An interesting report came out this week about budgets: the average household spending has only gone up two dollars a week since 2023.

50-percent of respondents said they're actively seeking out discounts and promotions - and 30-percent downgrade brands.

It's one thing to be spending less on non-essentials, eating less, or wearing cheaper clothes, but sometimes that can chip away at our mental health and confidence. So how can we still feel good and financial okay, with what we've got?

On the topic of household budgets: when do you merge finances with your partner or spouse? How do you do it? What should you be careful of?

Financial specialist, and author of top Personal Finance book - Money Matters - Amanda Morall joins Tim Beveridge for Smart Money...

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A new governor has been appointed for the Reserve Bank of New Zealand - all the way from Sweden.

Dr Anna Breman has already received criticism from economists who find themselves concerned that someone with such little knowledge of the New Zealand economy will hold such a high stakes position.

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The economy had a worse than expected drop in the June quarter, shrinking 0.9%.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis has blamed it on global turmoil, but the Reserve Bank of New Zealand says there's a need to provide more stimulus to the economy by cutting the OCR.

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