Shiny happy (realistic) people ; Budget cuts; Good business books; Secret bank accounts and financial soul mates; All about bonds

By Amanda Morrall

1) Financial sabotage

I don't like thinking about getting old. Who does really? Supposedly the secret to staying youthful is thinking young, not giving into old age thinking and keeping the company of youthful and/or shiny happy people high on life. Paradoxically, this strategy is financially disastrous. If you want to age gracefully without suffering the added insult of being poor and old, then a bit of well spent time planning for it is important.

Or such is the thinking prescribed here by Forbes.com.

2) Cheap  haircuts

After an unrelenting lice infestation a few years ago in Christchurch with the loathsome blood-sucking parasites alternately taking up residence in the apparently luxurious and cheap accommodation of me and my two sons, I had my tresses severely chopped.

Now that I'm an expert in these matters, I realise it was probably all for naught.  Unless, you're giving yourself a No.1 for nine weeks, it's unlikely to repel the beasts. Furthermore, apart from Sinead O'Connor, there's not many gals that can get away with that bald look. Too bad for that as we'd save ourselves a bloody fortune.

I envy men for their competitive financial advantage in the cosmetic department.

This blogger reckons his home-styled buzz cuts saved him $1K during college.

3) Good books

I've been feeling a bit guilty (this is one of my specialties) about abandoning the book review component of my Five-Fold Friday column which was replaced by this one.

To make amends, here's a bevy of business books hand-picked by Good.

4) Invisible Cushions

Money and marriage make strange bedfellows. In my experience, there are very few couples who have shared values around finances. Invariably one partner earns more, one spends more (usually the one not earning it) and someone gets stuck with the job of being the CFO. Probably too much to expect a financial soul-mate who also gets your pulse racing. Good communication is therefore crucial.

I got to thinking about it after reading this blogger's botched budgeting experiment and their confession about having set up an invisible cushion of money.

I tend to think secret bank accounts and what not are a recipe for disaster but maybe there is no harm in being cautious?

5) Bonds

Interest.co.nz is growing, again. Today marks the beginning of our new bonds section which will feature current issues, rates, explainers and news. Click here to link to the section.