Rifka Lebowitz, at The Blogs

Rifka Lebowitz

May 1, 2025, 4:01 PM

77 awesome things about Israel’s economy

Israeli currency against the backdrop of an Israeli flag. (iStock)

The nation's strength and adaptability in these hard times are matched by resilient economic and financial systems, as we celebrate 77 years of independence

Dec 12, 2024, 1:36 PM

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The cost of war: Israel’s New Year’s VAT increase will hurt your pocket

Increasing costs, especially tangible when it comes to real estate. (iStock/Shutthiphong Chandaeng)

Nobody wants higher household, business, and real estate expenses, but budgeting carefully will get Israelis through it

Jul 22, 2022, 4:21 PM

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Panicking over your grocery and fuel bills? You’re not alone

Bread for sale, some of which is subsidized by the government, at a Rami Levy supermarket in Jerusalem on July 17, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

6 tips to help you manage the rising prices until the global economy rights itself

Oct 21, 2020, 4:00 PM

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Yes, we do need a law about financial abuse

The new law recognizes that no access to money can be the hell of an abusive situation, and it is designed to enable the abused party to leave

Dec 15, 2014, 1:21 PM

Can You Make It In Israel With No Hebrew, No Money And No College Degree?

I often hear people sound defeated about their ability to make it in Israel. They say, "I have no degree/no experience/no capital/ no Hebrew - or none of all the above," as if those are definite pre-requisites for making...

Mar 31, 2014, 1:05 PM

5 reasons why owning your home in Israel makes financial sense

Among the questions I get asked most frequently is whether it’s better for people who can afford the down payment, to buy or rent a home in Israel. While each person’s financial and life circumstances need to be taken...

Nov 12, 2012, 7:17 PM

Israeli cellular customers in for big surprise when dialing internationally

Unlimited talk time, extensive text messaging, gigabytes of Internet usage, hundreds of international minutes: almost unbelievable offers are enticing Israelis to switch their cellular service carrier. And they have. This spring two new players entered the market, bringing the...

About Me

Rifka Lebowitz is the founder of Living Financially Smarter in Israel and a trusted advisor to its 40,000 members. She is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), author of Smarter Israeli Banking and a member of Israel’s Financial Planning Association and the Israeli Union of Home Economic Advisors. With her background as a licensed portfolio manager, investment advisor, personal banker, and budgeting expert, Rifka empowers olim and Israelis to achieve financial stability and long-term success.