RNZ Radio 31 August 2023
Houses still too expensive? Lower your standards
– House price rises still very high
– House size increased while families smaller
– Quality has risen, but also unnecessary rooms?
– Too expensive? Choose smaller home
RNZ Radio 17 August 2023
Struggling to pay rates? Try a rebate or postponement:
(First: A comment on National’s proposed KiwiSaver changes)
– People facing big rate rises
– Different councils’ offerings
– Rebates for people on low incomes
– Postponement in some cases for everyone
– How it works
– How to get help with this
RNZ Radio 3 August 2023
Which investment? And why cash funds might be best
– Email asks: 4.5% in bank or use KiwiSaver?
– Where to put short-term, medium-term and long-term money
– What are cash funds?
– How they compare with bank term deposits
– How to find a cash fund
RNZ Radio 20 July 2023
The mortgage crunch: What you can do about it
– Survey finds worries about mortgage rate rises
– What to do: Important to talk to lender early
– Change term, switch to interest only, or reduce part or all payments
– But big increases in interest paid
RNZ Radio 6 July 2023
Important info in your KiwiSaver annual statement — and how to improve it next time
– What’s in the statement
– Total at 65, and weekly spending through retirement
– How your provider came to those numbers
– What to do if you want them to be higher
– Why moving to a higher-return fund is not wise
RNZ Radio 22 June 2023
It’s OK to give up on ever owning a home.
– Home ownership falling — people need family help to buy
– It can work to be a long-term renter
– Advantages of renting
– But you need to save lots for renting in retirement
– Prediction — long term house prices will fall relative to incomes
– Best way to save
RNZ Radio 8 June 2023
Kids and KiwiSaver
– You can sign them up at any time
– The rules for under 18s on government and employer contributions, when teenager gets a job etc.
– Maybe make small contributions — starts saving habit
– $10 or $20 a week could start a house deposit — not just from parents
– Changes at 18 — keep helping with contributions
– Saving for children outside KS — pluses and minuses
RNZ Radio 25 May 2023
KiwiSaver back to positive! Also, new KiwiSaver help for new parents
– Returns January to March positive for almost all KiwiSaver funds
– Are the best short-term funds also the best long-term?
– Main points: Hang in there; higher risk = higher return; never judge by short-term performance
– Government helps KiwiSavers on paid parental leave
RNZ Radio 11 May 2023
Laddering — a clever way with term deposits and perhaps your mortgage
– What is laddering?
– Who might be affected?
– Why do it? — gives longer-term returns on deposits (which are usually higher); frequent access to some of your money; some protection from bad luck with timing.
– How it might work with a mortgage
RNZ Radio 27 April 2023
Setting up emergency money
– Many NZers don’t have access to emergency money
– A good tradeoff — increase hardship but gain mental health
– Imagine your pay has been cut
– Where to put emergency money
– Make use of mortgage situation