The Prosperity Project
The Prosperity Project
The Prosperity Project is a weekly personal finance podcast from the NZ Herald. Join host Nadine Higgins every Monday as she talks to experts from New Zealand and around the world about the biggest money issues to help you become more prosperous. Follow The Prosperity Project on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts. To get in touch with the podcast, email nadine.higgins@nzme.co.nzSocial links:
If you lose capacity, who actually makes your decisions?
If you suddenly became unable to make your own decisions, would your spouse or family automatically be able to step in? Not necessarily. An enduring power of attorney allows someone you trust to manage your finances or make decisions about your personal care and welfare if you can’t. Without one,…
31:26
Who really pays for election promises?
No new taxes. Free GP visits. Cheaper public transport. Solar subsidies. KiwiSaver changes. The election promises are coming thick and fast — but what will they actually mean for your finances? On The Prosperity Project, Katie Bradford joins Nadine Higgins to unpack how the major parties’ policie…
35:37
The home-buying red flags you can’t afford to ignore
Buying a home used to mean checking the LIM, getting a builder’s report and sorting the mortgage. But natural hazards, insurance restrictions and increasingly complex property issues mean buyers now have much more to consider. Solicitor and Landley Law director Sue Foley joins Nadine Higgins to ex…
32:22
How to know if your KiwiSaver is working for you
How often should you review your KiwiSaver — and what should you actually be looking at? In this episode of The Prosperity Project, we talk through what matters when reviewing your KiwiSaver, from your retirement goals and contribution levels to fees, fund types and provider performance. Financia…
29:54
What to do when you can’t pay your debts
What happens when you simply can’t afford to pay your debts? FinCap financial mentor Charlotte Whitakker joins The Prosperity Project to explain the options available when debt becomes overwhelming — from negotiating with lenders and hardship applications to KiwiSaver withdrawals, debt repayment o…
33:53
The mistakes buyers make in front of real estate agents
Buying or selling a house is a complicated and often confusing process that real estate agents are smack in the middle of, and stand to benefit from. So what should we share when dealing with an agent, and what should we keep close to our chest? Barfoot & Thompson real estate agent Ryan Harding …
33:11
What happens to your money in a retirement village?
Moving into a retirement village can offer community, convenience and freedom from maintaining a family home — but the financial arrangement is very different from buying property. Anthony Harper law firm partner Jenny Baldwin explains occupation right agreements, ongoing fees, capital gains, defe…
30:02
When should you teach children about money?
Are you raising a child who thinks money just appears? From pocket money and piggy banks to KiwiSaver, first jobs and the temptation to bail them out, the lessons start much earlier than many parents realise. So, should chores earn cash? When should children start investing? And when is it better …
29:33
What banks really check before approving your mortgage
Buying your first home can feel impossible, but you may be closer than you think. Mortgage adviser Michelle Isemonger joins Nadine Higgins to explain how to prepare before applying for finance, what banks are looking for and whether you really need a 20% deposit. They also cover pre-approval, Kiw…
31:31
Why mortgage rates don’t follow the OCR
The OCR has risen, but does that automatically mean your mortgage rate will rise with it? Economist and commentator Bernard Hickey explains what really drives fixed mortgage rates, why New Zealand’s banks remain exceptionally profitable, and whether the Reserve Bank has moved too soon while the ec…
32:43