It's No Secret

In this Money Moments episode of It’s No Secret, we chat with Dora Yip, CMO at PocketSmith, about the real life of a “household CFO.” Dora, who grew up in Singapore and now lives in Dunedin, shares how culture, values, and human behaviour shape our money experiences. In this episode we dive into:  The mental load of managing family finances and reframing budgeting as values-led decision-making. Ho...

This week, we’re diving into the fascinating world of core-satellite investing, exploring how you can effectively implement this strategy using the Kernel platform.  Whether you're a seasoned investor or just starting out, understanding how to balance your core investments with targeted satellites can enhance your portfolio's performance.  Plus, we have some insightful blog posts linked...

Today, we're diving into the often tricky world of gifting etiquette. As weddings, birthdays, and holidays approach, dilemmas come up often leave us scratching our heads.  Join us as we share our personal experiences and tackle some of the most awkward gifting scenarios.  Plus, we want to hear from you—what are your biggest gifting dilemmas? Share your thoughts in the comments! If you enjoyed...

Today, we’re shifting the narrative from financial worries to celebrating the wins that often go unnoticed.  Inspired by a fantastic article from MoneyHub, we’ll explore ten key indicators that suggest you’re doing better financially than you might realize.  Tune in as we unpack these signs and encourage you to reflect on your own financial journey. We also want to hear from you—what are some othe...

Today, we dive into a pressing issue that many Kiwis are grappling with: the reality of homeownership in New Zealand. If you purchased a house in the last three years, you might feel like you've taken a step back, especially with recent market fluctuations.  Join us as we talk about an anonymous story and chat through the realities of purchasing a home with the view of it being your one-way t...

In this episode, we’re thrilled to share some exciting news from the Kernel team: the launch of Shares and ETFs!  This new offering gives Kiwis the chance to invest directly in select range of shares and ETFs, making it easier than ever to build your wealth.  Join us as we chat through what this could mean for you and how it can fit into your investment strategy. Specifically, we chat about: Why K...

In today’s episode, we dive into a pressing question: Is having a high-paying job truly worth it? While many might instinctively say yes, reality can often be more complex.  Join us as we explore the potential pitfalls and benefits of high salaries, revealing the truths that can help you navigate your own financial journey. Specifically, we chatted about: High-Paying Jobs in NZ: We explore the hig...

In this podcast episode, we're joined by Kernel Founder & CEO Dean Anderson to chat about the latest developments in the markets and how they’re impacting investors. Specifically, we discuss: The impact of US tariffs and rising market volatility, including what this means for global and local economies. New Zealand’s relatively stable position amidst global uncertainty and the signs of ec...

In the world of investing, the debate between active and passive strategies has been significant among many investors. While active investing involves selecting individual stocks and timing the market, passive investing focuses on tracking market indices through funds.  This episode dives deep into the nuances of both approaches, exploring their historical performance, current trends, and what the...

This week, we dive into investing during uncertain and volatile market conditions.  With recent economic shifts driven by new policies and tariffs, many investors are feeling the pressure to take some sort of action. Join us as we chat about timeless tips to remember during turbulent times. Specifically, we chat about: What's currently happening in the markets which are causing people to worr...

Tax is an unavoidable cost of investing, so ensuring you understand how it works can help you get the most out of your investments. In New Zealand, Portfolio Investment Entities ( PIE ) funds offer a tax-efficient way to invest, but navigating their tax rules can sometimes be challenging. Find out how they work in this podcast episode, alternatively read the full blog below.  https://kernelwealth....

In today's Money Moments episode, we're joined by our very own Joni from the Customer Success team. In this episode, Joni shares his experience with money, in particular: What his relationship with money was like growing up in Indonesia, US, and NZ How he paid off his student debt with the help of his friends What his personal finance journey was like and how it has changed over time The...

In this episode we're diving into a topic that hits home for many—practical money tips for those in their 20s and 30s. This stage of life is often packed with big decisions about finances, careers, and relationships, which can sometimes feel overwhelming. That’s why we’re here to simplify the process and share the insights we wish we had known earlier. Remember, everyone’s journey is differen...

In this episode, we are joined by Aaron, our Portfolio Analyst, to explain fund units and how they work.  We cover important topics like swing pricing and the effects of distributions, helping both new and experienced investors understand these concepts better. Tune in to learn how fund units work! Specifically, we chat about: What are units in a fund, and how are they different from company share...

In today's episode, Cat sits down with Dean Anderson, Founder and CE of Kernel, to chat about what the lowering of the Official Cash Rate (OCR) can mean for you.  Disclaimer: This episode was recorded on 13 Feb and this episode is set to go live on the 19 February the day when the RBNZ is reviewing the OCR. Whether you're borrowing, saving, or investing, this conversation gives you an ov...

In today's Money Moments, we're joined by Rebekah, Head of Human Resources in Citta. In this episode, Rebekah shares her experience with money, in particular: How she bought her first home without a partner What her relationship with money was like growing up How she started her electrolysis business  Her views on money and how it has changed throughout time The importance of detaching y...

In this episode, we have podcast director, Tim , in the hot seat alongside Kernel Founder and CE, Dean Anderson to explore why New Zealand has such a strong dividend culture, and whether chasing dividend yields is the best strategy for long-term wealth building.  With NZ companies paying out 82.5% of post-tax income as dividends (compared to the global average of 47.6%), we'll examine if this...

In today's episode, we're joined by Joni from our Customer Success team to tackle two common investment questions we frequently receive. From understanding dividend payments to managing multiple investment platforms, we'll help clarify these important aspects of investing. In particular, we chat about: What's the difference between distributions and dividends? When does Kernel...

Are Kiwis missing out by being savers rather than investors? In this episode, we explore whether our national tendency toward saving is helping or hurting our financial futures.  With rising living costs and ambitious retirement goals, we'll see if saving alone is enough to get us there. Key Questions Discussed: Can you reach retirement goals through saving alone? What's the real differe...

Today, we’re back with a Money Moments episode - this time with Stanley Henry , Founder & CEO at The Attention Seeker , a global organic content agency. Stanley left his role as a GM after realizing that true freedom wasn't possible working under someone else's rules. So, he and his wife moved back to New Zealand to build something of their own. With no clear plan, Stanley began buil...

Welcome back, lovely listeners, to another episode of It’s No Secret!   Today, we’re diving into a rapid-fire chat about kids' accounts. Whether you’re considering opening an account for your child or just curious about how they work, we’ll reveal five facts that could change your perspective and approach.  Key points Tax benefits - Kids accounts are taxed at the child’s rates, which can be a...

Today we’re back with another Money Moments episode, where we chat to real Kiwis about their experience with money. This time, the real Kiwis are us! In this episode, we’re back in the hot seat to update you on what’s going on financially with our lives. Our last check-in was back in September 2024, so let’s get stuck on what we've been up to since. Note this recording was filmed in November...

Can your mindset make you richer? Today we explore how your thought patterns influence your financial life, inspired by fascinating research showing positive mindsets can add years to your life.  We'll dive into how shifting from scarcity to abundance thinking could transform your financial future. Key Questions Discussed: What's the difference between scarcity and abundance mindsets? Ho...

In this Q&A episode, we tackle a common concern about the Kernel Global 100 fund: concentration risk. With just 10 companies making up over 58% of the fund*, we'll explore whether this concentration is a feature or a bug of market-weighted indices. Specifically, we chat about: What is market-weighted indexing? How does equal-weighted indexing differ? What are the advantages and disadvanta...

The holiday season is here, and with it comes increased spending pressure. With recent Worldline data showing Kiwis spent $2.65 billion in just the first three weeks of December, we're diving into how to navigate this expensive period without breaking the bank. Key Questions Discussed: What's a reasonable budget for Christmas gifts? How can you plan for holiday expenses? What are smart a...