Term deposits

RNZ Radio 8 April 2021

Low-risk funds — a good alternative to bank term deposits
(But first — a quick follow-up on share trading)
– Defensive and conservative funds, in and out of KiwiSaver
– Where to get info — Smart Investor tool. Look for low fees.
– Don’t panic when balance falls a bit
– Comparison with bank term deposits:
— Pluses: withdrawals, PIE tax, safety
— Minuses: fees, don’t know returns, some volatility

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RNZ Radio 11 March 2021

Emergency — or rainy day — money
– But first — win a copy of Mary’s new book!
– Make emergency money your second to top priority
– When things go wrong…
– How much do you need?
– How to set up saving for this
– Where to keep the money
– Use your mortgage?
– Charity fund?
– If you use the money, top up again!

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NZ Herald 27 February 2021

Q&As:
– Share market not yet like tulip bulbs — stay invested!
– Are passive investments the next bubble? Plus a note on mis-timing the market
– Low-risk funds not all like bank term deposits
– Risk and return do go together, despite reader’s claims
– Landlords can get hit in a long-term rental

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NZ Herald 20 February 2021

Q&As:
– Safe, accessible, and going backwards — invest beyond bank accounts
– KiwiSaver a good spot for grandfather’s gifts
– My “cavalier response” last week about p/e ratios angers reader
– Comments from a café in Thames
– Why long-term rental leases might not work…
– … And how they might be made to work

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NZ Herald 7 November 2020

Q&As:
– Ignore hot tip about market downturn — unless it scares you
– Switching from term deposits to KiwiSaver in retirement is not without risk
– “Millionaire-making” companies on warnings list
– Weighing up mortgage offerings is tricky
– Covid-19 aside, bank communicated poorly

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NZ Herald 10 October 2020

Q&As:
– Time to accept that cheques are a thing of the past, and learn online banking
– “What’s that?” — the young ask about a cheque book
– For short-term money use term deposits or a cash fund
– Reader misses the point about fun element in Bonus Bonds
– One bank offers car and cash prizes on savings
– How to seek refund if you’ve overpaid tax on NZ Super

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RNZ Radio 8 October 2020

What is investment risk and what can you do about it?
New free booklet I wrote: Hit and Myths — an introductory guide to investing — at fma.govt.nz
Today we look at one of the booklet’s 8 Myths About Investing: “Investing is too risky”. Types of risk:
– You won’t get the return you want because of inflation
– You won’t get the return you want because of volatility
– You’ll lose some or all of your money
Importance of diversification
You can also watch a webinar I did with FMA on investing, at fma.govt.nz

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NZ Herald 3 October 2020

Q&As:
– Rule shows how long it takes for an investment — and a debt — to double
– One reader quits Bonus Bonds for term deposits…
– … While another suggests a way to keep the fun rolling on
– Bonus Bonds exit annoys businessman
– Move from term deposits into KiwiSaver fund ups the volatility
– Better to leave the money in two countries than one
Plus:
– Your questions, a webinar and a guide to investing

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RNZ Radio 10 September 2020

What to do about low interest rates at banks (and the demise of Bonus Bonds)
– Not as bad as people think
– But still many unhappy
– Suitable alternatives — safe, low volatility — offset mortgages, cash funds, low-risk KiwiSaver funds
– Be braver? — if long-term money — middle-risk KiwiSaver funds. Probably not higher-risk funds or shares or rentals

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NZ Herald 29 August 2020

Q&As:
– Solo mum should check out government help on buying a first home
– Advice for last week’s reader with $1.5 million in the bank — give some away…
– … And put the rest in more than one bank
– Should couple’s KiwiSaver accounts be with different providers?
– The law on relationship property after a couple splits — and how to contract out

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