Living paycheck to paycheck can feel like an endless cycle. For many, it's a reality filled with stress, limited options, and a constant feeling of being one unexpected expense away from financial disaster. But breaking free from this cycle is possible. With the right mindset, strategy, and tools, you can regain control of your finances and build a life of stability and growth.

When facing the  costs of medical treatment, the immediate reaction might be to start saving up. However, in certain situdauntingations, taking out a loan could be the more financially savvy choice. Here's why:

By negotiating bills, bundling services, reviewing plans, monitoring usage, and using promotions, you can effectively manage and reduce your expenses with service providers.

When considering a loan, the instinct might be to head straight to a bank, lured by potentially lower interest rates. However, there's a compelling case for why opting for a personal loan company, like SMB, might actually serve you better, even if the interest rate is higher. Here's why…

So, you want to turn your $10k into $1m? Sounds like a plot for a financial thriller, right? Well, the first step is to turn the $10k into $20k and then $20k into $100k...

Building a budget is essential for your financial stability and future. It’s not just about tracking numbers, but also about aligning your spending with your goals and values. Here’s a detailed guide to help you create a practical, realistic, and sustainable budget that will keep you on track to achieving financial security and independence.

Whether you're dreaming of a weekend getaway or planning an epic journey, these practical hacks will empower you to explore the world without breaking the bank. Let’s dive in and discover how to stretch your travel budget further!

As the world outside comes alive with blooming flowers and warmer days, the time is ripe for a cost-effective home makeover through spring cleaning. Refreshing your living space doesn't have to put a dent in your wallet. With a dash of creativity and strategic planning, you can achieve a rejuvenated atmosphere that radiates the essence of spring. Discover these savvy spring-cleaning ideas that promise a revitalised home without breaking the bank.

As the saying goes, "A penny saved is a penny earned." One of the best ways to save money and improve your financial well-being is by adopting savvy strategies when it comes to buying food and groceries. With a little planning, mindfulness, and a keen eye for deals, you can significantly reduce your expenses while still enjoying delicious and nutritious meals. In this blog post, we'll share ten practical tips to help you spend less on food and groceries without compromising on quality.

As the winter season is well and truly underway, it's natural for energy consumption to rise, but that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your comfort or budget. 

Looking for fun and free ways to keep your kids entertained during the school holidays? Look no further! Whether you’re looking for outdoor activities to enjoy the sunshine or indoor games for those rainy days, there are plenty of options to choose from. From making sweet treats to nature walks, there’s something for every child to enjoy without breaking the bank. So, get ready to have some fun and create lasting memories with these exciting and budget-friendly activities!

One of the best and biggest shopping days of the year, Black Friday is coming to a retailer near you (or it may already be there!). Online and brick & mortar stores are rolling out their Black Friday deals, and deals mean ways to save money, which SMB is all about! To make the most of this year’s sales, we’ve compiled 6 tips to help you ACTUALLY save money during Black Friday deals in 2022…

You don’t need to empty your wallet to give a gift that is thoughtful, practical and cherished by the recipient. The key to thoughtful gift-giving is understanding the person you’re gifting and focusing on something special and unique, just for them. Don’t overthink it! When you spend serious dosh on a gift, you can end up putting a lot of pressure on yourself and your finances. So, our team have come together to bring you our tips on how to be a thoughtful gifter on a budget.

Summer holidays are expensive, so you need to have a plan and a budget, and you need to save up for your dream summer. Our summer budgeting tips are here to help...

This is an easy two-step beginner guide on how to start your emergency fund savings today. You can use an emergency fund to cover all sorts of unexpected expenses - whether it's a job loss, car repair, or an unsuspected large bill, you can make a list of the things you consider emergencies and what you'd use the fund for.

In this 3 series content, you’ll see: What is a Financial Mindset, why is it so important and how to put it to use.

Part 02: THE WHY

In this 3 series content, you’ll see: What is a Financial Mindset, why is it so important and how to put it to use.

Part 01: THE WHAT

In this 3 series content, you’ll see: What is a Financial Mindset, why is it so important and how to put it to use.

Part 03: THE HOW

What does purpose have to do with your finances? Everything, actually. Making money as your only goal is never the best move. Making money from what we enjoy and feel we are naturally good at helps us feel more attuned with our reason for being here: our purpose!

Unsure how to kickstart organising your finances? Here's a step by step guide you can follow to get your finances in order!

Why oh why, is it so important to keep in touch with our Bacon team once you apply with us? 

In a nutshell for these 3 main reasons; 

1. Making sure we both understand everything.

2. Confirming and verifying your info.

3. The speed at which you’ll get your loan approved!

Let's face it; we're way past our last year's 'new year resolutions' - to save more' or 'be more aware of our finances'. But why do we set ourselves up to fail with vague goals, put into action only once a year!? The truth is, if you want, you can start to achieve your goals every day! Even if you're thinking to yourself, "It's hopeless! It's August! I'll NEVER achieve my goals! Why did I leave it so late?". What you should be asking is why should I limit myself to goal setting only once a year! It's time to start now… 

Your credit score is more than just a number—it’s a snapshot of your financial health that impacts your ability to secure loans, lower interest rates, and even job opportunities. Yet, studies show that most New Zealanders don’t know their score or how it’s calculated. This three-digit number, ranging from 0 to 1000, reflects your payment history on credit cards, loans, and bills, giving lenders and insurers insight into your financial reliability. A higher score can unlock better financing options, while a low score may hold you back.

The last post on budgeting was so successful that more on budgeting had to be written! If you are a regular reader of our blog, you have already read the post about top tips for setting financial goals, where you can follow the eight steps to set your financial goals and plan for a brighter financial future, but it was only the beginning.

Do you want to become an investor? Do you even know what an investor is? It can be a daunting prospect if you have never made investments before. An ‘investor’ is someone who uses their money to make a profit, by putting this money into various financial schemes. Everyone can invest, and whilst investing can make your money go further, it is not without its risks so make sure you fully understand these risks before you proceed with any investing! This guide will help you understand the world of investment a little more and get you started.

New rules introduced by the New Zealand Government have changed the way you can borrow money. We’ve worked alongside MBIE to support these rules and are here to help you understand the fine print! We hope the new High-Cost (HC) Loan regulations will make borrowing safer and protect Kiwis from irresponsible lenders.

In this ever growing list of online home business ideas, we have briefly outlined some concepts that you could develop into a viable, work from home business! This post will get you thinking about potential sources of income and help you focus on what you can realistically do.

So, you’ve checked your score and there is room for improvement? You don’t have any defaults and your bills are up to date… so what could have pulled it down? Don’t panic! There are some easy wins to help improve your credit score.

It costs the average Kiwi $35,000 to tie the knot! It seems like a pretty pricey tag, but for one of the most important days of your life, we can see why lovers want to splash the cash. But… your wedding needn’t break the bank! Read on to see our top 10 tips to save money on your wedding.