Cheques and Balances

Not all property titles are created equal. We break down freehold, cross-lease, unit, and leasehold titles, including what each means for buyers, the potential lending and renovation implications, and the key things you should check before making an offer on a property. Next steps: Found a property you’re interested in? Get in touch with the Lighthouse Mortgage team to understand your lending opti...

National says no new taxes, but can New Zealand actually afford that promise? James, Mike and Matt unpack National’s “No New Taxes” pledge, how the Government could return to surplus without raising new taxes, the debate over spending and economic growth, and how it stacks up against Labour’s capital gains tax and other tax proposals. Watch our episode breaking down Labour’s tax policy Next Steps:...

Some KiwiSaver funds are smashing it. Others are leaving investors wondering what they’re paying for. In this episode, we reveal the top-performing KiwiSaver funds across balanced, growth and aggressive categories, unpack the impact of fees on long-term returns, and explain what you should actually look at when deciding whether your KiwiSaver provider and fund are right for you. Next steps: Compar...

Could Labour’s latest tax proposals give small business the break it needs? James, Mike and Matt unpack Labour’s proposed changes to payment terms, the asset write-off threshold and GST registration, what they could mean for New Zealand’s small-business sector, and the tax changes Matt believes could help get businesses and the wider economy moving again. Next steps: Running a business and want to...

From corporate careers to property investing, this is where things really started to change. In Part 2 of Mike and James' personal wealth journey, they unpack leaving corporate banking, taking the leap into Lighthouse, building their careers and wealth, investing in property, the financial decisions they wish they'd made earlier, and what success looks like today. Missed Part 1? Watch it h...

Your parents don’t need a pile of cash to help you buy your first home. James and Mike break down three ways parents can help first home buyers in NZ get onto the property ladder, from a gifted deposit or family loan to using parents’ equity, plus the lending requirements and risks to consider when buying your first home. Next steps: Looking to buy your first home but not sure how to pull together...

Retirement is when you finally get to spend your money - but how do you make sure you don’t run out? James and Mike break down withdrawal rates, sequencing risk, market downturns, cash buffers and how to structure your investments so you can enjoy retirement without eating through your capital too quickly. Missed Part One? Before you start spending your retirement savings, you need to know how to...

Building an emergency fund is hard when everyday life already costs so much. James and Mike break down how to build your first $1,000 emergency fund, where to find extra money in your budget, whether to save or pay down debt first, how much you should ultimately have set aside, and where your emergency savings should actually live. Next Steps: Want to get a better handle on where your money is goi...

What would it actually take to make New Zealand wealthier? Sam Stubbs, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Simplicity, shares his blueprint for New Zealand’s future, exploring tax reform, inequality, KiwiSaver, domestic investment, AI, infrastructure and why saving and investing more could be the key to building a wealthier country for generations to come. Next steps: Explore Simplicity's appr...

The future isn't as bleak as you think. Sam Stubbs explains why he believes New Zealand is on the verge of one of its greatest economic opportunities, exploring the future of KiwiSaver, entrepreneurship, capital investment, infrastructure, productivity, wealth creation, and why the next generation of Kiwis could be better positioned than ever before. Next steps: Learn more about InfraKiwi and its...

Most investing advice is either too complicated or focused on chasing the next big thing. In this episode, James Blair and Michael Vincent break down the five investing principles they believe every Kiwi should know. So whether you're retiring in one year, five years or twenty years, these five golden rules will help you make the most of your retirement savings so you can build lasting wealth...

Why does it feel like you're working harder but getting nowhere? From rising living costs and inflation to mortgage strategies, KiwiSaver, emergency funds and practical ways to build financial resilience, James and Mike break down why so many Kiwis are feeling the squeeze and the steps you can take to strengthen your finances in today's economy. Next steps: Feeling the pressure of rising c...

Before the wealth came the mistakes, side hustles, setbacks and plenty of hard lessons. To celebrate one million podcast downloads, James and Mike share the personal stories they've never told before - from their childhood relationships with money and first jobs to dropping out of university, building careers in banking, early investing lessons and the work ethic that shaped their financial jo...

Could your KiwiSaver be investing in something you don't agree with? Around $900 million of KiwiSaver money is now invested in weapons-related companies. James and Mike sit down with Lily Richards, Chief Marketing and Client Officer at Pathfinder KiwiSaver Plan to explore ethical investing, how to check what's inside your KiwiSaver, whether responsible investing impacts returns, and why un...

Selling because you're nervous can be one of the most expensive investment decisions you make. When should you actually sell an investment? James and Mike break down the difference between emotional reactions and smart financial decisions, covering market crashes, changing life goals, underperforming investments, investment fees, diversification, inherited assets, and the key signs it's ti...

The property market isn't broken... but expectations might be. Should New Zealand expect house prices to keep doubling every 10 years? James and Mike unpack the key drivers behind long-term property growth, including migration, interest rates, inflation, wages, affordability, and whether endless house price growth is actually good for the country's future. Next steps: If you're wonderi...

Inflation is back above 4%... but is the worst still to come? James and Mike break down New Zealand's latest 4.1% inflation result, why petrol prices are driving almost all of the increase, whether higher interest rates are actually the right solution, what it means for mortgages, businesses and household budgets, and where they believe the economy is heading over the next 12 months. Next step...

Building your dream home? Don't talk to the bank until you've watched this. From construction loans and stage payments to hidden building costs, budget blowouts, fixed-price contracts, and choosing the right builder, we break down everything you need to know before building a home. We also uncover the common mistakes that can quickly turn your dream build into an expensive headache. Next Steps: Th...

Think you're stuck with your mortgage? You might have more options than you realise. In this episode, Mike and James break down what to do if you can't refinance your mortgage, including how to negotiate with your current bank, when breaking a fixed rate makes sense, cash retention payments, low equity traps, and the simple strategies that could save you thousands without switching lenders...

The headlines are noisy, but the data tells a very different story. In this episode, Mike and Adam break down the property market indicators they're watching most closely, including construction activity, building costs, auction clearance rates, GDP, long-term price trends, and why Christchurch continues to stand out as one of New Zealand's strongest investment markets. Next Steps: Thinkin...

A simple financial plan can change everything. In episode two of Inside a Financial Plan , James walks Julia through her personalised financial roadmap, explaining why building an emergency fund comes before paying off debt and why he's recommending a switch to her KiwiSaver fund. Together, they map out a step-by-step plan to become mortgage-free sooner and build more than $2 million in retirement...

Wondering what the latest OCR hike means for your mortgage? Here's what homeowners need to know. Mike Vincent and Jess Hargreaves break down why the OCR hike wasn't a surprise, how banks have already reacted, where mortgage rates are likely to head next, and what homeowners should consider when fixing, refinancing, or reviewing their mortgage. Next Steps: If your mortgage is coming up for...

A single income doesn't have to mean putting your financial goals on hold. In this episode of Inside a Financial Plan, we meet Julia, a single mum rebuilding her finances after divorce. James works through her goals, debt, budgeting, KiwiSaver, retirement planning, emergency fund, mortgage strategy and the personalised roadmap to help her build long-term wealth. Next Steps: If you'd like y...

Many property investors are paying more tax than they need to. Matt Harris and Mike Vincent explain how debt structuring, ownership structures, lending strategies and tax planning can reduce unnecessary tax, improve cash flow, and help investors make the most of today's property market. Next Steps: Whether you need advice on property structures, trusts and tax planning, or you'd like to review you...

They thought they weren’t ready to buy a home - until one conversation changed everything. In this episode, we follow Harsh and Hiral's first home buying journey, from budgeting struggles and saving a 5% deposit to navigating pre-approvals, real estate agents, failed offers, due diligence, KiwiSaver withdrawals, and ultimately securing their first home in Auckland. Next Steps: Thinking about buyin...