Q&As: Don’t follow the crowd into property investment; Apply for NZ Super early; 2 readers object to last week’s correspondent’s attitude to mother of 10; An honest assessment of life afloat; One reader sees living on a boat as a retreat; Another points out the fun side; A landlord’s kindness made all the difference.
Getting through Christmas without going broke. Also, the big spender and the big saver. For big savers, Christmas is no problem. But there’s a downside. More later… Turning to the big spenders: What really makes the kids happy?; Ways to cut back gift giving; Tips on shopping wisely; Meaningful Christmas gifts; Spending lots on food and booze. Back to the big savers — a challenge for them (Includes lots of suggestions from listeners).
Two issues: Is home ownership the only way to go?; And ethical investing. Firstly, a bit more on children and KiwiSaver. Put in $1000 yourself, or don’t sign them up! 1. Is home ownership the only way to go? — You can instead save lots to cover accommodation in retirement; Home ownership is declining; Owning vs renting — Pros and cons of each option. 2. Ethical investing — What is it?; Possible problems; Are returns higher or lower?
KiwiSaver for children and younger people: 1. Under 18s — Differences in KS for under 18s; Should you sign up a baby or child under 18?; Should you make contributions to a child’s KS account? 2. Over 18s — Best way to save for first home; KS help for first home buyers — 2 aspects. 3. Which type of fund for the young?
Q&As: Banks give teenagers credit too easily; Credit union offers lower-interest deal to credit card borrowers; Retiree “invests in people”; 55-year-old spending while she’s able; Financial adviser struggles with how others do it.
Q&As: Reader uneasy about crowdfunding company’s marketing; Plans to time the share market with KiwiSaver are worrying; Are the politicians complaining?
Q&As: KiwiSaver has changed many times, but it’s still worth contributing to; Is it worth signing up a child to KiwiSaver now the kick-start has gone; A novel way of valuing your friends.
KiwiSaver Kick-start ends. Q&As: Patience needed on new first home KiwiSaver withdrawal rules; How to get around KiwiSaver guardian rules; Reader skeptical about Reserve Bank statements.
Q&As: Could Auckland house price plunge cause a banking meltdown?; Single mum can’t get daughter into KiwiSaver because of missing father; Employer shouldn’t have signed up 15-year-old to KiwiSaver without parents’ consent; Living on just NZ Super is the high life for this reader.
Q&As: Too hard for some children to join KiwiSaver; Why reader has two very different KiwiSaver balances; Do 20-somethings have a ‘sense of entitlement’? And will they get NZ Super?; Advice for the young from a new retiree.