Advertise on podcast: The Prosperity Project

Buying an established business can give you customers, systems and revenue from day one. But how do you know whether the asking price reflects what you’ll actually earn? On The Prosperity Project, Nadine talks to The Comic Accountant Sam Harith about the checks to make before buying a business. They discuss financial statements, debt, cash flow, the difference between buying assets and shares, and the risks of taking over a franchise or a business whose customers are loyal to its current owner. They also ask the question every prospective buyer should consider: are you buying a business, or buying yourself a job? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if, instead of trying to stick to a budget yourself, you handed over your pay and let someone else manage it? Australian budgeting service MyBudget has launched in New Zealand, offering to receive clients’ income into a trust account, pay their bills, put money aside for future expenses and savings, and transfer back an agreed amount for everyday spending. It’s an unusual model — and not a cheap one. On The Prosperity Project, Nadine Higgins asks whether outsourcing your finances can genuinely help people get out of debt and build savings, or whether paying someone thousands of dollars a year to manage your own money is a step too far. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you suddenly became unable to make your own decisions, would your spouse or family automatically be able to step in? Not necessarily. An enduring power of attorney allows someone you trust to manage your finances or make decisions about your personal care and welfare if you can’t. Without one, your family could face an expensive and stressful court process at an already difficult time. In this episode of The Prosperity Project, we look at how enduring powers of attorney work, who you should appoint, the risks of getting it wrong, and why it’s worth putting one in place long before you think you’ll need it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No new taxes. Free GP visits. Cheaper public transport. Solar subsidies. KiwiSaver changes. The election promises are coming thick and fast — but what will they actually mean for your finances? On The Prosperity Project, Katie Bradford joins Nadine Higgins to unpack how the major parties’ policies could affect your wallet, from tax and rates to KiwiSaver, student loans, solar panels, small businesses and the cost of funding New Zealand’s infrastructure. Because however appealing the promises sound, there’s one unavoidable question: who ultimately pays for them? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Buying a home used to mean checking the LIM, getting a builder’s report and sorting the mortgage. But natural hazards, insurance restrictions and increasingly complex property issues mean buyers now have much more to consider. Solicitor and Landley Law director Sue Foley joins Nadine Higgins to explain the red flags buyers should look for, why insurance needs to be considered early, what sellers are required to disclose and why relying on someone else’s building report could leave you exposed. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How often should you review your KiwiSaver — and what should you actually be looking at? In this episode of The Prosperity Project, we talk through what matters when reviewing your KiwiSaver, from your retirement goals and contribution levels to fees, fund types and provider performance. Financial commentator Russell Hutchinson explains why you shouldn’t just chase last year’s top-performing fund, how to think about active versus passive management, and why performance after fees is what really counts. Plus, is checking your KiwiSaver balance every week helpful — or just a distraction? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when you simply can’t afford to pay your debts? FinCap financial mentor Charlotte Whitakker joins The Prosperity Project to explain the options available when debt becomes overwhelming — from negotiating with lenders and hardship applications to KiwiSaver withdrawals, debt repayment orders and bankruptcy. Plus, why buy now, pay later can fuel a debt spiral, when you should seek help, and why getting support earlier can make all the difference. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Buying or selling a house is a complicated and often confusing process that real estate agents are smack in the middle of, and stand to benefit from.  So what should we share when dealing with an agent, and what should we keep close to our chest? Barfoot & Thompson real estate agent Ryan Harding joins Nadine Higgins to explain what you need to consider as a vendor or a buyer, the things agents are obligated to disclose, whether commissions are negotiable, how to spot an inflated appraisal and which sales method could get the best result. He also reveals why conditional buyers may need to pay more, what really happens when an auction passes in, and which buyers won't reap the rewards of a 'buyer's market.' See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Moving into a retirement village can offer community, convenience and freedom from maintaining a family home — but the financial arrangement is very different from buying property. Anthony Harper law firm partner Jenny Baldwin explains occupation right agreements, ongoing fees, capital gains, deferred management fees, exit delays and the potential cost of moving into aged care. Plus, what residents and their families should check before signing anything. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are you raising a child who thinks money just appears? From pocket money and piggy banks to KiwiSaver, first jobs and the temptation to bail them out, the lessons start much earlier than many parents realise. So, should chores earn cash? When should children start investing? And when is it better to let them make a mistake? Hayden Mulholland from Become Wealth joins Nadine on The Prosperity Project to explain how to raise kids who actually understand money. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Buying your first home can feel impossible, but you may be closer than you think. Mortgage adviser Michelle Isemonger joins Nadine Higgins to explain how to prepare before applying for finance, what banks are looking for and whether you really need a 20% deposit. They also cover pre-approval, KiwiSaver, auctions, insurance, buying with friends, credit card limits and the common mistakes that can derail a mortgage application. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The OCR has risen, but does that automatically mean your mortgage rate will rise with it? Economist and commentator Bernard Hickey explains what really drives fixed mortgage rates, why New Zealand’s banks remain exceptionally profitable, and whether the Reserve Bank has moved too soon while the economy remains weak. He also decodes the jargon surrounding monetary policy — including hawks, doves, neutral rates, LVRs and DTIs — and considers whether New Zealand can build a functioning economy without relying on house prices to keep climbing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mike Casey from Rewiring Aotearoa says solar can now pay off faster than many households realise, but the biggest savings come from understanding how your home actually uses energy. From gas hot water to EVs, batteries and green loans, Mike and Nadine break down what to weigh up before going electric. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Think back to 1996. Dial-up internet, bulky desktop computers and no KiwiSaver. Investing looked very different. And most New Zealanders had never even heard of Exchange Traded Funds. In this special episode of The Prosperity Project, Nadine Higgins sits down with PJ Harding to explore 30 years of investing in New Zealand, how access has changed, and how kiwis can get started on their investing journey to build wealth for the future. For 30 years, Smart’s been helping New Zealanders invest and grow their wealth, including launching NZ’s first Exchange Traded Fund back in 1996.  Find out more at smartinvest.co.nz This episode is brought to you by Smart. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government currently spends about a billion dollars a fortnight on superannuation payments, it's a growing problem that we're running out of time to address. So who shouldn’t be counting on getting the pension in future? Shamubeel Eaqub, Simplicity chief economist and head of policy, joins Nadine Higgins with some hot takes about the future of NZ's pension scheme and his thoughts on proposed changes to KiwiSaver. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.