Money Made Simple

The world feels a bit uncertain right now - headlines are full of market volatility, rising oil prices, and global tensions. In stories about investments, you might be hearing a lot about the importance of “diversification”… but what does that actually mean? And how do you put it in to practice?
In this episode of Money Made Simple, Liv and Jennie break down the main investment asset classes - what they are, how they work, and why spreading your money across them is one of the simplest and most effective ways to diversify and manage risk over time.
This episode covers:
What asset classes are, and the key types: shares, bonds, property, commodities, and cash
How each asset class works, including how you make money from them (growth, income, or both)
The trade-off between risk and return - and why higher returns often come with more ups and downs
 Why different assets behave differently depending on what’s happening in the world
What diversification really means (beyond the jargon) and how it helps “cushion” market volatility
Real-world examples of why not putting all your eggs in one basket matters
How KiwiSaver and managed funds make diversification easy - often without you even realising it
The difference between active and passive (index) investing, and how both can fit into a diversified portfolio
This episode is a reminder that investing isn’t about picking winners or predicting the future. It’s about building a mix of investments that can handle whatever comes next. If you’ve ever wondered what’s actually inside your KiwiSaver fund, and why, this is a great place to start.
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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!

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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.

Cost of living is spiralling higher and higher - but we're here to help you tackle it. In this episode of Money Made Simple, Liv and Jennie discuss the psychology of spending, the traps that make it easier to overspend, and how to (gently) retrain your brain so your money decisions feel more intentional and less impulsive. We unpack the “Want Monster” - that little voice in your head telling you to buy the coffee, click the sale, upgrade the phone, or treat yourself because you “deserve it”.  
This episode covers:
What the “Want Monster” is, and why it's so dangerous in today's cost of living crunch
How instant gratification, social media, and constant sales shape our spending habits
Common spending traps like buy now pay later (BNPL), credit cards, interest-free loans, sales, and subscription creep
Why these habits can become even more impactful when money is already tight
Simple ways to create friction, reset habits, and make better spending decisions
Practical ideas like tracking your spending, using separate accounts, trying a no-spend challenge, and finding free ways to socialise

This episode is a reminder that money decisions are not always just about maths... they’re often about habits, mindset, and the stories we tell ourselves. You'll walk away armed with a realistic, kinder approach to spending less without feeling deprived, and some small ideas for changes which could make a big difference over time.
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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!

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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 breaks down the recent surge in oil prices driven by conflict in the Middle East - and what it means for NZ households, businesses and the wider economy.

While price shocks like this are not new, the episode highlights why they may become more frequent and what we need to think about as a country, as we prepare for the future.

This episode covers:
What’s behind the current spike in oil prices, and why conflict in the Middle East has global impacts 
New Zealand’s reliance on imported refined fuel - and why that leaves us more exposed
How rising fuel costs flow through to everyday expenses like transport, groceries, and other essentials 
The difference between price increases and actual fuel shortages, and why that distinction matters 
Which sectors and regions are most affected - from transport and agriculture to provincial communities 
How households and businesses have responded to oil shocks in the past 
The role government can play, from crisis planning to more targeted support measures 
Why global instability could make supply disruptions more common in the future 
How investing in local, renewable energy could improve long-term resilience 

By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clearer understanding of why fuel prices are rising, how this impacts your day-to-day costs and the bigger picture for New Zealand’s economy. Shamubeel also explores the longer-term choices we face - and why building a more resilient, locally powered energy system could help reduce the impact of future shocks.
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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:
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Facebook
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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, Liv sits down with Annè Lensink from Villa Chartered Accountants & Business Advisors to break down “Accounting 101” for everyday Kiwis. Whether you’ve got a side hustle, are freelancing, or just feeling a bit unsure about tax, this episode helps make sense of the basics in plain English.

Annè is a Chartered Accountant based in Northland, known for helping people understand their numbers and feel more confident making financial decisions. Together, she and Liv unpack what accounting actually means, when you need to start paying attention to it, and how to avoid some of the most common (and costly) mistakes.

This episode covers:
What “doing your accounts” actually means, and the difference between bookkeeping and accounting
When you need to start thinking about accounting beyond a PAYE job
Why side hustles and freelance income need to be declared and managed properly
The first three things to do when starting a business or side hustle
When DIY accounting tools are enough, and when it’s time to bring in an expert
What provisional tax is, and why it so often catches people off guard
How to choose the right accountant depending on whether you want compliance or strategic advice
Simple habits that can reduce financial stress and improve decision making
The biggest and most common barriers to getting on top of your finances (and how to avoid them!)

By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clearer understanding of how accounting fits into everyday life, when to ask for help, and how a few small habits can make your financial world feel a whole lot calmer and more in control.

If you’d like to learn more or get in touch with Annè and her team, you can find Villa here: https://villaca.co.nz/
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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.

Note for listeners: This episode was recorded just before the recent escalation of conflict involving Israel, the United States and Iran. While those developments are likely to influence the global and local outlook, the economic trends and data discussed here remain relevant to understanding the current state of the New Zealand economy. 
In this latest episode of Economy Made Simple, Shamubeel Eaqub takes a step back to look at where the NZeconomy sits right now, and what might lie ahead over the next 12 months. After several tough years marked by the pandemic, high inflation and rising interest rates, there are *early* signs that the economy may be stabilising. But recovery is likely to be slow and uneven.
This episode covers:
Why the last few years have felt like SUCH a grind for households and businesses following pandemic stimulus and a sharp rise in the cost of living 
The mixed picture in NZ right now, with businesses becoming more optimistic while many households are still feeling financial pressure 
The role migration plays in the economic cycle, and the opportunities and pressures it creates for infrastructure and housing 
What the job market is signalling, including stabilising employment but continued challenges in particular groups
Areas and sectors of strength in the economy which are looking promising
Why inflation is still being felt strongly in essential costs, even as overall inflation moderates
What to watch from the Reserve Bank in terms of interest rates over the coming 1-2 years
How the upcoming election, government spending decisions and the Budget could influence the economic outlook 

By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clearer picture of why the economy still feels tough today, but also why there are early signs that conditions could gradually improve. Shamubeel unpacks the signals economists watch most closely so you can better understand what’s happening in the wider economy and what it might mean for New Zealand households and businesses over the coming year.
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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.