Category: NZ Herald Q&A Column | Page 83

The Investor 24 March 2009

March 24, 2009

You can indeed go wrong with bricks and mortar. I first heard people saying, “You can’t go wrong with bricks and mortar” years ago, when I lived in the US. I bet the saying isn’t quite as common there these days, now that millions of people have, indeed, lost huge amounts because of property. Yet we still hear that untrue “truism” in New Zealand. And in the last few weeks, as some people are trying to convince us that the house price slump is over, it keeps popping up.

NZ Herald 21 March 2009

March 21, 2009

NZ Herald Q&A Column

Q&As: Tips for retired couple whose interest income has halved; Savings accounts may pay more interest than term deposits — but take care; Tax on foreign shares seems tough in current environment.

NZ Herald 14 March 2009

March 14, 2009

NZ Herald Q&A Column

Q&As: Changes to the KiwiSaver first home subsidy rules; Subsidy could suit couple well; Where to invest if you plan to go for first home subsidy.

The Investor 10 March 2009

March 10, 2009

The Investor

When is ‘a bird in the hand’ better? They are two perplexing questions that arise every now and then. One might apply when you are offered money or are selling something. Should you accept a certain amount now or more later? The other might apply when you are buying something. Should you pay a certain amount now or more later?

NZ Herald 28 February 2009

February 28, 2009

NZ Herald Q&A Column

Q&As: Couple approaching retirement should spend most of their savings on paying off their mortgage; Yes, you can get KiwiSaver tax credits as well as NZ Super; Reader who distrust government confuses KiwiSaver with NZ Super Fund; Was this column wrong last week about withholding tax on interest paid on a loan within a family?

The Investor 24 February 2009

February 24, 2009

The Investor

Good fairy turbocharges lower income people’s savings. You’re struggling on a low income, as a part-time or full-time worker. All this talk about saving is fine for those making plenty, but you feel you can’t spare anything. Fair enough. Enter the Good Fairy. “How about a deal?” she says. “If you can set aside just a few dollars a week, I will multiply your savings five-fold, eight-fold, thirteen-fold — the lower your income the more I will boost your savings. It will really help you get ahead in the long term. Interested?”

NZ Herald 21 February 2009

February 21, 2009

NZ Herald Q&A Column

Q&As: Terminally ill reader should get his money out of KiwiSaver and eat, drink and be merry; Reader on invalids benefit can benefit from joining KiwiSaver — and an obliging friend could make it work better for both of them; Many employee KiwiSavers will be better off reducing their contributions to 2 per cent after April 1 — but not all; Lending within the family can get complicated when it comes to withholding tax on interest.

NZ Herald 14 February 2009

February 14, 2009

NZ Herald Q&A Column

Q&As: The possible perils of parents lending a mortgage to adult children; Tips on mortgage reduction from a mortgage broker; How mortgage borrowers could unite to force interest rates down; 2 Q&As on what happens to KiwiSaver money in retirement.