What to do about low interest rates at banks (and the demise of Bonus Bonds)
– Not as bad as people think
– But still many unhappy
– Suitable alternatives — safe, low volatility — offset mortgages, cash funds, low-risk KiwiSaver funds
– Be braver? — if long-term money — middle-risk KiwiSaver funds. Probably not higher-risk funds or shares or rentals
Q&As:
– Bonus Bond holder may as well continue the gamble
– No, you won’t benefit if other Bonus Bond holders can’t be found
– What good is KiwiSaver for the self-employed?
– Young mum cut out of the action by husband’s trust
– Several ways around trust problem if one spouse dies
– Trusts have become “a charter for crooks”
– Reader gets new hope from last week’s column
Q&As:
– Solo mum should check out government help on buying a first home
– Advice for last week’s reader with $1.5 million in the bank — give some away…
– … And put the rest in more than one bank
– Should couple’s KiwiSaver accounts be with different providers?
– The law on relationship property after a couple splits — and how to contract out
The next downturn — in shares, KiwiSaver and other managed funds — might be longer.
But first — comments on what to do about the demise of Bonus Bonds.
– FMA survey on investor confidence.
– Race between NZ and world share markets to recover from Covid downturn.
– Recovery not just shares rebounding, but also bonds.
– Next time we could easily have shares down for longer, and bonds also falling.
Q&As:
– When family trusts cut new partners out of assets, please talk about it
– Self-employed person should keep contributing to KiwiSaver
– Should reader send money back home to NZ from Canada?
– 3 choices for man with extraordinarily bad luck with money
Q&As:
– A clever way to reduce mortgage risk a little
– Westpac denies age discrimination in mortgages
– Boomer vents about NZ Super, but misunderstands
– How to keep inheritance away from separated sister-in-law
How much do you need to save for retirement?
– KiwiSaver statements give estimated total — but many not reading it
– Industry sometimes says you need $1 million-plus. Ridiculous!
– How to set a reasonable goal
– What to do if you’re unlikely to reach your goal
Q&As:
– Family trusts no longer let you avoid rest home fees
– Advice from Shakespeare on treating children equally in wills
– What should “lazy and irresponsible” reader do with his million?
– NZ Super unlikely to be slashed, especially for those on low incomes
– Widower describes 17 years of retirement travel with wife
Plus:
– Money Week
Q&As:
– Couple muddling trusts and wills — and courting trouble by not discussing uneven inheritances with family
– Young hopeful homebuyer in a position to take risks
– KiwiSaver retirement estimates too high? — what to do about it
– Travel early in retirement, 85-year-old urges
Economic wellness. Also National’s KiwiSaver idea.
– What ‘economic wellness’ means
– How can we achieve it
– Will our health improve if we achieve economic stability?
– Is it easier to be well if you have money?
Plus: Is National’s plan to let people withdraw $20,000 from KiwiSaver to start a business a good idea?