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

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

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!

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

In this follow-up episode, we dive into how to calculate your ideal insurance coverage. We'll help you understand exactly how much protection you need and what factors to consider.

Key Questions Discussed:

• How do you calculate your ideal coverage amount?
• What's the difference between stepped and level premiums?
• Do couples need individual or joint policies?
• What are common policy exclusions?
• When should you review your coverage?

and much more!

If you enjoyed today's show, we'd LOVE for you to rate & 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

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:

• Financial Services Council (FSC) 2023 Research
• MoneyHub Insurance Calculator

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

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! 

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

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:

• Massey University 2023 Retirement Report
• Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission Research 2022
• Stats NZ Income Data (June 2024 quarter)
• NZ Super Rates 2024
• Sorted.org.nz Retirement Calculator

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

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

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