The Investor 14 August 2010
Turbulent times lead to confusing KiwiSaver returns. Confused KiwiSavers are asking some probing questions about the returns on their accounts, and I can’t blame them.
The Investor 31 July 2010
Ridiculous offers shouldn’t be banned. Two recent press releases had a similar ring to them. Both warned about offers to buy investments at low prices. But there’s a key difference between the two situations.
The Investor 17 July 2010
Getting into gear not always wise. The four most hateful words are said to be, “I told you so.” So I’ll put this another way: One of my key messages in seminars, books and columns over the years — that borrowing to invest is more dangerous than many people realise — is easier to “sell” these days than a couple of years ago.
The Investor 3 July 2010
Generous KiwiSaver first home help applies to many. The first of the KiwiSaver first home withdrawals and subsidies will be paid out shortly. But many people still don’t realise just how good — and how widely available — the KiwiSaver first home help is. It is clearly the best place for any New Zealander to save for a first home.
The Investor 19 June 2010
Too good to be true — but it is true. It sounds like a too good to be true scheme that’s bound to end in tears: “Earn 36 to 56 per cent a year on a low-risk investment!” But there is such an investment, and it’s called KiwiSaver.
The Investor 5 June 2010
Plans or no plans?: Readers differ. If you’ve wondered who that bloke is hanging around stores in the weekend watching people buy 3D television sets, it could be Blair Vernon.
The Investor 22 May 2010
Confession time about retirement plans and goals. I’m going to commit sacrilege here. But it’s not as if I haven’t thought long and hard about it. So okay, deep breath, here we go: Contrary to what many will tell you, it’s quite possible to be financially together and not have a detailed written plan on how to fund your retirement — or even a retirement savings goal.
The Investor 8 May 2010
Set and forget KiwiSaver funds a great choice for many. I’m not really interested in what happens under the bonnet of my car, as long as it goes. In much the same way many people are not interested in what happens to their KiwiSaver accounts, as long as they grow.
The Investor 24 April 2010
Home ownership doesn’t always beat renting. I was a little surprised the other day when I asked a couple of hundred young university students whether they wanted to buy a home in the foreseeable future. Everyone said yes — despite the fact that we’d just been considering why home ownership is not necessarily all it’s cracked up to be.
The Investor 10 April 2010
Change KiwiSaver default funds… …but educate too. All the wrong people are ending up in KiwiSaver default funds — or are they? That depends on their financial knowledge, temperament and home ownership plans.