The Investor 28 January 2012
Take action now to avoid bill blues next January. Ah, summer. Time for beaches, baches, barbecues — and facing probably the year’s biggest credit card bills, or even demands for payment from loan sharks.
NZ Herald 28 January 2012
Q&As: Are employers allowed to take their employer contributions to KiwiSaver out of employees’ pay?; How a KiwiSaver in that situation can stop employer contributions — although it won’t gain her much; Pluses and minuses of the suggested “life stages” KiwiSaver default funds; Professionalism “the kiwi way” can be a winner in the tourism industry; Motel owners don’t tend to do it for long.
NZ Herald 21 January 2012
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?
The Investor 17 December 2011
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.”
NZ Herald 10 December 2011
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.
The Investor 3 December 2011
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?
NZ Herald 3 December 2011
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?
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 19 November 2011
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.
The Investor 19 November 2011
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.