Smart Money

All investment accounts are a bit touch and go at the moment.  If you're checking your KiwiSaver more than a few times a year, the amount of movement could really start to get to your head.  But for those close to or at retirement age, or about to withdraw for whatever reason - a volatile market can make all the difference.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We often think of trusts as a way to protect your assets, especially if you work in certain fields - but a surprising number of regular families use them for a range of reasons.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prices are going up.  Food prices are up, and will keep going up alongside fuel. Practically any goods that travel by land air or ocean to get to you will become increasingly unaffordable for the foreseeable future.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From April 1st, the KiwiSaver minimum default contribution rate will move up to 3.5%.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ethical investing seems to be a hot topic when it comes to choosing an investment fund or KiwiSaver provider.  I've often heard providers boast that their fund is ethical - they avoid weapons manufacturers, focus on renewable and sustainable energy - you won't feel a possible sense of guilt around where your money is going.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Growing older is expensive - much more expensive than most people realise.  When you or a loved one either decides to move into aged care or is forced to do so, the Ministry of Social Development will quickly swoop in to flip through all their finances.  Any assets, gifted funds, trusts, even living rent free - it's all looked at and impacts their chances of government-subsidised care.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As you get older, your health becomes more and more of a worry, so life insurance seems like a no-brainer. But is it? Do you really need it after the mortgage is paid and the kids are on their own? And what policies are must-haves, against ones that are just nice to have?  Financial Author Martin Hawes joins Tim Beveridge to give his insurance advice and explain the pros and cons of different policies.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Often trust have been seen to be province of the uber wealthy. But are they? And often people don't think about this issue until it is too late So when should we think about these issues - our family. inheritances and what's gonna happen to our money when we aren't around to look after it? Managing Director for New Zealand Family Trust Services Limited Janet Xuccoa joins Tim Beveridge to give her advice on trust accounts, and how they should be used. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We got another OCR cut this week - now down to 2.25% - the lowest it's been since June of 2022.  That was the last one for the year, so a lot of us mortgage holders are trying to figure out whether things are slowing down, and if it's time to fix for a longer term this time around.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most of us have spent the past few days daydreaming about what we would spend $55 million on.  Pay off the mortgage, book a holiday, send some off to charity, throw the rest in a term deposit. Three lucky punters each one a share of the jackpot last night - $18.3 million each.  Not many of us will have the chance to come across tens of millions in our lives, but most of us will at some point get a large some from inheritance or a bonus or the likes.  So what's the smart thing to do when you get a big windfall, before the excitement takes over?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dame Noeline Taurua was stood down as the coach of the Silver Ferns in September due to 'significant issues' in the team. After many public statements and interviews, she was reinstated at the end of last month.  Netball NZ, her employer, remained just vague enough that the public could allow their imaginations to run wild about what had happened.  Andrew Bayly, MP for Port Waikato, resigned as a Minister after an 'animated discussion' during which he placed his hand on a staffers arm. He said he was led to believe a complaint had been laid, and his resignation was in response to that - but he very recently discovered that no formal complaint was made.  Luxon has since said about Bayly, that he would have sacked him if he hadn't resigned first.  But what is the right way to go about an employment dispute like these? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An interesting report came out this week about budgets: the average household spending has only gone up two dollars a week since 2023. 50-percent of respondents said they're actively seeking out discounts and promotions - and 30-percent downgrade brands. It's one thing to be spending less on non-essentials, eating less, or wearing cheaper clothes, but sometimes that can chip away at our mental health and confidence. So how can we still feel good and financial okay, with what we've got? On the topic of household budgets: when do you merge finances with your partner or spouse? How do you do it? What should you be careful of? Financial specialist, and author of top Personal Finance book - Money Matters - Amanda Morall joins Tim Beveridge for Smart Money...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The economy had a worse than expected drop in the June quarter, shrinking 0.9%.  Finance Minister Nicola Willis has blamed it on global turmoil, but the Reserve Bank of New Zealand says there's a need to provide more stimulus to the economy by cutting the OCR.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.