Q&As: ‘Laddering’ term deposits has several advantages; Riskier funds tend to do better, but fees hit reader’s returns; Get agent’s advice on upgrading house before selling?; Reader’s first KiwiSaver tax credit a disappointment.
Q&As: A reader challenges my 2008 advice on term deposits; Another wants to buy — not sell — UK shares right now; Family should consider inner Auckland townhouse; My motive is uncovered!; Some lucky reading at McDonalds; Corrections.
More on spreading your money around: How to diversify each type of asset; Chances of your account balance falling; Diversifying… around the world; …With mortgages; …Over time.
Two key points about investing: 1. What should you invest in? — How to work out the right assets for you; Taking the easy way out. 2. Why diversify — and how? — Lots of shares, bonds, properties; Spreading over different types of assets.
Different types of investments: The main ones — cash, bonds, property and shares; More about bonds; How to tell how risky a bond is; What about forestry, collectibles etc?; What is a managed fund?
Q&As: Reader suggests an economist could explain unfair tax on term deposits and property investment; …And the economist does so; Shares work well for retiree; 3 ways another retiree could cut expenses; How to reduce the cost of a funeral; Debt-dodging daughter should attend a course.
Q&As: Judge interest rates against inflation; Retired couple seek higher returns; KiwiSaver provider drops fees on low balances; Young home buyers weigh up fixed and floating mortgages.
Q&As: Forget Lotto and enter competitions; Are Bonus Bonds a good substitute for health insurance?; Shares not the answer for student’s savings; Reader dislikes my comments about young landlord; Request for pros and cons of living on a boat.
Q&As: Are Bonus Bonds a good place for retirement savings?; How safe are Bonus Bonds?; Another KiwiSaver provider that allows regular withdrawals in retirement; Happy reader moving into new home — thanks partly to this column.
Q&As: Calculators that measure your life expectancy more accurately; Is it better to repay a mortgage or save?; Don’t overreact to worry that KiwiSaver retirement withdrawals could be limited; Don’t assume any interest rate trend will continue; What would happen to members’ savings if a KiwiSaver provider went bust.