Personal Finance – Page 3 – #retirement income

February 1, 2026

The Advantages of Saving Money

Written by R. A. Stewart

“It is not how much you receive but rather what you do with it after you receive it.”

The benefits of saving a portion of whatever you receive cannot be understated. We all have a choice in what we do with our money and unless you are being controlled by someone else then your choice of what happens to your money is the major influencer of your long term financial wealth.

It is the choices you make in life which will have a major influence on your financial outcome. That is the choice of entering into a relationship, the choice to purchase a car, and so forth. In many instances there are people who bleat about the cost of living crisis but at the end of the day their situation is often their own making.

It is all about priorities.

It can be said that stupidity is one reason for poor financial outcomes. I mean how else do you explain why there are people who are subscribed to Netflix and satellite TV, but have not joined Kiwisaver, New Zealand’s retirement scheme.

Saving for something and not just for the sake of it will give your life some purpose.

If you are wondering what to save for, here are several ideas:

Your retirement
An emergency fund
An education fund
Travel
Major Purchases
Your Hobbies
Your Wedding
Home repairs
Start a business

There is a stark difference between saving to build up your wealth and saving to spend. When you are saving to build up your asset base you are increasing your resilience to life’s financial shocks. Saving to spend means that you are back to square one once your money is gone. This is particularly so when it comes to travel.

Other expenses such as further education can be a good investment but you have to be sure that it is what you really want to do otherwise it will be just a waste of time and money.

Setting up an emergency fund is an excellent way of having money available for unexpected expenses which may crop up from time to time.

Home repairs may add value to your home but it all depends on your priorities. Retired people may prefer to spend that money on travel.

Here is something to think about:

Having your assets in the share market means that your assets can be quickly turned back into cash when you need it. This is not the case with property which may take months to sell.

Another thing to consider with property is that many of the home improvements may not even increase the valuation of the property which means that it is money which is spent with no return.

Saving and investing money is a good habit to get into, it leads to a more prosperous future. Borrowing money and getting into debt is a bad habit which can lead to a poor financial outcome. Even if you do manage to pay everything by the due date, you have to consider whether you are making the right choices in your choice of lifestyle.

Paying interest on borrowed money over a lifetime is an expensive way to purchase stuff. It is better to save up for things rather than borrow, that way you will pay the retail price of whatever it is you are purchasing.

The bottom line is that living within your means is the key to managing your money successfully and that requires discipline.

Read my other articles on www.robertastewart.com

January 26, 2026

Exploring the Pros and Cons of Utilizing Expedia for Travel

In today’s digital age, planning a trip has become more accessible than ever before, thanks to a myriad of online travel agencies (OTAs). Expedia stands out as one of the most prominent players in this field, offering a vast array of travel services from flights and hotels to car rentals and vacation packages. While Expedia undoubtedly simplifies the travel booking process, it comes with its own set of advantages and drawbacks that travelers should consider before making their reservations.

Pros:

Convenience: Expedia provides a one-stop platform where travelers can browse and book flights, accommodations, and activities all in one place. This convenience saves time and effort compared to visiting multiple websites or contacting individual service providers separately.
Competitive Pricing: Expedia often offers competitive pricing due to its ability to negotiate deals with airlines, hotels, and other travel suppliers. The platform frequently features discounted rates, special promotions, and bundled packages, allowing travelers to find cost-effective options for their trips.
User-Friendly Interface: Expedia’s website and mobile app are user-friendly, featuring intuitive navigation and search functionalities. Travelers can easily filter search results based on their preferences, such as price range, location, and amenities, making it simpler to find accommodations and flights that meet their specific needs.
Reviews and Ratings: Expedia aggregates reviews and ratings from verified travelers, providing valuable insights into the quality and reliability of accommodations, airlines, and activities. These reviews help users make informed decisions and choose options that align with their expectations.
Customer Support: Expedia offers customer support services to assist travelers with booking inquiries, itinerary changes, and other issues that may arise before, during, or after their trip. This support can be accessed through various channels, including phone, email, and live chat, providing peace of mind to travelers facing unforeseen circumstances.
Check out some great travel bargains here

Cons:

Hidden Fees and Restrictions: While Expedia advertises competitive prices, travelers may encounter hidden fees, such as booking fees, resort fees, or additional charges for amenities. Moreover, some bookings may come with restrictive terms and conditions, such as non-refundable rates or strict cancellation policies, which can lead to unexpected expenses or inconvenience.
Limited Customization: Despite offering a wide range of options, Expedia’s customization capabilities may be limited compared to booking directly with airlines or hotels. Travelers with specific preferences or requirements may find it challenging to tailor their bookings precisely to their needs, potentially compromising their overall travel experience.
Dependency on Technology: Relying solely on Expedia for travel bookings introduces a level of dependency on technology. In the event of technical glitches, server outages, or connectivity issues, travelers may encounter difficulties accessing their reservations, making changes, or obtaining assistance, which can be particularly stressful when traveling.
Lack of Personalized Service: While Expedia provides convenient self-service options, it may lack the personalized touch offered by traditional travel agencies or direct bookings. Travelers seeking expert advice, customized itineraries, or personalized recommendations may feel underserved by Expedia’s automated platform.
Potential for Overbooking or Errors: Like any online booking platform, Expedia is susceptible to errors, including overbooking, incorrect listings, or discrepancies between what is advertised and what is actually available. Travelers may encounter frustration or inconvenience if they arrive at their destination only to discover discrepancies between their expectations and the actual accommodations or services provided.
Check out some great travel bargains here

In conclusion, Expedia offers a convenient and cost-effective solution for travelers looking to book flights, accommodations, and activities online. However, it’s essential for travelers to weigh the pros and cons carefully and consider their individual preferences, priorities, and travel requirements before relying solely on Expedia for their trip planning needs. By understanding the advantages and limitations of using Expedia, travelers can make informed decisions to ensure a smooth and enjoyable travel experience.

Discover more about Expedia in the link below:

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January 25, 2026

4 Keys to Financial Success

There are rules to getting the most out of your money and these rules apply to everybody irrespective of your personal circumstances, stage of life, or goals. They are basic common sense.

Live within your means

This is the most basic money management rule. If you do not follow this rule then you are going to struggle to get ahead financially. There are several reasons why people do not live within their means. The main ones are:

(a) Their income does not match their lifestyle

Some people have a lifestyle which is not compatible with their income level and so they overspend or they spend everything they earn with the result that there is nothing to show for their labours. The easy solution is to be more modest in your lifestyle choice. Cutting out things which do not add any kind of value to your life.

(b) Easy access to credit

Easy access for credit has enabled people to bury their heads in the sand rather than confront their financial issues. After all, if you want something then just put it on the plastic. There is a cost to all of this credit and it is called “Interest.”

Lack of self control is the main factor why people do not live within their means. Being able to say “No” to things you want will stand you in good stead.

Save

The habit of saving is a habit which will open doors for you as far as being able to afford things. It means that you do not have to borrow money for basic household appliances or a motor vehicle if one is needed. The money saved by not paying interest on these things add up to a fortune during one’s lifetime.

Invest

Investing your money will enable your wealth to grow. Today, there are so many opportunities for those of modest means to invest with so many online investing platforms available. Sharesies and Hatch are excellent online platforms where investors can drip feed money into the share market. Most people in New Zealand have money invested in Kiwisaver. This is New Zealand’s retirement scheme. The annual tax credit and the employer contributions make this the best way of saving for your retirement. Even if these incentives were not available, Kiwisaver would still be a brilliant scheme even without the government money and employer contributions, because funds are locked up until you reach the retirement age of 65.

Make right choices

It is important to make the right choices in order to live a more prosperous life. If you are on the minimum wage then your options are limited as far as what you can afford and the choice to get married, have kids, or buy a car is among those choices which cannot be taken lightly. It is all about making choices which align with your income level and your goals.

I am not saying that you should not get involved with someone if you are on a low income, but rather make sure that you are in a good financial position before you make major life decisions.

About this article

The information in this article is of the opinion of the writer and may not be applicable to your personal circumstances, therefore discretion is advised. You may use this article as content for your blog/website or ebook.

Read my other articles on www.robertastewart.com

January 20, 2026

How to get the most out of your Kiwisaver this year

Are you getting the most out of your Kiwisaver?

Here are the main ways of making the most out of your Kiwisaver. If you live in a country outside of New Zealand then some of these points may not be applicable to you.

Claim your full tax credits

The government will pay you $260 every July as an incentive for contributing to Kiwisaver, but to claim this amount you must deposit at least $1,040 every year. This needs to be the goal for everyone who is in Kiwisaver.

Women have breaks in their employment to have kids and often miss out on the government tax-credits. It makes sense for husbands to make voluntary deposits into their wife’s Kiwisaver to ensure that she makes the minimum deposit of $1,040 in order to qualify for the $260 annual tax credit.

Choose the right fund

Choosing the right fund can help your savings grow and grow in the long term. If you are too conservative then you are going to leave yourself short-changed by the time you retire. Retirement savings are considered a long-term investment if you have at least ten years before you retire, however, if you intend to continue working after you reach the age of 65, then you may wish to stick with growth/balanced funds. It all boils down to the risk you are willing to accept and whether a market downturn is going to affect your lifestyle.

You may have your kiwisaver invested in growth funds, but that does not mean that other investments should also be in growth funds. It all depends on your timeline and when you may need the money. If you need the money within five years then it may pay to take a more cautious approach and invest conservatively.

Invest what you can

If you are not employed or are self-employed and can afford to make voluntary contributions into your Kiwisaver then do so by all means. Your future self will thank you for it. Think of what you spend your money on which does not provide you with any value. This could be diverted into your retirement fund instead.

Check what your contributing

Employers have the option of paying in 3% up to 10% of their gross wages into their Kiwisaver. If you have not nominated how much then you’re probably putting in the minimum amount of 3%.

Start young

If you have children then it is important that you teach them good financial habits. That is saving for the future. As far as Kiwisaver goes, the age of qualification for the Kiwisaver tax credits has been lowered to 16. This will give youngsters extra motivation to join.

Saving for your future needs takes vision and is the responsible thing to do and with Kiwisaver you have a scheme which will take care of your needs in later life, providing that you keep contributing during your working life.

About this article

This article is of the opinion of the writer and may not be applicable to your personal circumstances, therefore discretion is advised. You may use this article as content for your blog/website or ebook.

Read my other articles on www.robertastewart.com

January 11, 2026

Why Having a Will is Important

Having a will is important

Written by R. A. Stewart

Having a will is important. It will ensure that your estate is distributed according to your wishes. A will is considered to be one of the most important documents you can have in place. You can appoint some trusted person such as a spouse or other family member to carry out your wishes for you. You can outline your wishes in your will such as whether you want to be cremated or buried, and any other details you wish to add.

Your will allows you to make bequests which is the gifting of property and money to specified organisations or money. There are many forms of bequests, they can be split into three categories:

Specific bequests-which is the gift of something distinguishable such as money, property, a vehicle, or stuff you own.
Residuary bequest-a gift of whatever remains after previous gifts have been distributed.
Whole estate-a gifting of your entire estate.

What are the consequences of not having a will?

One is that a lawyer will be appointed to handle your affairs which means that a chunk of your estate will be gone in lawyers fees.

The second and main thing to consider is that if you don’t have a will, your property, whether that is in the form of money, home, car, and whatever you own will be distributed in line with the Administration Act 1969 which outlines who is entitled to your estate based on their relationship to you. The order of priority is:

Your spouse, civil union partner, or de facto partner are first in line, then
Children (regardless of whether the parents of the children were married).
Parents
Siblings
Grandparents
Uncles and aunts

If none of these are applicable then the New Zealand government will receive everything from the estate.

In New Zealand, when someone has been living in a de facto relationship with someone for three years or more then both parties will receive an equal share of the assets if the relationship splits up. It is not known how this applies when deciding who gets what if one of them dies before the three years is up. Best to get advice on this.

As for your kiwisaver; that is part of your assets which will be distributed to your heirs.

There are many reasons why having a will is important and the main one is that the wrong people may receive some of your estate.

Would you like it if some ratbag who is a drug addict or alcoholic received your assets after you die? The question has to be asked, “What will such and such do with your assets after you have gone?”

You just have to open your eyes and see what they have done with previous windfalls to get your answer.

If you do not have a will then family members who don’t have anything to do with you could be entitled to a share of your estate.

Having a will is important to ensure that the right people get taken care of when it is your time to go.

About this article

You may use the contents of this article as content for your ebook or blog. The information is based on New Zealand law and may not be applicable to you if you are from a country outside of New Zealand, therefore, discretion is advised.

Read my other articles on www.robertastewart.com

December 28, 2025

Mastering the Art of Measurable Goals: A Guide to Success

What are Measurable Goals?

Written by R. A. Stewart

Have you ever set a goal, poured your heart and soul into it and still failed to achieve your goal, leaving you unfulfilled and disappointed?

It could be that you have set a goal which is vague and lacks clarity.

The solution is to set goals which are measurable.

What is a measurable goal?

Setting measurable goals allows you to create a clear road map that allows you to track your progress and allow you to celebrate each achievement.

Vague Goal Versus Measurable Goal

A vague goal is “Lose weight”

A measurable goal is, “To lose 5kgs in 30 days.”

This kind of goal tells you what kind of outcome you are seeking.

A vague goal is, “Get fit”

A measurable goal, “Is to complete a 5k fun run by 1 February.

Once you have clearly specified your goal and measured it, it is time to set sub goals.

A lose weight sub goal could be to eliminate all fizzy drinks from your diet.

A goal of, “To complete the Park Run at such and such city this Saturday” is a measurable goal. It tells you what you need to do and when.

If your fitness is such that you need to start training in order to make this goal a reality then you will have a much longer time frame of say, 4-6 weeks, but your more immediate goals will be to run x number of miles per week and increase your mileage as your fitness levels increase.

Run more and your capacity to run longer distances will increase. It is all about the mileage.

Less active people have the capacity to do less exercise. It is the old story of “Use it or lose it.”

Other examples of measurable goals are:

Increase my Youtube subscriber count from 1,000 to 1,500 by February 28.

Save $5,000 for my airfare to the UK by December 31

Invest $1,000 into my retirement fund by June 30

Run 1 mile without stopping for a rest within 6 weeks.

Apply for at least 5 jobs in the xxx industry every week

Increase website traffic by 20% by April 2025

Run a 5k road race in under 30 minutes by March

Read one book a month by the end of the year

Learn 100 new words in a foreign language by June

Write one new article per week

List 3 new products in my etsy/ebay/amazon store per week.

This is a general idea of how to frame your goals so that they are measurable. You are more likely to achieve whatever you are aiming for if you are specific and put a time frame on it.

About this article

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Check out my other articles on www.robertastewart.com

December 28, 2025

Setting Achievable Goals

Written by R. A. Stewart

“Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, the mind can achieve”-Napoleon Hill

A goal needs to be achievable, otherwise it is just a fantasy. To set a goal such as “Win the lottery next Saturday” cannot be achieved through your own efforts. It is just a fantasy.

To set a goal of “To be as good as Tiger Woods at golf” when you have no ability whatsoever at playing golf is also unachievable. That is not to say that you are not capable of reaching a certain standard if you take up golf.

What is achievable is a goal which you are physically capable of achieving through your own efforts.

“To complete your first 5k fun run” is an achievable goal if you can run.

Saving for something is a common goal which people aim for. Saving a specified amount of money per week always leads to a much larger goal such as a house deposit, car, overseas holiday, or a retirement fund.

Success can be measured in several different ways. A cricketer can measure their success in their chosen sport in terms of the number of wickets taken or the number of runs they have scored.

What is achievable can be just a matter of an individual’s self image and how they value their abilities. Venturing outside of your comfort zone will enable you to realise your full potential. A negative attitude, low self-esteem, and unwilling to step outside of the well trodden beaten path will be barriers to achievement.

Negative comments from others who are quick to put a dampener on your aspirations are also a hindrance to your efforts to better yourself. It is best to keep your goals to yourself and focus on what you are doing.

Some people who are keen to tell others of what they are doing are doing so in order to gain approval from others, and when they do not get it they feel deflated.

There is no law to say that others must give you their tick of approval to everything you do.

Don’t look at your current circumstances and think I cannot do this, but rather look at your current circumstances and think “What needs to change in order that I get the outcome which I am seeking?” You may have heard the saying, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.”

About this article

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December 28, 2025

7 New Year’s Resolutions Destined to Fail (And How to Fix Them)

7 New Year’s Resolutions which are Destined to Fail

Lose weight

A New Year’s resolution to lose weight is destined to fail because it is vague and not specific. It does not say how you plan to lose weight and how much weight you are going to lose. A better goal will be “I am going to give up going to fast food outlets” or “I am going to join the local running club.” If you are going to give something up then it may be an idea to have some alternative healthy options in mind. Focus on living an active and healthy lifestyle and the weight issue should take care of itself.

Save Money

A New Year’s resolution to “save money” is just as vague as a goal to lose weight. There is no power to it. If you are just frittering away your discretionary spending money and have little or nothing to show from your labours then something has to change in order for your finances to change. You are better advised to decide on what you are saving for and take the steps needed to get there. Joining kiwisaver if you are not already enrolled has to be your number one priority. There are share market platforms such as Sharesies, Hatch, and Kernel Wealth which are set up to enable ordinary people to invest in the share market.

Get Fit

A New Year’s resolution to “Get Fit,” is another one which is destined to fail because it is too vague and not specific enough. How you are going to get fit is not answered in a “Get Fit” resolution. If you have a “Get fit” resolution then what happens is that after a couple of days of running around the block or a few games of backyard cricket old habits will take over and your New Year’s resolution will become a distant memory.

Learn to Swim

“Learn to swim” as a New Year’s resolution is not specific enough. It would be better to have a goal of, “To take lessons at the local pool once a week,” or to resolve to practice one new swimming skill every week. It is consistency which drives results.

Learn to Drive

Another example of a vague goal. It is better to have a New Year’s resolution of “I intend to sign up for driving lessons on New Year’s Day or whenever the Driving School is open for business after the holiday break.

Get a Job

Deciding to “Get a Job” as your New Year’s resolution means that just taking any job which comes along will fulfil your goal. If that is what you want; that is fine but if you have something specific in mind then specify it otherwise you will end up with nothing. It is worth keeping in mind that many people will work at something they do not like until something more suitable comes along.

Learn a new Language

This is another example of a goal which is not specific enough. There are dozens of languages you could learn so which one are you going to tackle? It will be better if you set a goal of “I will learn one new French/Chinese/Italian or whatever word per day. Such a goal is specific and tells you what you need to do in order to achieve your goal.

Your New Year’s resolution needs to be specific and have an action in it otherwise it will be just a wish. For example if your goal is to complete a 5k fun run then you should frame your goal such as “I will complete a 5k fun run by January 31st, 2026.” The next step will be to decide how far you will run every week.

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December 23, 2025

Stop Wishing, Start Planning: The Power of SMART Goals

Setting SMART Goals

Written by R. A. Stewart

You may have heard of S.M.A.R.T goals. If not, here is what setting SMART goals really means.

Specific

Measurable

Achievable

Relevant

Timed

Here is an explanation of each part of S.M.A.R.T goals.

Specific

A goal needs to be specific otherwise it has no chance of succeeding. Examples of goals which are vague and not specific are:

Lose weight

Save money

Go on holiday

Get fit

The reason why they are vague goals is that there is no way of knowing when you have achieved your goal. If your goal is to lose weight then how much weight do you want to lose? If you want to save money then what are you saving money for and how much money do you want to save?

Measurable

A measurable goal is a goal that you specify what you want top achieve. If you want to get fit and you have never done any running previously then you might set a goal such as “I want to jog one mile without stopping for a rest.” This is measurable. You know whether you have achieved your goal or not.

Achievable

The goal must be achievable through your own efforts. A goal such as “To win the lottery” is not achievable through your own efforts because you cannot do anything to influence the outcome. A goal such as “To eliminate one bad food from my diet every week” is achievable through your own efforts because your choices will influence the outcome.

Relevant

A relevant goal is one which is relevant to your own personal circumstances and skill set. A relevant goal is not one that is imposed on you by well meaning friends and associates who say, “You should do this and you should do that.” Think for yourself and make your own choices. It is a good idea to keep your goals to yourself unless of course they affect your family.

Timed

A timed goal has a deadline attached to it. For example you may have set a goal, “To jog a mile without stopping for a rest.” This goal is not timed, but if it is December 31 then you may set a goal, “To jog a mile without stopping for a rest by February 1.”

Your next task is deciding how you are going to achieve your goal. On day one you may decide that you will jog for 400 metres, walk 400 metres, jog 400 metres, and walk 400 metres.

In the second week you could increase the distances you jog without stopping and reduce the walking distance.

By breaking down your goal into simple steps you can achieve your S.M.A.R.T goal.

All the best and a happy new year.

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December 22, 2025

Finding Your Calling: Why Specificity and Passion Drive Personal Goals

Setting personal goals

Setting goals do not have to involve money on it’s own. If you set goals based on money then your life is out of balance. It is important to decide what is important to you and is the vehicle to helping you to achieve those aims. In short, money should not be your number one aim.

If you accept a job with a higher pay then you had better weight up everything that the job involves such as the hours of work, the commute to the job, and responsibilities that come with the job and then decide whether it is worth all of the hassle.

It all depends on your personal circumstances and preferences. There is no size that fits everyone when it comes to goal setting. There is no such thing as “should” even though there are people who think others should do this or do that.

Personal goals are something which are personal to you. Here are some examples of personal goals:

Learning to swim

Learning a new language (specify)

Learning to drive

Learning to use the coffee machine

Learning to salsa dance

Reading the Bible from cover to cover

Meeting your favourite sports player

joining a sports club (specify)

The most important factor in determining your personal goals is your passions. The other factor is your talents. These two are often linked. Whatever most interests you is often where your talents lie but that does not mean that you cannot learn anything new. Most skills and talents are transferable.

We often see international sports people using the skills which enabled them to reach the elite level in their chosen sport to help them succeed in their chosen career after they have retired. Many have prepared themselves for life after sport by studying to gain a degree during their playing days.

It pays to have a number of strings to your bow as a backup.

You have to specify what your goal is otherwise it just becomes a wish and anyone can make a wish but it is taking action which will turn a dream into reality.

If you went to your travel agent and asked for a plane ticket they are unable to help you unless you were specific and told them your proposed destination.

Examples of vague goals which are non specific are:

To lose weight

To get fit

To be happy

To save money

The problem with vague goals is that there is no way of knowing when you have achieved your goal. Goals need to be specific and timed. A goal of “To deposit at least a grand into my retirement fund by June 30th, 2023 is a specific and timed goal. You have either achieved your goal or not.

A get fit goal may be “To be able to run a 5k fun run by 31 December 2023.” This is another example of a specific goal which has been timed.

Giving your goals a timeline will give you more motivation. Just telling yourself that one day or some day I will do such and such is not a goal; it is a wish and there is a big difference between wishing for something and being serious about achieving it.

Life needs to be in balance and it is important to consider your personal talents and preferences. Many people have achieved extraordinary success in their chosen field and despite not setting out to make money have accumulated a great sum of money doing something they enjoyed.

The key here is to not make money your number one goal in life but rather discover your calling. No one else can discover that for you so come out of your shell and broaden your horizons. Who knows, you may just discover your life’s calling in doing so.

Having money behind you will help you to achieve your goals. Sharesies is an online share market platform which can help your savings grow and at the same time develop your financial literacy.

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