Cheques and Balances

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...

Is Wayne Brown's plan enough to turn Auckland around? James and Mike react to Wayne Brown's five-point plan for Auckland, discussing transport, rates, council spending, housing, infrastructure, economic growth, and whether the mayor can actually deliver meaningful change for the city's future. For more money tips follow us on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

That $75 payment might be costing you more than you think. In this episode, James and Mike unpack the rapid rise of Afterpay and buy now, pay later services, why nearly 100,000 Kiwis are behind on repayments, how short-term debt spirals out of control, the impact on budgeting and mortgage applications, and what to do if you're already stuck in the debt cycle. Next Steps: If debt, cashflow, or budg...

Could these be the biggest KiwiSaver changes since the scheme began? James and Mike break down the National Party's proposed KiwiSaver reforms, including compulsory contributions, higher employer contributions, a $1,500 KiwiSaver kickstart for newborns, parental leave support, over-65 contributions, and whether these changes could improve retirement outcomes and help New Zealand close the weal...

Owning a home is expensive, but it's often the hidden costs that hurt the most. In this episode, James and Mike break down the true cost of homeownership in New Zealand, exploring rising rates, insurance premiums, water charges, maintenance costs, property repairs, and why many homeowners underestimate the ongoing expenses that come with owning a property. For more money tips follow us on: ⁠⁠⁠...

Are you on track for retirement, or falling behind? In this episode, James and Mike break down the latest KiwiSaver balances by age, discuss why the average retirement balance may not be enough, explore the growing KiwiSaver gender gap, compare top and bottom-performing funds, and explain the key decisions that could add hundreds of thousands of dollars to your retirement savings. Next Steps: Want...

NZ businesses are folding at the fastest rate in 15 years. In this episode, James and Mike unpack why more than 3,000 New Zealand companies have entered liquidation, which industries are being hit hardest, whether government policy is helping or hurting businesses, and what needs to change to get the NZ economy moving again. Next Steps: If you're a business owner feeling the pressure, speak wi...

The world's biggest financial leak changed New Zealand trust law forever. In this episode, James, Mike and Matt unpack the Panama Papers, explain how New Zealand became linked to foreign trusts, shell companies and tax transparency concerns, explore the reforms that followed, and discuss how trusts are used today for asset protection, estate planning and wealth management. Next Steps: If you&#...

Not every property is right for every investor. In this episode, James and Lighthouse Property Director Adam Farrell break down which property types suit different investors, from townhouses and standalone homes to renovations, multi-unit properties and commercial real estate, while exploring risk, cash flow, capital growth, retirement planning, and when property may not be the right investment at...

Don't mistake information for advice . In this episode, James and Mike discuss whether ChatGPT can replace a mortgage broker, unpack a real-life example where AI mortgage advice conflicted with professional advice, explore the difference between information and personalised advice, and explain where AI can help and where it can get things wrong. Next steps: Need help making the right mortgage...

Most people don't miss out on their first investment property because of the market - they miss out because they're focused on the wrong things. In this episode, Mike and Jess sit down with Ilse Wolfe, Director of Wolfe Property, to unpack the six biggest mistakes holding Kiwis back from their first investment property, including affordability, equity, financial foundations, timing, expect...

The degree debate is changing . In this episode, James and Mike break down the real numbers behind trades versus degrees, comparing income, student debt, house deposits, KiwiSaver balances, graduate job opportunities, the impact of AI on future careers, and whether university is still the best path to building long-term wealth. For more money tips follow us on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Most businesses are feeling the pressure but some are still finding ways to grow. In this episode, James and Jess sit down with Cruze and Pearl, founders of One & Only, to discuss building a business from scratch, taking calculated risks, relocating from Wellington to Auckland, growing through relationships and referrals, balancing business and personal wealth, and the lessons they've learned...

Not all townhouses are created equal. In this episode, James and Lighthouse Property Director Adam Farrell break down the oversupply of new build townhouses, what separates a quality development from a dud, how supply and demand influence property values, why rental yields and developer quality matter, and whether high-density housing is an unavoidable part of New Zealand's future. Next Steps:...

The Budget is out but will it actually make Kiwis better off? In this episode, James and Matt break down NZ Budget 2026, discussing the biggest winners and losers, infrastructure spending, health investment, fuel price relief, banking levies, FIF tax changes, business challenges, and whether the Government's plan to return to surplus will help or hinder New Zealand's economic recovery. Nex...

Is new infrastructure the answer to NZ’s problems? What if New Zealand’s biggest economic problem isn’t interest rates or housing… but infrastructure? In this episode, James and Mike break down why Christchurch has become one of New Zealand’s most liveable and resilient cities, what Auckland and Wellington can learn from its rebuild, whether better infrastructure could improve productivity and eco...

In this episode, we break down what forward fixing actually is, how rate locks work, what rising interest rates could mean for borrowers in 2026, and the key mistakes to avoid when locking in your next mortgage rate. Next steps: Speak to the Lighthouse Mortgages team about whether forward fixing or restructuring your lending could make sense before rates move again. For more money tips follow us o...

Australia’s tax overhaul could become New Zealand’s opportunity. In this episode, we break down Australia’s major property and capital gains tax changes, what ring-fencing and reduced CGT concessions mean for investors and business owners, why some believe these policies punish aspiration, and whether New Zealand could benefit from an influx of capital, businesses, and entrepreneurs across the Tas...

New Zealand’s debt is exploding… but is it actually a problem? With Budget 2026 around the corner, we break down New Zealand’s $182 billion debt position, whether the country should be worried about rising interest costs, how our debt compares globally, and why borrowing isn’t always a bad thing. James and Mike debate whether the Government is too focused on cutting costs instead of growing the ec...

Australia just changed the game on tax and New Zealand might be the biggest winner . In this episode, we break down Australia’s new capital gains tax changes, why business owners and startups could start looking at New Zealand differently, the impact on entrepreneurs, tech companies and investment, the opportunity for New Zealand’s economy to attract talent and capital, how tax policy shapes produ...

Most Kiwis are heading towards retirement with far less than they think they need. The difference between struggling in retirement and living comfortably often comes down to just a few KiwiSaver decisions. In this episode, we break down the real factors that can dramatically change your retirement outcome, including KiwiSaver fund selection, contribution rates, provider performance, NZ Super conce...

More money doesn’t always mean more freedom. In this episode, we break down the difference between being rich and actually building wealth in 2026, including lifestyle inflation, social media pressure, budgeting, debt, delayed gratification, investment properties, shares, multiple income streams, raising financially capable children, and why many high-income households still feel financially stres...