Thanks for your support :-)

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.

Thanks Sharon, I will do :-)

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!

Sounds sensible! I had to laugh- when my husband mentions a phd I suggested he wait until he is with his second wife!

@@nzmoneykarma we are fortunate we aren't paying for the PhD out of pocket, other than a smaller paycheck for a few years.

👍 it’s actually a really cool feeling to discover that you can change your life I reckon!

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!

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?

That's it- expectations play such a huge role and I think social media damages people in that way too

Haha- that's funny. I did find the $10 too :-)

I know!!

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking time to leave a note :-)

Thanks for that- I usually just sniff it- if it passes that test we are 👍

thanks! so glad to hear someone reads my sub stack🤣.

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!

Hi there, I haven’t coloured my hair for 2-3 years and won’t again- this was my relapse🤦‍♀️

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.......

yeah, it really good that they are enjoying the experience, I think it makes a huge difference when you choose to be there.

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?

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 :-)

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 :-)

Thanks :-) I just think "ah well- what can you do"

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.

thanks so much- having a great time so far 😄

Thank you! Will do!

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🫠

Thanks so much for your encouragement :-)

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!!

Haha- I think of it as a fun challenge... me vs ever decreasing amounts of $$ :-)

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

@nzmoneykarma I was searching KZfaq with phrases such as "New Zealand mortgage journey/mortgage payoff/mortgage story" etc.

@@libbykat3958 Thanks for that! I'm still trying to crack the KZfaq algorhythm nut :-)

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!!!

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 :-)

Thanks for watching!

Oh that's a shame- they're really affordable aye!

Glad you enjoyed it

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 :-)

Thanks so much :-)

Thanks Heather, glad you enjoyed it!

Thanks for watching! All well in your neck of the woods?

@nzmoneykarma getting there 🙏🙏💙💙❤️❤️

@@planningforreality This time last year we were headed to Sydney- oh how I would love to see some sunshine 🙂

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 :-)

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!

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).

Thanks for sharing!! What are blessing boxes?

@@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!!

@@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