Bonds

The following is a selection of articles mainly from January 2005 to the present. To explore this topic in more depth and access earlier columns, please use the search box.

Articles

NZ Herald 27 April 2013

Q&As: Steer clear of foreign exchange trading
- Pensioner should also steer clear of finance companies offering high interest
- How you can avoid partial assets sales shares in KiwiSaver
- Not saying "I told you so" about investing in gold
- Buying a home still a good idea for couple in late 40s

Syndicated column 20 October 2012 - Are bonds really that beautiful?

Bonds are beautiful. That's certainly the message when you look at a recent Reserve Bank list of returns on 11 different types of investments, including New Zealand, Australian and international shares, property, farms, bonds and cash.

NZ Herald 31 March 2012

Q&A: Students get a good deal by world standards, and shouldn't dodge student loan repayments
How come the bonds in a balanced KiwiSaver fund report losses?
Winning the tax game if you have a home and a rental property
Where to get free budget advice

NZ Herald 26 November 2011

Q&As: Are shares still the best long-term investment, despite recent results?
Investing in bank term deposits has its own risk - that of inflation eating into returns
Older job applicants might want to play down their age on their CV
Volunteering overseas an option for couple in their 60s who can't find jobs

NZ Herald 5 February 2011

Q&As: Should we all panic over the Savings Working Group's dire forecasts?
- Do Bill English and Alan Bollard need to talk about how hard it is for New Zealanders to save?
- Why mailing nasties to companies that make low-priced share offers might not work

NZ Herald 25 September 2010

Q&As: Bank securities not quite what a reader was hoping for
The closing of a KiwiSaver scheme hasn't gone as smoothly as hoped, but it's no big deal
First home buyers should invest conservatively in KiwiSaver - plus: a painless time to join KiwiSaver

NZ Herald 25 September 2010

Q&As: Bank securities not quite what a reader was hoping for
The closing of a KiwiSaver scheme hasn't gone as smoothly as hoped, but it's no big deal
First home buyers should invest conservatively in KiwiSaver - plus: a painless time to join KiwiSaver

NZ Herald 11 September 2010

Q&As: In these changing times, should I still recommend share investment for those with ten years before spending the money?
Another personal finance computer program - and it's free
The advantages of using joint accounts, and of setting up enduring powers of attorney

NZ Herald 24 July 2010

Q&As: One reader is angry that ASB is closing the trusts he's invested in, while ...
Another reader sees it as a great opportunity to try a new investment strategy with term deposits
I might be a duck or a weasel, but I'm not a financial adviser

NZ Herald 10 July 2010

Q&As: Other ways in which gold is risky
The difference between term deposits and bonds
Why is ING's default KiwiSaver scheme cheaper than the very similar ANZ and National Bank schemes?
Readers offer some udder ideas on what to call Mum and Dad investors

Money column for 10 July 2010

NZ Herald 28 November 2009

A way to make friends and relatives happy at Christmas
Changes to invitation to Capital Market Taskforce meeting
Q&As: Less insurance can save big money and work well - if you are healthy and careful
Gradually get rid of preference shares you don't want any more

NZ Herald 14 November 2009

Q&As: Couple struggling with rental property should put it on the market
Did the issuers of perpetual preference shares adequately warn investors that their value could fall considerably?
The choices for a KiwiSaver who moves overseas

NZ Herald 24 October 2009

Q&As: Are house prices less likely to fall in posher suburbs?
Financial advisers paid by commissions can't do as well as someone who is independent
Two Q&As on why recently issued preference shares are not good investments

NZ Herald 17 October 2009

Q&As: Are preference shares a good investment, despite recent price falls?
Did reader get good advice from an ASB adviser?

Syndicated column 6 October 2009 - Good news goes unheralded

One of the findings in a recent survey caught my eye. Only 12 per cent of New Zealanders surveyed said the value of their financial investments had grown in the previous six months, with 42 per cent saying the value was unchanged and 46 per cent saying it had fallen. The vast majority got it wrong.

NZ Herald March 21 2009

Q&As: Tips for retired couple whose interest income has halved.
Savings accounts may pay more interest than term deposits - but take care.
Tax on foreign shares seems tough in current environment

Syndicated column January 27 2009 - Getting in and out of share market a losing strategy

Many people with share investments - including KiwiSaver and other funds that hold shares along with other assets - are probably eying the 37 to 39 per cent drops in the New Zealand, US and Australian share markets last year and considering taking flight to lower-risk investments. Don't.

NZ Herald October 18 2008

Q&As: Everything you need to know about the government's new deposit guarantee scheme.
Under the new scheme, should we move our money from banks to covered finance companies?
Will KiwiSaver still be good for self-employed 62-year-old if National wins the election?
Plus: Readers' views on KiwiSaver

Syndicated column May 13 2008: Safe haven for nervous investors

Spooked by the Blue Chip, Feltex and finance company collapses, a growing number of New Zealanders are joining the "flight to quality" by buying government bonds or their little brothers, Kiwi Bonds.

NZ Herald May 10 2008

Q&As: Grandma will help grandson more by opening her own KiwiSaver account and giving him the savings.
Ultraconservative KiwiSaver funds are as safe as bank accounts, and bring much higher returns.
Is lack of self control more prevalent now than in the past?
Government bonds have their place for the ordinary investor.

Money column for May 10 08

NZ Herald April 26 2008

Q&As: KiwiSaver the last straw for employer of "whinging, incompetent" New Zealanders
Reserve Bank offers some reassurance for reader worried that NZ banks could be caught up in their foreign parent's woes ...
.... But if you're still worried, consider the safest investments of all, government securities.

NZ Herald September 2007

Q&As: Should a couple with 3 children move to a bigger house in town or take a bet on a coastal property?
Are KiwiSaver bond funds as conservative as they seem?

NZ Herald December 10 2005

Q&As: $29,000 rental in Gore not the thing for a risk-averse man.
More on tax on a second job.

Holm Truths spring 05

Kids, cash and cards: Help your children learn about money

Also in this issue: From the Mailbox - Saving for the children's future

Syndicated column October 4 2005: A message that goes too far - Shares beat mixtures over long term

I take exception to a recent New York Times article entitled, "The long-term lesson: It pays to diversify". If you look hard at the numbers quoted by the writer, they show just the opposite.

Holm Truths winter 05

Seize the chance: A great way to boost your savings

Also in this issue: From the Mailbox - Investment as retirement approaches

NZ Herald April 30 2005

Q&As: How do bonds differ from term deposits?
Where to get info on interest rates.

NZ Herald March 5 2005

Q&As: How to invest a student loan, and SHOULD you?
Where can you get an apartment for $100,000?
Bonds may beat term deposits, even for the short term.

NZ Herald February 12 2005

Q&As: Should young person saving for a house buy now?
Where to invest while saving to buy a house.

NZ Herald January 22 2005

Q&As: Couple "retiring" in their 30s wonder how to invest their savings.
94-year-old share trader doing just fine.
How to run a caravan rental business.

Holm Truths summer 04-05

Scattering the seeds: By diversifying, you reduce risk but not returns

Also in this issue: From the Mailbox - Some people over-save for retirement

Holm Truths winter 04

3rd big question: When? - How should you time your investing?

Also in this issue: From the Mailbox - Where to invest while saving for a car

Holm Truths autumn 04

'His & Hers' investment styles - How gender affects the way we invest

Also in this issue: From the Mailbox - Borrowing to invest, eg in a rental property

Holm Truths winter 03

First things first: How much should you invest in bonds, shares, property and so on?

Also in this issue: Great Debate: NZ v international shares

Holm Truths autumn 03

Emotions and investing: The way we feel affects our investing in ways we are not aware of

Also in this issue: Great Debate - Term deposits v corporate bonds

Holm Truths winter 01

Free lunch a rewarding spread: It's wise to spread your investment money around

Also in this issue: Great Debate - Shares v share funds