Q&As: Father of 5 loses Working for Families money through accountant’s error; New website helps you find ethical KiwiSaver funds; Split money between KiwiSaver and non-KiwiSaver, and consider paying down mortgage; Share fund might beat mortgage repayment, but it might not; Self-employed need a better deal from KiwiSaver.
How to set a goal for saving or debt repayment
Importance of setting a goal, Goals that work are SMART: Specific; Measurable; Achievable; (W)ritten; Time-bound.
Why are women more cautious with investments, and should we take more risks?
In some ways women are better investors than men. So how come we often end up with lower savings?
Q&As: Couple leaving Auckland shouldn’t worry about being unable to get back into that housing market; 96-year-old still saves — and likes visits more than presents; One reader thinks 88-year-old should spend as he pleases…; Another worries the granddad is being exploited …; And another says it’s important to talk to the elderly about money; Why shouldn’t a retired person get a mortgage?, reader asks.
Q&As: How to help reluctant grandfather with his finances; Is insurance a rip-off, and therefore you should self-insure?; Now is the wrong time to buy or build — or is it?; Last week’s correspondent opens money conversation with his wife. Money Week theme: Talking about money.
Is ethical investing becoming mainstream? Notes from a conference held in Auckland this week: Problems with naming; Importance of the issue; “Short termism” in the financial world; The big issue: trust; What government is doing; What KiwiSaver providers are doing; Why investors aren’t doing more; What investors can do easily.
Q&As: Husband — and reluctant wife — should make housing decision based on what they want; Could making gifts to family affect government help with rest home costs?; Where is government response on welfare overhaul? Plus: Message to Dads about Fathers Day.
Q&As: Newly divorced woman should buy house — because she wants to!; 2 Q&As on the best time to switch funds, which is when it suits you; AMP’s “woeful” long-term KiwiSaver returns, and what investors should do; You can’t “pay ahead” to get KiwiSaver government contributions.
Are New Zealanders insured for bad things happening to them? Findings of a recent survey. Letters from listeners and discussion on: Loss of income insurance; Health insurance; Life insurance.
Q&As: Reader timing market — but the better way. And making huge KiwiSaver contributions; 1% KiwiSaver contribution rate would help those on low incomes; MSD oppressive, says reader, but her points don’t all hold up; Reader thanks his Mum, MSD and me for getting good Super.