Q&As:
– Reader: “We” are lucky to have KiwiSaver — I’m not part of that “we”
– 2 letters on why KiwiSaver should work for beneficiaries too
– Last week’s correspondent has found a way to spend more, but worries about teen son
Notes from a conference
Westpac Massey Fin Ed Centre conference on “Building financially capable communities: our pathways to success”
– Current Financial teaching in schools is not effective, especially for lower sociology economic kids
– Self efficacy — whether you believe your actions and effort will affect your outcomes — is more important to wealth than things like financial literacy. Can it be changed?
– Changes coming to regulate payday lending. Will they help?
Q&As:
– Bonus Bonds work well as on-call account …
– … But not so well as a gift for grand-daughter. Other options for her
– Means-testing NZ Super may cost more than it saves
– Lower-income retirees already get more
– Take care with charity donations in wills
– Tell charities how you want to be treated …
– … Here’s what to do if they ignore your requests
Q&As:
– What to do with a $200,000 Lotto win
– How does Inland Revenue handle Islamic banking?
– Drop in fund value explained
– 2 Q&As on handling charity donations after the donor dies
– Reader explains why millionaire could be aggrieved about NZ Super
– Another reader doesn’t buy my arguments on means-testing Super
– Is means-testing a far left idea?
Q&As:
– Family tree doesn’t explain why women are worse off in retirement
– Should we give more NZ Super to those in need?
– Reader seeks ideas on giving to charity
– Offset mortgage one way parents can help children buy a home — but not a tax break
– Look beyond bank adviser
– Investors in KiwiSaver and other funds pay slightly less tax
Q&As: Father of 5 loses Working for Families money through accountant’s error; New website helps you find ethical KiwiSaver funds; Split money between KiwiSaver and non-KiwiSaver, and consider paying down mortgage; Share fund might beat mortgage repayment, but it might not; Self-employed need a better deal from KiwiSaver.
Is ethical investing becoming mainstream? Notes from a conference held in Auckland this week: Problems with naming; Importance of the issue; “Short termism” in the financial world; The big issue: trust; What government is doing; What KiwiSaver providers are doing; Why investors aren’t doing more; What investors can do easily.
Q&As: Husband — and reluctant wife — should make housing decision based on what they want; Could making gifts to family affect government help with rest home costs?; Where is government response on welfare overhaul? Plus: Message to Dads about Fathers Day.
Q&As: Reader timing market — but the better way. And making huge KiwiSaver contributions; 1% KiwiSaver contribution rate would help those on low incomes; MSD oppressive, says reader, but her points don’t all hold up; Reader thanks his Mum, MSD and me for getting good Super.
Q&As: How KiwiSaver works for someone on minimum wage; Reader using KiwiSaver money soon for first home shouldn’t be in growth fund; Suggestions for beneficiary who got inheritance …; … and a further question from him; Reader saddened by last week’s comment on beneficiary.