The Dollars & Sense Podcast

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2026 election year and we are months away from a potential change in Government!

With proposed new policies being announced already and many likely to change, what do Kiwi's need to have their head around today to make more informed decisions around building wealth in New Zealand for tomorrow?

Joining Tim on the show this week is ACT MP, Laura McClure. Laura has successfully built a business in New Zealand before finding her way to politics. In this episode of The Dollars and Sense Podcast, Laura lends her opinion on some of the most critical issues New Zealanders face today and what the next generation need to be thinking about for their futures.

Whether you're left, right or stuck in the middle, the challenges are real and whilst solutions can differ from party to party, this weeks episode is about bringing the issues to light.

If you have a question, suggestions, or a topic you would like us to cover, please send an email to: [email protected]

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The information shared on The Dollars & Sense Podcast is general in nature and does not consider your individual circumstances. Dollars & Sense exists purely for educational purposes and should not be relied upon to make an investment or financial decision. Tim Ellis (FSP778196) and Brodie Haggerty (FSP778174) are both Financial Advisers providing advice on behalf of FoxPlan Ltd. FoxPlan Ltd (FSP39630) is a licensed Financial Advice Provider. Important information can be found at www.foxplan.nz/disclosure 

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In this episode of The Dollars and Sense Podcast, Tim and Brodie explore a question that sits at the heart of financial planning:

What do financially successful people actually have in common?

After years of meeting with clients year after year, certain patterns begin to emerge. Some clients describe themselves as financially secure, comfortable, and at peace with their finances, while others are still working towards that feeling. So what separates the two?

We discuss the 8 common traits we consistently see among financially successful people, including:

• Paying themselves first
• Thinking long term
• Living below their means
• Staying disciplined and consistent
• Maintaining emergency reserves
• Investing across multiple asset classes
• Using debt strategically
• Protecting their wealth with insurance

We also examine 4 things successful people don't necessarily have in common, challenging some of the biggest myths about wealth building. Do you need a massive income? Do you need to maximise your KiwiSaver contributions? Do you need to be child-free? The answers may surprise you.

Whether you're just beginning your financial journey or already building significant wealth, this episode offers practical insights into the behaviours that matter mostand the assumptions that matter far less than people think.

Disclaimer: This podcast is intended to improve financial literacy and should not be considered personalised financial advice. Please seek professional advice before making significant financial decisions.

If you have a question, suggestions, or a topic you would like us to cover, please send an email to: [email protected]

For More Dollars & Sense Content: Click Here

Listen to all The Dollars & Sense Podcasts: Click Here

The information shared on The Dollars & Sense Podcast is general in nature and does not consider your individual circumstances. Dollars & Sense exists purely for educational purposes and should not be relied upon to make an investment or financial decision. Tim Ellis (FSP778196) and Brodie Haggerty (FSP778174) are both Financial Advisers providing advice on behalf of FoxPlan Ltd. FoxPlan Ltd (FSP39630) is a licensed Financial Advice Provider. Important information can be found at www.foxplan.nz/disclosure 

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SpaceX is finally going public, and the numbers are staggering. With an expected valuation of $1.75 trillion and just 5% of shares available to investors, this could become the largest IPO in history. 

In this episode, Tim and Brodie break down what an IPO actually is, why SpaceX is attracting so much attention, how it compares to Tesla's famous IPO, and whether investors should be excited, cautious, or both. Most importantly, they discuss what this means for everyday investors and how to avoid letting FOMO derail a solid financial plan. 

If you have a question, suggestions, or a topic you would like us to cover, please send an email to: [email protected]

For More Dollars & Sense Content: Click Here

Listen to all The Dollars & Sense Podcasts: Click Here

The information shared on The Dollars & Sense Podcast is general in nature and does not consider your individual circumstances. Dollars & Sense exists purely for educational purposes and should not be relied upon to make an investment or financial decision. Tim Ellis (FSP778196) and Brodie Haggerty (FSP778174) are both Financial Advisers providing advice on behalf of FoxPlan Ltd. FoxPlan Ltd (FSP39630) is a licensed Financial Advice Provider. Important information can be found at www.foxplan.nz/disclosure 

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Most Kiwi investors know about tax on their salary or earnt income, but far fewer understand how investment tax actually works.

In this episode, Tim and Brodie break down three of the most important tax concepts for investors: PIE tax, Foreign Investment Fund (FIF) tax, and the differences between the FDR and CV calculation methods. They explain why many investors receive tax reports this time of year, how overseas investments are taxed, when you may have choices around how your tax is calculated, and why fees and tax efficiency can have a significant impact on long-term returns.

Whether you're investing through KiwiSaver, managed funds, or holding overseas shares directly, this episode will help you better understand your obligations and opportunities as an investor.

This episode contains general information only and should not be considered tax or financial advice. Please seek professional advice appropriate to your circumstances.

If you have a question, suggestions, or a topic you would like us to cover, please send an email to: [email protected]

For More Dollars & Sense Content: Click Here

Listen to all The Dollars & Sense Podcasts: Click Here

The information shared on The Dollars & Sense Podcast is general in nature and does not consider your individual circumstances. Dollars & Sense exists purely for educational purposes and should not be relied upon to make an investment or financial decision. Tim Ellis (FSP778196) and Brodie Haggerty (FSP778174) are both Financial Advisers providing advice on behalf of FoxPlan Ltd. FoxPlan Ltd (FSP39630) is a licensed Financial Advice Provider. Important information can be found at www.foxplan.nz/disclosure 

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July 2027 marks 20 years since KiwiSaver was introduced to New Zealand. In that time, it has grown from a brand-new savings scheme into a $120+ billion investment powerhouse that will likely become the largest asset many Kiwis ever own. 

In this episode, Tim and Brodie look back at how KiwiSaver has evolved since 2007, from the dominance of bank providers to the rise of specialist fund managers, changing investment strategies, and the growing shift toward passive investing. They explore what these trends might tell us about the future of KiwiSaver, including contribution rates, fees, regulation, and whether New Zealand's retirement system is heading for major change. 

If the last 20 years transformed KiwiSaver beyond recognition, what might the next 20 years bring? 

If you have a question, suggestions, or a topic you would like us to cover, please send an email to: [email protected]

For More Dollars & Sense Content: Click Here

Listen to all The Dollars & Sense Podcasts: Click Here

The information shared on The Dollars & Sense Podcast is general in nature and does not consider your individual circumstances. Dollars & Sense exists purely for educational purposes and should not be relied upon to make an investment or financial decision. Tim Ellis (FSP778196) and Brodie Haggerty (FSP778174) are both Financial Advisers providing advice on behalf of FoxPlan Ltd. FoxPlan Ltd (FSP39630) is a licensed Financial Advice Provider. Important information can be found at www.foxplan.nz/disclosure 

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Without clear direction, every financial plan is both right and wrong at the same time.

In this episode, Tim steps away from the spreadsheets and market analysis to explain one of the most important exercises used in real financial planning conversations: defining what a wealthy life actually looks and feels like for you.

The “Now and Then” exercise helps uncover the goals, emotions, frustrations, and life outcomes sitting underneath money decisions. Without clear direction, every financial plan is both right and wrong at the same time.

This episode walks through:

•  Why vague goals lead to weak financial plans 
•  The questions good advisors ask before giving recommendations 
•  How to define what you actually want life to feel like 
•  Turning emotions into measurable goals 
•  Breaking long-term outcomes into realistic yearly milestones 

Whether you’re starting financial planning for the first time, going through a major life transition, or simply feeling unsure about what comes next, this episode gives you a practical framework to think more clearly about your future.

If you have a question, suggestions, or a topic you would like us to cover, please send an email to: [email protected]

For More Dollars & Sense Content: Click Here

Listen to all The Dollars & Sense Podcasts: Click Here

The information shared on The Dollars & Sense Podcast is general in nature and does not consider your individual circumstances. Dollars & Sense exists purely for educational purposes and should not be relied upon to make an investment or financial decision. Tim Ellis (FSP778196) and Brodie Haggerty (FSP778174) are both Financial Advisers providing advice on behalf of FoxPlan Ltd. FoxPlan Ltd (FSP39630) is a licensed Financial Advice Provider. Important information can be found at www.foxplan.nz/disclosure 

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Most financial advisers defend adviser fees. In this episode, Tim and Brodie do something different...... they challenge them.

From ongoing fees on “set and forget” portfolios, to percentage-based charges that grow far faster than the actual work involved, this episode explores when adviser fees genuinely deliver value… and when they may not.

Tim and Brodie unpack:

•  Why unclear fees are always a problem 
•  Whether passive investment portfolios justify ongoing advice fees 
•  The issue with commission clawbacks and conflicted incentives 
•  Why some clients end up paying far more without receiving far more service 
•  And how fees quietly compound against long-term wealth 

The episode also explores the origin story behind FNZ — a business now administering trillions globally — which reportedly began after its founder questioned the fairness of the fees his own parents were paying.

This isn’t an anti-adviser conversation.

It’s a transparency conversation.

Because at the end of the day, clients deserve to know:
 What they’re paying, why they’re paying it, and what value they’re actually receiving. 

If you have a question, suggestions, or a topic you would like us to cover, please send an email to: [email protected]

For More Dollars & Sense Content: Click Here

Listen to all The Dollars & Sense Podcasts: Click Here

The information shared on The Dollars & Sense Podcast is general in nature and does not consider your individual circumstances. Dollars & Sense exists purely for educational purposes and should not be relied upon to make an investment or financial decision. Tim Ellis (FSP778196) and Brodie Haggerty (FSP778174) are both Financial Advisers providing advice on behalf of FoxPlan Ltd. FoxPlan Ltd (FSP39630) is a licensed Financial Advice Provider. Important information can be found at www.foxplan.nz/disclosure 

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A recent RNZ headline claimed all active fund managers underperformed over the last year — a bold statement that sparked plenty of debate across the investment world. But how accurate is that headline, and what does the underlying data actually show? 

In this episode, Tim Ellis and Brodie Haggerty unpack the latest SPIVA report, break down the difference between active and passive investing, and explore why so many fund managers struggle to consistently beat the market over the long term. They also discuss survivorship bias, the impact of fees, why “top-performing funds” can be misleading, and what investors should really be paying attention to when reviewing their KiwiSaver or investment portfolio. 

Whether you’re invested through a bank, adviser, or KiwiSaver provider, this episode is a practical look at the evidence behind one of investing’s biggest ongoing debates. 

If you have a question, suggestions, or a topic you would like us to cover, please send an email to: [email protected]

For More Dollars & Sense Content: Click Here

Listen to all The Dollars & Sense Podcasts: Click Here

The information shared on The Dollars & Sense Podcast is general in nature and does not consider your individual circumstances. Dollars & Sense exists purely for educational purposes and should not be relied upon to make an investment or financial decision. Tim Ellis (FSP778196) and Brodie Haggerty (FSP778174) are both Financial Advisers providing advice on behalf of FoxPlan Ltd. FoxPlan Ltd (FSP39630) is a licensed Financial Advice Provider. Important information can be found at www.foxplan.nz/disclosure 

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"Just buy a low cost S&P500 index tracking fund....."

Most investors think buying a low-cost S&P 500 ETF is the smartest move they can make—but the 0.03% fee doesn’t tell the full story. 

In this episode, I break down the hidden costs, missed opportunities, and structural limitations of passive investing. 

If you’re relying on “cheap” as your strategy, this one might change how you think about it. 

If you have a question, suggestions, or a topic you would like us to cover, please send an email to: [email protected]

For More Dollars & Sense Content: Click Here

Listen to all The Dollars & Sense Podcasts: Click Here

The information shared on The Dollars & Sense Podcast is general in nature and does not consider your individual circumstances. Dollars & Sense exists purely for educational purposes and should not be relied upon to make an investment or financial decision. Tim Ellis (FSP778196) and Brodie Haggerty (FSP778174) are both Financial Advisers providing advice on behalf of FoxPlan Ltd. FoxPlan Ltd (FSP39630) is a licensed Financial Advice Provider. Important information can be found at www.foxplan.nz/disclosure 

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In this episode, I’m joined by Taylor Schulte, founder of Define Financial and host of the Stay Wealthy Retirement Podcast. We unpack why retirement, especially early retirement, is far more of a psychological challenge than a financial one. From identity loss to spending anxiety, this conversation highlights the real risks people overlook when planning their exit from work.

As mentioned in this weeks episode, a link to Taylor's own episode that dives deeper into the 4% of stocks that have actually provided shareholder wealth can be found below,

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7qmkmpwrfOpqTKamBD5c7Z?si=1ca3856e3a5440ea

If you have a question, suggestions, or a topic you would like us to cover, please send an email to: [email protected]

For More Dollars & Sense Content: Click Here

Listen to all The Dollars & Sense Podcasts: Click Here

The information shared on The Dollars & Sense Podcast is general in nature and does not consider your individual circumstances. Dollars & Sense exists purely for educational purposes and should not be relied upon to make an investment or financial decision. Tim Ellis (FSP778196) and Brodie Haggerty (FSP778174) are both Financial Advisers providing advice on behalf of FoxPlan Ltd. FoxPlan Ltd (FSP39630) is a licensed Financial Advice Provider. Important information can be found at www.foxplan.nz/disclosure