Banking in tough times — how we’re doing, plus payee confirmation coming at last!:
– How many apply for hardship
– How we run our credit cards
– Types of mortgages — what’s best?
– Use of term deposits
– Payee confirmation — see who you are paying online
How is your financial wellbeing?
– Produced by Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission
– Doesn’t test financial knowledge, but how well you are coping with your money
– Brief discussion of what’s behind the questions
– If you want to read the quiz, go to the Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission website
Big rates rise? Consider rates postponement
– Some councils offer for everyone, others just for those on lower incomes
– Frees up money for expenses — or fun!
– You pay no rates, but owe your council the money — pay back when you sell house or die
– Some fees plus compounding interest, but house value should grow more than debt
– Check your council’s website
– Another idea: pay smaller amounts more often
A big chance to make big progress with your mortgage
– When your mortgage rate falls, stick to your old payments
– Save big money on total interest paid
– Pay off your mortgage years earlier
– Use the mortgage calculator on Sorted
– A listener who is using his tax cut to reduce his mortgage
Q&As:
– Grandpa teaches money in a fun way
– Ideas for term depositors facing lower interest
– When to switch KiwiSaver providers — and when not to
– Far away rental could be worrying
– Making the most of tax cuts and mortgage interest cuts
Buying a first home — after loss of KiwiSaver grant
– But first: a comment on Budget tax cuts — try to save that money!
– KiwiSaver still best for first home saving — despite loss of grant.
– Other help with buying first home…
– … Or rent long-term, while saving hard.
– Where to invest your long-term savings?
Q&As:
– New graduate gets help with budgeting and saving
– How to cope with never-ending bills
– Correction on last column: Tax cuts not yet finalized
– Transition year coming for tax
– Argument for no tax on crypto and gold
– Reader unhappy about capital gains tax ideas
Plus:
– Mary talking in New Plymouth
How women and men invest differently — the good and bad
– Women run everyday money better
– But financial knowledge gap increases with age
– Retirement savings gap
– Women trade less — good!
– But women take too little risk
– Good news on parental leave and KiwiSaver
How to boost your saving
– Open separate account
– Set a goal
– Pay yourself first
– Start small
– Play mind games
– When expenses or taxes decrease…
– Inheritances and wins
– The pay rise promise
Q&As:
– Life insurance is usually for more than the funeral
– How to run elderly relative’s finances
Plus:
– Upside Downside: Risky behaviour: Expecting past performance to continue