Keep The Change

Today marks 300 episodes of KTC Money Mail. 300 editions ago I was sitting in my one-bedroom apartment during lockdown, getting started. Hitting send on edition one. Today this will go to tens of thousands of people across various platforms. So how to we summarise the 300 editions? Let's try!Hey thanks for listening! Please take some form of action from this content, don’t just be a consumer, become a producer! Make sure you’re subscribed to Money Mail via Keepthechange.co.nz to receive our weekly lesson on money and financial literacy. Stay close to us on social media and share this with someone that you think this content will help. Together we can collectively improve the financial literacy of New Zealand - let’s get on with it. Find us here:@keepthechange_nzhttps://www.keepthechange.co.nz/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amy breaks down why most people feel confused about money... They know what to do but don't do it, they can't articulate what they actually want, and they're stuck thinking "we want to create wealth" without knowing what for. 80% of people know what's good for them but don't follow through. They want passive income but can't explain why. They want to build wealth but haven't defined what success looks like.Money is just the tool. It's the vehicle that gets you from A to B. Nothing more, nothing less.We cover why intention and planning gives you permission to spend, how to map out what your future actually looks like, and why every decision becomes easier when you're clear on your goals. Plus the budget items most people forget: new tires, unexpected repairs, and the stuff that always comes up.Money isn't everything. But having a plan for it means you can focus on what is.Amy from http://Levridge.co.nz has come on as a sponsor of Keep The Change to help people with their financial planning. Stuck? Find Amy : [email protected] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amy.levridgeWebsite: https://www.levridge.co.nzGenerate are supporting my vision to improve the financial literacy of 100,000 kiwis by sponsoring Keep The Change. Cheers Generate. Head to https://www.generatewealth.co.nz/change/ to find out more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

These words stood out to me and should for you too. “It’s been a slog, and I've made many mistakes, but I have grown so much I feel like I'm a completely different person’’. That’s the real win. Becoming the version of yourself that you know that you could be! So HOW did they do it?Hey thanks for listening! Please take some form of action from this content, don’t just be a consumer, become a producer! Make sure you’re subscribed to Money Mail via Keepthechange.co.nz to receive our weekly lesson on money and financial literacy. Stay close to us on social media and share this with someone that you think this content will help. Together we can collectively improve the financial literacy of New Zealand - let’s get on with it. Find us here:@keepthechange_nzhttps://www.keepthechange.co.nz/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2026 is going to be wild. AI will start eating jobs, currencies might collapse, and New Zealand has an election that could get divisive. The question is: are you ready?Luke and Mikey break down how to dominate 2026: take action now while others wait, build psychotic belief in yourself, and use AI as your unfair advantage instead of fearing it. We cover why the people who prepared in 2024-2025 will get rewarded big time, the AI arbitrage opportunity most people can't see, and why complacent people are screwed.The winners of 2026 will be the independent, critical thinkers who are deliberate in their actions. Everyone else gets left behind.We cover election predictions, why young people might finally get angry enough to demand change, and the importance of helping each other through what's coming. Plus the mindset shifts that separate those who thrive from those who just survive.It's time to get to work on 2026, baby.Find Mikey:https://guardiansmith.co.nz/https://instagram.com/officialmikeysmithAmy from http://Levridge.co.nz has come on as a sponsor of Keep The Change to help people with their financial planning. Stuck? Find Amy : [email protected] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amy.levridgeWebsite: https://www.levridge.co.nzGenerate are supporting my vision to improve the financial literacy of 100,000 kiwis by sponsoring Keep The Change. Cheers Generate. Head to https://www.generatewealth.co.nz/change/ to find out more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As we close in on Week 300, I want to share with you an email I received recently and some of the key principles. ‘’For a long time, I let my lack of education and some really destructive self-talk become my narrative. I spiralled into a lot of debt - managed to rack up over $100k worth of the stuff and I have no one to blame but myself. I was spending money recklessly and committing my future wealth on stupid things like motorbikes, overseas trips, and nights out. Nothing useful, I was simply trying to fill the then ever growing hole of not meeting my potential’’. Fast-forward three years and they are now on track to be completely debt-free by August 2026, with a $20,000 emergency fund!Hey thanks for listening! Please take some form of action from this content, don’t just be a consumer, become a producer! Make sure you’re subscribed to Money Mail via Keepthechange.co.nz to receive our weekly lesson on money and financial literacy. Stay close to us on social media and share this with someone that you think this content will help. Together we can collectively improve the financial literacy of New Zealand - let’s get on with it. Find us here:@keepthechange_nzhttps://www.keepthechange.co.nz/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2025 was a strange year for investors, but 2026 could be even stranger. Generate's Greg Smith breaks down what every Kiwi needs to know.We cover the investment trends shaping 2026: why diversification matters more than ever, emerging markets and the political chaos that's coming with Trump's new policies. Plus the New Zealand outlook, why our market hit record highs but still disappointed compared to global returns.Greg shares his predictions for interest rates, the Fed chair drama unfolding in the US, and why Kiwisaver changes mean you need to pay attention. We also discuss the baby boomer wealth transfer, why term deposit money is finally moving into investments, and the sectors to watch.Generate are supporting my vision to improve the financial literacy of 100,000 kiwis by sponsoring Keep The Change. Cheers Generate. Head to https://www.generatewealth.co.nz/change/ to find out more.Please note: No part of this podcast is intended as financial advice; it is intended as general information only. It does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider seeking expert advice before making any decisions. The views expressed by individual speakers are their own and do not necessarily reflect Generate’s opinions. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. To see a copy of Generate's Product Disclosure For more information about Generate's Schemes see their Product Disclosure Statements at http://generatekiwisaver.co.nz/disclosures. The issuer is Generate Investment Management Limited.Find Greg Smith:Email: [email protected] from http://Levridge.co.nz has come on as a sponsor of Keep The Change to help people with their financial planning. Stuck? Find Amy : [email protected] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amy.levridgeWebsite: https://www.levridge.co.nz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sign up to Money Mail for free weekly emails to improve your finances: https://www.keepthechange.co.nz/moneymail Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Labour recently announced a 28% capital gains tax on rentals, batches and commercial properties. Politicians say it'll make housing affordable, but the data says otherwise.Luke and Mikey break down why this won't work: no country has ever lowered house prices with property taxes, wealthy people will just borrow against assets instead of selling, and the revenue projections are fantasy. To get $965 million in year three, they need $3.4 billion in property gains - in this economy?New Zealand is taxed up to your eyeballs. Everything you touch has a tax, levy, or fee. We cover why Australia's CGT didn't stop their property ponzi, how governments get addicted to property tax revenue, and why this policy is 20-30 years too late. Plus the harsh reality: if you want to disincentivize property investment, you needed this before we financialised housing.Capital gains tax won't save New Zealand. It's just another way to extract money from people who actually build wealth.Find Mikey:https://guardiansmith.co.nz/https://instagram.com/officialmikeysmithAmy from http://Levridge.co.nz has come on as a sponsor of Keep The Change to help people with their financial planning. Stuck? Find Amy : [email protected] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amy.levridgeWebsite: https://www.levridge.co.nzGenerate are supporting my vision to improve the financial literacy of 100,000 kiwis by sponsoring Keep The Change. Cheers Generate. Head to https://www.generatewealth.co.nz/change/ to find out more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

‘If no one knows you, money won't flow to you’ - simple but confronting words that stopped me in my tracks a long time ago. Unfortunately, for many, many Kiwi people we are allergic to getting known. But you’re getting in your own way, over complicating it all. All you have to do is be good at something and have people know that you are. That’s all it is now. Keep it that simple to win and progress.Hey thanks for listening! Please take some form of action from this content, don’t just be a consumer, become a producer! Make sure you’re subscribed to Money Mail via Keepthechange.co.nz to receive our weekly lesson on money and financial literacy. Stay close to us on social media and share this with someone that you think this content will help. Together we can collectively improve the financial literacy of New Zealand - let’s get on with it. Find us here:@keepthechange_nzhttps://www.keepthechange.co.nz/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Everyones favourite to predict...and get wrong!See what happened in 2024 and 2025 here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTvtdNmI7gU Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Its not as glamorous as some make it out to be, but here's the truth as to how I make genuinely passive income from New Zealand.Sign up to Money Mail for free weekly emails to improve your finances: https://www.keepthechange.co.nz/moneymail Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 in 2 New Zealanders don't have a will. That means when they die, their family gets chaos, uncertainty, and massive legal bills to sort everything out.Holly from Succession NZ breaks down what actually happens: default rules kick in that split assets between partners and kids (not how most people want it), court applications cost thousands, and families fight over who's in charge. We cover the $40,000 threshold that freezes your Kiwisaver, why getting married cancels your will, and the retirement village fees that shock every family.The brutal reality? Your inheritance can become relationship property if your kids don't protect it properly. Your parents' house could end up half-owned by an ex-partner.Find Holly:https://succession.nzhttps://instagram.com/succession.nz Amy from http://Levridge.co.nz has come on as a sponsor of Keep The Change to help people with their financial planning. Stuck? Find Amy : [email protected] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amy.levridgeWebsite: https://www.levridge.co.nzGenerate are supporting my vision to improve the financial literacy of 100,000 kiwis by sponsoring Keep The Change. Cheers Generate. Head to https://www.generatewealth.co.nz/change/ to find out more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today Im breaking down exactly how to get started investing in New Zealand, and why it may not be what you think... Sign up to Money Mail for free weekly emails to improve your finances: https://www.keepthechange.co.nz/moneymail Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New year, new you yada yada. But 'budgeting' is highly searched at this time of the year. I want to show (or remind) you how I think about budgeting, and it’s the exact system I used to go from credit card debt to building over $1m in assets. And a warning, sorry there are no apps or fancy dashboards. Step 1: Stop “budgeting” and start tracking cash flowHey thanks for listening! Please take some form of action from this content, don’t just be a consumer, become a producer! Make sure you’re subscribed to Money Mail via Keepthechange.co.nz to receive our weekly lesson on money and financial literacy. Stay close to us on social media and share this with someone that you think this content will help. Together we can collectively improve the financial literacy of New Zealand - let’s get on with it. Find us here:@keepthechange_nzhttps://www.keepthechange.co.nz/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sarah breaks down the uncomfortable truth: you're gaining something from your problems. Whether it's safety, comfort, familiarity, identity, or an excuse, if you weren't getting something from them, you'd easily let them go. We cover the three ingredients to change (awareness, action, accountability), how to access your intuition, and why your internal narrative is the most powerful thing you have.Sign up to Money Mail for free weekly emails to improve your finances (and get notified for future events): https://www.keepthechange.co.nz/moneymail Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Max breaks down the journey from age 13 fundraising for refugees to building a proper business: getting his first van at 14, learning to price properly, and connecting with successful clients who became mentors. We cover the loneliness of entrepreneurship, why he's lost friends who don't understand the grind, and how cleaning cars opened doors to learn from millionaires. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bradley Shaw has been around death since he was 16. Now he's the youngest president of the Funeral Directors Association of New Zealand and sees something most people don't: life is way shorter than you think.Bradley breaks down the brutal economics of death, how funeral directors getting stuck with debt from unpaid funerals and why 1 in 5 people are skipping funerals entirely.We cover why people feel more grief over pets than humans, the aging demographic creating massive opportunities, and how the industry has changed from cabinet makers to event managers. Every funeral Bradley attends, he walks away thinking "Life's short, man. What am I doing? Why am I holding back?"The research shows 70% of people find funerals valuable for starting their grief journey. But the bigger lesson? We're all going to get there one day. You've got so much you want to achieve... Why are you waiting?Life is short. It could be way shorter than you realise.Find Bradley:https://gatewayfuneral.co.nz/ https://linkedin.com/in/bradley-shaw-83336b1a6Amy from http://Levridge.co.nz has come on as a sponsor of Keep The Change to help people with their financial planning. Stuck? Find Amy : [email protected] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amy.levridgeWebsite: https://www.levridge.co.nzGenerate are supporting my vision to improve the financial literacy of 100,000 kiwis by sponsoring Keep The Change. Cheers Generate. Head to https://www.generatewealth.co.nz/change/ to find out more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Niethe breaks down the goal setting formula that actually works: Belief + Imagination + Conviction + Expectations = Results. We cover why 95% of people live in blame, excuse, and denial while 5% take ownership, accountability, and responsibility. Plus his journey from dyslexic failure to coaching champions.Sign up to Money Mail for free weekly emails to improve your finances (and get notified for future events): https://www.keepthechange.co.nz/moneymail Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How much money do you want in your hand each month? That’s your goal. Next, get clear on your starting point…How much do you actually have after tax in your hand each month right now? The difference between the two is your gap. Let's close it and get closer to your goal before 2027 gets here.Hey thanks for listening! Please take some form of action from this content, don’t just be a consumer, become a producer! Make sure you’re subscribed to Money Mail via Keepthechange.co.nz to receive our weekly lesson on money and financial literacy. Stay close to us on social media and share this with someone that you think this content will help. Together we can collectively improve the financial literacy of New Zealand - let’s get on with it. Find us here:@keepthechange_nzhttps://www.keepthechange.co.nz/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luke & Mikey reflects on the year that changed everything for them at Keep The Change Unplugged, including the business lessons that came from years of grinding and how success changes your perspective on risk and relationships. Building something meaningful takes time, and most people never see the struggle behind the success. Luke & Mikey share the vulnerable moments, the breakthrough decisions, and why having someone who believes in you changes everything. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most people's minds are a complete mess. They're worried about Bitcoin, day trading, Trump's 50-year loans, and whether they should invest or pay down debt. Meanwhile, they haven't finished chapter one of getting their finances sorted.Luke and Mikey break down why messy thinking kills progress: you're trying to get from chapter one to five without reading two, three, and four. If you can figure out how to focus and clean up your thoughts, you're clear on your direction.We cover the woman in the red dress (shiny object syndrome), why successful people do boring things consistently for years, and how to use the "love-hate exercise" to figure out what actually matters. Plus why saying no to everything else is more important than saying yes to the right thing.Opportunities are unlimited throughout your lifetime. Focus is not. Choose wisely.Find Mikey: https://instagram.com/mikeysmithofficialhttps://guardiansmith.co.nz/Amy from http://Levridge.co.nz has come on as a sponsor of Keep The Change to help people with their financial planning. Stuck? Find Amy : [email protected] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amy.levridgeWebsite: https://www.levridge.co.nzGenerate are supporting my vision to improve the financial literacy of 100,000 kiwis by sponsoring Keep The Change. Cheers Generate. Head to https://www.generatewealth.co.nz/change/ to find out more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Out of interest, I asked the KTC audience how their year was via Instagram. Let's go through some replies. Some raw ones there! And interestingly, 66% said that 2025 was better than expected. For all of us, let’s have a moment to reflect. Ask yourself, was 2025 better than you expected? Next, ask yourself this ripper… ‘What would I need to do in 2026 to have a GREAT year?’.Hey thanks for listening! Please take some form of action from this content, don’t just be a consumer, become a producer! Make sure you’re subscribed to Money Mail via Keepthechange.co.nz to receive our weekly lesson on money and financial literacy. Stay close to us on social media and share this with someone that you think this content will help. Together we can collectively improve the financial literacy of New Zealand - let’s get on with it. Find us here:@keepthechange_nzhttps://www.keepthechange.co.nz/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Blake Evans is 21 years old and generated $1.7million in revenue last month (November 2025). He's running a global e-commerce empire from his bedroom.Blake breaks down the reality of making serious money online, selling his car to fund his business, losing most of his friends, and the journey from working at Wendy's to earning more in a month than the top 1% of Kiwis make in a year.We cover the loneliness of entrepreneurship, why he doesn't care about haters anymore, and how posting lifestyle content brings in new audiences. Plus his advice: pick something and stick to it instead of jumping between shiny objects.Most people his age are worried about assignments. Blake's worried about scaling to eight figures.Find Blake: https://instagram.com/blakeevansnzAmy from http://Levridge.co.nz has come on as a sponsor of Keep The Change to help people with their financial planning. Stuck? Find Amy : [email protected] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amy.levridgeWebsite: https://www.levridge.co.nzGenerate are supporting my vision to improve the financial literacy of 100,000 kiwis by sponsoring Keep The Change. Cheers Generate. Head to https://www.generatewealth.co.nz/change/ to find out more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Earlier this year a statistic from a Censuswide survey said Kiwis are checking their devices up to 50 times an hour. Another report said people get around 146 notifications daily. Recently, Gmail rolled out a new feature: you can now see all the email lists you’re subscribed to in one place. One glance, and you’ll probably realise you are subscribed to way more junk than you thought. I am!Hey thanks for listening! Please take some form of action from this content, don’t just be a consumer, become a producer! Make sure you’re subscribed to Money Mail via Keepthechange.co.nz to receive our weekly lesson on money and financial literacy. Stay close to us on social media and share this with someone that you think this content will help. Together we can collectively improve the financial literacy of New Zealand - let’s get on with it. Find us here:@keepthechange_nzhttps://www.keepthechange.co.nz/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Half the stuff you buy, you can't actually afford. But debt dealers have found a way to break down payments so your future self can pay for today's bad decisions.Luke and Mikey explore what would happen if all consumer debt was banned tomorrow: new car sales would drop 80%, white wear would last 15-20 years instead of 7-10, and people would focus on skills and experiences instead of stuff they can't afford.Debt is a form of slavery. You're pledging your future self to pay for things you want now. Meanwhile, buy now pay later increases average order value by 40% because people add extra items when they're not paying real money.The cage is disguised as convenience. You think you're using their money, but they're using your behaviour to make you spend more.Stop being the bank for your future self. The journey matters more than the transaction.Amy from http://Levridge.co.nz has come on as a sponsor of Keep The Change to help people with their financial planning. Stuck? Find Amy : [email protected] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amy.levridgeWebsite: https://www.levridge.co.nzGenerate are supporting my vision to improve the financial literacy of 100,000 kiwis by sponsoring Keep The Change. Cheers Generate. Head to https://www.generatewealth.co.nz/change/ to find out more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I headed into BDO to talk with their interns about what uni doesn’t teach you:- How not to get stuck in survival & status mode- How most people don’t like their jobs (and how to avoid that)- Using your interests outside work as your advantage- Money traps: debt, status spending & trying to look successful- What freedom really is and how to start aiming for it nowIf you’re a student or grad who wants more than just a paycheck and a job title, this is for you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thanks to everyone who came along to KTC Unplugged 2025. Here's some thoughts from behind the scenes and some insights from the night. Hope to see you at the next one! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If everything you do is safe and predictable, then the outcome will be safe and predictable too. This was a tough life lesson for me to accept. But it seems to be very common nowadays that a lot of people expect extraordinary outcomes with zero actual risk. There’s nothing wrong with these choices, but they’re safe choices. You can’t reasonably expect unsafe rewards from safe behaviour. Our lack of eduction OR acceptance of this can lead to envy.Hey thanks for listening! Please take some form of action from this content, don’t just be a consumer, become a producer! Make sure you’re subscribed to Money Mail via Keepthechange.co.nz to receive our weekly lesson on money and financial literacy. Stay close to us on social media and share this with someone that you think this content will help. Together we can collectively improve the financial literacy of New Zealand - let’s get on with it. Find us here:@keepthechange_nzhttps://www.keepthechange.co.nz/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ryan breaks down his journey from employee to business owner: 12 years working for others, multiple failed attempts at partnerships, and finally finding a seller in Ashburton. We cover the 8-year vendor finance deal that made it possible, why his house losing $45K in value didn't stop him, and how he's now building the practice he always dreamed of.The reality? Most optometrists stay employees forever. Ryan refused to accept that path, even when deals fell through and relationships ended. He kept pushing until he found the right opportunity.From Specsavers pathway programs to independent practice owner, sometimes the long way around is the only way that works.We cover cash flow challenges, paying loans with after-tax income, building community connections, and why small town optometry beats city employment. Plus his next vision: owning a deer farm while running his practice.Twenty years from childhood dream to business reality. Persistence pays off.Find Ryan:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-o-connor-827a9562/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanoconnornz/ Website: https://www.asheye.co.nz/Amy from http://Levridge.co.nz has come on as a sponsor of Keep The Change to help people with their financial planning. Stuck? Find Amy : [email protected] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amy.levridgeWebsite: https://www.levridge.co.nzGet tickets to the 2nd annual in person 'keep the change unplugged' event: https://www.ticketmaster.co.nz/keep-the-change-tickets/artist/3925924Generate are supporting my vision to improve the financial literacy of 100,000 kiwis by sponsoring Keep The Change. Cheers Generate. Head to https://www.generatewealth.co.nz/change/ to find out more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most first home buyers think they need 20% deposit and will take 8-16 years to save it. Meanwhile, house prices keep rising faster than their wages.Jared from Tamaki Regeneration breaks down shared home ownership. We cover how it works with banks, why it's not a scam, and how families are getting keys to new homes in 2-3 years instead of waiting decades.There is hope. You just need to know where to look.Find JaredLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jared-partridge-21615694/Website: https://tamakiregeneration.co.nz/Amy from http://Levridge.co.nz has come on as a sponsor of Keep The Change to help people with their financial planning.Stuck? Find Amy : [email protected]: https://www.instagram.com/amy.levridgeWebsite: https://www.levridge.co.nzGet tickets to the 2nd annual in person 'keep the change unplugged' event: https://www.ticketmaster.co.nz/keep-the-change-tickets/artist/3925924I believe 100,000 kiwi with better financial literacy will create a better New Zealand. The Generate KiwiSaver Scheme are helping me reach this goal. Cheers Generate. Head to https://www.generatewealth.co.nz/change/ to find out more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most employees think their boss is “making a killing.” In this episode, I break down the hidden costs of running a business, the real risks owners carry, and why comparing your hourly rate to what the client pays is a massive misunderstanding. Strap yourself in.Hey thanks for listening! Please take some form of action from this content, don’t just be a consumer, become a producer! Make sure you’re subscribed to Money Mail via Keepthechange.co.nz to receive our weekly lesson on money and financial literacy. Stay close to us on social media and share this with someone that you think this content will help. Together we can collectively improve the financial literacy of New Zealand - let’s get on with it. Find us here:@keepthechange_nzhttps://www.keepthechange.co.nz/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Survive to 25" was bullshit. We're halfway through 2025 and it still feels brutal. But the data is starting to tell a different story.Luke and Mikey break down what's really happening and why 2025 might be looked back on as the economic bottom. We cover the fatigue everyone's feeling, why people are leaving at record levels, and the regional differences across the country.The reality? Some are crushing it while others are struggling. The difference isn't luck, it's taking control of your income instead of waiting for someone else to save you.Find Mikey:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/officialmikeysmith/Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikey-smith-25999548/Website https://guardiansmith.co.nzAmy from http://Levridge.co.nz has come on as a sponsor of Keep The Change to help people with their financial planning. Stuck? Find Amy : [email protected] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amy.levridgeWebsite: https://www.levridge.co.nzGet tickets to the 2nd annual in person 'keep the change unplugged' event: https://www.ticketmaster.co.nz/keep-the-change-tickets/artist/3925924Generate are supporting my vision to improve the financial literacy of 100,000 kiwis by sponsoring Keep The Change. Cheers Generate. Head to https://www.generatewealth.co.nz/change/ to find out more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We hit pause on the day-to-day noise and take a step back to ask ourselves the big questions. Where do we want to be in 12 months? What about in 5 years? What needs to happen this quarter to get us moving? We talk openly about what’s working, what isn’t, what work we want to do, and where we want to push ourselves. Summer and the end of a year is great time to do this. Take it seriously too! You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to get started. Take some time to dream. Make a plan. Share it. Act on it. Review the plan quarterly. Take more action on it.Hey thanks for listening! Please take some form of action from this content, don’t just be a consumer, become a producer! Make sure you’re subscribed to Money Mail via Keepthechange.co.nz to receive our weekly lesson on money and financial literacy. Stay close to us on social media and share this with someone that you think this content will help. Together we can collectively improve the financial literacy of New Zealand - let’s get on with it. Find us here:@keepthechange_nzhttps://www.keepthechange.co.nz/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Someone once told me to focus on my strengths. I said how. They showed me the Gallup’s StrengthsFinder to figure out what I’m actually good at, and what to stop wasting time on. Then the maximiser in me wanted to go deeper on this so I linked up with an incredible human. In this episode, I’ve convinced my secret strengths coach, Suze Oh, to join me for a deep dive into how understanding your natural talents can change the way you work, lead, and live. It certainly did for me. We unpack my Top 10 strengths (yep, the real list), talk about how they show up in business and life, and how you can use your own strengths to make more progress with less burnout.If you’ve ever wondered why you’re wired the way you are, this one’s for you.Find Suze OhWebsite: https://www.thinkplando.co.nz Email: [email protected]: https://calendly.com/suzeoh/Amy from http://Levridge.co.nz has come on as a sponsor of Keep The Change to help people with their financial planning. Stuck? Find Amy : [email protected] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amy.levridgeWebsite: https://www.levridge.co.nzGet tickets to the 2nd annual in person 'keep the change unplugged' event: https://www.ticketmaster.co.nz/keep-the-change-tickets/artist/3925924Generate are supporting my vision to improve the financial literacy of 100,000 kiwis by sponsoring Keep The Change. Cheers Generate. Head to https://www.generatewealth.co.nz/change/ to find out more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every week in NZ, people turn down overtime, stop pushing for bonuses, or refuse side work because they think it’s not worth it. Is that right? Some are even convinced they received less, for working more. The old accountant in me couldn’t help but step in and ask a few questions to try to help.Hey thanks for listening! Please take some form of action from this content, don’t just be a consumer, become a producer! Make sure you’re subscribed to Money Mail via Keepthechange.co.nz to receive our weekly lesson on money and financial literacy. Stay close to us on social media and share this with someone that you think this content will help. Together we can collectively improve the financial literacy of New Zealand - let’s get on with it. Find us here:@keepthechange_nzhttps://www.keepthechange.co.nz/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For 12 months, 70,000 New Zealand citizens have left to live overseas. 60% went to Australia. That's the highest we've ever seen.Our most popular guest yet, Professor Paul Spoonley is back to break down what's really happening: we're losing young graduates, skilled workers, and even 30-somethings who've been in our workforce for years. Meanwhile, net migration has dropped to just 10,000, we've "emptied the coffers" on population growth.The economics are brutal, Australia's offering higher wages on top of relocation fees, while NZ graduates are unable to find jobs whilst sitting with massive debt, so why not move somewhere that pays more?We're facing a 250,000 worker shortage over the next 20 years, but we're losing our best people to countries that value them more.New Zealand has changed. The question is: are we adapting fast enough?Find Paul Spoonley on X: https://x.com/PSpoonley Amy from http://Levridge.co.nz has come on as a sponsor of Keep The Change to help people with their financial planning. Stuck? Find Amy : [email protected] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amy.levridgeWebsite: https://www.levridge.co.nzGet tickets to the 2nd annual in person 'keep the change unplugged' event: https://www.ticketmaster.co.nz/keep-the-change-tickets/artist/3925924I believe 100,000 kiwi with better financial literacy will create a better New Zealand. The Generate KiwiSaver Scheme are helping me reach this goal. Cheers Generate. Head to https://www.generatewealth.co.nz/change/ to find out more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Only 21% of people globally are engaged in their work. That means almost 4 out of 5 people are turning up each day to something that doesn’t really light them up. Crazy, right? Well, probably bloody normal based on the stats. But for me, that’s hard to relate to. So I asked the Keep The Change audience: “Why stay in work you’re not actually engaged in?"Hey thanks for listening! Please take some form of action from this content, don’t just be a consumer, become a producer! Make sure you’re subscribed to Money Mail via Keepthechange.co.nz to receive our weekly lesson on money and financial literacy. Stay close to us on social media and share this with someone that you think this content will help. Together we can collectively improve the financial literacy of New Zealand - let’s get on with it. Find us here:@keepthechange_nzhttps://www.keepthechange.co.nz/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most Kiwi families have no idea what's coming when their parents age. Then they get hit with legal bills, family fights, and financial shocks they never saw coming.Emily Silby breaks down the legal reality every family will face: enduring power of attorney, wills, retirement village contracts, and rest home subsidies. We cover the 30% deferred management fee, why you don't actually own anything in a retirement village, and what happens when your parents can't make decisions anymore.The numbers are brutal: median rent is $600/week, but retirement village fees can hit $400/week on top of your million-dollar entry fee. Meanwhile, 85 is the average age people enter rest care - if they ever do.If your parents don't have wills and enduring power of attorney sorted, you're setting your family up for expensive legal battles and court applications.We cover relationship property traps, residential care subsidies, and why leaving it to the kids to figure out is the worst possible plan. Plus the MSD loan scheme that keeps people out of limbo when houses won't sell.Don't wait until crisis hits. Get the legal structure sorted now, while everyone still has their marbles.Your future self will thank you.Find EmilyEmail: [email protected]: https://linkedin.com/in/emily-silby-a5181290Amy from http://Levridge.co.nz has come on as a sponsor of Keep The Change to help people with their financial planning. Stuck? Find Amy : [email protected] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amy.levridgeWebsite: https://www.levridge.co.nzGet tickets to the 2nd annual in person 'keep the change unplugged' event: https://www.ticketmaster.co.nz/keep-the-change-tickets/artist/3925924I believe 100,000 kiwi with better financial literacy will create a better New Zealand. The Generate KiwiSaver Scheme are helping me reach this goal. Cheers Generate. Head to https://www.generatewealth.co.nz/change/ to find out more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Labour’s Chris Hipkins has put his chips on the table with a Capital Gains Tax. Yep the one that’s always been political poison in New Zealand. Will Labour win an election on this? Don’t know but credit to them getting this out in the public a year before the election so that people can sit with it and have epic Xmas arguments with their family. Let's explore a quick summary of how it would work.Hey thanks for listening! Please take some form of action from this content, don’t just be a consumer, become a producer! Make sure you’re subscribed to Money Mail via Keepthechange.co.nz to receive our weekly lesson on money and financial literacy. Stay close to us on social media and share this with someone that you think this content will help. Together we can collectively improve the financial literacy of New Zealand - let’s get on with it. Find us here:@keepthechange_nzhttps://www.keepthechange.co.nz/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every November, we see the moustaches pop up but what’s really behind the movement?In this episode, we sit down with Robert Dunne, Movember’s New Zealand Manager, to dig into the story behind the mo. We talk about how the campaign started, his involvement, what’s changed in Kiwi men’s health, and why it’s still so hard for blokes to open up.We also cover some tough conversations, and how small actions like growing a moustache can have massive ripple effects for men, families, and communities.This one’s for every guy who’s ever said “I’m fine.” Find RobertEmail: [email protected]: https://nz.movember.comAmy from http://Levridge.co.nz has come on as a sponsor of Keep The Change to help people with their financial planning. Stuck? Find Amy : [email protected] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amy.levridgeWebsite: https://www.levridge.co.nzGet tickets to the 2nd annual in person 'keep the change unplugged' event: https://www.ticketmaster.co.nz/keep-the-change-tickets/artist/3925924I believe 100,000 kiwi with better financial literacy will create a better New Zealand. The Generate KiwiSaver Scheme are helping me reach this goal. Cheers Generate. Head to https://www.generatewealth.co.nz/change/ to find out more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stats NZ dropped some new household wealth data recently. And apparently…we’re richer. The median Kiwi household is now worth $529,000. Remember 'worth' is assets minus liabilities. That median Kiwi household figure is up from $399,000 in 2021. What can we learn from the wealtheir households?Hey thanks for listening! Please take some form of action from this content, don’t just be a consumer, become a producer! Make sure you’re subscribed to Money Mail via Keepthechange.co.nz to receive our weekly lesson on money and financial literacy. Stay close to us on social media and share this with someone that you think this content will help. Together we can collectively improve the financial literacy of New Zealand - let’s get on with it. Find us here:@keepthechange_nzhttps://www.keepthechange.co.nz/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword for Rita, it’s become a core driver of long-term business success. In this episode, Luke sits down with Rita Hammond, founder of Sustaina Grow NZ, to explore how Kiwi businesses can embrace sustainable practices without sacrificing profitability.Rita shares how Sustaina Grow started while juggling three children under three, relief teaching, and an obsession with building a business that mattered. What began as a passion project has grown into a brand that makes gardening simple, fun, and eco-friendly with wool-based grow mats, bestselling packs like strawberries and garlic, and innovative new products like the Garden Bar Project.We dive into:- The challenges of building a business while raising a young family- Why obsession, not balance, has driven Sustaina Grow’s success- Breaking monthly sales records, scaling warehousing, and embracing bold digital marketing strategies- The power of small sustainable actions at home that can create big change for the planet- Behind-the-scenes stories, from landing a $30K corporate contract with Vodafone (before the product even existed!)This conversation is equal parts raw, inspiring, and practical  showing how determination, innovation, and resilience can turn barriers into breakthroughs.Find Sustaina Grow :Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sustaina_growWebsite: http://sustainagrow.co.nz (https://www.sustainagrow.co.nz/)Country calendar feature: https://youtu.be/O1Q_93OedLY?feature=sharedAmy from http://Levridge.co.nz has come on as a sponsor of Keep The Change to help people with their financial planning. Stuck? Find Amy : [email protected] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amy.levridgeWebsite: https://www.levridge.co.nzGet tickets to the 2nd annual in person 'keep the change unplugged' event: https://www.ticketmaster.co.nz/keep-the-change-tickets/artist/3925924Generate are supporting my vision to improve the financial literacy of 100,000 kiwis by sponsoring Keep The Change. Cheers Generate. Head to http://generatekiwisaver.co.nz/change to find out more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Retirement planning isn’t just for you it’s for your whole family. In this candid conversation, I ask Amy to explore the tough but necessary questions about whether your parents (or you) are truly on track. Using insights from Amy’s step-by-step guide, we cover how to assess spending, assets, and retirement gaps; why compounding and smart debt repayment do the heavy lifting; and the practical conversations families should start having now. Whether you’re 30, 50, or helping Mum and Dad, this episode will give you clarity and confidence about the futureAs always, no part of this podcast is intended as financial advice; it is intended as general information only.Amy from http://Levridge.co.nz has come on as a sponsor of Keep The Change to help people with their financial planning. Stuck? Find Amy : [email protected]: https://www.instagram.com/amy.levridgeWebsite: https://www.levridge.co.nzGet tickets to the 2nd annual in person 'keep the change unplugged' event: https://www.ticketmaster.co.nz/keep-the-change-tickets/artist/3925924Generate are supporting my vision to improve the financial literacy of 100,000 kiwis by sponsoring Keep The Change. Cheers Generate. Head to http://generatekiwisaver.co.nz/change to find out more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New Zealand isn't the same country it was five years ago. But most Kiwis are still living like it is.We've shifted from a factory economy to a skills-based economy, but everyone's still thinking like it's 1995. While you're waiting for your 2.6% pay rise, house prices are forecast to grow 6% annually. The math doesn't work.Mikey and I break down what's really happening: why everything feels harder, why traditional employment isn't cutting it anymore, and why some people are thriving while others are struggling.This isn't about doom and gloom. It's about seeing the new rules of the game.The people doing well aren't waiting for the government to save them. They're not hoping their boss gives them a pay rise. They've figured out how to get paid for their skills, not their hours.Treasury's own data shows wages growing at half the rate of asset prices. You can keep pretending this will magically fix itself, or you can adapt to the new reality.The country has changed. The question is: will you?Get tickets to the 2nd annual in person 'keep the change unplugged' event: https://www.ticketmaster.co.nz/keep-the-change-tickets/artist/3925924I believe 100,000 kiwi with better financial literacy will create a better New Zealand. The Generate KiwiSaver Scheme are helping me reach this goal. Cheers Generate. Head to https://generatekiwisaver.co.nz/change to find out more.Amy from https://levridge.co.nz has come on as a sponsor of Keep The Change to help people with their financial planning. Stuck? Find Amy : [email protected]: https://www.instagram.com/amy.levridgeWebsite: https://www.levridge.co.nz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Too many of us have become weak in our reasons. Reasons are very powerful because they carry emotion and can pull us forward. If you haven’t, I would strongly suggest doing some work on your reasons (often called your why, purpose etc.) and drilling into things that are really emotionally powerful for you. We also forget WHO got us here. I was reflecting on this personally recently when doing some planning and I thought it might help you.Hey thanks for listening! Please take some form of action from this content, don’t just be a consumer, become a producer! Make sure you’re subscribed to Money Mail via Keepthechange.co.nz to receive our weekly lesson on money and financial literacy. Stay close to us on social media and share this with someone that you think this content will help. Together we can collectively improve the financial literacy of New Zealand - let’s get on with it. Find us here:@keepthechange_nzhttps://www.keepthechange.co.nz/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most Kiwi employees are sitting on a goldmine and don't even know it.Your boss is probably over 50 and they're thinking about retirement but haven't figured out succession. Meanwhile, you're trading hours for dollars, watching house prices outpace your wages by more than double.Here's what they don't teach you: You can buy into the business you already work for with ZERO cash down.Phil Smith walks through the exact process, from having "the conversation" with your boss, to structuring vendor finance deals that let you pay with future profits. We cover shareholder agreements, valuations, and the traps that catch people out.This isn't some get-rich-quick scheme. It's how smart employees are building real wealth while others complain about not getting ahead.The data is brutal: Treasury forecasts 2.6% wage growth vs 6% house price growth annually. You can't afford to rely on wages forever. Stop waiting for someone else to hand you wealth. Take control of your income. Learn how the game actually works.Find Phil:Book a call with Phil: https://calendly.com/philsmith/buyingWebsite: https://nextadvisory.nzLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillipsmithca/Get tickets to the 2nd annual in person 'keep the change unplugged' event: https://www.ticketmaster.co.nz/keep-the-change-tickets/artist/3925924I believe 100,000 kiwi with better financial literacy will create a better New Zealand. The Generate KiwiSaver Scheme are helping me reach this goal. Cheers Generate. Head to https://generatekiwisaver.co.nz/change to find out more.Amy from https://levridge.co.nz has come on as a sponsor of Keep The Change to help people with their financial planning. Stuck? Find Amy : [email protected]: https://www.instagram.com/amy.levridgeWebsite: https://www.levridge.co.nz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This Money Mail is inspired by my client, who is a business that turns over hundreds of thousands of $$$ and feeds mouths + provides opportunities. What they do, is tested and works. Success leaves clues. I hope you turn this idea into money and have your best Summer yet. Most people wait around hoping money will somehow turn up, but it won’t. So do this!Hey thanks for listening! Please take some form of action from this content, don’t just be a consumer, become a producer! Make sure you’re subscribed to Money Mail via Keepthechange.co.nz to receive our weekly lesson on money and financial literacy. Stay close to us on social media and share this with someone that you think this content will help. Together we can collectively improve the financial literacy of New Zealand - let’s get on with it. Find us here:@keepthechange_nzhttps://www.keepthechange.co.nz/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I headed to Auckland University to talk with first year students about the money lessons you’ll never learn in a classroom.We covered:Why NZ schools and Uni's don’t actually teach you how to make moneyThe real skills that matter for building wealth (and why most people miss them)How to break out of the “get a job, work hard, hope for a pay rise” mindsetThe biggest money myths young Kiwis still believeMy own journey from paper runs and student jobs to financial freedomHonest answers to students’ toughest questions about careers, failure, and finding your strengthsBook Luke for speaking here: https://www.lukekemeys.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Over the next 25 years, New Zealand will undergo the largest intergenerational wealth transfer in its history between $1 trillion and $1.6 trillion in assets moving from baby boomers to their kids and grandkids.But here's the problem: as lawyer Andrew Clements puts it, we're approaching this tsunami with "all the sophistication of a kids' game of pin the tail on a donkey."In this conversation, Andrew breaks down:- Why 90% of family wealth is lost by the third generation (and how to beat those odds)- The three types of kids: rising, entitled, and disempowered (and which ones you're raising)- Why most Kiwis don't have wills (and what happens when you die without one)- The coming crisis in farming and family businesses as owners hit retirement- How ultra-wealthy families stay wealthy for generations (and what we can learn)- Why trusts are still essential tools, not just fashion accessories- The family conversations most Kiwis are too scared to haveIf you're a business owner, parent, or anyone with assets to pass on, this episode could save your family from becoming another wealth transfer disaster story.Find Andrew Clements:Website: https://www.graysonclements.co.nz/our-people/andrew-clementsEmail: [email protected] tickets to the 2nd annual in person 'keep the change unplugged' event: https://www.ticketmaster.co.nz/keep-the-change-tickets/artist/3925924I believe 100,000 kiwi with better financial literacy will create a better New Zealand. The Generate KiwiSaver Scheme are helping me reach this goal. Cheers Generate. Head to https://www.generatewealth.co.nz/change/ to find out more.__________________________________________________________________________________Amy from https://levridge.co.nz has come on as a sponsor of Keep The Change to help people with their financial planning.Stuck with your next move? Find Amy : [email protected]: https://www.instagram.com/amy.levridgeWebsite: https://www.levridge.co.nz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The challenge is simple. Make $100 for yourself. Give $100 to a random. This is a challenge to look around and notice the people who could use a bit of kindness, especially during the festive season. I continue to believe that a little act of generosity can lift someone’s spirits in ways you and I can’t imagine. And this is certainly what the feedback reminded us last year! Recipients were stoked, surprised and some even cried! Who's up for the challenge?Hey thanks for listening! Please take some form of action from this content, don’t just be a consumer, become a producer! Make sure you’re subscribed to Money Mail via Keepthechange.co.nz to receive our weekly lesson on money and financial literacy. Stay close to us on social media and share this with someone that you think this content will help. Together we can collectively improve the financial literacy of New Zealand - let’s get on with it. Find us here:@keepthechange_nz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.