Balance, and finding balance. It evokes pictures of rocks stacked upon each other at the beach. It’s something of an ongoing search for time-crunched people. How they can bring balance to various aspects of their lives?
Returns are Random
The chart shows the variability of asset class performance on a year-by-year basis from 2010 through 2019. The best-performing asset class for each calendar year is at the top of each column. Please remember, past performance does not guarantee future results.
The Decade Ahead
It’s that time of year. When everyone starts talking about what will happen next year. Banks. Brokers. Economists. Lunatic gold newsletter salesmen on YouTube. They’ve all got an opinion. The media goes on holidays while those left manning the fort get extra lazy. We’re all subjected to unfiltered astrology calls on financial markets.
Lifestyle comparisons pointless in debtland
Competitiveness can be good. It can drive us further. Lead us to do better things. Challenge ourselves in ways we didn’t think of. You don’t even need to compete with others. Compete against yourself. Health. Fitness. Creative skills. Projects. Financial. Anything. New goals.
Ladies, don’t put your financial security at risk
Numerous studies suggest that women often defer to their spouses or partners when it comes to making long-term financial decisions, a choice that can put them at a distinct disadvantage in the event of divorce or death of a spouse and significantly interrupt a woman’s financial path.
What it means to run a Trust in 2021?
On 30th July, an important piece of legislation which affects many people received a Royal Assent but received little media attention. It’s the Trusts Act 2019. With New Zealand having the highest number of trusts per capita in the world, new landmark legislation has critical implications for the thousands of trustees and many more beneficiaries of these structures.
The Cricket World Cup, Outcome Bias and Outrageous Fortune
Given how unfathomable the game of cricket is for the uninitiated (and initiated) I am at pains to reference such a wonderfully convoluted activity; however, sometimes sport offers up such vivid examples of our behavioural biases in action that it proves irresistible subject matter.
Where there's a Will, but no way
Is your will drawn up? Do you have a power of attorney? Aside from ensuring your investments are right for you, your financial adviser should have a healthy interest in ensuring a few other things in your life are addressed.
Disruption and Diversification
Any company can run into difficulty. Most potential good news is already built into the stock price of a blue-chip favourite. Bad news tends to be unexpected and can cause significant damage to the share price.
Three smart money moves to make in your 30s
Those of you in your 30s know it's the decade when a lot of significant things happen. Along the way, there are some smart money moves you can make now that "Future You" will seriously thank you for.
Stay in your comfort zone
Go back to the 1995 film, Clueless. After a driving lesson goes terribly wrong, the valley kids are almost squashed by a tractor-trailer, harassed by a motorcycle gang, and given the finger for driving too slowly by old people. If only they had remained in their comfort zone and taken their lesson on quiet residential streets rather than a 12-lane highway!
Is property still the golden egg?
New Zealand's house prices have been ranked the most overvalued in the developed world behind only Hong Kong. The Kiwi housing market was also deemed to be the fifth most at-risk among OECD nations, according to an Oxford Economics report.
GFC 10 years on: Time and Patience
Timing the market is tough, as is basing an investment strategy on economic or market forecasts. But we can do ourselves a favour, both materially and emotionally, by accepting that volatility is a normal part of investing and by sticking to a well-thought-out investment plan agreed upon in less stressful times.
Putting 'family' into financial planning
A couple that decides to form a long-term relationship does more than create a legal and spiritual bond. At the same time, the personal and financial goals probably shift and become more complex.
A question of equilibrium to investors
There's been a lot of noise in TV & print media finance reports in the past one month. But have you ever wondered that if there are so many sellers out there, who is buying?
Why is it so hard to talk about money?
Over the course of our lives, there are many uncomfortable questions and conversations to be had. Those dealing with money are perhaps the most persistent and difficult. The repercussions of not talking about our finances can be severe, with negative consequences to our health, wealth and happiness.
In Money Week, let's talk about financial resilience
"Resilience" tends to be defined as flourishing despite adversity or bouncing back quickly from difficult situations. Financial resilience is often considered as simply ensuring an emergency cash fund is available to cover against unforeseen expenses.
Investment lessons from betting on the nags
The Tarzino Trophy Daffodil Raceday on September 1 launches Group 1 racing for the season, bringing the big guns of New Zealand racing to Hastings, to battle at one of the country's stellar racing events.
The top 10 excuses we make about bad money decisions
Human beings have an astounding facility for self-deception when it comes to their own money. People who make bad money decisions can often rationalise them. Here are 10 common excuses.
Financial plan is like a voyage - so have navigator onboard
Embarking on a financial plan is like sailing around the world. The voyage won't always go to plan and there will be rough seas, but those who are prepared, flexible, patient and well advised greatly increase the odds of reaching their destinations.
