Big rates rise? Consider rates postponement
– Some councils offer for everyone, others just for those on lower incomes
– Frees up money for expenses — or fun!
– You pay no rates, but owe your council the money — pay back when you sell house or die
– Some fees plus compounding interest, but house value should grow more than debt
– Check your council’s website
– Another idea: pay smaller amounts more often
A big chance to make big progress with your mortgage
– When your mortgage rate falls, stick to your old payments
– Save big money on total interest paid
– Pay off your mortgage years earlier
– Use the mortgage calculator on Sorted
– A listener who is using his tax cut to reduce his mortgage
Why you should choose index funds or ETFs (exchange traded funds)
– What are they? How they differ from other, active share funds.
– NZ research on why they beat active funds over longer term
– International funds are better
– How to find KiwiSaver index funds
– How to find exchange traded funds
– Money Month on Sorted.org.nz
Your big chance — save your tax break!
– Could be much better off in retirement, with no pain
– Applies to almost everyone
– Set up auto transfer
– Could total more than quarter of a million dollars in retirement
Plus:
– Similar situation if don’t spend on Lotto, but …
– Confirming wages do grow faster than inflation
How tax bracket creep robs us
– What is bracket creep?
– How almost all of us are “robbed” by governments
– Tax cuts coming soon — a good first step
– NZ should do this annually
What your KiwiSaver statement tells you
– What’s listed
– Your total at retirement, and weekly spending amount
– Too little? What to do
– What if you live past 90?
“Ethical” investing
A report on Mindful Money conference:
– What is ethical investing?
– Becoming more mainstream
– Barriers to KiwiSaver involvement
– Funds investing in residential property
– Award-winning funds
Buying a first home — after loss of KiwiSaver grant
– But first: a comment on Budget tax cuts — try to save that money!
– KiwiSaver still best for first home saving — despite loss of grant.
– Other help with buying first home…
– … Or rent long-term, while saving hard.
– Where to invest your long-term savings?
Insights from conference on financial capability:
– Behavioural scientist’s tips on goal setting, importance of framing, watch those one-time expenses!
– Mostly positive comments from experts
– How one Porirua East project is doing great work
The high cost of not contributing to KiwiSaver:
– Who can take contributions holidays?
– How badly a break cuts your retirement savings
– At least put in $20 a week
– What if you have debt to repay?