Money Made Simple

In this episode of Economy Made Simple, Shamubeel Eaqub breaks down the recent surge in oil prices driven by conflict in the Middle East - and what it means for NZ households, businesses and the wider economy.

While price shocks like this are not new, the episode highlights why they may become more frequent and what we need to think about as a country, as we prepare for the future.

This episode covers:

• What’s behind the current spike in oil prices, and why conflict in the Middle East has global impacts 
• New Zealand’s reliance on imported refined fuel - and why that leaves us more exposed
• How rising fuel costs flow through to everyday expenses like transport, groceries, and other essentials 
• The difference between price increases and actual fuel shortages, and why that distinction matters 
• Which sectors and regions are most affected - from transport and agriculture to provincial communities 
• How households and businesses have responded to oil shocks in the past 
• The role government can play, from crisis planning to more targeted support measures 
• Why global instability could make supply disruptions more common in the future 
• How investing in local, renewable energy could improve long-term resilience 

By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clearer understanding of why fuel prices are rising, how this impacts your day-to-day costs and the bigger picture for New Zealand’s economy. Shamubeel also explores the longer-term choices we face - and why building a more resilient, locally powered energy system could help reduce the impact of future shocks.

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Disclaimer: This podcast contains personal opinions and is intended to provide educational information only. It doesn't relate to your particular financial situation or goals and is not financial advice or recommendations. Simplicity New Zealand Limited is the issuer of the Simplicity KiwiSaver scheme and investment funds. For product disclosure statements please visit Simplicity's website simplicity. kiwi.

In this episode of Money Made Simple, Liv sits down with Annè Lensink from Villa Chartered Accountants & Business Advisors to break down “Accounting 101” for everyday Kiwis. Whether you’ve got a side hustle, are freelancing, or just feeling a bit unsure about tax, this episode helps make sense of the basics in plain English.

Annè is a Chartered Accountant based in Northland, known for helping people understand their numbers and feel more confident making financial decisions. Together, she and Liv unpack what accounting actually means, when you need to start paying attention to it, and how to avoid some of the most common (and costly) mistakes.

This episode covers:

• What “doing your accounts” actually means, and the difference between bookkeeping and accounting
• When you need to start thinking about accounting beyond a PAYE job
• Why side hustles and freelance income need to be declared and managed properly
• The first three things to do when starting a business or side hustle
• When DIY accounting tools are enough, and when it’s time to bring in an expert
• What provisional tax is, and why it so often catches people off guard
• How to choose the right accountant depending on whether you want compliance or strategic advice
• Simple habits that can reduce financial stress and improve decision making
• The biggest and most common barriers to getting on top of your finances (and how to avoid them!)

By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clearer understanding of how accounting fits into everyday life, when to ask for help, and how a few small habits can make your financial world feel a whole lot calmer and more in control.

If you’d like to learn more or get in touch with Annè and her team, you can find Villa here: https://villaca.co.nz/

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Please help us share the good word (and make Kiwis richer and smarter with money) - the more we grow, the more good we can do %) Don't forget to follow, subscribe and rate the podcast if you found it useful!

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Disclaimer: This podcast contains personal opinions and is intended to provide educational information only. It doesn't relate to your particular financial situation or goals and is not financial advice or recommendations. Simplicity New Zealand Limited is the issuer of the Simplicity KiwiSaver scheme and investment funds. For product disclosure statements please visit Simplicity's website simplicity. kiwi.

Note for listeners: This episode was recorded just before the recent escalation of conflict involving Israel, the United States and Iran. While those developments are likely to influence the global and local outlook, the economic trends and data discussed here remain relevant to understanding the current state of the New Zealand economy. 

In this latest episode of Economy Made Simple, Shamubeel Eaqub takes a step back to look at where the NZeconomy sits right now, and what might lie ahead over the next 12 months. After several tough years marked by the pandemic, high inflation and rising interest rates, there are *early* signs that the economy may be stabilising. But recovery is likely to be slow and uneven.

This episode covers:

• Why the last few years have felt like SUCH a grind for households and businesses following pandemic stimulus and a sharp rise in the cost of living 
• The mixed picture in NZ right now, with businesses becoming more optimistic while many households are still feeling financial pressure 
• The role migration plays in the economic cycle, and the opportunities and pressures it creates for infrastructure and housing 
• What the job market is signalling, including stabilising employment but continued challenges in particular groups
• Areas and sectors of strength in the economy which are looking promising
• Why inflation is still being felt strongly in essential costs, even as overall inflation moderates
• What to watch from the Reserve Bank in terms of interest rates over the coming 1-2 years
• How the upcoming election, government spending decisions and the Budget could influence the economic outlook 
  
  

By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clearer picture of why the economy still feels tough today, but also why there are early signs that conditions could gradually improve. Shamubeel unpacks the signals economists watch most closely so you can better understand what’s happening in the wider economy and what it might mean for New Zealand households and businesses over the coming year.

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Please help us share the good word (and make Kiwis richer and smarter with money) - the more we grow, the more good we can do %) Don't forget to follow, subscribe and rate the podcast if you found it useful!

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Disclaimer: This podcast contains personal opinions and is intended to provide educational information only. It doesn't relate to your particular financial situation or goals and is not financial advice or recommendations. Simplicity New Zealand Limited is the issuer of the Simplicity KiwiSaver scheme and investment funds. For product disclosure statements please visit Simplicity's website simplicity. kiwi.

In this week's episode of Money Made Simple, Liv and Jennie tackle a surprisingly common KiwiSaver question: how do you switch providers, and is there a “right” time to do it? They break down what happens behind the scenes with your provider and the IRD, why switching can be a smart long-term move (without trying to time the market), and the most common worries that stop people from taking smart action.

This episode covers:

•  What “switching providers” actually means (and how that’s different to switching funds) 
•  The main reasons people change provider (over and above just performance and fees!)
•  What actually happens 'behind the curtain' when it comes to the transfer process
•  The typical timeframe it takes to switch providers, and how long your money might be “out of the market” 
•  The 5 biggest worries around switching between providers, and which worries are valid vs. not so worth dwelling on...

 Resources mentioned in this episode: 

-  Compare KiwiSaver funds using Sorted’s Smart Investor tool: https://smartinvestor.sorted.org.nz/kiwisaver-and-managed-funds/?managedFundTypes=kiwisaver

- Sorted's Fund Finder tool: https://sorted.org.nz/tools/kiwisaver-fund-finder/

-  IRD’s list of KiwiSaver providers: https://www.ird.govt.nz/kiwisaver/kiwisaver-individuals/joining-kiwisaver/kiwisaver-providers

-  myIR help info: https://www.ird.govt.nz/myir-help/logging-in/find-username

By the end of this episode, you’ll know what the switching process actually looks like (spoiler: no awkward breakup call required), what matters most when choosing a provider, and how to make the decision based on long-term fit instead of trying to pick the “perfect” day, week or year. 

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Please help us share the good word (and make Kiwis richer and smarter with money) - the more we grow, the more good we can do %) Don't forget to follow, subscribe and rate the podcast if you found it useful!

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Disclaimer: This podcast contains personal opinions and is intended to provide educational information only. It doesn't relate to your particular financial situation or goals and is not financial advice or recommendations. Simplicity New Zealand Limited is the issuer of the Simplicity KiwiSaver scheme and investment funds. For product disclosure statements please visit Simplicity's website simplicity. kiwi.

In this episode of Money Made Simple, Liv and Jennie unpack a stubborn and confronting reality: the retirement savings gap between men and women. While the gender pay gap has narrowed in recent years, the KiwiSaver gender gap remains - and in some age groups, it’s even widening.

With International Women’s Day in mind, this episode dives into the data behind the gap, why it exists, and what it means for women’s financial security in retirement. Most importantly, Jennie and Liv share practical, realistic steps women (and their allies!) can take to help close it.

This episode covers:

• The latest Retirement Commission data showing a 25% average KiwiSaver gap between men and women
• How the gap widens with age - reaching up to 36–37% for those nearing retirement
• Why compounding makes early balance differences much bigger over time
• The key drivers of the gap: lower lifetime earnings, time out of the workforce, and system design
• How caregiving, part-time work, and parental leave affect long-term retirement savings
• What lower balances mean in later life - including higher reliance on NZ Super and greater risk of financial insecurity
• Policy changes that help, including KiwiSaver contributions during paid parental leave
• Practical actions: checking your fund type and fees, increasing contributions early, negotiating pay, and reviewing your KiwiSaver after major life events
• Why shared financial planning with partners can help reduce long-term inequality

Jennie and Liv explain in plain English why this gap isn’t a personal failing - it’s the result of income inequality, caregiving patterns, and structural settings that compound over time. But small, consistent steps can make a meaningful difference.

If, after listening to this episode, you decide to review your KiwiSaver settings, consider seeking personalised financial advice to make sure any decisions are right for your individual situation and goals. And if you’re navigating a separation or relationship change, you may want to seek independent legal advice about how KiwiSaver is treated as relationship property.

This episode is a timely reminder that equity matters in money as much as it does in opportunity, and that understanding your KiwiSaver today could shape your financial freedom tomorrow. 

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Please help us share the good word (and make Kiwis richer and smarter with money) - the more we grow, the more good we can do %) Don't forget to follow, subscribe and rate the podcast if you found it useful!

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Disclaimer: This podcast contains personal opinions and is intended to provide educational information only. It doesn't relate to your particular financial situation or goals and is not financial advice or recommendations. Simplicity New Zealand Limited is the issuer of the Simplicity KiwiSaver scheme and investment funds. For product disclosure statements please visit Simplicity's website simplicity. kiwi.

In this episode of Economy Made Simple, Shamubeel Eaqub breaks down inflation in plain English, explaining what’s actually driving rising prices in NZ and what households can realistically expect in 2026.

Inflation has dominated headlines and kitchen table conversations alike. From groceries and electricity bills to mortgage rates and job prospects, Shamubeel explores why the cost of living still feels intense, even as headline inflation "moderates".

This episode covers:

• What inflation actually measures and how the Consumer Price Index (CPI) works in NZ
• Why recent inflation has felt especially painful, particularly for food and everyday essentials
• The different causes of inflation in NZ
• How the Reserve Bank responds to inflation and why interest rates move in cycles
• Why price increases have been uneven across sectors, with essentials rising while big-ticket items fall
• What to expect in 2026 for food prices, insurance, rates, wages and the labour market
• Why/how inflation impacts low-income households and retirees more severely

Shamubeel also reflects on how recent inflation has shifted over time, from pandemic disruptions to labour shortages and now to cost pressures in necessities. He explains why we’re unlikely to see prices fall sharply, but why moderating inflation combined with improving job prospects could bring some relief next year.

If you’ve been wondering why your weekly supermarket bill feels heavier, why mortgage rates move the way they do, or whether 2026 might finally feel easier, this episode gives you the context to understand what’s happening and what could come next.

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Please help us share the good word (and make Kiwis richer and smarter with money) - the more we grow, the more good we can do %) Don't forget to follow, subscribe and rate the podcast if you found it useful!

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Disclaimer: This podcast contains personal opinions and is intended to provide educational information only. It doesn't relate to your particular financial situation or goals and is not financial advice or recommendations. Simplicity New Zealand Limited is the issuer of the Simplicity KiwiSaver scheme and investment funds. For product disclosure statements please visit Simplicity's website simplicity. kiwi.

In this episode of Money Made Simple, Liv and Jennie jump on the popular “ins and outs” trend - but give it a practical money twist for 2026.

They share realistic financial habits to bring in this year, and the common money mindsets and behaviours to leave out. This isn’t about perfection, restriction or hustle culture - it’s about small, sustainable tweaks that can make managing your money feel simpler and less stressful.

This episode covers:

• What to automate (and what to review) to make money admin easier
• The power of celebrating small money milestones
• Why knowing your KiwiSaver fees matters more than you think
• How to spend more intentionally - without cutting all the fun
• Why you don’t need to know everything (or have heaps of money) to start investing
• How guilt and comparison can quietly derail your financial confidence
• The hidden cost of putting off financial admin
• Why your money journey doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s

Resource mentioned in this episode:

Sorted NZ – Sorted’s Smart Investor tool lets you compare KiwiSaver and managed fund fees across providers. Filtering by fees helps identify lower-cost options, which can significantly improve long-term returns, as high fees can erode tens of thousands of dollars over a lifetime.

Whether your goal is to save more, stress less, or just feel a bit more on top of things, this episode is packed with simple ideas you can actually stick to. Because better money habits don’t come from being perfect - they come from small steps, taken consistently.

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Please help us share the good word (and make Kiwis richer and smarter with money) - the more we grow, the more good we can do %) Don't forget to follow, subscribe and rate the podcast if you found it useful!

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Disclaimer: This podcast contains personal opinions and is intended to provide educational information only. It doesn't relate to your particular financial situation or goals and is not financial advice or recommendations. Simplicity New Zealand Limited is the issuer of the Simplicity KiwiSaver scheme and investment funds. For product disclosure statements please visit Simplicity's website simplicity. kiwi.

In this episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie and Liv unpack one of the most powerful, and not always well understood, ideas in personal finance -  compounding returns.

They explain how money can make money itself over time, why the “snowball effect” is such a game-changer for long-term savings and investing, and how it can work not just for you, but also against you when it comes to debt. Using simple, relatable examples, they show why starting early really matters.

This episode covers:

• What compounding actually means (in plain English)
• The difference between compounding interest and compounding returns
• Why time matters more than trying to perfectly time the market
• A powerful example showing how starting earlier can beat investing more later
• How compounding works in KiwiSaver, managed funds and shares
• The flip side: how compounding can quietly grow credit card, loan and mortgage debt
• Small, practical ways to make compounding work harder for you

Helpful money resources:

If this episode got you thinking and you want to learn more, these NZ based resources are a great place to start:

Sorted NZ – Free tools, guides and calculators to help with budgeting, KiwiSaver and retirement planning

MoneyHub NZ – Independent guides and comparisons on banking, investing, KiwiSaver and more

MoneyTalks (Free Financial Mentoring) – Confidential, non-judgemental help if you’re struggling with debt or bills


Whether you’re just getting started or need a refresher, this episode shows how tiny actions today can have a big impact on your future. Because when it comes to compounding, the best time to start was yesterday - and the second best time is today.

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Please help us share the good word (and make Kiwis richer and smarter with money) - the more we grow, the more good we can do %) Don't forget to follow, subscribe and rate the podcast if you found it useful!

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Disclaimer: This podcast contains personal opinions and is intended to provide educational information only. It doesn't relate to your particular financial situation or goals and is not financial advice or recommendations. Simplicity New Zealand Limited is the issuer of the Simplicity KiwiSaver scheme and investment funds. For product disclosure statements please visit Simplicity's website simplicity. kiwi.

In this episode of Economy Made Simple, Shamubeel Eaqub breaks down the Long Term Insight Briefings published by New Zealand’s key government agencies and explains why they matter far more than most of us realise. These reports look decades ahead and ask some uncomfortable but necessary questions about NZ’s future, including how we fund public services, care for an ageing population, respond to climate and geopolitical risks, and balance today’s needs with those of future generations.

Rather than focusing on politics or short term headlines, this episode steps back to explore the big structural forces shaping NZ’s economy and society, and the trade offs we are going to have to confront - whether we like it or not.

This episode covers:

•  Why NZ’s fiscal maths no longer stacks up as the population ages - why ratios of workers vs retirees matter
•  The growing infrastructure deficit and the cost of decades of deferred maintenance
•  How weak productivity growth limits our future choices
•  The impact of climate change and geopolitics increase economic risk for a small trading nation
•  The tension between equity and efficiency and between current and future generations
•  Why governments struggle to move from short-term thinking to long-term resilience
•  The role immigration and KiwiSaver could play as societal safety valves
•  Why culture, institutions and social cohesion matter as much as economic policy does

Resources and research referenced in this episode (Govt department Long Term Insights Briefing papers):

- Treasury Long Term Insights Briefing

- IRD Long Term Insights Briefing 

- Ministry of Social Development Long Term Insights Briefing

- Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Long Term Insights Briefing

This conversation helps you lift your gaze beyond the next budget or election cycle and understand the deeper forces shaping NZ’s future. You will come away with a clearer sense of the trade-offs ahead, why there are no costless solutions, and how greater awareness can inform both your personal preparation and your engagement as a citizen. It is an episode designed to make complex long-term challenges feel understandable, relevant, and worth thinking about.

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Please help us share the good word (and make Kiwis richer and smarter with money) - the more we grow, the more good we can do %) Don't forget to follow, subscribe and rate the podcast if you found it useful!

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Disclaimer: This podcast contains personal opinions and is intended to provide educational information only. It doesn't relate to your particular financial situation or goals and is not financial advice or recommendations. Simplicity New Zealand Limited is the issuer of the Simplicity KiwiSaver scheme and investment funds. For product disclosure statements please visit Simplicity's website simplicity. kiwi.

In this episode of Money Made Simple, Liv sits down with Robbie Paul, CEO of Icehouse Ventures, to unpack how venture capital really works in New Zealand - and what it takes to build successful startups in a small, but globally connected market. From arriving in NZ as an unpaid intern to leading one of the country’s most influential venture capital firms, Robbie shares his journey, lessons learned, and why he’s more optimistic than ever about the future of Kiwi entrepreneurship. 

 This episode covers:

• What venture capital actually is, and how it differs from private equity
• How Icehouse Ventures supports Kiwi founders from idea stage through to global growth
• Why New Zealand’s startup ecosystem is stronger and more vibrant than ever
• The role KiwiSaver and institutional capital can play in funding high-growth companies
• The reality of startup success and failure, and why patience matters more than perfection
• What successful founders tend to have in common, beyond just a good idea 

You’ll come away from this episode with a clearer understanding of how venture capital fits into the wider investing landscape, why startup success usually takes FAR longer than headlines suggest, and how Kiwi entrepreneurs are quietly building world-class companies from the bottom of the globe. It’s an optimistic, grounded look at risk, reward, and the long game... whether you’re curious about investing, startups, or how innovation actually gets funded. 

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Please help us share the good word (and make Kiwis richer and smarter with money) - the more we grow, the more good we can do %) Don't forget to follow, subscribe and rate the podcast if you found it useful!

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Disclaimer: This podcast contains personal opinions and is intended to provide educational information only. It doesn't relate to your particular financial situation or goals and is not financial advice or recommendations. Simplicity New Zealand Limited is the issuer of the Simplicity KiwiSaver scheme and investment funds. For product disclosure statements please visit Simplicity's website simplicity. kiwi.