Digging your way out of the big hole. You’re never in debt so deep that you can’t get out again. At least one reader of this column will be reassured by this message from Raewyn Fox, chief exec of the Federation of Family Budgeting Services.
Help for those in debt. Repaying high-interest debt is sometimes called the best investment. And there’s a way to do it that, I suspect, many people don’t know about.
The other B word: While some people find it easy to follow a budget, others struggle. Here are some tips for the latter group. Also in this issue: From the Mailbox — Couple who sold their house save heaps by renting. But should they wait for a price fall before buying again?
Mortgage moves: How you can make the big loans work better for you. Also in this issue: From the mailbox — Is it a good idea to increase your mortgage and invest the money elsewhere?
What we don’t know CAN hurt us. One of the first things journalists are taught is to make the first sentence of an article a “grabber”, something that will perhaps surprise readers and make them read on. So this column is officially starting now: Every New Zealander over 65 gets NZ Super, no matter how rich they are.
Q&As: Couple should spend less?; Wealth isn’t always money; How last week’s correspondent made his millions; Making extra payments on fixed mortgages without penalties.
Q&As: 27-year-old overseas doesn’t need more than 4 rentals in NZ; Should more conservative 26-year-old get revolving credit mortgage?
Q&As: Should newly separated woman buy a house or rent?; Our total tax rate depends on whether we spend or save. Plus: End of year message.
Q&As: $29,000 rental in Gore not the thing for a risk-averse man; More on tax on a second job.
The student loan lark — what students can and can’t do. Student loans are back in the news. And there’s some confusion about how students will be able to use — or abuse — the system when all loans become interest-free next April.