Getting through Christmas without going broke. Also, the big spender and the big saver. For big savers, Christmas is no problem. But there’s a downside. More later… Turning to the big spenders: What really makes the kids happy?; Ways to cut back gift giving; Tips on shopping wisely; Meaningful Christmas gifts; Spending lots on food and booze. Back to the big savers — a challenge for them (Includes lots of suggestions from listeners).
Q&As: 80-year-old is still spending up large; What happens when bank KiwiSaver providers invest heavily in their own products?; The complexities of buying an apartment; Another KiwiSaver provider offers regular withdrawals in retirement; Auckland housing market not a Ponzi scheme, but how about the Greater Fool theory?
Q&As: How a woman who can’t stop herself from spending could tie up an inheritance; Extra house savings may be better outside KiwiSaver; Saving in or out of KiwiSaver, and 55-year-old can still aim at home ownership; More information about life expectancy; Is ageism rearing its ugly head amongst pensioners?
Q&As: KiwiSaver accounts very unlikely to go to zero, but nor are they guaranteed; What happens to KiwiSaver money when the person dies?; NZ Super is indeed paid from current taxes; Have retired people paid towards their NZ Super?; Reader challenges my comments about some people paying for their rest home care; Some retirees need “permission” to enjoy spending their money.
Q&As: Retired couple paying for rest home now wish they had spent more earlier; Are NZ Super recipients beneficiaries?; Reader thinks it’s bad to eat into capital in retirement; How couple might set up a first home account.
Q&As: Banks give teenagers credit too easily; Credit union offers lower-interest deal to credit card borrowers; Retiree “invests in people”; 55-year-old spending while she’s able; Financial adviser struggles with how others do it.
Q&As: 70-year-olds should skip buying unit and spend their savings; How to set up a regular income from bank term deposits; One reader applauds my being tough on those with big credit card debt…; …While another is incensed by it.
Q&As: Insuring KiwiSaver against losses in last year an idea worth considering; Disagreement on the rate at which cars depreciate; A good car buying strategy; Reader is confused about overseas pension and NZ Super; What countries your spouse worked in can also affect your NZ Super.
Financial misbehaviour disappointing. Ironically, a survey on New Zealanders’ financial behaviour was released just days before Christmas — a time of much financial misbehaviour, when everyone’s saying, “I don’t care what it costs, I’ve just got to buy something for Uncle Fred.”
Q&As: Interest-only mortgages have major flaws; Another — good — approach to reverse mortgages; Are the banks ripping us off with reverse mortgages?; Spending certainly didn’t decrease for this new retiree; KiwiSaver contributions flexible.