Budgeting & How do I avoid getting into unmanageable debt?
Budgeting
Where can I go for free budgeting advice?
How do I avoid getting into unmanageable debt?
Where can I go for free budgeting advice?
There are several non-profit organisations that can help you with budgeting advice.
Your local Citizens Advice Bureau can help you find a budgeting service that suits your situation. Some CABs also run regular budgeting clinics.
The Financial Capability Trust website and the Family Services directory also list budgeting services and financial mentors around New Zealand.
You can also get budgeting and debt management information and advice on the Sorted website.
You might be interested in joining a local MoneyMates groups. These are support groups for people wanting to improve their budgeting skills.
How do I avoid getting into unmanageable debt?
It mostly boils down to living within your means – in other words, spending no more than the amount you earn and only borrowing money (e.g. a student loan) if you are confident of your ability to pay it back.
You can do this by putting together a budget which lists your total income and all of your expenses. You can download a budget worksheet for free from The Budgeting Hub website or the Work and Income website, or use the online budgeting tool on the Sorted website.
A budget advisory service (see above) can help you put a budget together and work out ways for you to reduce your spending or increase your income.
The Sorted website also has advice to help you manage your debt.
Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
Poll: 🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
The Reserve Bank has shared some pretty blunt advice: there’s no such thing as a “safe” job anymore 🛟😑
Robots are stepping into repetitive roles in factories, plants and warehouses. AI is taking care of the admin tasks that once filled many mid-level office jobs.
We want to know: As the world evolves, what skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
Want to read more? The Press has you covered!
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52% Human-centred experience and communication
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15.3% Critical thinking
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29.8% Resilience and adaptability
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2.9% Other - I will share below!
Brain Teaser of the Day 🧠✨ Can You Solve It? 🤔💬
Make a hearty dish. Take just half a minute. Add four parts of kestrel. Then just add one. What have you made?
(Trev from Silverdale kindly provided this head-scratcher ... thanks, Trev!)
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm on the day!
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