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Share market falls on the back of Trump Tariffs

Markets tumble

Written by R. A. Stewart

The markets have taken a tumble after President Trump’s tariffs have started a trade war.

The newspapers have reported that Kiwisaver balance will be affected on this. This is stating the obvious. Kiwisaver balances may have dropped, but a lot of people are decades away from retirement so how the markets are performing in 2025 is not going to affect how much they have in kiwisaver when they retire in 2035 and beyond.

It all boils down to selecting the right fund for your risk profile. Money invested falls into one of three categories. Short-term money, medium term money, or long-term money depending on when you are going to be needing that money.

Other factors which come into it are your age, health, and commitments.

The share market goes up and down and the recent (March 2025) tumble is mainly due to the tariffs which President Trump has imposed on goods from certain countries, namely steel. 

Losses are only on paper, but investors who react to recent events and change to conservative funds will lock in those losses and miss out on the gains when the markets rebound. 

The United States will have a new President in four years time, and it certainly will not be Donald Trump in charge then so the markets will certainly bounce back then, if it had not prior to that.

Changing to conservative funds is not the only way to lose during a market slump. The others are to stop contributing to your retirement fund or if you are already retired, make withdrawals from kiwisaver.

With everything being said, it is not the current market slump which will determine how much your retirement portfolio is worth when you retire but how you react to market volatility and that is all down to the choices you make. 

Here is a list of choices which will affect your kiwisaver balance when you retire:

  1. Changing from a growth or balanced fund to a conservative fund.
  2. Stop contributing to your retirement fund.
  3. Withdraw money from your kiwisaver.
  4. Chopping and changing from one type of fund to another.

No one is going to reach the retirement age and regret that they made contributions to their retirement fund. Ask yourself this question, “Will my future self thank me for investing my money instead of wasting it?”

Your retirement fund can only be accessed when you reach the retirement age, therefore you need an alternative source of funds to cover any future financial needs. There are lots of online investing platforms available where you can invest a minimal sum of money regularly and still have easy access to your funds. If you are from New Zealand or Australia, sharesies is a good option for you. This gives you easy access to the share market.  Check out Sharesies Here

About this article

The opinions expressed in this article are of the writer’s own opinion and may not be applicable to your personal circumstances, therefore discretion is advised. 

Disclaimer: I may receive a small commission if you join sharesies.

You may use this article in full or part as content for your blog or ebook. Check out my other articles on www.robertastewart.com

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3 Factors which determine your risk profile

ABOUT THIS ARTICLE

Reaching your financial goals is not just about saving money; it is about investing your savings to help grow your nest egg. Where you invest your money can help speed up the process of saving because the capital gains on your savings can help you to reach your savings goals earlier. There are three factors which determine where you should invest your savings. This I discuss in further detail.

The information here is of the opinion of the writer and does not constitute financial advice. If you require financial advice see your bank manager or other qualified professional.

3 Factors which determine your investment strategy

You may be wondering what is the right investment strategy for you, but without knowing anything about you, any advice on which investments are right for you may in fact be the wrong ones. There are basically three factors that determine which are the right investments for you, they are:

  1. Your age
  2. Purpose for the money
  3. Your risk profile

Starting with your age. It would be rather silly of you to invest all your money in growth funds if you are aged 65 because if the market takes a dive such as was the case during the 1987 sharemarket crash and to a lesser extent, the GFC during the early 2000s you have less time to recover from these setbacks whereas the young ones have time on their side. 

Then decide whether you require the money in the short term, medium term, or long term.

Short term would be up to a year.

Medium term is 1-5 years

Long term is longer than five years

Short term expenses would be, a bank account for emergencies, a holiday within a year, dental expenses, or to pay for the kids schooling for a year.

Medium term would be savings for a car.

Long term would be your retirement fund, saving for a house deposit, or saving for the trip of a lifetime.

Your risk profile is a determining factor in where you invest your money. If the thought of the share market taking a dive will give you sleepless nights then investing growth stocks in the share market is not for you. A better option would be managed funds where you will be given a choice between growth, balanced, and conservative funds.

It is important not to get into debt for there is a cost to debt and that is interest. Interest adds to the cost of goods bought with borrowed money, and this adds up to a fortune during a lifetime of borrowing for consumables. This is called bad debt because the value of the item declines over time.

There is such a thing as good debt though and this is your first home because the value of the property increases during the lifetime of the loan but even this is not always a good option for some people if you live a kind of transient lifestyle. 

“Everyone is on their own,” so only you know what makes you tick so your personal circumstances are the determining factors which govern where best to invest your savings.

You must do your homework before you invest in anything, whether that is the share market, managed funds, or gold. There is so much information available on just about everything, and that includes finance. It is just a matter of learning the ropes and having a financial strategy which suits your personal circumstances.

www.robertastewart.com

ABOUT THIS ARTICLE

Most people are able to save money but having goals and selecting the right investments for your savings can help increase your assets and enable you to reach your goal faster. For finance related articles, visit: www.robertastewart.com

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 Reasons why people remain Poor

 

Written by R. A. Stewart

People don’t just become prosperous for no reason, unless of course they win the lottery and for every person like that there are millions who didn’t win the lottery and go back to their mediocre lives until the next draw.

Here are the main reasons why people remain poor.

  1. Unwillingness to change

People tolerate their financial situation because they are more comfortable with it. They are unwilling to change anything in their life for fear that it will interfere with the routine which they have become accustomed to. Not doing anything about one’s financial situation despite the facts is just plain laziness. It shows a lack of ambition and there is no hope for people like that.

  1. Lack of Financial literacy

Lack of financial literacy is a major cause of financial struggles. This is an easy hurdle to overcome because there are lots of books on personal finance available you can read and you do not have to spend a lot of money to purchase such books. Your local library will have plenty of books on the subject. Frances Cook, Mary Holm, and Martin Hawes are New Zealand authors who have published excellent books on personal finance.

  1. They don’t join kiwisaver

Kiwisaver is the New Zealand retirement scheme. It is a scheme with several incentives such as the $520 per annum top up from the government. Not making any plans for your retirement years will almost guarantee that you will spend these years in poverty. “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail” is a saying which is worth remembering. Responsible people will sign up for a retirement plan of some kind. If you have dependents it is your responsibility to make sure you don’t leave them up the creek if something happens to you so don’t use that argument of, “I may not make it to 65.”

  1. They spend everything

Poor people spend everything they make and do not give any thought to tomorrow. Whether you like it or not, tomorrow always comes. People like this have no vision for the future. They can never see any further than next week’s pay day. If an unexpected bill arrives such as a car breakdown they borrow the money which means that the interest they owe on the borrowed money pushes up the cost of the repairs. It is the same when one of their kids needs a pair of new spectacles. People such as this always have money to spend on lottery tickets or alcohol but the really important things in life take a back seat. Some people would rather spend money on cigarettes than wholesome food for their kids.

  1. They don’t invest

Not investing is a sure fire way to stay poor because inflation erodes the purchasing power of your money if you just leave it in an ordinary savings account. Investing your money in managed funds increases your wealth and your financial literacy. 

  1. Wrong friends

Associating with people who are financially illiterate is another reason why some people remain poor. The poverty mindset of the group will infect you sooner or later. Some of the stupid comments made by some of these people regarding personal finance are not worth listening to. 

  1. Wrong choices

Making wrong choices is at the heart of the reason why most people are poor. It is not just choices in terms of personal finance such as joining KiwiSaver and investing which keep people poor but life choices such as having kids when not in a good financial position and living beyond their means. What you do with your discretionary spending money is a choice. Becoming financially sorted requires vision. Some of life’s most expensive items will arrive at some stage and the person with vision will prepare for these.

About this article

The subject matter is of the writer’s own experience and opinion and may not be applicable to your personal circumstances, therefore discretion is advised. You may use the article as content for your website/blog or ebook. Read my other articles on www.robertastewart.com

“Retire with Little Money” is your guide to achieving financial freedom, even if you don’t have a large retirement fund. This practical ebook reveals creative strategies and smart budgeting tips to help you retire comfortably on a modest income. Learn how to cut unnecessary expenses, boost your savings with side gigs, and make the most of the resources available to you. With easy-to-follow advice and real-life examples, this book shows you how to build a sustainable retirement plan without relying on a hefty nest egg. Start planning today, and discover how you can retire sooner than you think!

 

https://robertalan.gumroad.com/l/sdzvl

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Kiwisaver for kids: what you should know

Kiwisaver for kids: what you should know

Written by R. A. Stewart

Some people may be asking if they should sign their kids up for kiwisaver. My answer to that question is a resounding “Yes” though some people might have a different opinion.

Kiwisaver is New Zealand’s retirement scheme. Anyone who is a New Zealand resident or citizen can join and take full advantage of the incentives the government provides for members of kiwisaver. There is no age restriction. Anyone can join from newborn to those already in retirement. However, the incentives do not kick in until a child reaches the age of 18 and stop at age 65, the retirement age in New Zealand.

An under eighteen year old or over sixty five year old in employment can make contributions toward their kiwisaver through their wages; this could be 2%, 3%, 4%, or 8% of their gross wages but their employer has no obligation to contribute to their kiwisaver, even though some choose to.

There is the option of making voluntary contributions toward kiwisaver and this is something which a lot of people do.

What are the benefits of someone under eighteen signing up for kiwisaver?

There are many and the number one reason is that it will improve a child’s financial literacy. It will help them understand how the markets operate and why their kiwisaver balances go up and down.

Another benefit of kids joining kiwisaver early is that it will give their relatives an opportunity to contribute to their kiwisaver; this means that by the time a child reaches eighteen, they may have  a more than useful kiwisaver balance. 

It is possible to use some of your kiwisaver to purchase your first home but you have to have contributed towards the kiwisaver for at least five years. It is not known if the years prior to a member’s eighteenth birthday count. Generally, most home deposit withdrawals are made by those aged over thirty so it may not be such a big deal.

Those aged under 30 are able to access their kiwisaver for a rental bond. The bond is returned to the kiwisaver account after it is returned by the landlord.

The other ways kiwisaver can be accessed prior to turning 65 is in the case of a terminal illness or going overseas permanently. Many folk have made kiwisaver withdrawals due to hardship and this number has increased during the Global Financial Crisis but it should only be as a last resort.

Investors have to go through a lot of hoops in order to access their retirement savings prior to retiring. The purpose of kiwisaver is to build a nest egg for your retirement and to access it early really defeats the purpose of it.

Some people argue, “You can’t take it all with you,” or “I am young.” This kind of thing will lead to certain outcomes. You will be dead and leave your family with financial issues to deal with or you will be broke. The habit of saving money is a habit which will enable you to get the most out of life and the sooner this habit is formed the better off your kids will be in the long run.

Their future self will thank them for it.

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

Check out my other articles on www.robertastewart.com

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Book Review: Rich Enough by Mary Holm

Written by R. A. Stewart

Mary Holm is a New Zealand financial adviser who has written books on the subject of a personal finance nature for years and her book “Rich Enough? Is certainly a very good book with lots of down to earth information written in simple easy to understand terms.

There are several important points which she highlights and the first one is the importance of starting early. In fact the earlier you start the more money you will accumulate in the long term.

Starting early develops good savings habits which will in turn serve you well during your lifetime. 

The second point is to get rid of any debt you have as soon as possible and staying out of debt. If you are paying 10% interest on your debt then paying off that debt is just like being paid 10% interest on your money. It makes no sense to have money invested at 5% interest when you are paying 10% interest on your own debt. That money is better off in your pocket.

Falling into the Christmas trap can be costly as Mary points out. 15% of New Zealanders have more than 11 people on their Christmas shopping list to shop for and about 27% of them are women who plan to spend over $200 per person on presents. About 17% of people expect to spend over $1,000 on Christmas. Some suggestions on how to reduce your Christmas spending are given by Mary.

A section on New Zealand’s retirement scheme Kiwisaver tells of the excuses people provide for not joining and one of those excuses is “I have not got around to it.” 

This is stupidity according to the author, Mary Holm.

Another reason given is, “My grandma lost it all during the Global Financial Crisis.”

As Mary points out, these finance companies which went under during the GFC lent money to people who the banks considered too risky to lend to so they borrowed off the finance companies and paid higher interest rates. As a result, investors who lent money to these companies received high interest rates.

As the saying goes, higher return often means higher risk.

The importance of diversification is discussed as are the value of different types of investments. 

My rating: I rate this book a 10 out of 10 based on the fact that the information presented is applicable to everyone irrespective of their means. 

To find a copy, go online. Trademe, Ebay, and Amazon may have a copy for sale.

www.robertastewart.com

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Have you joined KIwisaver yet?

Now is a good time to join kiwisaver if you have not already

Written by R. A. Stewart

It is a good time to join kiwisaver if you are young and just starting out in the world. If you are over 30 and have not already joined kiwisaver then why not? Kiwisaver is the New Zealand retirement scheme. If you are in work you will get the equivalent of 3% of your gross wages from your employer deposited into your kiwisaver account. 2%, 4%, or 8% (you choose) of your gross wages will be deposited into kiwisaver and deducted from your pay. You can also make voluntary contributions to your kiwisaver account. This is an option used by those who are self employed or not in work.

The government’s contribution to your kiwisaver is what makes this a no-brainer. You will receive $520 of government money into your kiwisaver account but you need to invest at least $1040 to receive the full $520 otherwise the government contribution is 50% of your contribution. This is per annum; in other words you need to invest at least $1040 into your kiwisaver account per annum to receive $520 of government money every year.

The Kiwisaver year begins on July 1 and ends June 30 the following year. If you are on part time work and it looks as though your kiwisaver contributions are going to be less than $1040, you can make voluntary contributions to ensure your own contributions reach $1040.

In order to take advantage of the falling share prices you need to be in a growth fund or have some portion of your portfolio in a growth fund, otherwise called a balanced fund. If you are in a conservative fund then you are going to miss out on the market rebound. Financial experts will tell you that if you are in a growth fund then you need to leave it invested for at least five years. That way, if the market falls during this time there will be time for it to recover and recoup any losses which it has to be said are only paper losses.

Money which is needed for the short term such as a holiday abroad next year is considered short to medium term money. If you had this money invested in a growth fund you may find that your spending money for your trip has been depleted therefore, to reduce this from happening investing in something less risky is an option taken by a lot of holiday makers even though the return on this money is less than the inflation rate.

If you are prepared to take the risk then you might consider investing your short term money in growth funds in the hope of increasing your capital but it is important to understand that whenever there is an opportunity for capital gain then there is a chance for capital loss.

It cannot be stressed enough that it takes a cool head to live through the ups and downs of the share market and be relaxed about it. One thing you can always bank on is that the share market will go up and down. It is important to have a strategy in place to take this into account.

Diversification minimizes your risk. Diversification is when you spread your investment among several companies. One company might fall over but not the whole lot.

Some may argue that if you plunge all your money in one stock then you will make a killing; that is true, but you never hear of those who tried that and lost. If you are going to do that then it should be done independently of your main investments rather than risk your retirement savings going down the drain.

ABOUT THIS ARTICLE

The information in this article is of the writer’s own opinion and may not necessarily apply to your personal circumstances. You are advised to seek professional financial advice if you require assistance. You may use this article as content for your ebook or website. Check out my other articles on www.robertastewart.com

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Cost of living crisis affecting retirement savings

Cost of living crisis affecting retirement savings

Written by R. A. Stewart

Thousands of New Zealanders have suspended contributions to their retirement fund due to the cost of living crisis and this will affect them when their retirement comes around.

New Zealand financial adviser Carissa Fairbrother advised people to keep sowing into your kiwisaver whatever your financial circumstances. Look at where else you can make cutbacks because not investing into your Kiwisaver will affect you when you retire.

Kiwisaver is New Zealand’s retirement scheme; it is voluntary, unlike the retirement schemes of other countries which are mandatory.

There is a $520 tax credit per annum for contributions to Kiwisaver but to obtain this investors will need to deposit a minimum of $1040 every year. This is just like getting 50% interest on your money for the first year the money is deposited.

Anyone who is a New Zealand resident can join kiwisaver. There is no upper or lower age limit. People under the age of eighteen or sixty five and over are not eligible for the $520 per year tax credits. It is still a good idea to join kiwisaver despite this for several reasons.

The $520 tax credits or government incentives as they are sometimes called is paid out in July into your Kiwisaver. If you contributed less than $1,040 during the previous year then you will receive 50% of your contributions.

The Kiwisaver year begins on July 1 and ends on June 30. It makes sense to check your contributions during the year and to make sure that you deposited at least $1040 by June 30.

One is it will give the young ones a good start to life as far as savings are concerned and it will also give them a good education in finances. 

For those aged 65 and over, it is still a good idea to keep contributing to your kiwisaver if you are not going to be using it in the short term.

Buying your first home

If you are purchasing your first home you may be able to use some of your kiwisaver for a deposit. It is all the more reason to start saving as early as possible as it will enable you to reach your goals quicker.

There are other circumstances where you may be able to access your Kiwisaver early. These are if you have a terminal illness, you are moving overseas permanently, or due to financial hardship. There are lots of hoops to jump through before you can access your money.

It is all the more important to have a rainy day fund when everything is going well for you and not just fritter away your discretionary spending money because things do go wrong in life.

It is never too late to join Kiwisaver, you can still join even if you are 65, though you are not eligible for the government incentives. It is still worth your while joining. It is a good way to play the share market.

You are never too young to join kiwisaver. You may not be eligible for the government incentives until you are 18 but joining early then having family members make contributions while you are still at school will give you a good financial platform for the future. Who knows, a rich uncle may leave you a sum of money in his will to be deposited into your kiwisaver.

About this article

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

www.robertastewart.com

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Your Investing Risk Profile is an Important Factor

Working out your risk profile

Investing money has its risks, more so if you are prepared to go for growth type of investments but you may not have the stomach to take on risky investments.

It all depends on your investment time frame which basically means how long it will be before you need the money.

The longer your time frame the more risk you are able to take with your money.

There are factors which determine your time frame and they are:

Your Age

Obviously if you are 65 then you are not going to set a 30 year savings goal, if you are in your 20s you can take more risks but that does not mean you should be reckless and just invest all your money in Bitcoin in an attempt to get rich quick.

Your health

Your savings goals

The key strategy whatever your risk profile is diversification.

That is to spread your portfolio over a wide range of industries. This is possible for the ordinary man and woman in the street who are able to invest in managed funds where your investment is combined with those of others. It is then up to the fund manager to handle all of the investments. This is exactly how kiwisaver operates.

Each fund will give you an option of investing in Conservative, Balanced, or Growth funds and your decision of which fund to leave your money in will be determined on whether you can stomach heavy losses should the share market go belly up. If the thought of losing your money will cause you sleepless nights then you should go for balanced funds. Conservative funds will not grow your money at the same rate as balanced or growth funds will and once the fund manager withdraws their fees it may feel as though your money is not growing at all.  As far as Kiwisaver is concerned, the government will contribute 50% of what you put in to a maximum of $520 every year so at least this would make it worthwhile for you to at least contribute $1,040 a year to get the $520. This will seem like obtaining 50% interest on your  $1,040 for that year.

It all adds up and no one is going to reach the retirement age of 65 and regret that they contributed to their Kiwisaver.

Your risk profile is not the only determining factor in deciding which fund to choose. If you are saving for a deposit on a home then you are not going to want to risk losing your money in the share market which will happen if you had all of your money in Growth funds only for the markets to tumble.

Investing in growth funds for long term growth and taking needless risks are not the same thing.  If you invest in something dodgy without knowing anything about what you are investing in then you are asking for trouble.

Your age is another factor to consider. When you are young, it is advisable to go for growth funds because you have more time to recover from a financial setback such as a market crash, whereas someone nearing retirement would have their retirement plans affected should this occur.

It is your money however and your own responsibility to decide where you are going to invest so learn all you can about the various types of investments and in time you increase your financial literacy.

It is sensible to diversify and invest in a range of industries. Placing all of your eggs in one basket  is not sensible. There are stories of those who did just that and lost during the Global Financial Crisis as several finance companies fell.

The information given here is my own opinion and not given as financial advice. It is best to seek professional financial advice if you are unsure.

Note: Kiwisaver is New Zealand’s retirement savings scheme and this information may not be applicable in your own country. 

www.robertastewart.com

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The difference between assets and liabilities

ABOUT THIS ARTICLE

Knowing the difference between real assets and real liabilities and then setting your financial goals accordingly can be the difference between getting yourself financially sorted or the poorhouse. It underlines the value of financial literacy in helping achieve your goals.

The difference between assets and liabilities

Written by R. A. Stewart

An asset is something which pays you money while an asset is something that costs you money.

So let’s look at some examples.

Is property an asset or a liability?

Some people may say it is an asset because it is something you own, however, if you owe money on that property and are not getting a return on it then it is a liability because it is costing you money.

Is it an asset if you are receiving rent from that property?

Only if you are making a profit.

Some people would not agree saying, “The property is increasing in value over time.”

Lets not forget there are rates to pay plus maintenance costs and insurance to pay on that property so it could be costing you money in the long term but you will have to sit down and do your homework. 

Other investment times are less complicated such as the sharemarket so lets look at other investment types which are assets. 

Assets

Your retirement fund

Mutual Funds, also known as managed funds

Other investments

Business or farm

Learn to invest your money in items that can be quickly converted back to cash; some investments do not allow you to quickly turn the asset back into cash without jumping through several hoops.

Liabilities

Any item which has money owed on it and this is your form of transport, however there are circumstances where it may be an asset such as if the vehicle is used as a taxi, which therefore makes it an asset as it is producing an income. Such costs and the money owing on the vehicle can be tax deductible. The same applies to any vehicle used in a business.

Even though a vehicle used for work and business purposes may be classed as an asset, the money owed on that vehicle is a liability and will go into the accounts as such.

The reason why so many people are in such a poor financial state is that they borrow for stuff instead of saving for it and therefore pay more for that item in the form of interest payments.

A pet can be classed as a liability if it is costing you an arm and a leg to keep. Think of a dog for example; I read somewhere that it costs $20,000 to keep a dog during its lifetime. That is not just the food but vet bills and the like. A dog can be classed as a liability.

Do a stock take

Before you know where your money is going you need to do a stock take of all your spending. Your number one priority has to be the elimination of debt and plug up those leaks in your spending that is costing you money. In this way you will know where to make savings and redirect that money elsewhere.

Your task needs to be to reduce liabilities which means reducing debt then once you have savings use it to build your wealth. This involves setting goals which will increase your wealth and not send you to the poorhouse.

There are a number of share market platforms where you are able to drip feed money into the markets. Take advantage of these as they are a great way to build your financial literacy.

ABOUT THIS ARTICLE

Accumulating assets instead of liabilities will lead to a more prosperous future. It is vital for investors to know the difference between the two. In this article Robert Stewart explains this difference. Check out his blog at www.robertastewart.com

Start investing on a shoestring

Sharesies makes it possible for anyone to get into buying and selling shares. It is an online share market platform where you have the option of purchasing shares in individual companies or in various funds (managed/mutual funds). You can even start with $5. This is a no brainer because it gives investors young and not so young the chance to improve their financial literacy. There is certainly no substitute for experience when it comes to learning and this is applicable to everything else, not just investing.

Join sharesies here: https://sharesies.nz/r/377DFM

 

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What is discretionary income?

What is discretionary income?

This is a question which is important to those who want to balance their household budget. As most people know there are two categories of spending; your needs and wants.

Here is a list of expenditure which can be classed as needs.

Power/heating

Rent/rates

Food

Car expenses

Clothing

Loan repayments

Savings/investments

Some of these items you have some control over. For example you have the ability to choose how much you spend on food. The same is with clothing. You have the option of shopping around for something affordable. You also have control over how much power you use.

Wants are items which are not essential but are optional. Here is a short list of items which are wants:

Holidays

Hobbies

Entertainment

Gambling

Alcohol

Cigarettes

It is what you do with your discretionary spending money which will make a difference to your financial outcome. If you use your money as a seed for your investments then money worries can be a thing of the past. Dental and Medical bills are not cheap and the wise person who sets aside funds for a rainy day can pay for these emergencies in full.

Your personal financial situation will determine what you do with your discretionary spending money. If you have your life ahead of you then you may have more disposable income after your bills have been paid. If you are older you may not have as much disposable income but have more savings behind you.

If you have consumer debt then you do not have any discretionary spending money. Your number one priority as far as your finances are concerned is to pay off that debt. 

It is not how much you make which determines your financial outcome but what you do with how much you make. Some people spend all of their discretionary spending money and are left with nothing until the next pay day.

Here are some stories:

When I was a teenager we were helping a neighbour build a cattle yard on his farm. My father said to the neighbour, “There is no profit in having the best looking cattle yard.”

What he means is that having the nicest looking cattle yard is not going to make any difference to the bottom line profit of the farm.

Years ago, a colleague bought a car for twenty grand. When one of his friends told me, I replied, “If that was me I would have just bought the cheapest car and invested the rest of the money”.

An expensive lifestyle proves costly in the long term. Those who have developed the habit of living modestly are better equipped to deal with the cost of living crisis.

At the end of the day you make your choices and your choices make you.

About this article

The information in this article is of the writer’s opinion and experience and may not be applicable to your personal circumstances therefore discretion is advised.

Disclaimer: Please be aware that if you sign up for sharesies or coinbase through my site then I may receive a small commission.

www.robertastewart.com