Every parent wants to help their kids with money stuff. And we know that some aren't able to. But for those who can, at what age does that responsibility end? Should you still support your kids through university, trades training and the like? What are the options out there, beyond the Bank of Mum and Dad?

In this episode, Susan answers questions about:

• Student loan isn’t enough to cover hall of residence fees. Are there other options?
• At what age can I stop paying for my kid?
• How do I set up a financial gift to a child that isn’t mine?
• Does it still make sense to sign kids up to KiwiSaver?
• Credit card surcharges were to be stopped this year – what happened to that?
• Do banks have to pass on the OCR basis increase to their customers?

If you have a money question you'd like Susan to answer, put it in an email or voice memo, then send it to [email protected].

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

If your employer doesn't contribute extra to your KiwiSaver, is there any point being in the scheme? It's a question that gets to the heart of what KiwiSaver is for, and whether some New Zealanders might be better off investing elsewhere.

In this episode, Susan answers questions about:

• Whether KiwiSaver is worth it if you're on a total remuneration package
• The pros and cons of investing outside KiwiSaver
• Whether a 46-year-old is too old to switch to an aggressive KiwiSaver fund
• What to consider when deciding whether to keep life insurance after 65
• Whether a motel can charge a 3 percent surcharge on debit and credit card payments
• Alternatives to using credit cards overseas, including Wise cards

If you have a money question you'd like Susan to answer, put it in an email or voice memo, then send it to [email protected]

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Say you can afford to pay off more than the minimum on your mortgage. Everyone says it's a good idea. But what's the best way to do it? Focus on one part of it, or spread it across the whole loan? Listen and find out in this week’s episode of No Stupid Questions with Susan Edmunds.

In this episode, Susan answers questions about:

• What’s the best way to smash down my mortgage?
• Is it a good idea to have your current account and savings account with different banks.?
• What do I do in a dispute over the Consumer Guarantees Act?
• Is there a limit to how much money I can put in my KiwiSaver?

If you have a money question you'd like Susan to answer, put it in an email or voice memo, then send it to [email protected].

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Everyone loves a good garage sale. But if you're running one, should you be charging GST on the things you sell? They're all goods, after all. Who actually needs to charge GST? And is there a case for and against taking it off essential household purchases?

In this episode, Susan answers questions about:

• Why does my business pay GST when we’re not registered to collect it?
• Why aren’t we taking GST off our power bills?
• Should New Zealand issue $200, $500 or $1000 notes?
• I want to work overseas. How do I balance interest versus earnings on my student loan?
• Will my bank accept cheese as security on a loan?

If you have a money question you'd like Susan to answer, put it in an email or voice memo, then send it to [email protected].

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Do you have kids? If so, are they bugging you to get them Ooshies, those tiny, plastic figurines they’re giving away at one of the supermarkets?

In this episode, Susan answers questions about:

• Could solar power buybacks ever become taxable income?
• What are the pros and cons of income protection insurance?
• I'm struggling to pay tax on my freehold investment property. What are my options?
• Can the age of eligibility for KiwiSaver be changed?
• Why do some supermarkets offer giveaways like Ooshies?

If you have a money question you'd like Susan to answer, put it in an email or voice memo, then send it to [email protected].

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

What should you do if you’re offered an extended warranty when you’re buying an appliance? Isn’t that what the Consumer Guarantees Act is for? That’s just one of the questions that we’re looking into on this week’s episode of No Stupid Questions, which is a dive into some of the niggly questions that annoy people in their everyday lives.

In this episode, Susan answers questions about:

• Are extended warranties worth it?
• Why do I need to declare personal goods over $700 when I enter the country?
• Why are fuel prices at discount brands different across my town?
• Can I opt out of biometric account validation?
• Why do some teachers have an extra tax bill?

If you have a money question you'd like Susan to answer, put it in an email or voice memo, then send it to [email protected].

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Most of us have debt. And we've all heard about good debt versus bad debt, even if we don't always understand what that means or always make a wise choice if we do. But does the good debt/bad debt divide also apply to the country as a whole? Or are there different ways of weighing it up?

In this episode, Susan answers questions about:

• Does the thinking about good debt vs bad debt also apply to government debt?
• Which KiwiSaver provider is best for me?
• Is the Public Trust funeral fund still going?
• How much has the cost of insurance risen in the last 25 years?
• Can I be insured against alien abduction?

If you have a money question you'd like Susan to answer, put it in an email or voice memo, then send it to [email protected].

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Not everyone is entranced by the promise of AI

In this episode, Susan answers questions about:

• How do I de-invest from big AI?
• Am I better off to stick with my rental properties, or sell them and invest in a managed fund?
• Should I increase my contribution to KiwiSaver or pay off more of my mortgage?
• Another investment fund is looking good; should I swap to it from my current fund?
• I cant see how I'm going to have a comfortable retirement. Help!

If you have a money question you'd like Susan to answer, put it in an email or voice memo, then send it to [email protected].

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A couple of episodes ago, we talked about tax.

In this episode, Susan answers questions about:

• Does a child automatically inherit part of a parent's estate even if they are not included in the will? And, if there is no will, does the child inherit?
• We have a blended family. If my partner dies before I do, do I have to leave my property to their kids?
• How do I protect myself and my property when making a will with a new partner?
• What happens to joint property and join bank accounts when one of the partners dies?
• Is an inheritance relationship property?

If you have a money question you'd like Susan to answer, put it in an email or voice memo, then send it to [email protected].

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

It sure seems like the world is a tough place right now. And sometimes it's hard to believe things could get worse.

In this episode, Susan answers questions about:

• Is my KiwiSaver safe? Like, really, really safe?
• Can a business refuse to take cash?
• Have house prices dropped as far as they can go?
• Can you destroy your money by folding the notes too many times?

If you have a money question you'd like Susan to answer, put it in an email or voice memo, then send it to [email protected].

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details