Basic Financial Planning - Blog

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Wed, 22 May 2013 11:35:31 GMT

User friendly keys to basic financial planning and basic budget planning: how to , how to successfully take control of your finances. We offer professional advice and practical tips to manage and

How much Tzedakah must I give?

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 21:15:14 GMT

I keep being asked this by clients and my answer is always "ask your Rav". I just found this article which gives some useful Halachik answers.

Financial Lectures in Israel - Lectures & Events

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 10:46:58 GMT

Financial Lectures in Israel

Plusfinances.com/ Testimonials personal finance.html

Mon, 07 Feb 2011 12:35:48 GMT

Testimonials- From Clients who wanted Basic Financial Planning or Financial Consultant Servises

My latest Article- finding the balance with the back to school expenses

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 06:23:55 GMT

How do you find the balance between keeping your spending in check and allowing your kids some freedom to choose what they want? Published in the Jerusalem Post September 7th 2010.

Shekel Currency Converter

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 08:41:10 GMT

The currency converter is back! Know what your currency is worth against the Shekel

Use the new currency converter on the Home Page to convert any currency to or from Shekels.

Join us on Facebook!!!

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 22:41:31 GMT

Personal Finance is Israel is now on Facebook - Join us for useful tips on managing and saving your money is Israel.

Updating Site

Sun, 11 Jul 2010 12:13:46 GMT

We're upgrading this site during July and August 2010. Looking forward to hearing from you about the new look.

Cash back in Israel!!! From October

Sun, 11 Jul 2010 12:13:46 GMT

Finally: From October we can get cash back from goods purchased. For goods returned up to 14 days after purchase or only 24 hours for clothes and shoes. (minus a 5% fee)

Price increases expected on 1/July/10

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 20:38:54 GMT

Price of Water will go up tonight by 5%. Petrol/Gas prices will increase by 2.5%

TASE 25 at 1200- What does this mean!?!

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:07:47 GMT

The TA 25 stock index, dubbed the "Ma'of", (this is an index of the 25 largest stocks in the Israeli stock market) passed the 1200 points today and is now only 2.4% away from the November 2007 historical high. How does this affect your personal finances? If you are invested in the Tel Aviv stock market, directly via stocks or indirectly via a Keren Hishtalmut, Kupat Gemel or Pension Fund, you may have made a profit (on paper) or made up a significant amount of your losses depending when you invested in the market. Please return to this site soon for more details on the Tel Aviv stock market, Keren Hishtalmit and Kupot Gemel. Rifka

Cheap loans but no housing!

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:49:06 GMT

Despite the relatively low interest rates first time home buyers have been locked out of the Israeli housing market, with soaring house prices, contributed to by a number of political and economical factors. See this “Globes” article on Israeli housing prices

Average Israeli salaries.

Sun, 10 Jan 2010 12:20:20 GMT

January 2010. I mention on the Israel page that there are difficulties involved in adapting to living on an Israeli salary, I recently found a new survey released from the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics; according to a new press release the average wage for employees is close to 8,000NIS. I wanted to find out more details and looked at the monthly income survey from 2008 – these make very interesting reading, especially for women. The gross monthly income per household in 2008 with head of house employed was 15'712 NIS. When the head of house was self employed it rose to 17'394NIS. If the head of the household was unemployed the gross monthly income was 5444NIS. These numbers comprise income from all sources including Bituach Leumi payments. Now the really interesting part: Salaried males earn an average of 9627 NIS (gross) whereas salaried women earn only 6077 NIS!! Maybe you think it's a difference in academic standard that accounts for the difference in pay. Well you'd be wrong; men with academic degrees earn an average of 16332 NIS, whereas women with academic degrees earn only 9408 NIS. It is highly unlikely that the difference in wages is due to different number of working hours, rather women are paid less. Is it not time for women to demand the higher pay they deserve? For more information have a look at these links: http://www.cbs.gov.il/hodaot2009n/15_09_194t4.pdf http://www.cbs.gov.il/hodaot2009n/15_09_194t1.pdf

Bank of Israel raises interest rates by 0.25%

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 19:31:27 GMT

How might this affect your finances? Tomorrow it is likely that all the banks will raise their interest rates according to the change announced today by the Bank of Israel. Whilst rates will still be low (1.25%) this will have an impact on the interest rates of overdrafts, some mortgages and loans. The group of people who will be most affected are those who have to be taking mortgages at the "prime" rate (Loan rate will fluctuate with the Bank of Israel interest rate changes. Interest rates have been low therefore mortgages linked to the "prime" have become very popular over the last year) . The interest rate on their principal will go up by 0.25% From April-August 2009 interested rates were at an all time historic low of 0.5%. Since September 2009 the Bank of Israel has been slowly raising interest rates in increments of 0.25% to reach the current level of 1.25%.

Only a few days left to deposit into a Keren Hishtalmut for 2009

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 20:58:57 GMT

What is a Keren Hishtalmut? The keren hishtalmut (fund) was originally designed as a way to allow professionals, specifically teachers, to further their education. Nowadays this is used in most professions as an almost tax free savings tool. If you want to use money from the fund for a "hishtalmut" or further education program it can be withdrawn after 3 years. Money can also be withdrawn tax free after three years upon retirement. After 6 years the money can be withdrawn from the fund for any purpose and is not subject to capital gains or income tax. Consequently this can be a practical money saving tool.

If you are employed, you may automatically pay money from your salary into a keren hishtalmut every month. The employer can give up to 7.5% of your monthly salary, and you contribute up to 2.5% Employer, employee ratio is 3:1. (your contribution is not exempt from income tax).

If you are self employed you can deposit up to 7% of your income, into a Keren Hishtalmut and get an income tax recognition on up to 4.5% of your income.
There is still time to contact your insurance agent or a Keren Hhishtalmut fund directly and make a deposit before the end of 2009.
Please note that while many employers offer this perk, unlike a pension fund, depositing in a Keren Hishtalmut is not mandatory.
For most self employed people, it is well worth looking into taking advantage of this saving scheme. I recommend asking your Bookkeeper, Tax Adviser or Accountant for more details.

basic financial planning

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 19:41:38 GMT

Testimonials- From Clients who wanted Basic Financial Planning or Financial Consultant Servises

Financial Updates for 2010

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 10:11:14 GMT

2010 is almost upon us, there will be a few changes in the israeli financial world that will go into effect on the 1st of January. Salaried workers will see an increse in their wage due to lowered income tax (Mas Hachnasa). This is part of the reform Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu set in place back in 2004. The increase will be in inciments based on your wage.

Supermarket Psychology

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 12:19:12 GMT

Save on your shopping bill by understanding supermarket psychology - Jerusalem Post Article

Haaretz Article

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 08:56:29 GMT

See Raphael Ahren's article on the FSW groups.

Women its time to understand your finances !!! New group starting in September 2009

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 21:02:24 GMT

Amalot… Matach… Mazgeret Ashrei… Feeling Confused…? You’re Not Alone Emunah Women presents An Interactive Personal Finance Seminar. Topic: Everyday bills-tips you never thought of. With Local Expert Rifka Lebowitz This is the first session of the “Financially Savvy Women’s Group”- Designed to assist local Anglo women confront the myriad of challenges associated with personal finance, the group will encourage women to ask, share and learn and forever leave the confusion behind… Date: Wednesday September 9th, (20th of Tishrei) Location: Emunah Center, 6 Arlozorov St. Jerusalem. Fee: 35 NIS Pre-registration is required. For more details please use the form on the contact me page.

Banking in Israel. Banking Terms

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 20:17:25 GMT

7 Money Saving Tips for Banking in Israel, The banking system and banking terms in Israel are very different to elsewhere

Why prepare a Household Budget?

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 15:09:17 GMT

Why prepare a Household Budget? here are some benifits you may not have thought of. We offer professional advice and practical tips to manage and save your money. Learn more about budgeting.

7 Money Saving Tips on your Electricity Bill

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 09:21:29 GMT

7 Money Saving Tips on your Electric Bill

Articles Jerusalem Post

Thu, 07 May 2009 21:22:45 GMT

Articles that have appeared in the Jerusalem Post

Personal Finance Tips - Communication in Israel

Thu, 07 May 2009 20:34:22 GMT

Personal Finance Tips - Communication in Israel

Shekel Currency Converter

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 19:51:22 GMT

We've added a great new feature!

Use the new currency converter on the Israel Page to convert any currency to or from Shekels.