Budgeting

A budget is a financial tool that compares income with spending. The goal is making sure you have enough money to cover all of your basic needs, and that you do not spend more than you can afford.

Your library has great resources to help you save money and manage your budget.

Top Ten Budget Actions

1. Join the library

Get library cards for all the family
A library card opens the door to a vast range of free or inexpensive entertainment and information. Free computer and internet access, as well as free or low-cost learning programmes and events are available. There are libraries all over the city. If you have a computer at home, you can access many library services without having to travel.

2. Set yourself a budget

• In planning your budget you can’t go past the Sorted budget advice pages.
• There are lots of community organisations offering budgeting help.
• Personal Finances – our libraries have a great collection of books about managing your money, saving and making money.
• The Internet Gateway lists a number of personal finance websites that will help you understand and get the most out of your financial dealings.

3. Reduce your travel costs

Check the information in our Energy Efficient Travel resource.

4. Reduce your energy costs

Try our Power saving tips resource.

5. Sell up your surplus

Check out online auction websites like Trademe and Zillion. Our libraries also have a great range of catalogues which can give you an idea of the value of stamps, coins, antiques and other collectables. You can also try the PriceIt Antiques & Collectibles database - but only if you have a library card and PIN, or at your library.

6. Shop smart

• Plan your shopping list and take a calculator to the supermarket.
• Sustainable Households has a guide to sustainable shopping.
• Trademe website -for buying and selling second-hand everything.
• The Pulse / Te Auaha has a guide to making your money go further and secondhand shopping.
• Use Consumer magazine and website to find out the best value, best-performed products and services.

7. Make your own

• Our Good Life section has some great suggestions for useful resources.
• Make your own bread, clothes and furniture.
• Felt is a New Zealand website where you can buy and sell hand-crafted items including clothes.
• Etsy is an American version of the same. Etsy has a Kiwi group of New Zealand craftspeople who sell on Etsy.

8. Grow your own

If you haven’t got a vege garden going, or you want to branch out see the resources in our Gardening guide.

9. Do It Yourself

Fix your car, paint a room, make curtains, fix a leaking tap – there are many ways you can save money. The library has a great collection of do it yourself books, magazines and videos and DVDs.

10. Find cheap fun

Parks, walking and cycle tracks, beaches, libraries, museums, and art galleries are all places where you can go to entertain the whole family. Websites you can regularly check for free or low-cost events include:

• CINCH - clubs, groups and organisations for all kinds of interests and activities.
• Be There
• The Pulse - events for teens
• Christchurch City Council Recreation lists public recreation areas
• Eventfinder.co.nz
• The Hive