115. I Feel Like I’m The Only One

115. I Feel Like I’m The Only One

Author: Ruth - Personal Finance Blogger December 17, 2025 Duration: 57:49
Jennifer first emailed me in early 2023 after listening to all my podcasts. She knew I was a big advocate for parents teaching kids to invest and had a few questions, including one detail that really caught my attention. Her then 17 and 19-year-old children didn’t know they had a small amount of money coming their way at 25. She wanted to keep it secret, plus they had zero interest in investing. That sparked an ongoing email exchange, and nearly three years later, we’re here, with Jennifer finally agreeing to share a much deeper financial story than she first intended. She genuinely thought she was the only one in her position, struggling to make ends meet, trying to get out of debt, and managing a solo financial journey within a happy marriage. This episode is a frank look at how so many couples who think about money very differently are actually dealing with it today, and why her experience is far more normal than she realised. I know there will be people listening who see themselves in her story and come away with reassurance, clarity, and a sense of what’s possible.

Money conversations can feel awkward, but they don't have to be. On The Happy Saver Podcast-Personal Finance in New Zealand, host Ruth brings her perspective as a longtime personal finance blogger to break down that barrier. Each episode is built around real stories from everyday Kiwis, exploring the nuanced and often personal relationship people have with their finances. You'll hear frank discussions about how money influences life choices, for better or worse. The focus is on practical, grounded experiences within the New Zealand context-where people save, how they invest, and whether those strategies actually pan out over time. Ruth guides conversations that delve into both financial victories and those moments that feel like train wrecks, always with an eye toward learning. The underlying question is how to design a life rich in experience without spending a fortune to get there. This isn't about theoretical jargon; it's about the applied reality of making dollars and sense work together in Aotearoa. By listening to this podcast, you gain a collective wisdom from a community navigating the same economic landscape, from everyday budgeting to long-term investing goals. Ruth facilitates a space where money is simply a tool to be understood and mastered, one honest story at a time.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

The Happy Saver Podcast - Personal Finance in New Zealand
Podcast Episodes
126. Building Financial Strength Together [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:45
Joseph and Jane’s story is one of resilience, generosity and small financial decisions adding up over time. From Joseph buying his first home at just 22 and navigating some serious health setbacks, to Jane returning to A…
125. Revisit with The Happy Saver: Eight Years On [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Today I’m doing something a bit different. I thought I’d give you a little update on what Jonny and I are up to. If you've been listening for a while, you might remember that way back in 2018 I released Episode 12, It’s…
124. Learning, Letting Go and Rethinking the Road to FIRE [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:32
I had a great chat with Rose and Adam on a cold winter’s day in July, and this warm and friendly duo came to our conversation well prepared. Just over 20 years ago, they made the move from Israel to Ōtautahi Christchurch…
123. Feeling Financially Safe Again [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:07
Today’s guest is Olivia, a 59-year-old single woman who is on track to pay off a 30-year mortgage in just 10 years, entirely on one income. But this is not simply a story about paying off debt. It is a story about rebuil…
122. Renting, Investing and Building Financial Freedom [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:37
Anna has developed strong money habits through years of study, careful saving, and living well below her means. After following the traditional advice to buy a home, Anna and her partner, Thom, began to question whether…
121. The Missing Will [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:45
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120. Rebuilding After Divorce [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:26
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119. Revisit with Rachel and David: Out of Property, Into Funds [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:55
Back in November 2017, in Episode 04, I sat down with Rachel and David. They had reached financial independence long before the term was widely used, doing it through property and achieving what many Kiwi investors dream…
118. Living Well, Spending Less [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:10
Emily and I first met over email and via one of my Phone A Friend chats back in late 2023. Like me, she loves regional Aotearoa and everything it has to offer. She’s happily ensconced in the Taumarunui community, and she…
117. Owning Rental Property Is a Business [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:36
I really enjoyed creating this episode because it explores a form of investing that doesn’t often feature heavily in the wealth-building stories I usually share. I spoke at length with Lilly about the successful property…