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
