Money Made Simple

In this episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie and Liv unpack one of the most powerful, and not always well understood, ideas in personal finance -  compounding returns.

They explain how money can make money itself over time, why the “snowball effect” is such a game-changer for long-term savings and investing, and how it can work not just for you, but also against you when it comes to debt. Using simple, relatable examples, they show why starting early really matters.

This episode covers:
What compounding actually means (in plain English)
The difference between compounding interest and compounding returns
Why time matters more than trying to perfectly time the market
A powerful example showing how starting earlier can beat investing more later
How compounding works in KiwiSaver, managed funds and shares
The flip side: how compounding can quietly grow credit card, loan and mortgage debt
Small, practical ways to make compounding work harder for you

Helpful money resources:
If this episode got you thinking and you want to learn more, these NZ based resources are a great place to start:
Sorted NZ – Free tools, guides and calculators to help with budgeting, KiwiSaver and retirement planning

MoneyHub NZ – Independent guides and comparisons on banking, investing, KiwiSaver and more

MoneyTalks (Free Financial Mentoring) – Confidential, non-judgemental help if you’re struggling with debt or bills

Whether you’re just getting started or need a refresher, this episode shows how tiny actions today can have a big impact on your future. Because when it comes to compounding, the best time to start was yesterday - and the second best time is today.
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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 Long Term Insight Briefings published by New Zealand’s key government agencies and explains why they matter far more than most of us realise. These reports look decades ahead and ask some uncomfortable but necessary questions about NZ’s future, including how we fund public services, care for an ageing population, respond to climate and geopolitical risks, and balance today’s needs with those of future generations.
Rather than focusing on politics or short term headlines, this episode steps back to explore the big structural forces shaping NZ’s economy and society, and the trade offs we are going to have to confront - whether we like it or not.
This episode covers:
 Why NZ’s fiscal maths no longer stacks up as the population ages - why ratios of workers vs retirees matter
 The growing infrastructure deficit and the cost of decades of deferred maintenance
 How weak productivity growth limits our future choices
 The impact of climate change and geopolitics increase economic risk for a small trading nation
 The tension between equity and efficiency and between current and future generations
 Why governments struggle to move from short-term thinking to long-term resilience
 The role immigration and KiwiSaver could play as societal safety valves
 Why culture, institutions and social cohesion matter as much as economic policy does
Resources and research referenced in this episode (Govt department Long Term Insights Briefing papers):
- Treasury Long Term Insights Briefing
- IRD Long Term Insights Briefing 
- Ministry of Social Development Long Term Insights Briefing
- Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Long Term Insights Briefing
This conversation helps you lift your gaze beyond the next budget or election cycle and understand the deeper forces shaping NZ’s future. You will come away with a clearer sense of the trade-offs ahead, why there are no costless solutions, and how greater awareness can inform both your personal preparation and your engagement as a citizen. It is an episode designed to make complex long-term challenges feel understandable, relevant, and worth thinking about.
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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
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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 Robbie Paul, CEO of Icehouse Ventures, to unpack how venture capital really works in New Zealand - and what it takes to build successful startups in a small, but globally connected market. From arriving in NZ as an unpaid intern to leading one of the country’s most influential venture capital firms, Robbie shares his journey, lessons learned, and why he’s more optimistic than ever about the future of Kiwi entrepreneurship. 
 This episode covers:
What venture capital actually is, and how it differs from private equity
How Icehouse Ventures supports Kiwi founders from idea stage through to global growth
Why New Zealand’s startup ecosystem is stronger and more vibrant than ever
The role KiwiSaver and institutional capital can play in funding high-growth companies
The reality of startup success and failure, and why patience matters more than perfection
What successful founders tend to have in common, beyond just a good idea 
You’ll come away from this episode with a clearer understanding of how venture capital fits into the wider investing landscape, why startup success usually takes FAR longer than headlines suggest, and how Kiwi entrepreneurs are quietly building world-class companies from the bottom of the globe. It’s an optimistic, grounded look at risk, reward, and the long game... whether you’re curious about investing, startups, or how innovation actually gets funded. 
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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.

In this (crowd-sourced) episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie and Liv dive into the best money tips submitted by our lovely Simplicity community! From simple mindset shifts to clever day-to-day hacks, this episode brings together the collective wisdom of everyday Kiwis navigating saving, spending and investing during a pretty tough cost-of-living environment.
This episode covers:
 Why starting small and starting early matters (and why it’s never too late to begin)
 How to get clear on where your money actually goes - both emotionally and literally
 The pros and cons of single shares vs managed funds, and why diversification matters
 Smart ways to avoid lifestyle creep and use pay rises intentionally
 How to build a realistic emergency fund and avoid guilt around spending
 Why automating your money can make all the difference
 Community-favourite tools and educators worth checking out 
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Mr Money Mustache – community-recommended financial education: https://www.mrmoneymustache.com
- Frances Cook – personal finance books and podcast host: https://www.francescook.co.nz
- Money King NZ – investment education and reviews: https://moneykingnz.com
- Sorted NZ – tools, guides and calculators: https://sorted.org.nz
- MoneyHub NZ – financial guides and comparisons: https://www.moneyhub.co.nz
- NZ Government FamilyBoost (childcare subsidy): https://www.ird.govt.nz/roles/in-work/familyboost
- Free Financial Mentoring (via MoneyTalks): https://www.moneytalks.co.nz
This episode provides stack of practical ideas you can try today - from making your budget actually work for you, to automating your investing, and finding fresh ways to save without sacrificing joy. Getting better with money isn’t about being perfect… it’s about being consistent, curious and willing to try new things!
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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.

KiwiSaver has changed the way New Zealanders save - but with an ageing population and growing fiscal pressures, the current system won’t be enough to support future generations. In this episode, Simplicity Chief Economist Shamubeel Eaqub lays out his vision for KiwiSaver 2.0: a bolder, more sustainable approach to retirement savings that draws inspiration from successful global models.
He explains why New Zealand’s "pay-as-you-go" superannuation system is becoming increasingly unaffordable, what we can learn from Australia’s compulsory Super regime, and the simple changes that could transform KiwiSaver into a powerful long-term asset for both individuals and the economy.
This month's episode covers:
Why New Zealand’s ageing population makes our current public finances - especially Superannuation and healthcare - increasingly unsustainable
How KiwiSaver has shifted household saving behaviour, but why policy hasn’t kept pace
The case for compulsory employer contributions, modelled on Australia and other high-performing pension systems
How smarter hardship rules and “sidecar” savings could help low-income earners build both resilience today and more security for retirement
The idea of “Baby KiwiSaver” - enrolling children at birth to harness the long-term power of compounding returns
Why a stronger KiwiSaver system could meaningfully boost New Zealand’s investment capacity, infrastructure, and long-term productivity
Shamubeel breaks down complex retirement and fiscal challenges we're facing to show how a bigger, better KiwiSaver could give future generations more choices and help New Zealand shift from a capital-shallow economy to a capital-rich one.
You should come away from this episode with a clearer understanding of why KiwiSaver needs to evolve, and what meaningful reform could look like in the years ahead.
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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.