The Investor 27 February 2010
Readers react over GST. Two readers sound angry about my last column about GST. Some of their points are valid, but over all I think they just didn’t “get” it.
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 14 July 2009
Recession could be a blessing for most. The response to a question in a recent survey bothered me a little. Asked what they would do with a $10,000 cash windfall, 54.3 per cent of the respondents said they would pay off debt or save the money — down from 58.3 per cent three months earlier. It’s not exactly a huge drop. But I was hoping for a substantial increase.
NZ Herald 6 December 2008
Q&As: Couple can afford to retire youngish, especially if they are willing to eat into their savings; Cash PIE not always a good substitute for a term deposit — but there’s another way to achieve reader’s goal using PIE tax advantages.
NZ Herald 29 November 2008
Q&As: Repaying a mortgage — on a home or rental property — almost always better than saving with term deposits; KiwiSaver works well for children; 3 Q&As on charitable Christmas giving.
The Investor 25 November 2008
Christmas giving that makes you happier too. Struggling retailers aren’t going to like this, but how about we make 2008 the year we stop spending ridiculous amounts on Christmas presents we don’t need — and often don’t even like?
NZ Herald 22 November 2008
Q&As: Does charity begin in the home country? Salvation Army programme looks good; List of overseas charities with Christmas gift offerings; National’s KiwiSaver changes could discourage single Mum trying to get ahead — but there’s hope they will be altered; The whole KiwiSaver mortgage diversion issue will be much easier for many under National’s changes. Plus: Readers on KiwiSaver.
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 19 July 2008
Q&As: Stop worrying about money, says former spendthrift, now in his seventies; Employee KiwiSaver can do very nicely thank you if she or he has several employers; Let’s list the KiwiSaver good guy employers, rather than the others; Employer is confused by government’s planned KiwiSaver changes.
The Investor 27 May 2008
If the Government can do it… If there’s one topic that I should write about more often, but I avoid because I fear it will turn people off, it’s budgeting. But with the government’s Budget in the news, now is as good a time as any to consider the way we — as individuals or couples — spend our money. And I promise not to get preachy.