Budget Basics

With today's increasing debt levels, understanding debt is more important than ever.

When used and managed carefully, debt enables you to:

• Build a credit history;
• Buy a house;
• Send yourself or your kids to school; and
• Track and manage your spending.

Understanding debt and using it wisely can help create a better, more fulfilling life for you and your family and can steer you toward a more stable future.

However, for New Zealanders who struggle with debt, the financial future feels uncertain at best. It's overwhelming, it's nerve racking, and it's difficult to know how or where to begin to get back on the right track.

If you are one of those New Zealanders in debt, you can follow this step-by-step guide to getting out of debt. 10 Smart Steps Rewards of Getting Out of Debt