Money Talk March 2020
Paying off your mortgage allows you to get stuck into some serious saving
You’ve paid off your mortgage. Yay! But what now?
Paying off your mortgage allows you to get stuck into some serious saving
You’ve paid off your mortgage. Yay! But what now?
Q&As:
– The 3 ways a reader has “chowed through” her mortgage
– It’s not wise to skip health insurance altogether
– Reader gives us a stats lesson, through Bonus Bonds
– Banks’ bonus savings products too complicated
– 2 readers tell of easy ways to give to charity
– No I don’t screen readers’ letters because of their attitudes
Q&As: How to help reluctant grandfather with his finances; Is insurance a rip-off, and therefore you should self-insure?; Now is the wrong time to buy or build — or is it?; Last week’s correspondent opens money conversation with his wife. Money Week theme: Talking about money.
Are New Zealanders insured for bad things happening to them? Findings of a recent survey. Letters from listeners and discussion on: Loss of income insurance; Health insurance; Life insurance.
Q&As: Don’t move your money because of Brexit fears — or any other fears; KiwiSaver details for those turning 18 or 65; Your bank isn’t necessarily your best KiwiSaver provider. How to find out; “Unlucky” reader lucky she took out loss of income insurance; Reader giving non-beneficiaries a bad name; Suggestion for last week’s beneficiary not good for two reasons.
Q&As: All the wrong people have — and don’t have — life insurance; Offset mortgages can work well; Help coming with KiwiSaver tax, but other joint accounts still a problem; Last week’s miffed reader adds light touch to column.
Q&As: Self insure only for the small stuff; KiwiSaver not good for rainy day money – but diversification is important; Can’t beat mortgage repayment after taking tax into account; Mortgage versus KiwiSaver revisited.
Q&As: Should first home buyer put KiwiSaver money into the purchase?; Should pay rise go into mortgage or KiwiSaver?; Is health insurance necessary?; Reader misunderstands role of NZX; NZ Super rises faster than costs, despite reader’s numbers.
Sorting your finances step by step. Based on Mary’s new book “Rich Enough? A laid-back guide for every Kiwi”: Why it’s best to do it in steps. Why the steps are in this order. What the steps cover: Step 1. Start now — it’s easy; Step 2. Kill off high-interest debt; Step 3. Set up insurance — and a rainy day fund; Step 4. Join the best KiwiSaver fund for you; Step 5. Boost your saving painlessly — how and where; Step 6. Stay cool; Step 7. Head confidently towards retirement — and through it; Step ? (when it’s the right time for you — if ever): Buy a house, or sell one.
Q&As: Who to appeal to on KiwiSaver financial hardship withdrawal; Check insurance if doing Airbnb; Upset reader wants me to apologise to fathers; Pick your term when ‘laddering’ term deposits; Ask the bank, and ye shall receive; Tax on landlords ‘would be unfair’; One reason some don’t contribute to KiwiSaver.