The Prosperity Project

Funerals have become one of the most expensive life events in New Zealand — and for families already stretched, the cost of saying goodbye can add real financial strain. Brent Ruru, founder of Everything Funeral , joins Nadine Higgins to share how Kiwis can plan meaningful farewells without the heavy price tag, and why simpler, more personal options are on the rise.   If you have a ques...

Recent cuts to the Official Cash Rate and the potential for more to come will be a relief for many borrowers, but the real game changer in getting mortgage free faster isn’t the interest rate. Shelley Palman, financial advisor at enableMe, joins Nadine to share the tips that could see you saying goodbye to your mortgage sooner.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We like to think about money in terms of simple maths: earn more, spend less, invest the difference. But the main influence on your bank balance goes beyond just whats coming in and going out. The Money Mentalist, financial coach Lynda Moore, joins Nadine to discuss how our money mindset is what sets the tone for our entire relationship with finance. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in...

The best way to get the most out of your credit card? Cut it up. That’s the advice from Luke Kemeys, accountant and host of the ‘Keep the Change’ podcast. Luke joins Nadine to share the reasoning behind his controversial opinion.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Asset-rich but cash-poor? You’re not alone. Cam Bagrie, founder of Equity Release NZ,  joins Nadine to talk about the growing range of ways retirees can unlock money tied up in their homes. Covering reverse mortgages and home reversion schemes, Cam explains how each option works, the financial trade-offs, and why family arrangements should also be part of the conversation. Join us for a...

When a business fails, it’s not just owners and staff who feel the impact. Customers can be left out of pocket, without products, or fighting to recover deposits. PWC’s John Fisk joins Nadine to explain why more Kiwi companies are likely to collapse, the industries most at risk, and the red flags to look out for before handing over your money.  If you have a question you want answ...

Sudden money can feel life-changing, or like a trap. Financial planner Liz Koh joins Nadine to discuss how to handle a windfall without blowing it, from clearing debt to protecting relationships and securing your future. If you have a question you want answered, or a financial story to share, get in touch at  nadine.higgins@nzme.co.nz See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s one of those jobs many of us put off - but dying without a Will can leave your loved ones in legal and financial chaos. In fact, if you die without a will, your estate is divided under New Zealand’s Administration Act and there's not much your loved ones can do about it.  Holly Edgerton, founder of online will-planning service Succession joins Nadine to explain why it's...

Overflowing wardrobe? It might be worth more than you think. Aidan Bartlett, CEO of Designer Wardrobe, joins Nadine to talk about the booming second-hand fashion market. From unlocking the $1000 sitting idle in your closet to sellers making tens of thousands, resale is growing five times faster than traditional retail. Aidan reveals the secrets to getting the best price for your clothes, the...

You got into your first home unscathed, so buying again will be a breeze, right? Wrong.  When it comes to moving up the property ladder, going from your first home to your second introduces a whole new level of stress to a homeowner's journey.  Squirrel mortgage adviser Kat McInnes joins Nadine to talk through what can go wrong, and how to avoid sabotaging yourself on the next rung...

Tax deductions can be confusing, especially when you’re trying to figure out what you can and can’t claim if you're running a business or are self-employed. So, what’s a legit deduction and what’s not? How do you make the most of what you can claim without crossing the line? And what happens if the IRD think you've crossed that line? Catriona Knapp, director at Future Focus...

Amid the soaring cost of everything from butter and cheese to rates and insurance, tips on how to trim your budget abound. But once that budget's cut to the quick, the only alternative is to earn more. While the need for side hustles can be controversial, Tracy Hemingway – who used them to escape $94,000 of debt and buy her first home in just four years – says they can serve a purpose...

Private Equity is starting to become part of the asset mix for an increasing number of KiwiSaver providers, with Fisher Funds the latest to ramp up their Private Equity offering.  Many people may think of corporate raiders when it comes to private equity - the type that sell the business off for parts - but how does that image fit with these new changes? And what are the opportunities, and th...

Trusts are billed as a way to protect your assets and pass your wealth on to the next generation, and they’ve become a common thing for a family to set-up.    But the rules around them have changed significantly over the years – so are they still useful, or more hassle than they’re worth? Henry Stokes is a trust specialist and Perpetual Guardian’s General Council,...

We all know that ‘til death do us part’ doesn’t always end up that way, even if we don't like thinking about it. But divorce can be financially devastating, and some simple errors can make that process even more costly and difficult than it needs to be.  Enable.me financial adviser Shelley Palman, who has been through divorce herself and coached countless clients through the...

It’s one thing to decide to move on from a job or career, but what happens when you’re at the top of your game and your job just... evaporates?  After many years as a television journalist, Melissa Chan-Green was co-hosting The AM Show on Three when Warner Bros. Discovery announced it was closing Newshub and its associated shows.   So how do you navigate the financial si...

When it comes to investing, we all know the usual suspects – shares, bonds, property, gold.  But the latest Financial Services Council report found 7% of people have ‘collectables’ among their investments.  So what makes something you like to collect an investment ... and how do you make money out of it?  Gertjan Verdickt is a finance expert at the University of Au...

The Māori Millionaire Te Kahukura Boynton is a young wahine on a mission to change not just her own money mindset and financial trajectory, but that of her people.  At just 21, she is a podcaster, entrepreneur and now the author of Māori Millionaire – A Beginner’s Guide to Building Better Money Habits. She joins Nadine this week to talk her journey, how close she is to becoming a...

New Zealanders are among the most underinsured in the OECD, according to the Financial Services Council.   We insure our cars, our houses and our other stuff, but not what is arguably our biggest asset - ourselves.  Givealittle fundraisers for families that have hit hard times and need help have become increasingly common. But is insurance the answer, and if so, why don’t more...

After a decade in a career, it’s perhaps not unusual that you’d consider doing something different, but some career changes can be bolder than others.   Morgan Penn is a somatic sexologist, and co-host of the multi-award-winning juggernaut of a podcast, Sex. Life.   But before that, she spent 15 years in the media – so this was not just your regular run-of-the-mill...

Sharemarkets have been like the wild west this year. We’re told to ‘buy the dip’ because that’s when shares are on a big briscoes-esque sale, but before you know you’ve blinked, and the dip is done So if you’re just getting started dabbling in investing and have been thrown by the year's events so far, what do you need to know about the mechanics of it? How do y...

Owning a pet can bring aso much joy to your life - but it can also bring some big expenses.  Some people can spend a fortune on their pets, and as they get older, those costs often increase. And that's before you factor in breeds and how that can impact what you spend.  To talk about some of the costs that you need to be prepared for, this week Nadine is joined by Michelle de Long, chief...

The Government has unveiled the latest Budget, and it is full of things that are likely to affect your back pocket in one way or another – with changes to KiwiSaver, Best Start, JobSeeker benefits, and Working for Families.  If all the headlines sent you a bit cross eyed, don’t worry - today we’re going to step you through the detail so you know what you’re dealing wit...

Buying property is one of the biggest financial commitments you’ll ever make, and in this country, it can be really difficult to achieve.   For most of us, the most important first step is to qualify for a mortgage.  So, how do you improve your chances of getting the lending you need to be in the market, and what do you need to know about what you’ve signed up for? ...

The average wedding in New Zealand is on the rise - once thought to be around $30,000, that cost for higher-end weddings has doubled in recent years. Finance companies often feature pictures of weddings when touting their high-interest loans, but debt is no way to start your life of wedded bliss. So how can you avoid financial stress when planning your big day?  This week, Nadine is joined by...