Managing your money - Work and Income (2024)

We can provide support and practical information to help you budget.

MoneyTalks is New Zealand's free financial helpline. You can get help and support from trained financial mentors.

They can help you with any money problems, such as:

• paying your bills
• managing your debts
• if you're being pressured by someone about a financial decision (you can get advice straight away!).

You can also get advice on how to help a friend or family/whānau member.

How to contact MoneyTalks

You can get this free, confidential advice by:

• calling0800 345 123
• texting 4029
• emailinghelp@moneytalks.co.nz
• using live chat on theMoneyTalks website.

MoneyTalks' helpline is available from:

• Monday to Friday 8am – 8pm
• Saturday from 9am – 4pm, and
• Sunday 10am – 2pm.

MoneyMates are free support groups you can join where you will:

• get support from people going through the same things
• share ideas about how you can increase your budgeting skills, and
• get more information about things you can do to manage your money.

How to join a MoneyMates support group

You can find out where to locate MoneyMates support groups through the free financial helpline, MoneyTalks.

• Call0800 345 123
• Text 4029
• Emailhelp@moneytalks.co.nz
• Use live chat on theMoneyTalks website.

MoneyTalks' helpline is available from:

• Monday to Friday 8am – 8pm
• Saturday from 9am – 4pm, and
• Sunday 10am – 2pm.

A financial mentor is someone who can work with you face to face, for free, to help you to:

• understand what you would like to achieve
• support you to complete a Financial Plan of Action to help you achieve your goals
• support you to negotiate reduced payments
• find other people who may be able to help.

They'll offer encouragement and support as well as give you the right advice for managing your money. They can also give you details of other people in the community who may be able to help.

How to work with your financial mentor

Anything you discuss with your financial mentor will be confidential.

When you meet with a financial mentor, it may be helpful to bring these things with you so they can start to work with immediate pressures you're facing straight away:

• details of your household income
• bank account statements
• your regular bills
• details of any money you owe such as mortgages,
• hire purchases and credit cards
• details of any other expenses.

How to find a financial mentor

You can find out where to locate financial mentors through the free financial helpline, MoneyTalks.

• Call0800 345 123
• Text 4029
• Emailhelp@moneytalks.co.nz
• Use live chat on theMoneyTalks website.

MoneyTalks' helpline is available from:

• Monday to Friday 8am – 8pm
• Saturday from 9am – 4pm, and
• Sunday 10am – 2pm.

You can also find the organisations offering free and confidential services in the Family Services Directory:

If you’re finding it hard to meet your costs, there are a lot of ways we may be able to help.

We have a range of benefits and payments available, depending on your situation.

You can also use our 'Check What You Might Get' tool to find out what payments you may qualify for. Then you can choose to apply for those payments through the tool.

Or you can call us and talk to someone about your options.