Updated Israeli Internet and Cell Phone Plans
These numbers are accurate as of September 2025. Internet Plans Phone Plans
Rising Lion Business Compensation Program
The Knesset has finally approved the Compensation Program for businesses affected by the 12 day war with Iran to help businesses recover and rebuild during these challenging times. Understanding Eligibility…
Emergency Fund Calculator
Our Financially Smarter Emergency Fund Calculator is currently in BETA testing as we work to make it valuable to everyone at any age. While the standard advice suggests saving 3-6…
77 Awesome Things About Israel’s Economy
In honor of Israel’s 77th birthday, we reflect on the things we appreciate about our economic and financial systems. Yes, despite these hard times, VAT and overall tax increases, major…
The Financially Smarter Woman
An Intimate Evening of Learning, Growth, and Connection A Living Financially Smarter in Israel & Nefesh B'Nefesh event Register here! About This Event Many of us—smart, accomplished women—have inadvertently outsourced…
2025 Brings Wave of Price Increases for Israeli Households
As Israeli families prepare for 2025, they face a significant surge in living costs across multiple sectors, which will put additional pressure on household budgets that are already stretched thin…
Financial Planning and ADHD
We've all got that friend (or maybe it's us) who struggles to keep track of bills, impulse spends or feels overwhelmed by financial planning.This chat with me (Rifka Lebowitz -…
Ice Cream and Milluim
Ice Cream and Milluim.For those of you in Milluim, or with spouses in Milluim, thank you for your service.There are various benefits that you can qualify for:* Some cities are…
40,000 Living Financially Smarter Facebook members
You never know the difference you are going to make, or how much you can help others. Years ago I opened a Facebook group Living Financially Smarter in Israel |…
A Parent and CFP's Approach to Raising Financially Smarter Children
Kids Pocket Money: A Parent and CFP’s Approach to Raising Financially Smarter Children
As a CFP and a parent, I've often been asked about my approach to teaching children about money. I don't give my kids regular pocket money. This decision stems from…
LFSII Budgeting Workshop
It's that time of year again when I'm thrilled to announce the annual LFSII budgeting workshop this September. This year, we're diving deep into the LFSII method that's been transforming…
Understanding The Electricity Reform
(As of January 2024) A significant revolution regarding electricity prices has emerged. The reform, which was launched in 2018, allows consumers to choose their electricity supplier. The Israeli Electric Company…
Learn the Basics of Budgeting: Starting October 9, 2023
“Let’s start at the very beginning, a very good place to start.”- Julie Andrews (as Maria Von Trapp), in The Sound of Music LFSII is once again offering a three-part…
Yael Warman- Making a “Maybe” Permanent
People joke that the best way to have a million dollars in Israel is to have come with two. I don’t really know if that’s true, though —not because I…
Hilary Faverman- Priorities: Ruthlessly define them. Fervently live them.
When I was fourteen, I was staunchly fiscally conservative. I came from a family of placard-toting socialist activists (not social, rather socialist, think union rep, a step shy of Teamsters,…
Important Cash Law Update
I want to share an important update with you: The cash limit for paying for goods is going down from 11,000 to 6,000 NIS from August 1st 2022. What this…
Azriel Ratz – Facebook Ads Expert
I came to Israel as a single guy to work as a madrich in a yeshiva. Several months into the year, my friend, who owned a small company that serviced…
The LFSII Business Owners Workshop
I am offering a LFSII workshop geared to entrepreneurs and small business owners, freelancers, and anyone who works as an Osek Patur or Osek Murshe who want to make more money. In …
Back to Basics: Budgeting Workshop
Rifka Lebowitz is once again offering a three-part Back to Basics Budgeting Workshop, starting May 8th, 2022.This is a good place to start to learn new skills and feel more…
Women & Money
Yesterday, I had to honor to speak at the Women’s Day event at Space Mod in Modiin. Among many other things, I spoke about how women need to really know…
Kupat Gemel Le’Hashkaa
Wednesday, February 16, 2022, at 9 AM In this LFSII free chat with insurance agent Danny Newman and Financial Planner Rifka Lebowitz, they will go over everything you should know…
Rachel Moore – Public Relations & Communication
I was 17 when I first came to Israel on a student program for two months on “USY High” in Hod Hasharon. Before my trip, I never really had any…
Stock Market Investment Classes
WEDNESDAY, 12 JANUARY 2022 AT 20:30 6 week Introduction to Investing - course. Online event After two successful rounds for Living Financially Smarter members, we are opening a third and…
Dan and Laura Major – The World of Academia
I (Laura) was born and raised in beautiful South Africa, and like many Jews there, my family lived a comfortable lifestyle with a nice-size home and household help. With all…
Keren Hishtalmut -What you need to know about this Finanically Smarter Product
THURSDAY, 25 NOVEMBER 2021 AT 09:00 Online event You might have a Keren Hishtalmut, or have been planning on opening one. Join the LFSII Keren Hishtalmut chat, to learn how…
Buying Your First Home in Israel
Congratulations! You have decided to purchase a home or apartment here in Israel! This exciting new step can seem like a daunting one if you aren’t prepared. This is why…
Israeli Pensions Explained
Monday, October 15, 2021 at 9 AM If you want to know everything from how to open an Israeli pension, what fees you pay to how much you can expect…
Gifts & Inheritances
March 3, 2021, at 9 AM Should couples have joint bank and investment accounts?What should couples do with gifts or inheritances from parents?How can you, or should you, protect gifts…
Pesach: The Financially Smarter Way
As many of us know, Pesach can be an expensive holiday. In fact, it’s ironic that the matza or lechem ani (poor man’s bread) is anything but cheap. For those of you who may…
How to Budget for Your Vacation
Vacation time is around the corner, and many of you have been asking how do families plan for going away? The Living Financially Smarter in Israel secret: Create your annual…