The Investor 5 June 2010
Plans or no plans?: Readers differ. If you’ve wondered who that bloke is hanging around stores in the weekend watching people buy 3D television sets, it could be Blair Vernon.
The Investor 22 May 2010
Confession time about retirement plans and goals. I’m going to commit sacrilege here. But it’s not as if I haven’t thought long and hard about it. So okay, deep breath, here we go: Contrary to what many will tell you, it’s quite possible to be financially together and not have a detailed written plan on how to fund your retirement — or even a retirement savings goal.
The Investor 13 February 2010
Wanted: Clear thinking on GST. A lot of nonsense has been spoken about GST since John Key more or less said the government will increase that tax — probably to 15 per cent — and use the money to cut income tax rates.
The Investor 30 January 2010
Oh no, oh no, it’s off to work we go. Returning to work after a holiday is rarely easy. Back when I was employed — as opposed to self employed — I remember always feeling as if I were in the wrong job on my first few days back at work.
NZ Herald 12 December 2009
Q&As: Which investment advisers charge fees — and why that is a good start. Plus: Winners of draw to go to Taskforce breakfast and lunch.
NZ Herald 7 March 2009
Q&As: Don’t try to time markets. Stick with your regular retirement savings, although you may want to modify where you save; Teen’s worries are unfounded about how Dad’s income would affect KiwiSaver first home subsidy — but other subsidy issues still undecided; Tax-wise, it’s better to borrow for taxable activities than to buy a family home. Plus: Clarification on the taxation of interest on loans between family members.
The Investor 2 September 2008
Is saving always good? In some circles, saving has a bad name. People think it’s about deprivation — “I either save or I spend, and spending is more fun.”
NZ Herald 26 April 2008
Q&As: KiwiSaver the last straw for employer of “whinging, incompetent” New Zealanders; Reserve Bank offers some reassurance for reader worried that NZ banks could be caught up in their foreign parent’s woes…; …But if you’re still worried, consider the safest investments of all, government securities.
NZ Herald 9 February 2008
Q&As: Calculator tells reader to stop saving and live it up a bit; Reader who finds KiwiSaver nauseating has a scary list of things that could go wrong…; …But another one applauds KiwiSaver, while sitting on the home ownership sidelines.
NZ Herald 18 August 2007
Q&As: Man lives in NZ but his savings are in the US. When should he bring the money here, in light of the dollar’s fluctuations?; 3 Q&As on when the KiwiSaver tax credit begins — depending on when you join and/or start making contributions. Also: More winners in our giveaway of “KiwiSaver: How to make it work for you”.