Financial misbehaviour disappointing. Ironically, a survey on New Zealanders’ financial behaviour was released just days before Christmas — a time of much financial misbehaviour, when everyone’s saying, “I don’t care what it costs, I’ve just got to buy something for Uncle Fred.”
More than one way to fill a financial gap. This is one of those columns — like the one in which I confessed that I don’t have a goal for my retirement savings — that might make the “conventional wisdom” people cross. But here goes: We don’t all need a sizable emergency fund sitting in a savings account.
Q&As: Students get a good deal by world standards, and shouldn’t dodge student loan repayments; How come the bonds in a balanced KiwiSaver fund report losses?; Winning the tax game if you have a home and a rental property; Where to get free budget advice.
Q&As: A house looks ridiculously cheap in 1958, but let’s put that into perspective; Retiree hit by inflation acknowledges that it could have been worse; Too hard to get by in New Zealand? Fix it or leave, but don’t whinge; A family wants out of its family trust, which is complex, expensive and not benefitting anyone.
Q&As: A reader’s attempt to recover tax on finance company interest is a nice try, but…; Wanting less and working less doesn’t preclude tall poppies; Creative ideas on how to cut household expenses; Did I get the banking system wrong, or did a reader?; At least one bank — sort of — will lend to share investors.
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.