Saving for a Rainy Day!
Let’s just assume for a second that you are managing your income, budget, and mapping out all your spendings and expenses every month. You’ve got your ‘planned’ expenses such as…
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Tips to manage money while studying abroad
Now that you have decided to take the leap and further your studies overseas, it’s time to talk about the money challenges you might face. Our intention is not to…
Student lifehacks to control your daily spend!
One of the biggest challenges when managing your finances is to spend responsibly and spend less. Self-control may be hard to practice but it will help you manage your money…
Working too hard – and still losing money?
You work too hard, you work long hours and still lose money instead of saving up? How come? We live in a culture that has a habit of making you…
Saving Money Tips
“Why can’t I save money?” is probably one of the most asked questions to date. What is holding you back? Let’s break it down, shall we? Reason #1 You do…
Needs vs. Wants
The difference between needs and wants may seem quite straightforward to adults but to the younger generations, the lines may be blurred. Prioritise your budget and take charge of your…
Food For Thought – Spending less at Supermarkets
Living within your means is the key to good financial management. This requires a balancing act between your monthly income and monthly expenditure. Adjusting your income may be difficult in…
Watch out for your biases
Good money management requires an ability to plan ahead. Your spending is affordable as long as the stream of future incomes allows you to repay the debt which is incurred.…
Cost of Living Increase
Cost of living increase, and in its abbreviated terms, COLA, adjusted yearly according to the yearly budget, is an increase in income to mitigate rising prices and to maintain a…
Financial Management For Couples
As an individual, what is affordable depends exclusively on your own income. First your needs have to be prioritised, and then the remaining income can be shared between spending on…
Money Matters for Ages 9 to 11 years
Talk about bills and where money goes. Explain ways to pay including direct debits, monthly bills, etc. Have children help you find the best price by comparing prices in stores.…
Money Matters for Ages 7 to 8 years
building block 1 Teaching your children 3 to 4 years : link building block 2 Teaching your children 5 to 6 years : link Teaching your children 7 to 8 years o…
Money Matters for Ages 5 to 6 years
Through Saving At the Shops Through Adverts Through Saving o Children can start to understand the idea that you have to save money for things. Learning to wait will help…
Money Matters for Ages 3 to 4
Through play Around the House Before you go shopping At the Shop or Supermarket Click on each tab below for further reading. Through play Children love playing shop. Make it…
Buying a car
Buying a car is exciting but it also brings other financial obligations with it. So before getting behind the wheel, think about other associated costs. Where to start? 1. Choose…
Maintaining your Home
The list of monthly expenses goes beyond the costs related to buying a home. Here’s a list of essential expenses to include in your monthly budget: Home Loan Repayments Most…
Pet care and budgeting
All those who own and love pets know that their care comes at a cost. They may be our furry babies and though they don’t cost as much as the…
Ben Camille and Teaching Money Management
Ben Camille discusses the importance of teaching your children money management Research shows that kids grasp money concepts and have many of their money habits set at a very early…
Ben Camille on Having a Rainy Day Fund
Ben Camille discusses, together with personalities, including Peppi Azzopardi, the importance of having a rainy day fund. Why is a rainy day fund necessary? To put it simply, a rainy…
Think twice – harnessing the impulse purchase instinct
“Wow…it looks so nice”. “What a great discount”. “I must buy this one”. Such thoughts frequently pass through our mind. These feelings are normal and shared by many. As consumers…
Launch of the Financial Capability Strategy 2022-2025
ĠEMMA invites you to join the launch of the Financial Capability Strategy 2022 – 2025 which will be live-streamed on its Facebook page on Friday, 14th of January, 2022. Following…
Managing your credit card Money Matters and the Family – Part 8 – Video 4
This is one of the videos ĠEMMA produced with the Central Bank of Malta in our money matters and the family. Let me introduce the ĠEMMA family. I am Tony. …
The importance of knowing your money personality Money Matters and the Family – Part 7
It is essential to understand your and your spouse’s “money personality,” as we all have a unique way how we think about money — often shaped by how we were…
Providing a Loan to Family or Friends Money Matters and the Family – Part 6 – Video – 3
This is one of the videos ĠEMMA produced with the Central Bank of Malta in our money matters and the family. Download the Central Bank of Malta and ĠEMMA Video…
Being in a relationship Money Matters and the Family – Part 4 – Video 2
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What leads to family arguments about money – Money Matters and the Family – Part 3
There are many reasons why arguments arise within a family on money management. This article is based on articles by Investopedia (www.investopedia.com/articles) that discuss money issues in families. Investopedia establishes…
Buying a New Home Money Matters and the Family – Part 2 – Video 1
One of the videos ĠEMMA produced with the Central Bank of Malta on money matters and the family series. Download the Central Bank of Malta and ĠEMMA Video on ‘Buying…
Do Money Problems lead to divorce? Money Matters and the Family – Part 1
A study in the UK by Slater and Gordon, carried out in 2018, found that money worries top the list of reasons married couples split up. Over a third of…
The Consequences of not paying off your debt
This is one of the videos ĠEMMA has produced with the Central Bank of Malta in our budgeting series. Let me introduce the ĠEMMA family. I am Tony. I am…
Understanding Debt
This is one of the videos we have produced with the Central Bank of Malta in our budgeting series. Download the Central Bank of Malta and ĠEMMA Video on ‘Managing…
Want to be come an Influencer? – Part 2
Continuing from Part 1, these are the next 6 top ways of influencers make money! Website advertising For years it’s been common practice for bloggers to have advertising on their…
Tips on protecting yourself when you buy online or use the ATM
This is one of the videos we produced with the Central Bank of Malta in our budgeting series. Let me introduce the ĠEMMA family. I am Tony, Maria’s husband. I…
Planning my Christmas Presents
This is one of the videos in our budgeting series we produced with the Central Bank of Malta . Let me introduce the ĠEMMA family. I am Tony. I am…
Lördagsgodis: Sweden’s Saturday-only candy tradition
Swedish children look forward to the weekend for their once-weekly candy fix. But beyond being a treat, these Saturday sweets teach a bigger lesson. Source:- https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20211004-lrdagsgodis-swedens-saturday-only-candy-tradition On a Saturday afternoon,…
ĠEMMA on PRIME TIME
ĠEMMA, the Government initiative within the Ministry for Social Justice and Solidarity, the Family and Children’s Rights and the popular PRIME TIME programme have teamed together to exhibit in a…
Mobile Banking
We are living in an increasingly mobile world, with Wi-Fi available almost anywhere, anytime, and more recently always on Internet. It is no surprise that just every bank in Malta…
Going Shopping at the Supermarket
This is one of the videos we produced with the Central Bank of Malta in our budgeting series. Let me introduce the ĠEMMA family. I am Tony. I am Maria’s husband. I work as a manager in a large business in the services…
How to spot fake messages and avoid a Gumtree scam?
Do you use Gumtree to buy or sell online? If you do, note that Gumtree has about two million ads live at any one time, it’s going to be hard for Gumtree to stop every fake ad or take down every copycat site instantly….so being aware of…
Impulse Buying
This is one of the videos we produced with the Central Bank of Malta in our budgeting series. Let me introduce the ĠEMMA family. I am Tony. I am Maria’s…
Preparing for your White Wedding Day
This is one of the videos we produced with the Central Bank of Malta in our budgeting series. Let me introduce the ĠEMMA family. I am Tony. I am Maria’s…
Working too hard – and losing money whilst doing it?
We live in a culture that increasingly makes you feel guilty if you are not spending half your time at work. Yet have you ever stopped to think, whether working…
Having your first born
This is one of the videos ĠEMMA produced with the Central Bank of Malta in our budgeting series. Let me introduce the ĠEMMA family. I am Tony. I am Maria’s…
Are You Planning for your retirement?
Do you stop and wonder how retirement will look like? Do you sufficiently understand how the state pension works so that you can make informed decisions of the income this…
ĠEMMA LAUNCHES FUN EDUCATION EBOOKS ON FINANCIAL CAPABILITY BY USE AND PARENTS
The national Strategy for Retirement and Financial Capability recognises that the early inculcation of financial capability core skills (budgeting, planning, saving, value of money, financial resiliency, planning for the future,…
How to save money gardening
For many, gardening is a great way to get outdoors and save money by growing some of your own food. Even better, it doesn’t have to cost the earth. So…
Going Abroad
This is one of the videos we produced with the Central Bank of Malta in our budgeting series. Let me introduce the ĠEMMA family. I am Tony. I am Maria’s husband. I work as a manager in a large business in the services…
Ben Camille on Credit Card Use
This is the eighth video that Ben Camille and ĠEMMA produced together. In this video Ben Camille and Xtrina discuss tips that you should follow vis-a-vis credit card use. Ben…
Webinar Scams and Frauds: How to Spot a Scam
ĠEMMA on Thursday 29th July held its third Webinar on scams and fraud. A third Webinar was organised to generate further awareness and understanding of scams and fraud given that,…
ĠEMMA’s Video Series on Budgeting –The Latte Affect
Another video produced with the Central Bank of Malta in our budgeting series. I am Tony – I am 42 years old. My wife, Maria, is 40 years old. We…
ĠEMMA’s Video Series on Budgeting – Back to School
This is another video we produced with the Central Bank of Malta in our budgeting series. Let me introduce the ĠEMMA family. I am Maria. I am Tony’s wife. I…
Senior banker ‘taken aback’ by financial abuse of the elderly in Malta
The number of cases is significant – HSBC Malta CEO https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/senior-banker-taken-aback-by-financial-abuse-of-the-elderly-in-malta.888283 Elderly people are facing financial abuse, including by their own family members who help themselves to their savings, deposits…
ĠEMMA’s Video Series on Budgeting – X’Inhu Baġit?
ĠEMMA and the Central Bank of Malta entered into a strategic partnership in 2020 to develop a series of education videos on budgeting. You can find all of these videos…
Are you born on and after 1962? Do you truly know how the pension system works in your regard?
On 18th June ĠEMMA posted the results of a survey it carried out the knowledge amongst persons who are born on and after 1962 on how the pension system works…
ĠEMMA’s Video Series on Budgeting – Fond ġħall-Emerġenża
This is the third video we produced with the Central Bank of Malta in our budgeting series. Lovely day. After weeks locked in because of COVID-19 I decided to go…
ĠEMMA’s Video Series on Budgeting – Tipprepara għat-tieġ
ĠEMMA’s Video Series on Budgeting – Tipprepara għat-tieġ This is the seventh video we produced with the Central Bank of Malta in our budgeting series. My niece, Kylie is getting…
ĠEMMA Launches its ĠEMMA FTIT 2 Interactive Play Educational Video
ĠEMMA Launches its ĠEMMA FTIT 2 Interactive Play Educational Video: Introducing Money Management Skills to Students from Level 7 to Sixth Formers Last year ĠEMMA launched the first interactive play…
Ben Camille and the Piggy Bank
This is one of the videos that Ben Camille and ĠEMMA produced together. In this video, Ben Camille and Xtina discuss the importance of teaching your kids money management skills…
Ben Camille explains the Importance of Budgeting
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Should you manage money with your partner jointly or separately?
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ĠEMMA’s 5th Household Survey on Money Management
The ĠEMMA 5th Household Survey on Money Management can be downloaded by clicking here. The following are some of the key findings: With 79% responses (previously 84%), overall the general…
You are not managing to save? Have you ever stopped to wonder why?
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Teens and Money Management
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ĠEMMA is on SAGĦTAR – A note for the Parents / for the Teachers
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ĠEMMA is on SAGĦTAR
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Research Analysis on Preparing an ESF co-financed Campaign on Financial Capability and Widows and Widowers
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Research Analysis on the ESF co-financed Campaign on Financial Capability and Tertiary Education Students
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How Much € Should you have in your Rainy Day Fund
Today’s post continues ĠEMMA’s discussion on a rainy day fund. How do you get started to build a rainy day fund? We suggest that you start putting a small amount…
Why is a Rainy Day Fund Important to Have?
If you have followed our ĠEMMA posts as well as webinars on the Pulse Money Management survey you will find that we speak of a rainy day fund. Before proceeding…
Self-employed? How do you manage your Money Management challenges?
Being self-employed definitely has its advantages – for one, you are your own boss. Yes you are also likely to face money management challenges. Here are some practical tips you…
What makes a Self-employed Business Owner Financially Capable?
Are you self-employed? Do you know what makes a self-employed person financially capable? A study titled ‘Financial education for entrepreneurs’ (ACCA – 2014) concludes that a self-employed business owner to…
ĠEMMA launches 18 Month Education Campaign on Pensions and Retirement
In putting together the new 2021-2024 Strategy for Financial Capability ĠEMMA identified, from campaigns it ran between 2017 and 2020, that short campaigns are to be complemented by a major long…
New Resource: My Credit Card Calculator
ĠEMMA regularly posts on the use of your credit cards. If you do not use your credit well you are likely to get caught up in financial issues – falling…
Understanding Money Management across Different Life Stages
Your attitude to money management is not the same across different stages of your life. Indeed your attitude to money management changes as you grow older and you assume greater…
Money Management Rules of Thumb for Teenagers and Young Adults are to Follow
This post presents money management Rules of Thumb for teenagers and young adults are to follow. Rules of Thumb are useful short-cuts that nudge people of all ages and in…
ONFOQ BIL-GHAQAL 2020 – 5 RECIPES FOR YOU
For the 4th consecutive year, ĠEMMA as part of its Onfoq bil-Għaqal campaign is releasing 5 new recipe videos that are simple to make and at a low budget. Look…
Our Latest Calculator: Getting out of Debt
If you have multiple debts – more than one credit card, home loan, car loan – have you ever wondered what strategy you are to adopt to pay off your…
New Resource: Savings Goal Tracker
The ĠEMMA team has uploaded a new resource tool – the ‘Savings Goal Tracker’. First you need to set your savings goals. What are you saving for? Your savings goals…
Results of 4th Pulse Survey on Household Money Management during COVID-19
ĠEMMA on 7rd November held a webinar on key matters that one should be aware of with regards to Household Money Management. The panel consisted of Josef Bugeja – Secretary…
Social Security Contributions What’s important to know
ĠEMMA on 3rd November held a webinar on key matters that one should be aware of with regard to the social security contributory system. If you missed the Webinar and…
Time to Go Flatting: Part II
In the first part of this post we discussed the importance of determining whether you will be able to afford to go flatting and still have enough money to have…
Time to Go Flatting: Part I
So – you have decided that it is time you reach out for yourself and start living on your own or share a flat with some mates. First thing that…
Minimum Contributions to be Paid to Qualify for the Social Security Contributory Pension
It is important that you note that you must have paid a minimum threshold of social security contributions for you to qualify for the Social Security Contributory Pension. The amount…
Paying Off your debt
The first step is to check how much debt you have, and what sort it is. The high-interest debt costing you the most is the priority, not the no- or…
Getting your debt under control
The following are ĠEMMA tips directed to help you to get your debt under control. 01. Get a clear understanding of what monies you owe. This is the first step…
Understanding and Making Good Use of an Overdraft
An overdraft is a way of borrowing money from your bank, linked to your current account – basically so you can occasionally spend more than you have. A bank overdraft…
Reducing the cost of your Credit Card Debt: ĠEMMA Tips
Unless you manage your credit card debt well you are likely to pay far more than you should on the debt your incurred through credit card use. Here are some…
Are You Aware of Your Money Personality?
When it comes to money – do you know what your personality is? Do you spend, and let tomorrow worry about itself? Do you worry so much that you save…
Going for a Personal Pension Plan: What You Should Look for in a Personal Pension Plan
After some solid thought you have decided to invest in a Personal Pension Plan. A number of financial services providers offer Personal Pension Plans. We at ĠEMMA strongly suggest that…
Press Release – August Pulse Survey
There are interesting findings in the third survey, commissioned by ĠEMMA, within the Ministry of the Family, Children’s Right and Social Solidarity and undertaken by EMCS for the month of…
ĠEMMA Financial Capability Awareness Campaign for Disabled Persons
The Handbook is in Maltese and provides guidance and tips in relation to: Importance of budgeting. Avoiding debt. Increase your abilities to increase your earnings. How to seek employment. How…
What Factors should I consider before I decide to Invest in a Personal Pension Plan?
Prior to investing your savings into a private retirement pension product or any other savings or investment product, it is important that you think carefully about your unique needs and…
How you can fill gaps in your pension contributions
Retrospective – If you stop working for a period during your working life and resume at a later stage, your state pension may be affected. If you do not have…
ĠEMMA Financial Capability Awareness Campaign for Self employed persons
The Handbook is in Maltese and provides guidance and tips in relation to: A self-employed person’s obligations under the laws of Malta. Importance of paying yourself a wage as well…
Self-Employed
ĠEMMA is running a financial capability education campaign that is co-financed under the European Social Fund. The campaign is directed towards different 14 categories of persons. As part of its…
ĠEMMA Webinar on being Self-employed
Click below to download the ĠEMMA e-Book on How to Go Self-employed in Malta. Click here to see the ĠEMMA Webinar on being Self-employed. On 30th September, ĠEMMA organised a…
Understanding Key Factors that may Impact your Retirement: Compounding Your Rate of Return on Your Pension Savings
Interest is often thought of as the amount of money a bank charges you for a loan you take out. The term interest also refers to the income you earn…
ĠEMMA’s Launch of its 3rd eBook: How to go Self-Employed in Malta
Are you thinking of going self-employed? Or, are you self-employed but not sure whether you are meeting the necessary regulatory obligations that self-employment brings with it? This ĠEMMA eBook is…
Understanding Key Factors that may Impact your Retirement: Inflation (1)
In a recent post, we discussed how life expectancy could impact your retirement planning. There are other key factors to take into account when planning for your retirement. The first…
ĠEMMA Financial Capability Awareness Campaign for Persons Employed with a Family Business
ĠEMMA is running a financial capability education campaign that is co-financed under the European Social Fund. The campaign is directed towards 14 different categories of persons. As part of its…
Determining when to Plan for Retirement
An important aspect you need to take into account when you are planning for retirement is determining when you will actually retire. Do you wish to retire on your statutory…
Financial Capability Awareness Campaign for Persons who are Unemployed
ĠEMMA is running a financial capability education campaign that is co-financed under the European Social Fund. The campaign is directed towards 14 different categories of persons. As part of its…
Why is it important to plan for your retirement – Part 3
The government pension system was introduced in 1979. It was designed in a manner that the pension income a person receives over time would be 2/3rd of the gross wage…
Why is it important to plan for your retirement?
It is crucial to understand how the 10% social security contribution you pay monthly as an employee works. A wrong understanding of how this works can affect your decision making…
ĠEMMA Handbook for Persons on Low Income
ĠEMMA is running a financial capability education campaign that is co-financed under the European Social Fund. The campaign is directed towards 14 different categories of persons. As part of its,…
Why is it important to plan for your retirement – Part 1
Before, life expectancy was such that enjoying a long retirement was not possible. In fact in 1960, the life expectancy of a Maltese male person was of 66 years, whilst…
Education Campaign for Persons Working with a Family Business
The poster sets out the key message of the campaign. We at ĠEMMA encourage you to print any one of these posters and circulate them to people you know –…
Going Back to School – What impact on the family’s finances?
There is no doubt that the beginning of a new scholastic year generate some financial concerns: stationery, books, uniforms, sportswear, apparell, outings et al eat into your family household budget…
ĠEMMA IS ONCE AGAIN PRESENT AT SKOLA SAJF
ĠEMMA Know, Plan, and Act within the Ministry for the Family, Children’s Rights and Social Solidarity and the HSBC Malta Foundation and are once again collaborating on a financial capability…
ĠEMMA partners with the eSkills Malta Foundation on Digital Skills and Scams and Frauds
ĠEMMA’s mandate is to inculcate retirement and financial capability – focusing primarily on the following financial capability life skill domains: budgeting, saving, managing debt, preparing for the unexpected, planning for…
Studying Abroad? The ĠEMMA Money Management Tips for Studying Abroad
You decided to go overseas to further your studies or to carry out an internship necessary for you to graduate. Do not under estimate the money challenges of studying abroad…
The Compound Interest Calculator
The ĠEMMA team has revamped its Compound Interest Calculator. The compound interest principle is one of the most important principles in money management. Compound interest and time are your most…
Department of Social Security Calculators and Gateway to My Services
The ‘Tools’ section on the ĠEMMA portal has been refreshed. On this page you will now find the following:Calculators Eligibility Calculator for Retirement Pension Children’s Allowance Calculator In Work Benefit…
Understanding VORPS
The Voluntary Occupational Retirement Pension Scheme (VORPS)download our presentation now This planning for the future is to be given serious thought since today’s retirees, at sixty-five (65) years old, due…
Personal Private Pension – What Will Your Retirement Look Like?
download, read and shareWhat will your retirement look like? Most people do not start planning for their retirement until they are in their late 40s. There is a reason for…
Self-Employed Start-Up – Part 2
Going self-employed in Malta – As you have seen (click here to read our previous post about self/employed part 1), there are a number of issues to take into account…
Self-Employed Start-Up – Part 1
Going self-employed in Malta – Wondering from where to start? What steps to take? What applications to submit? ĠEMMA has got a guide — Self-Employed Start-Up — divided into two…
Our Festive Season Calculator
A calculator by the financial and capability group for you to make use of, to plan expenditure during the festive season (December and January). Click here to download it for…
Discussing Money Management & Savings Tips – Part 2
ĠEMMA was invited on Matilde’s TV programme on PBS where the discussion focused on • money management, • future planning and state pension, and • investment planning.
Discussing Money Management & Savings Tips
If you get the facts about saving and spending wisely and follow through with an active realistic budget an intelligent plan that prioritises expenditure and eliminates certain wants choosing one…
Having a Baby
A big transition. Having a baby is one of the most exciting experiences, yet it changes your priorities. A baby requires commitment: It involves lots of hard work from the moment…
Preparing for Your Wedding
Your wedding is one of the happiest days of your life. In addition, weddings in Malta are a major social event, traditionally paid for by the bride’s father. Whoever is…
Getting Out of Debt Calculator
Can anything be done to get out of debt? The answer is yes. Here are some clever tactics to help you … List all of your debts, enter the balance…
Managing your debt
The consequences of you not paying off some debts before other debts can be serious. If you are struggling to make your repayments on time, you need to look at…
The Budget Game
We have been researching games and we came across this brilliant budget game – https://natwest.mymoneysense.com/students/students-8-12/the-budget-game/ If you are a teenager, you will love this NatWest Budget Game. Get yourself playing…
Ways To Eliminate Credit Card Debt In Less Time
Reducing Your Credit Card Debt Credit cards usually have high interest rates. There are several ways you can reduce the cost of your credit card. First and foremost use debit…
Shall You Save Or Pay Off Your Credit Card First?
You pay more money over time in credit card interest charges. Focus on paying off debt first and place priority on those debts with highest interest rate. Therefore, jot down…
Credit Card – The Granting Of A Loan
You are allowed to pay for credit-card purchases in two ways: full payment within a grace period of about a month, for which there is no interest fee or extended…
Are you going abroad?
Going abroad is a financial goal, that requires thought, planning and a travelling budget. It is not just buying a flight ticket and placing a deposit on accommodation. There is…
Instant gratification
What is instant gratification? Do you struggle with instant gratification? Why do you suffer from instant gratification? What can be done? What is instant gratification? Instant gratification is the desire…
Needs and Wants
Where is your money going Month to Month? Identify where your money is going on a day-to-day basis. Then, the next step is to look where your money is going…
Inheriting money
… often passed on by means of a legal document called a will or testament. A will does not take effect until the testator’s death, and it can be cancelled…
Children and Money Management
Informative articles of value to parents. Teaching your children – 3 to 4 years5 to 6 years7 to 8 years9 to 11 years
The Findings of a Survey on Financial Literacy in Malta
In November 2018, the Gemma initiative held a seminar on the findings of a survey on financial literacy in Malta. The survey was based on the OECD / INFE financial…
Losing Your Job
Losing your job is stressful and places a strain on your personal finances. Even if you have received compensation from a redundancy payment, losing your job can impact your ability…
The Cost of Living Allowance: How it affects your income and your pension rate.
Cost of living is the cost of maintaining a certain standard of living. Changes in the cost of living, over time, are often reflected in a cost of living index.…
National Insurance (NI) Contributions for Self Employed in Malta
If you are a self employed individual in Malta, you are still required to pay your National Insurance (NI) contributions. The rate that needs to be paid is of 15%…
The Importance of Budgeting
What is a budget? A budget is a written plan that helps you know how much money you have coming in, what you need to spend it on and how…
Current Accounts
Banks offer various financial packages to cater for different stages in one’s life. Amongst the diverse accounts, you can start by opening a current account which is an account from…
Maintaining Your Home
Beyond the long list of costs related to buying a home, maintaining a home costs money, too. In this section, you’ll find information about the types of essential expenses you…
In-Work Benefit – Employment related benefit – Year 2019
Targeted towards families having an annual income from a gainful occupation and with children below 23 years of age living within their household. The benefit of this initiative is to…
Moving Out of Your Parent’s Home
The right time to move out of home is different for everyone. Some people leave as soon as they are able, others might wait until they’ve saved enough money to…
Managing Money in a Second Marriage
Remarrying or living with a new partner or spouse often involves adjusting to a different financial relationship. Accommodating changed money roles and personalities may require breaking old patterns and adopting…
Buy Now Pay Later
Buy now pay later services are offered by retailers and service providers so you can buy a product immediately and delay payment. You then pay off the product in installments…
Money and Mental Health – what research say
In 2016, the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute, UK (http://www.moneyandmentalhealth.org) issued a research paper titled ‘Money on Your Mind’. The research paper found that money management and mental health…
Our Festive Season Calculator
Every day, we make decisions that affect our financial performance. Often we lack the basic financial skills that allow us to understand the financial implications of our decisions. Thus, to…
Impact of Poor Mental Well Being on Your Ability to Manage Your Money
There is a link between having money problems and poor mental well-being. Worrying about your money situation can render you low. And being low is likely to make it tougher…
Memory Loss, Dementia, and Your Money
Most of us will have some memory loss as we age. Significant memory loss, arising from illnesses such as dementia, can, for some people, be a problem. Memory loss can…
Getting Married!
You start making relationships the moment you are born. Each relationship differs according to the relation we have with the persons in concern. Adolescence lasts for several years from around…
Obtaining and Managing a Loan
Loans are an effective financial tool that helps you achieve your goals. Nevertheless, loans must be used wisely. If you are thinking about borrowing money, consider your options carefully. Types…
Reducing your Expenses
An important aspect of managing your money is that of reducing your expenses. You can achieve this in various ways, as shown below. At the store Resist impulse buying. Ask…
Borrowing Responsibly
Borrowing is, many a time, a convenient way for you to purchase something that you would otherwise take a long time to save up for. For example, home buyers rarely…
Right to credits for the calculation of your pension income
First and foremost, credits are credited contributions by the government and when entitled to, fill the gaps for when there are missing contributions in our contribution history sheet. Do not…
Benefits of working beyond 61 years of age
Claiming a pension at state pension age (as per new pensions reform), not at the age of 61 (early-opt-out) and remaining in employment beyond retirement has a lot of positive…
Maltese people paying social security contributions in Malta while working abroad
Maltese persons who maintain an ordinary residence in Malta and are employed on a contract of service abroad, not in an EU state and/or with an institution of the…
Inflation : what is this complex word about?
Prices increase (inflation) and thus everybody would want their incomes to increase so as to keep up with rising prices. Obviously, prices of selected goods may increase for reasons unrelated…
& here we go… more easy tips to save money on a back-to-school list
By now, you would have surely read our first post related to saving on the back-to-school list. By acting wisely, the necessities for school will not become a financial burden every September.…
Tips to Save Money on Back to School list
When you decide to save money, you have taken the first step towards making a budget. In order to save, you must plan and act wisely by deciding what kind…
Spending behaviour survey
Our spending behaviour survey carried out on facebook is complete. Our aim We conducted a research exercise to learn more about the spending behaviour and money management skills of adults…
Fraud Prevention
Better safe than sorry, Become well-informed: General fraud prevention tips Safeguarding your debit / credit card Internet banking fraud protection Buying safely over the Internet The following are general fraud…
In-Work Benefit – Employment related benefit – Year 2018
…for families with an annual income from a gainful occupation and with children below 23 years of age living within their household. The benefit incentivises more people to work and…
Retirement Calculator – Planning Financially
Part of a superb series of calculators designed to provide an insight of how best to start planning financially for the quality of life you would wish to have when…
Study credits
Learning is a lifelong pursuit, which is also celebrated in terms of study credits creditable for your study years upon retirement. You can go on our page for more information.…
Pension payment dates for 2018
In our prior posts, we have discussed the assessment of benefit claims, the outcome of which is your pension payment issued on a four-weekly basis. Is the state pension paid…
Assessment of Benefit Claims and the new Pensions Reform
Assessment of Benefit Claims Department of Social Security (DSS) employees carry out the assessment and subsequent checking of social benefit claims, the process of which is presented in the ensuing…
Separating or Divorcing – dividing your finances and property
In a divorce or separation you will have to divide your finances. The first step in dividing your finances is making sure you know exactly what you own and owe,…
Separating or Divorcing Your Spouse or Partner
Separating or divorcing is an enormous transition that can be very stressful. It will bring significant changes to you. In the event that you, unfortunately, have to go through a…
Power of Attorney
KNOW ABOUT Power of Attorney A power of attorney (POA) is a document that allows you to appoint a person or organisation to manage your affairs. All POAs are not…
How much pension will I get?
Are you eligible for a pension? How much pension will you get? Do you have enough contributions to retire at age 61 instead of at the respective pensionable age? Are…
Your Credit Card and Your Credit Card Debt
Debit cards Debit cards offer the convenience of a credit but work in a different way. Debit cards draw money directly from your checking account when you make the purchase.…
Your Rainy Day Fund
First and foremost, there are two ways to use income–you can spend it or you can save it. One thing is certain, that if too much is spent and too…
Impulse Buying
Perhaps the most dangerous enemy of saving money is impulse buying. Have you ever bought things on the impulse of a moment and then feel guilt or regret for having…
Budget Planner : Read Think Use Reflect
Saving Money You save money because you: Want to buy something in the future. You want a safety net in the event that something goes wrong. You want a quality…
Managing money effectively
Although you might not be conversant in financial matters, it is never too late to comprehend them. Through this website, money management topics are being made simple by following simple…
Our Downloadable Budget Planner
Track your spending by making use of the budget planner tool which is easily accessible. This tool enables you to list your expenses against your income to achieve your financial…
Our Budget Planning presentation
The Budget planning presentation highlights some useful tips how to improve one’s financial situation as it covers the following topics:- • Why is managing money important? • What are the…
In the middle of the Christmas Shopping spree
Since you have put your thoughts on paper, budgeted and followed our advice and hints, you are definitely satisfied, tranquil and happy. Great news: you have won too because whether…
Vulnerabilities as You become Older
Although there is no data available with regard to Malta, research overseas shows that elderly financial abuse is a growing trend. Indeed, other than the victim’s age, elderly financial abuse…
Spending money wisely – continued – More useful hints and tips
As explained in our previous communication, budgeting and spending is sometimes overlooked, especially during the Christmas Season. At the same time, if you have never budgeted your spending, money management…
Getting a Pet
Keeping a pet incurs costs to care for properly and the financial obligations may not be for everyone. Before you get yourself a pet, ask yourself if you can make…
Spending money wisely this Christmas and for the Christmases to come
Most of us are filled with enthusiasm as Christmas approaches, starting as early as beginning of November, only to be dismayed to find that they would have spent a good…
Purchasing Your Home
Buying a house is exciting and life-changing. Saving for the deposit that you place when you come to take a loan is important. Remember, the more money you put down…
Working as Self-Occupied
First and foremost, to know more about the difference between self-employed and self-occupied, please click here. Whilst self-occupied employment can bring financial and lifestyle rewards – along with enormous personal…
Your First Job
Starting your first job is one of life’s most exciting times. While you are enjoying the freedom of financial independence, it is crucial to develop good money management skills to…
Your Teenage Son or Daughter
Apart from the fact that children grow at a rapid pace, children are maturing more rapidly than than ever before. As a parent you may be at a loss regarding…
Being in a Relationship
Entering and being in relationships brings new opportunities to build wealth that you would not be able to do so on our own. When you move in together with your…
Buying a Car
Buying a car is exciting, but it also brings financial obligations. If you are thinking about getting behind the wheel, it is time to carefully review the costs associated with buying…
