Listeners’ questions, comments and quibbles on the last discussion — on index funds and exchange traded funds: How to begin at share investing; Some critical views about shares, index funds and corporations; Why fewer than half active funds can beat index funds; Medians and averages — the difference, and when it matters.
My favourite type of share investment — Index funds and exchange traded funds (ETFs): Don’t bother to try to beat the market; A good company is not necessarily a good buy; Lusha the chimp; What are index funds and ETFs, and how to get into them; The Buffett bet; 2 misunderstandings.
Why I’m sticking with shares for the long term — despite recent research: Provocative email from a listener; Research suggests cash deposits beat shares; Quibbles and serious concerns about the research; Best ways to invest in shares; Why I think shares will always win in the long term.
How emotional thinking can get in the way of good investing. Understanding common reactions can help you guard against bad decisions. Reactions include: Responding to how things are presented; Sticking with the status quo; Responding to how things are named; Following the crowd; Emotional attachment; Being overwhelmed with information; Fear of regret; Not considering the whole portfolio.
Ethical KiwiSaver. Also my approach to investing in shares. Ethical KiwiSaver: how funds invest, risk, returns and which providers; A listener’s critical letter and my response; Warren Buffett is special; Can amateur investors beat the market?
Clever and not-so-clever moves with mortgages: 2 worrying trends — longer mortgages, people adding to mortgages; Good news — people repaying faster; When rates drop, maintain your payments; Paying down your mortgage a great investment; Mortgage on rentals a bit different; Revolving credit loans give flexibility but risky for some; Main points.
KiwiSaver rules, and how to make the most of the scheme: Follow-up on first home help; Rules about joining KiwiSaver; Other rules about KiwiSaver; Getting the most from the scheme.
Timing the housing market, and KiwiSaver first home help: The one market where you can’t invest gradually; How to make the decision; How much does it matter?; 2 ways KiwiSaver helps first home buyers.
Brexit and your investments. Mary discusses with Jesse Mulligan what to do with your KiwiSaver and international currencies following the world turmoil caused by the Brexit vote.
Spending too little, spending too much: Shopping is a favourite pastime; People who are too mean on themselves; People who spend too much — why do they do it? — 1. Keeping up with the Joneses, 2. Psychological, 3. Credit card company behaviour; Help for big spenders; Most important of all — Change your habits. PS: Final reminder about KiwiSaver tax credit.