Money matters. Let’s not pretend otherwise.
In my experience, the only people who say money doesn’t matter are either well and truly financially set – or have no money and never will. Their motivations are different but they’re both wrong. Money matters … even if we don’t like to talk about it.
“You say money isn’t everything, but I’d like to see you live without it” – Silverchair
You could call this a personal finance blog, but it’s just as much about the emotional side of money as it is the practical. I’m fascinated by money and relationships. So many of us have unhealthy relationships with our finances, and with other people, at some point in our lives. Money can also seriously impact our personal relationships (saver married to a spender, holler). Like it or not, money underpins the capitalist society we live in.
I’ve experienced the heavy toll that money troubles can have on relationships. I’ve experienced the freedom and lightness that financial peace of mind brings. All things being equal, I’d take the money every time.
My money story
I left home young and struck out on my own financially, which shapes basically everything about my approach to money. I’m a saver who’s always had multiple streams of income to some degree, and have doubled my income since starting my career. (That said, I’m allergic to maths and terrified of Excel. But you don’t have to be good with numbers and spreadsheets to be good with money…)
In 2012 the travel bug hit hard, and I stumbled across the RTW travel blog community. After years of hustling, in 2013 I took six months off to live my travel dream.
In November 2013, I touched down back home in Auckland, a city that’s great to live in most of the time. (For a totally accurate picture of what life in New Zealand is like, may I point you towards this Reddit thread and this Buzzfeed post?) I love travel but have no wish to travel full-time. Proof: I bought a house in 2016 and it’s the best thing ever.
Dreams are free. Making them happen? Not so much.
Real talk on money and life
Much as I love saving money (a dollar saved is a dollar earned and you won’t be taxed on it) I’ve also discovered the power of earning more along the way and it’s been a game changer. Money means options. And to a worrier like me, it means security and peace of mind.
So if you’re after real talk about the neverending quest for balance and the numbers involved in making dreams into reality – look no further. For starters:
- Money vs passion: Careers, compromise and capitalism
- What it costs to travel around the world: Two people, six months
- Life with a mortgage: The real numbers
- Financial blind spots: We all have them (and these are mine)
- 3 steps to feel good money
More of my best posts are here, but I drop the real truth bombs in my monthly newsletter – subscribe here to join the list.
Wow, we sound really similar!! =) I stalk people on facebook too =( except my spelling and grammar could use some polishing. =)
We are both obsessed with personal finance and want houses of our own. Guess us Canadians and Kiwi’s have a lot in common?!
And we’re both often overshadowed by our neighbouring countries!
Hey there you commented on my blog, ecoamico and I just commented back. I’m a neurotic journalism graduate from NZ too! Small world 🙂
Hey us Aussies are pretty similar as well but we’re from convict stock so our grammar is terrible (or at least mine is).
Just wanted to say thank you very much for adding She Takes on the World to your list of blogs. I love all the dreams you’re chasing after. Feel free to reach out if you ever need anything 🙂 All the best! ~Natalie
Just wanted to say hello! Glad to meet you in the internet kinda way… Sounds like you have some great goals (which I’m sure you will achieve). I get the feeling that you are a determined person – and that’s good! Thanks for adding my blog to your food blogroll – I am really glad it made your list! Stay in touch. Eileen
i’m a new follower (via google reader since i’m on blog spot [= ), found you on 20sb. love your blog! can’t wait to read more! Thanks for commenting on my discussion!
http://t-h-i-n-g-s-i-l-o-v-e.blogspot.com/
I share your love of semicolons!
[…] Just trying to get some balance, and get ahead About Me […]
Facing j-school graduation in four months. I’ll be in your shoes shortly.
Tell me, is it alright on the other side? 😉
It was surprisingly alright. Although…as you can probably see I’ve been thinking a lot about work and career paths, and what I want out of life. Email me if you want!
Wow – love this.
Especially the 2nd bullet-point…I’m working on that myself…
I’m from auckland, new zealand too! It’s a small world 🙂
Just found your blog and am really impressed – keep it up 🙂
Nice to meet you! Very fine looking site you’ve got here. Live for today – save for tomorrow – great wordplay!
[…] Main menu Skip to content About/Contact […]
Nice to meet your blog!!! I’m with you on saving and being frugal!!!! I feel like a little sacrifice today will go a long way tomorrow 😉 How do you like Auckland?
Hmm, it’s basically the only place I’ve ever lived, so not sure how much weight my judgement would carry. The good: Close to pretty much all kinds of landscapes – beach, bush, mountains, whatever. Relatively safe. The bad: the cost of EVERYTHING. The weather. Bad drivers. Bad public transport. More thoughts here: https://eemusings.wordpress.com/2012/04/10/living-in-nz-the-ultimate-post/
[…] About […]
Just found you via the travel blog carnival. Love your “about” page. You sound very wise for your young years. (I say this as a Baby Boomer, so you are young to me).
Still not sure how I feel about semi-colons. After all these years on the planet, many of them spent writing, you would think I would have formed an opinion by now.
As to your last belief, when I was your age, I concurred 100%. I was Ms. Responsible at all times, staying on the straight and narrow life trajectory: graduated from college (university); graduated from law school; got married (twice — the first one doesn’t count IMHO since I’ve been married to husband #2 for over 30 years now); and, gave birth to and raised two sons while working too many hours per week as a lawyer. Now, after several major health scares, watching contemporaries (friends and acquaintances) succumb to bad diseases and having presided over my father’s demise, I’m in a carpe diem phase. Our sons are through university, independent and self-supporting; I’m almost finished easing out of being a lawyer; I followed my #2 son into travel blogging; and now, I’m much more willing to say “f**k it” and choose to stoke my wanderlust whenever possible.
Write on!
PS: I see I have been using semi-colons; hopefully, appropriately 😉
You got me at “Every meal should be a pleasure.” 😀
I fully agree with you about semi-colons, I love them 🙂
Thanks for coming to my blog. I think I’m going to like you LOL!
Wow, I can relate with you in most things! Dreamer and pessimist, loving travel but not sports… Took a year off for a RTW trip and been recently in NZ 🙂
Happy travels!
I do not talk sports too, period. I started blogging about personal finance, and yes, I stumbled upon your blog. I do like travel, but no plan for full time. And yes, may I say that I also marry to a spender.
hi, a lovely space you have here 🙂
Hi NZ Muse!
I came across your site from your comment on Side Hustle Nation. I run a marketplace that would be a perfect fit for your blogging skills (& potentially the skills of your community). Upskill is a marketplace where you can list & sell your unique skills (personal and business). Super simple and highly useful.
If you’re keen, jump on the site at https://www.upskillco.com/ and list your awesome skills, otherwise, shoot me any questions you have.
Cheers
Rich