No Stupid Questions with Susan Edmunds

Say you've been trading in crypto currencies. You know if you are making money you need to declare it. But you're not making money. Instead, you're losing it. Is there a way to write those losses off against other income? We all know we should have long term savings and investments. But how much will high inflation mess around with your returns? And are there any restrictions on who can offer a KiwiSaver fund?In this episode, Susan answers questions about:If someone was to make a loss trading crypto how does one write those losses off against other income?What the implications are of higher inflation on long-term savings and investment?Is there is a vetting process determining whether a fund is allowed to be part of the KiwiSaver investment options, and, if so, what the vetting criteria might be?Does paying tax on the employer contribution to KiwiSaver almost make it meaningless?Despite all the uncertainty in the world, my KiwiSaver fund is rebounding. Why?And why is the Tenancy Tribunal getting so many applications written by AI?If you have a money question you'd like Susan to answer, put it in an email or voice memo, then send it to questions@rnz.co.nz.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

You're retired, thinking about the next stage and your house doesn't fit your needs anymore. Is it best to downsize now or wait for another time? Speaking of retiring, is KiwiSaver a safer place for your money than a bank account? Where will you get the highest returns? We all know there's a squeeze on fuel supplies right now. Has the quality of what we're buying decreased?In this episode, Susan answers questions about:Should I downsize now or wit for a better time?Is KiwiSaver a safer place for my money, or a bank account? Which gives me the best return?Has the quality of the fuel we buy decreased?Are we paying higher prices for fuel that arrived before the war in the Middle East?What is the equivalent minimum wage for the self-employed?I canceled my Life Insurance which automatically canceled my wife's. How is that possible in 2026?And why am I paying more for rest home care when I qualify for the government subsidy?If you have a money question you'd like Susan to answer, put it in an email or voice memo, then send it to questions@rnz.co.nz.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Over the six months or so that Susan has been answering your money questions, we've received many about life after retirement - and even more about KiwiSaver. April 1 sees change coming to the KiwiSaver scheme. The default rate of contributions will change, as will government and employer contributions. To mark these changes and to celebrate our 25th programme, this episode of No Stupid Questions with Susan Edmunds will be a KiwiSaver bonanza!In this episode, Susan answers questions about:How likely is it for any government to remove the option of withdrawing KiwiSaver money to buy a first home?Should we transfer most of our money to a bank until the middle east conflict settles?Why do workers over 65 still not get paid KiwiSaver by some employers?What is going to be better in the long run, low fees or higher returns?If the age of entitlement to pension rises, will the age of eligibility for KiwiSaver also rise?Stuff is getting more expensive to buy. Why? And what's the solution?And when did New Zealand first attempt a major superannuation scheme?If you have a money question you'd like Susan to answer, put it in an email or voice memo, then send it to questions@rnz.co.nz.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

You might own a lot, you might own a little, but you probably still need to write a will. But do you have to use a lawyer to do it? There are changes coming to KiwiSaver contribution rates. Who will miss out? And how do donation credits actually work? In this episode, Susan answers questions about:How will the changes to KiwiSaver contribution rates affect you?How does the donation tax credit actually work?Why aren't spouses paid to be caregivers?Are there still benefits to KiwiSaver when the government contribution stops?Do you have to write a will with a lawyer or can you write your own, have it witnessed and just keep it in a safe place?What items have gotten cheaper over the last 10 years?And which part of the country has the highest uptake on solar power?If you have a money question you'd like Susan to answer, put it in an email or voice memo, then send it to questions@rnz.co.nz.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Quite a few Aussie banks operate here in New Zealand as well as over the ditch. Are Kiwis being offered the same deals as their Australian cousins? If we can peg property rates to inflation, then why not electricity prices? Parents have a legal duty to look after their children, obviously, but at what age does that responsibility end? Susan answers all these questions as well as what's included in tax refunds on donations (and what isn't), how benefit sanctions are managed and which parts of the country pay the highest power bills.Episode detailsIn this episode, Susan answers questions about:00.33 Can we peg power prices to the rate of inflation?4.17 Are the big Aussie banks treating Kiwis like mugs?9.10 How long are parents and stepparents legally responsible for their kids?11.54 Does my employer have to apply the new KiwiSaver increase?12.36 Why aren't admin costs included in my donation tax refund?14.38 And where in New Zealand do we pay the most for power?If you have a money question you'd like Susan to answer, put it in an email or voice memo, then send it to questions@rnz.co.nz.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Your kids are all grown up now, having families, buying homes of their own and working hard to make ends meet. Wouldn't this be the best time for them to inherit your money? Have we got the wrong approach to inheritances? Susan has answers for this, as well as what the tax situation is when buying a house overseas, whether financial advisers who are paid on commission can really be objective and what to look out for when insuring your car.Episode detailsIn this episode, Susan answers questions about:00.51 What exactly is the OCR?2.42 What are the tax implications when buying an offshore apartment?5.17 Do we have inheritances all wrong?8.12 What are banks saying about the future of house insurance?10.22 Can financial advisers every truly be impartial?12.44 What you need to know about insuring your car13.41 And is a 1983 car better value than one from today?If you have a money question you'd like Susan to answer, put it in an email or voice memo, then send it to questions@rnz.co.nz.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Plenty of us rent the homes we live in. How do we know if we're paying more for it than we should? Susan finds out and asks if anyone is making money from your rental bond, as well as how to avoid being scammed when you're investing, and whether your LEGO collection is a good investment or not.In this episode, Susan answers questions about:00.55 What to do if you think you're paying more than market rent5.38 Is anyone making money from your rental bond6.49 What happens if a parent dies with no money to pay for their funeral8.03 How to avoid the scammers when you've got lots of money to invest10.35 Why your KiwiSaver account is not being scammed12.39 How to protect yourself from being ripped off when buying online13.34 Why your KiwiSaver balance doesn't count against your pension14.07 And whether your LEGO collection is a good investmentIf you have a money question you'd like Susan to answer, put it in an email or voice memo, then send it to questions@rnz.co.nz.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Can I invest in gold through my KiwiSaver? Will I still get my pension if I live on my boat? And what is a disappointment gap? Questions this week for Susan:00.54 Can I invest in gold through my KiwiSaver?02.39 I qualify for superannuation but still have a mortgage. Will that affect my tax rate?04.31 Can my employer deduct KiwiSaver my from my hourly rate of pay?07.20 If I live on my yacht, can I still claim superannuation?08.55 Do I pay GST on capital gains?10.43 What is the 'Disappointment Gap'?12.24 Audience Q&A for the week: in what year did waterbeds and wine cooler drop out of the Consumer Price Index?Expert input this week came from Greg Smith at Generate, Anne-Marie Lockyer at Pie Funds, GST expert Alan Bullot and Shamubeel Eaquab from Simplicity.If you have a money question you'd like Susan to answer, put it in an email or voice memo, then send it to questions@rnz.co.nz.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

My tradie asked to be paid in cash...will that get me in trouble with the IRD? Where's the best place to keep an emergency fund? And are rewards points really worth it?Episode detailsQuestions this week for Susan:Where should I put my emergency money, in a manged fund, term deposit or just a bank account?When the Reserve Bank changes the official cash rate, where does the extra money I pay on my mortgage go?Which kinds of KiwiSaver funds are seeing the most hardship withdrawals?If I'm paying a surcharge on my credit card, does that cost more than the Hot Points I earn?If a tradie asks me to pay in cash, can I get in trouble with the IRD?Audience Q&A for the week: what sort of increase in spending is normal at Christmas?Expert input this week came from Dean Anderson at Kernel, David Cunningham at Squirrel, investment adviser Jeremy Sullivan and Robyn Walker at Deloitte.If you have a money question you'd like Susan to answer, put it in an email or voice memo, then send it to questions@rnz.co.nz.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A lot of people put money away for their children's future. But is a savings account the best way to do that? And if I invest in the sharemarket, is a growth fund too risky? Do I play it safe or go for gold?Episode detailsQuestions this week for Susan:00.52 What is a capital change notice?3.44 Why do petrol pumps warn you that a hold is being placed on your credit card?5.25 What has happened to my late daughter's Australian super?6.43 Should I save or invest for my child's future?8.29 Audience Q&A for the week.Expert input this week came from Rupert Carlyon from Kiwisaver provider Koura, and Ana-Marie Lockyer at Pie Funds, If you have a money question you'd like Susan to try and answer, put it in an email or voice memo, then send it to questions@rnz.co.nz.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Borrowing money these days seems to involve so much paperwork. Why?Questions this week for Susan:Is private school worth the money?Is it worth getting a second job?Do I have to pay gift tax?And why are banks so stuck on paperwork?Expert input this week came from Dr Michael Johnson, Robyn Walker, Greg Bunkall, and Anne Marie LockyerIf you have a money question you'd like Susan to try and answer, put it in an email or voice memo, then send it to questions@rnz.co.nz.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Is it better to be alive in 1985 or in 2025?Questions this week for Susan:Why can’t we take GST off fresh food?What is gift tax?How do I split the bills when a relative moves in?And were we all better off in the 80s?Expert input this week came from Brad Olsen, Craig Renney, Shamubeel Eaqub, David Verry and RNZ Morning Report host Corin Dann.If you have a money question you'd like Susan to try and answer, put it in an email or voice memo, then send it to questions@rnz.co.nz.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

When money people and politicians talk about the "bank of Mum and Dad", what does that really mean?If you have a question you'd like Susan to answer, you can email her at questions@rnz.co.nz. We'd love to hear from you!Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details