Money Made Simple

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!

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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.

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!

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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 week's episode of Money Made Simple, Liv and Jennie tackle a surprisingly common KiwiSaver question: how do you switch providers, and is there a “right” time to do it? They break down what happens behind the scenes with your provider and the IRD, why switching can be a smart long-term move (without trying to time the market), and the most common worries that stop people from taking smart action.
This episode covers:
 What “switching providers” actually means (and how that’s different to switching funds) 
 The main reasons people change provider (over and above just performance and fees!)
 What actually happens 'behind the curtain' when it comes to the transfer process
 The typical timeframe it takes to switch providers, and how long your money might be “out of the market” 
 The 5 biggest worries around switching between providers, and which worries are valid vs. not so worth dwelling on...
 Resources mentioned in this episode: 
-  Compare KiwiSaver funds using Sorted’s Smart Investor tool: https://smartinvestor.sorted.org.nz/kiwisaver-and-managed-funds/?managedFundTypes=kiwisaver
- Sorted's Fund Finder tool: https://sorted.org.nz/tools/kiwisaver-fund-finder/
-  IRD’s list of KiwiSaver providers: https://www.ird.govt.nz/kiwisaver/kiwisaver-individuals/joining-kiwisaver/kiwisaver-providers
-  myIR help info: https://www.ird.govt.nz/myir-help/logging-in/find-username
By the end of this episode, you’ll know what the switching process actually looks like (spoiler: no awkward breakup call required), what matters most when choosing a provider, and how to make the decision based on long-term fit instead of trying to pick the “perfect” day, week or 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!

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Instagram
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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 and Jennie unpack a stubborn and confronting reality: the retirement savings gap between men and women. While the gender pay gap has narrowed in recent years, the KiwiSaver gender gap remains - and in some age groups, it’s even widening.
With International Women’s Day in mind, this episode dives into the data behind the gap, why it exists, and what it means for women’s financial security in retirement. Most importantly, Jennie and Liv share practical, realistic steps women (and their allies!) can take to help close it.
This episode covers:
The latest Retirement Commission data showing a 25% average KiwiSaver gap between men and women
How the gap widens with age - reaching up to 36–37% for those nearing retirement
Why compounding makes early balance differences much bigger over time
The key drivers of the gap: lower lifetime earnings, time out of the workforce, and system design
How caregiving, part-time work, and parental leave affect long-term retirement savings
What lower balances mean in later life - including higher reliance on NZ Super and greater risk of financial insecurity
Policy changes that help, including KiwiSaver contributions during paid parental leave
Practical actions: checking your fund type and fees, increasing contributions early, negotiating pay, and reviewing your KiwiSaver after major life events
Why shared financial planning with partners can help reduce long-term inequality
Jennie and Liv explain in plain English why this gap isn’t a personal failing - it’s the result of income inequality, caregiving patterns, and structural settings that compound over time. But small, consistent steps can make a meaningful difference.
If, after listening to this episode, you decide to review your KiwiSaver settings, consider seeking personalised financial advice to make sure any decisions are right for your individual situation and goals. And if you’re navigating a separation or relationship change, you may want to seek independent legal advice about how KiwiSaver is treated as relationship property.
This episode is a timely reminder that equity matters in money as much as it does in opportunity, and that understanding your KiwiSaver today could shape your financial freedom tomorrow. 
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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 inflation in plain English, explaining what’s actually driving rising prices in NZ and what households can realistically expect in 2026.
Inflation has dominated headlines and kitchen table conversations alike. From groceries and electricity bills to mortgage rates and job prospects, Shamubeel explores why the cost of living still feels intense, even as headline inflation "moderates".
This episode covers:
What inflation actually measures and how the Consumer Price Index (CPI) works in NZ
Why recent inflation has felt especially painful, particularly for food and everyday essentials
The different causes of inflation in NZ
How the Reserve Bank responds to inflation and why interest rates move in cycles
Why price increases have been uneven across sectors, with essentials rising while big-ticket items fall
What to expect in 2026 for food prices, insurance, rates, wages and the labour market
Why/how inflation impacts low-income households and retirees more severely
Shamubeel also reflects on how recent inflation has shifted over time, from pandemic disruptions to labour shortages and now to cost pressures in necessities. He explains why we’re unlikely to see prices fall sharply, but why moderating inflation combined with improving job prospects could bring some relief next year.
If you’ve been wondering why your weekly supermarket bill feels heavier, why mortgage rates move the way they do, or whether 2026 might finally feel easier, this episode gives you the context to understand what’s happening and what could come next.

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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.