Q&As: 2 Q&As suggest it’s not always easy to go into the motel business, or other tourism or hospitality businesses; Should couple stop health insurance and set up their own fund to cover medical expenses?; Is KiwiSaver still worth being in, given changes that make it less attractive?
Don’t wait for change on how advisers are paid. It’s one of those situations in which, 20 or 30 years from now, I reckon people will say, “I can’t believe they used to do it that way.”
Q&As: Three readers offer advice to early 60s couple looking for jobs — go and look around the country; check out motels; try a B&B; AMP responds to a KiwiSaver’s concerns about returns; A Christmas message; More letters from readers giving advice to couple seeking work.
Columnist is wrong — mortgage repayment is well worth it. Contrarian investing — when you put your money into investments that most people are getting out of — sometimes works well. Such investments are usually cheap. But should we extend that to borrowing when most others are repaying debt?
Q&As: Is share buying just for the elite?; KiwiSaver first home buyer strikes a hitch — but all is well; 60-ish couple could get into rental property; Did our couple blow too much on holidays?
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.
Q&As: The “who and how” of KiwiSaver withdrawals before retirement — including what happens if you go bankrupt; Was the recent advice on tax for buskers correct, or is their income donations?; Two readers suggest a short-term approach to employment for 60ish couple made redundant; Meaningful Christmas gifts.
Two thoughts about Christmas shopping. Look at any graph of credit card spending over the years and you see a clear pattern — spikes each December as we put Christmas gifts, food and drink and holiday spending on our cards.
Q&As: Help needed for couple in early 60s who can’t find jobs; KiwiSaver member really needs to get her money out — and she should be able to; It’s always better if your KiwiSaver fund grows; Did Voltaire actually say it — and does it matter?
Too many KiwiSaver non-contributors miss out on the good stuff. Not far from half of all members of KiwiSaver are not contributing regularly to the scheme — whether they be employees on a contributions holiday or non-employees who are simply not putting money in. What a pity.