New Zealand Personal Finance Blog Feeds

  The better you feel, the better you do. You know I’m all about figuring out how to feel better about money, so you can do better with it. It’s a beautiful cycle. A worthy model. A virtuous flywheel. So, here’s a simple framework for feel-good money. Enjoy! Stack up the evidence Write your badass ... The post 3 steps to feel-good money first appeared on NZ Muse.

Well well well, look who’s back? Yes, it’s me. And it’s time for everyone’s favourite post? Well maybe you like the other ones but I’m writing this one so here it is. I’m happy to report we’

In May 2023's What's been happening in the markets article we give our initial thoughts on Sharesies' massive KiwiSaver announcement, check out some Aussie investment services that have just launched in New Zealand, and cover this month's market movements. Continue Reading...

Lucy, Steve and their two teenage children openly talk about money in their family. It comes from them trying to make sense of their complicated financial upbringing and then joining their financial lives together at 19. When they were young, they made many decisions because their backs were against the wall, and they now know they want their children to head out into the world more prepared than they were. While I understand that failure is a good teacher, I just don’t see why you would willingly set your kids up to fail with money when it is far easier to do as this couple is doing and instead just teach your kids some basics from the get-go.

I feel like I covered off a big money update last month… so, time for a life update! I’ve shifted into a new, slightly different role that’s just the challenge I need. Dreamed up a new awesome freelance offer (I’m often referred to edit books and help put together online courses, and now I’m seeing ... The post Life lately… first appeared on NZ Muse.

This blog and Fairhaven Wealth are on indefinite hiatus. One of the central themes of my writing is making decisions that are based on your circumstances and objectives, and that align with your values and priorities. I have other things in my life right now that are more important to me and my direct loved The post Adiós, amigos! appeared first on NZ Wealth & Risk.

I’m taking a break from publishing on the NZ Wealth & Risk blog. It might be permanent, I’m not sure. Before signing off, I thought I’d share some articles that I wish I’d published. Most of them are partially drafted, but probably won’t see the light of day. If you have the time and inclination, The post Articles I never published appeared first on NZ Wealth & Risk.

An increasing number of investment platforms are starting to provide savings accounts alongside their traditional products like shares and index funds. Examples of such platforms are Sharesies, Kernel, Squirrel, and InvestNow (who do term deposits). With higher than average interest rates, are these services good places to keep your money? Or are they risker than saving directly through a bank? Continue Reading...

Note: I wrote this in December and forgot to publish it! I’ve watched (and have opinions) on several other shows/movies (including Avatar 2, which came out after I wr ote this) but if I wait to edit it, it’ll never get published.  — In January 2022 I listed movies & TV shows I was looking The post 2022 – a belated movie & TV media retrospective appeared first on NZ Wealth & Risk.

An article inspired by an article! — In early 2022, Harold Lee posted an article titled Buy Things, Not Experiences. It was refreshing! I wrote something with a similar theme in 2019. But in some ways, I think Harold says it better. He talks about the philosophy of “buying experiences rather than things” as a The post “Buy things, not experiences” appeared first on NZ Wealth & Risk.

When shopping online, you might be curious if Amazon offers price adjustments on their products. Price adjustments can be a ... Read more

Shopping online has become increasingly popular, and finding ways to save money on purchases is on the minds of many ... Read more

When I first started investing over 10 years ago… well, I’m a bit fuzzy on the details. I think I randomly picked some funds that were available to me after reading their short descriptions. They served me pretty well, I think – I wound up selling some to get the cash over the years, and ... The post Do the THING: Simplify your money first appeared on NZ Muse.

Superhero is an Australian investment platform that launched back in 2020 - And now in 2023 they've jumped across the ditch, vying for a slice of the Kiwi investment market. Offering ASX and US shares under a simple fee structure, could they be a contender to replace Sharesies as one of New Zealand's favourite investment platforms? Continue Reading...

When shopping for books and other products, you may wonder if Barnes & Noble offers price-matching services like some other ... Read more

May 2023Lisen… I’m done apologising for being late with my posts. It's you, not me. That's right sassy blogger coming back at you for another look at life and investments.I’ve been pontificating a question for quite some time now.

Chewy is a popular online retailer that specializes in pet food and supplies. One common question that customers have is ... Read more

The last mile challenge, often faced in supply chain management and transportation planning, can also apply to using AI to complete projects. While AI can provide great suggestions, getting from 90% or 95% to 100% completion can still be a challenge. This article explores the last mile problem with AI and discusses the benefits and limitations of using AI to perfect project completion. The post AI and the last mile appeared first on NZ Wealth & Risk.

In this episode, we hear from Jess, a single 52-year-old woman who reached out to me in early 2022 when she sent me a lovely email telling me she had been using my blog and podcast, plus The Barefoot Investor, to learn more about money to help her keep on track with some long-term money goals. After paying off her credit card debt, Jess was working on building up her emergency fund, but beyond that, she struggled to see how she could ever afford a home of her own. In a subsequent email, Jess expressed feeling left out while reading my Millionaire Questionnaire responses, as they mainly featured coupled-up, double-income people who appeared to own property. So, when I got an email telling me she had just signed up to buy a home of her own, you bet I wanted to know how she went from a house being out of her league to owning one.

Many shoppers often wonder about the restocking schedule of their favorite stores, and HomeGoods is no exception. As a popular ... Read more

If you’ve ever wondered why Golden Goose shoes come with a hefty price tag, you’re not alone. The high cost ... Read more

In April 2023's What's been happening in the markets article we look at the massive changes Simplicity are making to their funds (including new funds, fees, and asset allocation tweaks), Sharesies' new savings product, as well as this month's market movements. Continue Reading...

As a renter, I lived with a hodge podge of random furniture and belongings. I really couldn’t commit to anything, because I moved so frequently, and often had to upsize or downsize accordingly. Seven years after moving into my own home, I still very much live with a random assortment of things. And I’d like ... The post Getting more intentional about my belongings first appeared on NZ Muse.

I love this recent video from the Youtube channel How Money Works. Maybe I like it because it appeals to my pre-existing sensibilities. Basically, if a product is aligned with someone famous, I’m usually less likely to use that product. There are exceptions to this. For instance, if a movie is directed by Christopher Nolan or David The post Influencer marketing 🤮 appeared first on NZ Wealth & Risk.

Cat and Jack, a popular children’s clothing line, provides cute clothing and accessories for children, exclusively available at Target stores ... Read more

Home Depot is a one-stop shop that helps you find all of the home improvement supplies you need for your ... Read more

My views on AI, and specifically how it is likely to impact financial advice in the short- to medium-term, have evolved a lot in the last year or so. Why? Because when the facts change, I try to change my mind. And over the past six- to twelve-months, the facts have changed when it comes The post Thoughts on AI and financial advice (April 2023) appeared first on NZ Wealth & Risk.

FedEx OnSite is a convenient service offered by FedEx that allows customers to easily drop off their pre-labeled packages at ... Read more

When you’re on the hunt for a great bargain, it’s important to know when your favorite stores restock their shelves. ... Read more

How much money can you make when you invest in shares through an index fund like the S&P 500? Many people suggest that you can make a return of around 10% per year, which is the approximate average return the S&P 500 index has delivered over the past several decades. However, we argue that a 10% p.a. return is an unrealistic result to expect. In this article we'll cover the reasons why. Continue Reading...

I met 29-year-old Dylan when he heard my call out for younger people to get in touch and share their stories with money. Through luck and good timing, aged just 21, he found himself buying his first property, an empty section, and then one thing led to another; he stumbled upon a cracking good deal, paying just $18,000 for a second section. This sounds impossible, and stories such as this need a deeper dive. As a sound bite, it's a good one, but I know that there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes that is never explained. Well, today I will explain, sharing not only how he purchased property but the numbers behind it, the lucky breaks he has had and the fact that since he learned about FIRE, he is now diversifying by investing in KiwiSaver and ETF share investments. Plus, he advocates good financial management to both whānau and friends. And now that he is joining his life with the love of his life, this late 20-year-old is on an excellent trajectory for a great financial future.

  It was our second to last night on holiday. Slumbering in a cute Airbnb in Napier. Literally the last thing I expected was a call from the local cops at 4am notifying me the car had been stolen (from right outside!) for a joyride, recovered, and the perp in custody. Instead of carrying on ... The post The joy and agony of using your emergency fund first appeared on NZ Muse.

Red herrings are things that distract us from what is really important. A bit like bringing up the upcoming movie Superman vs Voldemort during a conversation that is hitting a lull*. When talking about artificial intelligence (AI), it’s easy to get caught up in abstract debates relating to “intelligence” and consciousness. While these topics are The post AI, red herrings, and Superman vs Voldemort appeared first on NZ Wealth & Risk.

Listen… it’s not me it’s you! Ok, it’s me, but you know what my life is busy atm and I have a book deadline to meet. So sorry for being a couple of days late.The blog as you know is a hybrid

I often tell people that I don’t have a crystal ball. More specifically, I tell people that I had a crystal ball, but it broke when I was in my late teens or early twenties. I say this in jest. Because crystal balls don’t exist, no matter how much people try to convince you otherwise. The post My crystal ball is on the fritz (#AI) appeared first on NZ Wealth & Risk.

In March 2023's What's been happening in the markets article we look at whether NZ banks are safe in light of the failure of several overseas banks, and some interesting developments from fund managers and platforms including Simplicity, Kernel, Foundation Series, and Sharesies. Continue Reading...

In this week's episode, I wanted to revisit an earlier episode with an update on Nathan from episode 71, and introduce a new guest, Sam, a 16-year-old Year 12 student who is starting a financial journey similar to Nathan's and already demonstrates a forward-thinking mindset towards his financial well-being. He recognises that financial stability is vital to achieving his goals. Nathan and Sam's experiences provide a valuable opportunity to educate young people about the importance of financial literacy and equip them with the tools they need to make wise financial decisions.

Most investors know about diversification. It involves spreading your money across different assets to reduce the risk of investing. However, diversification is often done wrong - Investors often buy too few, too many, or sometimes the wrong types of assets in the pursuit of a diversified portfolio. So in this article let's explore how many funds and shares you actually need to achieve a well diversified investment portfolio. Continue Reading...

The Māori Millionaire Podcast - Episode 43 Summary This week on the Māori Millionaire Podcast, we dive into what it means to create a...

Important UpdateWell, it's been 4 and a bit years and well the time has come… I’ve had a lot of fun but I think it’s time for me to call it quits...JUST KIDDING, relax. I told you we’re in