Government assistance

RNZ Radio 7 March 2024

How women and men invest differently — the good and bad
– Women run everyday money better
– But financial knowledge gap increases with age
– Retirement savings gap
– Women trade less — good!
– But women take too little risk
– Good news on parental leave and KiwiSaver

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NZ Herald 17 February 2024

Q&As:
– How should terminal cancer patient handle her money?
– Tax ideas:
   – Tax-free amount for low earners?
   – Get rid of cash?
   – Use GST only?
   – Don’t forget brightline test
– Yes, you have plenty to retire on…
– … Superannuitant gets along fine on just NZ Super

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NZ Herald 18 November 2023

Q&As:
– Tips for a 26-year-old on how saving for a home
– A 50% house price drop? 30% has happened
– Changes strengthen landlord argument
– Tough gifting rules for elderly care subsidy
– One way around the care subsidy rules?
– Divorce not the answer unless real

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NZ Herald 11 November 2023

Q&As:
– Are house prices too high?
– Bank needs to improve KiwiSaver withdrawal options
– In residential care subsidy rules, do charity donations count?
– My mistake with gifting number
– 2 Q&As on care subsidy details
– Legal execs “are not secretaries”

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NZ Herald 4 November 2023

Q&As:
– Best retirement investment — running?
– No, I’ve still not converted to market timing
– Which KiwiSaver providers have the best fund flexibility?
– More on lawyers and wills
– Care subsidy could be unfair on couples
– Warn the family they may not get the house
– Consider curbing your gifts in retirement

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NZ Herald 28 October 2023

Q&As:
– How to help students while also motivating them
– What happens to someone’s KiwiSaver when they die
– DIY to avoid “exorbitant” legal fees?
– Elderly care rules tough on middle-income retirees

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RNZ Radio 17 August 2023

Struggling to pay rates? Try a rebate or postponement:
(First: A comment on National’s proposed KiwiSaver changes)
– People facing big rate rises
– Different councils’ offerings
– Rebates for people on low incomes
– Postponement in some cases for everyone
– How it works
– How to get help with this

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NZ Herald 22 July 2023

Q&As:
– Become a digital nomad — but keep the house
– What it’s like working with a financial mentor
– Sell the house and rent in retirement?
– Some banks reject parents’ loans to children for house buying
– A warning on lending to an elderly parent

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NZ Herald 15 July 2023

Q&As:
– Help for low-income people in rundown house…
– … And for woman with inheritance
– … And for reader with lousy luck
– Lend rather than give money to offspring to buy a home
– Letters about banking headed for Commerce Commission

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RNZ Radio 25 May 2023

KiwiSaver back to positive! Also, new KiwiSaver help for new parents
– Returns January to March positive for almost all KiwiSaver funds
– Are the best short-term funds also the best long-term?
– Main points: Hang in there; higher risk = higher return; never judge by short-term performance
– Government helps KiwiSavers on paid parental leave

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