THE BEST WAY TO INVEST IN SHARES
A listener’s letter and Mary’s response:
– Starting early is good
– Drip feeding is good
– You don’t need to research companies
– Buy more or less randomly — but vary industries
– Understand a share’s volatility
Low fees are key, but what other factors play into savvy KiwiSaver planning?
Is it wise for a husband and wife to be in the same KiwiSaver scheme?
Why are women more cautious with investments, and should we take more risks?
In some ways women are better investors than men. So how come we often end up with lower savings?
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.
Q&As: Newly divorced woman should buy house — because she wants to!; 2 Q&As on the best time to switch funds, which is when it suits you; AMP’s “woeful” long-term KiwiSaver returns, and what investors should do; You can’t “pay ahead” to get KiwiSaver government contributions.
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.
What most affects your KiwiSaver growth?: Research looks at type of fund, contribution rate, returns, luck, stickability and fees; What you can do about each of these; Main messages.
2 “expert” suggestions in a rising share market — one good, one bad. The good one — Rebalancing: What is it?; Why it can be hard psychologically; How to rebalance. The bad one — Get out of passive (or index) funds: Who does the research?; NZ in last year’s small downturn; US in two market crashes; Conclusion — stick with passive.
Q&As: Italy is bad for bureaucracy, but how about Kiwi girl getting 4¢ tax refund?; Do retirement investment “rules” change if you have big savings?; No we don’t want to reduce picture with column!; Company that performed badly last century doing well now.
Q&As: Should couple in their 40s splash out on an Italian holiday home?; How to invest savings 5 years before retirement; 3 rules of thumb on how much to spend in retirement …; … And how they apply to one couple.