Most KiwiSaver providers let their customers choose how their balance is invested, by choosing the fund type to invest their contributions and employer contributions in. The KiwiSaver fund types have different ways of investing money, for example different combinations of cash allocations or shares.
Financial planning should be the natural friend of good insurance coverage
I had a friend who said that the trick to sailing in all conditions around the world was to know that sometime your boat would sink. He felt that keeping that fact at the forefront of his mind kept him prepared.
The Artificial Intelligence race gathers pace
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the way we live, and the tech giants are racing to stay ahead of the curve. This race is also presenting opportunities for the financial services industry.
Tax Working Group’s interim report: The good, bad, and ugly
The report narrows down options for the Government and gives a pretty clear indication of what the Working Group’s final recommendations will be in March ‘19.
Why is it so hard to talk about money?
Over the course of our lives, there are many uncomfortable questions and conversations to be had. Those dealing with money are perhaps the most persistent and difficult. The repercussions of not talking about our finances can be severe, with negative consequences to our health, wealth and happiness.
In Money Week, let's talk about financial resilience
"Resilience" tends to be defined as flourishing despite adversity or bouncing back quickly from difficult situations. Financial resilience is often considered as simply ensuring an emergency cash fund is available to cover against unforeseen expenses.
Ignoring advice can have consequences
A good adviser doesn't give advice unless it's aimed at improving someone's situation. Ignoring advice will generally come with a self-inflicted penalty. Somewhere down the track, not taking action will be to the detriment of that person or their family.
Investment lessons from betting on the nags
The Tarzino Trophy Daffodil Raceday on September 1 launches Group 1 racing for the season, bringing the big guns of New Zealand racing to Hastings, to battle at one of the country's stellar racing events.
The Fortnite power of attorney
A power of attorney (POA) can be a difficult topic on several levels, especially for those who don't or won't understand it because they don't think anyone should act on their behalf. Or in the case of an offspring, have their eyes on a financial prize when the elder departs.
The top 10 excuses we make about bad money decisions
Human beings have an astounding facility for self-deception when it comes to their own money. People who make bad money decisions can often rationalise them. Here are 10 common excuses.
Q and A: Canadian pension expert Barry LaValley
Canadian retirement expert, author and founder of the Retirement Lifestyle Center Barry LaValley was in Hawke's Bay this week, talking to clients of the Hastings-based Stewart Group, and addressing about 60 people at a public meeting on retirement issues in Hastings.
Secrets to happy retirement are right here
Retirement ought to be a happy time. You can set your own schedule, take long holidays, and start spending all the money you've been saving.
The vacationer's guide to investing
Two colleagues went on holiday separately. One had a great time. The other had a miserable experience. Their respective stories provide valuable lessons, not just about taking a vacation, but about investment.
Reece's story...
Reece was a fit, healthy young guy with a busy life and a young family. He had an active, physical job as a builder and was a keen sportsman - a yachtsman, cyclist and runner who had recently completed his first marathon. At 38, life was good. Until…
Thousands of bank accounts closed due to foreign information sharing law
Thousands of bank accounts are frozen. It is now a legal requirement for banks, some investment managers, managed trusts and certain brokers to identify their customers who are foreign tax residents and send their financial information to Inland Revenue.
The Value of Portfolio Modelling Simulations in Financial Planning
As part of our financial planning process, when clients have to make important decisions, we like to “stress test” their plan. One of the tools that we may use is a Monte Carlo simulation.
Financial plan is like a voyage - so have navigator onboard
Embarking on a financial plan is like sailing around the world. The voyage won't always go to plan and there will be rough seas, but those who are prepared, flexible, patient and well advised greatly increase the odds of reaching their destinations.
FMA: Investor confidence research 2018
The Financial Markets Authority released its annual survey into the public’s attitude to financial markets. The survey highlights that the least understood investment types are those associated with high risk and 80% of respondents aged 18-29 have a KiwiSaver investment.
NZ and its ongoing property obsession
It's on TV; it's on the radio, it's in the newspapers and online. It seems everyone is buying it, making money from it or renovating it. The data providers have been pushing down the timing on their price indices from monthly to weekly to daily updates.
Let World Cup teach you investment lessons
Belgium, France, England, or Croatia? Which football team are you betting on this World Cup? If you are a stock investor and an avid football fan, the soccer field can be a good place for a few investment lessons.
