Budgeting

RNZ Radio 6 May 2021

Changes to consumer lending – harder to borrow but less spiralling debt
Notes from Financial Services Complaints Ltd conference on May 4
– Changes in effect last year: Caps on interest and fees.
– Changes in October 2021: Lenders must assess whether borrower can afford loan.
– Consumer Data Right: Government considering this. Consumers can choose to give their financial data to providers, budgeting platforms or comparison websites, etc.
– Another topic: “A complaint is a gift”.

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NZ Herald 1 May 2021

Q&As:
– Where to get help for worrying family member
– One way to help your child into the house…
– … And tax changes shouldn’t get in the way
– Capital gains already taxed if you aimed at profiting
– Tax on NZ Super when you continue to work
– Quitting job ‘best thing I could have done’

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RNZ Radio 28 January 2021

Watch Your Spending
New Zealanders’ household spending is way up, compared with late 2019.
Spending is OK if not getting into debt
Why spend on non-essentials?:
– Happiness. But often short-term.
– Appearances.
– Pressure to spend on special shopping days.
What to do:
– Use credit cards?: pluses and minuses
– Estimate spending in different categories, then keep track for 2 months
– Change a habit for just a month. Letter to futureme.org.
– 2 birds with one stone: Cut spending on unhealthy things
– Help w budgeting: MoneyTalks. Free, confidential and non-judgmental, around NZ.

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RNZ Radio 3 December 2020

The high costs of Christmas
– Survey — NZers value time with family way ahead of giving and getting gifts
– Ideas to cut cost of gifts
– Donate to charity in the name of family member
– Thoughts about Christmas food, drinks and decorations
– I wrote article on this — on RNZ website from December 18

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NZ Herald 15 February 2020

Q&As:
– Reader plans to retire at 45
– Simplicity defends CEO’s colourful past
– Christmas grinch reports back on progress
– Scrap KiwiSaver and give the money to beneficiaries, says reader
– Hatch exec responds to Smartshares’ comments last week

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Money Talk January 2020

It’s a great idea to get all the incentives in KiwiSaver

Employees usually receive their full employer and government contributions, unless they are on a savings suspension. But what about everyone else?

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RNZ Radio 3 October 2019

Ways to boost your everyday saving. Last time we looked at setting a savings goal. This time, it’s other tips to boost savings: Open a separate savings account; Pay yourself first; Start small and gradually increase savings; Play mind games — take a “pay cut” or use a picture; Seize big opportunities when expenses fall or income increases; Take inspiration from champion savers or extreme saver movements.

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RNZ Radio 19 September 2019

How to set a goal for saving or debt repayment
Importance of setting a goal, Goals that work are SMART: Specific; Measurable; Achievable; (W)ritten; Time-bound.

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NZ Herald 18 May 2019

Q&As: Reader disagrees with my views on inheritances; KiwiSaver index funds, and performance of NZ share index; Choose risk level first, then go for low fees; A penny saved is better than a penny earned.

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RNZ Radio 21 March 2019

Rainy Day Money: Why is it so important?; How much do you need?; How might you access the money — including through your mortgage; Where should you keep the money — if you haven’t got a mortgage.

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