Is the grass really greener (and cheaper) in the countryside? Today we're exploring the financial reality of city versus country living in New Zealand. With Auckland's median house price at $970,000, we'll investigate whether moving to regions like Gore, where houses trade around $400,000, could be your ticket to mortgage-free living.Key Questions Discussed:What are the current house prices across NZ's main centres?Which NZ towns offer homes under $500,000?How do job opportunities compar...

In this follow-up episode, we dive into how to calculate your ideal insurance coverage. We'll help you understand exactly how much protection you need and what factors to consider.Key Questions Discussed:How do you calculate your ideal coverage amount?What's the difference between stepped and level premiums?Do couples need individual or joint policies?What are common policy exclusions?When should you review your coverage?and much more!If you enjoyed today's show, we'd LOVE for you to rate...

Today we're tackling a crucial but often overlooked topic: how to calculate your life insurance needs. With recent FSC research showing only 20% of New Zealanders have income protection insurance, we'll break down the essentials of personal insurance and help you figure out exactly how much coverage you need.Key Questions Discussed:What are the different types of life insurance available?How do you calculate your ideal coverage amount?What's the difference between stepped and level premi...

In this Money Moments episode we're joined by Jason Leong, CEO and Co-Founder of PocketSmith. From humble beginnings to leading a global fintech company serving customers in 190 countries, Jason shares his money journey and the story behind PocketSmith's growth.Specifically, we chat about:What shaped Jason's relationship with money and financial habits?Why PocketSmith chose sustainable growth over rapid scalingHow PocketSmith manages a remote team across New Zealand and embraces individuality...

How much money do you really need to retire? In this eye-opening episode, we break down the real numbers behind retirement planning in New Zealand. With recent Retirement Commission research showing that 65% of people over 55 have no concrete retirement plan, we'll help you understand what you need and how to get there.Key Questions Discussed:What's the difference between a 'no frills' and 'choices' retirement?How much does NZ Super actually provide?What are the current retirement saving...

Today, we're discussing how to break up financially—not just with a significant other.Breakups are challenging, and they aren't limited to romantic relationships. Whether you're parting ways with a service provider like a personal trainer or financial adviser, or even becoming financially independent from your parents, there are strategies to help ease the transition and handle the situation effectively.Key Questions Discussed:How do you professionally end financial relationships with service...

In this episode, we tackle a crucial yet often-overlooked topic: what happens to your investments when you pass away? Understanding what happens to your assets is essential for ensuring your loved ones are taken care of and the outcome you intended is achieved.Specifically, we chat about:What is the importance of having a will for your investments?We run through a scenario of what happens in default with your estate if you don't have a will in placeWhy it's important to seek legal advice from...

In this episode, we revisit the concept of diversification in investing. Understanding how to spread your investments is important, especially in helping manage risk. Specifically, we chat about:What is diversification and why is it important?How can you diversify your investments across asset classes, geography, sectors, and company sizes?How many stocks do you need to achieve effective diversification?How can you identify signs of under-diversification or over-diversification in your p...

In the second part of our mortgage series, we dive deeper into the practical steps of purchasing your dream home. From assembling a reliable support team to finalizing your settlement, we've got you covered:Specifically, we chat about:Who should be on your support team, and why are they essential to the home buying process?Why is building and contents insurance essential, and how early should you secure it?What is the importance of conducting property inspections before proceeding with an auc...

In this 2 part episode, we'll be chatting about the step by step on how to buy a house. Whether you're a first-time buyer or a seasoned pro, we outline the steps you'll need to take, including some tips to take to help make your house hunt easier both mentally and hopefully financially.In this episode, we cover:When should you set your goal to buy a house, and is your timeline flexible?What is the ideal deposit amount you should aim for, and what are the implications of different percent...

In this episode, we're joined by an expert guest - Cam Irvine.Cam brings extensive experience from the financial services industry, having worked for one of the most successful mutual fund managers in the US before becoming a highly qualified NZ financial planner.Specializing in working with ex-pats and those with significant property-based wealth, Cam is a passionate advocate for data-driven investing.Today, he's here to do a deep dive into index investing with a focus more on the psychology...

Today we’re back with another Money Moments episode, where we chat to real Kiwis about their experience with money.In this episode, we’re back again in the hot seat to give you an update on what’s going on with our lives financially. Our last check-in was back in May - about 4 months ago so there is catching up to do. Let’s get stuck in!Specifically, we discuss:Christine's recent horror Airbnb story An update on Christine's recent exercise and health habitsWhy Cat is considering getting ...

In this week’s episode of Money Moments, we chat with Ravi Chand, Operations Manager at Lighthouse Financial. Ravi shares his money habits and the journey that got him to where he is today.Specifically, we discuss:The money mindset(s) he uses daily to manage his lifestyleWhat money habits he’s proud of (and a few he’s embarrassed by)How he found a creative way to get on the property ladder with his first homeWhat retirement looks like for him in the long termIf you enjoyed today's show, we'd ...

Today, we’re back with another Money Moments episode, where we chat with real Kiwis about their experiences with money. In the hot seat today is Sophie Hurley.Sophie is a farmer, mum, and the founder of Honest Wolf, an ethical New Zealand luxury wool brand. Recently, she was honoured with the 2023 Supreme Award and Emerging Business Award at the Rural Women NZ Business Awards. She and her husband have also been featured on Country Calendar.We dive into Sophie’s journey, exploring how she buil...

In this week’s episode, we chat about something near and dear to many Kiwi investors—investment property!When it comes to investing, many Kiwis often default to the dream of owning multiple properties with the hope of benefiting from capital gains and that sweet rental income. But are investment properties the only way to set ourselves up for financial success? More importantly, will this obsession with investment property continue given the current rules and regulations?Tune in with Ker...

In this episode of Money Moments, Christine catches up with Dean Anderson, the founder and CE of Kernel.It’s been two years since Dean last appeared on the podcast, so we thought it was the perfect time for him to update us on both his professional journey and personal milestones.In this episode, we discuss:The toughest and most rewarding aspects of running KernelSignificant personal and financial changes Dean has experienced in the last two yearsWhat drove Dean’s decision to re-enter the pro...

Today, we dive into some of the costs of university education and weigh the pros and cons to help you make an informed decision. Please note: that this episode is not about convincing you one way or another but to chat about the factors that might sway your choice from a financial standpoint.In this episode, we cover:What our university experience was likeA rough ballpark of the cost of obtaining a bachelor's and a postgraduate degree, including living expenses.The pros and cons of going...

Send us a textToday we’re back with a Money Q&A - where we answer questions submitted by you, the lovely listeners of the pod.In this episode, we answer these two questions:Should I borrow money to invest in a business? I have $5,000 left on my student loan should I pay it off?If you enjoyed today's show, we'd LOVE for you to rate & review it on Apple Podcasts and share your favourite episode with a friend.SUBSCRIBE to It's No Secret, wherever you listen to podcasts and never mis...

Send us a textThe last week (5-9th August 2024) has been a volatile time in international sharemarkets. As investors, it can be easy to read dramatic news headlines about and react to them, so we wanted to take the chance to chat through specifically what happened in the sharemarkets, and what this means for you as the everyday investor. To share insights and provide further context, Christine is joined on the podcast by Rhea Prasad, Portfolio Manager at Kernel. More specifically, w...

Send us a textThis month is Money Month in New Zealand, an annual campaign by Sorted (Retirement Commission) to raise awareness about money, and help Kiwis improve their finances. Knowing where to start with your money can often be the trickiest part, so today's episode covers 5 simple actions you can take this Money Month to improve your financial situation - from taking stock of where you're at right now, creating disposable income to understanding your KiwiSaver balance better. Tune in now...

Send us a Text Message.In today's podcast episode, we’ll be chatting with you about the key drivers behind people choosing their investment style. The active vs passive investing strategies have been hotly debated for a long time. But how do you convince someone that one is 'better' than the other without just spitting out facts? More importantly, what are the underlying factors for choosing one over the other? Tune in to find out!Specifically, we chat about:How you can convince someone ...

Send us a Text Message.Today we’re back with another Money Moments episode, where we chat to real Kiwis about their experience with money.In this episode, we're joined by loyal podcast listener, Elise Dalrymple-Keast, who went from working 6 part-time social media jobs during university to building a digital marketing agency with a team of 7 and generating millions of dollars in revenue for clients — all in 4 short years. Today, we get to hear about her journey with money. Specifically, ...

Send us a Text Message.Feeling guilty about your spending habits? In this episode, we uncover the psychology behind money guilt and offer practical tips to manage it. But what do we mean when we talk about money guilt?Money Coach Marnita Oppermann defines money guilt as “dealing with feelings of remorse, shame, or anxiety because of financial decisions or circumstances.” She says these emotional responses are often triggered by impulsive spending and financial mistakes such as poor investment...

Send us a Text Message.Today we’re going to run through a few money tips to help get you through tough financial times. It’s a challenging time out there right now for many people; interest rates have risen and remained high, therefore those who own homes are particularly struggling to cover the cost of their mortgage.Further, the cost of living is generally very high, so we thought we would shed light on a few things you could do to increase your income either, decrease your expenses or take...