They may not be as exciting as a suave Brit exploring far-flung corners of the world in the name of espionage, but bonds are experiencing a bit of fame recently for all the wrong reasons.
Prepare for the brain drain
For the last two years we’ve been grounded while COVID took its toll. Now borders are starting to open and, despite the situation still being grim in places like the UK, New Zealanders are keen to get going and explore the world like they used to.
Watching with interest
All eyes are on interest rates this week, with inflation hitting a 30 year high of 6.9% according to the Customer Price Index (CPI) data.
Chocolate coins (and other dubious currency)
If someone came up to you and offered to convert your cash to a handful of chocolate coins, would you accept them as legitimate currency even though their real-world buying power is severely limited?
The world of crypto and other NFTs (non-fungible tokens) is similar…
The rising cost of living
A report by the New Zealand Initiative states households are spending an extra $3000 or more a year on essentials, with a third of the increase being due to higher transport costs.
Save it for later: The CCCFA revisited
The already-infamous CCCFA was implemented in December 2021 with the view to stop predatory lending practices. It went a bit further than that, and banks were refusing to take chances when there was a $200,000 personal fine for anyone found at fault. Lending, unsurprisingly, slowed right down in the lead-up and after implementation.
Choosing the Greener Path
Investors have been increasingly looking for options aligning with their personal ethics and values, without compromising on potential returns – and evidence is saying they can get both.
Diamonds and Caviar
This geo-political crisis has certainly had economists and politicians running the ruler over sectors dominated by both Russia and Ukraine – such as Russia’s global dominance of the diamond mining production at over 50%, and Ukraine and Russia’s collective 26% of global wheat exports.
All that and a bag of chips...
Preparation: the Key to Success
It’s widely accepted in the sports world that to pin all hope of winning on one player is not a good team strategy. If they can no longer represent that team for any myriad of reasons, it stands to reason that there should be a chain of replacements…
All that glitters... might be a scam
Recently we had a strange review appear on our Facebook page. It was not regarding our people, nor our services – but it was just specific enough to seem passably legitimate to the uninitiated.
Navigating Geopolitical Events
Recent conflict between Russia and Ukraine is an important reminder that geopolitical risk is a part of investing.
Banking on Change
In the past few years, we’ve seen moves from big banks offloading their investment and insurance offerings.
We Had Better Have a Plan – Corrections, Risk and Tolerance
With the corrections occurring in the market and the markets doing what they have always done efficiently… It’s time to stop, breathe deep with both feet firmly on the ground, and reassure ourselves of the why and what is of our financial position and plan.
Volatility: Give it Time
When we say ‘volatility’, it’s usually referencing the amount of risk or uncertainty associated with a security’s value. If you’re looking at the volatility of certain assets, you’re looking at how largely the prices swing up or down around the mean price.
For Want of a Nail
Complaints about lending have increased with banks leery of the risk and opting to take a harsh line instead – leading to reports of people being turned down for mortgages because they were buying drinks at the dairy, spending money at Kmart, or because of pregnancy.
It’s a Jobseeker’s World, After All
Data suggests New Zealand could be on the cusp of something similar to the Great Resignation seen in the USA and UK – in sentiment, anyway.
10 Reasons for Financial Advice
When life changes, money changes. And when money changes, life changes.
Transitions in life aren't just inevitable. They're constant. These crucial moments of transition may shape your entire future.
What's "Independent" Anyway?
We know that if people have a vested interest in something, they are more likely to steer you towards the outcome that most benefits them. It’s the same thinking that tells us to get an independent AA check when buying a car, because we know the salesperson at the yard gets a commission whether they sell us a reliable car or a lemon.
In With the New
There’s something extremely satisfying about being able to put 2021 to bed, even if it’s more symbolic than anything else.
