Q&As: Taking socially responsible investing a step further — investing in ‘good’ companies; Tax-favoured shares not necessarily a wise investment; Lots of fee payments early on worry new KiwiSaver; NZ has low-tax high-dividend share funds.
Listeners’ questions, comments and quibbles on the last discussion — on index funds and exchange traded funds: How to begin at share investing; Some critical views about shares, index funds and corporations; Why fewer than half active funds can beat index funds; Medians and averages — the difference, and when it matters.
Q&As: Ethical investing can be effective — even if it’s not done perfectly; KiwiSaver tax credit continues if you’re overseas briefly; Deduction of overseas pension from NZ Super the only fair way.
Q&As: Should student earn interest while running up student loan?; Freebies for shareholders left some the worse for wear; Deduction of Canadian pension from NZ Super seems fair; Another ethical KiwiSaver fund; Show Me The Money Week about to start.
Q&As: Who should add a windfall to KiwiSaver, and who shouldn’t; Reader gets fun out of direct share investment; Was Rabobank included in recent stress tests?; Is there any point in reader continuing pension contributions?; Which KiwiSaver funds are ‘ethical’.
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?
Q&As: Couple gets a second chance for the KiwiSaver first home subsidy; Where to get info on ethical KiwiSaver funds; An ethical KiwiSaver fund with a difference; Thanks to readers throughout the year.
Q&As: New Zealanders are ‘all talk and no action’ on ethical funds; Don’t try to time markets with your KiwiSaver account; Why we need a capital gains tax; Why rental property should be taxed like other businesses; Landlords not necessarily admirable, but…
Q&As: Wisdom for bankrupt couple from one who has been there; How to find ethical funds in the KiwiSaver Fund Finder; Dangerous issue with last week’s picture; Stop tampering with KiwiSaver; Last column of the year and thanks to correspondents.
Prospering from booze, bets, bombs and butts. It won’t be everyone’s cup of tea — or perhaps I should say glass of scotch — but the performance of a US share fund called the Vice Fund suggests that investing in what other people shun can pay off.