Q&As: Looking after the pennies is more rewarding than we realised; Three Q&As on readers’ suggestions on how a couple can better manage their money — including ideas on mortgages and software; Is it worthwhile trying to time a home purchase to make the most of market movements? — plus KiwiSaver first home assistance details.
Q&As: How can a woman persuade her partner to stop spending more than the couple earns?; Retiree’s share buying hobby turns ugly — but he hasn’t given it a chance; Why splitting this column into KiwiSaver and non-KiwiSaver columns is not a good idea; It won’t always be quite this good for KiwiSaver enthusiast.
Q&As: Several options for 20-year-old who worries that the state of the world makes KiwiSaver iffy; 5 Q&As about reader who was offered a mortgage deal that was too good to be true.
Tax cuts bring KiwiSaver into reach for many. The “I can’t afford KiwiSaver” excuse is about to get weaker for many New Zealanders. Tax cuts come into effect from October 1, and many families will also benefit from changes to the Working for Families tax credit and income threshold. The extra money will cover at least half of many people’s KiwiSaver contributions, sometimes more.
If the Government can do it… If there’s one topic that I should write about more often, but I avoid because I fear it will turn people off, it’s budgeting. But with the government’s Budget in the news, now is as good a time as any to consider the way we — as individuals or couples — spend our money. And I promise not to get preachy.