Small Business

The following is a selection of articles mainly from January 2005 to the present. To explore this topic in more depth and access earlier columns, please use the search box.

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Articles

Are New Zealanders bad savers? It's all in the way you look at life

Key Points

· Some surveys on retirement saving are unduly pessimistic.

· Saving for retirement should be defined much more broadly than putting money into financial assets.

· Other ways of saving, such as repaying debt or getting an education, are wiser moves for some people than financial investing.

· Research shows that most New Zealanders are saving enough to maintain their pre-retirement standard of living after they retire.

· When we define retirement saving more broadly,...

NZ Herald May 31 2008

Q&As: 2 Q&As on how the self-employed can make the most of KiwiSaver.
More to come on tax deductibility of mortgage interest when you rent out your former home.

NZ Herald May 3 2008

Q&As: Measuring movements of the Kiwi dollar against the US dollar can be quite misleading.
Last week's boss responds to my response to him!
KiwiSaver tough on small businesses.
Many reasons to use Indian labour rather than NZ labour.
NZ workers not so bad.

NZ Herald December 15 2007

Q&As: Courses and grants help beneficiaries set up their own businesses.
Big earner is wrong to think KiwiSaver is not for him.
Why KiwiSaver money sits around at Inland Revenue for several weeks - although at least it earns interest.

NZ Herald July 21 2007

Q&As: Are the 65-pluses getting a raw deal?
One reader thinks richer superannuitants are already spoilt.
Self-employed reader doesn't realise what a good deal he's on to.
KiwiSaver options for small business couple.

NZ Herald July 14 2007

30 talented readers will win copies of KiwiSaver book
Q&As: How the KiwiSaver tax credit is calculated, and details for self-employed people.
KiwiSaver and taxation, plus more for the self-employed

Syndicated column April 28 2007: Think again about those KiwiSaver tax breaks

Many readers were no doubt pleased to hear of Winston Peters' recent hints that the May 17 Budget will include tax breaks in the KiwiSaver retirement savings scheme. But only some will benefit - and it will be at the expense of others, and the country as a whole.

NZ Herald November 18 2006

Q&As: Should we get bigger tax deductions for donations to charity? Also - give Christmas gifts to those who really need them.
Readers disagree over the price of a 1950s pie.
Buying shares company by company, over the years, not the best strategy.
Is the new proposed tax on international shares fair?

NZ Herald July 22 2006

Q&As: 2 on whether preparation and research plays a part in "luck".
Winning entries in competition to win a copy of "Get Rich Slow".

NZ Herald January 21 2006

Q&As: Shares v term deposits - it depends how much time you have.
Short-of-cash millionaires should try to renegotiate their mortgage.
When is a 2% penalty not 2%?

NZ Herald January 14 2006

Q&As: Should man, 53, go with bank and seminar rental recommendation?
Young couple ponder buying share of family farm.
should Mary answer all readers' letters?

Holm Truths summer 05-06

Can you get rich quick?: Only by taking big risks

Also in this issue: From the Mailbox - Spending in retirement

NZ Herald November 12 2005

Q&As: The pros and cons of self employment and income splitting.
Comparing shares with property is tricky.
How movements in the dollar affect investment in international share funds.

NZ Herald November 5 2005

Q&As: Share funds v rental property.
Income splitting by the self-employed - is it OK?

Are New Zealanders bad savers? It's all in the way you look at life

Key Points

· Some surveys on retirement saving are unduly pessimistic.

· Saving for retirement should be defined much more broadly than putting money into financial assets.

· Other ways of saving, such as repaying debt or getting an education, are wiser moves for some people than financial investing.

· Research shows that most New Zealanders are saving enough to maintain their pre-retirement standard of living after they retire.

· When we define retirement saving more broadly,...

NZ Herald January 22 2005

Q&As: Couple "retiring" in their 30s wonder how to invest their savings.
94-year-old share trader doing just fine.
How to run a caravan rental business.

NZ Herald January 15 2005

Q&As: You can make money by leasing out caravans.
Economist confesses how bad all foreign exchange forecasts are.