It is so easy to spend money when you don’t actually have to hand over money.

Making cashless payments requires zero thought and there are so many ways to do it that most of the time it doesn’t even feel like we’re spending a cent. A great way to hit reset on those unplanned, incidental purchases is to use cash for a week, or longer if you can manage it.

The Crew at Debtfix were pleased to see the Government’s Budget 2022 recognised that people earning less than $70k are making ends meet on a low income.

The announced $350 cost of living package will give New Zealand’s lower earners a buffer while they struggle to pay for everyday living, resorting to higher interest credit to cover household expenses.

Debtfix director, Christine Liggins, says she’s surprised the Wellbeing Budget 2022 didn’t give the $350 to beneficiaries, too.

That’s another Christmas done, the kids are back to school (hopefully for a full year) and the working year should be in full swing (Covid traffic lights willing).

How’s your credit card feeling? Is it suffering from Paywave fatigue? How about that buy now, pay later account? Has later arrived much sooner than expected?

If you are feeling the effects of post-holiday-debt-disorder you are not alone and now is the time to make one small change to prevent the same cash-tastrophe next Christmas.