NZ Herald 13 July 2013
Q&As: Our population is getting older, but not as fast as a reader fears. How will it affect house prices?; Means testing of NZ Super not given high priority in new report.
Q&As: Our population is getting older, but not as fast as a reader fears. How will it affect house prices?; Means testing of NZ Super not given high priority in new report.
Q&As: Which is riskier, moving to a posher suburb now or waiting?; Retired man’s preference for shares may be riskier than he realizes; You can’t cash in KiwiSaver to buy Mighty River Power shares.
Q&As: Steer clear of foreign exchange trading; Pensioner should also steer clear of finance companies offering high interest; How you can avoid partial assets sales shares in KiwiSaver; Not saying “I told you so” about investing in gold; Buying a home still a good idea for couple in late 40s.
Q&As: One retired reader is fed up with a younger person’s attitude to superannuitants…; While another is amused, and thoughtful; Effect of a mortgage rate rise on house prices being underplayed; An overseas landlord must, by law, have an agent here; Bank gives wrong info on deposits into KiwiSaver.
Q&As: Calling all KiwiSaver providers: Please let us know if you have plans to offer annuities or similar; Other payout possibilities for retired KiwiSavers; Couple who have returned to NZ but still own UK house should sell it, buy here and get on with enjoying life; Dwindling children’s KiwiSaver accounts possible but unlikely.
Q&As: Self-employed probably fare worst in KiwiSaver changes, but scheme still really hard to beat; Likelihood of more government changes not a good reason to stay out of KiwiSaver; Abolition of gift tax reduces paper work for family trusts, but doesn’t eliminate it; “Provincial perspective” on changes in house prices over the decades.
Q&As: Foreclosed property seminar reminds me of investment warning lists; Government’s proposed changes don’t affect current KiwiSaver decisions; Do banks lend more than their total deposits?; Am I brainwashed, and perpetuating myths about family trusts?; Fair enough that housing is not cheap here, says American who moved to NZ.
Q&As: A house looks ridiculously cheap in 1958, but let’s put that into perspective; Retiree hit by inflation acknowledges that it could have been worse; Too hard to get by in New Zealand? Fix it or leave, but don’t whinge; A family wants out of its family trust, which is complex, expensive and not benefitting anyone.
Q&As: Why it takes both partners working to afford a house these days; Buying a house with a co-owner might prove tricky; Did I muddle pounds and dollars?; Big lottery winner would have some negotiating power with a bank — but only so much; Difficulties of borrowing to invest in shares; Winners of seminar tickets.
Q&As: You need to compare rental properties and share investments on the same basis; How does KiwiSaver work for kids, and will the parents “trap” them into something they won’t want as adults?; Should we look at house prices versus household income, rather than individual income, when looking at affordability over time?