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Israel Financial Guide

Home » Israel Financial Guide
Read more about the article Important Cash Law Update

Important Cash Law Update

  • Post author:Rifka Lebowitz
  • Post published:July 21, 2022

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…

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Read more about the article Women & Money

Women & Money

  • Post author:Rifka Lebowitz
  • Post published:March 9, 2022

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…

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Read more about the article Buying Your First Home in Israel

Buying Your First Home in Israel

  • Post author:Rifka Lebowitz
  • Post published:November 11, 2021

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…

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Read more about the article Pesach: The Financially Smarter Way

Pesach: The Financially Smarter Way

  • Post author:Rifka Lebowitz
  • Post published:March 14, 2021

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…

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Read more about the article How to Budget for Your Vacation

How to Budget for Your Vacation

  • Post author:Rifka Lebowitz
  • Post published:January 5, 2021

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…

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Read more about the article Corona and Your Money

Corona and Your Money

  • Post author:Rifka Lebowitz
  • Post published:March 18, 2020

With the country practically shut down, there is a lot of confusion about employee and business owners’ rights due to the Corona virus and the effects it is having on…

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Read more about the article Money Laundering, Cash and Your Supermarket Bill

Money Laundering, Cash and Your Supermarket Bill

  • Post author:Rifka Lebowitz
  • Post published:January 1, 2019

As of January 1st 2019, Israel is taking yet another step in fighting money laundering. As a result, we are moving closer to becoming a cashless society. What is the…

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Read more about the article Negative Income Tax

Negative Income Tax

  • Post author:Rifka Lebowitz
  • Post published:November 19, 2018

1. What is a maanak avoda? Maanak avoda (employment grant) or mas hachnasa shlili (negative income tax) is a GIFT from the government which you can receive if you earn…

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Read more about the article Financial Files

Financial Files

  • Post author:Rifka Lebowitz
  • Post published:April 18, 2018

Financial Files

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Read more about the article Are you ready to start living financially smarter in Israel?

Are you ready to start living financially smarter in Israel?

  • Post author:Rifka Lebowitz
  • Post published:April 18, 2018

LFSII Flowchart

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Read more about the article 10 Principles of living financially smarter in Israel

10 Principles of living financially smarter in Israel

  • Post author:Rifka Lebowitz
  • Post published:April 11, 2018

Continue Reading10 Principles of living financially smarter in Israel
Read more about the article What is Pesach Costing You This Year?

What is Pesach Costing You This Year?

  • Post author:Rifka Lebowitz
  • Post published:April 3, 2017

When you live in Israel you feel each holiday in the air, regardless of your personal observance. Work and school days are scheduled around them, grocery stores follow the needs…

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Read more about the article How long should I keep my Israeli bills and other paperwork?

How long should I keep my Israeli bills and other paperwork?

  • Post author:Rifka Lebowitz
  • Post published:February 7, 2017

Continue ReadingHow long should I keep my Israeli bills and other paperwork?
Read more about the article The “Free” Money Savings Plans Explained

The “Free” Money Savings Plans Explained

  • Post author:Rifka Lebowitz
  • Post published:December 5, 2016

See the PDF document here: Government Savings  

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Read more about the article Price Comparison: Internet Service Providers

Price Comparison: Internet Service Providers

  • Post author:Rifka Lebowitz
  • Post published:February 23, 2016

At "Living Financially Smarter" on Facebook  we are asked frequently about prices of Internet packages, as a public service we have gathered the information for your use. If you have…

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Read more about the article Opening a Bank Account In Israel

Opening a Bank Account In Israel

  • Post author:Rifka Lebowitz
  • Post published:January 5, 2015

A few days after making Aliya you will be asked to schedule a meeting with Misrad Haklita to discuss your sal klita, the benefits new olim receive. At this meeting,…

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Read more about the article Returning Items To Stores

Returning Items To Stores

  • Post author:Rifka Lebowitz
  • Post published:December 8, 2014

Basic rules for returning items:   Product Type Time period Condition of product Cable and satellite service Within 14 days of the transaction or delivery of the written terms, whichever…

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Read more about the article Job-hunting Smarter in Israel

Job-hunting Smarter in Israel

  • Post author:Rifka Lebowitz
  • Post published:November 26, 2014

Getting a job in Israel can be a daunting task. On the facebook group we  frequently get asked how and where to look for a job. Here is a short list of…

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Read more about the article Mobile cell phone service provider tariff comparisons.

Mobile cell phone service provider tariff comparisons.

  • Post author:Rifka Lebowitz
  • Post published:July 6, 2014

Comparisons of the various Israeli mobile cell phone service providers and their tariffs. Prices are in Shekels. Provider Price per month Local Calling SMS Data International Calling Cellcom 69.00 Unlimited…

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Read more about the article Setting up a small business in Israel

Setting up a small business in Israel

  • Post author:Rifka Lebowitz
  • Post published:January 14, 2014

Setting up a self-employed (עצמאי) business, in 3 steps Article written by  Rifka Lebowitz and Binyamin  Radomsky. Binyamin is a  CPA working for  Aboulafia Avital & Co in Jerusalem, You can…

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Read more about the article Making Aliya?

Making Aliya?

  • Post author:Rifka Lebowitz
  • Post published:December 30, 2013

Thinking of Making Aliya? Learn more about the financial side of Israel: 1. Join our "Living Financially Smarter in Israel" Facebook group. 2. Find tips on this site. 3. Join…

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Read more about the article Hebrew Banking glossary

Hebrew Banking glossary

  • Post author:Rifka Lebowitz
  • Post published:June 19, 2013

Bitchonot Collateral בטחונות Daf chesbon Account statement normally default for the Checking account דף חשבון Horaat Keva Direct debit, the automatic withdrawal from your bank account to the orderer הוראת…

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Read more about the article 70 Awesome Things About Israeli Finances

70 Awesome Things About Israeli Finances

  • Post author:Rifka Lebowitz
  • Post published:April 21, 2013

70 Awesome Things about Israel’s Economy In honor of Israel’s 70th birthday, I challenged the Living Financially Smarter in Israel community to list 70 ways that Israel’s economic and financial…

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Read more about the article Choosing an Israeli Bank

Choosing an Israeli Bank

  • Post author:Rifka Lebowitz
  • Post published:April 21, 2013

All Olim dislike paying banking fees, and who can blame you, the banks outside Israel do not charge for every transaction, whereas the banks in Israel do. Your Israeli Banking…

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Read more about the article Israeli Tax Returns

Israeli Tax Returns

  • Post author:Rifka Lebowitz
  • Post published:April 21, 2013

In the current economic climate many Israelis are looking for a little extra cash. As many struggle to make ends meet, and could all use a little financial assistance, and…

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Read more about the article Supermarket Psychology

Supermarket Psychology

  • Post author:Rifka Lebowitz
  • Post published:April 21, 2013

Article on Supermarket Psychology - Jerusalem Post, October 25th 2009 Author: RIFKA LEBOWITZ; SUZY KAHATI'I'm just popping to the supermarket to buy some milk and bread," I tell my husband,…

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Read more about the article The Importance of Hanukka Gelt

The Importance of Hanukka Gelt

  • Post author:Rifka Lebowitz
  • Post published:April 18, 2013

This article appeared in the Jerusalem Post By RIFKA LEBOWITZ, SUZY KEHATI Since the time of the Talmud, the idea of giving money to children has been associated with Hanukka. Traditionally…

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Read more about the article Israeli Banking Tips

Israeli Banking Tips

  • Post author:Rifka Lebowitz
  • Post published:March 18, 2013

The banking system and day to day Banking in Israel are very different to elsewhere and it can take time to get used to banking – Israeli style. Here is…

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Read more about the article Pesach and Other Financial Surprises

Pesach and Other Financial Surprises

  • Post author:Rifka Lebowitz
  • Post published:February 18, 2013

Article that appeared in the Jerusalem Post – By Rifka Lebowitz; Suzy Kehati. Pesach is no surprise – a surprise is something that comes about unexpectedly. Pesach on the other…

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Read more about the article Israel Finance and Banking Guide

Israel Finance and Banking Guide

  • Post author:Rifka Lebowitz
  • Post published:January 29, 2013

I believe that it is important to understand your Israeli bills, bank statements  pension and mortgage statements. They are all part of your process to gaining financial clarity, and living financially smarter in…

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Rifka is passionate about helping English speakers understand their finances, feel comfortable with their money, and succeed financially – in Israel.

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