Moneywise Manawatū

03/11/2025

🌽 Need a hand with food? Or keen to lend one? 🥕

If you're finding it tough to put food on the table, or if you have extra to share — check out your local Pātaka Kai 🌿

Pātaka Kai is the Māori term for a food storehouse — a community pantry where you can take what you need and leave what you can. No exchange, no koha required. Just kindness, connection, and care 💚

These pantries are open 24/7, and they’re here for everyone — no judgement, no barriers.

👉 Click here to see the list of Pātaka Kai in Palmerston North: https://www.enm.org.nz/manawatu-food-action/sharing-tables-1

Let’s look after each other, Palmy🤝 🤝

31/10/2025

🌸✨ Hello November! ✨🌸 Can you believe Christmas is just around the corner? 🎄

Now’s the perfect time to start getting organised — especially if you want to keep things easy on the wallet this year. 💚
Here are a few fun and budget-friendly gift ideas to try:

🎁 Homemade baking: Cookies, fudge, or spiced nuts in cute jars — always a hit!
🕯️ DIY candles or soaps: Add a festive scent like cinnamon or vanilla.
🌿 Little plants or herbs: A small potted succulent or basil plant makes such a sweet gift.
🧶 Handmade bits and pieces: Knit a scarf, make some ornaments, or get crafty with homemade Christmas cards.

Starting early means less stress later — and more time to actually enjoy the season. 🥰

What’s your go-to homemade or low-cost gift idea? We'd love to hear them below! 👇🎅

29/10/2025

🎉 Another MoneyMates Course Completed! 🎉

Last Wednesday, Brian, Chianti, and Madi wrapped up an information-packed MoneyMates course with the kaimahi at Best Care Whakapai Hauora. 💼💬
The feedback was fantastic:

👏 “Awesome facilitators. Well balanced and made the learning fun and connected.”
🗣️ “Great delivery of an informative course.”
💡 “I have a better understanding of how my money works for me.”
🧠 “Awesome facilitators who shared great tips and tricks – I've learnt a lot from these workshops.”

Ngā mihi to everyone who participated and contributed to the kōrero. We love seeing people grow their financial confidence and knowledge! 💚💰

26/10/2025

💼 Labour Day: Because even your budget deserves better working conditions.

😩 Tired of your money disappearing faster than your long weekend? Let’s fix that.

💬 Budget advice that’s friendly, free, and occasionally funny.
📞Call us on 0800 228 343 to book a free session 📅

Your wallet will thank you later! 🙏💵💰💳😊

💸🧠🌿

24/10/2025

🌟 Success Story Spotlight 🌟

Early September, a client came to us overwhelmed by over $47,000 in debt 💸 accumulated after taking time off work to care for their son following surgery ❤️‍🩹. With limited income and pressure from debt collectors, they couldn’t see a way forward.

Together, we explored every option — and ultimately supported them through a No Asset Procedure, discharging $41,888 of their debt 🙌.

Now, with the weight lifted, they’re actively job hunting and feeling hopeful again 🌈✨💬 “You made my life so much easier and took away my stress. I’ll never forget you all in my prayers.” 🙏

We’re so proud to walk alongside our clients as they reclaim their futures 💙

😟 Overwhelmed with your financial situation??💬 Don’t face it alone — we’re here to help. 📞Call us on 0800 228 343 — a fresh start might be closer than you think.

22/10/2025

🧺 Shout Out to The Laundry Room! 💙

A huge thank you to The Laundry Room for their generous donation of pre-loaded Smart Cards! 🙌

These cards have made a real difference for our clients who don't have access to a washing machine 🚫🧺🧼👕

Your kindness and support were greatly appreciated by everyone who received a card. 💖 It’s community spirit like this that truly makes a difference!

20/10/2025

🌟 Ready to Rent Workshop Recap 🌟

Last Wednesday Giuseppe led an awesome Ready to Rent session packed with practical advice for anyone preparing to rent a home!

He shared the top three things landlords look for in a great tenant:
✅ Pay rent on time
✅ Look after the property
✅ Be a good neighbour and community member

💡 One smart budgeting tip Giuseppe gave: Name your bank accounts!
Labeling your accounts (e.g. “Rent”, “Groceries”, “Savings”) helps you stay on track and know exactly what your money is for.

Thanks to everyone who came along — we hope you left feeling more confident and ready to rent!

15/10/2025

☕️🏠 “DIY coffee: because your wallet deserves a break too.” 💳👛

🤎ྀིྀི ☕︎ ᝰ Skip the daily café run and brew at home a couple of days a week. Your wallet will thank you — and so will your local barista when you finally splurge on a muffin. 🧁

📞 Want more budgeting tips? Call us on 0800 228 343 to chat with a financial mentor. We’re here to help you make money moves that feel good and do good.

13/10/2025

“How budget-savvy are YOU? 💸 Play Budget Bingo and find out! Tag a mate and compare scores 👇”

✅ Comment your score below!
👯‍♀️ Tag a friend to take the challenge!
🔁 Share to spread the savings

📣 Want to learn how to improve your budget bingo score?
📞 Call us on 0800 228 343 and book a FREE appointment with one of our fantastic financial mentors!
💡 Smart choices start with a conversation!

10/10/2025

09/10/2025

💚 Feeling the pinch? Just Zilch is always there to help! 💚
📍 Visit them at 248 Featherston Street, Palmerston North
🕐 Opening hours:
• 1:00–2:30pm
• 4:30–6:00pm
📅 Monday to Friday

❤ Could you use a little breathing room in your weekly budget?
Here at JZ, we rescue hundreds of tonnes of surplus food every year - food that would otherwise go to waste. But instead of tossing it, we pass it on. To anyone who needs it. You don’t need to “prove” anything. Maybe your power bill just went up, you're saving for a house deposit, your kids need new school shoes, or you’re just feeling the pinch - whatever the reason, if saving $10–$40 a week on groceries would help, that’s what we’re here for.

No judgment. No shame. Just food, rescued and shared with love.

💬 If you’re new, here’s what you can usually expect:
A mix of everyday staples, produce, pantry basics, and sometimes even a little treat, for you and even your pets too, depending on what we've rescued that day.
It changes daily, but there's always something useful. And every bit helps.

Pop in, say hello, and grab what you need. We're here for our community - and you're helping fight food waste too. 🥰

08/10/2025

🌸 🧹✨Spring Clean Your Finances: Fresh Season, Fresh Start!🌸🧹✨
Spring is the perfect time to take stock — not just of your wardrobe or garage, but of your personal finances as well.
Now’s the time to tidy up your money matters and set yourself up for a stress-free end to the year.

🧼 TIDY UP Your Financial Basics
📊 Take an evening this month to review your household budget. Are your spending estimates still realistic given rising living costs? What adjustments could you make? If you don’t have a budget yet, spring is the ideal time to create one.

📁 ORGANISE Your Financial Paperwork and declutter your financial documents:
🗂️Sort receipts for warranties and assets
📤Scan and upload important documents to the cloud or a hard drive
✂️Shred old paperwork to protect against identity theft
🛈 Make sure your partner or family knows where everything is stored — it’s all about making life easier and safer.

🎯 REVIEW Your Financial GOALS
Are you on track to meet your short, medium, and long-term goals? Spring is a great halfway checkpoint:
- Emergency savings fund 💵
- Christmas gift budget 🎁
- Summer holiday savings 🏖️
If you’re falling behind, ask yourself: What can I change between now and summer to get back on track?

💡 How Can I SAVE MORE MONEY?
This is a common question after a financial spring clean. Start by understanding where your money goes:
🚫Cancel unused subscriptions
♻️Buy second-hand or shop sales
‎𐂐◯𓇋Cook at home instead of eating out
🤝Negotiate better deals on utilities and insurance
Small changes can lead to big savings

💬 Need Help Getting Started?
Call us on 0800 228 343 to book a free appointment with one of our fantastic financial mentors.