For most of us, KiwiSaver is the primary vehicle that will help us reach our retirement goals. So it is a good idea to spend some time reviewing your KiwiSaver with the help of a financial adviser and make sure you are maximising your returns.
To Bit or Not to Bit
What are investors to make of all this media attention around Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies? What place, if any, should bitcoin play in a diversified portfolio? Recently, the value of bitcoin has risen sharply, but that is the past. What about its future value?
Are you on track to get an extra $521 into your KiwiSaver?
Wouldn't it be great to get an extra $521 into your KiwiSaver? As your KiwiSaver adviser, we want to ensure you don’t miss out! You may already know that the government pays 50 cents for every dollar you contribute to your KiwiSaver account each year, up to $521.43.
The lesser-known link between investment and return
"Investment" actually has two interrelated meanings: a physical investment (machinery, building, cars etc.) and financial investment (stocks and bonds), which lays claim on physical investment and the income (aka "return") it generates. So what is the lesser-known link between investment and return? Productivity.
Recognising the Social Purpose of Investing
Climate change is all over the news. Today more than ever, many of us are making small changes to our lifestyle. From recycling to going vegan or using the car less often, we are changing our ways to reduce harm to the planet. As an island country reliant on primary production and tourism for much of its economic wealth, New Zealand is particularly vulnerable to the economic and environmental impacts of climate change.
Spilled Milk
Jumping in the deep end before you can swim investment questions aren't a new thing. People have always contacted us to ask questions that only prompt more questions. Ones they haven't considered. It's only natural that if your job involves money, someone will inevitably ask you about their stock or want a financial forecast. More and more, these questions have gravitated to the internet. A little anonymity means you don't have to feel embarrassed to ask a straightforward question.
For the 200th Time
This is our 200th op-ed article for the weekly 'Canny View' column that began in 2017. It is a massive milestone for us, and we thought it's worth sharing with the readers of the Canny View column. We have to say this is NOT a humble brag about how we managed to write one article per week for the past three and a half years.
Beware of shiny things
The influence of advertising is undeniably far-reaching, and the world of investing is no exception. New advertising mediums are creating avenues for financial companies to target and reach a broader audience. But the reality is that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to financial planning.
Lazy Money
In its latest interest rate decision on 14 April, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand's Monetary Policy Committee maintained its official cash rate at a historic low of 0.25 per cent, introduced earlier in 2020, and its medium-term outlook remains highly uncertain, determined in large part by both health-related restrictions, and business and consumer confidence.
Beat the Burnout
Kiwis have a world-famous work ethic; there’s a reason why our ex-pats in London are so employable! However, the hard-working, dig deep approach, with all its positives, can spill over into over-working. Add to that record debt levels, the cost of health care, slow wage growth and little work-life balance, and you have a recipe for emotional exhaustion.
Diversification a great luxury
Horticulture is forever an unfortunate lesson about diversification. Small orchard owners often have to concentrate their operations around one or two commodities or varieties. This is no criticism; their options are quite often limited. It leaves them highly vulnerable to variances such as weather, government policy and consumer behaviour.
Your Sustainability Choices
Reusable bags, paper straws and recycling are great initiatives, but many have elevated their thinking to sustainable investing. Kiwis are increasingly interested in how they can make their investment decisions in accord with their views about human rights, climate change and environmental sustainability. But where does one start? A good first step is to define goals around sustainable investing.
Safe as Houses
The breaking news that got everyone talking is the government's new set of measures to confront the housing crisis in New Zealand. It’s a welcome change: the constant pressure by media and the public outcry finally moved the needle. This course correction is long overdue.
Commonalities between Winemaking & Investing
Autumn is here, and the grape harvest is well underway, with winemakers commenting on the fruit's quality. Savouring a vintage wine is one of life’s great pleasures, but often overlooked in the joy of consumption is the carefully calibrated journey from grape to glass.
There is no free advice
If you are wrestling with a prickly investment question or simply hoping to seek some financial advice, engaging a financial adviser might sound appealing. But searching for one who would put your interest above all can quickly get confusing.
Third Age
This is not another piece about retirement. Well, it is a little, but it is really about dreams and goals. Just as most things in financial planning are. Your dreams of not just relaxing in front of the TV but also exploring new facets of life. Your goals of achieving financial freedom and enjoying a pretty good third age.
Greenlights & Redlights
Behaviourally we all face the same challenges. Lifestyle inflation. Who to trust with our money? Overestimating how long things can stay good for. Finding a good adviser and being coached on how to focus on the basics maybe even more important.
Questions on Sustainable Investing
Many people want to align their environmental views with their portfolio objectives. But can you support your values while maintaining sound investment principles and pursuing higher expected returns? Here are three important questions that are important to ask your financial adviser.
Be wary of financial advertisers
Social media has been blamed for being the cause of many ills over the past decade. Being able to blatantly tell lies and distort the truth to a narrow group of people is regarded as a serious problem on social media. Much of the focus to this point has been on political campaigns, but the investment world is quickly catching up.
Do You Need Life Insurance in Your 20s?
Building a strong financial foundation in your 20s begins with having the right tools. A budget is one thing you'll need, especially if you're focused on building an emergency fund, saving for retirement or paying off debt. Life insurance is something else you ought to add to your toolbox. But does life insurance for young adults make sense?
