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In this episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie and Liv go back to basics on two of the most common ways to invest: buying shares in individual companies, or putting your money into a managed fund. They unpack what you actually own in each case, the pros and trade-offs of both, and the different types of funds you've probably heard about (but maybe thought WTF?), from share funds and diversified funds to ETFs, index funds and active vs passive managed funds.  This episode covers: What you actually own when you buy a share, compared with buying into a fundWhy a share can be risky, but a managed fund isn't automatically diversifiedThe costs to check beyond the headline fee for different investmentsLiv's honest look back at her own share picking daysWhy "managed fund" is an umbrella term, not one type of investmentWhat really separates different types of funds when it comes to riskETFs explained, with a little help from a poemWhy it doesn't have to be one or the other, when it comes to single shares vs. managed fundsThis episode will give you a clear sense of the difference between choosing a company and buying into a portfolio, and why what's inside an investment matters more than what it's called. ---------------------------------------------- QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF As promised in the episode, here are a few questions worth thinking about before you choose how to invest: *How much time and interest do I have to research and keep an eye on individual companies? *How would I feel if one company I own dropped 40% in a bad year? How long am I investing for, and could I ride out the ups and downs? *What's actually inside this fund? *Is it broadly diversified or focused on one area? What will it cost me in total, including brokerage, currency, platform and fund fees? *Do I want my values reflected in how my money is invested? *How does this fit with what I already have, like my KiwiSaver? Just an editorial note on ETFs from our Chief Compliance & Risk Officer: Managed funds have what we call a NAV (Net Asset Value) which is how units of the fund are valued; while ETFs will have a NAV for the underlying fund that is being transacted, ETF units trade on-market at prices set by buyers and sellers throughout the day. That market price will generally be close to the NAV, but can trade at a small premium or discount to it. --- 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: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn 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 take a trip around the world to see how different countries tackle the very large question of retirement. New Zealand has NZ Super and KiwiSaver, but elsewhere the mix of government support, compulsory saving and personal choice can look quite different. From Australia's compulsory super contributions to Singapore's all-purpose CPF, the Netherlands' three-pillar model and America's 401(k), Jennie and Liv compare who pays, who carries the risk and who might miss out. This episode covers: The important differences between a government pension and a funded retirement savings schemeWhere New Zealand's mix of NZ Super and KiwiSaver sits within the global pictureWhy Australia's Age Pension is means tested, and how it compares to NZ SuperWhat Australia's 12% (in 2026) employer contributions buy, and what they cost you todayThe Singapore fund that pays for housing, healthcare and retirementHow one country has tackled the problem of outliving your savingsWhy the Netherlands keeps topping the global retirement rankingsWhat America's 401(k) system gets right, and who it leaves behindThe retirement ages around the world that might surprise you (and make you want to move abroad!)The important balancing act behind every system: security, flexibility, fairness and costResources referred to in this episode: - Mercer CFA Institute Global Pension Index - annual global ranking of retirement systems: https://www.mercer.com/insights/investments/market-outlook-and-trends/mercer-cfa-global-pension-index/ You won't come away from this episode with a verdict on which country has retirement 'sorted', but a clearer way to think about the questions NZ keeps needing to ask, and eventually answer. Every system is really a set of choices about who contributes, who carries the risk and who might get left behind. *Please note, this episode discusses retirement rules, contribution rates and eligibility settings which can change at any time, and are accurate as at the date of publishing. It does not account for your own circumstances which may differ from what is discussed.* --- 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: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn 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 take the show to Reddit, asking the often wise, very debate-happy r/PersonalFinanceNZ community for their very best money tips and tricks. More than 40 people came to the party, and the ones that made the cut are the ones the community upvoted most, so this is a genuinely crowd-sourced list from everyday Kiwis who think hard about their money. Jennie and Liv work through the top ten, from the deceptively simple to the slightly technical.  *Please note, these tips and tricks do not constitute financial advice, and are personal opinions collected from Reddit and shared by the Simplicity team.* This episode covers: The one-week pause that stops a want turning into a regrettable purchase, and the savings trick that turns leftovers into investmentsWhy "buy assets, not crap" might be the most useful money slogan we've heardThe payday order of operations that makes budgeting boring but effectiveHow compounding works against you on debt, and what to do about itGiving money or investments instead of stuff, and why the kids will come round (eventually)The risk question most people have never honestly understood, or put into practice*Why and how playing it TOO safe carries a risk of its ownDollar cost averaging on the way in, and the part most people miss on the way outHow sinking funds work, why they're handy, and why Jennie wants to rename themOffset and revolving credit mortgages, explained in a nutshellThe perspective check that showed one Redditor they were $300 a week better off than they thoughtLiv and Jennie's own additions: the fee question nobody asks, and why you do not need to be an expert to start*Editor's note: there is a subtle difference between risk aversion and loss aversion, although the two are often closely related - often people in higher risk investments are comfortable with risk, until it plays out via a market crash. And this is where loss aversion can kick in, where people switch to more conservative funds upon seeing a drop in their balance. Resources mentioned in this episode: - r/PersonalFinanceNZ - the Reddit community that supplied the tips: https://www.reddit.com/r/PersonalFinanceNZ/ - A longer explainer on everything mortgages, discussed in MMS episode #9:  https://open.spotify.com/episode/1YZXRdwRNeQcUjYuHZv0Y8 - Simplicity First Home Loans: https://simplicity.kiwi/first-home-loans - Sorted's Money Month: https://sorted.org.nz/money-month-2026-sorted/ This episode will deliver you ten tips that real people actually use and agree on, plus a nudge to check a couple of super important things most of us either avoid or don't know to consider. And a huge shout out to r/PersonalFinanceNZ, for the collective help! If you hear your own tip in there, please feel free to get in touch (via whatever channel suits you), and we'll be happy to send out some goodies for the privilege. --- 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: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn 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 invites Liv over to the green side, to unpack one of the most used and least understood words in New Zealand economics: productivity. Not how hard we work, but what we get back for the effort. New Zealanders work roughly two weeks more a year than Australians, yet our wages and business profits are about a third lower. Shamubeel explains why, and where the real levers sit. This episode covers: What productivity actually measures, and why "we're poor because we're poor" explains nothingWhy Kiwis work longer hours than Australians but earn around a third lessThe three building blocks of any economy, and the bit of magic that separates strong businesses from average onesHow geography, institutions, culture and politics shape productivity far more than effort ever willWhy NZ's cultural dislike of management is quietly holding businesses backWhat it costs a country when 40% of the workforce started their job in the past yearWhere individuals, businesses and govt each sit on the scale of real influenceThe education, health and immigration settings Shamubeel would change - firstHow policy chop and change cost a town like Tokoroa more than it ever saved WellingtonBy the end of this episode you should have a much clearer sense of why productivity is not a measure of effort, and why there is no single fix for it. You'll also understand which levers actually move the productivity scale - at home, at work, and at the ballot box with an election coming. --- 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: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn 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.

Ever felt pressured to hit Buy now by a countdown clock, struggled to cancel a subscription, or been told there is “only one left” while shopping online? You may have encountered a dark pattern. In this episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie is joined by Chandni Gupta from the Consumer Policy Research Centre in Melbourne, Australia and Jon Duffy from Consumer NZ to unpack the design tricks businesses use to steer our choices online - often encouraging us to spend more, stay subscribed longer or hand over more personal information than we intended. They look at where the line sits between legitimate marketing and manipulation, why these techniques are so effective even when we know they exist, and whether consumer protection laws in New Zealand and Australia are keeping up. From fake urgency and hard-to-find cancellation buttons to "drip pricing", data collection and personalised prices, Chandni and Jon explain why dark patterns can be so difficult to resist - and what consumers can do to protect themselves. This episode covers: What dark patterns are and how they influence our decisions onlineWhere the line sits between persuasion, marketing and coercionScarcity cues, countdown clocks and other tricks designed to create urgencyWhy cancelling subscriptions can be deliberately difficultHow drip pricing can make something look cheaper than it really isWhy businesses want so much of our personal data, and how it can be usedThe rise of personalised pricing and why two customers may not always see the same priceWhy dark patterns work even when we know what to look forWhat Australia is doing to strengthen consumer protection, and where New Zealand sitsPractical ways to avoid unwanted subscription renewals and other online trapsWhy making it easy for customers to leave can actually help businesses build trustResources mentioned in this episode: Consumer NZ – consumer advice, research and a report on dark patterns: Invisible influence: Dark patterns and digital deception in Aotearoa New Zealand Consumer Policy Research Centre – Australian consumer research, including Duped by Design and Let Me Out Office of the Privacy Commissioner – for concerns about how your personal information has been collected or used Commerce Commission – for complaints about potentially misleading or deceptive conduct You’ll come away from this episode much more aware of the subtle ways websites and apps can influence your behaviour,  and with some simple strategies for slowing down, questioning the urgency and keeping more control over your money and your data. --- 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: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn 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.

It's officially Sorted's Money Month - and we have a special guest in to celebrate! In this episode of Money Made Simple, Liv sits down with Kate Hannah from Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission - the team behind Sorted.org.nz, to unpack what financial resilience really means, and why it's about much more than just having enough money. With cost-of-living pressures still biting, Kate explains why an emergency fund is the foundation for getting your finances sorted. She shares the research on how Kiwis are feeling, why young people are being hit hardest, and how small, achievable steps are the real key to building a buffer. They also talk through Sorted's brand new Buffer builder app, launching for August's Money Month - linked below! This episode covers: What financial resilience actually means, and how it's more than just having enough cashWhy an emergency fund is the foundation everything else is built onThe research on how Kiwis are really feeling about their finances right nowWhy young people are among the hardest hit, and how to start when money is already tightWhether the "$1,000 rule" is a good, genuine goal to start withThe power of small, achievable steps and building a "saver" identityHow Sorted's new Buffer builder app uses open banking to make saving almost automatic Resources mentioned in this episode: - Sorted Buffer builder app – free emergency savings app to make saving automatic, available on Android and Apple - Sorted – free, independent tools, guides and calculators from the Retirement Commission: https://sorted.org.nz - Sorted Retirement Navigator – helps you plan how to draw down your savings in retirement: https://sorted.org.nz/tools/retirement-navigator/ - Sorted Mortgage Calculator – includes a first-home-buyer mode for planning your first mortgage: https://sorted.org.nz/tools/mortgage-calculator/ - Sorted Smart Investor – compare KiwiSaver and Managed Funds on fees, returns and more: https://smartinvestor.sorted.org.nz - Money Matters 2025: The Power of Emergency Savings (Retirement Commission research paper) You will come away from this episode armed with the small steps you can take to start building your financial safety net. Whether you are just starting out or topping up an existing buffer, there are free, independent tools to help you meet money where you are at. --- 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: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn 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, Chief Economist Shamubeel Eaqub unpacks why insurance has become one of the fastest-rising costs in NZ, and what that means for the assets we most need to protect. Insuring everything you own would now swallow close to 15% of the average income, and with disasters growing more frequent, Shamubeel argues the days of leaning on a government bailout may be numbered. He explains how to keep meaningful cover as premiums climb. This episode covers: Why insuring everything could now cost close to 15% of your incomeHow and why home insurance has risen  over the last 20 yearsThe disasters that made reinsurers decide NZ is riskier than they thoughtThe rise in natural disaster costs as a percentage of total GDPWhy the government backstop we've been seeing come into play after floods and cyclones may not lastWhich types of cover people tend to drop first when money is tightThree practical ways to keep insurance affordable without losing protectionHow auto-renewing your policy could be quietly costing youBy the end of this episode, you'll understand why insurance costs keep climbing, and three practical moves to keep the cover you actually need: knowing your sum insured, adjusting your excess, and shopping around every year. --- 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: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn 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.

There’s no shortage of money info out there. Everyone seems to have something to say about budgeting, investing, mortgages, KiwiSaver and more. But how do you know what’s helpful, what’s marketing, what’s just someone’s opinion, and when you might actually need personalised financial advice? In this episode of Money Made Simple, Liv and Jennie unpack the surprisingly important question of who to trust when it comes to money. They look at the difference between general financial information, education, marketing, opinions and personalised advice - and why understanding the difference can help you make better financial decisions. This episode covers: The difference between general education, marketing, opinions and personalised financial adviceWhy social media can be a great place to learn about money, but not always the best place to rely on for making big financial decisionsThe rise of “finfluencers” - and what to watch out for when it comes to social money contentWhen it may be worth paying for financial advice rather than relying on general financial informationHow to find a financial adviser, including where to start and why it’s worth checking their credentialsWhy fee-based, independent advice can be very different from the “free” advice that dominates the NZ finance industryThe red flags to watch for when it comes to financial information and advice (warning - it's getting easier and easier to get taken for a ride!)Resources mentioned in this episode: - Sorted – independent money guide with comparison tools and calculators: https://sorted.org.nz/ - Financial Advice New Zealand (FANZ) – adviser directory: https://financialadvice.nz/FANZ/FANZ/Consumers/Find-an-Adviser.aspx - Financial Service Providers Register (FSPR) – check if an advisor is licensed: https://fsp-register.companiesoffice.govt.nz/ - MoneyHub – list of independent, fee-based financial advisers: https://www.moneyhub.co.nz/advisers-list.html - The Barefoot Investor (Scott Pape): https://www.barefootinvestor.com/ This episode is a reminder that good money decisions don’t usually come from one hot tip, one viral video, or one confident opinion. They come from taking your time, asking questions, understanding who or what is influencing you, and knowing when a decision matters enough to get proper advice. Simplicity does not hold a financial advice provider licence, so this podcast provides educational information only. --- 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: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn 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 takes a moment to unpack NZ's mid-2026 economic outlook, from the fallout of the war in Iran to signs of a tentative peace. With inflation pressures building, interest rates trending up again, and an election year adding noise, Shamubeel separates the cyclical shocks from the structural challenges Aotearoa NZ still needs to face. This episode covers: Why the tentative truce in Iran doesn't mean cost pressures disappear overnightHow the war disrupted a recovery that was JUST starting to gain momentumThe two-speed export story: a booming rural economy versus struggling old-school manufacturingHow dairy returns are increasingly about farm management, not just rising export pricesWhat rising immigration and steady job ads reveal about business confidenceThe cost of living squeeze and why it's hitting lower-income households hardestWhy the Reserve Bank raising interest rates now could slow this fragile recovery - the warning signsWhy this election year matters more for long-term choices than short-term cyclesBy the end of this episode, you'll have a clearer picture of where NZ's economy sits in mid-2026: genuine signs of recovery emerging, but real risks still ahead from rising interest rates, inflation, and global uncertainty. --- 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: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn 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.

Buying your first home can feel exciting, overwhelming, and full of unfamiliar jargon, forms and deadlines. In this episode of Money Made Simple, Liv and Jennie break down the first-home buying process into three key stages: getting your finances ready, making an offer and doing your due diligence, and understanding what happens from going unconditional through to settlement. This is a practical, plain-English guide to help you understand what’s coming, feel more prepared, and avoid being caught off guard when buying your first home. This episode covers: Checking whether you can use your KiwiSaver for your first home and how much you can withdrawGetting mortgage pre-approval and understanding your borrowing limitWorking with lenders, mortgage brokers, lawyers and building inspectors as your home-buying 'team'How different house sale types work in NZWhat "due diligence" means, and what it can costWhat “going unconditional” actually means (and when it happens)Why insurance needs to be sorted before settlement on your new homeApplying for your KiwiSaver withdrawal at the right timeWhat happens on settlement dayCommon watchouts to understand while buying your first homeHelpful links: - Sorted first home buyer resources - Simplicity Home Loans - Simplicity KiwiSaver first home withdrawal information Please remember, this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal financial situation. Simplicity is not providing financial advice or home loan advice in this episode. --- 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: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn 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 chats with journalist, author and personal finance expert Susan Edmunds about KiwiSaver, the questions New Zealanders are asking, and why getting the basics right still matters. Susan has just written a book about KiwiSaver, based on the questions people regularly ask her - from choosing the right fund and contribution rate, to hardship withdrawals, first-home access, fees, self-employment, and what happens once people reach retirement. Together, Shamubeel and Susan discuss how KiwiSaver has changed over the past almost 20 years, why it’s no longer just a retirement savings scheme, and where the system could be improved to better support women, lower-income earners, the self-employed, and people over 65. This episode covers The most common KiwiSaver questions Susan gets from New ZealandersWhy it’s important to check your fund type, contribution rate and provider settingsHow KiwiSaver is being used for retirement, first homes and hardship withdrawalsThe impact of total remuneration and why employer contributions matterWhy women, carers and lower-income earners can fall behind in KiwiSaverThe challenges KiwiSaver creates for self-employed peopleWhat retirees need to think about when turning savings into incomeFees, fund performance and how to compare providersHow KiwiSaver could be improved in the futureTune in for a practical and thoughtful conversation about how KiwiSaver has shaped New Zealanders’ savings habits, what people still need help understanding, and how the scheme could evolve to deliver better outcomes for more Kiwis. Please note: This episode was recorded before National announced their new KiwiSaver policy plans. --- 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: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn 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.

Retirement can feel like something to worry about “later” - especially when you’re in your 20s or 30s. But every decade comes with opportunities to improve your financial future. In this episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie and Liv talk about what retirement planning looks like at different ages and stages of life. From making the most of KiwiSaver early on, to checking whether you’re on track in your 40s and 50s, to thinking about how you’ll actually use your savings in retirement, this episode is all about practical steps you can take now - whatever age you are. In this episode, we cover: Why retirement planning matters at every ageHow money can create choices, independence and dignity later in lifeThe important role KiwiSaver can play in helping New Zealanders save for their retirementThe power of compounding returns, especially in your 20s and 30sHow to make sure you’re getting the most from KiwiSaver, including contributing regularly, maximising the benefits and choosing the right fund for you (at the right time)What to review in your 40s and 50s, especially as your life priorities changeHow to think about the lifestyle you want in retirement - and what it might costWhat to consider in your 60s as you move from saving to spendingRetirement isn’t just about accumulating money - it’s about independence, security and having choices later in life. And no matter your age, there is almost always something you can do to improve your future. The key takeaways are - start early if you can (but don’t panic if you haven’t), check your KiwiSaver settings regularly, take time to think about the retirement you actually want and make small adjustments as your life changes. Resources mentioned in this episode: Simplicity KiwiSaver Fund SelectorSimplicity KiwiSaver calculatorsSimplicity Future Projection Tool — available to members only in the Simplicity member app Sorted retirement calculator and guidesMassey University New Zealand Retirement Expenditure Guidelines 2025MMS podcast on Compounding Returns - The Money Makes Money episode Resource we should have mentioned but didn't (opps):  Simplicity Retirement Decumulation Tool (it helps you plan how to withdraw funds to ensure your nest egg lasts for your retirement years) available to members in the Simplicity member app.--- 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: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn 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 topic that deserves some airtime: the finances of self-employment. Nearly 1 in 5 Kiwis work for themselves - and the financial scaffolding that employees take for granted simply doesn't come with the territory. They break down what that means in practice, what to set up early, and how to make sure your future self doesn't miss out. This episode covers: The scale of self-employment in New Zealand - and why it's a growing slice of the workforceThe three types of self-employed Kiwis, and why the financial picture looks different for eachTax, GST, and ACC - the basics you need to knowThe KiwiSaver gap between the employed and the self-employed, and what that means for your futureWhat happened to the government contribution - and why it still makes sense to chase itThe "hidden" perks of employment you quietly lose when you go out on your ownFive practical watch-outs to set up early, including cash buffers, KiwiSaver contributions, and income protectionWhy you shouldn't assume selling your business will fund your nest egg - and what to think about when it comes to retirement planning as a self-employedResources mentioned in this episode: - Sorted - tools and guides for building good financial habits: https://sorted.org.nz - Business NZ x IRD's guide to becoming self-employed: https://www.business.govt.nz/business-stage-or-type/sole-traders/becoming-a-sole-trader - Retirement Commission x Hnry report on the KiwiSaver savings gap for self-employed: https://retirement.govt.nz/news/latest-news/new-report-highlights-growing-retirement-savings-gap-between-self-employed-and-employees - Hnry - tax and invoicing platform for sole traders and freelancers: https://hnry.co.nz - MMS Episode 64 - how compounding returns work: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5GEHBzjZWUhTxnyXBNj6ku?si=7bcc6849f80b4a12  By the end of this episode, you'll understand exactly how the financial future of a self-employed person is largely theirs to engineer - and a clearer picture of the key things to set up, think about, and get advice on before the tax bill arrives out of nowhere. --- 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: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn 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 sits down with journalist and publisher Bernard Hickey to talk about how economic stories are told, why trust in media matters, and what’s changed in journalism over the past few decades. Bernard reflects on the major economic shifts in NZ, how his own views on markets and capitalism have evolved, and why good reporting still matters in a world shaped by social media, misinformation, and AI.  This episode covers  Bernard Hickey’s journey through journalism and economic reporting  How to make economics more human and relatable  Why trust, transparency, and incentives matter in media  Social media, misinformation, and the role of institutions in public information  Whether AI helps or harms journalism and credibility  What good journalism looks like in a fast-moving, noisy worldThis episode offers a thoughtful conversation about economics, media, trust, and the value of clear storytelling in uncertain times.  --- 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: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn 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 sits down with Barry Coates, CEO of Mindful Money, to unpack what ethical investing really means and how Kiwis can put their KiwiSaver and other investments behind the values they care about. Barry brings decades of experience from the UK and NZ ethical investment communities, and more recently founded Mindful Money as a charity to give New Zealanders free, comparable information on what's actually inside their funds. This episode covers: What ethical investing really means, and the jargon you can safely ignoreHow to find out what's actually inside your KiwiSaverThe three big things a fund manager can do with your moneyWhat Kiwis consistently say they don't want their savings fundingWhether choosing ethical means giving up returnsHow to spot greenwashing in funds that claim to do goodHow your investment choices can matter as much as your shopping onesWhere to start, if you want your money to better match your valuesResources mentioned in this episode: - Mindful Money Fund Finder - free tool to find a KiwiSaver or managed fund that fits your ethical values: https://mindfulmoney.nz - Sorted Smart Investor - compare KiwiSaver and managed funds on fees, returns and more: https://smartinvestor.sorted.org.nz - Simplicity "Where in the world is my money?' Tool: see exactly where your KiwiSaver is invested around the globe: https://simplicity.kiwi/calculators/kiwisaver/where-in-the-world-is-my-money By the end of this episode you'll come away with a clearer sense of what ethical investing actually is, what your KiwiSaver might be funding without you realising, and why putting your money behind your values doesn't have to come at the cost of your returns. *For information on Simplicity’s approach to ethical investing, go to simplicity.kiwi/about-us/ethical-investments where you’ll find a link to our Responsible Investment Policy. --- 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: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn 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.