Rnz: Your Money With Mary Holm

Is that new item of clothing really going to make you happier in the long run? Do you really need to hold on to your Saturday brunch habit? Mary Holm looks into why we spend unnecessarily and suggests how we can take more control. She also discusses how to tell lenders you don't want to be offered loans, ideas for making Christmas less expensive, and places you can get free support to help cut your spending. 

Mary answers listeners' worries about KiwiSaver. They include: how to learn the basics of the scheme; whether the government can be trusted not to take the money; whether fees are ripping off children in KiwiSaver and more. 

A new survey shows New Zealanders are keen on ethical - sometimes called responsible - investing. But not so many are taking steps to ensure their KiwiSaver and other investments follow these principles.

A recent gathering of a group called Women in Super looked at findings from a Financial Markets Authority survey that showed men tend to know more about investing than women and are more confident at it. 

Everybody, can be victims of money making or investment scams, fraud, or bad deals. This week on Your Money with Mary Holm, she offers advice and information on warning signs and some known scams. 

Mary and remuneration expert Geoff Summers discuss a controversial issue from the last segment about employer contributions to KiwiSaver - a practice called total remuneration. Then Mary turns to a survey on KiwiSaver.

Mary discusses suggestions made by a panel of experts at a recent conference on how to improve KiwiSaver. She's not keen on making the scheme compulsory, and wants to see an end to "total remuneration".

The Commission for Financial Capability is suggesting that some KiwiSaver contributions be diverted into a rainy day fund, which people can draw on in a financial crisis.

Mary discusses a listener's letter questioning the spending habits of elderly and single women, before taking a look at gender differences in money management, investment and risk. 

It's important to meet several financial advisors before committing to one, says Mary Holm. She talks about why you might want to use a financial advisor, how to make a shortlist and some good questions to ask when you meet them. 

It’s unwise to keep moving investments around in response to market surges or slumps, not least because by the time you act they're likely to have moved again, says Mary Holm.

Sticking with only NZ investments is foolish Mary Holm says. She explains why and answers listener questions.

Over the long term a renter could win over a home buyer if their extra money is invested steadily and wisely, personal finance expert Mary Holm says.

This week personal finance expert Mary Holm asks if rental properties are still a good investment.

Is a young person better to go into an apprenticeship, or an undergraduate degree? 

How to best deal with a student loan.

This week Mary tackles the worries and misunderstandings about the New Zealand Super.

It's the ten years since the KiwiSaver scheme was launched and Mary Holm has been looking what impact it's had on New Zealanders' nest eggs.

Most of us are in bonds via our superannuation and kiwisaver schemes. Personal Finance expert Mary Holm looks at bonds - what they are, how safe they are, and why you should know about credit ratings.

Mary Holm answers more listener questions on Kiwisaver, particularly for people who are near retirement or already 65.