Budgeting tips
Find tips and tools to help with budgeting, saving and preparing for unexpected costs.
Managing our money can be tricky – there’s a lot for us to think about, but creating a simple budget can help make things easier.
No matter what situation we’re in, following a budget means we can keep track of all our bills and expenses, and save for a rainy day or the holiday season.
With these tools, tips and advice, we can take the effort out of looking after our finances.
Sorted budgeting tool
This free online tool will guide you through every step to creating your budget, reducing the stress out of setting yourself up and making sure nothing’s missed.
Check out the Sorted budgeting tool(external link) on their website.
From pet food to the transport you use, Sorted’s budgeting tool will help you take care of all your costs – and you can create an account to save and update your budget.
Sorted.org.nz(external link) is run by Te Ara Ahunga Ora – The Retirement Commission, and its website also includes lots of other tools, guides and tips for managing money.
Work and Income
Check out the Work and Income budget worksheet(external link) for a list of all the costs you need to plan for, along with links to other support you may be able to receive from the Ministry of Social Development
Beyond your budget, there are other ways to get support or build financial capability – the skills that’ll help you get ahead.
Family Services Directory
Along with a range of other support services, the Family Services Directory provides contact information for money mentors and budgeting advisors in every part of New Zealand – there’s even one in the Chatham Islands.
Family Services Directory(external link).
MoneyTalks
MoneyTalks is a free, non-judgemental budgeting and debt management service aimed at helping people out of hardship.
You can get support by:
- visiting the MoneyTalks website(external link)
- emailing help@moneytalks.co.nz
Call 0800 345 123 or text free 4029, between:
- 8am–8pm Monday to Friday,
- 9am–4pm Saturday, and
- 10am–2pm Sunday.
Good Shepherd
Need some help to buy an essential item or pay off a debt? The Good Shepherd may be able to help with a Good Loan.
Good Loans are interest-free and may be available to you if you earn less than the yearly income limit and meet the requirements.
Visit the Good Shepherd website(external link) to find out more about Good Loans.
We want to make it as easy as possible to keep on top of your rent and other bills.
For more information or help with your rent, visit our Payments page
If you ask people what the holiday season is really about, most will say relaxing and spending time with family – not spending loads of money.
It’s easier for you and your whānau to enjoy a happy, debt-free summer by buying what you need throughout the year. That way, when the holiday season arrives, there’s not such a big bill to pay. Start early so you can:
- Decide what you can afford to spend. Create a budget and stick to it, so you can spread your payments out to make things easier.
- Break down your budget to allow for gifts, decorations, food, drink and entertainment.
- Keep track of your spending in the months leading up to the holidays.
- Join your local supermarket’s Christmas club. It can help spread the cost of the holidays over the year. The earlier you start contributing to your Christmas club, the more treats you’ll be able to have.
With a budget set early, you’ll be ready to relax with friends and whānau by the time the holidays arrive. As Christmas draws closer – or if anything pops up at the last minute – a few more tricks can help reduce financial stress even more:
- Set a price limit on gifts (say $10, $15, $20). Perhaps limit the gifts you give to one person through something like a Secret Santa, and open them as a group for a fun game during your Christmas gathering.
- Try crafting your gifts. Store-bought mason jars are great, but upcycled jars are just as good! Make a salt, sugar or coffee-grounds body scrub by mixing with coconut oil and a few drops of essential oil. Make jams, pickles or relishes with fruit and veggies from your garden. Pack home baking in little parcels, or layer the dry ingredients into a glass jar with a recipe card attached so the receiver can bake it fresh themselves! Search online for more ideas.
- Make Christmas dinner a potluck. If you’re hosting, ask your guests to bring their favourite, go-to dish. Your guests will likely want to help, and it also saves you time by sharing the cooking.
- Look out for specials on non-perishable goods and stock up on these before the Christmas week supermarket rush to avoid the last-minute panic (and mark-up!).
Remember to focus on friends and family – aroha from friends and whānau is always the highlight of any holiday. Get outdoors and plan to go to the beach or park, set up a game of backyard cricket or footie, have a picnic or use your council-owned shared barbecue. If the weather turns wet, have board games, cards or Lego handy.
Page updated: 24 October 2024