Money Made Simple

In this episode of Money Made Simple, Liv chats with the sassy but very savvy Sabby Jey, the creator of the viral series Boujee on a Budget. They discuss how she turned her upbringing, values, and financial smarts into a platform that helps thousands ok Kiwis live luxuriously without overspending. From second-hand fashion, to smart saving hacks and mindful money habits, Sabby shares her personal j...

In this special guest episode of the Economy Made Simple , Shamubeel Eaqub sits down with Geoff Cooper, CEO of the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, to unpack the country’s infrastructure crisis: why it exists, what keeps driving costs up, and how we can start fixing it. They explore why and how NZ keeps falling behind when it comes to maintaining essential infrastructure, the political and g...

In this much-requested episode of Money Made Simple , Jennie and Liv (finally!) demystify hedging , the financial safety net that can help protect your KiwiSaver and investment balances from foreign currency fluctuations. They explain what it means in a general sense (outside and inside of investments), why fund managers use it, and when being “hedged” or “unhedged” can make a difference to your r...

In this inspiring episode of Money Made Simple , Jennie sits down with Hannah Porter - founder of baby and kids' brand Bear & Moo - to talk about building a successful startup from scratch, while juggling family life and financial realities. From starting with just $6,000 to growing into a thriving online and retail store, Hannah shares what it’s really like to take a calculated risk and...

Spring might be in the air, but the economy hasn’t quite joined the party yet. In this quarterly economic update, Shamubeel Eaqub, Simplicity’s Chief Economist, breaks down what’s really going on in New Zealand and across the globe. He explains why the economy still feels sluggish, what's happening re: the cost of living crisis, and what to watch for next. This episode covers: Why the New Zea...

In this episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie and Liv unpack one of the most simple and powerful (yet often misunderstood) tools for building wealth: index funds. They explain what index funds are, why they’re so popular with investors worldwide, and how they actually stack up against actively managed funds. Using strawberries, gift hampers, and a couple of screw-ups along the way (we never said we...

In this episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie and Liv take on the top five money myths that keep holding Kiwis back from building financial confidence - and wealth! From saving when money is tight to whether credit cards are always “bad,” they tackle some of the most common misconceptions with real-life examples and practical advice you can actually use.  This episode covers: Why “I don’t earn enou...

In this episode of Economy Made Simple , Shamubeel Eaqub sits down with Sam Stubbs, founder of Simplicity, to explore the intersection of personal journeys, global finance, and the future of New Zealand’s economy. From growing up in the depths of West Auckland to investment banking at Goldman Sachs, Sam shares lessons from his career and why he ultimately came back to try and build something for e...

In this episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie and Liv tackle the common Kiwi dilemma: Should you rent forever, or is it better to save up and buy your own home? They unpack the real-world costs on both sides (not just mortgage vs rent), discuss the lifestyle trade-offs, and how today’s market settings can tilt the decision either way. You'll get a run down of general ownership expenses, rent r...

In Part 2 of our “Save and Spend” series, Liv and Jennie are back to talk about the fun side of money: spend spend spend! But even spending can go sideways if you’re not intentional about it (cue: Jennie's fave Want Monster). This episode explores how to spend smarter, not harder - and how investing in the right things can save you money, stress and regret down the track! This episode covers:...

In this very special episode of the Economy Made Simple , Shamubeel Eaqub sits down with Sir Ashley Bloomfield, New Zealand’s former Director-General of Health, to talk about what we’ve learned from the COVID-19 pandemic - and how those lessons could help shape our collective future. This thoughtful conversation touches on the complex intersection between public health, the economy, leadership and...

*Please note that nothing in this podcast is personalised financial advice or recommendations. We recommend that people seek independent financial advice when it comes to making decisions around their mortgages, insurances and/or general financial situation.* As the cost of living crisis continues to squeeze Kiwi wallets, Jennie and Liv are back with practical, real-world ideas to help you save mo...

In this episode of Economy Made Simple , Shamubeel Eaqub breaks down what’s going on in the New Zealand economy - and what’s coming next. Are we still in a recession? Why has it affected people so differently? And what signs should we look for to know that a recovery is finally taking shape? From global wars and rising oil prices to interest rates and job ads, Shamubeel gives a clear-eyed update o...

In this episode of Money Made Simple , Liv and Jennie unpack the recent changes to KiwiSaver announced in Budget 2025 - what’s changing, why it matters, and how it could impact you both now, and in the long term. From personal contribution increases to government contribution cutbacks, it’s a mixed bag. Some changes are great, particularly for younger savers and long-term investors, but others (li...

In this episode of Money Made Simple , Liv sits down with Josh Taylor — or JT — co-founder of Tax Traders and Taxi , two innovative businesses making waves in the world of tax. While tax might not sound like a glamorous industry, Josh’s entrepreneurial journey is packed with insight, hard-won lessons, and inspiring moments of resilience. From getting made redundant to selling the family home to st...

In this episode of Economy Made Simple , Shamubeel Eaqub breaks down one of the most pressing challenges facing Aotearoa today - our ongoing housing crisis. Why are homes so unaffordable? How did we end up here? And what do we need to do to make things better? From historical policy shifts to the present day shortage, this episode offers a comprehensive look at the system’s failure... and how we m...

In this episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie is joined by Tom Hartmann, personal finance lead at Sorted and part of Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission. Together, they break down KiwiSaver in simple, practical terms to help you feel - and help you actually get - sorted when it comes to planning for your nest egg. Whether you're just starting out or have been contributing for years, this e...

In this episode of Money Made Simple, Liv sits down with Simplicity member Rugved Deshpande to share his real-life finance journey. From childhood savings jars and pocket money to index funds, KiwiSaver choices, and building wealth his own way. As a second-generation Indian Kiwi and management accountant, Rugved reflects on how his upbringing shaped his money mindset, and how that mindset has evol...

In this episode of Economy Made Simple , Chief Economist Shamubeel Eaqub unpacks how government finances actually work – and why they matter to us all. From tax and spending to investment and debt, he breaks down the jargon we hear so often in political debates and media headlines, and explains how public finance is really just a larger version of household budgeting - with long-term consequences...

In this episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie and Liv dive into the not-so-sexy but super important topic of tax – specifically how it works inside your KiwiSaver. Tax might not be everyone’s idea of a good time (trust us, we get it), but understanding the basics can make a big difference to how confident you feel about your KiwiSaver. Whether you've noticed your balance dropping in March, or...

In this thought-provoking episode of Economy Made Simple , Simplicity Chief Economist Shamubeel Eaqub is joined by Liv to help unpack the very important but complex topic of social cohesion . They discuss what it means, why it’s under pressure, and how it underpins everything from economic stability to effective policymaking in Aotearoa. Drawing on global trends and New Zealand-specific data, Sham...

In this episode of Money Made Simple , Jennie chats with Consumer NZ CEO Jon Duffy about the real pressures New Zealanders are facing in today’s challenging economy – and what we can ALL do about it. From overpriced groceries to big power bills, Jon breaks down the biggest consumer issues and gives practical tips for navigating your way to smarter spending habits. This episode covers:  Why superma...

In this episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie and Liv dive into effective strategies for building job resilience during an economic downturn (like we're seeing right now). If you're worried about your job security or looking to secure a new job, this episode will arm you with the insights and strategies you may be seeking. This episode covers: Current trends in unemployment, business clos...

Welcome to the very first episode of the Economy Made Simple! Our host Shamubeel Eaqub delves into the current state of financial markets, the broader economy, and the impact of global volatility on the local environment. This episode offers a "State of the Nation" perspective, perfect for those who would like to gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics of the economy. This episode co...

In this second episode of our two-part series with Jane Wrightson, New Zealand's Retirement Commissioner, we dive deeper into the future of retirement and how today’s choices can and will impact tomorrow's freedom. This episode, tackles some thought-provoking issues and projections, and could be a game-changer for those trying to secure a more comfortable future. This week's episode...