Archive

RNZ Radio 6 May 2021

Changes to consumer lending – harder to borrow but less spiralling debt
Notes from Financial Services Complaints Ltd conference on May 4
– Changes in effect last year: Caps on interest and fees.
– Changes in October 2021: Lenders must assess whether borrower can afford loan.
– Consumer Data Right: Government considering this. Consumers can choose to give their financial data to providers, budgeting platforms or comparison websites, etc.
– Another topic: “A complaint is a gift”.

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NZ Herald 1 May 2021

Q&As:
– Where to get help for worrying family member
– One way to help your child into the house…
– … And tax changes shouldn’t get in the way
– Capital gains already taxed if you aimed at profiting
– Tax on NZ Super when you continue to work
– Quitting job ‘best thing I could have done’

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NZ Herald 24 April 2021

Q&As:
– It’s not worth staying in highly paid job you hate
– How rainy day money might help with mortgage
– Don’t forget finance company collapses
– How rental property is different
– Am I unfair, or is the reader?
– Big-hearted landlords

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RNZ Radio 22 April 2021

DON’T BE SCAMMED!
– Bernie Madoff (just died) and David Ross (recently released from prison)
– Who is most often approached, and how?
– Types of scams — boiler room, Ponzi, high-risk products, shares, software packages and seminars, imposter websites
– What to do if considering an investment that might be dodgy
– What to do if you think you might have been scammed

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NZ Herald 17 April 2021

Q&As:
– Sorry but I won’t ban the expression “property ladder”
– Non-bank mortgage lenders are needed
– Risks of property syndicate investments
– Would fewer landlords be bad for tenants?
– Loss of deduction unfair to landlords — but hey!

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NZ Herald 10 April 2021

Q&As:
– Mortgages not a good substitute for term deposits — try managed funds
– Where to save house deposit
– Last week’s renter/landlord not so badly off …
– … Some ideas for her, but they’re not great
– Will landlords be able to raise rents?
– A better idea on bright-line test
– Finally — lovely feedback from a mother

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RNZ Radio 8 April 2021

Low-risk funds — a good alternative to bank term deposits
(But first — a quick follow-up on share trading)
– Defensive and conservative funds, in and out of KiwiSaver
– Where to get info — Smart Investor tool. Look for low fees.
– Don’t panic when balance falls a bit
– Comparison with bank term deposits:
— Pluses: withdrawals, PIE tax, safety
— Minuses: fees, don’t know returns, some volatility

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NZ Herald 3 April 2021

Q&As:
– Reader hurt two ways by government housing changes
– Why older landlords might be happy to sell
– House price slide might be no bad thing
– Were these tenants treated badly?
– Generous landlord might attract Inland Revenue’s eye …
– … An example of this

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NZ Herald 27 March 2021

Q&As:
– Why one KiwiSaver fund has done extraordinarily well…
– … and will it — and other star performers — keep starring?
– Did I get it wrong about property managers last week?
– Is not raising rents poor business practice?
– Are pushy property managers only in Whangarei?

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RNZ Radio 25 March 2021

The wisdom (and otherwise!) of listeners
Runners up and winners of 5 copies of Mary’s new book, A Richer You — how to make the most of your money.
Some themes in the entries:
– Money and happiness
– Families and finances
– Shopping
– Investing in shares

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