# kids and money (blogs) — RSS Amplifier Recent posts from the 2 feeds in the RSS Amplifier directory that cover kids and money. Page: Feed: --- ## [Applying Rebel Finance School in NZ](https://www.thehappysaver.com/blog/applying-rebel-finance-school-in-nz) _2026-08-02 · Ruth · Blog - The Happy Saver_ For seven years in a row, I’ve watched the free online money course, Rebel Finance School. For the last couple of years, I’ve joined course creators Alan and Katie Donegan for a Kiwi-specific session. The entire 10-week, self-paced course is the money education you never got. I can’t recommend it highly enough. Thousands have already watched the Kiwi-specific session, but I knew it would be… ## [Viral TikTok Causes Parents to Tell Mom to Crack Down on Baby's Nighttime Routine: 'Don’t Engage'](https://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1235038364/viral-tiktok-babys-nighttime-routine/) _2026-07-31 · Ysolt Usigan · Parenting Advice Articles: Tips for Raising Happy Kids_ If there’s one thing every parent can relate to, it’s the sleepless nights that come with raising little kids. Whether it’s an infant who wakes up every hour on the hour or a toddler who resists bedtime altogether, kids and sleep routines make for some long nights (and exhausted days) for parents. In fact, a \[…\] ## [I Accidentally Started Recreating My '90s Childhood for My Daughter—& Now I Don't Want to Stop](https://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1235038110/recreating-90s-childhood-for-my-daughter/) _2026-07-30 · Ysolt Usigan · Parenting Advice Articles: Tips for Raising Happy Kids_ There are plenty of things from my childhood that deserve to stay there. The Electric Youth scent. Bean bag chairs. Graffiti pants. I was born on the cusp of when Gen X turned millennial. I watched my favorite shows on cable, stuff taped on a VHS, and movies on Blu-ray. My family went through iterations \[…\] ## [Halloween Movies & TV Specials Every '90s Kid Can Watch With Their Kids](https://www.sheknows.com/parenting/slideshow/9967/90s-halloween-movies-summerween/) _2026-07-25 · Julie Sprankles · Parenting Advice Articles: Tips for Raising Happy Kids_ When we set out to list the best ’90s Halloween movies and TV shows for kids, it got us ’90s kids thinking about the many joys of being a parent. There are myriad reasons to love having kids. The way they look at you, feeling those chubby little arms around your neck as they whisper \[…\] ## [How to Watch These 25 Halloween Movies on Disney+ for Summerween Antics](https://www.sheknows.com/parenting/slideshow/2630932/summerween-movies-disney/) _2026-07-25 · Delilah Gray · Parenting Advice Articles: Tips for Raising Happy Kids_ It’s the most spooky time of the year, and we’re already getting all the pumpkin decor out of the basement. We’re officially in the Halloween season, and we, for one, can’t wait to celebrate to the fullest. From the Halloween decoration deals to queueing up the movie nights, we love everything about the spooky, fun \[…\] ## [Hurry Up and Wait](https://www.thehappysaver.com/blog/hurry-up-and-wait) _2026-07-19 · Ruth · Blog - The Happy Saver_ I've been feeling a little frustrated lately. I'm sitting in my living room, laptop on my lap, gazing out at the snow-capped Old Man Range. Things aren’t going badly, quite the opposite. Our investments have passed $800,000, our emergency fund is full, and Jonny is about to finish his graphic design job for good. We’re CoastFI and tantalisingly close to financial independence, but not quite there… ## [20 Celebrity Parents Who Won't Spoil Their Children With Huge Inheritances](https://www.sheknows.com/parenting/slideshow/2512756/celebrity-parents-no-inheritances-children/) _2026-07-18 · Sydni Ellis · Parenting Advice Articles: Tips for Raising Happy Kids_ There are many benefits to having a famous parent. Just imagine getting to go on elaborate vacations and attend fancy parties, not to mention, having access to concerts, film sets, and other VIP spots (we’re just a little jealous, OK?). But for some celebrities, the perks stop there. Recently, a slew of stars have claimed \[…\] ## [SpaceX IPO? Remember That?](https://www.thehappysaver.com/blog/spacex-ipo-remember-that) _2026-07-05 · Ruth · Blog - The Happy Saver_ I know that by now the fuss over the mid June 2026 SpaceX IPO has died down, but that is exactly why I waited a few weeks to write about it. Successful investing is mostly about ignoring the noise, but sometimes that is easier said than done. Now that it's well out of the headlines, and so that you can recognise a storm in a teacup next time one appears, I want to dig into what happens to your ETF… ## [July 4th Printable Coloring Pages to Keep Kids Busy All Weekend](https://www.sheknows.com/parenting/slideshow/658/fourth-of-july-coloring-and-activity-pages/) _2026-07-04 · SheKnows Editorial · Parenting Advice Articles: Tips for Raising Happy Kids_ The Fourth of July is upon us, and while plenty of us are grappling with what that means (and/or already celebrated America’s diversity on Juneteenth), the holiday remains a day of celebration for many people in the United States. And hey, what’s not to like about food, fun, and fireworks — and a day off? \[…\] ## [Father’s Day is Hard When You Don’t Have a Dad](https://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/2578722/fatherless-on-fathers-day/) _2026-06-21 · Rita Templeton · Parenting Advice Articles: Tips for Raising Happy Kids_ My parents divorced when I was 9, and I turned out OK. I turned out OK despite the fact that my parents’ emotional and legal separation was compounded by a physical distance of 1700 miles when we moved six states apart, making it hard for me to see my father regularly. I turned out OK \[…\] ## [ThreatCrush on GitHub (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/48LcnBTO0niK) _2026-06-21 · **Sponsored**_ View the ThreatCrush listing on the GitHub Marketplace. ## [The Happy Saver Turns 10: Giveaways, Gratitude and Your Wins](https://www.thehappysaver.com/blog/the-happy-saver-turns-10) _2026-06-21 · Ruth · Blog - The Happy Saver_ I know your time is important, and over the years I’ve taken up a fair bit of it, ten years in fact! Yes, The Happy Saver is 10 years old. This blog post is packed with gratitude, giveaways, and a celebration of your wins, because you haven’t just read my blog; many of you have changed your lives. I want to say a heartfelt thank you to you for being part of The Happy Saver, and to the Kiwi… ## [There Are So Many Cool Ways to Celebrate Juneteenth With Your Kids](https://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/2578970/celebrate-juneteenth-kids/) _2026-06-19 · Rita Templeton · Parenting Advice Articles: Tips for Raising Happy Kids_ Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. The first Juneteenth was celebrated back in 1866. Yet despite its long history, it only just recently became a federal holiday in 2021 — when President Biden signed the bill making it the first holiday to obtain legal observance \[…\] ## [Sick of Screaming to Get Your Kid's Attention? Try This TikTok Mom's Major Parenting Hack](https://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1235027446/tiktok-mom-major-parenting-hack/) _2026-06-17 · Beth Greenfield · Parenting Advice Articles: Tips for Raising Happy Kids_ Every parent has been there. Your kid is in their room — door closed, AirPods in — while you stand in another part of the house, calling them for dinner or asking them if they’re (finally) ready to leave the house. It’s more than a little frustrating, and it can truly seem like once they’ve \[…\] ## [Ten Years Later: What KiwiSaver Taught Me](https://www.thehappysaver.com/blog/ten-years-later-what-kiwisaver-taught-me) _2026-06-07 · Ruth · Blog - The Happy Saver_ Ten years ago, on the 6th of June 2016, I published my very first blog post. It was about KiwiSaver. In that first month, I also wrote about Gold, Credit Cards and Kids and Money. And it's fair to say my thoughts have changed somewhat. I’ve sold our gold, cancelled our credit card, and spent the last ten years ensuring our ‘kid’, who is now a young adult, knows all about how money works. And what… ## [Jonny’s Take: Becoming Debt-Free Changed Everything](https://www.thehappysaver.com/blog/jonnys-take-becoming-debt-free-changed-everything) _2026-05-24 · Ruth · Blog - The Happy Saver_ Jonny has been thinking a lot about money, work, health, and what really matters lately. In this story, he shares his honest take on what becoming debt-free has made possible for our family, from paying off the mortgage to stepping back from full-time work and creating more freedom, flexibility, and breathing room in life. He also talks about why couples don’t both need to love spreadsheets or… ## [Jellycat’s New Summer Collection Is Full of Beach-Day Cuteness — & It Just Went Live](https://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1235000713/jellycat-summer-2026/) _2026-05-12 · Olivia Harvey · Parenting Advice Articles: Tips for Raising Happy Kids_ Before the summer season kicks off, you need to make sure you have your beach bag packed and ready with all the essentials — sunscreen, beach towel, sunglasses, a good beach read, and of course, your new Jellycat. The plush brand just rolled out a new collection of beach-themed toys that are beyond adorable. From \[…\] ## [Our Coast FI Plan: Keep the House, Invest Less](https://www.thehappysaver.com/blog/our-coast-fi-plan) _2026-05-10 · Ruth · Blog - The Happy Saver_ After years of prioritising investing, we’ve made a decision that feels both strange and surprisingly freeing: we’re keeping the house, cutting right back on how much we invest, and letting time in the market do more of the work. For a while, downsizing looked like the logical next step. Sell the house, invest the difference, and fast-track our way to full financial independence. But the more we… ## [Which providers offer a Total World Fund in NZ?](https://www.thehappysaver.com/blog/which-providers-offer-a-total-world-fund-in-nz) _2026-04-26 · Ruth · Blog - The Happy Saver_ I am writing this blog post because I am constantly asked where you can purchase a Total World ETF from in New Zealand: “Could I use Smart or InvestNow?” “Sharesies, or a sharebroker?” Once you understand that low fees and broad diversification matter, i.e. buying the whole global share market instead of picking stocks or countries, you land in a new kind of confusion… where to buy. This post is… ## [Succession planning: Deciding where your money goes](https://www.thehappysaver.com/blog/succession-planning-deciding-where-your-money-goes) _2026-04-12 · Ruth · Blog - The Happy Saver_ For some, the question of leaving a monetary inheritance will crop up at some point. What do you do with your money once you die? When it comes to inheritance, Jonny and I are pragmatic and have a very simple plan: it goes to our daughter, and she can use it however she sees fit. In some ways, we have it easy. She is next in line, so it feels logical that we would leave her our money. But a recent… ## [Buckle up - here we go again!](https://www.thehappysaver.com/blog/buckle-up-here-we-go-again) _2026-03-29 · Ruth · Blog - The Happy Saver_ This week, I wanted to go back in time, six years back to March 15, 2020, when the world was in turmoil. Again. At that time, I wanted to address your concerns about the global crises, particularly around COVID. I took the time to write a blog post about it, and today, I’ve summarised the key points and added an update. Because, surprise, surprise, here we go again, folks! ## [Your 24/7 AI Media Buyer (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/2nTBgdaLL1Xb) _2026-03-29 · **Sponsored**_ Finds placement, geo, and funnel leaks and proposes fixes you approve ## [Someone Call an Ambulance](https://www.thehappysaver.com/blog/someone-call-an-ambulance) _2026-03-15 · Ruth · Blog - The Happy Saver_ We’ve had a bit of drama recently, meaning all of our 2026 plans are currently up in the air. Jonny had a serious accident; he fell off the ladder, breaking his arm and fracturing his pelvis in four places. After eight days in hospital, he’s now home resting and beginning what will hopefully be a full recovery. One thing he said to me while in hospital really stuck: “Well, at least money is the… ## [JL Collins Goes Global - And Why That Feels Familiar](https://www.thehappysaver.com/blog/jl-collins-goes-global-and-why-that-feels-familiar) _2026-03-01 · Ruth · Blog - The Happy Saver_ The financial clouds parted the day I picked up the 2016 edition of The Simple Path to Wealth by JL Collins. Instead of picking and choosing individual companies, just buy them all in one tidy package: an ETF or index fund - the simple path to wealth. For years, JL Collins has been known for one beautifully simple idea: Buy VTSAX and chill. VTSAX is an American index fund holding 100% U.S.… ## [Explain It To Me FAST!](https://www.thehappysaver.com/blog/explain-it-to-me-fast) _2026-02-15 · Ruth · Blog - The Happy Saver_ If you’ve ever listened to a money podcast, read a finance blog or chatted with that one friend who’s suddenly “really into investing”, you’ve probably heard a whole bunch of money words thrown around. People nod. No one wants to look dumb. And quietly, many think: I should probably understand what that means… So this post is for you. Here are plain-English explanations of the money words that… ## [$1.71 Million Net Worth: Our 2025 Money Update](https://www.thehappysaver.com/blog/our-2025-money-update) _2026-02-01 · Ruth · Blog - The Happy Saver_ At the start of every year, I open one spreadsheet that tells the story of a decade of choices. Updating our net worth spreadsheet helps me see where we’ve been, and where we might be heading. These annual check-ins matter, and I genuinely enjoy this process. 2025 was a good financial year for us, driven primarily by consistent investing in the share market through our ETF and, to a lesser extent,… ## [Debt-Free at 18: The Money Systems We Put in Place Years Before University](https://www.thehappysaver.com/blog/the-money-systems-we-put-in-place-years-before-university) _2026-01-18 · Ruth · Blog - The Happy Saver_ Our daughter is leaving home, off to Otago University. I’m so looking forward to her finding her next steps, but I will miss her terribly. She is ready to go! And, I’m not going to lie, I am looking forward to a tidier house. As we adjust to a new phase of long-distance parenting, I’m pretty determined to make one last push to get her as financially ready as we can for the big, wide world. I’ve… ## [Christmas Giveaway!](https://www.thehappysaver.com/blog/christmas-giveaway-2025) _2025-12-14 · Ruth · Blog - The Happy Saver_ Once again, we’re celebrating the festive season with a special Christmas Giveaway for the fabulous people who subscribe to The Happy Saver. Thank you so much for your ongoing support throughout 2025. Nothing says CHRISTMAS like getting your finances in good shape, whether that’s through a brilliant money book, some powerful budgeting software, a handy investment tool, or even a boost to the… ## [The One Habit That Builds Wealth](https://www.thehappysaver.com/blog/the-one-habit-that-builds-wealth) _2025-12-14 · Ruth · Blog - The Happy Saver_ Invest first. Pay your bills second. Spend what remains. I recently watched a video featuring a group of people in their 80s discussing money. One of their biggest regrets? Not investing small amounts consistently throughout their lives. I meet many people who feel they have “done everything right”: paid their bills, avoided debt, managed a mortgage, and contributed to KiwiSaver. Yet when it comes… ## [Answering the Money Questions Readers Email Me About](https://www.thehappysaver.com/blog/answering-the-money-questions-readers-email-me-about) _2025-11-30 · Ruth · Blog - The Happy Saver_ I’ve been hitting “reply” to as many emails as I can this week. If you write to me, I will write back, but due to the volume of emails I get, there is often a delay. I respond to every single email because the questions asked are so valid and important to the person doing the asking. Every email is different, weaving together a set of circumstances in a new way, so I provide a bespoke response… ## [Meet, Learn, Laugh: Your Guide to FI Retreats](https://www.thehappysaver.com/blog/your-guide-to-fi-retreats) _2025-11-16 · Ruth · Blog - The Happy Saver_ Did you know there are retreats and conferences just for people chasing financial independence? Think of them as adult money camps - part learning, part laughter, part deep conversation (money and otherwise) with new friends. No, I’m not running one, nor selling one, but I’ve been lucky enough to attend a few, and they’ve been life-changing. People often ask how I find out about them and which… ## [Generate Viral Hot Takes (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/WmllcJg2GxNG) _2025-11-16 · **Sponsored**_ Get platform-optimized hot takes and rebuttals to spark debate and engagement ## [How We (and Our Daughter) Plan to Pay for University Without a Student Loan](https://www.thehappysaver.com/blog/how-we-and-our-daughter-plan-to-pay-for-university-without-a-student-loan) _2025-11-02 · Ruth · Blog - The Happy Saver_ Well, the moment has arrived. The tiny five-year-old who started Primary School back in 2012 has just turned 18 and completed her final day of Year 13 at High School. Just. Like. That! I was warned that time would pass quickly, and it has. She has a few exams to get through, then she is done with school for good and can enjoy a few well-deserved weeks of R&R. Once the weather heats up, she will…