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The banks are at war again, slashing mortgage rates to new record lows. One-year special fixed rate terms are now under 2.5% for those with more than 20% equity (or a 20% deposit for first home buyers). Such a figure is hardly believable if long-term interest rates are considered. Rates across other terms are also well-down on anything anyone in NZ has seen before. So... Read more Read more

A flood of new investors are surging into share markets (also called stock markets). This isn’t just a New Zealand phenomenon, it’s happening worldwide. Here are the top seven reasons that people lose money on shares, and for a few pointers on how amateur investors can turn many of these weaknesses into strengths. 1. Most shares underperform the market average This may... Read more Read more

Greenwashing is giving a false impression or providing misleading information about the environmental status of a company or its products. These misleading or unsubstantiated claims deceive consumers into believing that a product or service is environmentally friendly or socially responsible. Although some of the environmental claims can be partly true, companies engaged in greenwashing... Read more Read more

The season of the holidays is getting further in the rear-view mirror for most of us and so are the (sometimes awkward) family congregations and gift exchanges that came with it. Holiday-related gift-giving practices are universal across every human culture worldwide. In fact, you could probably argue that major “holiday” events across all cultures are just an extravagant excuse for... Read more Read more

Everyone has a bad day at work now and then. You may leave your office vowing you will put your notice in soon. But how do you know when you should give your job a second chance, or when it is really time to quit? Read on for the top 13 warning signs that you should leave your job. 1. You’re unhappy most of each day doing this work This is not rocket science – the clearest sign... Read more Read more

The "gig economy" is an emerging class of temporary and flexible jobs. It is on the rise as businesses hire more independent contractors and freelancers instead of full-time employees. Nowadays, if you jump online, you will see job adverts for Uber drivers, freelance writing and design work. For some, the gig economy is an ‘in-between’ where they work a gig outside their regular employment... Read more Read more

As the clock struck 12:01 on January 1, many of us resolved to make a change in our diet, exercise habits, or personal finances. Others among us are committed to improving our relationships, spending more time doing what we love, or learning something new. As the year that was 2020 becomes a more distant memory, let’s take a look at how we may progress with these goals statistically speaking... Read more Read more

Thousands of indexes track the movements of various sectors, markets, and investment strategies every minute, hour, and day. They are used to determine that market’s health and performance. The most followed index worldwide is the Standard & Poor’s 500, usually referred to as the (S&P 500). The index can also act as a market's benchmark, or way of measuring performance. You... Read more Read more

The new year means you can create a new you – or keep building on the foundation you already have. To help you on your way, here are eight steps to make 2021 the best financial year of your life. 1. Get inspired ”A goal without a plan is only a dream” – Brian Tracy. Without inspiration none of the steps below will work. You need great goals – dreams with a deadline – to... Read more Read more

There are ways to make your hard-earned dollars go further while you have a great summer break, here are eight tips to have a great summer without blowing the bank. 1. Don’t confuse expenses with happiness – the best experiences are often free Have you ever seen a child discard an expensive new present to play with the box it came in instead? The same principle applies to grown... Read more Read more

As the weather warms, the beach and barbeque are probably calling your name. Though something else worth spending a little time and attention on during the holiday season is your finances. Just like your physical health, your financial health needs a check-up at least annually. Before the year that has been like no other winds down, take some time to check in on your financial... Read more Read more

How about the happy couple at the top of this page? – they look so content, right? This year might have seen an adjustment in our international travel plans, but there are still plenty of similar pictures doing the rounds. These images might show individuals or couples laughing and smiling against the backdrop of a mountain or sunset. This is often how we might see our friends, family... Read more Read more

From 1 April 2021 a new tax rate will be applied to NZ’s top earners. This increases the top tax rate for individuals to 39% for the 2021-22 tax year for annual income above $180,000. This is expected to impact about two percent of all NZ earners, approximately 75,000 people. Updated income tax rates NZ’s income tax system is often misunderstood. NZ has progressive tax... Read more Read more

Author and self-improvement guru Mark Manson collated this list of life lessons to excel in your 30s. To compile the list, he collated responses from over 600 people aged 40 and over, and reportedly he was shocked to find just how consistent some of the pointers were! – the same “…pieces of advice came up over and over and over again in different forms across literally 100s of emails. It seems... Read more Read more

Mortgage mistakes can be costly – if not now, in the future. For all of us who already have a mortgage, here are the top six mortgage traps we should avoid, along with a few tips of what we can do instead. 1. Getting extra lending to buy things you don’t need As we repay the loan on our home, and as property prices increase, it’s natural for us to start feeling wealthier. We... Read more Read more

Property investment is nearly an obsession in New Zealand. With low interest rates, increasing property prices, demand for housing, and no capital gains tax, it will probably remain that way. At is simplest, residential property is an easy investment to understand – we all need somewhere to live! To see if you’re ready to take the plunge into property investment, see if you... Read more Read more

The events of 2020 have been a great reminder that there is no hiding from the challenge’s life will throw at you. This is as true as it is for your finances, career, and investments as it is for any other area. Against the backdrop of a changing world, diversification is a way to make your finances as indestructible as possible. What does diversification mean? With... Read more Read more

There is a handy online tool that enables us to measure how we stack up financially against other Kiwi’s, though before we get to that, let’s ensure we’re using it for the right reasons… Comparing our riches – why would we? Humans are designed to understand ourselves and the world around us. The ability to reflect upon things is one of the defining characteristics of humans.... Read more Read more

The fate of British Cycling changed one day in 2003 when they hired Dave Brailsford as their new performance director. At the time, professional cyclists in Great Britain had endured nearly a hundred years of mediocrity. Since 1908, British riders had won just a single gold medal at the Olympics, and they had fared even worse in cycling’s biggest race, the Tour de... Read more Read more

Buying a house, especially when you’re younger is still an incredibly smart financial decision in the majority of cases. Home ownership is accepted as the cornerstone of wealth for most New Zealanders, with a debt-free home by retirement being the most common life goal. On the flipside, society is changing and there have never been more choices for Kiwis to build wealth too. So, here... Read more Read more