Are BIT and PayBox still free? Not always… here’s what you need to know! For years, BIT and PayBox have been a super convenient (and free!) way to transfer money between friends and family in Israel. All that was needed was your credit card and the receiver’s phone number. However, things are starting to change From January 2025, both apps are allowed to start charging fees — but only in certain cases. What does this mean in practice? If the total amount you send or receive is up to ₪25,000 per year, you will most likely pay NO fees. This...
As 2025 comes to a close, it’s the perfect time to review a few key financial actions that can make a real difference to your bank account. Many people leave money unclaimed simply because they don’t take the time to check their eligibility for tax benefits, refunds, and recognised expenses. A brief end-of-year review can yield significant savings, or even a tax refund.One of the most important steps for salaried employees is updating Form 101. You will have been required to fill out this form at the beginning of the year. This form determines the amount of tax that will be deducted from...
📅 Year-end reminder for business owners & freelancersAs we approach the end of the year, this is the perfect moment to pause and check one very important thing 👇💼 Have you paid into your pension and Keren Hishtalmut?✔️ Pension contributions are essential for your future security✔️ Keren Hishtalmut is one of the most tax-efficient savings tools available✔️ The maximum annual deposit for Keren Hishtalmut is ₪20,520🔎 What is a Keren Hishtalmut?Keren Hishtalmut is a six-year (almost) tax-free savings and investment plan available to people who work. It’s flexible, powerful, and an excellent way to build savings alongside your pension.👩💼 If...
I am looking forward to Black Friday, as I have purchased some great bargains in the past. Black Friday has become one of the largest international shopping events of the year, and it has also arrived in Israel. The ads come at us from every direction — flashy graphics, countdown clocks, “BLACK FRIDAY TODAY!” banners — all designed to create a sense of urgency. And while there are great deals to be found, there’s also a lot of unnecessary spending, hidden traps, and impulse buying that can seriously damage your budget.Before you are tempted to pull out your credit card,...
🍎 Shana Tova U’Metuka – A Sweet and Prosperous New Year As we welcome 5786, I want to take this opportunity to wish you and your family a year filled with good health, joy, and financial peace of mind. Rosh Hashana is not only a time of reflection and renewal, but also a chance to prepare ourselves for the year ahead — spiritually, emotionally, and yes, financially. The chagim are a wonderful opportunity to gather with family and friends, but they also come with extra expenses that can strain our budgets. With just a little planning, you can keep your...
Yesterday, I received an irate phone call from one of my clients telling me that her father had been scammed and that his bank account had been completely emptied!! ‘My goodness, how did that happen?’ I asked. My client then told me that all it took was a phone call from the ‘bank’ asking her father to verify his details and his bank account was duly emptied. Lately, I’ve been hearing more and more stories of people from young adults to elderly pensioners falling victim to phone scams. These scams are clever, frightening, and designed to make people act quickly...
SECURE YOUR FINANCIAL FUTURE WITH CONFIDENCE Have you noticed that your weekly shop has just become more expensive? Or that your Arnona bill has just increased by a couple of hundred shekels. How do we cope with the rising cost of living, the increased VAT from 17% to 18%, inflation, and the ongoing war? Now more than ever, having a solid financial plan is crucial. Whether you’re looking to make ends meet, streamline your budget or gain control over your finances, my webinar Financially Thrive in 2025 will provide you with the confidence needed to move forward.This unique webinar is...
Sometimes miracles happen, like the start of the hostages being reunited with their family after over 471 days in captivity. Then without being aware of it, you can claim money back from Income Tax. Yes, miracles do happen. Why can we claim money back and how do we go about it?When you start a place of employment you fill in the Form 101, the form includes details like family status, ages of your children, when you made aliyah, etc. This form determines whether you are entitled to a discount on how much you pay in income tax. I always suggest that...
Maximizing Your Purim Budget: Tips for Mishloach Manot, Costumes, and Festive Fun As Purim approaches, it’s time to plan your holiday preparations. From making Mishloach Manot to finding the perfect costume, here are some savvy tips to help you save money while still enjoying the festivities to the fullest. Mishloach Manot: Stay organized by creating a list of people who you want to send mishloach manot to and sorting them into categories like family, friends, and neighbours. This will ensure you don’t forget anyone and avoid unnecessary leftovers. Perhaps limit your list, sometimes it is quality and not quantity that...
Last week, amidst all the chaos that engulfed our small country, numerous questions were raised about employment: There is a war on; do I have to go to work? I want to stay with my children; will I be fired if I do so? I am frightened to travel to work; what do I do? My employer wants me to take enforced vacation; what are my rights? Due to the multitude of questions raised, the Ministry of Employment has broadcasted a webinar in which they tried to answer all the above questions. THERE IS A WAR ON! DO I HAVE...
