2 KiwiSaver changes from April 1 — how to make the most of them, especially for teens
– Employee and employer contributions rise from 3 to 3.5%
– You can get a temporary hold on this
– Employer contributions start for 16 and 17-year-olds
– How to help teens get KiwiSaver head start
Investing in individual shares — and why I don’t!
– How you can invest
– 4 reasons not to invest in individual shares — versus share funds
– One exception
– But if you still want to … 4 rules
How to pick the best KiwiSaver fund for you
4 steps: (Also applies to non-KiwiSaver funds)
1. Most important: Work out your risk level
2. Choose a fund at your risk level — including why you should largely ignore past returns
3. Other info on Smart Investor
4. Check the ethics of funds
Is gold a good investment? And silver and bitcoin?
– Recently all down lots. Why?
– Gold compared with shares long term — not good
– Can be good diversification — but in a small way
Which is better – paying down the mortgage or investing?
– Questions from listeners on this
– Also a question on whether you can make faster repayments on a fixed term mortgage
Good news on mortgages — not just rate cuts
– Official cash rate dropped again — and floating mortgage rate.
– Fewer people behind on mortgage payments
– Many people not reducing their payments, but using extra to pay down the loan. Makes a huge difference to total interest and how long the loan runs.
2 unhappy listeners: on home ownership v renting, and active v passive fund managers
– Email from woman with mortgage-free house challenging my statement about renting being cheaper than home ownership
– Text from man challenging what I say about active fund management
My top 10 money tips — Part 2
– Diversify mortgage types and terms
– Ladder term deposits
– Don’t time markets — despite current trends. Keep drip feeding in KiwiSaver and elsewhere
– Don’t have to own a home to do well financially.
– Get set up and stay put: kill debt, have emergency fund, right investments for you.
My top ten money tips — Part 1
– Be in KiwiSaver — get the free money
– Get the right risk level — most important
– Don’t assume success will continue
– Diversify within one type of asset: shares, bonds
– Diversify over different assets
– Plus some listener questions
Winners of 10 copies of updated edition of “Rich Enough? A Laid-back Guide for Every Kiwi”
Celebrating 10 years of RNZ segment. Contestants had to write what they learnt from it, in 60 words or less.
Themes include:
– Save regular small amount by direct credit
– Make a will
– Repay debt
– Spend on fun in retirement
– Ladder term deposits
– Leave KiwiSaver alone in downturns
– KiwiSaver works well for self-employed