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
Q&As:
– With assets behind you, have fun!
– Provider could do better — but so could investor
– 2 Q&As on gifts to grandchildren
– Which is safer — bank deposits or PIE funds?
Q&As:
– Consider dropping life insurance when you are older…
– … But don’t drop health insurance!
– 2 readers manage fine in retirement without huge savings
– The big worry with reverse mortgages
– Readers’ kind letters
Q&As:
– How much do you need for retirement? …
– … One reader is happy with not much
– Borrowing versus KiwiSaver hardship withdrawal
– Tax when bullion or crypto is inherited
– How capital gains tax could handle expenses
– Do I know enough to write this column?
Q&As:
– How should terminal cancer patient handle her money?
– Tax ideas:
– Tax-free amount for low earners?
– Get rid of cash?
– Use GST only?
– Don’t forget brightline test
– Yes, you have plenty to retire on…
– … Superannuitant gets along fine on just NZ Super
Struggling to pay rates? Try a rebate or postponement:
(First: A comment on National’s proposed KiwiSaver changes)
– People facing big rate rises
– Different councils’ offerings
– Rebates for people on low incomes
– Postponement in some cases for everyone
– How it works
– How to get help with this
Q&As:
– Become a digital nomad — but keep the house
– What it’s like working with a financial mentor
– Sell the house and rent in retirement?
– Some banks reject parents’ loans to children for house buying
– A warning on lending to an elderly parent
Q&As:
– Help for low-income people in rundown house…
– … And for woman with inheritance
– … And for reader with lousy luck
– Lend rather than give money to offspring to buy a home
– Letters about banking headed for Commerce Commission
Q&As:
– Term deposit website worries me
– Not easy to invest for teens without their knowing
– Clever idea for helping your child into their first home
– Readers’ stories about switching to smaller banks
Q&As:
– Where can 16-year-old get term deposit in their own name?
– The perils of guaranteeing an adult child’s mortgage
– Budget adviser likes reverse mortgages
– Colourful quotes from Bernard Baruch
Plus:
– Your story about switching banks