
Sign up to save your podcasts
Or


Based on Podcast App listening data
Real money questions from listeners - covering KiwiSaver, investing, mortgages, and how to actually build wealth in New Zealand.
In this Listener Hotline episode, financial advisors James and Jess answer real audience questions about KiwiSaver contributions, emergency funds, investing during market volatility, retirement planning, spending habits, term deposits vs shares, and whether couples should buy property together.
The conversation breaks down practical money decisions many Kiwis face - from saving for a first home and managing debt to building long-term wealth and avoiding common financial mistakes.
For more money tips follow us on:
Facebook
Instagram
The content in this podcast is the opinion of the hosts. It should not be treated as financial advice. It is important to take into consideration your own personal situation and goals before making any financial decisions.
Meth contamination in NZ property is a growing risk that buyers and investors often overlook.In this episode we explain how meth contamination happens, the testing process, remediation costs, new 2026 standards, and why banks are tightening lending when meth is detected in a property.
For more money tips follow us on:
Facebook
Instagram
The content in this podcast is the opinion of the hosts. It should not be treated as financial advice. It is important to take into consideration your own personal situation and goals before making any financial decisions.
War headlines are everywhere - but what could global conflict actually do to interest rates?In this episode, the team breaks down how the US-Iran conflict, rising oil prices, and global economic uncertainty could affect inflation, the Reserve Bank’s decisions, swap rates, and ultimately the interest rates Kiwis pay on their mortgages.Tune into Markets, Mystics and Mayhem to learn more
For more money tips follow us on:
Facebook
Instagram
The content in this podcast is the opinion of the hosts. It should not be treated as financial advice. It is important to take into consideration your own personal situation and goals before making any financial decisions.
While the human cost of war is devastating, many investors are asking the same question - what does it mean for markets?In this episode, James and Jess break down the Iran conflict and its impact on markets, oil prices, petrol costs and inflation, explaining why crude oil has surged nearly 50%, how global markets have reacted so far, and what long-term investors should actually do when geopolitical events shake the headlines.
For more money tips follow us on:
Facebook
Instagram
The content in this podcast is the opinion of the hosts. It should not be treated as financial advice. It is important to take into consideration your own personal situation and goals before making any financial decisions.
Ignore your taxes long enough and the problem doesn’t disappear - it multiplies.
In this episode James sits down with Lighthouse Senior Accountant Vinay Reddy and Managing Director Matt Harris to unpack real accounting horror stories - from business owners who haven’t filed returns for years to IRD investigators turning up at workshops - and explain how penalties, interest, GST obligations, and poor tax structures can quickly snowball into major financial stress.
Next Steps: If you’re unsure whether your tax situation is set up properly, the Lighthouse Accounting team can help you review your structure and get everything back on track before small problems turn into big ones.
For more money tips follow us on:
Facebook
Instagram
The content in this podcast is the opinion of the hosts. It should not be treated as financial advice. It is important to take into consideration your own personal situation and goals before making any financial decisions.
Property or shares - which one will actually build wealth for the next generation?
In this episode, James and Michael break down the long-running debate between property and shares, exploring historical returns, whether housing growth could slow in the future, how KiwiSaver and share investing are changing younger investors’ behaviour, and what it could mean for New Zealand’s economy if wealth shifts away from property.
We’re picking one Cheques & Balances listener to build a personalised financial plan with and we’ll document the entire journey on the podcast.
Next steps: Book a KiwiSaver check-up with our team to make sure your fund, contributions, and wider strategy are aligned before these changes take effect.
For more money tips follow us on:
Facebook
Instagram
The content in this podcast is the opinion of the hosts. It should not be treated as financial advice. It is important to take into consideration your own personal situation and goals before making any financial decisions.
Could the KiwiSaver changes really mean an extra $100,000 at retirement - and is locking that money away actually the smartest move?
In this episode, Jess and Makayla break down the increase from 3% to 3.5% and then 4%, explain how that seemingly small shift could materially grow your retirement balance, and debate whether contributing more to KiwiSaver stacks up against paying down your mortgage, investing outside the scheme, or using it for your first home - plus what you should review before the changes take effect.
Next steps: Book a KiwiSaver check-up with our team to make sure your fund, contributions, and wider strategy are aligned before these changes take effect.
For more money tips follow us on:
Facebook
Instagram
The content in this podcast is the opinion of the hosts. It should not be treated as financial advice. It is important to take into consideration your own personal situation and goals before making any financial decisions.
New Zealand works harder than ever - so why does it feel like we’re falling behind?In this episode, we sit down with Chlöe Swarbrick, co-leader of the Green Party, to unpack wealth tax, inequality, productivity, housing, KiwiSaver, capital gains, and why New Zealand’s economy is stuck in a loop of speculation instead of innovation.
Chlöe does not endorse any products or services provided as per Parliamentary standards.
For more money tips follow us on:
Facebook
Instagram
The content in this podcast is the opinion of the hosts. It should not be treated as financial advice. It is important to take into consideration your own personal situation and goals before making any financial decisions.
Most of the tax advice you see online isn’t just wrong - it could cost you thousands.
In this episode, James sits down with Lighthouse Senior Accountant Vinay Reddy and Managing Director Matt Harris to react to the worst tax advice online and break down what you can actually claim, what you can’t, and the costly mistakes business owners make.
Next Steps: Bad tax advice can cost you real money - if you want clarity and confidence in your structure, speak to the Lighthouse Accounting team today.
For more money tips follow us on:
Facebook
Instagram
The content in this podcast is the opinion of the hosts. It should not be treated as financial advice. It is important to take into consideration your own personal situation and goals before making any financial decisions.
They paid off $45,000 of debt in months and didn’t feel restricted doing it.
In this final episode of Inside a Financial Plan, we review Rachel and Dion’s progress since October - breaking down their budget using PocketSmith, selling down shares to reduce their mortgage, setting up a separate rental property account, restructuring KiwiSaver into a high-growth fund, upgrading insurance, and navigating the mindset shift from “grow at all costs” to building wealth with clarity and choice.
This episode is proudly sponsored by PocketSmith: Big goals mean nothing without action. PocketSmith helps you track, plan, and stay accountable. Start today with 50% off your first two months.
For more money tips follow us on:
Facebook
Instagram
The content in this podcast is the opinion of the hosts. It should not be treated as financial advice. It is important to take into consideration your own personal situation and goals before making any financial decisions.
From the publisher's feed
Ranked by our users in the last 21 days

25 Listeners

51 Listeners

25 Listeners

161 Listeners

0 Listeners

19 Listeners

284 Listeners

0 Listeners

15 Listeners

9 Listeners

91 Listeners

6 Listeners

5 Listeners

6 Listeners

16 Listeners