Q&As:
– NZ Super only for those who paid tax through their lives?
– A laugh and a controversy over 122-year-old in last column
– Help for non-homeowning couple, 57, who feel trapped and confused
– Easy mortgage calculations — monthly vs weekly payments
Laddering — best way to invest bank term deposits. Can also ladder mortgages.
– Advantages: Often better interest rate. Frequent access. You won’t get it wrong with all your money!
– How to set up laddering.
– Ladder your mortgage.
– Also — bargain with your bank.
Q&As:
– Lesson from a 120-year-old!
– Where to invest term deposit money
– When is it best to move money overseas?
– Take out more in retirement?
– KiwiSaver when you turn 65
Stick with US shares?
– US ETFs and other US share investments — how have they done?
– Pick another country instead?
– The answer — go global, or reduce risk level
– How to make the move
Q&As:
– Where to put money for new grandchild
– Could retiree be “forced” to sell shared land?
– How one family funded children’s uni
– Watching caravans turning!
– Sad story about selling house to neighbour…
– … and happy one
– Alternative to reverse mortgage
Plus:
– Appearance at Auckland Writers Festival
2 KiwiSaver changes from April 1 — how to make the most of them, especially for teens
– Employee and employer contributions rise from 3 to 3.5%
– You can get a temporary hold on this
– Employer contributions start for 16 and 17-year-olds
– How to help teens get KiwiSaver head start
Q&As:
– Should 78-year-old sell her home to neighbours and rent from them?
– Life insurance no longer needed
– Does CPI inflation include surcharges?
– Modern caravans not like the old days
– Many ideas for spending inheritance
– 2 Q&As on ethics around student loans
Investing in individual shares — and why I don’t!
– How you can invest
– 4 reasons not to invest in individual shares — versus share funds
– One exception
– But if you still want to … 4 rules
Q&As:
– Woman, 63, plans to live in caravan…
– … Couple who do that wonder about selling the house they rent out
– Do inflation numbers take shrinkflation into account?
– How to find a financial adviser
– I goofed up on a student loan moral issue
How to pick the best KiwiSaver fund for you
4 steps: (Also applies to non-KiwiSaver funds)
1. Most important: Work out your risk level
2. Choose a fund at your risk level — including why you should largely ignore past returns
3. Other info on Smart Investor
4. Check the ethics of funds