Money Made Simple

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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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.

In this episode of Money Made Simple, Liv and Jennie jump on the popular “ins and outs” trend - but give it a practical money twist for 2026.
They share realistic financial habits to bring in this year, and the common money mindsets and behaviours to leave out. This isn’t about perfection, restriction or hustle culture - it’s about small, sustainable tweaks that can make managing your money feel simpler and less stressful.
This episode covers:
What to automate (and what to review) to make money admin easier
The power of celebrating small money milestones
Why knowing your KiwiSaver fees matters more than you think
How to spend more intentionally - without cutting all the fun
Why you don’t need to know everything (or have heaps of money) to start investing
How guilt and comparison can quietly derail your financial confidence
The hidden cost of putting off financial admin
Why your money journey doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s
Resource mentioned in this episode:
Sorted NZ – Sorted’s Smart Investor tool lets you compare KiwiSaver and managed fund fees across providers. Filtering by fees helps identify lower-cost options, which can significantly improve long-term returns, as high fees can erode tens of thousands of dollars over a lifetime.
Whether your goal is to save more, stress less, or just feel a bit more on top of things, this episode is packed with simple ideas you can actually stick to. Because better money habits don’t come from being perfect - they come from small steps, taken consistently.
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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 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!

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.