
Advertise on podcast: Cheques and Balances
Rating
5from
This podcast has
646 episodes
Language
EnglishPublisher
Cheques and BalancesExplicit
No
Date created
2021/03/15
Latest episode
2026/10/13
Average duration
33 min.
Release period
3 days
Description
Whether you're buying your first home, tackling debt, or building long-term wealth, we’ll show you how to make smarter money moves. With over 20 years of combined experience as qualified financial advisers, James Blair and Michael Vincent share straight-talking advice, practical strategies, and real conversations about money - all to help you take control of your financial future with confidence. Check out our website below: lighthousefinancial.co.nz
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Check latest episodes from Cheques and Balances podcast
Why Property Isn’t Your Retirement Fund | Episode 549
2026/10/13
You could be worth millions and still struggle to fund your retirement.
We unpack why property wealth doesn't always translate into retirement income, the pros and cons of term deposits, bonds, cash funds and shares, and how to balance investment growth, risk and cash flow to fund the retirement lifestyle you actually want.
Next Steps: Want to make sure your investments can fund the retirement lifestyle you're working towards? Get in touch with the Lighthouse Wealth team to build a retirement investment strategy tailored to your goals.
Want to explore more ways to generate income in retirement? Check out MoneyHub’s guide here.
For more money tips, follow us on:
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The content in this podcast is the opinion of the hosts. It should not be treated as financial advice. It is important to take into consideration your own personal situation and goals before making any financial decisions.
Why Foreign Millionaires Are Buying NZ Property Ft. Alex Martelli | Episode 548
2026/10/10
The world's wealthy are turning their attention to New Zealand, and they're bringing serious money with them.Alex Martelli, founder of Martelli Buyer's Agents, joins us to unpack why wealthy international buyers are choosing New Zealand, the impact of the new investor visa rules, growing demand for luxury property in Auckland and Queenstown, and what an influx of foreign investment could mean for the housing market and wider economy.Thinking about buying your next home? Get in touch with Martelli Buyer’s Agents here.
For more money tips, follow us on:
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The content in this podcast is the opinion of the hosts. It should not be treated as financial advice. It is important to take into consideration your own personal situation and goals before making any financial decisions.
Tax free KiwiSaver: Could you retire with double? | Episode 547
2026/10/08
Tax-free KiwiSaver could mean millions more in retirement. But there's a catch.
We unpack ACT's proposal to scrap tax on KiwiSaver investment earnings, including how compounding returns could dramatically increase retirement savings, the trade-off of losing Government Contributions, what it could mean for NZ Superannuation, and whether tax-free KiwiSaver could fundamentally change the way Kiwis invest, pay down debt and plan for retirement.
Next Steps: Book a free consultation with our KiwiSaver team to review your setup.
Compare your KiwiSaver provider's performance and fees with our free calculator.
For more money tips, follow us on:
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The content in this podcast is the opinion of the hosts. It should not be treated as financial advice. It is important to take into consideration your own personal situation and goals before making any financial decisions.
Chris Hipkins Won’t Touch Interest Deductibility… But What About CGT? Ft. Matthew Harris | Episode 546
2026/10/06
Interest deductibility is staying… but property investors aren’t necessarily off the hook.
We unpack Labour’s position on interest deductibility, the case for and against a capital gains tax, what future tax changes could mean for property investors and business owners, and whether tax should influence where you invest.
Next Steps: If you’re investing in property or thinking about your next move, get in touch with the Lighthouse team to make sure you understand how the current tax rules affect your investment.
For more money tips, follow us on:
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The content in this podcast is the opinion of the hosts. It should not be treated as financial advice. It is important to take into consideration your own personal situation and goals before making any financial decisions.
NZ’s Economy in 2027: Is the Recovery Finally Coming? Ft. Jarrod Kerr | Episode 545
2026/10/03
Could 2027 finally be the year New Zealand’s economy turns a corner?
Kiwibank Chief Economist Jarrod Kerr joins us to unpack the outlook for growth, inflation and interest rates, what could happen to the property market, the economic impact of the election, and why infrastructure investment could be critical to getting New Zealand moving again.
Next Steps: Want to make sure your finances are positioned for whatever 2027 brings? Get in touch with the Lighthouse team to build a strategy around your property, investments, mortgage and wider financial goals.
For more money tips, follow us on:
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The content in this podcast is the opinion of the hosts. It should not be treated as financial advice. It is important to take into consideration your own personal situation and goals before making any financial decisions.
Kiwis Are Changing How They Invest: Here’s Why Ft. Oliver Mander | Episode 544
2026/10/01
The way Kiwis invest their money is changing.
We sit down with Oliver Mander, Chief Executive of the New Zealand Shareholders Association, to unpack the shift from direct shares towards funds, KiwiSaver and overseas markets, the rise of DIY investing, and whether Kiwis are making the right decisions with their money.
Next Steps: Want to take your investing knowledge a step further? Join us at the NZSA Conference in Wellington on the 22nd and 23rd of October - use code Lighthouse30 for 30% off your ticket.
If you’re investing but aren’t sure whether your portfolio actually aligns with where you want to go, speak with the Lighthouse Wealth team about building an investment plan around your goals.
For more money tips, follow us on:
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The content in this podcast is the opinion of the hosts. It should not be treated as financial advice. It is important to take into consideration your own personal situation and goals before making any financial decisions.
Bought at the 2021 Peak? Here’s What You Can Do Next | Episode 543
2026/09/29
Bought in 2021 and feel stuck? You might have more options than you think.
We break down what it takes to move on from a property bought near the market peak, including buying with less than 20% equity, low-equity lending costs, servicing requirements, getting pre-approved, selling and buying at the same time, and when staying put could make more sense.
Next Steps:Watch our previous episode for more context on navigating your next move in the property market.
Use our mortgage repayment calculator to see what your repayments could look like on your next home.Want to understand your options? Book a quick chat with Mike and the Lighthouse mortgage team.
For more money tips, follow us on:
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The content in this podcast is the opinion of the hosts. It should not be treated as financial advice. It is important to take into consideration your own personal situation and goals before making any financial decisions.
LIVE WEBINAR: Property Under Pressure, Rising Rates, Political Risk & Weak Growth
2026/09/27
Property is under pressure, but the headlines don’t tell the whole story.
Mike Vincent, Adam Farrell, Lighthouse Property Director, and Grant Watson, Senior Buyers Advocate at Rethink Investing, unpack the latest residential and commercial property data, rising interest rates and lending conditions, election uncertainty, and the opportunities they’re seeing for investors across the market.
If you’re considering your next property move and want to understand your lending position or where the opportunities could be, speak with the Lighthouse Mortgages or Property team.
Want to discuss your next commercial property move? Get in touch with Grant and the Rethink Investing team.
Learn more about Rethink Investing and how they help investors navigate commercial property opportunities.
For more money tips, follow us on:
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The content in this podcast is the opinion of the hosts. It should not be treated as financial advice. It is important to take into consideration your own personal situation and goals before making any financial decisions.
NZ Businesses Are Going Broke: Is the Worst Yet to Come? Ft. Brent Norling | Episode 542
2026/09/26
New Zealand businesses are still feeling the fallout and the worst may not be over yet.
Brent Norling, Director of Norling Law, joins James and Mike to unpack rising business liquidations, billions in overdue tax debt, the pressure facing construction and hospitality, why businesses are still dealing with the fallout from Covid, and what struggling owners can do before it’s too late.
If your business is under pressure, dealing with unpaid debt or facing insolvency, get in touch with Brent and the team at Norling Law to understand your options early.
For more money tips, follow us on:
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The content in this podcast is the opinion of the hosts. It should not be treated as financial advice. It is important to take into consideration your own personal situation and goals before making any financial decisions.
How to Retire 10 Years Earlier | Episode 541
2026/09/24
What would it actually take to retire 10 years earlier?
In this episode, we break down the three big levers that could get you there - paying off your mortgage faster, getting control of your spending and consistently investing - before running the numbers on what retiring at 55 could actually look like for a Kiwi couple.
Next Steps: Want to know what your own path to financial freedom could look like? Get in touch with our Wealth team to build a plan around your retirement goals.
MoneyHub Retirement Guide
Check out MoneyHub’s guide and resources on planning for retirement.
KiwiSaver Comparison Tool
Make sure your KiwiSaver is working as hard as you are with our KiwiSaver comparison tool.
Mortgage Interest Calculator
Use our mortgage interest calculator to see how much interest you could pay over the life of your loan.
PocketSmith Discount
Want to get a better handle on where your money is going? Use our PocketSmith discount code to start tracking your spending and get your budget sorted.
For more money tips, follow us on:
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The content in this podcast is the opinion of the hosts. It should not be treated as financial advice. It is important to take into consideration your own personal situation and goals before making any financial decisions.
The Risk of Getting a Property Valuation Right Now | Episode 540
2026/09/22
A property valuation can open up your options or make your next move a whole lot harder.
In this episode, we unpack when getting a registered valuation makes sense, how falling property values affect usable equity, what to do if a valuation comes in lower than expected, and why having less than a 20% deposit doesn’t necessarily stop you from buying your next home.
Next Steps: If you’re thinking about your next property move and want to understand your equity and borrowing options, speak with our Lighthouse Mortgage team.
For more money tips, follow us on:
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The content in this podcast is the opinion of the hosts. It should not be treated as financial advice. It is important to take into consideration your own personal situation and goals before making any financial decisions.
NZ Property Market: Forget 7% Property Growth. Is 3% the New Normal? Ft. Nick Goodall | Episode 539
2026/09/19
Has New Zealand’s property market finally reset?
Nick Goodall, Head of Research at Cotality, joins James and Mike to unpack what’s changed since the 2021 property boom, from improving mortgage affordability and regional differences to investor returns, economic confidence and what realistic house price growth could look like from here.
Next Steps: Explore Cotality’s latest Pain & Gain Report
Learn more about Cotality and its latest research and insights into the New Zealand property market.
If you’re thinking about buying, investing or making your next move in the property market, get in touch with the Lighthouse Mortgage or Property team to understand your options and build a strategy around where the market is today.
For more money tips, follow us on:
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The content in this podcast is the opinion of the hosts. It should not be treated as financial advice. It is important to take into consideration your own personal situation and goals before making any financial decisions.
Could Helping Your Kids Ruin Your Retirement? | Episode 538
2026/09/17
Helping your kids shouldn’t come at the cost of your retirement. James and Jess unpack the Bank of Mum and Dad, how much support is too much, the difference between giving your kids a head start and funding their lifestyle, and how to work out what you can actually afford to give without compromising your own financial future.
Next Steps: see if you’re on track for retirement with our free Retirement Calculator.
Listen to our previous episode exploring why family wealth is often lost across generations.
If you want to help your kids without putting your own retirement at risk, get in touch with the Lighthouse Wealth team to build a financial plan around what you can actually afford to give.
For more money tips, follow us on:
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The content in this podcast is the opinion of the hosts. It should not be treated as financial advice. It is important to take into consideration your own personal situation and goals before making any financial decisions.
Mortgage Application Declined? What to Do When the Bank Says No | Episode 537
2026/09/15
A no from the bank doesn’t always mean you can’t borrow.
We break down what happens when a mortgage application is declined, from specialist and second-tier lenders to full doc, alt doc and no doc loans, why some borrowers pay significantly higher interest rates, and the importance of having a clear exit strategy back to a main bank.
Next Steps: If the bank has said no to your mortgage, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re out of options - get in touch with the Lighthouse mortgage team to talk through your situation and what other lending options could be available.
For more money tips, follow us on:
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The content in this podcast is the opinion of the hosts. It should not be treated as financial advice. It is important to take into consideration your own personal situation and goals before making any financial decisions.
NZ Economy 2026: Is the Worst Finally Over Ft. Brad Olsen | Episode 536
2026/09/12
Is the worst finally behind the New Zealand economy?
Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen joins James and Mike to unpack where the NZ economy really stands, from stubborn inflation and unemployment at an 11-year high to rising interest rates, the OCR, economic growth, the property market and what needs to happen before Kiwis finally start feeling better off.
For more money tips, follow us on:
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The content in this podcast is the opinion of the hosts. It should not be treated as financial advice. It is important to take into consideration your own personal situation and goals before making any financial decisions.
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