Mortgages

RNZ Radio 25 February 2021

February 25, 2021
RNZ Radio

Follow-up from last time: If not paying extra off mortgage, where is best place to invest? Shares?
– But first: 2 texts commenting on last session
– Alternative investments need to be: high enough risk, long-term. Also: can you cope with volatility? Are you strong financially?
– 2 choices: property and shares. Are they over-valued?
– Rental property might work, but…
– Shares: Some people too fearful, others too brave.
– 2 ways to approach shares: trade, or hold for long term.
– 2 ways to select shares: pick individual shares, use share fund
– In a share fund, 2 styles: active and passive.

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RNZ Radio 11 February 2021

February 11, 2021
RNZ Radio

Is paying down your mortgage still the best strategy?
What to do with extra savings — beyond KiwiSaver minimums etc.
Also lump sums — inheritance, redundancy, win
– Mortgage used to be the winner — after include tax and fees. Now — with 2–3% loans?
– Other options: more into KiwiSaver, non-KiwiSaver funds, shares, rental property?
– The main issue: risk — needs to be high enough risk, long-term. Can you cope with volatility? Are you strong financially?
– Other issues: security (psychological and financial), simplicity, but diversification, learning about markets
– Penalties for paying fixed-term mortgage early
– Conclusion: perhaps do what you want!

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RNZ Radio 17 December 2020

December 17, 2020
RNZ Radio

You don’t HAVE to jump on house buying bandwagon!
– First homebuyers and investors in rental property
– Market has gone mad! Prices and sales
– Last time sales were high — then what happened?
– First home buyers: wait and keep saving, or buy and don’t worry
– Investors: No high return with low risk. Do worst case scenario

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NZ Herald 12 December 2020

December 12, 2020
NZ Herald Q&A Column

Q&As:
– Young couple should maybe take a rest from house hunting
– Which mortgage term? Split it
– Reader argues for concentrating on energy shares, but I disagree
– Why Boomers have had bad luck with Southern Cross
– Online game aims to help children learn about money

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NZ Herald 7 November 2020

November 7, 2020
NZ Herald Q&A Column

Q&As:
– Ignore hot tip about market downturn — unless it scares you
– Switching from term deposits to KiwiSaver in retirement is not without risk
– “Millionaire-making” companies on warnings list
– Weighing up mortgage offerings is tricky
– Covid-19 aside, bank communicated poorly

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NZ Herald 17 October 2020

October 17, 2020
NZ Herald Q&A Column

Q&As:
– Boys’ KiwiSaver first home savings should work well
– No clear answer for family’s mortgage dilemma
– What if that cheque had been bigger?
– Reader can still call it a “cheque” account!
– Challenge on PIE tax only partly right

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RNZ Radio 24 September 2020

September 24, 2020
RNZ Radio

Handling debt — from mortgages to buy now pay later.
– Worries — job losses, rising interest rates
– 2 types of borrowing — for things that grow in value and things that don’t
– Deferring payments — what that means
– Pay off highest interest first
– Set up automatic payments
– Add to mortgage?
– Buy now pay later. No interest but fees if late.
– In trouble with a loan? Talk to lender.

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NZ Herald 19 September 2020

September 19, 2020
NZ Herald Q&A Column

Q&As:
– Are you getting as much NZ Super as you should be?
– KiwiSaver withdrawals are tax-free
– Reader “finds” $45,000
– ASB and ANZ still not offering offset mortgages
– Bonus Bonds payout for people overseas
– FMA is watching ANZ on Bonus Bonds
– Unlikely someone else will start Bonus Bonds lookalike

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