A while back I asked you to send me in any questions that you are looking for an answer to and I received well over 100 responses. So, I’ve hand-picked just four to answer today and I'll come back to the others in the future. On with the questions!
All in KiwiSaver
Book Review: Rich Enough? A Laid-Back Guide for Every Kiwi
Mary Holm has been on my radar for a long time, she was possibly the first woman I heard speak with authority on how to handle money and has continued to be a great role model. The front page of her new book says she is “New Zealand’s Most Trusted Money Expert”. I bet the publishers angst over that bold claim, but I think it’s true.
Applying The Barefoot Investor in NZ
The Barefoot Investor by Australian Scott Pape is an excellent book and it has been instrumental in changing the financial direction of not just Australians but also of Kiwis. Many people have asked me to work out what the Kiwi equivalents are of the providers he recommends. I’m not saying this is a conclusive list, but I’ve given it my best shot.
Stock Market Blip - Hold your course!
I have reached a point where I’ve learned a bit more about myself. When I heard that the stock market had “plummeted” it actually didn’t unnerve me at all. Warren Buffet would say that I have not lost anything, because I didn’t sell, the value of my investments has simply changed and by my calculations, I’m down 4%. If I freaked out and sold then I would have locked in my losses. But I didn’t and I won’t.
Pension vs Lump Sum vs Annuity
Today I wanted to answer a question that was asked by Linda. She is interested in looking at the pros and cons of taking her KiwiSaver as a PENSION versus a LUMP SUM invested in the bank and using the interest to supplement her government super…
What about the bit in the middle: Medium Term Investing
The very first thing I would do is set up an automatic transfer to syphon off a set amount of money each week into a sub account with your bank and give it a flash name like “IKMSMOI” (investments keep my sticky mitts off it).
KiwiSaver Fee and Performance Comparison
I’ve been hearing from a few of you because you have been opening up your KiwiSaver account statements at this time of the year. And there have been a few unexpected surprises in there.
The 4% Rule
Have you ever thought “How much do I need to save for my retirement”? I certainly have. Professor’s from Trinity University in America created a study that looked into a sustainable withdrawal rate and to cut a long story short, they came up with the 4% Rule.
KIWISAVER FOR KIDS: Is this the best investment tool?
KiwiSaver is one of many investment tools you can put in your little kiddies tool box. I have a daughter who is now ten and I signed her up when she was born. It was darn hard holding her little cute pudgy hand and getting her to sign the paperwork I can tell you, but we got there in the end!