Welcome! I’m Sophia, the author of Mindful with Money (@mindfulwithmoneynz). I’m passionate about all things personal finance, currently work in the NZ financial industry, and hold the NZ Certificate in Financial Services (Life, Disability & Health Insurance; General Insurance; Residential Property Lending) and NZ Certificate in Money Management. This blog is my money diary, and I hope it gives you plenty of helpful tips and inspiration on your own personal finance journey!
I’m taking a year of parental leave to care for my new baby. Here’s how I’m making it work.
We’re expecting! Being fortunate enough to take 13 months off paid work, here’s how my husband and I are making it work - from creating a parental leave budget, increasing our income & savings, using government benefits, and trimming our expenses.
Six ways to save money this Christmas
It’s the most wonderful - and expensive - time of the year! If you’re looking to save money this Christmas, check out six ways I personally love - from gifting future experiences at no upfront cost to hosting meaningful but affordable Christmas celebrations.
How the cost of living crisis has affected us and our money
During the cost of living crisis, my husband and I sold a house, bought a house, had a baby, and refixed our mortgage. Here’s how the cost of living crisis has affected us and our money, and how we’re enjoying life without sacrificing our sanity.
What we did with a $27,000 pay rise
From June to July this year, my husband and I were both very fortunate to receive a pay rise: an increase of $14,000 for my income, and an increase of $13,000 for his. Our last combined pay rise had been $6000 in 2019 (a story I share in the first edition of my book), so we were stoked to have more than quadrupled this number with a combined pay rise of $27,000!
So what did we do with it? Here are the four things we did with our extra income.
5 ways to learn about money - for free
Financial literacy is important. And who doesn’t love free money resources? Today I’d like to share with you where I go to learn about money and all things personal finance - without paying a cent.
How COVID-19 impacted our personal finances
Today, I want to share with you my thoughts & experiences on how COVID-19 has impacted our money and personal finances. I imagine that life looks very different for most of us at the moment, including how we handle our money and what our incomes & expenses look like. I hope this helps you if you’re looking for ideas – and the knowledge that you’re not alone.
How I save money on an inconsistent income
Just a few years ago, I'd rely on $1400 to hit my bank account every fortnight - and it did, each and every fortnight without fail. Even then, my income regularly fluctuated because I volunteered for so much overtime and, twice a year, received a performance bonus - but it was positively inconsistent in that I could always rely on at least that amount or more. It was blissfully easy to budget.
Fast forward to 2019, and I'm sure those of you who are freelancers, self-employed, contractors, or run a side business can relate to earning a wildly inconsistent income. So how on earth do I budget and save money when my income is never the same?
How I saved $232 a month while looking for a job
Today I wanted to share with you how I reduced my monthly expenses, and talk about whether I’ve noticed much difference in my life. I’d like to thank a brief period of unemployment that motivated me to make these positive changes, some of which were only temporary – if it weren’t for my need to reduce expenses, I might’ve never truly evaluated where my money was going, and what was important to me.
How to live on 80% of your income
When it comes to budgeting your money, it can be confusing to know where to start. How much should you be spending - and what should you be spending on? How much is 'normal' to spend on everything in your life, from your rent or mortgage, your car, entertainment and eating out?
If you have no idea where to start, or would just like to refresh your money mindset and give your budget a makeover, here's a super simple budgeting rule: the 50/30/20 rule.
Follow me on @mindfulwithmoneynz
