NZ Herald Q&A Column

NZ Herald 20 June 2020

Q&As:
– A “bit of bitcoin” is OK, but don’t get carried away
– Realistic recommendation on fixed versus floating mortgage rates
– KiwiSaver could be more welcoming to newcomer with mortgage
– KiwiSaver timeframes all over the place

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NZ Herald 13 June 2020

Q&As:
– Should out-of-work couple keep contributing to KiwiSaver?
– Why I worry about the share market recovery
– A way for special needs daughter to gain more financial flexibility
– How to decide which mortgage term to go for
– Best choice for employee who effectively pays his own KiwiSaver employer contributions
Plus:
– How to improve your chances of being answered in this column

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NZ Herald 6 June 2020

Q&As:
– My expertise on cows and farmers’ markets is called into question…
– … Nonetheless, my comments last week helped reader
– KiwiSaver becoming workable for people with special needs
– Change KiwiSaver provider any time, but take care with changing funds
– Who does government borrow from, and how?
– Are we likely to see negative interest rates, and if so, where should we save?
– Not good news on tax and negative interest rates
– Negative interest rates unlikely to threaten banks’ strength

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NZ Herald 30 May 2020

Q&As:
– Where to put your money if you’ve lost faith in all financial assets
– Why being in a balanced fund isn’t always equal to being in both low- and high-risk funds
– Suggestion for last week’s couple unable to buy a home because of his parents’ mortgage
– Tax on PIEs and uneven tax burden
Plus:
– How to make use of new info on KiwiSaver statements

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NZ Herald 23 May 2020

Q&As:
– Help abounds for young man who helped parents get a mortgage
– My tax info not good enough for accountant
– How to tell how strong your bank is
– Can you be in more than one Simplicity fund?
– House buying plan depends on two impossible forecasts
– Put most of savings into house deposit
– Young man loses house deposit in receivership
– Divorced woman, 59, should put most money into new home

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NZ Herald 16 May 2020

Q&As:
– Am I helping the big guys at the expense of small investors?
– Why you might want to be in more than one of your provider’s KiwiSaver funds
– Tax on KiwiSaver and other funds is gentle
– Limit buys can work well when buying shares
– Investing versus paying down mortgage in low-rate environment …
– … and taking diversification into account
– Be in KiwiSaver as well as making extra mortgage payments
– Take mortgage “holiday” or spend savings?

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Money Talk May 2020

What’s the best way to save for children or grandchildren?

Making regular savings for young children or grandchildren can be a great way to help them head into adulthood.

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NZ Herald 9 May 2020

Q&As:
– Who’s right about fund choice — husband or wife or neither?
– Which bank products are subject to haircut if bank fails?
– What about government bonds, Bonus Bonds and safe deposit boxes?
– Halt to dividend payments should strengthen banks
– ETF tax problem no big deal
– It’s great to continue contributions to KiwiSaver and other funds in down markets
– Don’t assume gloom will continue — and a look at past recoveries
– Drip feeding not quite so good with lump sums

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NZ Herald 2 May 2020

Q&As:
– One less worry: KiwiSaver as an inheritance
– Keep an eye on what’s in your will
– Challenging Westpac over help for KiwiSaver investor
– What happens when KiwiSaver account is empty
– Which is safer, bank deposit or low-risk fund?
– Don’t panic about security of banks
– Ignore past returns when choosing KiwiSaver provider — so how should you choose?
Plus:
– Message to mothers

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NZ Herald 25 April 2020

Q&As:
– Reader regrets panic move out of KiwiSaver — and how to follow share trends
– Many more people are buying shares
– Should self-employed use up savings before asking for government help?
– Index funds not at a disadvantage in market downturn
– How can index funds beat the market?
– Which index for an index fund?
– Any time is fine for switching KiwiSaver provider

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