Smart Money

What you leave behind when you're gone is probably on a lot of peoples' minds, regardless of age.  But is a will something everyone should have? Or is it something to think about once you have a family, or reach a certain age?  Managing Director for NZ Family Trust Services Janet Xuccoa joins Tim Beveridge for Smart Money. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian data-centre developer - Firmus - have stalled in securing funds for more build-outs, with investors unsure of the pricepoint, and how much of the growth depends on earnings that are yet to arrive. So has the value of AI had its reality check? Investors have happily funded AI chips, AI software and AI infrastructure for years, but are public markets finally pushing back on valuations? Gi...

More New Zealanders are looking to their Kiwisaver to get them to the future, or to their first-home with the property market on a down-turn.  Because of that, the election's become a more vested interest for voters, with the future of their KiwiSaver determined by what Government forms. So what are parties promising, where do they differ, and what would it mean for our funds? ACT's proposed...

It seems like New Zealand's fallen out of love with the property-market hype - the pre-election economic and fiscal update last week basically confirmed it.  So where should we start looking when it comes to investing, and saving up? You've heard about people doing the age-old method of buying antique collectibles, luxury watches, gold, and art-pieces - and you've heard about the newer invest...

There has been a lot of supermarket chat over the past couple of years, and it's ramping up now that we are headed into the election.  National wants to split up Food Stuffs, the Greens want to build KiwiMart, ACT wants regulatory barriers reduced so new competitors can enter, and Labour has proposed separating the wholesale and retail operations of both major supermarket groups. But, Koura F...

The workplace is often dynamic - young people make their way in, technology change how things are done, new talent shift the team culture, and dress codes can differ from strict to casual. With the rise of remote and hybrid-jobs these days, what do employers and employees need to see eye-to-eye on? How much flexibility should both sides expect, and where can they compromise? And with people t...

The election is 55 still days away, and it's looking like a tight one. And in the US the midterms are around the corner. America has a much bigger economy, and one that we have a lot of ties to. So how will these elections influence our domestic markets, if at all? Harbour Asset Management Co-CEO Chris Wilson joins Tim Beveridge to break down the facts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listen...

Earlier this week, an interesting proposal was made to shake up the way we use Superannuation. A report from Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand indicates a flexible choice of when people can start receiving NZ Super could improve affordability. Would this be worth it? And who should be considering this as an option? Financial Author Martin Hawes joins Tim Beveridge on Smart Money to d...

One of the first lessons mum and dad teach you is "it's rude to talk about money".  But when it comes to family life, it's important to be open about financial matters with your spouse. And in the workplace, talking about wages is often the way to make sure you're getting the same treatment as everyone else. So how do you go about it? How do you break the taboo?  Managing Director a...

Trusts are no doubt a complicated thing.  There's a lot of moving parts, a lot of different parties involved, and most will be close to the Settlor, which can create it's own problems. So should you be thinking about getting a trust set up for your family? Managing Director for NZ Family Trust Services Janet Xuccoa joins Tim Beveridge to discuss when you should think about a trust, and w...

The RBNZ recently hiked the OCR from 2.25% to 2.5%, and experts are expecting around another 1% of hikes over the next year, as managing inflation risks take priority over the weaker economy. But when will our economy start turning around? Hamish Pepper from Harbour Asset Management joins Tim Beveridge to discuss. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Cost of Living Crisis has driven a lot of Kiwis to look for financial advice, and many turn to AI over a financial advisor. But is AI really that reliable as a source of financial advice? And investing in AI seems to be the thing to do at the moment, is it somethng you should be getting in to or watching with caution? Money Coach Amanda Morrall joins Tim Beveridge on Smart Money to discuss.&nb...

When the cost of living crisis is driving your day-to-day costs up, putting money in to a Kiwisaver might not seem appealing.  But is it still important to keep the flow of money in to Kiwisaver going? And what do you do when you want to get started investing in an index fund? Founder and Managing director of Koura wealth Rupert Carlyon joins Tim Beveridge for Smart Money to discuss.  LI...

Electricity and money go hand-in-hand. Every house needs power, and everything costs money.  So how do you balance the two in the midst of a Cost of Living Crisis? And what should you keep an eye out for that might impact the number on your energy bills? Harbour Asset Management Co-CEO Andrew Bascand & Harbour Asset Management Senior Manager Sue Walker join Tim Beveridge on Smart Money.&n...

More than 7800 divorces were granted last year, with nearly 6000 underage children seeing their parents split - that's about 8 divorces for every 1000 marriages.  Looking deeper, about 5 percent of marriages end in 5 years, 15 percent end within 10, and more than a third dissolve within 25 years. With marriage numbers already declining, and the cost-of-living crisis still biting, how does a c...

Everyone has an employment contract, but what should you be aware of when presented with a new one?  Some key parts that you'd think are a given may also be missing, so what shoud you make sure you have? MyHR's Chief Evangelist Sylvie Thrush-Marsh joins Tim Beveridge to answer your employment questions.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Property becoming less of the golden-goose egg we've made it out to be, people are focusing more on how else they can be financially stable - and with that stability, comes being disciplined with your money - and keeping your spending affairs in order. But how can we do that with loyalty programmes encouraging us to save? and mid-year sales going around? How do we keep our eyes on the long-te...

Generate Kiwisaver's Nathan Stanners joins Tim Beveridge to chat National's compulsory Kiwisaver policy - and whether it's a good policy for the our retirement savings pool.  They also talk how your risk profile should change the closer your get to retirement.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Earlier this year, a Christchurch businessman was found borrowing millions of dollars against his family trusts for his clothing company - racking up a $3-million dollar spend. His sister prompted legal action, and two homes had to be sold as collateral. But that brings up a question - what can we leave behind for our children and family that won't just be squandered or swindled? Trusts and inheri...

This week's budget announcement had a focus on sorting out the books, and no straight sugar hits for individuals. Infrastructure, healthcare and education seemed to be the clear priority of our fiscal plan, but three  relief for the cost-of-living pressure many face.  Along with that, council rates have gone up for Auckland and the South Island's West Coast, and the Reserve Bank's signal...

Retirement is the time most people dream of, the days where you no longer need to work or study, and you can enjoy a slow and simple life. But what does it actually take to retire? And, when Super is under threat, and the only stable thing about the global economic climate is its instability, can we rely on the pension being there when we're ready to retire? Author of Money Matters Amanda Morrall...

The age of retirement is back in the forefront of news this week after a report from the OECD recommended means testing the age of eligibility for NZ Super or risk an unsustainable rise in public debt.  The agency says New Zealand's ageing population will continue to become a prevalent issue as the government tries to pull the economy out of the red.  But some finance experts say we shou...

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 ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy infor...

Divorce is still one of those taboo topics we tend to avoid, but up to 40% of marriages end that way here in New Zealand, so it's probably about time we become a bit more comfortable with it.  It's not always a hostile end, some couples are even able to "DIY" their split in a sense - but is that really a good idea?  LISTEN ABOVE See 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 ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.