Managing money isn't always about having more of it. Sometimes, simply understanding where you are and where you're heading can make an enormous difference.

In this episode of Behind the Books, we're joined by Jason Leong, co-founder and CEO of PocketSmith, the New Zealand-founded personal finance platform now used by people around the world.

Jason takes us back to the beginnings of PocketSmith and the personal problem that inspired him to build it, before we dive into the bigger questions around money, technology and financial confidence.

We talk about why curiosity is one of the most important financial habits you can develop, what open banking actually means in plain English, and how technology is changing the way people understand and interact with their money.

We also explore AI and the future of Bookkeeping, including why Jason believes technology can take away more of the mechanical work while creating even more opportunity for Bookkeepers to focus on insights, conversations and the work that really matters.

This episode covers:

• Why financial visibility can reduce uncertainty and stress
• How curiosity helps build financial confidence
• What open banking actually means for everyday New Zealanders
• How PocketSmith brings complex financial information together
• Where AI can genuinely help with financial data and decision-making
• Why humans still need to remain firmly in the driver's seat
• How technology could make the role of Bookkeepers even more valuable
• Why the ultimate goal isn't a perfect budget, but having the confidence to get on with your life

It's a fascinating conversation about money, behaviour and technology, with plenty of laughs and a few unexpected detours along the way.