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
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!
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
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
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
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?
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
Q&As:
– Letter from landlords shows who is pushing for rent rises
– News soon for Bonus Bond holders
– Another way to invest in international share funds
Plus:
– Results of last week’s book giveaway
Q&As:
– How family might help you buy a first home
– How to find a New Zealand-based international share fund
– Don’t worry about these complications of international share investing
– Health insurer Southern Cross answers a reader’s questions about its finances
Plus
– Win a free copy of Mary’s new book!
Emergency — or rainy day — money
– But first — win a copy of Mary’s new book!
– Make emergency money your second to top priority
– When things go wrong…
– How much do you need?
– How to set up saving for this
– Where to keep the money
– Use your mortgage?
– Charity fund?
– If you use the money, top up again!