Government assistance

NZ Herald 26 March 2022

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

Read More

NZ Herald 19 March 2022

Q&As:
– Should you lie on your NZ Super application?
– Why Super rules make sense
– Donor could start a scholarship, or a grant
– Give while you live — and get a tax credit
– Most are happy with reverse mortgages
– Idea for couple: move into the bach
– Muddling up energy companies

Read More

NZ Herald 18 December 2021

Q&As:
– With mortgage gone, should couple take on a rental property?
– Reader’s plan to get tax deduction might work — but might not
– NZ Super “beneficiaries” not penalised by earning high incomes
– Working for Families could help in last week’s example
– Reader wants her cat charity on the list
Plus:
– Happy holidays!

Read More

NZ Herald 11 December 2021

Q&As:
– Ignore KiwiSaver fund performance over a few months
– Why you should focus on a fund’s fees, not its returns
– Your KiwiSaver fund has done well in recent years? So what!
– How hard it is for beneficiary parents to get back into work
– A reader’s quote is out of context — and he should stop being mean!
Plus:
– Meaningful Christmas gifts

Read More

NZ Herald 4 December 2021

Q&As:
– Should young woman invest or concentrate on repaying student loan?…
– … And is her situation like last week’s beneficiary who inherited $1.5 million?
– 2 more readers angry with beneficiary
– In defence of a criticised headline
– How another beneficiary handled her inheritance
– Borrowing to invest in companies that, themselves, borrow
– 2 readers comment on last week’s Q&A about high KiwiSaver fees …
– … And another one jumps the gun on new low KiwiSaver fees

Read More

NZ Herald 27 November 2021

Q&As:
– Reader’s KiwiSaver fees are highway robbery!
– Are banks better KiwiSaver providers?
– Beneficiary must declare big inheritance
– Got a mortgage and investments? You are effectively gearing
Plus:
– New KiwiSaver default funds are a great new option for many

Read More

NZ Herald 25 September 2021

Q&As:
– Woman in her fifties should make the break!
– Great outcomes for children in state schools
– A state boarding school might work well for last week’s Mum…
– … and a scholarship might help, but watch out for bullying
– Consider tutors, and take note of the principal
– How gifting can affect government help for the elderly

Read More

NZ Herald 11 September 2021

Q&As:
– Where to park money for a year or two
– Why it’s hard for couple to become “wholesale investors”
– Ideas for last week’s beneficiary…
– … and a story that might encourage her
– Landlords can’t ban pictures on the wall
– Suggestion for Timaru-bound couple: Keep Auckland house and rent it out

Read More

NZ Herald 4 September 2021

Q&As:
– Suggestions on how a reader can “make her life better”
– When a term deposit paid 25 per cent!
– 2 Q&As on how to find a possible lost overseas bank account
– Could last week’s house seller’s gains be taxed in New Zealand?..
– … and overseas?

Read More

NZ Herald 12 June 2021

Q&As:
– What should siblings under 23 do with inheritance?
– Does this reader still need trauma or life insurance?
– Skip strategies to “get rich” in share market …
– … and maths won’t help you
– Share markets don’t necessarily move with economies
– KiwiSaver when you turn 18 or 65
– Covid government subsidies are taxable

Read More