The Ultimate Guide to Understanding Credit Scores in New Zealand It’s easy to get confused between American credit scores and New Zealand credit scores. While U.S. scores focus heavily on factors like credit card usage, loan types, and the length of your credit history, New Zealand credit scores place more emphasis on payment behaviour, defaults,… read more
What the October 8 OCR Cut to 2.5% Means for the Average New Zealander’s Finances On October 8, 2025, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) reduced the Official Cash Rate (OCR) by 50 basis points, bringing it down to 2.5% – the lowest level in over a year. The decision reflects the RBNZ’s efforts… read more
Spring Into Savings: Why Now is the Time to Review Your Car Insurance Spring isn’t just for cleaning out the garage, it’s also the perfect time to check over your finances, especially your car insurance. Many Kiwis pay more than they need for coverage, often without realizing it. A quick review of your policy could… read more
When the Reserve Bank cut the Official Cash Rate (OCR) earlier this year, we shared 5 Ways OCR Cuts Can Affect Your Personal Finance. With the August 20 OCR review resulting in a three-year low of 3%, it’s an opportune moment to delve deeper into the implications of this change. In this follow-up, we explore… read more
Feeling stretched across too many payments? It might be time for a financial reset. If you’ve got multiple debts – like credit cards, store finance, BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later) overdue balances, or old loans, keeping track of every single one can seem like trying to catch the ocean in a bucket. Not to mention… read more
5 Smart Ways to Cut Your Power Bill this Winter Let’s face it — power bills in New Zealand can be a real budget-buster, especially in winter. But with a few smart upgrades and modern appliances, you can save a surprising amount over time. Here are 5 smart ways to cut your power bill, boost… read more
Tesla’s Sales Slump: A Golden Opportunity for EV Buyers and Competitors For over a decade, Tesla has led the electric vehicle (EV) industry, driving innovation in battery technology, self-driving capabilities, and global EV adoption. But recent sales data suggest Tesla’s market dominance is slipping. While this poses challenges for the company, it also presents a… read more
You’ve probably seen a Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) option by now – could be at a Noel Leeming, or clothing store or even at a gas station! They’ve been taking New Zealand by storm as of late, offering Kiwis an easy way to split up payments over time with no interest. But are these… read more
You’ve probably read the headlines – the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) has been reducing the Official Cash Rate (OCR), a decision that impacts the economy and, ultimately, the wallets of many Kiwis. Whether you’re a homeowner managing a mortgage, a saver building your nest egg, or simply navigating day-to-day expenses, this shift in… read more
You might be wondering, “How can I use personal loans to manage debt? Isn’t that just piling debt onto debt?” Rest assured, when done correctly, personal loans are a powerful and unique tool for consolidating and managing your existing debt more effectively. For a detailed explanation of personal loans, you can check out one of… read more
