Money Made Simple

There’s no shortage of money info out there. Everyone seems to have something to say about budgeting, investing, mortgages, KiwiSaver and more.

But how do you know what’s helpful, what’s marketing, what’s just someone’s opinion, and when you might actually need personalised financial advice?

In this episode of Money Made Simple, Liv and Jennie unpack the surprisingly important question of who to trust when it comes to money. They look at the difference between general financial information, education, marketing, opinions and personalised advice - and why understanding the difference can help you make better financial decisions.

This episode covers:
The difference between general education, marketing, opinions and personalised financial advice
Why social media can be a great place to learn about money, but not always the best place to rely on for making big financial decisions
The rise of “finfluencers” - and what to watch out for when it comes to social money content
When it may be worth paying for financial advice rather than relying on general financial information
How to find a financial adviser, including where to start and why it’s worth checking their credentials
Why fee-based, independent advice can be very different from the “free” advice that dominates the NZ finance industry
The red flags to watch for when it comes to financial information and advice (warning - it's getting easier and easier to get taken for a ride!)
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Sorted – independent money guide with comparison tools and calculators: https://sorted.org.nz/
- Financial Advice New Zealand (FANZ) – adviser directory: https://financialadvice.nz/FANZ/FANZ/Consumers/Find-an-Adviser.aspx
- Financial Service Providers Register (FSPR) – check if an advisor is licensed: https://fsp-register.companiesoffice.govt.nz/
- MoneyHub – list of independent, fee-based financial advisers: https://www.moneyhub.co.nz/advisers-list.html
- The Barefoot Investor (Scott Pape): https://www.barefootinvestor.com/
This episode is a reminder that good money decisions don’t usually come from one hot tip, one viral video, or one confident opinion. They come from taking your time, asking questions, understanding who or what is influencing you, and knowing when a decision matters enough to get proper advice.

Simplicity does not hold a financial advice provider licence, so this podcast provides educational information only.
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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 takes a moment to unpack NZ's mid-2026 economic outlook, from the fallout of the war in Iran to signs of a tentative peace.
With inflation pressures building, interest rates trending up again, and an election year adding noise, Shamubeel separates the cyclical shocks from the structural challenges Aotearoa NZ still needs to face.
This episode covers:
Why the tentative truce in Iran doesn't mean cost pressures disappear overnight
How the war disrupted a recovery that was JUST starting to gain momentum
The two-speed export story: a booming rural economy versus struggling old-school manufacturing
How dairy returns are increasingly about farm management, not just rising export prices
What rising immigration and steady job ads reveal about business confidence
The cost of living squeeze and why it's hitting lower-income households hardest
Why the Reserve Bank raising interest rates now could slow this fragile recovery - the warning signs
Why this election year matters more for long-term choices than short-term cycles
By the end of this episode, you'll have a clearer picture of where NZ's economy sits in mid-2026: genuine signs of recovery emerging, but real risks still ahead from rising interest rates, inflation, and global uncertainty.
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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.

Buying your first home can feel exciting, overwhelming, and full of unfamiliar jargon, forms and deadlines. In this episode of Money Made Simple, Liv and Jennie break down the first-home buying process into three key stages: getting your finances ready, making an offer and doing your due diligence, and understanding what happens from going unconditional through to settlement.

This is a practical, plain-English guide to help you understand what’s coming, feel more prepared, and avoid being caught off guard when buying your first home.

This episode covers:
Checking whether you can use your KiwiSaver for your first home and how much you can withdraw
Getting mortgage pre-approval and understanding your borrowing limit
Working with lenders, mortgage brokers, lawyers and building inspectors as your home-buying 'team'
How different house sale types work in NZ
What "due diligence" means, and what it can cost
What “going unconditional” actually means (and when it happens)
Why insurance needs to be sorted before settlement on your new home
Applying for your KiwiSaver withdrawal at the right time
What happens on settlement day
Common watchouts to understand while buying your first home
Helpful links:
- Sorted first home buyer resources
- Simplicity Home Loans
- Simplicity KiwiSaver first home withdrawal information
Please remember, this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal financial situation. Simplicity is not providing financial advice or home loan advice in this episode.
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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 Economy Made Simple, Shamubeel Eaqub chats with journalist, author and personal finance expert Susan Edmunds about KiwiSaver, the questions New Zealanders are asking, and why getting the basics right still matters.
Susan has just written a book about KiwiSaver, based on the questions people regularly ask her - from choosing the right fund and contribution rate, to hardship withdrawals, first-home access, fees, self-employment, and what happens once people reach retirement.
Together, Shamubeel and Susan discuss how KiwiSaver has changed over the past almost 20 years, why it’s no longer just a retirement savings scheme, and where the system could be improved to better support women, lower-income earners, the self-employed, and people over 65.
This episode covers
The most common KiwiSaver questions Susan gets from New Zealanders
Why it’s important to check your fund type, contribution rate and provider settings
How KiwiSaver is being used for retirement, first homes and hardship withdrawals
The impact of total remuneration and why employer contributions matter
Why women, carers and lower-income earners can fall behind in KiwiSaver
The challenges KiwiSaver creates for self-employed people
What retirees need to think about when turning savings into income
Fees, fund performance and how to compare providers
How KiwiSaver could be improved in the future
Tune in for a practical and thoughtful conversation about how KiwiSaver has shaped New Zealanders’ savings habits, what people still need help understanding, and how the scheme could evolve to deliver better outcomes for more Kiwis.

Please note: This episode was recorded before National announced their new KiwiSaver policy plans.
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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.

Retirement can feel like something to worry about “later” - especially when you’re in your 20s or 30s. But every decade comes with opportunities to improve your financial future.
In this episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie and Liv talk about what retirement planning looks like at different ages and stages of life. From making the most of KiwiSaver early on, to checking whether you’re on track in your 40s and 50s, to thinking about how you’ll actually use your savings in retirement, this episode is all about practical steps you can take now - whatever age you are.
In this episode, we cover:
Why retirement planning matters at every age
How money can create choices, independence and dignity later in life
The important role KiwiSaver can play in helping New Zealanders save for their retirement
The power of compounding returns, especially in your 20s and 30s
How to make sure you’re getting the most from KiwiSaver, including contributing regularly, maximising the benefits and choosing the right fund for you (at the right time)
What to review in your 40s and 50s, especially as your life priorities change
How to think about the lifestyle you want in retirement - and what it might cost
What to consider in your 60s as you move from saving to spending
Retirement isn’t just about accumulating money - it’s about independence, security and having choices later in life. And no matter your age, there is almost always something you can do to improve your future. The key takeaways are - start early if you can (but don’t panic if you haven’t), check your KiwiSaver settings regularly, take time to think about the retirement you actually want and make small adjustments as your life changes.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Simplicity KiwiSaver Fund Selector
Simplicity KiwiSaver calculators
Simplicity Future Projection Tool — available to members only in the Simplicity member app 
Sorted retirement calculator and guides
Massey University New Zealand Retirement Expenditure Guidelines 2025
MMS podcast on Compounding Returns - The Money Makes Money episode 
Resource we should have mentioned but didn't (opps): 
Simplicity Retirement Decumulation Tool (it helps you plan how to withdraw funds to ensure your nest egg lasts for your retirement years) available to members in the Simplicity member app.
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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.