Money Made Simple

In this episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie welcomes Liv back after a bit of a hiatus (all is explained!) to chat about what is a highly searched, but often misunderstood topic: Opting out of KiwiSaver, as well as making early withdrawals. We explain how and why someone might choose to opt out once they're automatically enrolled, and the (several) reasons you can take some or all your KiwiSaver funds out  before you retire.

This week's episode covers:

• The voluntary nature of KiwiSaver, and how people can join (either by choice or automatic enrollment)
• The reasons (good and bad!) people would choose to opt out of KiwiSaver, once already enrolled
• What exactly happens in the process of opting out - the steps you take
• The substantial impacts that opting out of KiwiSaver could have (hint: you'll lose out on some free money!)
• Why and how you can withdraw some of all of your KiwiSaver funds early, including for your first home or for financial hardship
• The financial consequences of of making early withdrawals
• KiwiSaver savings suspensions - the what, why and how it could be a better option than opting out or withdrawing your savings

Resources we mention in this episode:
IRD website Opting out of KiwiSaver 
IRD website  Getting my KiwiSaver savings early
MMS episode 6 KiwiSaver contribution types

By the end of this episode, you should have a clear idea of the reasons but also the impacts of not having your money invested in KiwiSaver. This way you can hopefully make more informed decisions on the best plan of action for you, should your investing journey need to change course!

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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.

50% of New Zealand adults don't have a will(!) In this episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie invites Glenys Talivai, CEO of Public Trust, to tell us all about wills - why so many don't have them, why they're so very important, and how you go about making yours.  Many people think everything will automatically go to their partner or next of kin when they die, but this is not always the case. This week's episode covers:

• What a will actually is, and a whole lot of stuff you could include beyond who gets the house - from your funeral wishes to who will look after your babies and fur babies
• Why having a will is so key for your nearest and dearest, at a time that can already be very stressful 
• When in life you should start thinking about making your first will
• How you actually go about making a will, what are the options, who can help and  importantly, how much does it cost? 
• Some less obvious things to think about as you make, and update, your will

Resources we mention in this episode:
- Public Trust's guide to making a will


By the end of this episode, we hope that you (and Jennie!) can be confident that making a will doesn't have to be a hugely time consuming or expensive task, and you'll know how valuable it is to get done now (not later), for your own peace of mind and your family's.

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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, Jennie sits down with Simplicity superstar Sebastian Neubrandt to delve into the topic of kids and KiwiSaver. Should Kiwis under 18 have a KiwiSaver? What's the best time to set up an account? What are the key benefits and are there any disadvantages?

Jennie and Seb both admit that they don't have KiwiSaver set up for their own kids yet, but they're definitely considering it by the end of their conversation.

This episode covers:

• The compelling reasons to consider signing your kids up for KiwiSaver, including jumpstarting their savings for a first home deposit or their retirement, and fostering good money habits
• If there's an ideal amount to invest. And whether it's better to invest a lump sum and leave it there to grow, or make small but regular payments over time
• Who can contribute to your child's account (i.e. beyond parents/guardians - hello grandparents!!) and when they become eligible for employer and government contributions
• The cost of having a KiwiSaver account, and why you need to pay special attention to fees
• How to set up an account for someone under 18, including what info and documents are needed
• If the process of choosing the right fund type differs for children
• Whether KiwiSaver is the best way to save for your child's future, and what the other options are

Resources we mention in this episode:
We made our savings calculations on Sorted's saving calculator, using a projected return of 4.5% p.a which is based on government-mandated assumptions for a Growth Fund. More info here.
Sorted.org's KiwiSaver fund finder for fee comparisons
Simplicity's Fund selector tool to help choose the right fund for you
One we didn't mention but could be useful  when looking into KiwiSaver for your kids is Moneyhub -  KiwiSaver for kids: The definitive guide

Once you've listened to this episode, you'll know some of the pros and cons of setting up a KiwiSaver account for kids, and will hopefully have a much better idea if it's the right thing for you and your family.  If you're not a parent but have special children in your life, share this episode with their parents or guardians!

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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.

Colin Magee from Catalist is back, baby! Last time he demystified stock exchanges with Liv, and in this episode of Money Made Simple he helps explains financial regulations to Jennie... Don't worry, it's more interesting than you may imagine! As an ex-lawyer and previous FMA exec, Colin is a fountain of knowledge on the topic and is here to explain the basics so you can feel confident in your investment decisions.

This week's episode covers:

• The difference between licensed and regulated providers (and why it matters)
• The different rules and regulations covering banks, stock exchanges, managed fund providers, and individual financial advisors
• How and why there's actually a double layer of regulation on your KiwiSaver savings
• Watch-outs when seeking financial advice (understand who's paying them!)
• Key things to look for in working out whether an investment opportunity is "safe"

Resources we mention in this episode:
Sorted.org (the ol' fave for all things financial know-how!)
Colin's great blog on the benefits of a licensed stock exchange
The FMA website's range of regulatory resources

By the end of this episode, our aim is to help you understand that while ALL investing carries risk, comprehensive rules and regulations out there in NZ are in place to avoid what we could call "bad risk" - and let you get on with the business of making the right decisions for you!

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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 is joined by Simplicity's Deputy Head of Investor Services Emma Ryan to get the goss on why getting KiwiSaver government contributions is SUCH a no-brainer. (Caveat - that's if you're eligible!). This episode covers:

• A quick explainer on the three main types of KiwiSaver contributions and how they all work together
• How the KiwiSaver year works (and why it's relevant to getting your govt contributions!)
• The three main eligibility criteria you need to meet in order to qualify for receiving government contributions each year (side note - your eligibility could change!)
• The impact of government contributions over your working lifetime - you could be more than $90k richer (and that's not taking into account the personal contributions that you'll make alongside!)
• How government contributions work if you're partially eligible, or contribute less than the amount needed to get the maximum yearly amount
• How to check - and rectify! - whether you've contributed enough each year to get the government contribution

Resources we mention in this episode:
- sorted.org
- IRD website KiwiSaver information (and MyIR)

By the end of this episode you'll be a total pro when it comes to government contributions - and you'll know how to make sure you get the best out of this priceless opportunity to get a 50% return on your KiwiSaver contributions (well, up to that first $1043 at least!).

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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, we're stoked to invite our good friend Sarah, host of the OneUp Project podcast to chat all about the Digital Nomad Visa. Not familiar?! Listen in, and you will be in 20 minutes!! Sarah explains to us how this relatively new type of visa tends to work, and we discuss the financial/budgeting side of embarking on a "remote work trip of a lifetime".

This episode covers:

• An intro to Sarah, her journey with OneUp and how she's got to this point where she's about to embark on her remote work trip
• How digital nomad visas actually work, and what's required to get one
• The differences between the various countries that offer them
• How to budget for a digital nomad visa (spoiler - it can really depend on where you decide to go!)
• The steps you need to go through to get a digital nomad visa
• How you can effectively "win-win" when it comes to embarking on the adventure of a lifetime while still saving for your financial future (the 20 year holiday)
• Setting up your financial foundations - how Sarah sees KiwiSaver, investments and spending all fitting together
• Whether the remote working life is really the best thing for you - and if so, how to suss it out

Resources we mention in this episode:

Numbeo.com Cost of Living by country guide

By the end of this episode, we hope you'll be all over the digital nomad visa, whether it's actually right for you, and how to go about getting one if it ticks all your boxes! 

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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, we're back on the topic of choosing the right KiwiSaver provider for YOU. In Part two of two, we look at a couple more factors to consider when choosing a KiwiSaver provider, some would say having saved the best for last.... Jennie and Liv talk about how you might like think about things like a provider's performance, fees and  the concept of value for money.

This episode covers:

• Fund performance across (almost) all the different KiwiSaver providers - how to find an independent view of this, why it's important to look at the long-term
• Conversely, why past performance isn't necessarily a reliable measure of how good a provider may be
• Fees, fees, fees - why we think they're such an important factor in terms of long-term performance (everything in this world is connected, right!)
• What KiwiSaver provider fees actually cover, in case you were wondering
• Value for money - what we think it means, and how you could consider this when choosing your provider

Resources we mention in this episode:

Sorted.org's Fund Finder Tool (our fave!)
Sorted.org Smart Investor Tool
Independent financial education website Moneyhub.co.nz
Blogger MoneyKing NZ

By the end of this episode (well two episodes, really!) we hope you'll have a pretty comprehensive view of all the different factors that can and potentially should influence your KiwiSaver decision making. Just a little time taken now could make a huge difference to your financial future - so go forth and conquer those decisions! We don't think you'll regret it %)

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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.

After mastering the stock market in our last episode, we're going back to basics - how to choose a KiwiSaver provider. This is possibly one of the more important and long-term relationships you’ll have in your life - so you want to get it right!

Liv and Jennie discuss why you might want to switch, the key factors to consider when evaluating different providers, and the practical steps involved in making the switch. They had so much to say about this topic we've divided this episode into two parts.

In Part One we cover: 

• Why choosing the right provider for you is important and worth thinking about.
• The jargon. What is a KiwiSaver scheme, a KiwiSaver plan, and KiwiSaver manager, a KiwiSaver provider, a default provider, an investment strategy, an offer?! We think understanding the lingo makes it much easier to make a decision.
• How to align your KiwiSaver with the things that matter most to you. Whether thats involves active management,  a provider that offers a lot of flexibility, or maybe you want something more hands-off, a set and forget approach.
• Additional factors such as ethical investing and whether investing locally is important to you.
• Communication and transparency.  What information is available to investors?  Do they have lots of channels of communication? How much transparency is there on investments?

By the end of this episode, you will understand why choosing the right KiwiSaver provider for you is such an important decision, and you'll be half way through our four things to consider. Don't forget to tune into to Part Two of this episode where we looks at our third and forth things to consider when choosing a KiwiSaver provider (Spoiler! They are long-term performance, plus fees and value for money). And we also walk you through the simple steps to switching   %)

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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.

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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!

Find us:
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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 brought to you by Simplicity, we attempt to demystify and "dejargonise" the behemoth known as the Stock Exchange! And 'cos we're not actually share market aficionados, this week we've wrangled in a special guest who actually is. We welcome Colin Magee, founder of Catalist, to the show to explain to us what we mean when we throw the terms "share", "stock", or "equities" around. He also patiently explains to us how real-life stock exchanges work (it's not actually rocket science, as you'll hear!). 

This week's episode covers:

• Breaking down the jargon that surrounds the stock market - what stuff like stocks, shares, equity and dividends are 
• How the concept of a Stock Exchange came about, from ship-trading in the 1300s to coffee shops in the UK in the 1600s, to Wall Street and the NZX today
• The role of Sharesies, Jardin and the banks in allowing everyday people access to dabble in share trading
• "Going public": What's involved for a company to list on the share market (and why would they bother?)
• Who's got the biggest Stock Exchange of them all... comparing the NYSE, the NASDAQ, NZX and ASX. Does size really matter?
• How and why Stock Exchanges allow the economy to thrive 
• Why Colin created Catalist, an alternative Stock Exchange for smaller businesses

After you've finished listening to this episode, we reckon the Stock Exchange won't ever seem like such a big, hairy, scary beast again (if it ever was)! You'll hopefully understand and feel confident in dabbling in the stock market, whether that be through individual shares or investing in managed funds. Knowledge is power - the share market isn't just for Wall Street Wunderkinds!

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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 tackle one of our favourite topics - the age-old passive vs active investing approach! We explain (in simple terms, of course) what these terms actually mean, and go into a little detail around some of the key differences between the two styles, both for an individual and a fund manager like Simplicity. We provide our own take on which approach is best (any guesses?!) and why.

This week's episode covers:

• What we mean when we talk about "passive" vs "active" investing styles (and why they're important to understand - do you know how your KiwiSaver fund is managed?)
• The differences in resources, costs and fees involved for active vs passive investing
• How the two approaches differ in terms of diversification (making sure your eggs aren't in one basket and all that jazz)
• Historic performance comparisons between passive and active fund managers
• Our own experiences dabbling in both types of investing approaches
• How Simplicity is predominantly passive in its approach to investing, but how - and why! - we practice an element of active investing, too

Resources we mention in this episode:
S&P Global's SPIVA studies

By the end of this episode, you'll hopefully have a much clearer idea of how the two main investment approaches work, and what kind of approach you may suit better in terms of your own investing (and maybe even KiwiSaver fund) preferences! We encourage you to understand and take an active interest in how and where your savings are being invested - it may make a big difference to your retirement game  %)

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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.