Mary Holm https://maryholm.com NZ's most trusted personal finance journalist Fri, 10 Oct 2025 14:21:35 +0000 en-NZ hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.2.21 NZ Herald 11 October 2025 https://maryholm.com/nz-herald-11-october-2025/ Fri, 10 Oct 2025 11:00:03 +0000 https://maryholm.com/?p=12669 Renting out a bach can be complicated Don’t give bank account number to a possible scammer Defining managed, active and passive funds Problems with proving who you are Rare praise for a bank QRenting out a holiday home is not as straightforward as implied in last week’s column. As I’m sure you know, it can incur GST if the turnover goes over the $60,000 threshold, or if you are...

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RNZ Radio 9 October 2025 https://maryholm.com/rnz-radio-9-october-2025/ Thu, 09 Oct 2025 02:15:33 +0000 https://maryholm.com/?p=12665 Celebrating 10 years of RNZ segment. Contestants had to write what they learnt from it, in 60 words or less. Themes include: Save regular small amount by direct credit Make a will Repay debt Spend on fun in retirement Ladder term deposits Leave KiwiSaver alone in downturns KiwiSaver works well for self-employed Listen to the segment below, or click here to read Radio NZ’s summary.

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NZ Herald 4 October 2025 https://maryholm.com/nz-herald-4-october-2025/ Fri, 03 Oct 2025 11:00:21 +0000 https://maryholm.com/?p=12663 A bank account for a couch surfer No, it’s not me! Scam warning Reader excited by recent returns … … While another gets a little bit brave Now retired, we’re selling our rental Is renting out bach a good idea? QI don’t have any million-dollar properties, so this is probably outside of your usual area of expertise. A few years ago I was kicked out of my rental because...

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NZ Herald 27 September 2025 https://maryholm.com/nz-herald-27-september-2025/ Fri, 26 Sep 2025 12:00:42 +0000 https://maryholm.com/?p=12658 Money long ago forgotten Couple in 70s should sell bach and live it up! Avoid dud funds in and out of KiwiSaver Aftermath of a fund closing down Bank acknowledges complaints QI was in business for about 25 years. During that time several people owed me money, either having borrowed it or been told by the courts that they had to pay it. Some debtors were very good at repaying their borrowings.

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RNZ Radio 25 September 2025 https://maryholm.com/rnz-radio-25-september-2025/ Thu, 25 Sep 2025 03:15:24 +0000 https://maryholm.com/?p=12657 But first: 10th anniversary of this segment coming up. Here’s how to win a book! Research shows 2024 was a great year for NZ-based world share funds… … and NZ share funds did well too But was your fund’s performance all that strong? Most funds did worse than the share index. Especially true with long-term returns Adjustments for survivorship bias — many funds closed down...

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NZ Herald 20 September 2025 https://maryholm.com/nz-herald-20-september-2025/ Fri, 19 Sep 2025 12:00:42 +0000 https://maryholm.com/?p=12654 Buying a rental not a good idea for 69-year-old A way for kids’ KiwiSavers to grow fast Fund closures worry a reader Trusts and other depositors covered by compensation scheme Smart device required for this bank account QMy father has never been into the money part. He is 69, a single pensioner in a fully paid for home, and has around $30,000 of savings he’s itching to do something...

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NZ Herald 13 September 2025 https://maryholm.com/nz-herald-13-september-2025/ Fri, 12 Sep 2025 12:00:32 +0000 https://maryholm.com/?p=12646 Where to put proceeds from downsizing house Consider non-banks for term deposits — but is it easy? 2 Q&As on the best way to do health insurance Fairness and KiwiSaver contributions to over-65s Employers’ role in KiwiSaver … and one former employer’s good approach QI’ve recently downsized my house and have money to invest, which I intend to leave until I retire in 10...

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RNZ Radio 11 September 2025 https://maryholm.com/rnz-radio-11-september-2025/ Thu, 11 Sep 2025 03:15:01 +0000 https://maryholm.com/?p=12643 Now it’s a “buyers’ market’ — but don’t try to time markets Get a LIM — important info See property at different times Check the neighbourhood Online valuations Building inspection Negotiating — including auctions Very important: be prepared to walk away. There are always other good houses! Listen to the segment below, or click here to read Radio NZ’s summary.

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NZ Herald 6 September 2025 https://maryholm.com/nz-herald-6-september-2025/ Fri, 05 Sep 2025 12:00:44 +0000 https://maryholm.com/?p=12641 Deposit compensation up and running What if someone pulls out of the scheme? KiwiSaver total remuneration defended What’s fair for over-65s in KiwiSaver? Total remuneration tempts people, who will later regret it Best way to self insure for health costs Couple has been lucky with health — so far! QI was following with interest the moves to introduce savings guarantees...

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NZ Herald 30 August 2025 https://maryholm.com/nz-herald-30-august-2025/ Fri, 29 Aug 2025 12:00:05 +0000 https://maryholm.com/?p=12634 Biggest KiwiSaver provider ANZ’s policy not good for employees Couple are perfect candidates for reverse mortgage Are health insurance premiums negotiable? Some fans of health insurance QSomething that’s been a bugbear of mine is that ANZ, as the largest KiwiSaver provider and one of the largest employers in the country, does not offer KiwiSaver employer contributions for a large...

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