Articles & Audio

RNZ Radio 16 February 2023

A non-financial topic: What it was like during and after Cyclone Gabrielle if you had:
– No power
– No running water
– No communications — phones, emails, texts, internet etc
– No way out of your community

Read More

NZ Herald 11 February 2023

Q&As:
– Many ways to boost retirement savings in 10 years…
– … Also be in KiwiSaver, and consider reverse mortgage
– KiwiSaver government contribution when overseas
– No thank you to this unbelievable offer
– Bank changes coming soon — and one that’s not

Read More

NZ Herald 4 February 2023

Q&As:
– One reader may be overdoing diversification…
– … While another may be underdoing it
– KiwiSaver fund reports 70% return
– Banks soon moving to 365-day money transfers
– Media should have warned of house price fall, says reader
– Rosie Robot misbehaves again

Read More

RNZ Radio 2 February 2023

Spending that makes you happy

Research tends to find the following spending brings the most happiness:
– Getting rid of money worries — paying off debt, getting insurance etc
– Experiences — events, travel ….
– Changes that give you more time — hiring others to do tasks etc
– Beautiful things — art, plants etc
– Spending on others — charity, shouting a friend, gifts

Read More

NZ Herald 28 January 2023

Q&As:
– How solo mother can survive mortgage rate rise
– Check out all of a bank’s offerings
– Okay to raise your risk in falling market — and it’s not falling anyway
– KiwiSaver fund not doing as badly as reader thinks
– Help offered from a robot…
– … But it’s too late!

Read More

NZ Herald 24 December 2022

Q&As:
– KiwiSaver gifts good, but make sure you treat the children equally
– I made a worrying assumption in last week’s calculations…
– … and what happens when inflation is included
– Trapped with low interest on your term deposits? Here’s a plan
– Another reader has trouble getting a credit card
– A warning about selling a home before you buy
– Reader could move to another environmental fund
– My key messages don’t change
Plus:
– Happy holidays!

Read More

NZ Herald 17 December 2022

Q&As:
– Is now a good time to trade up to a bigger house?
– How much will $1,000 grow in KiwiSaver over time?
– An update on the active v passive debate
– More KiwiSaver providers let over 65s withdraw from just one of their funds

Read More

RNZ Radio 15 December 2022

Worrying numbers about over 65s’ finances, and what might be done about it
– Stats on over 65s’ income and home ownership show decreasing trends
– What to do about it
– A KiwiSaver push for beneficiaries?

Read More

NZ Herald 10 December 2022

Q&As:
– Reader leaves marriage with $3 million – what to do with it?
– Widowed pensioner finds inheritance “very scary”
– Only some KiwiSaver providers offer this service for the retired
– 3 Q&As on investing versus reducing a mortgage

Read More

NZ Herald 3 December 2022

Q&As:
– Drip feed or invest the lot at once?
– Credit cards harder to get in retirement
– Should 11-year-old get into direct investing in NZ shares?
– Mother of 7 gets degree — and comes out on top
– Would-be investor in rental property shouldn’t count on gain
Plus:
– Meaningful Christmas Gifts

Read More