Q&As: Dad misunderstands how best to contribute to children’s KiwiSaver accounts; KiwiSaver, 24, wonders whether to aim at first home or retirement money; How we blew our chance to adjust taxes for inflation; Further thoughts on inflation and the capital gains tax; Suggestion to ‘Caravan woman’ that she sells at least one rental property.
Q&As: 54-year-old’s plan to take off in caravan gets a big tick; People using homes partly for business caught by tax proposals; How do the wealthy hide income?; How CGT would affect 40 and 60-year-olds in KiwiSaver…; … And those in retirement.
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.
Q&As: “Better area” doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a better investment; TSB is like Kiwibank on term deposit rules; Should superannuitant put inheritance in KiwiSaver to avoid means test?; Parents in 70s should quit work and get assistance; Advantages of not getting residential care subsidy; 55-year-old might as well retire.
Q&As: Penalty acceptable for breaking term deposit, but not month-long wait; Another theory on “rule of thumb”; More on “government pays” versus “taxpayer pays”; Reader’s parents “milked the system”; Meaningful Christmas gifts.
Q&As: Reader prefers “taxpayer pays” rather than “government pays”; How do trusts affect the residential care subsidy?; Stats on retirement income confuse a reader; Book winners — six of the best.
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: Do we need $1 million for retirement?; Is “rule of thumb” offensive?; Advice that has stood the test of time; Reader says property manager well worth it; Is buying jewelry a way to get subsidy?
Q&As: It’s great to be a cash buyer; Should couple in 70s panic about their KiwiSaver?; Reader plans way to get more from the government; Retired couple should consider retirement villages.