Spending that makes you happy
Research tends to find the following spending brings the most happiness:
– Getting rid of money worries — paying off debt, getting insurance etc
– Experiences — events, travel ….
– Changes that give you more time — hiring others to do tasks etc
– Beautiful things — art, plants etc
– Spending on others — charity, shouting a friend, gifts
Q&As:
– Reader leaves marriage with $3 million – what to do with it?
– Widowed pensioner finds inheritance “very scary”
– Only some KiwiSaver providers offer this service for the retired
– 3 Q&As on investing versus reducing a mortgage
Q&As:
– When it can be good to be in debt — how rental property works
– Adviser didn’t listen
– Are term deposit investors being treated unfairly?
– How best to turn shares into deposit for child’s home
– Using KiwiSaver for its lower fees
Q&As:
– How does diversification apply to a share fund?
– Don’t forget fees and tax when comparing mortgage paydown and investing
– Small payments off fixed mortgages okay …
– … and bigger payments easy in current environment
– Many Q&As about last week’s angry reader and my response
Q&As:
– A classic too-good-to-be-true offer
– KiwiSaver government contributions to some over 65s? No — let’s make it beneficiaries
– Mortgage paydown probably better than buying shares
– Let’s get this widow mortgage-free before retirement
– Reader unhappy with te reo in last week’s column
Some shocking results in survey on New Zealanders’ finances
Canstar Consumer Pulse Report 2022:
– More than half spend more than they earn — especially young
– 2/3 don’t have enough rainy day money
– Nearly ¼ don’t save anything
– Only 45% are debt-free, excluding mortgages
How you might change your habits.
Q&As:
– So you’re a millionaire? Big deal!
– Moving KiwiSaver provider in volatile times
– Which to pay off first — student loan or mortgage?
– Charity unhappy with last week’s wording
– An offer for those setting up scholarships
– 3 NZ Super recipients are unhappy with the rules
Q&As:
– Million-dollar mortgage is quite enough
– Weighing up investing versus extra mortgage payments
– Mortgage adviser can tell reader if she can make home ownership work
– KiwiSaver performance fees come with worries
– Experienced landlord gives us the numbers
Q&As:
– Where to keep money for jewellery while awaiting Italian trip …
– … And where to keep it while awaiting a house purchase
– Give money to grandkids rather than their parents
– Invest a lump sum now, or wait?
– A few more “money rules”, and a source revealed
– Good Samaritan helps out last week’s struggling tourism operator
Q&As:
– Covid-hit couple struggle to get a loan …
– … while another family finds solutions
– Short-term share performance is irrelevant
– Get used to volatility or move out and stay out
– 45 financial rules