It's No Secret

Spending $1k+ on Bubble Tea and Being the Reluctant Household CFO | Money Moments with Dora

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 03:00:00 +1300

In this Money Moments episode of It’s No Secret, we chat with Dora Yip, CMO at PocketSmith, about the real life of a “household CFO.” Dora, who grew up in Singapore and now lives in Dunedin, shares how culture, values, and human behaviour shape our money experiences.

In this episode we dive into:

The mental load of managing family finances and reframing budgeting as values-led decision-making.
How a $1,200 bubble tea bill became a surprising lesson in intentional spending.
Dora's toolkit for sanity: PocketSmith, Trello, Google Drive, and even AI for stress-testing financial ideas.
Plus, hear her candid stories about becoming a reluctant landlord and bringing her teens into investing.

About Dora: With 15+ years in diverse sectors, Dora translates complex finance into relatable stories. Outside work, she loves books, travel, and bubble tea.

If you’re navigating family finances, this episode offers fresh perspectives on aligning money with values, reducing friction with your partner, and finding smarter ways to manage your household’s wealth.

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 miss an episode: Apple Podcasts - Spotify

Follow us for fun chat & financial tidbits on IG: @itsnosecretnz
Got questions? Get in touch: www.itsnosecret.co.nz

Disclaimer:
Investing involves risk including the possible loss of principal and there is no assurance that the investment will provide positive performance over any period of time.

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Any information we provide is general only and current at the time of writing.

Kernel Wealth Limited is the manager and issuer of the Kernel KiwiSaver Plan and Kernel Funds scheme. The Product Disclosure Statements are available at www.kernelwealth.co.nz

113. How Your Investments Can Fit Together: Core Satellite Investing Explained

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 03:00:00 +1200

This week, we’re diving into the fascinating world of core-satellite investing, exploring how you can effectively implement this strategy using the Kernel platform.

Whether you're a seasoned investor or just starting out, understanding how to balance your core investments with targeted satellites can enhance your portfolio's performance.

Plus, we have some insightful blog posts linked in the description for those eager to learn more!

Like sauce on a PIE: How Kernel Shares & ETFs complements Kernel Funds

How Can Kernel Funds Fit Together?

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

112: The Gift Dilemma: What to Give and When

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 03:00:00 +1200

Today, we're diving into the often tricky world of gifting etiquette. As weddings, birthdays, and holidays approach, dilemmas come up often leave us scratching our heads.

Join us as we share our personal experiences and tackle some of the most awkward gifting scenarios.

Plus, we want to hear from you—what are your biggest gifting dilemmas? Share your thoughts in the comments!

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

111. 10 Signs You're Winning Financially

Thu, 22 May 2025 03:00:00 +1200

Today, we’re shifting the narrative from financial worries to celebrating the wins that often go unnoticed.

Inspired by a fantastic article from MoneyHub, we’ll explore ten key indicators that suggest you’re doing better financially than you might realize.

Tune in as we unpack these signs and encourage you to reflect on your own financial journey. We also want to hear from you—what are some other signs that indicate you’re on the right track?

Moneyhub article: https://www.moneyhub.co.nz/indicators-doing-well-financially.html

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

110. "I Regret Buying a House"

Wed, 14 May 2025 03:00:00 +1200

Today, we dive into a pressing issue that many Kiwis are grappling with: the reality of homeownership in New Zealand. If you purchased a house in the last three years, you might feel like you've taken a step back, especially with recent market fluctuations.

Join us as we talk about an anonymous story and chat through the realities of purchasing a home with the view of it being your one-way ticket to wealth.

Useful links

Infometrics slides

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Introducing Shares & ETFs | Kernel Update

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 03:00:00 +1200

In this episode, we’re thrilled to share some exciting news from the Kernel team: the launch of Shares and ETFs!

This new offering gives Kiwis the chance to invest directly in select range of shares and ETFs, making it easier than ever to build your wealth.

Join us as we chat through what this could mean for you and how it can fit into your investment strategy.

Specifically, we chat about:

Why Kernel launched Shares & ETFs?
An overview of how Shares & ETFs work on the Platform
How much it costs to use Shares & ETFs & an overview of the pricing plan
How Shares & ETFs can fit alongside your current investments using a Core-Satellite investing strategy

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

109. Is the Stress Worth the Pay?

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 04:00:00 +1200

In today’s episode, we dive into a pressing question: Is having a high-paying job truly worth it? While many might instinctively say yes, reality can often be more complex.

Join us as we explore the potential pitfalls and benefits of high salaries, revealing the truths that can help you navigate your own financial journey.

Specifically, we chatted about:

High-Paying Jobs in NZ: We explore the highest-paying roles according to Seek and how salary figures can differ based on various sources.
Cons of High Salaries: Increased expectations and accountability, particularly for roles like CEO, can lead to longer working hours and a higher risk of burnout.
Pros of High Salaries: Enhanced financial security allows for a better lifestyle, networking opportunities, and potential for earlier retirement if managed wisely.
Real-Life Experiences: Insights from Reddit users who have taken pay cuts for better work-life balance, sharing their journeys and the positive impacts on their well-being.

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

108. Navigating Market Turbulence: Tariffs, Volatility, and Staying the Course

Wed, 09 Apr 2025 03:00:00 +1200

In this podcast episode, we're joined by Kernel Founder & CEO Dean Anderson to chat about the latest developments in the markets and how they’re impacting investors.

Specifically, we discuss:

The impact of US tariffs and rising market volatility, including what this means for global and local economies.
New Zealand’s relatively stable position amidst global uncertainty and the signs of economic recovery.
Key investment principles to navigate turbulent markets, such as diversification, aligning investments with your time horizon, and the benefits of dollar-cost averaging.
Practical tips for KiwiSaver investors, including how to approach short-term and long-term goals during periods of volatility.

See the graphs and numbers via our latest blog here:

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

107. Active vs. Passive: Are You Settling For Average?

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 03:00:00 +1300

In the world of investing, the debate between active and passive strategies has been significant among many investors. While active investing involves selecting individual stocks and timing the market, passive investing focuses on tracking market indices through funds.

This episode dives deep into the nuances of both approaches, exploring their historical performance, current trends, and what they mean for investors today.

Specifically, we chatted about:

The key differences between the active vs passive investment strategies
What the general consensus was when it came to passive investing
How the overall sentiment has changed throughout time, particularly overseas and perhaps in NZ.
Why it's so difficult to beat the market and the percentage of NZ fund managers that actually can beat the index.

Read the full blog here: https://kernelwealth.co.nz/blog/active-vs-passive-investing-are-you-settling-for-average

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

106. How Does Tax Work When Investing In Kernel Funds?

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 03:00:00 +1300

Tax is an unavoidable cost of investing, so ensuring you understand how it works can help you get the most out of your investments.

In New Zealand, Portfolio Investment Entities (PIE) funds offer a tax-efficient way to invest, but navigating their tax rules can sometimes be challenging.

Find out how they work in this podcast episode, alternatively read the full blog below.

https://kernelwealth.co.nz/blog/how-does-tax-work-when-investing-in-kernel-funds

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

105. Trump & Investing: 5 Tips to Remember During Uncertain Times

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 03:00:00 +1300

This week, we dive into investing during uncertain and volatile market conditions.

With recent economic shifts driven by new policies and tariffs, many investors are feeling the pressure to take some sort of action. Join us as we chat about timeless tips to remember during turbulent times.

Specifically, we chat about:

What's currently happening in the markets which are causing people to worry
Why uncertainty creates volatility, especially in the sharemarkets
How investing to fit your risk profile can lead to better outcomes
What you can do to reframe market volatility as an opportunity

And much more!

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Winning the Office Lottery, Personal Finance Journey & Paying off Student Loans | Money Moments w/ Joni

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 03:00:00 +1300

In today's Money Moments episode, we're joined by our very own Joni from the Customer Success team. In this episode, Joni shares his experience with money, in particular:

What his relationship with money was like growing up in Indonesia, US, and NZ
How he paid off his student debt with the help of his friends
What his personal finance journey was like and how it has changed over time
The impact of the COVID lockdown and on his personal finances
How he would spend his money differently had he known what he knows now

And much more!

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

104. Foundational Money Tips For Your 20s, 30s & Beyond

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 03:00:00 +1300

In this episode we're diving into a topic that hits home for many—practical money tips for those in their 20s and 30s.

This stage of life is often packed with big decisions about finances, careers, and relationships, which can sometimes feel overwhelming. That’s why we’re here to simplify the process and share the insights we wish we had known earlier. Remember, everyone’s journey is different, and it’s okay to move at your own pace.

Here’s what we cover in this episode:

Why setting up an emergency fund is crucial and how to figure out how much you might need.
The importance of stepping back to understand your cash flow and spending habits.
How your relationships and personal values shape the way you interact with money.
Tips for reframing your goals to create a clearer vision of what you want in life.
Where KiwiSaver fits into the bigger picture of financial planning.

Tune in now to learn more!

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Money Q&A: Pricing, Distributions, and Market Timing - Fund Units Explained

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 03:00:00 +1300

In this episode, we are joined by Aaron, our Portfolio Analyst, to explain fund units and how they work.

We cover important topics like swing pricing and the effects of distributions, helping both new and experienced investors understand these concepts better. Tune in to learn how fund units work!

Specifically, we chat about:

What are units in a fund, and how are they different from company shares?
How is the unit price set, and why is end-of-day valuation important?
Why does the unit price on the Kernel platform sometimes look outdated?
How do distributions affect unit prices, and what does that mean for you?
Should you wait for a lower unit price, or is dollar cost averaging a better approach?
How does order timing relate to unit pricing in different time zones?

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

103. Money Tips During Lower(ing) Interest Rates

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 04:00:00 +1300

In today's episode, Cat sits down with Dean Anderson, Founder and CE of Kernel, to chat about what the lowering of the Official Cash Rate (OCR) can mean for you.

Disclaimer: This episode was recorded on 13 Feb and this episode is set to go live on the 19 February the day when the RBNZ is reviewing the OCR.

Whether you're borrowing, saving, or investing, this conversation gives you an overview of what you may want to consider doing with your money in the lower interest rate environment.

Specifically, we chat about:

What is the RBNZ Suspected to Do Today with the OCR and Why?
General Consensus on How the OCR Will Change Over Time
How This Affects You: Borrowing, Saving, or Investing

And much more!

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Buying Her First Home, Living Your Rich Life & Starting a Business | Money Moments w/ Rebekah

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 03:00:00 +1300

In today's Money Moments, we're joined by Rebekah, Head of Human Resources in Citta. In this episode, Rebekah shares her experience with money, in particular:

How she bought her first home without a partner
What her relationship with money was like growing up
How she started her electrolysis business
Her views on money and how it has changed throughout time
The importance of detaching your self-worth from your net worth

And much more!

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

102. Dividend Investing in NZ: Does it Work?

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 03:00:00 +1300

In this episode, we have podcast director, Tim , in the hot seat alongside Kernel Founder and CE, Dean Anderson to explore why New Zealand has such a strong dividend culture, and whether chasing dividend yields is the best strategy for long-term wealth building.

With NZ companies paying out 82.5% of post-tax income as dividends (compared to the global average of 47.6%), we'll examine if this high-yield approach helps or hinders investors.

Key Questions Discussed:

Why are dividends so popular in New Zealand?
Do high dividend payouts limit company growth?
What's better: reinvesting dividends or taking cash?
How do imputation credits affect dividend investing?
Is dividend investing the best way to generate passive income?

Plus much more! Tune in now for more

Here's the research mentioned in the podcast: Should Companies Pay High Dividends?

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Money Q&A: How Dividends Work & Moving Investment Platforms

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 04:00:00 +1300

In today's episode, we're joined by Joni from our Customer Success team to tackle two common investment questions we frequently receive.

From understanding dividend payments to managing multiple investment platforms, we'll help clarify these important aspects of investing.

In particular, we chat about:

What's the difference between distributions and dividends?
When does Kernel pay distributions?
Should you reinvest your dividends or take cash?
Is it better to consolidate investments onto one platform?
What are the pros and cons of platform consolidation?
What features should you consider when choosing a platform?

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

101. Why You Can't Save Your Way to Retirement

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 03:00:00 +1300

Are Kiwis missing out by being savers rather than investors? In this episode, we explore whether our national tendency toward saving is helping or hurting our financial futures.

With rising living costs and ambitious retirement goals, we'll see if saving alone is enough to get us there.

Key Questions Discussed:

Can you reach retirement goals through saving alone?
What's the real difference between saving and investing?
What role should cash play in your investing strategy?
When should you save vs invest?
How can you start investing confidently?
What's the right balance between saving and investing?

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Building a Multi-Million Dollar Business, Salary Transparency & Property Choices | Money Moments w/ Stanley Henry

Wed, 08 Jan 2025 03:00:00 +1300

Today, we’re back with a Money Moments episode - this time with Stanley Henry, Founder & CEO at The Attention Seeker, a global organic content agency.

Stanley left his role as a GM after realizing that true freedom wasn't possible working under someone else's rules. So, he and his wife moved back to New Zealand to build something of their own.

With no clear plan, Stanley began building his personal brand on LinkedIn, meeting five strangers six days a week and attending countless networking events for six months.

When the world went into lockdown, people started asking for his help with LinkedIn, and that small demand snowballed into a full-scale agency.

Fast forward to today, Stanley leads a team of 34, has amassed hundreds of thousands of followers, and drives a multi-million-dollar business with reach across multiple countries.

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

100. Navigating Kids Accounts: 5 Things Parents Need to Know

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 03:00:00 +1300

Welcome back, lovely listeners, to another episode of It’s No Secret!

Today, we’re diving into a rapid-fire chat about kids' accounts. Whether you’re considering opening an account for your child or just curious about how they work, we’ll reveal five facts that could change your perspective and approach.

Key points

Tax benefits - Kids accounts are taxed at the child’s rates, which can be a significant advantage for families.
Why the money needs to be genuinely for the child
Unlike trusts, kids' accounts are individual accounts, offering different levels of control for parents.
Children may discover their accounts through MyIR, highlighting the need for open communication.
Once a child reaches the age of access, they have the ability to remove parental control

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Money Moments: Cat & Christine - 2024 End of Year Update

Wed, 25 Dec 2024 03:00:00 +1300

Today we’re back with another Money Moments episode, where we chat to real Kiwis about their experience with money.

This time, the real Kiwis are us! In this episode, we’re back in the hot seat to update you on what’s going on financially with our lives.

Our last check-in was back in September 2024, so let’s get stuck on what we've been up to since.

Note this recording was filmed in November 2024

Link to the budgeting spreadsheet here

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

99. The Money-Mindset Connection: Why Your Thoughts Matter

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 04:00:00 +1300

Can your mindset make you richer? Today we explore how your thought patterns influence your financial life, inspired by fascinating research showing positive mindsets can add years to your life.

We'll dive into how shifting from scarcity to abundance thinking could transform your financial future.

Key Questions Discussed:

What's the difference between scarcity and abundance mindsets?
How do thought patterns affect financial decisions?
What practical steps can you take to shift your mindset?
Why is visualization important for financial goals?

and much more!

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Money Q&A: Is the Global 100 Diversified?

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 03:00:00 +1300

In this Q&A episode, we tackle a common concern about the Kernel Global 100 fund: concentration risk. With just 10 companies making up over 58% of the fund*, we'll explore whether this concentration is a feature or a bug of market-weighted indices.

Specifically, we chat about:

What is market-weighted indexing?
How does equal-weighted indexing differ?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of concentration?
What risks should investors consider?
Why do some companies dominate the index?
When might concentration be beneficial?

As at 30 October 2024.

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

98. How to Financially Thrive Throughout the Holidays

Wed, 04 Dec 2024 03:00:00 +1300

The holiday season is here, and with it comes increased spending pressure. With recent Worldline data showing Kiwis spent $2.65 billion in just the first three weeks of December, we're diving into how to navigate this expensive period without breaking the bank.

Key Questions Discussed:

What's a reasonable budget for Christmas gifts?
How can you plan for holiday expenses?
What are smart alternatives to traditional gift-giving?
How do you manage social expectations during the holidays?
What free or low-cost summer activities can you enjoy?
How do you track spending during the festive season?
When should you start saving for the holidays?
How do you say no to expensive holiday plans?

Key References:

Worldline Consumer Spending Data 2023
NZ Herald Holiday Retail Report
RNZ Christmas Shopping Analysis

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

97. City vs Rural: Where Should You Buy Your Home?

Wed, 27 Nov 2024 03:00:00 +1300

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 compare between city and country?
What are the hidden costs of regional living?
How do income levels vary between urban and rural areas?
What lifestyle factors should you consider before moving?
Is mortgage-free living worth the lifestyle change?
How accessible are essential services in regional areas?

Key References:

OneRoof Property Data 2024
Stats NZ Census 2018
Regional Council District Reports
Couple use their Auckland deposit to buy house in Gore mortgage-free

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

96. Which Insurances Do I Need? Part 2

Sat, 23 Nov 2024 03:00:00 +1300

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!

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

95. Which Insurances Do I Need? Part 1

Wed, 20 Nov 2024 03:00:00 +1300

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 premiums?
Do couples need individual or joint policies?
What are common insurance policy exclusions?

and much more!

Key References:

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Being Poor But Driven, Open Banking and Embracing Individuality | Money Moments with PocketSmith CEO Jason Leong

Wed, 13 Nov 2024 03:00:00 +1300

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 scaling
How PocketSmith manages a remote team across New Zealand and embraces individuality within a team
What challenges come with serving customers across different financial systems?
How open banking will change personal finance in NZ

Plus plenty more!

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

94. How Much Do I Actually Need to Retire?

Wed, 06 Nov 2024 03:00:00 +1300

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 savings targets for different lifestyles?
How do you calculate your personal retirement number?
What role does KiwiSaver play in retirement planning?
How do living costs affect retirement savings goals?
What common retirement planning mistakes should you avoid?
Is it ever too early to start planning for retirement?

Key References:

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

93. How to Approach A Financial Break Up

Wed, 30 Oct 2024 03:00:00 +1300

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 providers?
What steps should you take before making a financial break?
What are your legal rights regarding relationship property in NZ?
How can you prepare financially for a relationship separation?
What common mistakes should you avoid during financial separations?
How can you maintain financial independence in relationships?

Resources

Learn more about Relationship Property here
Independent UK Article
Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

92. What Happens to My Investments When I Pass Away?

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 03:00:00 +1300

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 place
Why it's important to seek legal advice from the specialists
How you can ensure your investment wishes are honoured

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

91. How to Diversify Your Investments

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 08:00:00 +1300

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 portfolio?
What tips can help listeners effectively diversify their portfolios?

Resources mentioned

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

90. Mortgages 101 | Part 2

Sat, 12 Oct 2024 03:00:00 +1300

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 auction or offer?
How can you effectively research a property, and what resources should you use?
How do different methods of sale, such as auction, price by negotiation, and house & land package, impact your offer and purchase strategy?

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

89. Mortgages 101 | Part 1

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 03:00:00 +1300

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 percentages (20%, 10%, 5%)?
What is LVR and how does it influence your borrowing capacity?
How can online mortgage calculators assist in planning your budget and repayments?
What role does your KiwiSaver fund play in buying your first home, and how can you maximize its benefits?
How do loan approval processes differ when working with a mortgage broker vs going directly to a bank?

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

88. The Psychology of Index Investing

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 04:00:00 +1300

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 aspect. Specifically, we'll explore:

Ingrained human behaviours that influence our investment decisions
Why people often overestimate their ability to outperform the market
The characteristics of the best and worst types of investors
Distinguishing between luck and skill in investing
How index investing frees up a crucial asset: time

Want to hear more from Cam? Check out their website here.

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Airbnb Horror Story, Taylor Swift & FOMO | Money Moments with Cat & Christine

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 03:00:00 +1200

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 habits
Why Cat is considering getting a financial adviser
How Cat's European holiday went (including her review of Taylor Swift's concert)
The dilemma of being open with money and how openness can deter people from sharing their stories

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Ubering Gym Bags, Valuing Time & Investment Property | Money Moments With Ravi Chand

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 04:00:00 +1200

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 lifestyle
What 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 home
What retirement looks like for him in the long term

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Farming Sustainable Wool, Country Calendar & Growing a Business | Money Moments: Sophie Hurley, Founder of Honest Wolf

Wed, 11 Sep 2024 04:00:00 +1200

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 built Honest Wolf into the brand it is today.

In this episode, we cover:

How her background in marketing and sales influenced the development of Honest Wolf.
What inspired her to start Honest Wolf and how the brand has grown since its inception.
How the declining price of wool has affected traditional wool farming.
What factors she considered before opening a physical store in Hunterville, and how she manages its costs versus benefits.
How she navigates the seasonal nature of fashion while maintaining Honest Wolf’s sustainability values.
What strategies she has employed in pricing her products and managing manufacturing costs.
Insights into her plans for international expansion, especially the move into the Australian market.

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

87. Alternatives to Investment Property

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 04:00:00 +1200

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 Kernel founder and CE, Dean Anderson, as he answers this question and more!

In this episode, we discuss:

Why most Kiwis often default to investment properties as their primary investment
Whether we can expect investment properties to be as lucrative in the future as they once were
Alternative investment options available for those just out of reach of the property market
The pros and cons of alternative investment options

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

5 Years of Kernel: Entrepreneurship Challenges and What’s Next? | Money Moments with Dean Anderson

Wed, 28 Aug 2024 05:00:00 +1200

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 Kernel
Significant personal and financial changes Dean has experienced in the last two years
What drove Dean’s decision to re-enter the property market
The importance of maintaining an emergency fund and having health insurance
Dean’s long-term vision for Kernel and what’s next after reaching $1 billion in assets under management

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

86. Is University Worth the Cost?

Wed, 21 Aug 2024 06:00:00 +1200

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 like
A rough ballpark of the cost of obtaining a bachelor's and a postgraduate degree, including living expenses.
The pros and cons of going to university vs not
If employers are actively looking for degrees when deciding who to hire

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Money Q&A: Should I Borrow Money to Invest in a Business?

Wed, 14 Aug 2024 05:00:00 +1200

Today 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?

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

85. What Happened in The Sharemarkets This Week?

Fri, 09 Aug 2024 12:00:00 +1200

The 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, we chat about:

Why the Japanese stock exchange dropped 12% in one day
The impact of this drop on the wider sharemarkets, e.g. the S&P 500 Index
What market volatility is
Key investing reminders in times of volatility

Please note: This podcast is not to be taken as financial advice. Past performance is not an indicator of future performance.

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

84. 5 Simple Actions To Take With Your Money

Wed, 07 Aug 2024 01:00:00 +1200

This 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 to hear the full chat - money tips and lots of tangents from Cat & Christine.

Links & resources mentioned in the episode:

Sorted's Money Month webinar links: https://sorted.org.nz/money-month-webinar-registration?__hstc=8481002.d90e5b09e7f2fa70e3f63bbdf1a087cf.1722383733774.1722383733774.1722461516927.2&__hssc=8481002.1.1722461516927&__hsfp=1475616501
Sorted's KiwiSaver guide: https://sorted.org.nz/guides/kiwisaver/kiwisaver-which-fund-suits/
MoneyHub net-worth stats: https://www.moneyhub.co.nz/average-new-zealand-net-worth-by-age.html
Ramit Sethi's conscious spending plan: https://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/conscious-spending-basics/

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

83. Active vs. Passive: What Drives Your Investment Style?

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 05:00:00 +1200

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 to use index funds without using numbers
What made us switch to an index fund and why we've chosen this strategy
Why an average market return is really above average when it comes to investing
What is it that connects with you that makes you decide one style over the other

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Starting a Business in Your 20s, Investing in Your Health and Property | Money Moments: Elise Dalrymple-Keast

Wed, 24 Jul 2024 05:00:00 +1200

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, we chat about:

Key money moments in her early life such as saving up to buy a puppy at 10 years old!
The percentage of income that she saves and invests
How she became a property investor how she started her marketing agency in her early twenties
Why she loves spending money on her health and prioritises it

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

82: Money Guilt: Understanding and Overcoming It

Wed, 17 Jul 2024 05:00:00 +1200

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 choices or being in debt.

Tune in now to hear the full chat.

In this episode, we explore:

What drives the feeling of guilt when spending money?
The impact of past experiences and formed beliefs.
How ignorance of our values and comparison to others can lead to misaligned spending.
The role of poor planning and living beyond our means.
Empathy for others and the desire to help those with less.

Plus plenty more!

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

81. Money Tips To Get Through Tough Times

Wed, 10 Jul 2024 06:00:00 +1200

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 advantage of free stuff.

Specifically, we chat about:

How you can decrease your expenses by cutting out non-essential items.
What you can do to make your mortgage more affordable
Some tips and tricks from our friends from MoneyHub
A few ways to free up more cash and how you may be eligible for unclaimed money from the IRD

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

80. The Realities of Job Hunting in 2024

Wed, 03 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +1200

Today we’re diving into the employment landscape. Whether you’re actively job hunting or just keeping an eye out, this episode has something for everyone.

To help answer all our burning questions and provide an update on the current employment market, we're joined by Minta Holton, NZ Director at HOME Recruitment.

HOME Recruitment specializes in transitioning Kiwi talent back home to NZ, and Minta brings a wealth of experience from both the London and NZ markets, focusing on Corporate Functions, Head Office, and Operational roles across various industries.

We’ll be tapping into Minta’s insights to get a comprehensive understanding of what’s happening out there.

In this episode, we discuss:

A detailed market update and what trends Minta is seeing.
How the economic environment is impacting job availability and stability.
Tips for those actively seeking new roles and advice for those just keeping an eye on the market.
The differences between the London and NZ recruitment landscapes.
Key strategies for standing out in a competitive job market.

Join us for a deep dive into the employment scene, filled with valuable insights and practical advice to help you navigate your career journey.

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

79. Upcoming Tax Changes: What to Know

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 05:00:00 +1200

Today we're diving into the latest tax changes announced in the 2024 Budget.

We'll break down what these changes mean for you, focusing on the new tax thresholds, adjustments to the Independent Earner Tax Credit, and the introduction of the Family Boost initiative.

Disclaimer: While we aim to provide clarity on these updates, everyone's financial situation is unique. Our goal is to inform, not to advise on personal decisions.

In this episode, we discuss:

The impact of the "Back Pocket Boost" and how middle-income earners will benefit.
The specifics of the threshold changes and their intended correction of "bracket creep."
Insights from experts on the real-world implications of these adjustments.
The expanded eligibility for the Independent Earner Tax Credit and what it means for middle-earners.
The new Family Boost program and how it aims to support parents with childcare costs.
Additional technical details included in the budget legislation and what they signify for taxpayers.

and plenty more!

Sources:

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Money Q&A: Winning Lotto, Investing Overseas & More!

Wed, 19 Jun 2024 06:00:00 +1200

In today's Q&A episode, we'll be answering DM's from the gram as well as a few customer queries from Kernel.

This time, we'll be answering questions such as:

What are some common pitfalls when investing a lump sum, in this case, we use the 7 million dollar Powerball winners
If you should tell your friends and family if you win the lotto
Can you invest with Kernel while being overseas
Are you better off paying more for a property in a grammar zone or send you kids to private school?

Do you have a burning money question you want answered? Let us know in the DM's we'd love to hear from you

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

78. Public Schools VS Private Schools

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 05:00:00 +1200

Today we’ll be chatting about whether private schools are “worth” the investment.

We'll look at both the cost of sending your children to private school vs public, and weigh up some potential pros and cons of doing so.

Disclaimer: the school you send your child to is very personal to your family, the child and your financial situation. This is not for us to tell you what to do, nor is this to enforce our views, but more to shed light on factors that might sway you from a financial standpoint.

Specifically, we chat about:

What is the most expensive private school in NZ
How free is it *really* to go to a public school
The average costs of each option and how much you may end up spending through years 9-13
Outside factors to consider such as connections, class sizes and quality of learning

And much more!

Resources:

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

77. What is Relationship Property?

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 05:00:00 +1200

Today we’re back to chat about all things relationship property.

Relationship property can be a bit of a sticky subject, particularly if you are approaching being in a de facto relationship, looking at getting married or otherwise.

To chat with us today is a special guest joining us to share his knowledge on the topic, as we're by no means an expert in this area. Today we're joined by Will Eddowes, General Manager at Agreeable, a Kiwi legal startup that helps couples get relationship property sorted online.

Specifically, we chatted about:

What is relationship property and what that entails
When is a ‘good’ time to get a prenup/relationship agreement?
What is agreeable? And what services do they provide?

And plenty more!

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Money Moments: Cat & Christine - 2024 Mid Year Update

Wed, 29 May 2024 04:00:00 +1200

Today we’re back with another Money Moments episode, where we chat to real Kiwis about their experience with money.

This time, the real Kiwis are us! In this episode, we’re 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 December about 6 months ago, so let’s get stuck in on what we've been up to.

Specifically, we chat about:

What Cat's balance sheet is looking like and how it's changed since 2019
How Luke's student loan is going, in the early days of the podcast this was sitting well over $100,000!
Why Christine feels like she's financially left behind compared to her peers
Why Christine is torn on going on a holiday vs saving the money instead
How Christine and her partner, Ollie, are in a loop between buying a house or not

Plus plenty more goodness!

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

76. How do I Change my Investments as I Approach my Goal?

Wed, 22 May 2024 05:00:00 +1200

Many of us have goals we're saving towards, whether for the short, medium, or long term.

If your goal is in the medium term (3-5 years) or long term (5+ years), you might wonder if you need to adjust your investments or savings strategy as you get closer to achieving it.

Or, you might be nearing your goal and not realize it could be beneficial to change your asset class—and that's okay too. So, what should you do as you approach these goals? Let’s discuss.

Specifically, we chat about:

Is there a ‘right’ time to take action i.e. too soon or too late?
When you SHOULDN’T take action? E.g, Being shaken by market volatility even if your goals are still far away
How does the level of risk you take affect your investments? (Growth vs income assets)
A specific example where you may want to change your asset allocation

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Money Moments: Colin Magee - Co Founder & CEO of Catalist Markets

Wed, 15 May 2024 03:00:00 +1200

Today we're back with another Money Moments episode, where we chat to real Kiwis about money. In this episode, we are joined by Colin Magee, CEO of Catalist, the stock exchange connecting everyday investors and Kiwi businesses with big potential.

Colin has over 2 decades of experience in financial services working as a finance lawyer in London and a general counsel for an investment bank.

Most recently, his role was Head of Conduct at the Financial Markets Authority (FMA), where he led the teams responsible for regulating the stock markets and realised that there was a gap that needed to be filled in the New Zealand market.

In this episode, Colin shares about:

The main differences of living and working in London vs New Zealand
What types of assets he is investing in and why?
What led him to start his own business, Catalist
Why it's important to support small & medium businesses in New Zealand
How small and medium-sized enterprises can fit into your portfolio

Keen to learn more about Catalist? Check out their website here.

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

75. How KiwiSaver Works Behind the Scenes

Wed, 08 May 2024 05:00:00 +1200

In today's podcast episode, we’ll be answering the question of - how does the KiwiSaver joining/transfer process work behind the scenes?

While expectations around banking/financial services these days are instant, unfortunately, the case with KiwiSaver transfers and many other investments isn't.

Whether you're moving to NZ and starting KiwiSaver for the first time, or over 18 and taking control of your account - it pays to understand how and why these processes behind the scenes can take some time

Specifically, we chatted about:

How do you switch KiwiSaver providers? What happens behind the scenes?
Which parties are involved in the transfer?
How long does it take to switch KiwiSaver providers?
How does this process differ whether you are transferring your balance VS joining KiwiSaver for the first time?

And much more!

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

74. Scams (A Sugar Daddy or A Scam?)

Wed, 01 May 2024 03:00:00 +1200

In today's podcast episode, we’ll be chatting to you all about scams.

Scams are a hot topic at the moment, just google ‘scams nz’ and look at the news and there are SO many recent articles sharing how someone has been scammed out of a significant amount of money. So let’s chat about how you can avoid them.

In this episode we specifically chatted about:

Signs that you are being set up for a scam
What you can do to avoid scams and some common examples
How to find out if an investment is legit and how protected you are

Check out the resources mentioned during the episode:

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

73. How Much Are You Spending On Your Health?

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 03:00:00 +1200

In today's podcast episode, we’ll be chatting to you about whether or not you’re spending enough money to maintain your health.

Whether your health spending comes in the form of long weekends away, going to a therapist or even a boujee gym membership, investing in yourself can come in many forms.

But how do you know if you’re spending enough money on your health, or better yet too much? Let’s jump into it.

Specifically, we chatted about:

What we personally spend on our health such as gyms, insurance and the odd treat
How we justify the costs of health for our spending
Why some people are reluctant to spend money on their health

and plenty more!

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Money Q&A: Compounding, Consistent Investing & Distributions

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 03:00:00 +1200

In today's Q&A episode, we'll be answering DM's from the gram as well as a few customer queries from the Kernel inbox.

This time, we'll be answering questions such as:

What is compounding?
Should I regularly invest, or save then invest money in one lump sum?
What happens if you take money out before the quarterly distributions are made?

Do you have a burning money question you want answered? Let us know in the DM's we'd love to hear from you

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

72. Friends & Money: Does Money Affect Friendships?

Wed, 10 Apr 2024 03:00:00 +1200

In today's podcast episode, we’ll be chatting about how people's differing money situations can affect friendships and ultimately behaviour.

At some point, you’ve probably experienced a difference in wealth (or perceived wealth) between you and your friends. But should you let this difference in lifestyle affect your behaviour? Let’s discuss.

Specifically, we chat about:

Why there will always be differences in wealth between your friend groups
How your definition of wealth and priorities changes over time
What drives the feeling of competitiveness
How people tend to talk less about money as they get older
What you can do to stop comparing yourself to others

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Money Moments: Sarah Kelsey - The OneUp Project, Emergency Funds & Psychology of Money

Wed, 03 Apr 2024 03:00:00 +1300

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 Sarah Kelsey, host of the personal finance & development podcast, the OneUp project.

Sarah started her podcast over 4 years ago and has grown her listenership to over [345,000] with Kiwis from all over NZ tuning into her tips on how to get the most out of your money and, ultimately, life.

We have lots to talk about in today’s ep, let’s get stuck in.

Specifically, we chat about:

How much money Sarah has stashed away for a rainy day - a.k.a emergency fund
What she's doing to leverage the connections that she's made through the podcast
How she manages her money using 9 of her bank accounts
What's her big 'a-ha' moment was when it comes to approaching & viewing money
Why slowing down has helped her recollect and focus more on what she values
What's next for her career and where she wants to go

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

71: Owning a Bach vs Yearly Holidays

Wed, 27 Mar 2024 03:00:00 +1300

In today's podcast episode, we’ll be chatting about whether or not the Kiwi dream of owning a bach is all that is cracked up to be.

Many Kiwis often dream about having a bach to use as an escape during their extended breaks. But what if we told you that you may be better off putting that money towards boujee yearly holidays instead?

In this podcast episode, we chat about:

The pros and cons of a bach
The average price of a bach across different holiday destinations and how much you could be paying
Why renting out your bach or relying on capital gains may not give you the outcome you want
How premium your holiday could be if that money is instead put towards yearly holidays

References:

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Money Q&A: Taxes on Global vs NZ Shares, FIF and More

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 06:00:00 +1300

In honour of our favourite time of the year - aka tax time - we thought we’d answer a few commonly asked questions.

Specifically, we answer:

How important is tax when investing?
Are NZ shares taxed differently from global shares?
What benefit does investing through a trust give me, if at all?
What the heck is the FIF tax regime?

Got a burning money question that you want answered? Slide into our DM’s and we’ll answer them on the pod!

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

70. How to Help Your Children Be Smarter with Money

Wed, 13 Mar 2024 03:00:00 +1300

Wondering how you can set up your children for financial success in the future? Then this podcast episode is for you!

In this episode, we are joined by Co-Founder of SquareOne, Jovan Pavlicevic.

Jovan has a background in starting businesses and wears many hats at SquareOne - from strategic capital raising to designing the customer and employee experience.

With a background in starting businesses, he has always loved finding novel ways to fix broken things. This time, with how we can empower kids, and everyday Kiwis, to be better with money.

In this podcast episode, we chat about:

What is SquareOne and how can it help children to be better with money
Some practical tips in money management for kids
When the 'right' time is to start teaching your children about money
Why it’s important to upskill your financial knowledge so you can help your kids be better with money

Learn more about SquareOne here.

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

69. Emergency Funds 101

Tue, 05 Mar 2024 15:00:00 +1300

In today's podcast episode, we’ll be revisiting the ever-important rainy day funds; more commonly known as emergency funds!

While emergencies are rare, it is important to have money set aside for some peace of mind. So if you're looking for some inspiration on where to get started with your emergency fund, this episode is for you!

In this podcast episode, we chat about:

When and how you should use your emergency fund - spoiler it's not for last-minute dresses.
How much you should set aside for your emergency fund and what factors to consider?
The different places where you can invest your emergency funds while keeping it accessible
How credit cards and insurance can play into how you handle your emergency spending.

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Money Moments: Chanel Clark - Building a Career, Starting a Business & Mental Health

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 03:00:00 +1300

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 Chanel Clark, marketing extraordinaire and North Shore local. Chanel has recently transitioned from being a full-time employee to starting and running her own business AND is also looking to move overseas in the near future.

So we have lots to talk about in today’s ep, let’s get stuck in.

Specifically, we chat about:

What her relationship with money was like growing up
Why she ended up with a ~100k student loan
Her experience navigating her way through the marketing industry and rebounding from redundancies
How she tripled her salary by doubling down on her marketing skills and starting a business
What's next for her career and where she wants to go

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Money Q&A: Investing Lump Sums & Cost of Living Hacks

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 03:00:00 +1300

In today's Q&A episode, we'll be answering DM's from the gram as well as a few customer queries from Kernel.

This time, we'll be answering questions such as:

How to invest a lump sum of money across different scenarios
Are you better off having a nanny for your child or sending them to daycare?
How to invest while also starting a family
What are bonds and should I invest in them?

Do you have a burning money question you want answered? Let us know in the DM's we'd love to hear from you

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

68. Valentine's Day Special - The Cost of Love

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 03:00:00 +1300

In today's podcast episode, we’ll be talking about love and its costs. The cost of love sounds like it has a ‘negative connotation’ it doesn’t necessarily need to be that way.

The reality is that costs can come with getting into, being in and/or ending a relationship with someone. So this Valentine's Day, we thought we'd do a special episode talking all about the money topics that you may face while on your relationship journey.

In this podcast episode, we chat about:

Why money compatibility is *super* important in a relationship
A few things to consider when you're thinking of sharing your finances with your partner
The different love languages that you may fall into and how that can affect your spending habits
Some tips, tricks and conversation starters to get you thinking about how you can bring up the money chat with your partner or soon-to-be

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Money Moments: Jervis Koo - Travelling Asia, Redundancies and Work Life Integration

Wed, 07 Feb 2024 08:00:00 +1300

Today we're back with another Money Moments episode, where we chat to real Kiwis about money.

We’re back with our friend Jervis, for an update on what’s happening in his financial world, since recording an initial Money Moments ~2 years ago.

When we spoke to Jervis last, he lived and worked in a digital marketing agency in Auckland. We spoke about several things on the podcast, ranging from how he initially got in and out of personal debt to his 30/30/30/10 budgeting approach and how his life pillars drive his happiness (incl. one finance pillar).

Jervis is now a digital nomad who is living in Malaysia. Stopping in NZ for a quick visit, we thought we’d steal an hour of his time to hear an update on how things are doing.

In this episode, we chat about:

What it was like working, moving and living in Singapore for work
The costs associated with moving overseas and how much he spent
How his values have changed over time, learning from work and travel
Why he's tweaked a few of his spending and investing habits

...and plenty more goodness!

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Money Q&A: Joining Finances, Job Loss & Retirement Cash

Fri, 02 Feb 2024 03:00:00 +1300

In today's special podcast episode, we'll be answering many different questions that we often get in the DM's from the gram as well as a few Kernel customer questions.

Specifically we'll be answering questions such as:

What are the factors to consider when creating a joint account with your partner
Should you convert all of your investments into cash when you hit 65
Things to consider if you're concerned about job loss in the near future
How to move your Super Annuation from Australia to New Zealand

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

67. How to Crush Your 2024 Money Goals

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 03:00:00 +1300

Looking to achieve your 2024 New Year resolutions? Then this podcast episode is for you!

We are almost in February the time New Year goals typically start to drop off. While creating audacious goals is easy, achieving them can take much longer. In this episode, we talk about a few different factors to consider when creating a new goal and how you can make them more achievable.

Specifically, we chat about:

Why it's important to set specific goals
The mental impact of achieving or failing a goal
What a well-structured goal actually looks like
A few tips for setting clear and achievable financial goals

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Money Moments: Jamie Jermain - Co-Founder & CEO of SquareOne

Wed, 24 Jan 2024 03:00:00 +1300

Today we're back with another Money Moments episode, where we chat to real Kiwis about money.

Today on the podcast, we are joined by Jamie Jermain, Co-Founder & CEO at SquareOne, NZ’s first account and card built for the next generation.

Jamie has worked in the payment space for over 20 years, including at the likes of Visa, Mastercard, Lloyds Bank and The Warehouse Group.

Originally from London, he moved to New Zealand in 2010 and now lives in Auckland with his wife and 3 kids, who were the inspiration to build and launch SquareOne.

In this episode, Jamie shares about:

Why money was a taboo topic for him growing up
Using credit cards to fund a mortgage
How working in finance has shaped his approach to money (or didn't!)
How he tackled moving countries, financially
The challenges, triumphs and learnings of founding and growing a company
His experience funding a start-up - from bootstrapping to raising capital initially, to raising additional funds
Key advice given in the early stages of SquareOne - hiring, governance, ESOP allocations and more
How he has needed to grow as a leader by starting a company

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

66. When Should I Lock In My Losses?

Wed, 17 Jan 2024 03:00:00 +1300

In today's podcast, we're chatting about when the "right time" is to sell your investments if they're in the red (hint: there is no "right time").

Do you hold on and hope that it recovers its value, or do you cut your losses now and recoup what's left? We dig into this and more.

Specifically, we discuss:

Why does your investment portfolio balance move in the first place?
Biases when investing; anchoring & the status quo bias
Can you expect linear investment returns?
Questions to ask yourself when weighing up the decision to sell or not - plus a worked example with Christine's shares

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Money Moments: Caitlyn Parker - Getting Out of Debt, Buying a First Home & Finding Her Career

Wed, 10 Jan 2024 03:00:00 +1300

Aaaand we're back with another Money Moments episode featuring Caitlyn Parker.

Caitlyn is a Customer Success Manager, a Wellingtonian (at heart) and most importantly, a great friend. With over a decade of experience in the financial services and start-up space, Caitlyn has helped thousands of customers through their investing and savings journey.

In this episode, Caitlyn shares:

Her relationship with money and how that has evolved throughout her life
How love languages can affect your spending behaviours e.g, spending your time vs spending money on gifts
Why her other love language is discussing money with her friends and family
What made her leave high school early and how she wound up in customer support
How 'adulting' led to Caitlyn's consumer debt and how she paid it off using balance transfers
What her first home-buying journey was like and the emotions of owning and managing a home

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

65. Shares, Property, Cash: Where Do I Put My Money?

Thu, 04 Jan 2024 03:00:00 +1300

In today's podcast episode, we’ll be chatting about where you can put your spare cash.

From the Official Cash Rate (OCR) rising and halting to the changes in the rate of inflation, a lot has happened this year in the world of money. So we thought that we'd check in on how a few of our favourite asset classes are doing.

Specifically, we chatted about:

What the current landscape is across savings products and property and share markets
The pros and cons of each asset class and what this can mean for you during this time
A reminder of how each asset class can fit in with your lifestyle and goals

Check out the resources mentioned during the episode:

The latest interest rates mentioned: Interest.co.nz
S&P 500, NZX 50 and Global 100 returns: S&P Dow Jones Indices

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

64. How The 100-Day Plan Can Affect You Financially

Wed, 27 Dec 2023 03:00:00 +1300

In today's podcast episode, we’ll be chatting about another *potentially* spicy topic - politics! Well, not politics as in strong opinions. Instead, we'll be focusing more on the policies of the newly formed government.

Since Christopher Luxon was newly sworn in, there has been a lot of media coverage surrounding the recently released 100-day action plan. So we want to discuss a few highlights from the action plan of the policies that can impact us financially.

Specifically, we chat about:

What is a 100-day action plan
The policies that can impact your income/job security such as the fair pay agreement legislation
Who in particular we can expect to be affected by the action plan and the new government policies
How the new government is tackling the cost of living
Our humble take on the pros and cons of each proposed policy

Check out the resources mentioned during the episode:

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

63. Why Your House is For Living In, Not For Growing Wealth

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 03:00:00 +1300

In today's podcast episode, we’ll be chatting about a very spicy topic, which is why your home is for living in and not for growing wealth.

This statement is one that came from a certain Instagram post from the Guardian sharing that ‘Australian housing wealth is meaningless, destructive and fundamentally changing our society:”

Cat jumped on the IG stories, and had a great response to this from her followers, so here we are. Ready to discuss.

Specifically, we chat about:

The data about the Australian housing market and how it's changed over three generations
What the possible implications are if you were to solely build your wealth through property
Why property wealth is heavily skewed towards families who own properties already
The arguments as to why our society should start considering other investments outside of property

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

62. How to Budget for a Wedding

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 06:00:00 +1300

It's that time of the year – wedding season is in full swing!

Whether you're riding the high of a recent engagement, knee-deep in your wedding planning, or know someone about to get married, we're here with some golden tips to elevate your wedding experience.

Specifically, we chat about:

A sneak peek into Cat's wedding planning journey – what she thought vs. what went down. Spoiler: a wedding planner was the MVP.
How to weigh up the cost of a wedding against other big-ticket items like a house, a dream vacay.
The average wedding costs in NZ and Aus – spoiler: it's not pocket change. We're talking venues, photographer paparazzi, celebrant VIPs, and more.
Tips for reducing the cost of a wedding by minimizing vendors getting married on peak or off-peak season and much more!

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Bonus Episode: How Cat & Luke Almost Lost $100,000 of their Australian Super

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 05:00:00 +1300

In today's podcast, we have a snippet of an unaired episode that was too good not to share.

In this bonus episode, Cat shares how her husband, Luke almost lost $100,000 in his Australian Super. And no, we're not talking about market movements or poor investment choices. This was all because of a transfer error with the fund provider, it went MIA.

We also chat about:

The year-long process and the hoops Cat had to jump through to solve the issue
Why Cat had to resort to using LinkedIn to speed the process up
The steps taken by the fund provider to compensate for the lost gains
Why this s is a great reminder of why you should regularly check in on your investments

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Money Moments: Cat & Christine - Living in The Now, Upsizing Houses & How Our Investments Are Tracking

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 04:00:00 +1300

Hi friends! We're back after a wee break, just in time to get you through the Christmas break (and give you something to do when you’re fed up with your families, #soznotsoz).

What better way to kick things off than with a Money Moments episode with us (Cat & Christine), getting you up to speed on what's been happening in our financial lives. The last one was in Feb 2024 - wow!

In this episode, we chat about:

Cat's *very* specific balance sheet - she shares ALL the numbers
Why Cat isn't upsizing her home any time soon
Balancing enjoying the now whilst contributing to the future
How Christine is focusing on, well, the same thing...saving for travel
Christine's satellite investments are still down ~80%...so should she cut her losses?
Changes we've made to our money buckets - following Ramit Sethi's "rich life" approach
The next steps in our financial journeys; what we plan to do next

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Money Moments: Chelsea Traver, Founder & Investment Adviser at Evergreen Advice

Wed, 23 Aug 2023 03:00:00 +1200

Today on the podcast we are joined by Chelsea Traver, Founder & Investment Adviser at Evergreen Advice.

Chelsea brings over a decade of experience in the financial space and has a strong background in investment analysis, specialising in Fixed Interest and Socially Responsible Investing. After years of working as an investment analyst, she shifted her focus to working directly with clients, helping them reach their financial goals.

She's particularly passionate about helping women and new investors learn about investing. And is a big believer in the importance of putting financial concepts into plain language to give people peace of mind about how their money is being invested.

Specifically, we chat about:

What money lessons she learnt from her family growing up
The key cultural differences with money specifically in the US vs NZ
What it was like graduating with a degree in finance right after the Global Financial Crisis
How Chelsea made the move from an investment analyst to an investment advisor
Why she has chosen to specialise in ethical/sustainable investing and what factors she considers with investments

Learn more about Chelsea and Evergreen Advice: evergreenadvice.co.nz

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

61. 5 Common Money Myths

Wed, 09 Aug 2023 17:00:00 +1200

What are the common money misconceptions you've heard before? In this episode, we're bunking a few that we believe don't always stand true.

It's #MoneyMonth in NZ during August; A yearly campaign run by Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission (Sorted NZ). Money Month helps Kiwis maximise their money in a way that’s relevant in the current climate.

To celebrate, we're debunking the money myths that might be taking up valuable brain space. All so you can pause, and get your money sorted.

In this episode, we chat about:

Why you don't need to feel bad about your weekly treats, especially those $5.50 coffees!
If investing in property is *really* the 'best' way to build your wealth in NZ
Why old financial timelines that worked for your parents/grandparents probably won't work for you in this day and age
Whether side hustles are worth the time investment or not
Why you don't need hundreds of thousands of dollars to get started investing

Check out the resources mentioned during the episode:

For clarity, here are the specific stats mentioned in the podcast:

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

60. Savings Accounts vs Cash Funds

Tue, 27 Jun 2023 03:00:00 +1200

As Kiwis, we’re savers at heart. Generally speaking, we tend to rely on savings accounts to grow your short-term money. But are there investment funds that might also be suitable for getting you to the same goals?

*Cash Funds enter the room*

The funds that Cat reckons are getting a glow-up in 2023.

So what are these types of funds, why use them and how do they compare to savings accounts? We cover all this and more in this episode.

Specifically, we chat about:

Differences in cash availability, fees, estimated returns and more, when looking at on-call accounts, notice-saver accounts, term deposits, and cash funds
The relationship between the Official Cash Rate (OCR), interest rates and cash funds
Whether conservative, cash and defensive funds are the same thing
Why tax matters when deciding between cash funds & savings accounts

Check out the resources mentioned during the episode:

Interest.co.nz - interest rate comparison
FMA - asset allocation within funds

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

59. How to Invest for Your Family

Wed, 21 Jun 2023 03:00:00 +1200

Recently, Kernel hosted an event in collaboration with Lighthouse Financial, Haigh Lyon, and Edwards & Co. all about the exciting world of investing for your family. And one of the panellists in this event actually happens to be our very own co-host, Cat!

Tune into this special episode as Cat adds her unique insights on how parents can set their families up for success. We were also lucky to have James Blair, the Wealth Director at Lighthouse Financial, and Shaun McGivern, the Principal Lawyer at Haigh Lyon, sharing their expert insights too.

Specifically, we speak about:

Why investing in a will is incredibly important for your children and loved ones, especially if something unexpected happens
Ways for parents to encourage great money habits for their kids through using investing accounts and rewarding good money behaviours
The importance of transparency with finances when it comes to your kids during good times and bad
Why using simple money habits such as starting early and consistently can really go a long way when it comes to creating wealth for your family
A few ideas and scenarios that you can think about when it comes to protecting and managing your wealth

Learn more from our partners:

Lighthouse Financial: https://lighthousefinancial.co.nz/contact-us/
Haigh Lyon Lawyers: https://haighlyon.co.nz/contact
Edwards and Co: https://edwardsandco.nz/products/olive

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

58. Which Personal Insurances Do I Need?

Mon, 19 Jun 2023 18:00:00 +1200

On today’s podcast, we're back at it again with Insurance Specialist & Financial Adviser, Carley Ellis to dive into the financial side of all things unfortunate.

If you haven't listened to part one, stop right now and go back to our previous episode. It's one not to miss. Plus this podcast will probably make a little more sense after listening to the first one.

Specifically, we cover:

The different types of insurance that are available for you to consider and which cover specific events
Why thinking from the insurer's point of view can help you better understand how the insurance system works
Which lifestyle factors (e.g. smoking) and events are considered in insurance premiums and how much more this can cost you if you're getting insurance
The green and red flags you should watch out for when partnering up with a financial advisor for insurance
Things to consider when you are moving to a different financial advisor

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

57. Hedging Your Financial Bets Against Death

Tue, 13 Jun 2023 01:00:00 +1200

On today’s podcast, we're joined by Insurance Specialist & Financial Adviser Carley Ellis to dive into the financial side of death.

As a topic that isn't often openly talked about, today we have an honest chat about ensuring the cost of death - those around you, and yours - don't lead to having a large impact on your situation, particularly in a time of grieving.

Specifically, we speak about:

Why we're not talking about money and death, but need to!
What happens to your assets when you pass away
Why having a will and enduring power of attorney (EPA) is so important
Life insurance: What's the right type, the right amount to insure for, and what parties involved - policy owner vs the insured
How ACC can help in the case of death by accident and the type of assistance available to the surviving spouse and kids
Funerals – how much do they cost and what are the options?
Things to consider and questions to ask when it comes to life insurance and how a financial advisor can help.

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Money Moments: Daphne Van der Oord, Head of Australia & NZ at S&P Dow Jones Indices

Tue, 06 Jun 2023 01:00:00 +1200

Today on the podcast we are joined by Daphne van der Oord, Head of Australia and New Zealand at S&P Dow Jones Indices.

Daphne has an impressive career spanning 20 years, after graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Economics and History and a Master’s Degree in Applied Finance. Daphne has worked at many international financial institutions you may have heard of; Man Investments, ING, Credit Suisse and Citibank.

Daphne manages S&P Dow Jones Indices business in the Aus/NZ region, including their relationships with the ASX and NZX.

She’s also a huge advocate for getting more women into in the financial services industry. As you may be able to tell by her name, Daphne hails from a Dutch background, however currently lives in Sydney with her daughter.

In the episode, we chat with Daphne about:

How growing up in a diverse range of locations and environments influenced her choice in choosing to work in finance, with this contributing to her not being put off by it being a male-dominated industry
Why education can shift your whole trajectory in life
The point at which Daphne realises she was starting to gain momentum with your finances
The 101 of how S&P Dow Jones Indices works
Why horses are a bad investment and need plans B & C
Why there is value in putting money into investments you don't entirely understand, as a way to learn about investing
Managing work-life balance particularly coming out the pandemic

And lots more, so get listening!

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

56. Should I DIY My KiwiSaver?

Wed, 17 May 2023 01:00:00 +1200

You might've noticed that there is a new KiwiSaver provider on the block, this time offering a unique opportunity to DIY your KiwiSaver.

On today's podcast we chat about what this entails, the pros and cons and whether DIY'ing your KiwiSaver is something you might like to consider.

Specifically, we speak about:

Finding the sweet spot with how engaged you are with your KiwiSaver; is there a point at which we're too engaged?
Considerations to make BEFORE you think about choosing the investments within your KiwiSaver
What the Sharesies KiwiSaver scheme will offer, based on announcements made to date - including fees, specific funds etc.
Whether the responsibility of choosing individual investments within what could be your largest asset at retirement, might be too much to carry (especially if young)
How as reactive, emotive humans it’s hard to operate in the same way that fund managers do, particularly with buying and selling stocks/assets
The challenges with benchmarking DIY KiwiSaver schemes' returns
How switching in and out of the KiwiSaver scheme might work
Whether KiwiSaver balances should be a part of the “core” of your portfolio, vs the “satellites”
Why Australia established self-managed Superannuation funds, and how they differ to NZ's offerings
Why understanding fees matter with KiwiSaver

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

55. Our Favourite Money Moments of 2023

Tue, 09 May 2023 01:00:00 +1200

After reflecting on our episodes this year so far, we wanted to pick out what we feel are our favourite moments so far.

In this episode, we chat about:

Reframing how we think about "living pay cheque to pay cheque"
Whether side hustles are worth it or not, especially in tech
Modeling financial behaviour for your kids, particularly as a couple
Tips for job hunting in today's climate - marketing yourself 24/7, plus looking beyond job ads
Juggling contentment vs ambitions
Cash funds vs savings accts - why cash funds have had a glow-up
Why we overestimate how much we can do in 6 months, and underestimate how much we can do in 10 years
How setting benchmarks and tracking progress can help get you to your goals
Testing and learning...and testing and learning until you find what works for you!
Vulnerability is the key to having open convos about money

And so much more!

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

54. Navigating Your Career Through a Recession w/ Rosey Nathan, Recruitment Partner at Customise Talent

Tue, 02 May 2023 01:00:00 +1200

Back by popular demand is our friend and Recruitment Partner, Rose-Marie (Rosey) Nathan, to chat about navigating your career through a recession.

With over 20 years of experience across various industries, Rosey has a deep understanding of the needs and goals of both candidates and organisations. She's our go-to for all things career & money.

In this episode, Rosey answers all your career questions. We chat about:

What Rosey is currently seeing in the employee/employer market, incl. if now is a "bad" time to be looking for a job
Why employers have been taking jobs off the market, and the knock on effect of this
Why strong employer brands matter
How employers can support employees to grow into new roles, and;
What you can do as the employee to show your employer you're worth the "risk" (aka deserve the promotion)
How to gain clarity over your career path, and why this can prevent you from burning out
Whether it's appropriate to be asking for a pay rise in today's market, esp. if you are a high performer
Tips for marketing yourself as a candidate
Tips to help prepare for an upcoming pay rise
What the role of external industry data plus a company's financials is in a pay rise conversation
How redundancy works in NZ, plus tips for navigating it
What a standard maternity leave in NZ is
Finding the balance between being content and ambitious when it comes to your career

A few great resources & stats mentioned on the podcast are:

Seek's state of the nation monthly report
Stats NZ Employment Indicators
Redundancy - check out Employment NZ for more info
Parental leave - more info on: Overview of the policy, paid parental leave period, IRD information
Article - Why you should ditch your side hustle
Stats referenced by Rosey: Ne

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Money Moments: Rachel Arcos - Careers in Engineering, Travelling & Managing Finances with a Partner

Tue, 25 Apr 2023 05:00:00 +1200

In today's Money Moments episode, we're joined by Rachel Arcos, Automation Engineer, avid podcast listener, and big financial spreadsheet fan!

Immigrating to NZ when she was young, we chat to Rachel about her and her family's experience with money growing up. From how this played into her career choice, and the way she manages money as an individual and now in a couple.

In this episode, we chat about:

Rachel's parents' approach to money, including working 2 jobs to ensure the kids had more opportunities
How her family influenced Rachel's decision to pursue a career in engineering
The lessons she took away from her mum as the Family CFO
Why she priorities traveling as her no.1 money expense
The balance between being paid well and doing what you love
Combining money with her fiancé, including taking on 1/2 the mortgage repayments
Whether tracking your finances down to the cent is constructive or not

And there is plenty more goodness in there, so start listening now!

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

53. How Do I Get Ahead When Everything Feels So Darn Expensive?

Tue, 18 Apr 2023 04:00:00 +1200

Whether we're in a recession or not, a lot of us will probably agree that our budgets are feeling a bit tighter lately, and you're not wrong. From groceries all the way to mortgages, many Kiwis are feeling more and more worried about their money situations.

But what can you do during more expensive times like this? Tune into this episode where we'll be chatting through exactly that.

In this episode, we cover:

A few key money stats, including what Kiwi households are the most worried about
What the data says about how Kiwis are investing when things are more expensive
The difference in living costs between New Zealand and Australia, particularly for your everyday grocery items
What you can do to get ahead financially during expensive times like this

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Money Moments: Tim Rodriguez - Finding a Job as a Graduate, Choosing a Career & Budgeting as a Uni Student

Wed, 12 Apr 2023 04:00:00 +1200

Helloooo and welcome to this episode of Money Moments, where we chat with real Kiwis about their experiences with money. Today, we've got Tim Rodriguez, Marketing Coordinator and Gen Z'er spilling the tea on his personal finance journey.

Tim's love for all things business and finance inspired him to prioritize his personal finance journey right out of uni - so much so he even ended up working in the FinTech space!

Join us as we chat with Tim to hear about the valuable lessons he's learned from his uni days as well as navigating the transition into working life as a graduate.

Specifically, we chat about:

What it was like to be the "Flat CFO", i.e. the person who managed the flat's expenses while he was at uni
The realities and challenges of landing a graduate role during the first wave of the pandemic
His decision to pursue a business degree instead of traditional Filipino career paths like law or medicine
How he budgets his money using the paye.net.nz website, several accounts and looots of automatic payments

And there is plenty more goodness in there, so start listening now!

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Money Moments: Ryan Potter - Careers in Tech, Negotiating Salaries & Why Side Hustles Aren't Worth It

Tue, 04 Apr 2023 04:00:00 +1200

In today's Money Moments episode, we're joined by Ryan Potter, friend, Senior Front End Developer, and all round good guy.

We chat to Ryan about his journey with money - the good and the not-so-good - plus dig into what he's learned in his 10+ year career as a developer.

Specifically, we chat about:

What it was like graduating into a recession in NZ and starting at $33k in 2010
His strategy in negotiating salaries and expected salary ranges for the different experience levels of Front End Developers
Why Ryan thinks that side hustles aren't worth the time investment
Why it's vital to always be learning, especially in the tech space
What it's like buying a home as the sole income earner in a de facto relationship without an agreement

And there is plenty more goodness in there, so start listening now!

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

52. Part 2: Creating a Financial Plan

Tue, 28 Mar 2023 03:00:00 +1300

Aaand we're back for part two of our creating a financial plan series with Lighthouse Financial.

If you haven't listened to part one, stop right now and go back to our previous episode. It's one not to miss. Plus this podcast will probably make a lot more sense after listening to the first one too.

Without further ado, let's jump right back in as Christine and her partner Ollie are put on the hot seat as Wealth Director & Financial Adviser, James Blair, takes them through the 2nd part of their financial plan.

In this episode they cover:

The pros and cons of buying a house vs investing in shares and the forecasted scenarios of both options
Why insurance is a great option to consider, especially for the peace of mind and how much it costs
The forecast scenarios of different scenarios for their wealth

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

51. Part 1: Creating a Financial Plan

Wed, 22 Mar 2023 03:00:00 +1300

Our podcast is all about having real, honest conversations about money. We believe that talking openly about our personal finances is the first step to building a better financial future for ourselves and our community.

That's why this week and next, we're bringing you a two-part financial planning series in collaboration with Lighthouse Financial. Christine and her partner Ollie are put in the hot seat as Wealth Director & Financial Adviser, James Blair, takes them through a financial plan together.

This episode in particular is likened to a first adviser-client meeting, where James understands Christine & Ollie’s financial goals, ambitions and intended direction.
More specifically, they chat about:

Christine & Ollie’s short, medium and long-term financial goals
The lay of the land - where are they currently sitting financially
How much they’re saving on a fortnightly basis, and what they’re doing with it
How their investment portfolio is split between assets
Knowing when to consider investing in property or not
How a financial plan works, including the next steps

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

50. The 101 of Index Investing with S&P Dow Jones Indices

Wed, 15 Mar 2023 03:00:00 +1300

Today on the podcast Cat is joined by Tim Edwards, the Managing Director and Global Head of Index Investment Strategy at S&P Dow Jones Indices (S&P DJI). Tim hails from London and has vast experience working in derivatives all through to global equities. His team crunch data on over 2 million indices per day!

In this episode we cover:

The history of S&P Dow Jones Indices and why it was created
Why Tim chose to study a PhD in Mathematics
The importance of creating a well-thought-out plan when it comes to investing
S&P DJI’s latest research and what this says about the great active vs passive investing debate

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

49. 5 Timeless Money Lessons

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 03:00:00 +1300

Hello and welcome to a super special episode of It's No Secret - why is it so special you may ask? It's because we have a few milestones that we'll be celebrating!

Firstly, today is the two-year anniversary of the podcast (woohoo!). Can you believe that it’s been two years already since we’ve been chatting away? The second milestone is that we are juuust about to hit 100k downloads! It’s hard to believe we’ve reached 100,000 people (that we know of). And the final celebration point today is that it is International Women’s Day in NZ. How cool that we get to celebrate 2 big achievements on this awesome day!

So, in light of all these milestones we thought we’d reflect on the two years that have been and share 5 timeless money lessons we’ve each learned since starting the podcast.

In this episode we cover:

Our top 5 timeless money lessons...we're not going to spoil it and tell you what they are yet.
Having the courage to ask others for a salary reference point, especially if you're foreign
Owning who you are and shaping your money around it

...and so much more.

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Money Moments: Cat & Christine - Travel Disasters, Private Equity Investments and Emergency Funds

Tue, 28 Feb 2023 02:00:00 +1300

Today on the podcast we're back with another Money Moments episode with Cat & Christine. Money Moments is where we chat with real Kiwis about their journey with money.

In our case, it's an update on what happened after the Christmas break, how our international trips went, and what we've been up to with our finances since then.

Specifically, we chat about:

What challenges we faced on our overseas trips and why we're even bigger fans of travel insurance
Why Christine is thinking of selling her Kernel funds to invest in private equity
What it's like for Cat to be back at work while balancing the mum life
The steps were taking to regain control of our finances
What our goals are for the short and medium-term

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

48. How Might A Change In Govt. Affect Me Financially?

Tue, 21 Feb 2023 02:00:00 +1300

With the 2023 general elections right around the corner, now is a great time to take a moment and reflect on how any change in leadership or government might impact your financial stability.

Today we're looking at some key policies from a few political parties that could financially impact you if they are elected (or reelected).

In this episode we cover:

Different policies that a few parties are offering, specifically ACT, National and Labour
How these policies around economy, housing, tax, and welfare can impact your financial situation
How policies can affect your job security, particularly based on where they choose to allocate their budget

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

47. How Do I Manage Rising Mortgage Rates?

Tue, 14 Feb 2023 02:00:00 +1300

With interest rates on the rise, many of you are feeling the pinch - especially those with a mortgage! So, what steps can you take to help deal with the extra interest payments? Tune in to see what you can do to cut costs and give yourself more flexibility in the short term.

In this episode we cover:

Why extending your mortgage may be an option for you to consider, especially if you are well into your mortgage term
The pros and cons of having a fixed rate vs a floating rate mortgage and how you can take advantage of each option
Why paying interest only on your mortgage could be an option to consider to help you with flexibility in the short term
Who you can go to for financial planning support i.e, your bank, friends and family, and community resources.

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

46. What Are The Hidden Costs of Investing?

Wed, 08 Feb 2023 02:00:00 +1300

As the saying goes, "You have to spend money, to make money" but how much do you really have to spend, especially when it comes to investing?

In New Zealand, there are costs that come with using investment platforms. More commonly, these include transaction fees and fund management fees, but what if we told you that there are a few more hidden costs that may fly under the radar?

In this episode, we cover:

The costly inefficiencies that can come with ETF vs Index fund investing and how this eats into your returns
The different kinds of fees can come with investing, including trading costs when investing in US shares such as W8-Ben filing fees
How investing for your child using a PIE structured fund can help save you money

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

45. How Do I Know If My Investments Are "Safe"?

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 14:00:00 +1300

Where and how you decide to invest your money can be a big decision for many. So, it's important to consider all the factors that could affect the safety (or security) of your investments – including those in the fine print.

In this episode we cover:

A few common investing myths when it comes to the security of your money. e.g., Can I trust that my money is safer with an older investment platform (since they've been around longer) vs a younger company?
Whether the investment or KiwiSaver provider you are invested with “steals” your money as the share markets go up and down
How to find out if an investment platform/company is legitimate (inc. some handy resources from the FMA!)

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

44. 5 Money Trends to Look Out For in 2023

Mon, 23 Jan 2023 01:00:00 +1300

In 2022 alone we’ve seen record interest rate rises, the highest rate of inflation in 30 years, house price declines, the threat of a looming recession and a number of global events that have added to the uncertainty.

The good news is that there is still an opportunity for you to grow your wealth in 2023 - if you know the habits that lead to long-term success. To help you on the journey, let’s take a look at what we can expect for the five big money trends of 2023.

In this episode, we cover:

Why cash is king when the cost of living is rising
How shares aren't the only way to make money
The rise of sustainable investing I.e, Environmental, Sustainable and Governance (ESG)
Why investors are keeping an eye out for Adrian Orr, the Governor of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand
The importance of watching out for leverage

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

43. Why 20-Somethings Feel Like They Can't Afford to Have Kids

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 01:00:00 +1300

Are you nearing the stage of life where expanding your family is a focus or goal?

In this episode, we cover:

Costs to consider when having kids, and whether these should inform your decision or not
Why you often have much longer to save for the expenses than you think
Whether the reality of the finances with having kids versus the idea of it are the same
How Cat's finances have faired before and after having a child - did she stick to her budget or not?
Whether having kids can actually change your financial habits for the better, not worse

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

42. Should I Use My KiwiSaver Balance to Buy a First Home?

Tue, 10 Jan 2023 01:00:00 +1300

For most Kiwis, withdrawing your KiwiSaver to purchase a first home is a no-brainer. In fact, NOT withdrawing it to do is likely more of a rarity. But is there an argument in favour of the former? Let's discuss.

In this episode, we cover:

The impact of withdrawing your KiwiSaver balance to buy a first home (or not)
Whether Cat & Christine will be/have withdrawn theirs to purchase homes
Outside of using your KiwiSaver balance, how else would you purchase a home? I.e. how do you have enough money to do so?!
Why your first home is a lifestyle asset not an investment asset

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

41. How Much Should I Be Spending on Christmas Presents?

Tue, 20 Dec 2022 02:00:00 +1300

Feeling the holiday financial stress? You're not alone - a recent survey found that 60% of Kiwis are feeling stressed by the costs of Christmas.

If you're wondering how much you should be spending on presents, you're in the right place. In this episode, we'll help you set a budget that works for you and your loved ones, and give you some ideas for finding affordable and meaningful gifts.

From frugal options to creative ways to save, we've got you covered. So take a deep breath and let's tackle the holiday expenses together.

In this episode, we cover:

How much Kiwis spend on Christmas gifts every year
What you can do to reduce the cost of presents during Christmas
A few different gift ideas that you can spend your time on instead of money

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Money Moments: Cat & Christine - Travel, KiwiSaver Contributions & Money Guilt

Tue, 13 Dec 2022 01:00:00 +1300

Today on the podcast we're back with another Money Moments episode with Cat & Christine. Money Moments is where we chat with real Kiwis about their journey with money.

In our case, it's an update on what's been happening with our finances recently. After a bit of a break, we share what we've been up to over the past 3-6 months with our moolah.

Specifically, we chat about:

Why Christine increased her KiwiSaver contributions from 3 to 6%
How much Cat is spending on her upcoming trip to Europe
Regaining control of your finances, especially when everything feels loose
Christine & Cat's short and medium-term goals
Cat starts investing for Lily and is back at work part-time

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

40. 5 Money Mistakes to Avoid When Planning Your Next Holiday

Tue, 06 Dec 2022 02:00:00 +1300

You would have thought that rising inflation and increased cost of living might've stopped a lot of Kiwis from traveling to see the world. But it hasn't! In fact, according to Intrepid Travel, 85% of Kiwis are planning to travel in the next year.

And among those 85% is us! With our own upcoming holidays, we'd highlight a few key money mistakes that you can avoid when planning your next holiday.

In this episode, we cover:

How to save money on foreign exchange fees.
Why your cheap phone plan in NZ will not be cheap when you go overseas.
A few horror stories where insurance can literally save your life.
Why booking plane tickets through third parties can backfire.
How a few minutes of research can help you save money when overseas.
As well as some not-so-fun expensive stories that Christine and Cat have experienced first hand so you don't have to.

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

39. 3 KiwiSaver Hacks to Prepare for Retirement

Tue, 29 Nov 2022 01:00:00 +1300

Did you know that for a lot of Kiwis their KiwiSaver is likely to be the 2nd largest asset that they will own in their lifetime? With that in mind, you would think we'd be more inclined to engage more with it, right?

Turns out we’re not! ⁠ Research shows that 1/5 Kiwis don't even know who their KiwiSaver provider is. So today, we're going to motivate you to check in with your KiwiSaver to make sure you're maximising your balance ahead of retirement. Despite it being potentially a long time away.

In this episode, we cover:

Cat & Christine's personal experience with KiwiSaver; who their balance is with and why.
How to check which KiwiSaver fund and provider you're invested in.
Whether there's an ideal no. of times you switch KiwiSaver providers and funds.
Switching between KiwiSaver providers and funds when the share markets are down.
The importance of knowing about your KiwiSaver contributions - how much you and your employer contribute.
The impact of increasing your contributions now, on when you reach retirement.
How fees can negatively compound to eat into your KiwiSaver balance over time.
How to assess whether your KiwiSaver balance has performed well.

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

38. What are the Top 3 Things to Think About When Investing for Kids?

Tue, 26 Jul 2022 02:00:00 +1200

Every parent wants to set their children up for success and this usually includes a financially secure future. And one of the best ways of doing this is through investing for their children early and consistently. However, there are a few nuances that parents may not consider when it comes to investing that can actually hinder their returns over the long run.

With this in mind, today's podcast episode covers things that you may want to consider when you start investing in your kid's future.

Specifically, we cover:

The different investment structures you can set up for your child. i.e. personal investment account or KiwiSaver.
The pros and cons of each investment structure you opt to use.
How tax is key and should be put into consideration when investing for your child.
Which investment options you can consider, especially with a long time horizon.
Ways to maximise the chances of success when setting up your child's investments.
What Cat herself is personally doing for her baby.

Check out our website and show notes at www.itsnosecret.co.nz/38

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

37. Part 2: How to Budget for a Baby

Fri, 22 Jul 2022 02:00:00 +1200

Today on the podcast we're back for part two of our how to budget for a baby series. if you haven't listened to part one, stop right now and go back to our previous episode. It's one not to miss. This podcast will also probably make a bit more sense after listening to the first one too.

Please note: this episode was recorded a wee while back, however, the information is still relevant and applicable to you if you're having a baby.

Specifically, we cover:

What kind of stuff do babies need and how much money can this cost
The trade-up of getting childcare vs staying at home with the child
A few stats from UNICEF and what it's like having a child in New Zealand
The types of government support that can be potentially available for you
Some tips and tricks to get yourself in the best financial position to have children

...And there's lots more goodness in there, so get listening now!

Check out our website and show notes at www.itsnosecret.co.nz/36

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

36. Part 1: How to Budget For a Baby

Tue, 19 Jul 2022 02:00:00 +1200

Just in case you missed it, Cat is having a baby! With this in mind, we're talking about all things kids and how you can financially plan ahead for the journey to parenthood.

So, strap in and grab your notebooks as we talk through the first part of how you can budget for a baby.

Please note: this episode was recorded a wee while back, however, the information is still relevant and applicable to you if you're having a baby.

Specifically, we cover:

Common societal beliefs when it comes to starting a family.
Everything Cat considered when she was planning for her baby.
What it's like to be pregnant and maternity in general - does it cost a lot more to be pregnant? What about the costs to concieve?
Cat's process for budgeting ahead and what her budget looks like now with a baby.
Weighing up getting childcare vs staying at home with your new child.
Tips and tricks to get yourself in the best financial position to have children.

...And there's lots more goodness in there, so get listening now!

Check out our website and show notes at www.itsnosecret.co.nz/36

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Money Moments: Josh Storey, Farm Ownership, Farming Careers & Managing Employees

Tue, 12 Jul 2022 01:00:00 +1200

Today on the podcast we're chatting with Josh Storey, farmer and Kernel investor.

Starting his money journey young, selling chicken eggs from the farm, Josh is now investing his way towards farm ownership - no easy feat in our eyes.

In this podcast, we dig into how Josh is working towards this big goal, and how his money journey to date has shaped the way he's approaching it.

Specifically we chat about:

The financial goal of dairy farm ownership, and how you get there
Josh's experience investing in shares and index funds
The financial side of a career in farming - starting salaries, career progression and more
Combining finances and financial goals with your partner
Making money in farming and how to calculate your ROI on farming assets (i.e. cows)
Large amounts of debt that comes with buying a farm, and how that can impact mental health
Managing the fluctuations of the dairy industry pricing

Please note: this episode was recorded a wee while back, so bear that in mind when listening.

Keen to share your story on a Money Moments episode? Get in touch via:
https://itsnosecret.co.nz/

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

35. What Does it Actually Mean to Create a Passive Income?

Tue, 05 Jul 2022 01:00:00 +1200

Passive income is often over-glamorised on social media as the thing that millennials and Gen Z’ers rely on to get them to their dream lifestyle or financial freedom.

But what does it actually mean to have a passive income? And how does one get to the point of living off it?

In today's episode Cat and Christine discuss exactly this. They chat about how there isn't a right or wrong way to create passive income and how it might fit into the way you approach your finances.

Specifically, they cover:

What a passive income is, and where the misconceptions lie
Why renting out your property ISN'T passive income
The realities of what it takes to create a passive income (i.e. a large principle sum to generate income off of)
Side hustles vs passive income - whether there's a difference
Dividends as a form of passive income
Investing in growth assets to get to generate a passive income later in life
Cat & Christine's personal experience with passive incomes (and why they won't be trying to generate one any time soon)

...And much more, there's lots more goodness in there, so get listening now.

Check out our website and show notes at www.itsnosecret.co.nz/35

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Money Moments: Clarissa Hirst - Negotiating Salaries, Moving Overseas & Women’s Financial Wellness

Tue, 28 Jun 2022 10:00:00 +1200

Today on the podcast Cat and Christine are joined by the lovely Clarissa, Head of Content & Marketing at the Financial Services Council (FSC).

They chat with Clarissa (AKA Riss) about her personal journey with money but also shed light on a very important campaign that the FSC has just kicked off focused on improving the financial wellbeing of women.

This is a topic that Cat and Christine are very passionate about, so they are very excited to dive in.

Specifically, they chat about:

Clarissa's relationship with money.
What lessons Clarissa learnt as she was growing up, and what she would tell her younger self about money.
How a loss of a loved one can impact a person and family financially.
What it was like for Clarissa when she moved from Australia to New Zealand and switched careers.
How Clarissa negotiated her salary throughout positions to get to where she is now.
How COVID impacted Clarissa's work hours and how she got around that.
Clarissa's current financial situation and how she is saving/investing her money.
What the FSC is and why their campaign is focusing on women and financial wellness in NZ.
And much much more!

If you want to learn more about the FSC Campaign head to the resources below:

Keen to share your story on a Money Moments episode? Get in touch via:
https://itsnosecret.co.nz/

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

34. How Should I Be Investing For The Rest Of 2022?

Tue, 21 Jun 2022 01:00:00 +1200

2022 has been a crazy year, high interest rates and inflation has caused the markets to take a tumble. And with so much fear and uncertainty in the air, everyday investors are left wondering what to expect for the rest of the year. With all of this in mind, we wanted to touch on all of these things and share reminders of what you could be doing during times like these.

Specifically, we cover:

We remind you that, if your goals and situation have not changed, making changes now may prove to be detrimental.
How you can help future-proof your investments with sustainable investing and innovation.
Rising interest rates- property, keeping money in the bank. What this can mean for you as an investor.
The challenge of paying off your mortgage when interest rates increase.
How you can help adapt to rising inflation rates or the cost of living.
How this turbulent time can actually be a great learning experience, especially for newer investors.

...And there's lots more goodness in there, so get listening now.

Please note, that this podcast was recorded in May. Some facts and figures will be a little bit outdated. e.g. Interest rates referenced and Kernel's Savings account interest rates.

Check out our website and show notes at www.itsnosecret.co.nz/34

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Money Moments: Cat & Christine Share About Investing in Private Equity, Paying Off Student Loans and More

Fri, 17 Jun 2022 01:00:00 +1200

Today on the podcast, Cat and Christine share an update on how their finances are tracking as we continue into 2022. It's been a hot minute since they last let you into what they're changing, or not changing when it comes to money and investments. So here they go!

Specifically, they chat about:

Christine pays off her student loan! WOOP. This means more money in each paycheque, so what's she doing with it?
Working lumpy sums into a budget
Why Christine completely restructured her bank accounts
Changing KiwiSaver and why Cat decided to switch hers to Kernel
Cat got a pay rise, yay! What's she spending the extra income on...and how she's battling lifestyle creep.
Cat goes on parental leave soon, how Kernel is supporting her with this
Both Cat & Christine invested in private equity - find out how they found the money to do it. Hint: there's some borrowing from family members included.
How Cat is feeling about and managing going down to one income when le baby comes!
Cat receives an inheritance, find out what she's doing with it.

We hope you enjoy hearing our updates as much as we did sharing them!

Keen to share your story on a Money Moments episode? Get in touch via:
https://itsnosecret.co.nz/

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

33: What Do I Need to Consider When Moving my Finances Across Borders?

Tue, 14 Jun 2022 01:00:00 +1200

After two years of border restrictions, it's safe to say that a lot of Kiwis are itching to leave the country. In fact, the government is estimating that 50,000 New Zealanders are going to leave over the next year to work overseas.

If you are 1 of the 50,000 Kiwis thinking of heading off, here are some things that you should consider. So, grab your pen and paper, and make sure to take a note of these before you go!

In this episode, we cover:

Cat and Christine's personal experience of moving across borders, From Aus to NZ, and NZ to Europe
The extra costs that you need to consider like moving furniture, visas, insurance etc.
How your income may be affected as you move to different countries due to the different job markets
How you will have to pay interest on your student loan if you are overseas
Will you be keeping any money in your home country, such as your investments and KiwiSaver
Why it is important that you have a clear goal in moving to a different country

...And there are lots more nuances in there that you may not even consider so get listening now.

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Summer Series: How Do I Justify the Cost of Investing In Myself?

Wed, 23 Feb 2022 01:00:00 +1300

Hello and welcome back to It's No Secret! Today on the podcast we're bringing you the sixth and final summer series podcast episode.

The summer series is dedicated to looking back at our most popular episodes of 2021 and sharing our favourite golden nuggets.

This week we're chatting about investing in ourselves! Yep, the thing you want to do but never want to spend the money on. This is a hugely requested topic and one of our personal faves.

In this episode, we unpick why it's hard to invest in ourselves, how cognitive dissonance plays into the decision making of investing in ourselves and pose a $100 challenge for you to get started investing in yourselves.

Now, our final summer series giveaway is a goodie, drum roll please...1x $100 Burger Burger voucher and 1x $100 Bunnings voucher. A perfect recipe for doing the things we love - DIY'ing and eating.

To find out more and enter to win, head to our Instagram @itsnosecretnz.

Ts and Cs apply. The giveaway runs from Wednesday 23rd February 2022 to Tuesday1st March 2022.

If you enjoyed today's show, we'd also LOVE for you to rate & review on Apple Podcasts and share your favourite episode with a friend.

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Summer Series: Do I Actually Need to Think About Retirement In my 20s & 30s?

Thu, 17 Feb 2022 12:00:00 +1300

Hello and welcome back to It's No Secret! Today on the podcast we're bringing you the fifth of six bonus episodes as part of our summer podcast series.

The summer series is dedicated to looking back at our most popular episodes of 2021 and sharing our favourite golden nuggets.

This week, we're chatting about all things retirement. When we need to start thinking about it, how much we believe we’ll need and more.

We work through a real life example of how much you’ll need for retirement so this is an episode that is relevant to all and one not to miss.

As part of the summer series, we’ll be running our final giveaway next week so be sure to keep an eye on our Instagram page, @itsnosecretnz.

If you enjoyed today's show, we'd also LOVE for you to rate & review on Apple Podcasts and share your favourite episode with a friend.

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Summer Series: How Do I Start Investing in the Share Markets?

Wed, 09 Feb 2022 14:00:00 +1300

Hello and welcome back to It's No Secret! Today on the podcast we're bringing you the fourth of six bonus episodes as part of our summer podcast series.

The summer series is dedicated to looking back at our most popular episodes of 2021 and sharing our favourite golden nuggets.

This week, we're chatting about the 101 of investing in the share markets - what the share markets are and how they work plus how investing in the share markets compare to investing in property.

Now, as part of our summer series giveaways, Kernel has been kind enough to offer you, our lovely listeners, the chance to win a $150 Kernel account top-up.

To find out more and enter to win, head to our Instagram @itsnosecretnz.

Ts and Cs apply. The giveaway runs from Wednesday 9th February 2022 to Tuesday 15th February 2022.

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Summer Series: Should I Invest In Cryptocurrency or Is It a Fad?

Wed, 02 Feb 2022 01:00:00 +1300

Hello and welcome back to It's No Secret! Today on the podcast we're bringing you the third of six bonus episodes as part of our summer podcast series.

The summer series is dedicated to looking back at our most popular episodes of 2021 and sharing our favourite golden nuggets.

This week, we're chatting about the 101 of investing in cryptocurrency - what the heck it is, whether it’s here to stay, how to invest in it and the role it plays in diversifying your investment portfolio.

In this episode, we’re joined by Darcy Ungaro, authorised financial adviser and host of the NZ Everyday Investor. Darcy shares his cryptocurrency knowledge as well as his personal experience with investing in crypto.

Further, Darcy has been generous enough to offer his time as part of our Summer Series giveaway. Specifically, this week we’re giving away a 2 hour 1:1 financial planning session with Darcy himself. These sessions are valued at $1,472 NZD, so we’re very excited to be able to give you guys this opportunity.

To find out more and enter, head to @itsnosecretnz.

Ts and Cs apply. The giveaway runs from Wednesday 2nd Feb 2022 to Tuesday 8th February 2022.

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Summer Series: Why Is Money Such a Driving Factor in Our Careers?

Wed, 26 Jan 2022 16:00:00 +1300

Hello and welcome back to It's No Secret! Today on the podcast we're bringing you the second of six bonus episodes, as part of our summer podcast series.

The summer series is dedicated to looking back at our most popular episodes of 2021 and sharing our favourite golden nuggets.

This week, we're chatting about Money and Career - how we intertwine our job titles and salary with our self worth, why our happiness tends to diminish the more money you make, tips for changing industries and navigating taking a step back financially and more.

As you'll hear in the episode, we're starting our Summer Series giveaway this week, with the first being a 1:1 career coaching session with Rosey Nathan, host of the Rosey on Recruitment Podcast and Senior Sourcing Specialist at Customise Talent Group. To enter, head to our Instagram, @itsnosecretnz.

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Summer Series: Am I in Control Of My Money Or Does It Control Me?

Thu, 20 Jan 2022 01:00:00 +1300

Hello and welcome back to It's No Secret! Today on the podcast we're bringing you the first of six bonus episodes, as part of our summer podcast series.

The series is dedicated to looking back at our most popular episodes of 2021 and sharing our favourite golden nuggets. We’ll cover a range of topics from how money is intertwined with our career, to what the heck cryptocurrency is and how to start investing in the share markets.

To kick off the series, we're diving into Money and Control - a topic we have a lot to say about. We share what a scarcity vs abundance mindset is, how this applies to money and give you tools to help you uncover whether you have a healthy relationship with money.

As you'll hear in the episode, we'll also be giving away four prizes during our summer series to help you kickstart your 2022 financial journey. Be sure to keep an eye on our Instagram for more details - @itsnosecretnz.

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

32. Part 2: How to Do Your 2021 Financial Review

Fri, 17 Dec 2021 01:00:00 +1300

Following on from part-one of our two part 2021 Financial Review series, today's episode takes a look back at 2021; how we went financially, whether our personal net worth values have changed and by how much, and why.

Specifically, we chat about:

What to do with new inflows of cash as we meet new financial goals and fee up cash
Scenario planning for your finances in 2022 – i.e. growing your family, getting a pay rise, working a yearly holiday into your budget etc.
Whether we include physical assets in your net worth and therefore financial review/check in
Plus, a very exciting announcement from Cat!

Plus some extra fun stories at the end which are bound to make you laugh.

Check out our website and show notes at www.itsnosecret.co.nz/32

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

32. Part 1: How to Do Your 2021 Financial Review

Tue, 14 Dec 2021 15:00:00 +1300

Today on the podcast we take a look back at 2021; how we went financially, whether our personal net worth values have changed and by how much, and why. A financial check-in heading into 2022, if you will.

As the wild and wonderful year that has been comes to an end, we round out our season with a two-episode reflection series which you can take away and apply to your own financial situation.

Whilst this is the last live weekly podcast episode for 2021, we will be running a summer series with a few shorter retrospective episodes over the first few weeks of January 2022. Stay tuned for those!

But before we move onto that, here's what we talked about in today's podcast episode:

Our 2021 financial goals! How we went and are feeling about them rounding out the year
Any challenges we came up against moving towards them - both positive and not-so positive
How various events throughout 2021 (hello lockdown and low-interest rates) have impacted our ability to meet our goals
Any and all adjustments we have made throughout the year to move us closer to #financialfreedom

...plus lots more in part two of this episode. Stay tuned for more!

Check out our website and show notes at www.itsnosecret.co.nz/32

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

31: Part 2: Is Insurance a Waste of Time and Money?

Tue, 07 Dec 2021 01:00:00 +1300

Today on the podcast we're back for part two of our insurance series. If you haven't listened to part one, stop right now and go back to our previous episode. It's one not to miss. This podcast will also make a lot more sense after listening to the first one too!

Insurance is one of those things that deep down, you know it's important to have but perhaps don't realise the value of it until it's too late. These days, it feels like there is an insurance policy for everything - income protection, life, health, contents, car, house, travel...the list goes on.

So how do we decide which ones are most important to pay for? Should we have them all? Which ones do we actually need? Is it a waste of time and money? Let's dig in.

In this episode we chat about:

Where to start with insurance, and how to figure out which insurances you need
Why trauma cover is the most expensive type of insurance
The 101 of trauma cover, income protection and health insurance
Questions to ask yourself to figure out whether you need life insurance
Who life insurance is for, and why you would take a policy out
Figuring out the sum to insure for with life insurance
Total impermanent disability (TPD) and how this works with income protection insurance
How to calculate how much of a lump sum to insure for with TPD insurance
How income protection works when mental illness comes in
The benefits of insurance advisers, and how fees come into play
Whether it's necessary to get a will pre-marriage

Join the conversation @itsnosecretnz
Check out our website and show notes at www.itsnosecret.co.nz/31

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

30. Part 1: Is Insurance a Waste of Time and Money?

Tue, 30 Nov 2021 01:00:00 +1300

Insurance is one of those things that deep down, you know it's important to have but perhaps don't realise the value of it until it's too late. These days, it feels like there is an insurance policy for everything - income protection, life, health, contents, car, house, travel...the list goes on.

So how do we decide which ones are most important to pay for? Should we have them all? Which ones do we actually need? Is it a waste of time and money? Let's dig in.

In this episode, we chat about:

What is income protection insurance and why do we need it?
The data that suggests Kiwis cover their car, content and house above and beyond life insurance
Why relying on ACC has made us (Kiwis) complacent when it comes to taking out income protection or health insurance
Why your life stage dictates which insurance(s) you’ll need
Why Cat is so passionate about income protection and trauma insurance
And similarly, why Christine is so passionate about health insurance
How income protection works when mental illness comes in
Why loyalty tax doesn’t apply to swapping insurance companies
Which insurances both Cat and Christine have and why

This is just part one of a two-part series (who knew we loved insurance so much!), so be sure to listen to the second episode to round out our insurance chat.

Check out our website and show notes at www.itsnosecret.co.nz/30

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Bonus Episode: Dean Anderson - Starting and Growing a Business, Raising Capital, Investing in Property and Index Funds

Tue, 23 Nov 2021 01:00:00 +1300

Today on the podcast, we're joined by Dean Anderson, Founder and CEO of Kernel (and our boss!). Kernel Wealth is an index fund manager and investment platform that helps Kiwis grow their savings over the long-term.

Previous to founding Kernel, Dean held roles in the financial services industry, notably as Head of Product at Smartshares and a Data Analyst at the NZX. He's a self proclaimer Mainlander, currently residing in Auckland with his partner Nigel and fur-baby Cooper.

Dean has a wide range of experience as an investor, starting his journey with shares and investment property through to raising capital to start a company in a highly regulated industry.

In this episode, we chat to Dean about:

Dean's relationship with money and how this evolved over time
How investing in property kickstarted his financial journey
Quitting your full time job to start a company
The process of starting and funding Kernel, a highly regulated financial services company
How he raised capital to fund the launch and growth of Kernel...without yet having a product
Going through multiple capital rounds
How business owners navigate diversification when they're so invested in one asset (the business)
Whether the dream of running a company is all that it's cracked up to be
What keeps Dean up at night (hint it has to do with Kernel)

...and lots more where that came from!

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Bonus Episode: Money Moments with Dalaney Davis - The Future of Cryptocurrency and Entrepreneurship

Fri, 19 Nov 2021 01:00:00 +1300

Today on the podcast we're joined by Dalaney Davis, Mindset Expert and Growth Strategist.

Dalaney is a life and business coach who works with thought leaders and entrepreneurs to start and grow their businesses.

Prior to coaching, Dalaney had another life working in the blockchain world early on, focusing on educating people on its positive global social impact. He's very knowledgeable and passionate about the topic that is investing in cryptocurrency.

In this episode (which we'll add was recorded pre-lockdown), we chat about:

Dalaney’s experience from a career in blockchain, to starting a sustainable business and then becoming a coach
Dalaney’s advice for anyone thinking about becoming an entrepreneur
What cryptocurrency is and how the world of bitcoin works
How you make money from investing in cryptocurrency
Whether staking, mining or investing in cryptocurrency is better and more profitable
Which coins Dalaney personally would invest in
How much of our portfolio we should be investing in cryptocurrency
Why there are different types of coins
Dalaney’s perspective on the future of fiat currency, cryptocurrency and how they coincide
Weighing up the environmental aspect of investing in cryptocurrency

We hope you enjoy the conversation as much as we did!

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

29. How Do You Help Your Financially Illiterate Family With Preparing for Retirement?

Tue, 16 Nov 2021 01:00:00 +1300

For those of us in adulthood that have a relationship with our parents, there comes a time where you suddenly realise your parents don't actually know everything and chances are, there are things you may know more about than them. ⁠
⁠
This of course could be anything. Our parents might know more about the specific field they work in or have more life experience, but if we're more literate in finance (i.e. we work in the industry), how are we to approach a conversation about money and retirement with them? ⁠
⁠
Whilst this might seem like a controversial topic for two women in their 20s and 30s to speak to, particularly as we are nowhere near retirement, but this week we go there.

In this episode, we chat about:

Do Cat & Christine talk to their parents about money and retirement?
Weighing up your motivations when talking to your parents about money - is it for selfish or selfless reasons?
Why this is an important topic to be talking about, particularly in NZ
How means-testing in relation to NZ Super tie into this conversation
Determining whether you're the right person to be having the conversation
Is a third party better to be brought in, to talk about money? I.e. a lawyer
Why starting with goals and questions might be an effective approach versus jumping straight into the detail
Thinking about your, and your parents’ reality versus dreams when talking about retirement
Things Cat & Christine think their family have done well, or wish they had done when it comes to money growing up⁠

...And there's lots more goodness in there, so get listening now.

Check out our website and show notes at www.itsnosecret.co.nz/29

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

28. Why Does Your Mindset Around Money Matter So Much?

Tue, 09 Nov 2021 01:00:00 +1300

Often we talk about wanting to achieve financial freedom, how to budget, invest and grow our money but this topic of changing our mindset around money can be forgotten. But, how we think about money determines the role it has in our lives. Our purpose and the "why" behind our money can directly influence the 'how'.

This is a topic that we're both particularly passionate about and have spoken a lot about on the podcast - most recently in our money moments episode with Briony McKenzie - so we thought we'd unpack it even further.

In this episode we cover:

What is a money mindset
Scarcity vs Abundance mindsets and how relate to your money
Christine & Cat’s money mindsets and how they play out in their relationships
How Cat’s value of fairness translated through to her decision to book a luxury hotel
Where we get our money beliefs from
How spending in line with your values links to an abundance mindset
Why Christine uses affirmations to try to shift her mindset to being from a place of abundance
Tips for changing your money mindset from scarcity to abundance
How holding people in the same light when it comes to their money mindset isn’t necessarily helpful

...And there's lots more goodness in there, so get listening now.

Check out our website and show notes at www.itsnosecret.co.nz/28

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Bonus Episode: Money Moments with Rebecca Keil - Teaching Kids About Money, Combining Finances and Managing Money Whilst Self Employed

Sat, 06 Nov 2021 05:00:00 +1300

Today on our Money Moments episode, we're joined by Rebecca Keil, Social Media Influencer, Comedian, Mum and all-round great human.

Most NZ parents have probably come across Rebecca on Instagram - after she burst onto the social media scene in 2016, building an audience due to her authentic and super candid content.

Rebecca lives in Christchurch with her young whānau - her two kids Rocky and Ruby, husband Jared and they are literally expecting a pēpi any day now.

She's passionate about social issues and speaking openly on things that may not get airtime elsewhere. Her followers (that includes us) laugh along to her stories and thoughts around pregnancy, parenting, home life, relationships and more. So it made complete sense for us to want to chat to her about money.

Rebecca has also hosted many events and speaking tours around NZ - each time raising money for charities in the towns she visits. To date, she's raised over $50,000 for local NZ charities.

In this episode, we discuss:

How her parents taught her money skills
Combining finances with her husband at a young age, and how she took on the family CFO role
Teaching her kids about money with unwavering honesty
How her kids' personalities shine through to how they approach money
The challenges with being self-employed, with irregular income and property purchases
The journey to knowing your worth as an influencer and charging clients for work
Buying and upsizing homes
Getting crafty with monetising a large social media following
Why she's passionate about raising money for great causes

We honestly could not stop laughing when editing this episode, so if you've come for the money chat we know you'll stay for the lols.

Enjoy!

---

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

27. Once I'm On The Property Ladder, How Do I Take the Next Step?

Tue, 02 Nov 2021 05:00:00 +1300

Society tells us that getting on the property ladder for the first time is the hardest thing you can do, but no one ever talks about what it's like after that. So today we're answering the question "Once I'm on the property ladder, how do I take the next step?".

We hear success stories in the media about owning 5 houses, but what if that's not what we want? Or if we do, how do we actually get there?

To complicate it even more, changes in our life stages often come with the pressure to change our living situation - getting married and buying a house, starting a family and up-sizing your property.

If you've tackled the first step of buying a home, what does it look like from there? In this episode we discuss all the options.

In this episode we cover:

How building property equity works
The difference between total equity and useable equity
Using your home to leverage into an investment property
Figuring out how much you could borrow for a further property purchase
Things to know about LVRs
What debt to income ratios are and why they're important to know
The costs involved in upsizing your home
Keeping up with the Joneses
What to do when things look hard
Recent NZ tax changes and what they mean for property owners
How to decide between renovating, paying down debt, investing in shares or buying another property
How to buy back into a crazy property market
Using your home equity to leverage into the share market

...And there's lots more goodness in there, so get listening now.

Check out our website and show notes at www.itsnosecret.co.nz/26

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Bonus Episode: Money Moments with Briony McKenzie - Investing In Yourself, The Value of Coaching and Rewriting Money Beliefs

Fri, 29 Oct 2021 01:00:00 +1300

Hello and welcome another Money Moments bonus episode; where we chat to real Kiwis about their experiences with money.

Today we're joined by Briony McKenzie for the second time! Briony is a Life and Business Coach and the founder of Untapped. If you haven't listened to our first episode with Briony yet, we'd recommend going back and having a listen.

If you're a regular listener of the podcast, you'll know that Cat and I have both been investing in our mental health recently, Cat with therapy and me with coaching (and with Briony at that).

So today, we chat with Briony about all things investing in ourselves and coaching. We chat about how much it costs, the distinction between personal and professional growth and how coaching can support rewriting some of our deeper beliefs, which ultimately lead to the way we view, talk and think about money.

Specifically, we cover:

The difference between mentoring and coaching
How much coaching costs in comparison to mentoring
What kind of coaching is there available - 1:1, group coaching and more
The perceived value between coaching group vs 1:1 coaching
Why answering the question of “will I get the result I want?” comes back to you get out what you put in
Why investing in yourself is about reprioritising what’s important to you, and creating space in your budget as a non-negotiable
How Briony is investing in her health
The distinction of personal and professional growth
How employees can approach asking employers to invest in their personal development
How we can go about changing our ingrained beliefs, and why these will have a knock-on effect in rewriting our money habits

We hope you enjoy the conversation as much as we did!

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

26. Part 2: How Do I Figure Out How To Buy a House?

Fri, 22 Oct 2021 05:00:00 +1300

Welcome to part two of us answering how you actually buy a house as a first homeowner! Cat & Christine pick up the conversation from part one to discuss who you need in your first home buyer support crew, some strategies and tactics around buying, the differences in the ways to actually buy a house and more.

We're here to debunk a few of these myths and help you *actually* figure out how you can achieve the property dream.

In this Part 2 of the property ownership chat, we cover:

Costs to factor in before and after property purchase
Our personal experience with and cost estimations for insurance, lawyers fees and more
Why you should shop around for mortgage advisers, mortgage rates and potential properties to purchase!
The difference between methods of sale for property – Auction vs Price by Negotiation vs Buying House and Land Packages
Whether there is true value in doing DIY on a property

We also include a quickfire Q&A based on questions submitted by our Instagram followers. Questions included are:

Is it better to use your KiwiSaver as part of your deposit or not touch it?
Are there property funds that you can invest in to diversify your risk?
Should I pay my student loan of before saving for a house deposit?
Should I buy in a cheaper area then rent this house out vs buying in the suburb I live in?
Should I buy new or buy old and renovate to add value down the track?
How can you boost your deposit $ on a single income?
How can I get a home loan being self-employed?
What should I budget for – rates, insurance etc?

…And there's lots more goodness in there, so get listening now.

If you're keen to check out more head to https://itsnosecret.co.nz/25

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

25. Part 1: How Do I Figure Out How To Buy a House?

Tue, 19 Oct 2021 04:00:00 +1300

Hi friends, today on the show we are tackling the question "How do I actually figure out how to buy a house?". Regardless of where you live, the idea of owning your own home is probably on your wish list, or has been at one point. Us Kiwis LOVE buying property. And fair enough, after all investing in property has worked really well for most in the past.

What's in the episode?

Often with ideas such as owning a property it can be a far-away goal that we know we want, but we don't actually know how to go about getting there. Or through the buying process once we have our initial deposit saved up and ready to go.

Society tells us that you need to own a home in order to be a success. That it's incredibly hard to get on the property ladder now, and with that, you won't be able to unless you get parental or generational support. Plus, rent is dead money so why bother doing that?

We're here to debunk a few of these myths and help you *actually* figure out how you can achieve the property dream.

In this Part 1 of the property ownership chat, we cover:

Why it's important to know your timeline before you start putting the wheels in motion
How our timelines aren't always fixed - flexible timelines can ease the stress and get you to your goal
A step by step process of how to buy your first home
Deposit requirements for first home ownership
Considerations to make when thinking about the size of your mortgage and properties to buy
What you need to prepare before talking to a bank about getting a loan
The 101 of Mortgage Advisers - how to find and approach them, how they differ to financial advisers and more
How Cat bought her first property, then later, her first home and why Christine has changed her approach to property ownership goals.

So whether you're anticipating that FHB journey or just love property chat, grab a coffee, hit the gym or start your commute and enjoy today's discussion.

If you're keen to check out more head to https://itsnosecret.co.nz/25

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

24. What Do I Need to Know As a DIY Investor?

Tue, 12 Oct 2021 01:00:00 +1300

The last 18 months has driven thousands of Kiwis to take an interest in investing through online platforms. So, how should you be tackling investing as a DIY investor?

There’s more to it than meme stocks, FOMO and the S&P 500 right? Correct. Today we run through the 5 Ds of DIY investing that everyone, no matter how experienced, should know about.

In case you missed it, last week was World Investor Week, a global campaign to raise awareness of investor education and protection. And we’re all about it!
The theme this year shines a light on the thousands of Kiwis who have recently taken an interest in investing through online platforms but have ultimately been driven by FOMO. Which isn’t the best of investment motivations.

In this episode, we chat about:

What is DIY investing
How can investor can do their due diligence
Our easy due diligence checklist to follow
Drip feeding investments
How and why auto invest or dollar cost averaging is a good thing
Investing a lump sum versus smaller regular amounts
How do we know what are good financial benchmarks to compare ourselves against?
Diversification and what this looks like when you’re a DIY investor
How much is too much diversification
What to do when a market declines
How not to panic sell
The difference between paper losses and crystallised losses
When to talk to a financial adviser and what 5 key questions should you ask them

…And there’s lots more goodness in there, so get listening now.

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

23. How Much Of A Burden Is Debt?

Tue, 05 Oct 2021 05:00:00 +1300

There are lots of kinds of debt - some good and some not so good. Good debt, like a mortgage, can help you grow your wealth over time, whereas bad debt like personal loans and credit cards can detract from it. But how much of a burden is debt on our mental, physical and financial wellbeing?

Did you know that 17% of Kiwis say their credit card bill is their leading cause of financial stress. Gah! In this episode we tackle head-on some of our most stressful debts - personal loans, credit cards, buy now pay later, student loans and home loans. Plus all the details on how to tackle these debts if they're causing you financial stress. Trust us, we've been there.

In this episode, Christine and Cat chat about:

The current state of NZ's consumer debt and whether we should be worried about it
Why Buy Now Pay Later schemes (we're looking at you, Afterpay) need to get in the bin
When student loans are an interest-free cruise versus when they can affect our financial situation
How your student loan impacts your ability to buy a first home
Deciding whether to pay more off a home loan or invest/save the money instead
The magic of balance transfers to assist with credit card debt repayments
How to help with unnecessary spending and break the getting-into-debt cycle
Credit card repayment strategies
The trouble with car finance

...plus lots more!

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

22. Are Women Actually Involved in Their Finances?

Tue, 28 Sep 2021 04:00:00 +1300

Hello and happy Tuesday! In today's episode we answer the question of whether women are as involved in our finances as we want to be/need to be/should be/or the media tells us to be?

This is a massive topic and one that we are both pretty passionate about...after all, we are women. There are so many facets to this topic, and before you roll your eyes thinking this is going to be a rant on fempower, hear us out.

We hear all this stuff about women needing to become more actively involved in participating in their finances, that we make better investors and we need to close the gender wealth gap.

So, are we?

In the episode, we chat about:

What does being actively involved in your finances even mean, for any gender!
How you can find clarity + confidence
How and why we need to get women involved in long term financial planning
What the stats around the world tell us about female participation of money management
How to test how much your partner knows about money
What action you can take to reduce your levels of stress around money
How to take action, whilst not being overwhelmed by the depth of responsibility
They key to setting up financial success with a partner and striving for shared money responsibilities
What women in all phases of life can do about the gender pay gap, wealth pay gap and ensuring we're setting ourselves up for success.

...plus lots more fun stuff, as always.

Check out all our resources mentioned and full show notes at:
wwww.itsnosecret.co.nz/22

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

21. Should I Invest in Cryptocurrency or Is It a Fad?

Tue, 21 Sep 2021 01:00:00 +1200

Should we be investing in crypto?! Understanding the deep and confusing world of crypto was something that we were putting off learning. But we kept hearing about Bitcoin, Ethereum, NFTs and blockchain, so it's time to figure out once and for all, if cryptocurrency is an investment option we should be considering.

Now, we are most definitely not crypto experts, in fact we really don't know much about it...so we've asked Darcy Ungaro, Financial Adviser, Host of the NZ Everyday Investor podcast and crypto investor to join us and chat about all things crypto.

In the episode, we chat about:

What are cryptocurrencies?
Are all crypto created equal or are some better than others?
Is cryptocurrency a currency or an investment?
How can I expect to make money investing in cryptocurrency?
The importance of being diversified in your coins
Why the same fundamental financial principles apply to investing in cryptocurrency as they do investing in the share markets
How do I know if I'm ready to invest in cryptocurrency?
Using crypto in a core-satellite portfolio strategy
Where and how would we start investing in cryptocurrency

...plus lots more fun stuff, as always.

Check out all our resources mentioned and full show notes at:
wwww.itsnosecret.co.nz/21

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Bonus Episode: Money Moments with Jack Niven - Starting and Selling a Business, Investing in Property and What Success Truly Means

Fri, 17 Sep 2021 01:00:00 +1200

Welcome to another Money Moments episode of It's No Secret, where we chat to real Kiwis about their experiences with money.

Today we're joined by Jack Niven, Account Manager at NZME, avid rugby player and coach, and of course all round awesome guy.

In today’s episode, Cat and Christine chat to Jack about everything from buying a property at 20, to starting a business while studying as a mature student, to then selling that business and reinvesting that money into his property.

Jack shares what success truly means to him (hint: it’s not all about money) as well as the 4 pillars he measures himself and his life against to ensure he’s always living into his version of success.

In the episode, we chat about:

How Jack's mum shaped his perspective on and relationship with money,
Getting on the property ladder at the age of 20,
Jack's experience of negotiating the sale of his business,
Why successes isn't just about money, it's about being a good person,
Whether going back to entrepreneurial life is worth it, or corporate is too comfortable,
Navigating money in a relationship - the merging of finances and the cost of weddings, and;
Combining different cultural and financial backgrounds.

…and lots more good stuff. We hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did!

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

20. How Do I Figure Out If I'm In The Right KiwiSaver Fund?

Tue, 14 Sep 2021 01:00:00 +1200

Hello & Happy Tuesday everyone! In today's episode we're answering the question of...

HOW DO I FIGURE OUT IF I'M IN THE RIGHT KIWISAVER FUND?

If you're not thinking about retirement now, then it's time to start. Whether you're in your 20s, 30s, 40s or beyond, working towards building up a financial cushion NOW that you can retire with LATER is incredibly important. Why? Because building wealth doesn't happen overnight and nobody wants to be in the position where they're a few years out from retirement panicking about whether they can afford to retire or not.

KiwiSaver plays into this (after all, it's purpose is to help us retire post-buying a house), so it's a good idea to ensure you're in the right fund for your risk appetite and goals.

In this episode, Christine and Cat chat about:

How NZ is faring when it comes to preparedness for retirement (spoiler: not great)
How our lotus of control affects our preparedness for retirement and overall financial wellbeing
5 practical steps for figuringing out if you’re in the right KiwiSaver fund
Why assessing a KiwiSaver provider based solely on fees is not an accurate reflection of the value they may provide
Why being with the same KiwiSaver provider as your significant other doesn’t result in higher risk or less diversification

...plus lots more! Get listening now to find out what else we have in store for you.

Check out all our resources mentioned and full show notes at:
wwww.itsnosecret.co.nz/20

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Bonus Episode: Money Moments with Cat & Christine - Buying and Selling Shares, Renovating Investment Properties, Upsizing Homes and Streamlining Our Finances

Fri, 10 Sep 2021 01:00:00 +1200

Hello our lovely listeners! Welcome back to another bonus episode of It's No Secret, this time a Money Moments check in with Christine and Cat.

We received such great feedback from you about our first Money Moments episode that we thought we would make it a regular thing. So here you are!

Today on the podcast we reflect on the last 3 months of our financial lives, plus set some small achievable goals for the next couple of months.

In this episode, we chat about:

Why Christine has put the property search on hold in the short term
Cat's next investment property move (spoiler: it involves her fave, renovating)
How Cat plans to use buying an investment property to help her upsize her home in 5 or so years (so they can stay in the same suburb!)
Christine selling her shares, finally!
And with that, why we find it so much harder to sell shares than buy them
How changing KiwiSaver providers can feel so easy relative to selling shares
Streamlining our financial lives to lighten the mental load
The power of accountability with taking action with money and investing

...and lots more juicy chat, as always.

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

19. How Do We Justify The Cost of Investing In Ourselves?

Tue, 07 Sep 2021 02:00:00 +1200

Hello there money-chatting friends! In today's episode, we're answering the question of...

HOW DO WE JUSTIFY THE COST OF INVESTING IN OURSELVES?

Should you always put yourself first when it comes to your finances? Society tells us to invest in tangible assets and be selfless, that generosity for others is a quality to be admired. But what about generosity for ourselves? You can have all the money in the world but if you don't have your physical or mental health, will you be able to enjoy it?

What's in the episode?

In this episode, Cat and Christine dive into the psychology behind investing in ourselves and why it's so important.

Specifically, we cover:

What does investing in yourself actually mean?
How are Cat and Christine currently investing in themselves and what was the story they were telling themselves before committing to this.
We unpick just why it is so hard to spend money on ourselves
How cognitive dissonance plays into this decision making
Why it's easier to buy things for others
We understate our own value; recognising that you are a $1M asset
How to overcome the tendency to be cheap and take the leap to spend on meaningful things for yourself
Actionable steps in order to afford investing in yourself – whatever that looks like.

…And there's lots more goodness in there, so get listening now.

If you enjoyed today's show, we'd LOVE for you to rate & review on Apple Podcasts and share your favourite episode with a friend or family member.

Check out all our resources mentioned and full show notes at:
https://itsnosecret.co.nz/19

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Bonus Episode: Money Moments with Danni Duncan - Content Creator & Influencer, Overcoming Emotional Abuse & Financial Control, Switching Careers, Knowing Your Worth, Pay Transparency and Investing In Mental Health.

Mon, 06 Sep 2021 02:00:00 +1200

Welcome to another Money Moments episode of It's No Secret, where we chat to real Kiwis about their experiences with money. Today we're joined by Danni Duncan.

Danni is a content creator and social media influencer living in the sunny Hawkes Bay with her husband Alex and fur baby Stanley. Originally from Christchurch, Danni trained and worked as a Speech Language Therapist before transitioning her social media hobby into a full time gig.

We’ve followed Danni on the gram for quite some time, falling in love with her passion for fair fashion, radical transparency on mental health and emotional abuse awareness. She’s also a huge proponent around knowing your worth and encouraging all content creators be paid fairly for their work - which is a message we at INS can really get around.

In this episode, we chat about:

How Danni had her first job at age 11 and learned to save from her parents,
Her experience being in an emotionally abusive and financially controlling marriage,
Some of the warning signs of financial control in a relationship,
Knowing whether your relationship with money is normal,
How after leaving her first husband she had to change all her financial habits,
Becoming an independent earner and chasing her career goal to be a full time content creator,
Investing in her mental health,
Creating a healthy working partnership in her second marriage and the importance of having shared goals,
Knowing your worth as a self employed creative, and;
Why pay transparency is powerful is the influencer industry.

…and lots more good stuff. We hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did!

Connect with Danni on Instagram.

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

18. Why Is Sticking To A Budget So Darn Hard?

Tue, 31 Aug 2021 02:00:00 +1200

Hello there friends! In today's episode, we're answering the question of...

WHY IS STICKING TO A BUDGET SO DARN HARD?

We've probably all tried to create a budget, then tracked it for a month, fallen off the band wagon...after trying this very cycle again in a few months. But why??

Society tells us that we need to have a budget and if you don't have one...get one asap. OR if you don't stick to it then you're a failure, or in capable of managing your money well.

What's in the episode?

In this episode, Cat and Christine dive into the pros and cons of budgeting and money psychology. Should we just ditch the word "budget" entirely and re-frame this money behaviour as planned spending? We think so.

Specifically, we cover:

How our brain reacts to the word budget
Whether 'slimming down the fun' is ever possible
Changing our mindset to being goal oriented rather than going without
How often you should review your spending
Getting out of a binge-spending cycle
Managing budget and spending guilt
The 50/30/20 budgeting rule
Paying yourself first - what it is and how to do it
Creating positive behaviours when it comes to budgeting
Managing a budget with a partner
How to practically set up your bank accounts

...And honestly, there's so much more goodness in there, so get listening now.

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Bonus Episode: Money Moments with Rosey Nathan - Career Transitions, Salary Negotiations and Building Women's Financial Confidence

Fri, 27 Aug 2021 01:00:00 +1200

Hi money-chatting friends! Happy Friyay - congrats, you made it!

To finish off the week, and kick the weekend off with a bang, we’re bringing you another bonus Money Moments episode.

Money Moments is where we chat to real Kiwis about their experiences with money - the ups, the downs and everything in between.

Today we're joined by Rosey Nathan, Partner at Customise Talent Group, Chief Commercial Officer at Her Career and a fellow podcast host at the Rosey on Recruitment podcast.

Not only is Rosey a ray of sunshine with an infectious laugh, but she is also an ambitious business woman who has built a successful career in sales, and now recruitment.

In this episode, we chat about:

Her career journey to date, and her drive to provide for her family
Her recent transition out of sales and into recruitment, including going from a full-time salary to being paid on a commission only basis
How a large windfall changed the course of her financial life
How money drove her decision to change roles multiple times in a short period of time
The link between confidence and salary negotiation, particularly for women
Tips for negotiating your salary or a contract
How a recruiter can support you in your career (and salary) development

…and lots more good stuff. We hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did!

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

17. Investing 102: I've Made My First Investment, Now What?

Tue, 24 Aug 2021 02:00:00 +1200

Hello there money-chatting friends! In today's episode, we're answering the question of...

I'VE STARTED INVESTING IN THE SHAREMARKETS, BUT NOW WHAT?

This episode we're here to level up your investment game. Investing jargon? We take it on. Diversification, come at us. Re-cap of maths class, stats galore, discussions around exit strategies. You name it, we cover it.

What's in the episode?

In this episode, Cat and Christine dive into the details around creating an investment strategy that works for you. Now if you haven't listened to our Investing 101 episode - stop right now and go listen here.

Specifically, we cover:

How do you know when your investments should “level up”
Whether we are actually good at picking stocks
The distribution of stock market returns...say what now?
What diversification really means and how to achieve it
What a core satellite investment strategy is
How does your home fit into a core satellite strategy
How much diversification is too much diversification
Correlation - what is this with sharemarkets and how does it apply
How to not be overwhelmed with portfolio construction
What about tax….
Your investment time horizon (it's our favourite buzzword)
Creating the illusive passive income
How do investment properties fit into an equity market strategy
What is an investment exit strategy
When to not be greedy with sharemarkets

...And honestly, there's so much more goodness in there, so get listening now.

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Bonus Episode: Money Moments with Ben & Tom Grooten - Running a Family Business, What Success Really Means, Employee Wellbeing, Teaching Kids About Money and Making Sacrifices for Business

Fri, 20 Aug 2021 02:00:00 +1200

Welcome to another bonus episode of It’s No Secret! Money Moments is where we chat to real Kiwis about their experience with money - the good, the bad and the hilarious.

Today on the pod, we're joined by brothers Tom & Ben Grooten. The Grooten family has been a part of New Zealand's FMCG market over the last 40 years, founding and running Dad's Pies and The Baker's Son.

Tom and Ben, as General Manager and Sales Manager respectively, have had an active role in the company for over 8 years. With over 140 employees, the company and Grootens have achieved a lot for their community over last 40 years.

In this episode, we chat about:

Tom and Ben's personal money habits,
growing up as first generation New Zealanders, with two very Dutch parents,
some of the challenges and successes in creating such a business,
teaching kids about money and investing,
continuing the legacy of a successful family business,
how they encourage and support their employee wellbeing,
their views on success and how this is reflected in much more than simply a balance sheet.

…and lots more good stuff. We hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did!

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Bonus Episode: 3 Timely Money Reminders During Lockdown

Thu, 19 Aug 2021 01:00:00 +1200

Hello there money-loving, fellow lockdown listeners! We're back, this time with a bonus episode as we find ourselves with some new found time on our hands.

In light of NZ's sudden lockdown, we thought it might be fun to jump on and share a few reminders of what you could be doing money-wise during lockdown. So, without further ado, this episode focuses on:

3 TIMELY MONEY REMINDERS DURING LOCKDOWN

Other than lots of tangents, laughs and lockdown recipes, during the episode we chat about:
- How a financial check up can lead to cost-savings and a new found purpose for your money
- Why you're not going to be able to save yourself onto the property ladder...spolier alert: you need to be investing!
- The realities of rising property prices, relative to increases in average NZ salaries
- How turning random investing into an automated habit could be the key to your financial success (and the investing behaviour you pick up this lockdown!).

...plus lots more where that came from!

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

16. Why is Money Such a Driving Factor of Our Career?

Tue, 17 Aug 2021 01:00:00 +1200

Hello there money-chatting friends! In today's episode, we're answering the question of...

WHY IS MONEY SUCH A DRIVING FACTOR OF OUR CAREER?

This is a BIG question to answer, and one that we think applies to everyone in some shape or form. Society tells us to chase our dreams, do what we love. Never work a day in our lives but also make sure you're financially independent, that you have enough money to retire with and oh don't forget to make something of yourself in the process.

It also tells us that chasing money with our careers is 'money hungry' and but also make sure we're not doing a career that pays us nothing. So, which one is it?

Let's dive in...

In this episode we cover:

The link between happiness, money and our career
Why happiness tends to diminish the more money we make
How Australia and New Zealand compare to overseas countries in regards to optimal income levels
Why not planning your career is so common (and so shocking!)
What to consider when choosing your career - because there is so much more to it than just money!
Why both Cat & Christine value purpose over money when it comes to their careers
Tips for knowing your value and worth, negotiating your salary and more
Tips for navigating your career and salary from Rosey Nathan, Senior Partner at Customise Talent Group and host of the Rosey on Recruitment & Career Podcast

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

15. What Should I Be Doing With My Money In My 20s, 30s & 40s?

Tue, 10 Aug 2021 02:00:00 +1200

Hello! In today's episode we are answering the question of...

WHAT SHOULD I BE DOING WITH MY MONEY IN MY 20s, 30s AND BEYOND?

The timeline of life (gah!) In your early 20s, you're starting your career, mid 20s, you're learning, late 20s you're gaining momentum and maybe starting to think about kids. 30 comes, you feel a bit old, the kid pressure continues, it's likely you're on the property ladder or if not then you're working towards it. Mid-late 30s might see you with kids, owning a home, feeling like that's where all your money is going. Sound kinda accurate, right?

Let's discuss.

In this episode we cover:

It's Money Week this week in NZ and do we have some information for you!
How does your financial wellbeing score compare to that of the average Kiwi? We discuss the top 5 things to think about in your finances at any age
What common traits do those that score themselves as "secure" have in their personal finances
The one most effective behaviour you can implement in order to increase your financial wellbeing
How much you should have in an emergency account, thinking about retirement savings, investing outside of your home, and more!

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Bonus Episode: Money Moments with Cat & Christine - Being a First Home Buyer, Renovating Property, Investing in Yourself, Money and Mental Health, Personal Development and Spreadsheets

Tue, 29 Jun 2021 02:00:00 +1200

Happy Tuesday Listeners! Welcome back to another bonus episode of It’s No Secret, we've missed you. Whilst Season 2 is not quite ready to launch, here's a cheeky Money Moments catch up with your co-hosts, Cat & Christine.

Today on the podcast, we chat through what we've been up to since the end of Season 1 - including what we've been spending our money on, prioritising in our finances and general life lessons.

In this episode, we chat about:

Christine's journey to becoming a first home owner (spoiler alert: it's ongoing)
How Ollie & Christine are going with combining their finances
Adjusting your expectations when it comes to property goals
Cat & Luke's latest property project - was their DIY renovation a success?
Thinking about a lump sum of money versus your cashflow
Which money spreadsheets Cat is loving and hating
Investing in yourself
The value and challenge with personal development
Deciding whether to spend money on your mental health
How life events can challenge your financial goals
Gaining perspective over the last few months

…and lots more good stuff.

We hope you enjoy this honest conversation between two money mates.

Content warning: In this episode we discuss mental health challenges, seeking professional help and dealing with miscarriage. Please take care in deciding whether this is the episode is appropriate for your current frame of mind.

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

14. Does Every Relationship Need a CFO & How Do You Combine Finances with Someone Part Two

Wed, 02 Jun 2021 15:00:00 +1200

Hello! In today's episode we are answering the question of...

DOES EVERY RELATIONSHIP NEED A CFO AND HOW DO YOU MERGE FINANCES WITH YOUR PARTNER?

Today's show is part two of our money and relationships roundtable, where we are joined by two guests, Ollie and Luke. We've roped our significant others into the podcasting fold for a money and relationships tell all...now we're back with part 2! ⁠
⁠
In this episode we cover:

Setting goals as a couple⁠
We each share our upcoming goals and how we got there⁠
Whether there is a downside to being super ambitious
When you should or shouldn’t deviate from your combined financial plan ⁠
Do the spender and saver stereotypes in a relationship exist⁠
Whether your financial behaviours get better with the more money you earn
Frugality and cheapness - are they the same thing and what happens when you come from different angles?⁠⁠

We also put the boys on the spot with a deep dive into their money moments - the things they didn't do so well when managing money at a younger age, what they would have done differently and how perspectives have changed when managing money with their partners.

This part-two of relationships & money deep dive is one not to miss! ⁠

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Bonus Episode: Money Moments with Jervis Koo - Budgeting, Credit Card Debt, Investment Clubs, Passive Investing and Cryptocurrency

Wed, 26 May 2021 01:00:00 +1200

Hello and welcome to another bonus episode of It’s No Secret. Money Moments is where we chat to real Kiwis about their experience with money - the good, the bad and the hilarious.

Today on the pod, we’re joined by Jervis Koo. Jervis is the Digital Director of boutique agency, Unco, a Kernel investor and of course a friend.

In this episode, Jervis shares how he went from rags to riches, literally. From blowing an inheritance from his father, to getting himself into debt, to know being all over his finances, Jervis has an interesting money story worth hearing about.

In this episode, we chat about:

How he got out of debt and into investing
Why he’s ditched the 50/30/20 budgeting approached in place of a 30/30/30/10 one
How his 6 pillar philosophy for life helped him realise he was spending too much time and energy on his finances
Starting an investment club and how this improved his financial literacy
Why he’s a fan of investing in passive investments, cryptocurrency, private equity and more

…and lots more good stuff.

We hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did! It’s a goodie.

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

13. Does Every Relationship Need a CFO & How Do You Combine Finances with Someone Part One

Tue, 18 May 2021 01:00:00 +1200

Hello! In today's episode we are answering the question of...

DOES EVERY RELATIONSHIP NEED A CFO AND HOW DO YOU MERGE FINANCES WITH YOUR PARTNER?

On today's show we are joined by two guests....drum roll please! Meet Ollie and Luke. The long-suffering partners of your two hosts who kindly agreed to share their experiences in this roundtable discussion about money and relationships.

This conversation is a little more casual than our usual episodes, as we share each persons perspective on their journey of combing their money with someone else.

This is super important to start a conversation on because 1 in 5 people report relationship problems due to financial concerns, with the 18-34 age group reporting the highest degree of relationship strain due to money!

So join in this roundtable discussion where we unpack...

In this episode we cover:

Whether your relationship needs a CFO
How to decide who the best person for the CFO job is (without breaking up)
When you need both people on board with a financial plan or budget and how to make that happen
Getting your money values aligned and the problems you'll encounter if you don't
Christine & Ollie share their decision and discussion around combining finances for the first time
How to know whether you need a prenup and what even is being defacto?!
How to not forgo your personal freedom whilst finding balance in managing your money together
Whether having security over your finances is the key to relationship calm

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

12. How Quickly Can I Become a Millionaire?

Tue, 11 May 2021 01:00:00 +1200

Hello! In today's episode we are answering the question of...

HOW QUICKLY CAN I GET TO BEING A MILLIONAIRE AND IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING RICH AND BEING WEALTHY?

With the reality that many city dwellers (even first home buyers) having to pay upwards of a million dollars for a property, does that make us all millionaires? And why would we want to be a millionaire or even care? Is there a difference between being rich and being wealthy and how honest are we really with ourselves when it comes to admitting how 'rich' we want to be?

Sometimes a million dollars doesn't even sound like that much any more - but it absolutely is. Particularly when you put it in context of a few things....

Let's discuss.

In this episode we cover:

What is a net worth millionaire and how do we become one?!
Is being seen as rich a negative and why do we feel we have to hide our wealth
How do we pair this with also seeker greater things in life
What to do when you are motivated by money and how to get your net worth tracking upwards!
Whether becoming a millionaire starts with budgeting
Lessons learnt from other net worth millionaires, including the true cost of a 'free cat'
Is property or owning a business is the only way to grow your wealth, or are there other options out there....

If you're keen to check out more head to https://itsnosecret.co.nz/12

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Bonus Episode: Money Moments with Armin Svoboda - Money Management, Investing in Shares, Cryptocurrency and Property & Money in a Relationship

Fri, 07 May 2021 01:00:00 +1200

Hello and Happy Friyay! Here’s to a beautiful weekend full of lots of podcast listening. To kick the weekend off, we’re back with another Money Moments bonus episode; where we chat to real Kiwis about their experiences with money.

Today we're joined by Armin Svoboda, Head of Digital at Kernel, and previous semi-professional rower.

From a young age, Armin has had a keen interest in business and finance, which was is what led him to start investing in the share markets, start a side hustle and dabble in crypto.

In this episode, Armin shares:

How his father’s continuous prompting to read the business section of the news sparked his interest in finance and business
Why it’s so important to find a money partner in life
What it’s like to combine finances in a relationship, especially when you’re bringing debt to the table
How, as athletes, Armin and his fiancé managed to live off $20k per year
How they manage their money using the Barefoot Investor’s bucket system
Why he chooses to invest in crypto with his “play money”
The realities of owning a home in this current housing market, and why upsizing has led him to reflect on his initial property purchase

…and lots more good stuff.

We hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did! It’s a goodie.

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

11. How Much Financial Planning Is...Too Much?

Tue, 04 May 2021 01:00:00 +1200

Hello! In today's episode we are answering the question of...

HOW MUCH FINANCIAL PLANNING IS TOO MUCH FINANCIAL PLANNING?

We all have different levels of financial planning we like to do. Some like to get knee deep in the excel spreadsheets and others avoid it like the plague. So which one are you? And is there a balance we can strike between having clarity over our finances by planning, and over-planning then scaring ourselves out of ever looking at a spreadsheet again?

Let's discuss.

In this episode we cover:

How having clarity over our finances can benefit us in many aspects of our lives
Whether your money habits change the wealthier you become
What financial planning actually IS and whether it's something you can effectively do alone
The value of a good spreadsheet to crunch some numbers, and the downstairs of getting too involved
The difference between day to day money management and financial planning
Ideas to improve your financial planning skills
What a financial planner actually does, how you can find one, when you should consider using a financial adviser and how much you can expect to pay them

If you're keen to check out more head to https://itsnosecret.co.nz/11

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

10. Part 2: How Do I Start Investing in the Share Markets?

Tue, 27 Apr 2021 01:00:00 +1200

Hi friends, today on the show we are tackling part two of the question...

HOW, WHY AND WHEN SHOULD I START INVESTING IN THE SHARE MARKETS?

If you haven't listened to part 1 of this episode, stop and go back to listen now. In this episode Cat and Christine continue the conversation around getting started with investing, including how they both got started and what they're investing in now. Let's dive in.

What's in the episode?

This is part two of the 101 of investing in the share markets. We explain the what, why, where and the how…as well making a commitment to de-jargon any finance lingo that we come across during the discussion.

Specifically, we cover:

How much money you need to get started investing in shares
How best to invest a lump sum
Whether you need to have an auto-investment plan
If paying yourself first is the key to financial success
How to assess the performance of your portfolio and benchmark your success
How Cat + Christine started investing and some of the mistakes they made along the way

So whether you consider yourself a total investing newbie or a shares old-timer, grab a coffee, hit the gym or start your commute and enjoy today's discussion.

If you're keen to check out more head to https://itsnosecret.co.nz/10

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Bonus Episode: Money Moments with Briony McKenzie - Money Mindsets, Financial Security vs Financial Freedom, Journey to Investing & Making the Leap from Corporate Job to Entrepreneur

Fri, 23 Apr 2021 01:00:00 +1200

Happy friday - we made it! And to kick off this weekend, welcome to another Money Moments bonus episode; where we chat to real Kiwis about their experiences with money.

Today we’re joined by Briony McKenzie, a Life and Business Coach, and the founder of Untapped. While supporting clients with their personal and professional development, Briony has also created a Money Mindset program and is particularly interested in the psychology of money.

In this episode Briony shares:

How she had to learn it was okay to do something she loves AND make money for it
How her guaranteed pay check made her complacent with her money
Understanding your energy around money
Creating your financial security number and the difference between financial freedom and financial security.
How she learnt to "burn the boats and take the island"
Taking the leap to move from being a corporate lawyer to starting her own business and how much financial security she needed to do this
Her investing journey, from starting small to working towards her FIRE number
Working with a financial adviser; how she found one and the positive outcomes it's provided

We hope you enjoy the conversation as much as we did!

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

9. Part 1: How Do I Start Investing in the Share Markets?

Tue, 20 Apr 2021 02:00:00 +1200

Hi friends, this episode is longer than usual but we promise it's worth it! Today on the show we are tackling the question...

HOW, WHY AND WHEN SHOULD I START INVESTING IN THE SHARE MARKETS?

With the recent rise of new investing platforms in both New Zealand and overseas, we're seeing more and more people starting to dip their toes in the share market waters and give investing a go. But how do you know a) where to start, b) why even start and c) how to start? Let's dive in.

What's in the episode?

Today we go through the 101 of investing in the share markets. We explain the what, why, where and the how…as well making a commitment to de-jargon any finance lingo that we come across during the discussion. Part 1 of a two part series because who knew investing chat could be so lengthy (we did).

Specifically, we cover:

What the share markets are and how they work
Whether you should just invest in what you know...i.e. property and cash
The property vs shares debate with some great stats to sway you in either direction
What a share market index is and how it came to life
Why you should invest in the share markets, including all the pros and the cons
How to know when you're ready to start investing in the share markets
And when you are, the 4 key steps to actually get started investing in shares
Bonuses include: understanding the difference between an ETF and Index Fund and the difference in active and passive investment strategies

Yikes - no wonder this one's a bit longer than usual. So friends, whether you consider yourself a total investing newbie or a shares old-timer, grab a coffee, hit the gym or start your commute and enjoy today's discussion.

P.S - Part 2 coming soon...

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

8. How Do You Plan and Pay For Large Short Term Expenses

Tue, 13 Apr 2021 01:00:00 +1200

Hello! In today's episode we are answering the question of...

HOW DO YOU PLANS FOR AND THEN PAY A LARGE SHORT TERM EXPENSE?

In your 20s, 30s and beyond it sometimes feels like you're in the height of adulting that comes with pretty lumpy costs - things like moving overseas, buying a car, looking after your health, getting pets, weddings, honeymoons....the list goes on!

Layered on top of this is often an element of time pressure - whether it's something of our own doing or one that society puts on us.

So today we'll be talking about how you not only plan and save for these expenses, but how you can prioritise and re-frame what's important so you can make it happen.

In this episode we cover:

The largest amount of cash we've ever spent on a personal expense!
How we saved for those items...and in some cases didn't - eeek!
What a sinking fund is and why it's the best way to save
Delayed gratification and how to prioritise
Learning to love what you spend money on and not being deterred by the views of others
Spending money in line with your values
What to do when debt seems like the only way....after all, we are only human.

If you're keen to check out more head to https://itsnosecret.co.nz/8

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Bonus Episode: Money Moments with Kalé Emery - Starting a Business, Getting Financial Advice, Money Mentors and Driving Your Own Path.

Fri, 09 Apr 2021 03:00:00 +1200

Happy friday and welcome to another Money Moments bonus episode; where we chat to real Kiwis about their experiences with money.

Today we are joined by Kalé Emery, Co-Founder at The Money Men, mental wellbeing enthusiast and all round great bloke. Kalé is not only an awesome financial adviser (which you'll be able to tell from this episode) but he also walks the walk in his own financial life.

In this episode Kalé shares:

How growing up he learnt to save, but that's where his financial literacy education stopped
How finding an inadvertent money mentor at a young age changed the course of his career and how he approached money
Taking the plunge to start a business (twice!) and why he'd never go back to the 9 to 5.
His regrets around investing and the beauty of hindsight
Why buying a property was not the right choice for him
What to do when achieving your financial goals seems like climbing Mt Everest

We hope you enjoy the conversation as much as we did!

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

7. Is Starting A Business Really Worth It?

Tue, 06 Apr 2021 02:00:00 +1200

Hello! In today's episode we are answering the question of...

IS STARTING A BUSINESS REALLY WORTH IT?

Every millennial these days wants to create a passive income and a side hustle. The idea of making money sounds attractive, but what is the reality that comes along with it? Starting a business is so much more than simply reserving a URL or an Instagram handle. Is it really worth all the time, stress and financial commitment?

With the challenges of the last year, 2020 has shown us that life is too short to live in your day job if you’re unhappy. But how do you decide whether to pursue an idea and take the leap into becoming a business owner?

In this episode we cover:

Side hustle vs serious venture - what's the difference?
The average age of a successful entrepreneur
Recognising what your skill set is and that not all of us are destined to be founders!
How you can be involved in a business in other ways - both financially and with your time
There's power in being successful in your 9-5 and other ways you can benefit from a business' success
What is an employee share options plan, negotiating other benefits and joining businesses you believe in
Re-framing business failures in other ways and the key take aways we've learnt

If you're keen to check out more, or see the resources discussed in this episode, head to https://itsnosecret.co.nz/7

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

6. How Much Debt is Too Much Debt?

Tue, 30 Mar 2021 01:00:00 +1300

Today on the show we are tackling the question of:

HOW MUCH DEBT IS TOO MUCH DEBT?

Welcome to the debt life, we love it here. Just kidding - sometimes we do and sometimes we don't, it really depends on what debt we're talking about and when you asked us.

Most of us would know, not all debt is created equal - there are good debts and bad debts. But how do we know whether the amount of debt we have is okay, or way too high? Cat and Christine share some stories (as always) and discuss all the things they love about the debt life.

In this episode we cover:

What exactly are good debts and bad debts
Being realistic with your debt levels when buying your first home
Whether being debt-free really is the key to financial success
The waterfall debt payment method, offset accounts and doing more with your money
The trouble with instagram and comparing debt-free journeys

If you're keen to check out more, or see the resources discussed in this episode, head to https://itsnosecret.co.nz/6

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

5. Do I Actually Need To Think About Retirement In My 20s & 30s?

Tue, 23 Mar 2021 01:00:00 +1300

Today on the podcast we are tackling the question of:

DO YOU ACTUALLY NEED TO START PLANNING RETIREMENT WHEN YOU'RE IN YOUR 20s & 30s?!

Retirement. A far-away idea, but one that's most likely going to be a reality for us all. If you're in your 20s or 30s, the question of whether you're going to have enough money to retire with has probably crossed your mind. Buuut it might not have been important enough to kick you into action.

So, what to do? Is our retirement actually something we need to be thinking about now, given its 30+ years away? Let's discuss!

In this episode we cover:

Whether it's important to be thinking about and actively working towards your retirement from a young age
How to figure out your magic retirement number – using two different methods
How much money Cat & Christine hope to have to retire with, and why
How much you may need in retirement based on a HEAP of data
Why relying on your mortgage to pay fund your retirement might not be the best strategy to retire comfortably

If you're keen to check out more, or see the resources discussed in this episode, head to https://itsnosecret.co.nz/5

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Bonus Episode: Money Moments with Mikayla Hopkins - Financial Comparison, Learning to Budget and Investing in Property.

Fri, 19 Mar 2021 00:00:00 +1300

Welcome to a very special episode of It’s No Secret - the first of our Money Moments episodes, where we chat to real Kiwis about their experiences with money.

As you've come to expect from us, we talk through the good, the bad and the ugly, with a fair dose of radical honesty.

For our first Money Moments episode, we are joined by Mikayla Hopkins - Chief Marketing Officer at The Face Place and Founder of Her Career - a networking and development hub for INTRApreneurial women. Mikayla is an inspiration to us both so we’re incredibly excited to welcome her onto the show.

In this episode Mikayla shares:

How her mum taught her to balance the books growing up including paying toilet tax as a kid
Her five year journey to becoming a home owner
How she deals with financial comparison with others and her views on discussions around salary in the office
Why she was terrified of spending money and how her mindset towards money has changed.

We hope you enjoy the conversation as much as we did!

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

4. Investing with Family: Should You Do It For Love or Money?

Tue, 16 Mar 2021 02:00:00 +1300

Today on the podcast we are tackling the question of Investing with Family: should you do it for love or money?

Investing with family members can come in many forms; from the Kiwi dream of owning property, running your own business, investing on behalf of a family member or providing financial assistance for cultural reasons. And whilst there can be many pros to helping others, particularly those closest to us, there can also be downsides.

We know that interpersonal relationships can be affected by our money interactions and when it comes to family, the stakes are inevitably higher.

In this episode we cover:

What is the difference between investing with and financially helping family - and what should you consider in each scenario
How do you approach a conversation around money with a family member
How will financially assisting or investing with family affect your relationship and what can you do to protect this
Financial resilience - what is it and why is it important when thinking about helping others
When it's okay to put yourself first financially
Helping family financially for cultural reasons and how to make this work
They keys to a successful investing partnership with family members

Plus as always, we end the episode with the key actions you can take right now, if money is something affecting your family relationships.

If you're keen to check out more, or see the resources discussed in this episode, head to https://itsnosecret.co.nz/4

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

3. Is Financial Comparison my Friend or Foe?

Mon, 08 Mar 2021 03:00:00 +1300

Hello and welcome to another episode! Episode three of It's No Secret tackles the question...

IS FINANCIAL COMPARISON OUR FRIEND OR FOE?

Comparison, when it comes to money, can be such a slippery slope or it can be a blessing.

It's something we all do, just not out loud. I'd argue that you're probably lying to yourself if you think you don't compare or at least think about what other people are doing when it comes to money, investing or even their salaries.

In this episode we cover:

Should you compare your salary with your colleagues or friends and how do employers feel about this?
How do we know what are good financial benchmarks to compare ourselves against?
What to do if we want to engage a friend or family member in conversation around money
The benefits of having a money mentor
Being prepared to hear some hard truths and what to do if it's all too much

Plus as always, we end the episode with the key actions you can take right now, if financial comparison is something you would like a better handle on.

If you're keen to check out more, or see the resources discussed in this episode, head to https://itsnosecret.co.nz/3

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

2. Do I Have to Buy a Property Before I Turn 30?

Mon, 08 Mar 2021 02:00:00 +1300

Hello and welcome to another episode! Episode two of It's No Secret tackles the question...

DO I HAVE TO INVEST IN OR BUY A PROPERTY BEFORE TURN 30?

Welcome to the property FOMO episode. We've all read the news headlines, seen the latest auction results and know how challenging the first step on the property ladder can be. So, do you really need to be on it? And by what age?

In this episode we cover:

FOMO, FOMO, FOMO
Is owning property the key the financial freedom?
What do to with the terrifying news headlines and average house price stats
Is there a secret-sauce to buying your first property?
Rentvesting...say what? You gotta listen.

Plus we also talk about making your property choices work for the lifestyle you want, as well as working towards your financial goals.

As always, we end the episode with the key actions you can take right now, if you're finding the property struggle real.

If you're keen to check out more, or see the resources discussed in this episode, head to https://itsnosecret.co.nz/2

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

1. Am I in Control of My Money or Does it Control Me?

Mon, 08 Mar 2021 02:00:00 +1300

Hello and welcome to our first episode of It's No Secret, today we're tackling the question...

DO YOU LET MONEY CONTROL YOUR LIFE?

We're unpacking this question because your relationship with money is the absolute starting point of your financial journey. How you feel about and approach using money impacts so many areas of your life - in both the positive and negative.

In this episode we cover:

What does a healthy relationship with money even look like?
Is your money mindset coming from a place of abundance or scarcity?
How do we Keep Up with the Jones' and when is this a good thing?

Plus we share some how our own money mindsets have changed and the life a-ha moments that resulted in positive change.

As always, we end the episode with the key actions you can take right now, if you would like to change your relationship with money.

If you're keen to check out more, or see the resources discussed in this episode, head to https://itsnosecret.co.nz/1

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Welcome to It's No Secret

Mon, 01 Mar 2021 19:00:00 +1300

It’s No Secret is a podcast for Kiwis who want their money questions answered.

Are you wondering when is the right time to get on the property ladder, whether you should invest with family or how to talk to your significant other about investing and budgeting? If yes, you’re in the right place. Our hosts Cat Emerson and Christine Jensen will answer these questions and more.

They’ll take you through the ins and outs of all things finance, money, property, investing and building wealth so you can move towards achieving financial freedom. Whether it’s learning about budgeting, what to do with your savings or whether you should be investing in the share markets, we’ve got you covered.

Each Tuesday we’ll release one short episode that answers a specific money question. No long ramblings and no financial jargon. Investing hacks, budgeting tips and financial freedom included.

You’ll be left feeling inspired, relieved and ready to take the next step in your financial journey.

Happy listening!

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.