Free guides
Money guides for Kiwis
Straight-up guides to budgeting, saving, GST and student loans in New Zealand. No jargon, no upsell, with free calculators to do the maths for you.
Accommodation Supplement explained: who can get it and how it works
A plain-English guide to the Accommodation Supplement in NZ: it's not just for beneficiaries. How the areas, entry thresholds and income and asset tests work, and how to check if you qualify.
Read the guide →Compound interest explained: how your money grows over time
What compound interest is, why time matters more than the amount, how it works for savings, term deposits and KiwiSaver, and the NZ tax and fee catch to keep in mind.
Read the guide →Emergency funds in NZ: how much, where to keep it, and how to build it
How big an emergency fund you actually need (3 to 6 months of essentials), where to keep it so it's there when you need it, and a realistic way to build one on a normal Kiwi budget.
Read the guide →Switching to KeaBudget from YNAB, PocketSmith or a spreadsheet
Thinking of moving off a paid or US-centric budgeting app? Here's how to switch to KeaBudget in a few minutes, what's the same, what's different, and how to bring your history across with a CSV.
Read the guide →What is my PIR? Picking the right prescribed investor rate in NZ
Your PIR is the tax rate on your KiwiSaver and managed funds. Here's what the 10.5%, 17.5% and 28% rates mean, how the two-year test works, and how to check you're not quietly overpaying.
Read the guide →Working for Families explained: what you can get and how it's worked out
A plain-English guide to Working for Families in NZ: the Family Tax Credit, In-Work Tax Credit and Best Start, how your income reduces them, and how to make sure you're getting what you're entitled to.
Read the guide →GST for sole traders and contractors in NZ
When you have to register for GST in New Zealand, how to charge and work out 15% GST, the 3/23 rule, and how to set the money aside so it's there at return time.
Read the guide →How much should I save? The 50/30/20 rule for Kiwis
How much of your pay to save in NZ, the 50/30/20 rule applied to Kiwi take-home pay, building an emergency fund, and where KiwiSaver fits in.
Read the guide →How to budget in New Zealand: a simple guide
A plain-English guide to budgeting in NZ: how to set one up, the categories that matter for Kiwi life, and a simple method you'll actually stick to.
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