11 Feb 2012: We’re in for a mixed year with KiwiSaver. Contributions from the government and employers will decrease. Still, there’s a good reason for employees who haven’t yet joined the scheme to get in now. Meanwhile, some over-65s will become eligible – for the first time - to withdraw money in retirement.... more
28 Jan 2012: Ah, summer. Time for beaches, baches, barbecues – and facing probably the year’s biggest credit card bills, or even demands for payment from loan sharks.... more
17 Dec 2011: It’s one of those situations in which, 20 or 30 years from now, I reckon people will say, "I can’t believe they used to do it that way."... more
3 Dec 2011: Contrarian investing – when you put your money into investments that most people are getting out of – sometimes works well. Such investments are usually cheap. But should we extend that to borrowing when most others are repaying debt?... more
19 Nov 2011: Look at any graph of credit card spending over the years and you see a clear pattern – spikes each December as we put Christmas gifts, food and drink and holiday spending on our cards.... more
5 Nov 2011: Not far from half of all members of KiwiSaver are not contributing regularly to the scheme - whether they are employees on a contributions holiday or non-employees who are simply not putting money in. What a pity.... more
22 Oct 2011: New Zealanders, it seems, are better off than people in any other OECD country when we look at non-financial measurements. The saying “money isn’t everything” rings true in this country.... more
27 Aug 2011: There were times when I felt distinctly uncomfortable at the government’s recent Financial Summit to discuss what should be done about loan sharks. ... more
RUGBY The final weekend of the Rugby Championship will go down to the wire, with just a point separating the table-topping Springboks and the All Blacks ... and with the Wallabies only three points behind them More...
BUSINESS AEC launches legal action against man accused of distributing unauthorised pamphlets attacking Allegra Spender More...
