Q&As: Should we all panic over the Savings Working Group’s dire forecasts?; Do Bill English and Alan Bollard need to talk about how hard it is for New Zealanders to save?; Why mailing nasties to companies that make low-priced share offers might not work.
Q&As: 2 Q&As on whether home ownership beats renting whilst saving the difference between the two option; 2 Q&As on last week’s reader, who dramatically moved her term deposit business to another bank; How to get your own back through the post — and how not to.
Turning interest into your friend. New Zealanders are, apparently, a fairly satisfied bunch — except when it comes to our financial situation. But maybe that’s not such a bad thing.
Q&As: Tax cutting scheme likely to bring much more wealth to the company than to a reader; How recipients of below-market share offers can get their own back; A reader shows her bank just what she thinks of it; How is our gold price forecaster doing?; Some help with finding a good financial adviser.
A financial gift for both the giver and recipient. Christmas or not, here’s a way you can give to someone else and also gain yourself. Sponsor an adult who is struggling financially to make the most of KiwiSaver.
Q&As: Earthquake victim faces an old question: whether to invest spare money or repay a loan; Reader escapes “an endless loop” of credit card payments after using an internet Q&A service; A “me too” letter raises questions about a bank’s policy on fees.
Do we really need more stuff than Americans? Something to ponder as Christmas gift giving approaches: New Zealanders apparently think they need more stuff than the people we often regard as most materialistic — Americans. What’s more, older and male New Zealanders seem to be more into “things” than young people and females.
Q&As: Bank’s handling of a fee inquiry leads customer to switch banks; One good proverb deserves another; Should Gareth Morgan Investments be under more scrutiny? Plus: Meaningful Christmas gifts.
Q&As: What the Savings Working Group is up to, and why; Have banks been given a fair go in this column?; Is $8 worth worrying about?
How to get more out of KiwiSaver. About 40 per cent of people in KiwiSaver don’t know what kind of fund — conservative, balanced or growth — their money is invested in. Many of those won’t be in the best fund for them.