Q&As: How much financial support a reader gives their student son; Two banks offer mortgages that get around problems with revolving credit loans; An accountant’s offer boosts reputation of the profession; Two Q&As about means testing of NZ Super in some circumstances, and how KiwiSaver fits in; Yes, there are plenty of companies that don’t pay dividends.
Q&As: Is share buying just for the elite?; KiwiSaver first home buyer strikes a hitch — but all is well; 60-ish couple could get into rental property; Did our couple blow too much on holidays?
Q&As: Are shares still the best long-term investment, despite recent results?; Investing in bank term deposits has its own risk — that of inflation eating into returns; Older job applicants might want to play down their age on their CV; Volunteering overseas an option for couple in their 60s who can’t find jobs.
Q&As: NZ stock performance over last 10 years — after adjusting for tax, inflation and, perhaps, index changes; Is the gold price bubbly?; Confusion over NZ Super when one partner is under 65.
Q&As: Should KiwiSaver member move to a provider with better investment performance?; Reader “gets it” on why KiwiSaver is so good; Another reader is over-enthusiastic; Is it wise to put more money into KiwiSaver?; Index funds are well and good, but what if everyone invested in them?
Q&As: Why chimpanzee can outdo professional stock pickers; Reader might be able to beat the market in property investment, but he has little chance in shares; Which KiwiSaver providers offer index funds?; Do KiwiSaver changes favour those on high incomes? It depends how you look at it.
Students fail at stock picking, but learn the important lesson. The students in a university financial literacy course that I teach are lousy at picking stocks. But that doesn’t matter. Hopefully in the course of the “Stock Picking Game” they learn plenty.
Q&As: Should couple with iffy job prospects sell their shares to slash their mortgage?; Young KiwiSaver with an eye on first home help should move to a lower-risk fund; One KiwiSaver doesn’t appreciate how good his deal is…; And another is sick of whingers over the scheme; Did my comment about people’s inability to pick investments cover advisers?
Q&As: A reader’s attempt to recover tax on finance company interest is a nice try, but…; Wanting less and working less doesn’t preclude tall poppies; Creative ideas on how to cut household expenses; Did I get the banking system wrong, or did a reader?; At least one bank — sort of — will lend to share investors.
Q&As: Why it takes both partners working to afford a house these days; Buying a house with a co-owner might prove tricky; Did I muddle pounds and dollars?; Big lottery winner would have some negotiating power with a bank — but only so much; Difficulties of borrowing to invest in shares; Winners of seminar tickets.