I enjoy health debate, and I thank you for being open to sharing your opinion. I thought you bought up some good points, but what was missing for me is an acknowledgement of privilege. Sometimes the ‘bootstrap’ message can be harmful, as much as you want that to inspire. Not everyone in NZ or the other countries you mention has access to the same resources- not just money, but health care, education, familial connections and so on. Its not a level playing field by any means. It’s tempting to look at our achievements and say ‘it was hard, but I did it therefore everyone else who can’t is making the wrong choices’. Those things are true for you and you have every right to be proud of yourself. But I think it’s more nuanced than it worked for me so it works for everyone. There’s lots of research on the cost of poverty - all the little ways institutions and businesses are set up that result in impoverished people having to spend more to access the same services, or it being a barrier to services.
@nzmoneykarma3 күн бұрын
Hey- thanks for taking time to write such a thoughtful comment :-) I enjoy a bit of a debate too :-) Yes you are right- there is definitely a degree of privilege in my life in that I am white, have a healthy body and mind and I was brought up in a loving, safe home. That gave me a great launching pad to adulthood where I became responsible for my own decisions. Life is definitely not a level playing field however what I really wanted to convey is that no matter what your life is like today it is essentially easier than it would have been at any other time in human history. There is inherent privilege for all New Zealanders, in that we live without war, have water that's potable when we turn the tap, have access to benefits, education is free, secondary and tertiary care is also free etc etc. This has not always been the case in NZ and it is easy to forget. I like this old documentary to show how historically people used to budget too: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/brxkYKtyrKqzkps.html and often look back through the history books to learn how previous generations made it through difficult times.
@SharonDunne-os5nz6 күн бұрын
Look into Solar Zero
@nzmoneykarma6 күн бұрын
Thanks Sharon, I will do :-)
@deborahbain99157 күн бұрын
Love your bargaining Skills Well Done
@nzmoneykarma6 күн бұрын
Thanks- I always think, if you don’t ask, you don’t get😀 When I was younger I would have thought it rude- now I think they’re rude!
@jennivanhart30167 күн бұрын
When my husband was considering doing his PhD and leaving his well paid job for a grad assistant position I ran an "austerity budget" to confirm we could cover all our essentials and still have a little wiggle room. It is very reassuring to know what our "nut" is that we have to crack in order to survive and thrive. We can go harder, but it wouldn't be sustainable. Knowing we could though is comforting.
@nzmoneykarma7 күн бұрын
Sounds sensible! I had to laugh- when my husband mentions a phd I suggested he wait until he is with his second wife!
@jennivanhart30164 күн бұрын
@@nzmoneykarma we are fortunate we aren't paying for the PhD out of pocket, other than a smaller paycheck for a few years.
@alegna413212 күн бұрын
Well said. So many people have a poor me attitude and need to realise that the only person who can things in their life is themselves. Life is not a nanny state.
@nzmoneykarma12 күн бұрын
👍 it’s actually a really cool feeling to discover that you can change your life I reckon!
@maryellensola537913 күн бұрын
I enjoyed the video-I felt as if I was tagging along! When I was in college I had a professor who led a walk every so often in downtown Seattle. Seattle isn’t too very old,but he pointed out all the gargoyles on many of the buildings, Native American sculptures and even walrus heads that grace the Arctic Building! Just look up every so often sounds as if you and your family had a great time.
@nzmoneykarma13 күн бұрын
Love that! It is our very favourite thing just to walk around a different place and look at what is around us. My husband really wants to visit Seattle too!
@gracesheehan913 күн бұрын
I would say we are definitely struggling at the moment, but it is ultimately because we have made some really bad choices over the years financially. Definitely all about choices. We are trying hard to turn things around! Love your insight 🙂
@nzmoneykarma13 күн бұрын
Right back at you :-) Your insight is inspiring, you will definitely turn things around now you are focused- it can sometimes just be a bit of a slog! Sing out if there is anyway that I can help. Here's something I wrote about our "financial wake up" call some years back nzmoneykarma.substack.com/p/tough-lessons-during-financial-crisis?
@pens_n_pals13 күн бұрын
Yes I can totally relate to having highs and lows throughout winter when it comes to energy and motivation to be able to be productive and ticking everything off a never ending to do list. Still have to expect another month of winter weather yet. Thankfully it has been a rather mild winter over all this year. Todays generation have a completely different outlook on life compared to days gone by. People seem to be focused on living for the moment and hoping that tomorrow and the future is going to take care of itself. Social media has a huge influence in making people feel they are not enough if they are not living the same type of lifestyle. Technology is constantly replacing jobs eg self checkouts replacing humans in stores. We live in such a disposable age that things like appliances and technology just aren't built to last like they used to. So much to be said but I shall leave it there for now.
@nzmoneykarma13 күн бұрын
That's it- expectations play such a huge role and I think social media damages people in that way too
@maryellensola537916 күн бұрын
I hope you found the 10 dollars! A few years ago one of my students found my gas bill in a book in our classroom library🤣🤣 it was 3 months late and the gas company never said a word!! As always I enjoyed the video and your positive outlook on life.
@nzmoneykarma15 күн бұрын
Haha- that's funny. I did find the $10 too :-)
@planningforreality18 күн бұрын
Glad you had a good time in Melbourne ❤ you ate right $5 saved is $5 more than we had 😊😊
@nzmoneykarma17 күн бұрын
I know!!
@cherylgardiner411221 күн бұрын
Excellent video, thank you 😊
@nzmoneykarma21 күн бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking time to leave a note :-)
@maryellensola537922 күн бұрын
Don’t worry about the soy sauce going off. Some expert cook in the US said that you could use it forever, because of the high sslt content. Growing up our family would buy soy sauce by the half gallon and we’re still at alive and kicking! Enjoyed listening to what you were planning on doing with your purchases.
@nzmoneykarma22 күн бұрын
Thanks for that- I usually just sniff it- if it passes that test we are 👍
@gracesheehan922 күн бұрын
Love your plant (and I love reading your Substack) ☺️ such a shame re the hair, I don’t bother much now, just the occasional haircut once or twice a year.
@nzmoneykarma22 күн бұрын
thanks! so glad to hear someone reads my sub stack🤣.
@surinacombrink449222 күн бұрын
Such a shame you didnt like the hair, feels liks a lot of money for not the result you were hoping for. Love your plant btw.😊
@nzmoneykarma22 күн бұрын
Thanks for taking time to comment😄🙏. yes happy with the plant progress, it’s quite cute- now I have to keep an eye out for a cute plant pot at the second hand shop and I am sorted!
@michelemcgill172022 күн бұрын
Love a cash stuffing. Sorry you didn't like your hair - I haven't coloured in years now and it is the best thing I ever did. Even if the cut isn't 100%, it's only 2 weeks and you recover.
@nzmoneykarma22 күн бұрын
Hi there, I haven’t coloured my hair for 2-3 years and won’t again- this was my relapse🤦♀️
@pens_n_pals23 күн бұрын
Glad that that you had an enjoyable time even it didn't quite end as you had originally anticipated and thanks for sharing your experience. Always great to get to have the chance to visit a place through someone else's eyes that I have never and might never get to see in person myself. I know that you are intentional with your purchases and don't like to collect things as your family travels for the experiences that it provides but just wondered is there any special kind of souvenir or memento that you or your children like to purchase when you visit different destinations to remind you of your experiences there? Isn't so interesting to see the changes that happen when visiting different places even if you have visited them multiple times before.
@nzmoneykarma23 күн бұрын
Hi @pens_n_pals, so lovely to hear from you! For souvenirs... The thing I buy most often souvenir wise to remember a trip is a Christmas decoration :-) Being small and easy to cart around is a bonus. Then each year when we decorate the tree it's fun to remember where we collected each decoration from :-) I have sometimes bought fabric or a picture. The worst thing I ever purchased were some gold shavings in a bottle when I was 15 from a temple in Japan.... eek. But strangely from that same trip I still have bamboo ear cleaners that are slowly getting used and little fabric bags that store bits and bobs :-). I still have some vintage material that my uncle brought back for my MUM from 1950's Japan- it's lovely BUT it would appear no one in my family can think what to make with it.......
@maryellensola537925 күн бұрын
Happy to hear that your kids are enjoying school.
@nzmoneykarma25 күн бұрын
yeah, it really good that they are enjoying the experience, I think it makes a huge difference when you choose to be there.
@planningforreality26 күн бұрын
Thanks for sharing. Really wnjoyed this video😊❤
@nzmoneykarma26 күн бұрын
Thanks for watching- this time last year we were enjoying the sunshine in Sydney :-). How is it all going in your neck of the woods?
@maryellensola537928 күн бұрын
I’m a teacher in Seattle, Washington in the US . In my school district families can change schools if they go through a process. It’s sad that all our schools throughout the district aren’t equally good and have the same resources. My school has a very active parent group who work hard to raise money to fund extras(assemblies, speakers etc.). Our principal isn’t my favorite , but I will say she is very generous with her money and will help out classrooms if we are doing something fun related to our curriculum. We were studying nutrition in our health class,and my students wanted to make smoothies. I mentioned it to her and she brought in blenders, all the fruit etc.for my kids! Years ago I had a student who enrolled in my class mid year. She had been homeschooled for 4 years, but she wanted to be in a situation with other kids, go field trips, and to get yelled at by someone other thsn her mom🤣🤣
@nzmoneykarma26 күн бұрын
Haha- yes I think my kids would agree. They've just been on school holidays and were really looking forward to goin back today :-). I'm not sure how the school system works in the USA but sounds similar where not all schools are created and resourced equally. I don't think the teaching per se is any better/worse but definitely the facilities, resources and behaviours of other students varies greatly depending on where you live.... I might join the PTA next year :-)
@maryellensola537928 күн бұрын
I’m slowly making my way through your videos. I think one of the reasons I enjoy them so much is because I have a similar mindset on how I save and spend my money. 😀😀
@oliviag901628 күн бұрын
We have freakshakes here in nz . Delish but yea def not good for you lol
@nzmoneykarma26 күн бұрын
Do we? Don't tell my kids.... I had never heard of them, I must get out more ;-)!! They were pretty yum BUT definitely need to be in the "occasional" eating basket :-)
@maryellensola5379Ай бұрын
I’m amazed you didn’t let those thieves get you down. Now, if it were me, I’d be in a tizzy with my blood pressure elevated!
@nzmoneykarma28 күн бұрын
Thanks :-) I just think "ah well- what can you do"
@maryellensola5379Ай бұрын
Loved this video! Your generosity is very inspiring!
@nzmoneykarma28 күн бұрын
Hey- thanks for taking the time to comment :-) I try to be generous- that is one of the best things about having $ is that we can share.
@planningforrealityАй бұрын
Enjoy your holiday❤❤❤
@nzmoneykarmaАй бұрын
thanks so much- having a great time so far 😄
@hermoneydiaryАй бұрын
Love these videos, so inspiring! 😍keep up the amazing work!
@nzmoneykarmaАй бұрын
Thank you! Will do!
@libbykat3958Ай бұрын
In your response to your question "Is it worth it?" I would consider two things to be key: 1. Your health 2. Your relationships If this intense workload ever negatively affects either of those things, then I would not consider it worth the toll ❤
@nzmoneykarmaАй бұрын
Very wise! TBH I think anytime I work outside the home these things are negatively effected in some ways…. I think that I struggle to juggle and am better at doing just one thing well🫠
@CashBearMamaАй бұрын
I’m so glad you’re debt free! You should smile in the mirror at yourself each day! Great motivation videos! Blessings! 💜🕊️
@nzmoneykarmaАй бұрын
Thanks so much for your encouragement :-)
@CashBearMamaАй бұрын
I’m binge watching. You did a great series on this. House flipping is difficult but rewarding. Wonderful job on this. ❤
@nzmoneykarmaАй бұрын
Thanks so much- yes was super stressful at the time but a rea high when you sell 🙂 Tough day at work today.......I'm thinking of getting back into it! Haha!!
@maryellensola5379Ай бұрын
I always look forward to your videos. Unlike me, you don’t seem to get rattled with your budgeting 😀😀
@nzmoneykarmaАй бұрын
Haha- I think of it as a fun challenge... me vs ever decreasing amounts of $$ :-)
@libbykat3958Ай бұрын
I have been searching for this kind of NZ-specific content so it was lovely to find you! 13 houses in 2 years with a baby and a toddler - that's some Wonder Woman act! Now I'm off to find your other videos, ka kite anō 😊
@nzmoneykarmaАй бұрын
Kia ora, lovely to have you along and so glad to hear this resonates with you. It was such a manic time in our lives, we were very lucky to get a really good team of tradies around us that often went the extra mile with us as we were working into the night to get stuff done. Can I ask how you came across my channel? Mihi
@libbykat3958Ай бұрын
@nzmoneykarma I was searching KZfaq with phrases such as "New Zealand mortgage journey/mortgage payoff/mortgage story" etc.
@nzmoneykarmaАй бұрын
@@libbykat3958 Thanks for that! I'm still trying to crack the KZfaq algorhythm nut :-)
@pens_n_palsАй бұрын
Slow and steady definitely wins when it comes to saving money. Please do share a video of your Melbourne holiday. I hope that you get to enjoy a most enjoyable time away.
@nzmoneykarmaАй бұрын
Nice to hear from you- it's been a while, I hope all is well in your neck of the woods :-). I am so excited!!!
@SharonDunne-os5nzАй бұрын
Have a wonderful time getting away from the cold weather we are having. Love your videos ❤
@nzmoneykarmaАй бұрын
Thanks so much- I am hoping in will be a few degrees warmer but if not, it will make all the difference not having to get up and bike to work in the cold and dark anyway- instead getting up at a leisurely 7'ish and wandering to a cafe :-)
@planningforrealityАй бұрын
Very similar to here in Australia. Thanksnfor sharing ❤❤
@nzmoneykarmaАй бұрын
Thanks for watching!
@jo-annegibb443Ай бұрын
I wish our Pak n save in Taupo carried as many Pam's products
@nzmoneykarmaАй бұрын
Oh that's a shame- they're really affordable aye!
@heatherbogdalski2034Ай бұрын
Thanks - very interesting
@nzmoneykarmaАй бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it
@pens_n_palsАй бұрын
Thanks for sharing. I always enjoy watching grocery hauls and being able to see what others pay for groceries. Always an added bonus to see a menu plan included. I am sure your food donation will be very gratefully received.
@nzmoneykarmaАй бұрын
Thanks for watching- yes it was really fun to go out and do as well! I thought what would I buy for myself and the kids if I had absolutely nothing in the cupboard and that's what I came up with :-)
@nzmoneykarmaАй бұрын
What would you make with these ingredients?
@nzmoneykarmaАй бұрын
I forgot to add the puddings in........ Rice pudding and Jelly with tinned peaches 🙂
@heatherbogdalski2034Ай бұрын
Great kiwi video❤️
@nzmoneykarmaАй бұрын
Thanks so much :-)
@heatherbogdalski2034Ай бұрын
Great content - thanks.
@nzmoneykarmaАй бұрын
Thanks Heather, glad you enjoyed it!
@nzmoneykarmaАй бұрын
Here's the link to part 2 🙂
@planningforrealityАй бұрын
Thanks for sharing. ❤❤ you are awesome. Great video
@nzmoneykarmaАй бұрын
Thanks for watching! All well in your neck of the woods?
@planningforrealityАй бұрын
@nzmoneykarma getting there 🙏🙏💙💙❤️❤️
@nzmoneykarmaАй бұрын
@@planningforreality This time last year we were headed to Sydney- oh how I would love to see some sunshine 🙂
@BranislavB-hx9zyАй бұрын
Hi, I donate every month to Caritas, which helps the poor in many countries. Administrative costs in Caritas are a total of 4.8%, the rest goes to those who need them most. Greetings from Croatia
@nzmoneykarmaАй бұрын
Hi there, lovely to have you join us all the way from Croatia. That's awesome that you are giving to Caritas- that will be really appreciated :-)
@sairy2943Ай бұрын
Good morning! Despite being so busy you are still able to do your videos, you are amazing. I love my sinking funds and i feel great knowing that lots of situations are covered when needed. Exciting news about your holiday! 🎉
@nzmoneykarmaАй бұрын
Yay for sinking funds! It's a simple idea but make life sooo much easier :-) and Yay for holiday's- I haven't been to Melbourne since covid times so very much looking forward to it!
@madamkiwi1094Ай бұрын
Hi nice video, yes circumstances change all the time , and having a good mindset even with very little is a key, many today are struggling and working very hard .
@nzmoneykarmaАй бұрын
Hi @madamkiwi1094, good to hear from you :-). I agree, so hard to keep your chin up when every day is struggle I think. Life is definitely getting tougher for people and I don't see the economic situation changing anytime soon so more and more people will be struggling (who haven't really been in that boat before).
@nzmoneykarmaАй бұрын
kzfaq.info/get/bejne/hL1oppd4nZaZdZs.html
@maryellensola5379Ай бұрын
I really enjoy your videos. I was brought up the same way- we aren’t struggling and we like to help out people in our community. I live in Seattle, WA. Inthe US. A couple of times a month I make a lasagna dinner for.a family/ individual through an organization called Lasagna Love. I also try and make my rounds to fill blessing boxes in the neighborhood. You and your family are doing so much for others!
@nzmoneykarmaАй бұрын
Thanks for sharing!! What are blessing boxes?
@maryellensola5379Ай бұрын
@@nzmoneykarma Blessing Boxes also called Little Free Pantries are wooden boxes set up in neighborhoods. People keep them stocked with food for anyone who needs a little something to help them till their next payday. “Take what you need. Give what you can.” I just recently found your channel and binge watched until 2:00 AM yesterday! Keep them coming- I feel very motivated watching them!!
@nzmoneykarmaАй бұрын
@@maryellensola5379 Aw thanks so much for such a kind comment 🙂. Ah yes we have community pantries like that and "book fridges" where we do book swaps too