Investment fads are nothing new. When selecting strategies for their portfolios, investors are often tempted to seek out the latest and greatest investment opportunities.
Take the rough with the smooth
A key to a successful investment experience is understanding how markets behave and developing the discipline to avoid rash decisions based on short time periods.
Better investment decision making
Making sensible investment decisions is difficult. We are subject to a range of behavioural biases. We have to cope with incessant noise around financial markets. We behave in ways that are inconsistent with our long-term investment objectives. So, what can we do about it?
Key Changes to KiwiSaver in April 2019
Some positive KiwiSaver changes are coming into effect from 1 April 2019 and later in the year. These changes will provide greater options for New Zealanders to see their retirement savings increase over time.
Conflict versus Transparency
When we obtain advice from a financial adviser, the fee charged should be transparent, and the fee in transparent dollar amounts is for the advice received, not for a product.
Living on the Edge
Digital innovation has democratised access to financial information to the point where anyone with a smartphone, a few apps and real-time news and data feeds can be like a pro trader. But who wants to do that? And do you need to?
Picking Winners
Finance journalists tend to write lots of articles about industries or sectors because these stories fit a current narrative. In the tech stock boom, it was the information revolution. In the mining boom, it was the rise of China.
Why do we make stupid investment decisions?
Although financial markets are awash with randomness and uncertainty, there are obvious, vital and, often simple, cues that as investors we seemingly choose to ignore or disregard. This results in poor choices and often disappointing outcomes.
More money lost to scammers In 2018
If someone cold called offering the opportunity to double your money with a great opportunity in the burgeoning North Korean share market, most people would hang up the phone without question. Temper those claims a little and the cold caller might hook a fish.
Should you rent a home, or buy?
So, renting a home always equals throwing money down the drain, and buying a home is key to building equity … right? Nope. That rule is as outdated as a horse and carriage. In fact, more people are deciding to keep on renting — indefinitely. Why? People have different financial goals.
Alarm bells over insurers conduct and culture
Purchasing life insurance is one of the most important financial decisions people will make in their lives. There are approximately four million life insurance policies in force in New Zealand, with consumers paying $2.54 billion in annual premiums.
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.
Don't sweat the downturn
We'd all love for the market to go on a tear forever, reaching record highs and blowing minds; but the truth is, downturns are a reality, particularly if you are a long-term investor.
Your New Year's Resolution
The new year is a time of reflection; a ready-made reminder to us all that we should perhaps take stock of what's happened and what will come next. It is a good time to ask a very simple but profound question: What could possibly go wrong over the course of the coming year?
Top Drawer Investments
One old adage about investment is that you buy a bunch of reliable stocks, stick them in your bottom drawer and forget about them. That ignores one pesky fact: nothing stays the same.
Different views on finance
Men and women are different when it comes to money. Not the most outrageous statement. It's something financial advisers who sit across the desk from the sexes on a daily basis have no problem telling you.
Give Yourself the Gift of Health
We know that this time of year can be a little overwhelming. Not only are you trying to wrap this year up on a high note, but you're also setting your goals and intentions for next year. Fortunately, this article is designed to help you do that.
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!
Top 10 Investment guidelines
Depending on luck is simply not a sustainable investment strategy. Evidence-based, goal-based investment may not sound as exciting but is also a lot less work.
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.
