NZ Herald Q&A Column – Mary Holm

NZ Herald 19 July 2025

mary — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 12:00:44 +0000

Low-risk way to invest in rentals Another good way to invest in property, but … Easy way to give to charities KiwiSaver versus term deposits in retirement Big KiwiSaver fee savings, and getting risk right Best way to compare KiwiSaver fees QWhat are your thoughts? My dad, an accountant and 78 years old, has been a landlord coming up 55 years, and he’s never once talked about capital...

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NZ Herald 12 July 2025

mary — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 12:00:12 +0000

On benefits and inheritances Why share broker asks all those questions Charities make it too hard to give Landlords worse off than tenants? One landlord’s take on it all More landlords equal lower rents Thanks for running angry letter QI am sending this on behalf of my elderly parents (in their late 70s). My sister is mentally ill and on a sickness benefit. She is 50, and owns her own unit...

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NZ Herald 5 July 2025

mary — Fri, 04 Jul 2025 12:00:16 +0000

How rental market works in one apartment block … and in the whole economy Am I biased? And socialist? QI write regarding last week’s letter about landlords being charitable for too long and needing to raise rents. Landlords need to remember that their market is individuals with limits on what they can pay in rent. These individuals are also not a charity to support indigent landlords.

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NZ Herald 28 June 2025

mary — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 12:00:50 +0000

Should rents be increased? … or capped? KiwiSaver for teens No KiwiSaver winners in Budget? — but better rates rebates Home help for the elderly 2 letters on health insurance excesses Reverse mortgage on an apartment? QYour recent analysis rightly noted that owning a home often costs more than renting the same property, once all expenses are considered. This implies renting may be the more...

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NZ Herald 21 June 2025

mary — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 12:00:36 +0000

A different investment for retirement How costs of care affect retirement savings … … And one couple’s experience The Stock Picking Game QAlternative investments — and I don’t mean crypto, gold, vintage cars or whisky! As I spent the afternoon bottling fruit from my trees, I was feeling grateful, and happy for the abundance in my life. Then I started to think about the...

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NZ Herald 14 June 2025

mary — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 12:00:35 +0000

Speed up student loan payments or invest? Pay off mortgage or invest? How to deal with high health insurance costs Paying Off High Interest Debt QI’m currently paying off my $10,000 student loan, which is scheduled to be fully repaid late next year. I’m also contributing $50 a fortnight to a low-cost index fund to support my retirement savings. Would it be more beneficial to redirect...

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NZ Herald 7 June 2025

mary — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 12:00:03 +0000

You’ve done well, but don’t lose compassion Spending seems to rise in retirement? Living on NZ Super — with plan for health costs Not Planning on Home Ownership QAs immigrants, we had to start all over again, with two preschoolers. Money was spent within our means, no fast food and junk, just wholesome meals and an annual holiday as a meaningful treat. It was boring, and a lot of will...

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NZ Herald 31 May 2025

mary — Fri, 30 May 2025 12:00:09 +0000

Another good reason to get children into KiwiSaver KiwiSaver works well in retirement Keep life insurance for ex? Gold has seen big losses as well as gains One way to plan savings in retirement QAs a grandparent of five, aged between 4 and 10, I have opened a Sharesies account in the Smart US Large Growth ETF fund for each of them, investing a very small regular amount each month.

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NZ Herald 24 May 2025

mary — Fri, 23 May 2025 12:00:24 +0000

What, exactly, are bonds? And are they safe? Are bonds no longer behaving as they should? Industry man defends gold Just 2 KiwiSaver providers won’t let you do this Last week’s correspondent “naïve” about tax on rental income QWhy will no one explain all the jargon that surrounds bonds? I have asked you about three or four times to explain bonds, I have asked my stockbroker to explain bonds...

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NZ Herald 17 May 2025

mary — Fri, 16 May 2025 12:00:17 +0000

Gold not the answer for this reader “Should I or shouldn’t I reduce risk?” Couple’s tax idea not fair A reverse mortgage in a retirement village? Can move KiwiSaver overseas with you QI am aged 72, retired two years ago. I have a mortgage-free unit worth about $650,000, and $114,000 in a KiwiSaver conservative fund. I’m too scared to look at the balance as it will have dropped. I also have $40...

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