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2563 days ago

Budgeting & How do I avoid getting into unmanageable debt?

The Team from Citizens Advice Christchurch Area

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.

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Looking for help in your garden?

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Hi Neighbours,

My name is Harry and I have just started Good Nature Gardens.

With 10 years industry experience and qualifications in Landscape design and horticulture your garden is in safe hands. From lawn mowing to building planter boxes, we do it all. Visit our website to see our full range of services.

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I am local and ready to work so get in touch today!

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LIVE Q&A: Financial well-being with Cat Rikihana

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Today (Wednesday) we're having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with Cat Rikihana who is a financial mentor, educator and financial capability practitioner at Financial Freedom Trust in the Manawatū.

Cat Rikihana (Ngai Tahu) like many financial mentors around Aotearoa, works with individuals, groups and whānau to successfully navigate financial stress and hardship. Mentors work alongside whānau to increase confidence and skills in personal money management and advocate with and for clients. Cat enjoys delivering online and face-to-face workshops which provide opportunities to normalise money conversations and encourages people to make time to consider their financial well-being.

Cat is also an independent financial well-being coach, educator and indigenous life coach at Restore Wellness Network. She is a published writer and currently in the process of writing her first non-fiction book: 'A financial self-care guide for women in Aotearoa.'

She'd love to answer any questions you may have around your budgeting and spending habits, strategies for saving, retirement planning and debt. (Don't be shy, but be mindful about what you disclose!)

↓ Share your questions now and Cat will reply to your comment below ↓

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Addictive Eaters Anonymous

The Team from Addictive Eaters Anonymous - Christchurch

AEA member blog posts. \
AEA members have a wide range of Addictive Eating experiences and have found sobriety in AEA through coming to meetings and working the Twelve Steps. Read our member's experiences of the changes in them after coming into AEA.

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