. From Paycheque to Paycheque to Home Sweet HomeIn this episode, we hear from Jess, a single 52-year-old woman who reached out to me in early 2022 when she sent me a lovely email telling me she had been using my blog and podcast, plus The Barefoot Investor, to learn more about money to help her keep on track with some long-term money goals. After paying off her credit card debt, Jess was working on building up her emergency fund, but beyond that, she struggled to see how she could ever afford a home of her own. In a subsequent email, Jess expressed feeling left out while reading my Millionaire Questionnaire responses, as they mainly featured coupled-up, double-income people who appeared to own property. So, when I got an email telling me she had just signed up to buy a home of her own, you bet I wanted to know how she went from a house being out of her league to owning one.false01:04:2082. From Paycheque to Paycheque to Home Sweet Home82. From Paycheque to Paycheque to Home Sweet HomeMoney JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithInvestingRuthWed, 12 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/turning-good-opportunities-into-reality572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:642f3c86a05d2428d98045f4Ruth81. Turning good opportunities into reality!I met 29-year-old Dylan when he heard my call out for younger people to get in touch and share their stories with money. Through luck and good timing, aged just 21, he found himself buying his first property, an empty section, and then one thing led to another; he stumbled upon a cracking good deal, paying just $18,000 for a second section. This sounds impossible, and stories such as this need a deeper dive. As a sound bite, it's a good one, but I know that there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes that is never explained. Well, today I will explain, sharing not only how he purchased property but the numbers behind it, the lucky breaks he has had and the fact that since he learned about FIRE, he is now diversifying by investing in KiwiSaver and ETF share investments. Plus, he advocates good financial management to both whānau and friends. And now that he is joining his life with the love of his life, this late 20-year-old is on an excellent trajectory for a great financial future.false00:58:5881. Turning good opportunities into reality!81. Turning good opportunities into reality!Money JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithMoney EducationRuthTue, 28 Mar 2023 23:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/young-bright-and-financially-wise572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:641e3a33c52fc70597753834Ruth80. Young, Bright, and Financially WiseIn this week's episode, I wanted to revisit an earlier episode with an update on Nathan from episode 71, and introduce a new guest, Sam, a 16-year-old Year 12 student who is starting a financial journey similar to Nathan's and already demonstrates a forward-thinking mindset towards his financial well-being. He recognises that financial stability is vital to achieving his goals. Nathan and Sam's experiences provide a valuable opportunity to educate young people about the importance of financial literacy and equip them with the tools they need to make wise financial decisions.false00:31:4280. Young, Bright, and Financially Wise80. Young, Bright, and Financially WiseMoney JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithRuthTue, 14 Mar 2023 23:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/i-will-drink-to-that572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:640a75b6e52e3d02eb9badfaRuth79. I'll drink to that!I’m looking forward to telling you all about 37-year-old Tui. She described herself as someone who has worked hard to get her financial house in order, and in the last three years in particular, she has made great progress. She had spent her teens and twenties gathering life experiences by living and working overseas, getting an education, beginning a career and buying a home with a friend. But more recently, she has increased her understanding of personal finance, and when she added that new knowledge to her situation, she has moved ahead, now with her partner Marcus, in leaps and bounds. Amid a pandemic, they bought the house from her friend and changed careers, and I know you want to learn how that has all worked out for them! Spoiler alert: really well!false01:00:4479. I'll drink to that!79. I'll drink to that!Money JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithRuthTue, 28 Feb 2023 23:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/in-the-process-of-making-a-financial-u-turn572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:63fbd65b8dfb7d202af40229Ruth78. In the process of making a Financial U-turn!Nic described herself as a 42-year-old professional who sometimes has to pinch herself at the job she has. It’s a tough demanding role in a field she loves that pays really well. A mum to two tamariki and a partner to the world's most laid-back, carefree non-money-driven man. Her money journey started slowly, full of bad decisions, good luck, and some great times. Now she finds herself in the very fortunate position of earning an above average income, which up until recently, she spent. More recently, she has realised she is in a position to do things with her money that will have a lasting impact. New information on how to handle money better has made her cringe at past decisions. Nic has come a long way, but the journey is not over yet, but she has a plan now, something she never had before. She has her WHY and the HOW defined. She now just requires the discipline, focus and drive to pull it all off!false01:13:0178. In the process of making a Financial U-turn!78. In the process of making a Financial U-turn!Money JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithRuthTue, 13 Dec 2022 23:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/saving-is-the-new-shopping572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:6396763c009b9e4376bba56aRuth77. Saving is the new shopping!When Rachel told me that she had very recently moved from a super consumer to thinking instead that saving was the new shopping, I knew the story of this single, city-dwelling, dependent-free, self-employed 54-year-old was one worth sharing. Covid was to be the tipping point for Rachel. Realising that when her income stream dried up, she was in trouble financially. Today I’m going to tell you how she managed to stop living pay cheque to pay cheque and managed to catch a break instead.false00:47:4077. Saving is the new shopping!77. Saving is the new shopping!Money JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithRuthTue, 29 Nov 2022 23:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/part-time-work-full-time-life572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:638469ad27b35315f2c18ffbRuth76. Part-time work. Full-time life.This week I’m sharing the financial life of Ngaio and Ben, a Coromandel couple in their early 30s. They struck a chord with me because I love seeing examples of life enjoyed a little bit differently to most, in their case, choosing to build and live in a tiny home, work part-time, take mini-retirements and do a lot of adventures, which often include a bike. They are rare due to the fact that they have more invested in the share market than they do in housing, which lets them lead a more balanced life. They are an adventurous couple who will give you food for thought.false00:52:5176. Part-time work. Full-time life.76. Part-time work. Full-time life.Money JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithRuthTue, 01 Nov 2022 23:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/if-its-not-simple-you-shouldnt-be-doing-it572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:635e25b9506660168d4c44bcRuth75. If it’s not simple, you shouldn’t be doing it.This week I caught up with a couple in their mid 20’s, Richard and Jane. Their express aim in putting themselves out there is to comfort the other twenty-somethings that their financial situation is in their own hands and they, to a large degree, get to write their own story. In 2019, they purchased a home when they were just 22 years of age and are now setting about paying it off. Buying a home so young is unusual, but having the goal from the beginning to pay it off as fast as possible is even more unusual. My first question to them was, “how did you get so smart?”false00:43:4875. If it’s not simple, you shouldn’t be doing it.75. If it’s not simple, you shouldn’t be doing it.Money JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithKiwiSaverRuthTue, 18 Oct 2022 23:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/interesting-things-happen-to-interesting-people572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:63490dab537d810e1e28af76Ruth74. Interesting things happen to interesting people.This week I’m sharing the story of Ayana, a woman who sure does have a zest for life. However, life keeps throwing her curve balls, and she has to keep adjusting course. Ayana has worked since she was a teenager and left school with money in the bank. She had a brief stint in the Navy and then completed a degree at university. She no sooner started an internship in LA before it was cut short by Covid! She picked up work at a radio station, then as a carer. And, to top it off, she spent last summer working in Antarctica! Did I mention she is just 25 years old? She takes life by the horns, and because she is thinking clearly about money, she can embrace each new change instead of being crippled by it. I loved this conversation; I think you will too.false00:48:1974. Interesting things happen to interesting people.74. Interesting things happen to interesting people.Money JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithDebt FreeRuthTue, 04 Oct 2022 23:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/no-student-loan-for-me572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:6339e6a1e0b2951ae9138149Ruth73. No Student loan for me!Today I’m excited to share the story of Pipi, a 20-year-old wahine from Auckland. Pipi got her first part-time job at the age of just 13, and now that she is a second-year nursing student, she continues to work part-time while studying and full-time when she can to keep the income rolling in. The extra special thing about Pipi is that she is fiercely determined to complete her three-year nursing degree debt-free. Today’s podcast episode walks through how she is doing it. I think this episode will be particularly useful to NCEA students and anyone who knows one!false00:46:5273. No Student loan for me!73. No Student loan for me!Money JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithFinancial IndependenceInvestingIndex FundsRuthWed, 21 Sep 2022 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/an-inheritance-goes-a-long-way572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:63267ad5b838023882c92b26Ruth72. An inheritance goes a long way!I’ve met countless people who have received an inheritance, yet today they are in a really poor financial situation. It’s what you DO with an inheritance that counts. Will chose to pay off debt and invest. And while his investment strategy back in 2013 was similar to throwing a dart at a dart board, at least he tried. His biggest financial triumph, he said, has been the fact that he took an interest in working out how to grow wealth, he took the time to educate himself, and then he actually took action. Now married and living in their own home in Auckland, with an Auckland-sized mortgage, this 31-year-old couple is still well on their way to financial freedom.false00:45:3772. An inheritance goes a long way!72. An inheritance goes a long way!Money JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithDebt FreeRuthWed, 07 Sep 2022 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/19-year-old-goes-to-polytech-debt-free572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:63155be34b4a675dd4da9c64Ruth71. 19 Year Old Goes to Polytech Debt FreeBeing only 19, and one of the younger people I’ve interviewed didn’t mean that today's guest Nathan had less to share. In November of 2022, he will graduate from Polytech with a Diploma in Quantity Surveying, with two years of industry experience, no debt and a job lined up. Added to that, he is also helping to pay for his girlfriend’s tertiary studies as well. He has some big plans for the years ahead and I think his story is worth sharing with high school students wondering “where to from here” as they gear up to leave school.false00:43:1871. 19 Year Old Goes to Polytech Debt Free71. 19 Year Old Goes to Polytech Debt FreeMoney JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithFinancial IndependenceRuthWed, 24 Aug 2022 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/our-money-our-future572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:6302d48da2c4c876a8d0866fRuth70. Our Money, Our FutureToday’s guest, 33-year-old Freya from Auckland, emailed me because she wanted me to interview more younger women who had their money sorted and also handled their families' finances. From the little she divulged in her email, I could tell that she was on track to being financially sorted, so I encouraged her to speak with me instead! In the space of just seven years, she and her husband have moved to New Zealand from India and starting from scratch, they have got themselves into good careers, purchased a home and had a child. All in the midst of a global pandemic, stupid house prices and being all alone in a new country, I found her so inspiring to speak with. I think you will too.false00:47:2470. Our Money, Our Future70. Our Money, Our FutureMoney JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithFinancial IndependenceRuthWed, 10 Aug 2022 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/a-financially-complicated-breakup572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:62f06fa1a0206c077b6a521bRuth69. A Financially Complicated BreakupNeil has come a long way in life since his move from London to New Zealand in 2005. His one-year adventure has turned into 17 and counting, and year on year, he has continued to learn a little more about how money works. Today he finds himself in his late 40s, a father of one, with investments both in the UK and New Zealand, which he is steadily adding to from his take-home pay and rental income. But it’s not all roses, and the break up of a relationship is also teaching him how to financially prepare for a settlement and let go of what's not important in life, to create space for the things that are.false00:38:0769. A Financially Complicated Breakup69. A Financially Complicated BreakupMoney JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithDebt FreeFinancial IndependenceRuthWed, 27 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/on-the-trail-to-fire572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:62de5c5f7b887b3c38e16cbdRuth68. On the trail to FIRE!I managed to cross paths with 35-year-old Dani because both of us are runners and seeing the trails she was enjoying always inspired me to lace up my own shoes and head out the door for a run. It’s probably no surprise that when I found out she was also navigating her own path to FIRE, or Financial Independence, Retire Early that I became even more curious and asked her to chat with me. I find that there is always something that tips people over the edge financially and makes them feel annoyed enough to do something about the strife they find themselves in. In Dani’s case, it was the purchase of new curtains to go into their home. The home they bought in an effort to keep up with The Joneses.false00:45:5168. On the trail to FIRE!68. On the trail to FIRE!Money JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithDebt FreeFinancial IndependenceKiwiSaverRetirementRuthWed, 13 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/how-to-use-your-nest-egg-in-retirement572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:62cbefedced88458dbcb3090Ruth67. How to Use Your Nest Egg in RetirementSometimes, a minor conversation lights a spark and makes me want to know more about a person. This was the case with today’s guest Zoe. She emailed me a question, which I answered, but what got me interested was how financially assured this recently retired woman from Christchurch was as she actually begins to live off New Zealand superannuation plus the investments she has built up. The thing was, though, it was only more recently that she began to feel more financially confident as she only really started to pay attention to her pūtea (money) when she was in her late 50s, proving that it’s never too late to take control of your finances.false00:43:5367. How to Use Your Nest Egg in Retirement67. How to Use Your Nest Egg in RetirementMoney JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithDebt FreeRuthWed, 29 Jun 2022 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/youve-gotta-know-your-numbers572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:62ba35a2e813352771267ba8Ruth66. You've gotta know your numbers!Senia and her small whānau moved to Ashburton, New Zealand, from Samoa back in 2010 and quietly began to take on consumer debt. Until one day, enough was enough, and some well-timed conversations about becoming debt-free coincided with her realising they were living paycheque to paycheque. This kicked off the process of paying off $70,000 in consumer debt and completely changing the future of her family.false00:51:5866. You've gotta know your numbers!66. You've gotta know your numbers!Money JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithDebt FreeMoney EducationRuthWed, 15 Jun 2022 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/i-am-no-longer-at-the-mercy-of-fate572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:62a679d26fe2e9395a318893Ruth65. I am no longer at the mercy of fate.Australian based Kiwi Dad of two Jon went through a relationship separation and a financial crisis some years ago but is now on track to be mortgage-free within the next four years. The key for him has been self-taught education about how to handle his personal finances and he was particularly keen to share with other single parents that they can get their finances sorted too. He calls himself ‘a work in progress’ but he is well on his way and is proof that reaching FI is a marathon, not a sprint.false00:45:1565. I am no longer at the mercy of fate.65. I am no longer at the mercy of fate.Money JourneyPersonal FinancePodcastPocketSmithDebt FreeRental PropertyRuthWed, 01 Jun 2022 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/building-intergenerational-wealth-through-property-investment572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:628ed86554ede010df20d4c4Ruth64. Building intergenerational wealth through property investment.Today I have a chat with Jay. He reached out to me with a story to share about him and his wife Shelle and their property investment journey. He sees residential real estate as their way to riches, and he enjoys the ins and outs of the property market. He has been incredibly successful so far in building wealth using debt, yet he is still constantly looking for new information and tweaking his approach as a result. He’s building on a foundation built by his whānau and continuing to grow his investments, with the main goal being for him and Shelle to hand them on to the next generation, their three tamariki.false00:48:1564. Building intergenerational wealth through property investment.64. Building intergenerational wealth through property investment.Money JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependencePodcastPocketSmithDebt FreeRuthWed, 18 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/suffocating-mortgage-debt-to-financial-independence-in-six-short-years572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:627e2c4c448a355da8d18425Ruth63. Revisit with Bradie: Suffocating Mortgage Debt to Financial Independence in Six Short YearsThis is the fourth time that I’ve interviewed Bradie for this podcast! Why do I keep coming back for more? Because I am hooked on her journey from suffocating mortgage debt to financial independence in just six short years. Each time we speak there is an exciting new development and this episode does not disappoint. I’ve also enjoyed following the personal transformation that Bradie has gone through, from feeling significant stress to feeling that anything is possible. Join me in this latest episode to find out where she is now.false00:28:4563. Revisit with Bradie: Suffocating Mortgage Debt to Financial Independence in Six Short Years63. Revisit with Bradie: Suffocating Mortgage Debt to Financial Independence in Six Short YearsMoney JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependencePodcastPocketSmithDebt FreeRetirementRuthWed, 04 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/i-retired-at-39572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:626f3822c5414a740a6415fdRuth62. I retired at 39!This week I’m sharing the story of early retiree Brendan. We’ve met in person many times now, even more so since he moved to Central Otago in late 2021 and I have always found him a relatively quiet and contemplative kind of guy. So I was delighted when he took the time (because let’s face it he has heaps) to share with me just how, at the young age of 39, you manage to have enough money that you never need to work again.false00:46:1562. I retired at 39!62. I retired at 39!Money JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependencePodcastPocketSmithDebt FreeSavingMoney EducationKiwiSaverRuthWed, 20 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/revisit-with-bella-i-dont-want-a-student-debt-hangover572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:625bde56b66cfb626383e2a0Ruth61. Revisit with Bella: I don’t want a student debt hangover!In today’s podcast, I’m doing a revisit with Bella who I interviewed in Episode 52. She shared the realities of student loan debt in New Zealand and how you can meander your way into student loan debt, but you need to fight your way out again. She explains how she has been tackling her $85,000 of student loan debt and how people are so wrong when they say that interest-free student loan debt just does not matter. Because it does. It matters a whole lot. Bella has not been idle, smashing out $66,000 of debt in just 14 months. Yep, you read that right. If she can do it, so can you!false00:25:5561. Revisit with Bella: I don’t want a student debt hangover!61. Revisit with Bella: I don’t want a student debt hangover!Money JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependencePodcastPocketSmithDebt FreeSavingRental PropertyRuthTue, 28 Sep 2021 23:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/first-home-buyers572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:61522aab6ce3f8190b93b03fRuth60. First Home BuyersKiri and I have been emailing each other since mid-2018 discussing all manner of money related things as they unfolded for her whānau of three. Kiri, her husband John and their four-year-old daughter, had big plans for 2020, which included a move to Australia, paying off student loans, buying a home and starting new jobs. But we all know how 2020 unfolded, and it was interesting to hear how Kiri and John didn’t bow out in defeat as their plans went up in a cloud of smoke but instead stepped up, created a new strategy and maneuvered themselves into their first home and a more secure position right here in Aotearoa.false00:46:5060. First Home Buyers60. First Home BuyersMoney JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependencePodcastPocketSmithDebt FreeSavingRuthWed, 22 Sep 2021 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/the-evolution-of-a-workable-financial-plan572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:614802925b5455475a47bda9Ruth59. The evolution of a workable financial plan.I first heard from Andy when he was 29. He emailed with several questions and observations, and the bit that stuck with me most was that he was pretty keen to buy himself a car parking space as an investment. Indeed, he said, “I love the idea of owning a car park in the city”. He thought it was a pretty legitimate investment, plus he thought he might even use it himself one day - if he got a car, that is. I on the other hand thought, “what has the world come to that people can’t afford a house (which is what Andy wanted), and they have to convince themselves that owning a piece of dirt the size of a car is the next best thing”. So, Andy had my attention and for the last 18 months, we swapped a few emails back and forth. He writes for a living, so he writes a good email and through those, I got to see his thoughts evolve and the evolution of a workable financial plan. And to cut through the suspense, I’ll cut to the chase; it does not involve a car park.false00:42:5759. The evolution of a workable financial plan.59. The evolution of a workable financial plan.Money JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependencePodcastPocketSmithDebt FreeRuthWed, 15 Sep 2021 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/leaving-the-big-city-for-the-good-life572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:613f1b04b2d4493cd250f21fRuth58. Leaving the big city for the Good LifeThis week I’m sharing the story of a central Hawke’s Bay couple Rach and Becs. They made the bold move to leave both of their families behind and move out of Auckland, headed for Hawke's Bay so they could get ahead both financially and for a better work-life balance. With careers in IT and Health Advisory, whanau and friends warned them of career setbacks but they have happily proved them wrong, both securing dream jobs and higher incomes. I heard from them when they wanted to share their absolute joy at the fact they had become mortgage-free, at the age of just 35.false00:44:1458. Leaving the big city for the Good Life58. Leaving the big city for the Good LifeMoney JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependencePodcastKiwiSaverPocketSmithDebt FreeSmartSharesRuthWed, 08 Sep 2021 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/you-can-plan-not-to-be-broke572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:613533eddf237423e5b433a4Ruth57. You can plan not to be brokeOver the years Janet, who is 59, has worked out that other people can be unreliable, so she is better to plan for her own success, instead of relying on others. She is a huge forward thinker and she spends time gently tweaking all aspects of her financial life to gently steer her waka where she wants it to go. She does not earn a lot, just $798 a week, but as she said to me “I guess it’s what you do with it that matters right”? She knows her exact costs and she pays cash for them, then from her take-home pay at any one time she is saving up for a number of things that she has coming up, PLUS she is supporting her daughter through university. You can plan not to be broke and she is pretty keen to share what she has learnt so those walking along beside her can also achieve the financial peace that she has.false00:33:2157. You can plan not to be broke57. You can plan not to be brokeMoney JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependencePodcastKiwiSaverPocketSmithDebt FreeRental PropertyRuthWed, 01 Sep 2021 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/house-rich-cash-poor572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:612afbc3dff85a247d62392bRuth56. House Rich, Cash PoorToday I’m introducing you to Fatima. By working hard and being at the right place at the right time, she had managed to buy several properties but there was a tipping point one day when despite the net worth she had built up, she found herself seriously short on cash and having to borrow money from whanau. Fatima is not one to muck around, so after listening to these very podcasts, she decided to implement some change and reintroduce some balance into her life.false00:37:5556. House Rich, Cash Poor56. House Rich, Cash PoorMoney JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependencePodcastKiwiSaverPocketSmithDebt FreeRuthWed, 25 Aug 2021 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/steep-grade-charge-down572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:61206d09028f7a19438eff9cRuth55. Steep Grade Charge Down - Leaving Debt in the Rearview Mirror ForeverI’m starting out this series of six new episodes with a woman that I know pretty well, the reason being that she is one of my sisters! It took a little convincing to get her to appear on my podcast and I’ve changed her name for a bit of anonymity, but the reason I wanted to share her story is that it is an excellent example of steady and consistent attention to detail over a long period of time. As you will soon hear Rachel (48) has had a few downs and ups but it was careful planning and setting of goals that has helped her stick to her teaching career, weather the Christchurch earthquakes and the subsequent insurance battle and, with her now teenage daughter, thrive after a divorce. I was particularly keen to catch her at an important milestone and we spoke on the eve of her last ever mortgage payment.false00:40:2155. Steep Grade Charge Down - Leaving Debt in the Rearview Mirror Forever55. Steep Grade Charge Down - Leaving Debt in the Rearview Mirror ForeverMoney JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependencePodcastInvestingSavingMoney EducationIndex FundsKiwiSaverPocketSmithDebt FreeRuthWed, 05 May 2021 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/where-are-they-now572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:608fc0dedc0adf54878c7351Ruth54. Where are they now? A revisit with Lucas, Callum and Bradie.For the last episode in this series, I have once again reconnected with a few people that I’ve interviewed before. I like to check in on people and get a feel for the progress and changes they have made and I know you do too. A lot of people ask me, ‘what happened to so and so’? So, I’ve got three revisits for you this time: There is Lucas who was feeling the burden of a $1,200,000 mortgage in Auckland. Callum, the now 26-year-old from Christchurch who has just jumped boots and all into housing and gone from zero houses to five in just three short years. And Bradie and her husband Paul who climbed their way out of a tonne of mortgage debt and are now investing hard out for their futures.false00:30:0054. Where are they now? A revisit with Lucas, Callum and Bradie.54. Where are they now? A revisit with Lucas, Callum and Bradie.Money JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependencePodcastInvestingSavingMoney EducationIndex FundsKiwiSaverPocketSmithRuthWed, 28 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/on-a-flight-path-to-financial-independence572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:60829daf17b81f23fa2353a0Ruth53. On a flight path to financial independence.When Julian and Sophie met in 1999 they each had a car, a very small amount in savings and no debt. Just 21 ‘short’ years later they have an approximate net worth of $1,500,000. So, how did they do it? Their current wealth is the combination of good budgeting, steady investing into retirement accounts, timely house purchases and aggressive debt repayments meaning they are now in a position for Julian to reduce to part-time work so he can spend more time with their two young children.false00:36:4253. On a flight path to financial independence.53. On a flight path to financial independence.Money JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependencePodcastSavingMoney EducationKiwiSaverPocketSmithRuthWed, 21 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/i-dont-want-a-student-debt-hangover572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:607bf71bab59dc00a5c2957fRuth52. I don’t want a student debt hangover!In today’s podcast, 26-year-old Bella shares the realities of student loan debt in New Zealand and how you can meander your way into debt, but it’s far harder to meander your way out again. She explains how the pressure of taking on student loans from the age of just 18 can quickly add up to $85,000 of student loan debt and how people are so wrong when they say that interest-free student loan debt just does not matter. Because it does. It matters a whole lot.false00:46:2052. I don’t want a student debt hangover!52. I don’t want a student debt hangover!Money JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependencePodcastInvestingSavingMoney EducationIndex FundsKiwiSaverPocketSmithRuthWed, 14 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/family-first-live-within-your-means-always-have-an-emergency-fund572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:60724d254048257b9ae648c0Ruth51. Family first, live within your means, always have an emergency fund.Aria and her husband Dave didn’t grow up with much so once they got together they knew they didn’t want to live paycheque to paycheque like many of their friends and whanau. In their mid-forties they have now reached a point where they can work part-time and afford to be generous with both their time and their money to help out others, all the while taking care of their immediate family. When asked what financial independence means to them they said it means “we don’t have to worry about money” and that is a sentiment that they want for everyone. Such a great couple with so much to share.false00:34:4451. Family first, live within your means, always have an emergency fund.51. Family first, live within your means, always have an emergency fund.Money JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependencePodcastInvestingSavingMoney EducationKiwiSaverPocketSmithRuthWed, 07 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/an-investor-with-military-precision572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:60639e339a0e4402cf177547Ruth50. An investor with military precision!I first heard from Hamish when he sent me an email in late 2020 telling me that back in 2018, at the age of just 24 he had saved up and bought a $379,00 house in Palmerston North with a big deposit of $125,000. Apparently, that’s meant to be impossible in this day and age? Hence, no surprises I was pretty keen to hear more from Hamish about the how and the why of this. The short answer from him was he achieved it by planning and deliberate effort. He said that too many people fail to plan for something that they want - but they still expect it to happen. Not so with him.false00:26:5450. An investor with military precision!50. An investor with military precision!Money JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependencePodcastInvestingSavingMoney EducationIndex FundsKiwiSaverPocketSmithRuthTue, 30 Mar 2021 23:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/everything-i-thought-i-knew-about-money-was-wrong572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:60516037698c5d5dfd202d08Ruth49. Everything I thought I knew about money was wrong“Well this is awkward” I thought when some guy called Chris started secretly emailing me without his partner’s knowledge! Big long emails with tonnes of questions about personal finance, my favourite topic for sure! That is how I came to sit on the sidelines of the transformation of not just Chris but of his partner Rosemary’s (phew, he told her) financial life. It took a bit of work to get her on board but finally, together, they embarked on a journey to financial independence and the pursuit of happiness. I’m delighted to bring you this podcast today and I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed creating it.false00:50:0849. Everything I thought I knew about money was wrong49. Everything I thought I knew about money was wrongMoney JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependencePodcastInvestingSavingSharesMoney EducationDebt FreeIndex FundsKiwiSaverRetirementRuthTue, 20 Oct 2020 23:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/everything-is-working-out-perfectly572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:5f8d5285b6b09842cbcf586aRuth48. Everything is working out perfectly!Jen freaked out at 49! She considered herself to be halfway through her life and had big concerns about what the other half might look like. She became heartily sick of working so hard. At the age of 16, she started full time work, at 20 she had bought her first house, then got married and slowly became mortgage free. But a divorce halved her net worth and becoming a single mother introduced a whole heap of new challenges. But amongst all this she constantly repeated her mantra of “everything is working out perfectly”, even when it clearly was not! Yet despite these challenges she pushed on. She worked hard! Now debt-free once again, she is fast tracking to an early retirement at the age of 55. Jen is a wonderful example of showing just what a woman on a mission is capable of!false00:48:4648. Everything is working out perfectly!48. Everything is working out perfectly!Money JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependencePodcastInvestingSavingSharesMoney EducationRuthTue, 13 Oct 2020 23:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/matching-income-with-expectations-is-the-secret572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:5f839df781c96361ebb26e52Ruth47. Matching income with expectations is the secret.So often people tell me that they ‘wish their parents had talked to them more about money’ when they were growing up. Well, in today’s podcast that’s exactly what happened. Nina was homeschooled and part of her education involved investing in the share market and preparing from the age of just 13 to cover the cost of her future university degree. Now in her late 20’s and living in the South Island town of Oamaru with her husband and three small children she is feeling content with the journey ahead and that includes paying off their home and then starting to invest for the long term financial wellbeing of her and her family.false00:35:3547. Matching income with expectations is the secret.47. Matching income with expectations is the secret.Money JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependencePodcastInvestingSavingSharesRuthTue, 06 Oct 2020 23:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/i-am-sick-of-living-pay-cheque-to-pay-cheque572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:5f72a0a7294be10059c4ca74Ruth46. I'm sick of living pay cheque to pay cheque!Alana’s debt of choice was buying household items on Hire Purchase. Lots of them! But before long she had precommitted her income years into the future so she could service these debts. Yet that still didn’t stop her borrowing money for a vehicle and running up credit card debt. But finally she reached a pivotal point of being heartily sick of living pay cheque to pay cheque and a chance conversation where someone said “just try writing down your expenses for a month or two” was to be the catalyst that changed everything. She got her somewhat reluctant husband on board and in just a few short years they have had a massive financial turnaround and are now firmly on the path to financial independence instead.false00:50:2546. I'm sick of living pay cheque to pay cheque!46. I'm sick of living pay cheque to pay cheque!Money JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependencePodcastInvestingKiwiSaverSavingRuthTue, 29 Sep 2020 23:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/stop-the-bus-you-paid-off-your-mortgage572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:5f6f04b102200104f65f9e4dRuth45. Stop the bus! You paid off your mortgage?This week, I’m heading South to one of New Zealand's more underrated cities, Invercargill, where I had a chat with Steve who described his financial story as “not so much an epic dig out of deep debt”, or a “becoming fabulously wealthy” kind of story. But, more of a “jigsaw puzzle piecing it all together over time” kind of story, which, he told me, is still very much ongoing. Aged 31, a part-time teacher and almost full-time stay at home Dad and married to Madie, a 29-year-old junior doctor who is working while also studying to finish her qualification. These two have been relatively strategic in how they have gone about things and I think they have a story that many millennials could emulate.false00:37:2445. Stop the bus! You paid off your mortgage?45. Stop the bus! You paid off your mortgage?Money JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependencePodcastInvestingKiwiSaverSavingSmartSharesRuthWed, 23 Sep 2020 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/please-can-i-buy-a-boat572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:5f68680889583b6b6d79e1ceRuth44. Please can I buy a boat?When a former multisport athlete turns the same motivation, hard work and attention to detail that they used for their sport to their personal finances, great things can happen. Chris and his wife Megan were tired of it taking so long to pay off their mortgage, so they focussed on the detail and developed a game plan that will see them own their own house on 31st December 2020. Plus, a key decision to pay into their retirement schemes from the day they started working has really paid off because now, in their mid-thirties, they have the strong foundations in place to provide a wonderful future for their family of five. There are a few other investment decisions they are working through, plus there is the small matter of him convincing his wife ‘they’ need a boat...false00:36:2144. Please can I buy a boat?44. Please can I buy a boat?Money JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependencePodcastInvestingKiwiSaverMoney EducationSavingSmartSharesRuthWed, 16 Sep 2020 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/help-yourself-first-so-you-can-then-help-others572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:5f5d6474ce23ec19f7e671d7Ruth43. Help yourself first so you can then help othersThere were many points during Ella’s 40 plus years that her gut instinct told her to make a few changes to the way her family handled money. Many of us can relate to this. 2020 has been a huge time of change with her reassessing her current financial situation and making some radical changes that will have a huge positive impact on the years ahead. These changes all stemmed from her wanting to be able to financially help her kids and once she worked out that she needed to be in a strong financial position herself in order to do this, the rest is rapidly falling into place.false00:31:2843. Help yourself first so you can then help others43. Help yourself first so you can then help othersMoney JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependencePodcastInvestingRental PropertyKiwiSaverSharesightRuthWed, 20 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/coming-a-long-way-in-a-short-space-of-time572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:5ec25b1b27543f40ced09bccRuth42. Coming a long way in a short space of time.In this final podcast of this series, I’m doing a recap of two people that I’ve spoken with earlier. Firstly there was Bret from episode #20, a guy who had gone from being a super consumer to someone who is finally, much to the relief of his partner Shelley, in control of money. And secondly, I spoke with Lucas from episode #28 who last time we met was staring down the barrel of a $1.2 million dollar mortgage. Both of these couples have come an extremely long way in a very short space of time and I think that hearing from them will help many people who are currently finding themselves in tough situations of their own.false00:38:4542. Coming a long way in a short space of time.42. Coming a long way in a short space of time.Money JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependencePodcastInvestingSharesightRuthWed, 13 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/turbulent-times572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:5eb8c5dd0e4d61663a1370feRuth41. Turbulent TimesThis week I tell you all about Catherine and her husband Luke. Both of them had been enjoying successful careers and had been working to a financial plan that had them thinking years into the future. Life was sailing along pretty well, all things considered, until very recently when they hit a major roadblock, due to a job loss caused by COVID-19. Sometimes we think we are heading in one direction but a fork in the road throws up a few other suggestions and we have no choice but to adapt.false00:48:0041. Turbulent Times41. Turbulent TimesMoney JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependencePodcastInvestingSharesightRuthWed, 06 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/its-never-too-late-to-change572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:5eafe1169b99b76fe1eb8648Ruth40. It's never too late to changeThis week I’m going to share the story of Linda, a woman in her early 50’s who has had a huge shift in mindset over the last ten months. Linda’s journey with money had just been trundling along year in year out for, oh I don’t know, about 52 years! But in July 2019 there was to be a bit of a change in direction when she started to question the status quo and wondered if not paying her house off until she was in her mid 70’s was the best idea after all?false00:58:0640. It's never too late to change40. It's never too late to changeMoney JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependencePodcastInvestingSharesightRuthWed, 29 Apr 2020 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/battling-the-desire-to-just-spend-spend-spend572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:5ea637601163d11223bfa37eRuth39. Battling the desire to just spend, spend, spend!Becky described herself as a spender at heart who has to constantly battle against the desire to just spend, spend, spend. The spiral began with interest free debt in her first year of university and continued on from there. Today she has decided to stop turning to debt to finance the things she and her family want, but it’s still a struggle and it still has the ability to occasionally trip her up. But there is hope for spenders like her and while still a work in progress, she has come a very long way in a short space of time and has paid off old debt and said no to any more. This is how a ‘natural spender’ gets her money under control.false00:42:5439. Battling the desire to just spend, spend, spend!39. Battling the desire to just spend, spend, spend!Money JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependencePodcastInvestingSharesightRuthWed, 22 Apr 2020 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/keep-on-truckin572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:5e9cccda554bbb3b8e1ded0eRuth38. Keep On TruckinAaron and his wife Shannon have a young son, just six months old and it’s what they did in the lead up to his birth that got my attention. They decided to work like crazy people, as many hours as they possibly could, in order to knock down their mortgage and set a chunk of cash aside before the birth so that they could head into parenthood prepared. Learn how this truck driver and administrator went about it.false00:42:1738. Keep On Truckin38. Keep On TruckinMoney JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependencePodcastInvestingRuthWed, 15 Apr 2020 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/this-is-what-starting-young-looks-like572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:5e9513e31288b77c2677aebaRuth37. This is what Starting Young Looks LikeOften when I speak with people their one regret is that “they didn’t start saving and investing earlier”. Well today, you are going to hear about Nat and she DID manage to start investing early in life and the proof sure is in the pudding when at the age of just 36 she has an investment portfolio that she can be proud of.false00:32:2437. This is what Starting Young Looks Like37. This is what Starting Young Looks LikeMoney JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependencePodcastInvestingSharesightRuthTue, 26 Nov 2019 23:01:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/divorced-and-determined-budgeting-queen572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:5dd8f2efa46d122f3807d9f6Ruth36. Divorced and Determined Budgeting QueenWhen I think of Mandy, the word that keeps coming to my mind is ‘determined’. She was living the good life right up until she wasn’t. We pick up her story at the point of her divorce when she had two young children, a small divorce settlement, a limited income and a burning desire to turn things around for the better. But how could she find her feet again? With determination, that’s how.false00:43:1936. Divorced and Determined Budgeting Queen36. Divorced and Determined Budgeting QueenMoney JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependencePodcastInvestingDebt FreeSharesightRuthTue, 19 Nov 2019 23:01:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/rebalancing-the-portfolio572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:5dbfe21b11cc3a00ac7ebb9bRuth35. Rebalancing the PortfolioJo is a busy Mum of a two year old, they had just returned from an overseas trip and she is juggling parenting with a 30 hour work week, while her partner is working as well. We had a great chat where she told me how at a very young age she was encouraged into buying property and she discussed how that decision has impacted her life over the years and how she is now discovering new ways to invest outside of what she knows, housing.false00:334:0235. Rebalancing the Portfolio35. Rebalancing the PortfolioMoney JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependencePodcastInvestingDebt FreeSharesightRuthTue, 12 Nov 2019 23:01:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/i-am-keeping-the-dog572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:5db6a5e28ccf9d12e02e0aefRuth34. I'm keeping the dog!I came upon Tracy via Instagram. She was on a debt repayment marathon, trying to pay down $94,278 of consumer debt and was estimating it would take her 33 months. It all started because she was on the brink of bankruptcy and the suggestion was made that she needed to sell everything, including her beloved dog! By August, when we spoke she was down to $10,471.11 of debt and the sprint to the finish line was on! She has worked her tail off in her day job and taken up any and every side hustle that she could think of. She is one determined and focussed lady.false00:38:0134. I'm keeping the dog!34. I'm keeping the dog!Money JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependencePodcastInvestingDebt FreeSharesightRuthTue, 05 Nov 2019 23:01:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/a-debt-free-birthday572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:5db65db415366869893af83cRuth33. A Debt Free BirthdayWhat do you do when you become debt free for the very first time in your life? You email me to share your fabulous news of course! That is how I came to know Dale and Dean. They were ambling along just fine until Dean realised that soon he would be 50 and he became determined that he wanted to be debt free before his birthday. So, they got after it and in today’s podcast, I share how they did it.false00:45:0833. A Debt Free Birthday33. A Debt Free BirthdayMoney JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependencePodcastInvestingDebt FreeSharesightRuthTue, 29 Oct 2019 23:01:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/the-ultimatum572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:5db6537c820b8d2902496cf8Ruth32. The Ultimatum!In this week’s podcast I spoke with Farrel and Chihiro, a Christchurch couple in their early forties who are a great example of how to get two people with completely opposite money personalities on the same page. One was a spender and one was a saver and it would have remained that way unless an ultimatum was given: Either shape up or ship out!false00:30:2432. The Ultimatum!32. The Ultimatum!Money JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependencePodcastInvestingDebt FreeSharesightRuthTue, 22 Oct 2019 23:01:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/cherishing-time-over-everything-else572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:5d9e7c71c1f67f503caa2f87Ruth31. Cherishing time over everything else.I get a lump in my throat when I think about Tracey, her family and the journey they have been on together. Back in 1996, she had no money, she had less than no money actually, she was in debt. With a divorce, the recent loss of her father, a failed business and with two seriously ill children to care for she was at her lowest point. Today I tell the story of how she found her way back and how she inspired me to cherish TIME over everything else.false00:38:10831. Cherishing time over everything else.31. Cherishing time over everything else.Money JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependencePodcastSharesInvestingRuthWed, 24 Apr 2019 00:01:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/young-investor-tries-it-all-from-penny-stocks-to-margin-lending572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:5cbec4334e17b60177731427Ruth30. Young investor tries it all from penny stocks to margin lending.Ryan is a 23 year old Australian who started trading penny stocks at 16, worked pretty much full time while he was at university and has now begun his professional career in finance. He invests in all sorts of things, just to see what happens and if he fails, he adds that experience to his learning and just keeps moving forward, undeterred and full of energy for the next phase.false00:42:0430. Young investor tries it all from penny stocks to margin lending.30. Young investor tries it all from penny stocks to margin lending.Money JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependencePodcastRental PropertyRuthWed, 17 Apr 2019 00:10:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/being-curious-and-asking-questions-gets-rewards572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:5cb3b053ee6eb001468b369aRuth29. Being curious and asking questions gets rewards.Arataki is a woman who focuses on the collective and not on the individual and as she has moved through life she used some difficult experiences to not hold her back, but to drive her forward. At every turn, she has been a leader to others and today she is on the cusp of financial freedom where stepping away from work means she will be stepping towards helping build up her own whanau and her wider community.false00:35:4129. Being curious and asking questions gets rewards.29. Being curious and asking questions gets rewards.Money JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependencePodcastRental PropertyRuthWed, 10 Apr 2019 00:01:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/to-stay-on-the-million-dollar-mortgage-treadmill-or-not572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:5cab1b5dfa0d607cf14d35beRuth28. To stay on the million dollar mortgage treadmill or not?New Zealand is a fabulously multicultural place and I often find myself speaking with people who were not born here but have chosen to make this place their home. Today is no exception because Lucas was born in Southern Europe but has called New Zealand home for the last ten years. Lucas had reached a bit of a cross roads. He appeared to have what seems to be the Kiwi dream, a house and a rental property but he has come to realise and understand that for his situation he will need to keep handing over money month in month out to banks to pay down debt in order to make himself and his family comfortable in 25 to 35 years time and the thought of waiting this long actually no longer aligns with his goals in life. Will Lucas stay on the treadmill that is the New Zealand housing market or will he step off?false00:39:1828. To stay on the million dollar mortgage treadmill or not?28. To stay on the million dollar mortgage treadmill or not?Money JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependencePodcastDebt FreeRuthTue, 02 Apr 2019 23:01:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/minimalists-go-off-on-an-adventure572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:5ca1d13eec212d250eb7bebfRuth27. Minimalists go off on an adventure!I stumbled upon Sandra and Paul in 2018 when I not only discovered their blog about travel and minimalism but also that they were passing through my town that very week! Naturally I contacted them and invited them over for a coffee! Such an interesting couple who have both saved up, whittled down their lives to an 11kg backpack each, quit their jobs and transitioned into a new life of travel, adventure and a location-independent lifestyle.false00:36:5627. Minimalists go off on an adventure!27. Minimalists go off on an adventure!Money JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependencePodcastDebt FreeIndex FundsSmartSharesRuthWed, 27 Mar 2019 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/single-income-is-no-barrier-to-becoming-financially-independent572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:5c998e9853450a7412355a22Ruth26. Single Income is No Barrier to Becoming Financially IndependentI’m going to tell you about a fabulous 42 year old woman I know, called Kate. We met via my blog when she reached out to me and that is when I knew that she had an interesting money journey to tell. What you pay attention to gets done and Kate worked this out from an early age so when she set her sights on moving to New Zealand, establishing a career, buying a house, paying it off and retiring before 50 there is little that will keep her from achieving her goals.false00:33:5426. Single Income is No Barrier to Becoming Financially Independent26. Single Income is No Barrier to Becoming Financially IndependentMoney JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependencePodcastDebt FreeIndex FundsSharesRuthTue, 19 Mar 2019 23:01:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/1980s-yuppie-went-without-to-invest-money-from-a-young-age572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:5c8f63c5eb393146786e211fRuth25. 1980s Yuppie Went Without to Invest Money from a Young AgeThis could have been a textbook case of “Investing 101”. Tom had the key components in there like: live on less than you make, invest in mutual funds and spend mindfully while living a great life into retirement and beyond. But he was investing through the 80s so investing in the stock market and buying a Porsche had to fit somewhere in the mix right? Tom’s story gives a fascinating look at the rocky ride of a share investor, a life well lived and a net worth that reflects that it all worked out OK in the end.false00:33:5025. 1980s Yuppie Went Without to Invest Money from a Young Age25. 1980s Yuppie Went Without to Invest Money from a Young AgeMoney JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependencePodcastDebt FreeIndex FundsRuthWed, 25 Jul 2018 00:01:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/four-kids-tight-budget-house-build572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:5b566de82b6a282123b10fa1Ruth24. Four kids, a tight budget and a house build...Today in my final episode for this series I speak with Alison and Tom who are parents to four children under the age of four. With a house build on the cards, a tight budget and a single income, we hear how this family of six manage to not just survive but thrive.false00:36:4724. Four kids, a tight budget and a house build...24. Four kids, a tight budget and a house build...Money JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependenceInvestingPodcastDebt FreeIndex FundsSavingMoney EducationSharesightRuthWed, 18 Jul 2018 00:01:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/family-planning572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:5b4c53d02b6a280d52d871eaRuth23. Family PlanningThree kids and an almost paid for house? It sounds like an impossible dream but I’m pleased to tell you it is a reality for this Wellington couple. But it has not happened by accident, it has taken planning and a lot of time to achieve it...false00:33:3023. Family Planning23. Family PlanningMoney JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependenceInvestingPodcastKiwiSaverSuperLifeIndex FundsSavingSharesightRuthWed, 11 Jul 2018 00:01:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/simon-says-live-the-life-you-want-today572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:5b3eb584758d46018d4fca91Ruth22. Simon Says... Live the life you want today.Today I am telling the story of Simon, a guy I’ve actually spoken to a number of times, but everything I thought and assumed about him turned out not to be 100% correct. With a finance related masters degree I thought he would have graphs for Africa. But no, although he knows where he is at financially, much more importantly he knows what kind of life he wants to live today and into the future.false00:20:5322. Simon Says... Live the life you want today.22. Simon Says... Live the life you want today.Money JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependencePodcastDebt FreeSavingSharesightRuthWed, 04 Jul 2018 00:01:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/consumer-debt-be-gone572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:5b3987fb88251b4f1d93f5dfRuth21. Consumer Debt Be Gone!Tenants of a beautiful house and buying the latest gadgets meant that this married Mum of one had it all. Well, she appeared to have it all from those on the outside looking in. ​​​​​​​Instead, she was feeling crushed by consumer debt and was forced back to work when she would rather be at home with her daughter. Something had to change and she was the only person to make that change.false00:30:3421. Consumer Debt Be Gone!21. Consumer Debt Be Gone!Money JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependenceInvestingPodcastDebt FreeIndex FundsSavingSharesightRuthWed, 27 Jun 2018 00:01:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/super-consumer-to-super-saver572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:5b315bd2f950b75e9ad1db96Ruth20. Super Consumer to Super SaverRecently I spoke with Bret, a guy who has spent the last year and a half going from super consumer to super saver. He said he felt like he had been in the Matrix and has only just woken up after realising he had been sucked into a giant consumer machine. Where he used to use money to buy endless stuff, he is now using it as a currency to buy back his time.false00:34:0820. Super Consumer to Super Saver20. Super Consumer to Super SaverMoney JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependenceInvestingPodcastKiwiSaverSuperLifeSmartSharesDebt FreeIndex FundsSavingSharesightRuthWed, 20 Jun 2018 00:01:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/an-epiphany-in-paris572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:5b2829ec352f5308544b3940Ruth19. An Epiphany In ParisA holiday is a great opportunity to clear your head and make future plans that you can put into action when you get back home. Unless you are Nellie. She decided that if you are going to make a plan to completely change your financial life then you might as well start right now, even if it means the holiday you are on grinds to a halt.false00:23:4719. An Epiphany In Paris19. An Epiphany In ParisMoney JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependenceInvestingPodcastDebt FreeSavingSharesightRuthWed, 13 Jun 2018 00:01:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/asking-for-help-has-been-a-game-changer572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:5b1e35e18a922d0f9f7e9f9aRuth18. Asking for help has been a game changer.Shane is fed up with working and he wants to spend more time at home with his family instead. He wants to retire in his early forties! Years of DIY investing has worked him into a very good financial position but putting his hand up and asking for help to improve his portfolio has meant that his retirement will happen just that much sooner.false00:30:0018. Asking for help has been a game changer.18. Asking for help has been a game changer.Money JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependenceInvestingPodcastDebt FreeSavingSharesightRuthWed, 06 Jun 2018 00:01:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/weetbix-for-breakfast-lunch-and-dinner572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:5b161b29aa4a99890c4d80afRuth17. Weetbix for breakfast, lunch and dinner!Ashley has been on a wild ride, one that saw her take her business to great highs and then crashing lows. But like a phoenix from the ashes she kept rising up again, dusting herself off and literally getting back on her horse. Today she is debt free and enjoying every moment, but it sure has been a rocky ride.false00:31:1117. Weetbix for breakfast, lunch and dinner!17. Weetbix for breakfast, lunch and dinner!Money JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependenceInvestingPodcastKiwiSaverSuperLifeSmartSharesDebt FreeIndex FundsSavingSharesightRuthWed, 30 May 2018 00:01:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/consistent-saving-smart-investing-mindful-spending572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:5b0bd3ab575d1fdde999ebcbRuth16. Consistent Saving, Smart Investing, Mindful SpendingWhat were you doing at 23? I was still mucking around at University and having a grand old time. Not today’s guest. Callum was a fully qualified builder by the age of 19 and took a step up into his second career by the age of 21. Today, at just 23 he has a ​​​​​​​net worth that would make others stand up and notice and a heap of plans for the future where he takes every opportunity to grow his skills, invest carefully and spend mindfully.false00:31:5516. Consistent Saving, Smart Investing, Mindful Spending16. Consistent Saving, Smart Investing, Mindful SpendingMoney JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependenceInvestingPodcastKiwiSaverRetirementDebt FreeSavingManaged FundsRuthWed, 23 May 2018 00:01:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/a-lesson-on-living-a-good-financial-life572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:5b0330c2f950b75de21d395eRuth15. A lesson on living a good financial life.If you want the good oil on how to invest well, track down a retired English and History teacher! If anyone is going to remember key points and dates about their life it is them. I was delighted to speak to Alan about his money journey and I’ve picked up a lot of tips on how to live not only a good financial life but how to cherish my personal relationships too.false00:32:0315. A lesson on living a good financial life.15. A lesson on living a good financial life.Money JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependenceInvestingPodcastKiwiSaverSuperLifeRetirementSmartSharesDebt FreeIndex FundsSavingSharesightRuthWed, 16 May 2018 00:01:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/is-it-mission-complete572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:5af674d070a6adc5dcf6dfc8Ruth14. Is it mission complete?I wanted to have a catch up with two people that I spoke to in the first podcast series because although separate, each of them were on a mission. One of them was on a mission to become debt free in the shortest time possible and the other was on a mission to retire at the grand old age of 44. Well, our catch ups did not disappoint and both of them have in the last six months made some fantastic progress towards their own unique goals.false00:29:1214. Is it mission complete?14. Is it mission complete?Money JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependenceInvestingPodcastKiwiSaverSharesightRuthWed, 09 May 2018 00:01:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/new-country-new-life572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:5aee5faf8a922d5e6063f92eRuth13. New Country New Life!Would you have the guts to move to another country? Well, Chris and Kazia did just that when they moved from the Philippines to New Zealand in 2010. It is an incredibly bold move but they have hit the ground running and Chris shared with me how his Filipino culture shaped his views on money but also how they are now merging those views with the Kiwi way of doing things.false00:26:5013. New Country New Life!13. New Country New Life!Money JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependenceInvestingPodcastSmartSharesKiwiSaverSharesightRuthTue, 06 Feb 2018 23:01:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/its-all-about-me572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:5a795b7b419202954df68019Ruth12. It's All About MeWelcome to the last podcast of this series of twelve. I thought to round out the series I would let you know a bit more about me as you may have been thinking “who is this person who keeps on banging on about?” and I also thought that I might make this one a quick one, but realising how much I like to talk, it probably won’t be!false00:44:1712. It's All About Me12. It's All About MeMoney JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependenceInvestingPodcastSmartSharesKiwiSaverSharesightRuthTue, 30 Jan 2018 23:01:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/creating-a-whole-life-plan572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:5a6fea18e2c4831f5ba06a48Ruth11. Creating a Whole Life PlanLiving in Queenstown is a dream to many but it ain’t easy making it happen. All of that stunning scenery you feast your eyes on everyday does not pay the bills and buying not just A house, but your first house takes a lot of work and dedication. Kurt and Ruth have dedication in spades and they have created a whole of life plan to make sure they don’t just survive there, but thrive.false00:36:1311. Creating a Whole Life Plan11. Creating a Whole Life PlanMoney JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependenceInvestingPodcastSmartSharesKiwiSaverSharesightRuthTue, 23 Jan 2018 23:01:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/how-come-im-not-rich572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:5a66e93771c10bf8dffcf337Ruth10. How come I’m not rich?In January 2016 Ronnie woke up one morning and went to a job she didn’t much like and wondered how she had reached 39 years of age and still wasn’t rich. In fact she was just one or two pay cheques away from having next to nothing. So she YouTubed “how to be rich” and her journey out of debt began.false00:26:1810. How come I’m not rich?10. How come I’m not rich?Money JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependenceInvestingPodcastSharesSmartSharesSharesightRuthTue, 16 Jan 2018 23:01:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/self-taught-investor-loves-buying-individual-shares572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:5a5d289171c10bca135d351cRuth09. Self Taught Investor Loves Buying Individual SharesJane loves buying individual shares in companies. She enjoys the research, the tracking of her investments and the sporadic hunt for the “next big thing”. Find out how this self taught investor fits share trading in around her busy family life.false00:19:3809. Self Taught Investor Loves Buying Individual Shares09. Self Taught Investor Loves Buying Individual SharesMoney JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependenceInvestingPodcastSavingIndex FundsSmartSharesSharesightRuthTue, 09 Jan 2018 23:01:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/high-risk-investing-leads-to-a-balanced-lifestyle572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:5a53ed4e9140b7f339c20efdRuth08. High risk investing leads to a balanced lifestyle...SmartShares is an investment product I use and I met their product manager Dean Anderson because I kept contacting him with lots of questions regarding my own ETF funds. He struck me as a guy with a good story to tell and I knew there was more to him than just index funds. During our chat he told me about where, how and most importantly why he is an investor and you will come away from listening to him and put some more thought into your own money journey, of that I am certain.false00:26:1808. High risk investing leads to a balanced lifestyle...08. High risk investing leads to a balanced lifestyle...Money JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependenceInvestingPodcastSavingIndex FundsRuthTue, 19 Dec 2017 23:01:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/gunning-towards-financial-independence572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:5a3865ace4966b79a0fc87a7Ruth07. Gunning Towards Financial IndependenceToday I’m telling you all about my sister Liz. While I inherited the saver gene, she inherited the spending gene but a life of debt finally caught up with her and she has spent the last couple of years completely changing her mindset about the money in her life and is now firmly on a path to financial independence.false00:37:2207. Gunning Towards Financial Independence07. Gunning Towards Financial IndependenceMoney JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependencePodcastSavingIndex FundsSmartSharesRuthTue, 12 Dec 2017 23:01:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/a-calm-and-calculated-investor572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:5a2f4cbc0d9297922e00160bRuth06. A Calm and Calculated InvestorI met Victoria via my blog when we began to chat by email. So when I knew I wanted to create a podcast and wanted to interview a woman who gives her financial situation careful consideration, she was high up on my list. This is a snapshot of a calm and calculated Kiwi woman having a go and succeeding at setting her own financial path.false00:22:3106. A Calm and Calculated Investor06. A Calm and Calculated InvestorMoney JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependencePodcastSavingRuthTue, 05 Dec 2017 23:01:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/the-teenager-who-is-ahead-of-the-game572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:5a2650744192028cc4acb290Ruth05. The Teenager Who's Ahead of the GameIf you thought that every teenager spends their days wagging school and walking around with their head down looking at the latest iPhone, then think again. Today we meet James who is finishing up his final year of school before heading on to University in 2018. He is no slouch and is involved in a huge variety of community groups, holds down a job, listens to his mother and is saving hard for the future.false00:26:1905. The Teenager Who's Ahead of the Game05. The Teenager Who's Ahead of the GameMoney JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependenceInvestingPodcastDebt FreeRetirementRental PropertySavingRuthTue, 28 Nov 2017 23:01:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/reaching-residential-rental-property-nirvana572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:5a1ce3f30d92971bbc44bf3dRuth04. Reaching Residential Rental Property Nirvana!On this episode of The Bux Saver Podcast I talk with Rachel and David who are a New Zealand success story. When quite young they stumbled upon buying rental properties, in Auckland no less, and over time they bought a few more while working their day jobs. But it was their day job that enabled them to pay off their mortgages and today they go into detail about how they did it.false00:26:5204. Reaching Residential Rental Property Nirvana!04. Reaching Residential Rental Property Nirvana!Money JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependenceInvestingSavingPodcastDebt FreeRetirementIndex FundsSmartSharesRuthWed, 22 Nov 2017 01:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/investing-for-an-early-retirement572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:5a113a0ef9619a64a2d3cfa2Ruth03. Investing for an Early RetirementLisa followed a fella all the way back to NZ and set up a successful business in which she toiled day after day. All her time and all of her energy went into it until one day she was forced to walk away, with nothing except a mortgage laden building. Broke, tired and uncertain of the future she started all over again. With no idea about what to do with money she set about teaching herself how and where to invest and now, at the young age of 44 she has reached financial independence and is about to retire!false00:32:5703. Investing for an Early Retirement03. Investing for an Early RetirementMoney JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependenceInvestingSavingPodcastDebt FreeRuthWed, 15 Nov 2017 03:00:00 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/you-got-to-know-when-to-hold-em572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:5a0966b4085229359da19837Ruth02. You've got to know when to hold 'emThis week I’m excited to tell you about Ryan Johnson, a fellow blogger on. He had a very interesting start to his working career as it involved a pack of 52 playing cards. He is self taught when it comes to investing and is putting careful thought into exactly where to invest his savings and he openly shares that with me today. With student loans now paid off he has bucked the home ownership trend for now and has chosen to rent rather than buy a home. Month by month he is building a strong financial footing and he has learned a tonne about investing along the way.false00:27:3502. You've got to know when to hold 'em02. You've got to know when to hold 'emMoney JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependenceInvestingSavingDebt FreePodcastRuthTue, 07 Nov 2017 22:06:16 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/the-tipping-point-a-buddha-and-a-movie572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:59fe67e98165f5564ab73bcdRuth01. The Tipping Point: A Buddha and a MovieThis week I had a chat with Bradie from Kiwi Girl On A Budget who has gone well down the rabbit hole of debt and is busy finding her way back out. She bought not one but three rental properties in one year in an attempt to set herself up for life. But life has a way of turning you in another direction when you least expect it and a series of events led her to completely rethink the way she thought about money.false00:34:0601. The Tipping Point: A Buddha and a Movie01. The Tipping Point: A Buddha and a MovieMoney JourneyPersonal FinanceFinancial IndependenceInvestingSavingDebt FreePodcastRuthTue, 17 Oct 2017 22:12:40 +0000https://www.thebuxsaver.com/podcast/the-happy-saver-podcast572fc6042b8dde9e10b6ea9d:59e576decf81e0e2d2fc6fb5:59e57b38d74cff795c47b1b4RuthThe Bux Saver PodcastYour friends might not want to talk about money, but I do! Hi, I’m Ruth and I’m a blogger on Personal Finance and in this podcast I tell the stories of Kiwi’s and their experiences with the money in their lives. How do they use it or how does it use them? Where do they save and invest it and does it work? What are their financial triumphs and financial train wrecks? How can you extract the most out of life and spend as little as possible while doing it? Join me as I ask the questions everyone else is too polite to ask, but is dying to know about New Zealanders and their money. Happy Saving! Ruthfalse00:08:40