Money Week is a good time to stop and think about your finances. That can be a daunting prospect for many people though.
The Commission for Financial Capability has some tips for how you can start to get your finances in shape.
Set aside savings before you do anything else with your money. The commission says you may be starting out small, but beginning right away and making it automatic helps.
The commission says that having money is all about having options. Expect the unexpected, so build an emergency fund that would cover at least three months' expenses.
As you shop around, compare your choices carefully. If you are borrowing money, do not forget that the true cost includes any interest and fees you will be paying.
Try to repay more than the minimum. Shed your high interest debt as quickly as possible.
When you get a windfall, put it towards something that helps you get ahead - like paying off debt or putting it into your savings
The commission says having clear and realistic goals for the short, medium and long term will sharpen your focus.
The Commission says it is helpful to be able to see the steps you need to take to achieve your goal. "A money plan for what you earn and spend is a great way to reach your goals."
It recommends learning which mix of investments can help you achieve them. Also, when you reach a goal, it it's okay to celebrate.
The Commission says: "You train hard, so you want to make sure you stay on track." It suggests getting the right insurance for your circumstances and reviewing it annually, or when your situation changes.
For more ideas about managing your money sorted.org.nz is a great place to start.
Online shopping
New Zealanders are spending more on online shopping, especially at overseas websites.
BNZ and Marketview's latest Online Retail Sales report says total spending rose 13 percent in July compared to the same month a year ago.
Spending at international sites was 25 percent higher than a year ago.
The report points out that part of this reflects higher prices due to the falling New Zealand dollar. The Kiwi was down 24 percent against the US dollar and 16 percent against the UK pound, compared to July 2104.
Spending at New Zealand sites was five percent higher than July 2014. The report says this is very similar to the rise in spending at physical stores (based on Statistics New Zealand figures for electronic card transactions).
Online spending in several categories was more than 20 percent up on a year earlier. These categories included clothing, computer equipment, specialised food (which includes supplements), books, entertainment media and pharmaceuticals/cosmetics.
Lower Auckland house prices
Auckland's largest real estate agent says the region's housing market appears to be at a crossroads.
Barfoot & Thompson says prices eased after five months of gains.
The average price was $821,079 last month, down almost one percent from July's average of $827,359.
Managing Director Peter Thompson says the same trend appeared in the median price.
"At $755,000, the median price is $2000 lower than it was in July, and $9000 or 1.2 percent lower than the median price for the previous three months."
He believes the winter weather, the uncertain economic outlook and changes to the borrowing rules for investors have all played a role in the lower prices.
"We are now at the crossroads in terms of where prices go. With the coming of spring we can expect pressure to go back on prices as factors which have led to record prices in the first place such as low mortgage rates, shortages of supply and demand from a growing population still remain."
"However, countering this is the pressure the Reserve Bank and the Government is applying by way of new rules and regulations to keep a lid on Auckland price increases, and concerns around world-wide economic stability."
He predicts that prices will increase modestly in the coming months from where they are at present.
The markets
European markets finished strongly, after the European Central Bank left its benchmark interest rate at 0.05 percent. The ECB also hinted it might continue its asset-purchase program to support the European economy.
Germany's DAX rose 2.68 percent, France's CAC-40 gained 2.17 percent and London's FTSE finished 1.82 percent higher.
The ECB governing council earlier voted to hold the benchmark main refinancing rate at 0.05 per cent. The levy charged on deposits parked at the central bank remained at 0.2 per cent.
But the cheerful mood wore off as the trading day continued on Wall Street. Energy stocks initially dragged the market higher after oil prices spiked 2 percent.
But the major indexes finished with mixed results.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average finished 23 points, or 0.14 percent higher at 16,374. The broader S&P 500 rose 2 points, or 0.12 percent, to 1951. The tech-heavy Nasdaq slipped 16 points, or 0.35 percent, to 4733.
US crude oil finished up 1 percent at $46.75 a barrel. European Brent oil rose half a percent to $50.74.
Gold slipped eight dollars, or 0.7 percent to $1124 an ounce.
The dollar
The New Zealand dollar rose above 64 US cents overnight. But by 8.15am it had dipped to 63.92. That was still 0.7 percent higher than yesterday.
It was also stronger against the Australian currency, trading 1.12 percent higher at 91.21 cents.
The kiwi was almost one percent higher against the pound at 41.90 pence. It was 0.38 percent higher against the yen at 76.67.
The biggest gain was against the euro. The kiwi rose 1.65 percent to 57.46 pence.
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