The Blueprint Finance Podcast | Plan Your Future

The whole Blueprint Finance team put their heads together to rank the 12 biggest financial traps Kiwis are falling into right now. Some are obvious. Some will surprise you. #1 might change how you think about money entirely. We count down all 12 — plus two KiwiSaver honorable mentions that almost made the list.🗓️ WHAT WE COVER:▸ #12 — Never reviewing your will (and why your kids pay the price)▸ #1...

Should you buy your first home, or rent and invest the difference in the S&P 500? It's one of the most divisive questions in personal finance — so we ran the numbers over a full 35 years. Senior Insurance Adviser Rory McSweeney and Senior Mortgage Adviser Daniel Lipman go head-to-head on a case study: Jack & Jill, a Dunedin couple in their 30s living in Auckland, with $200,000 in KiwiS...

In Episode 22 of the Blueprint Finance podcast, Dan sits down with David and Klara to reveal the true financial realities of having a baby. Dan is surprised by the costs of everyday essentials and the traps of childcare. This episode covers everything you need to know to prepare your finances for parenthood. We suggest watching this episode *before* getting pregnant. Thinking about buying or plann...

Some people bought NZ property in 2015 and sold it in 2025 for less than they paid. In a market that went up 55%.Daniel Lipman and Rory McSweeney unpack exactly how that happens — which property types consistently underperform, why the regions outgrew Auckland 3:1 over the decade, and what actually drives capital growth in New Zealand.▶ Mortgage review → https://blueprintfinance.co.nz/mortgage-opt...

War is escalating, oil prices are spiking, and market volatility is back. Is your KiwiSaver safe? In this episode of The Blueprint Podcast, we sit down with financial adviser Jono Smith to discuss the shocking truth about investing during global crises. We break down the "War to Wallet" pipeline, explaining how conflict in the Middle East impacts inflation, interest rates, and your perso...

From driving Uber Eats to owning a property portfolio before 25, Jack Hammond shares his unconventional path to wealth. In this episode of Blueprint Finance, Jack reveals the exact strategy he used to turn a $16,000 KiwiSaver deposit into two properties in under two years. We break down the real-world numbers on how he bought his first Auckland property for "70 cents on the dollar," inst...

In this episode of the Blueprint Finance podcast, we sit down with Brandon Lipman to discuss why buying a "boring" business is the #1 wealth-building opportunity of the next decade. With the Great Wealth Transfer officially here, Brandon breaks down his blueprint for acquiring profitable companies instead of building startups from scratch. We dive deep into:• Speed-Running Capitalism: Wh...

In the first Blueprint Finance Podcast episode of 2026, Daniel Lipman and Rory McSweeney break down what’s actually happening for first home buyers in New Zealand. Despite headlines saying it’s harder than ever, the data tells a different story. Over half of our first home buyers are entering the market with less than a 20% deposit — and many are still getting it done. Ready to buy your first home...

Discover the inspiring story behind Blueprint Finance in this episode of the next Blueprint Podcast! From humble beginnings in a tiny shoebox office to a thriving 15-person team, we share the real journey of launching and growing our boutique financial services firm. Hear how we built our business from scratch, the challenges we faced, and the values that drive us—like helping clients pay off thei...

Which is the superior investment: residential or commercial property ? This episode provides a complete financial breakdown. The core difference comes down to Net vs. Gross Yield. In residential, you get a gross yield (e.g., 2-3%) and are responsible for all outgoings—rates, insurance, and management. With commercial, you get a net yield (e.g., 5-7%) because the tenant is legally responsible for a...

Join us as we unpack the systems that generated nearly $1.9 million in commissions during a “flat” market, explore why the human agent is the future of real estate, and dive into a data-backed analysis of today’s property cycle. From tactical advice for first-home buyers to predictions on how AI will reshape the industry , this episode gives you a blueprint for success in business and life. In thi...

The news many Kiwi have been waiting for is here: mortgage rates are once again on a downward trend. In this episode, we're giving you an update from the 2nd of October, including our bold (now proven correct) prediction for the upcoming OCR announcement and what it likely means for the property market. We break down the "window of opportunity" for first home buyers and discuss the critical point...

Have you ever felt like the traditional map to success—the corporate ladder, the property portfolio—no longer leads to the destination you want? What do you do when the rules of the game change overnight, leaving you feeling adrift? In this special episode, we sit down with entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and Blueprint family member Brandon Lipman for a masterclass in taking back control. Brando...

With Bitcoin hitting new all-time highs in 2025, the most common question we hear is: "Have I missed the boat?" It's easy to look at the charts and feel like the incredible gains are a thing of the past. In this episode, Daniel and Rory sit down with Paul, the Chief Commercial Officer of Easy Crypto, to tackle this question head-on. They explore why looking at today's price can b...

In Episode 8 of the Blueprint Finance Podcast, we dive deep into a critical question every Kiwi homebuyer should be asking: Whose agent are they anyway? We're joined by Alex Martelli, founder of Martelli Buyer's Agents, a force challenging the traditional, seller-focused real estate agent model still popular in New Zealand. Recorded in May 2025, Alex pulls back the curtain on the "bat...

Need a lawyer who speaks your language and protects your assets? In Episode 7 of the Blueprint Podcast, veteran solicitor Arthur Loo breaks down 30 years of real‑world lessons on wills, trusts, and property deals—from $30 k US foreclosure buys to Auckland’s record‑high auctions. What you’ll learn 00:00 Why every Kiwi family needs a clear will 05:52 Building a bilingual firm for new‑to‑NZ investors...

Your First Home - Mindset, Myths & Making It Happen! Feeling stuck on your path to homeownership? Are self-doubt and comparison clouding your vision? This week, Dan and Rory uncover the crucial mindset shifts that transform the "impossible" into your first home. We bust common myths about affordability and family support, sharing real client success stories that prove you can do it – like the...

The 40-year mortgage. Did that sound like a typo? It wasn't... and in this episode, we all find out if it's a genius wealth-building hack or a dangerous debt trap designed to keep you paying the bank forever. While not yet in New Zealand, the 40-year mortgage is used in countries like Australia, the UK, and the USA to tackle the housing affordability crisis. In Episode 10 of the Blueprint...

“A free society is a creative society.” — David Seymour In this thought-provoking episode, we’re joined by ACT Party Leader and MP David Seymour for a wide-ranging, no-holds-barred conversation about the future of New Zealand. From housing and KiwiSaver to red tape, small business, and the elusive promise of freedom, David brings his signature contrarian perspective to the big financial and social...

Is your insurance policy actually working for you? In this episode of The Blueprint Finance Podcast, Rory and Dan break down a real-life case study where a strategic insurance review saved a client $9,000 in premiums—without sacrificing essential coverage. Inside this episode: ✔️ The art of balancing protection and cost in insurance. ✔️ How reviewing policies every 5-6 years can prevent overpaying...

💰 The Mortgage Payoff Playbook 💰 In this episode of the Blueprint Podcast, we break down three mortgage payoff strategies—but which ones are gold, and which ones are just hype? The Plays: 🔹 Revolving Credit – Smart money move or a discipline trap?🔹 Investment Properties – The controversial 7-year strategy: Myth or Magic? 🔹 Keeping Repayments the Same – The easiest win, but is it enough? We ta...

In Episode 3 of the Blueprint Podcast, we sit down with Auckland’s rising real estate star, Ben Ryken. From starting his career at just 18 to building a reputation as one of the most trusted agents in the competitive Remuera market, Ben shares his journey, challenges, and the lessons he’s learned along the way. 🎧 Enjoying this episode? Take the next step with Blueprint Finance:We’ve got the tools...

In this episode of the Blueprint Podcast, we dive deep into the inspiring story of Rory, Blueprint Finance’s in-house insurance expert. From representing New Zealand at the Paralympic Games to navigating the world of insurance, Rory’s journey is a testament to resilience, hard work, and a commitment to helping others. 🎧 Enjoying the Blueprint Podcast? Discover more with our free tools and resourc...

Welcome to the debut episode of the Blueprint Finance Podcast, where we kick off with an inspiring and insightful conversation with Jono, our resident KiwiSaver specialist. From his humble beginnings as a trolley boy to managing portfolios worth millions, Jono shares his journey into finance and the invaluable lessons he’s learned along the way. In this episode, you’ll discover: ✔️ How Jono’s expe...