The Prosperity Project

It’s one of those jobs many of us put off - but dying without a Will can leave your loved ones in legal and financial chaos. In fact, if you die without a will, your estate is divided under New Zealand’s Administration Act and there's not much your loved ones can do about it. Holly Edgerton, founder of online will-planning service Succession joins Nadine to explain why it's so important to have a will, what that will should include, and what happens if you never get around to writing one. If you have a question you want answered, or a financial story to share, get in touch at [email protected] omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Overflowing wardrobe? It might be worth more than you think. Aidan Bartlett, CEO of Designer Wardrobe, joins Nadine to talk about the booming second-hand fashion market. From unlocking the $1000 sitting idle in your closet to sellers making tens of thousands, resale is growing five times faster than traditional retail. Aidan reveals the secrets to getting the best price for your clothes, the role of AI in making selling easier and why buying pre-loved is set to overtake fast fashion by the end of the decade.  If you have a question you want answered, or a financial story to share, get in touch at [email protected] omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You got into your first home unscathed, so buying again will be a breeze, right? Wrong. When it comes to moving up the property ladder, going from your first home to your second introduces a whole new level of stress to a homeowner's journey.  Squirrel mortgage adviser Kat McInnes joins Nadine to talk through what can go wrong, and how to avoid sabotaging yourself on the next rung of the ladder.If you have a question you want answered, or a financial story to share, get in touch at [email protected] See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tax deductions can be confusing, especially when you’re trying to figure out what you can and can’t claim if you're running a business or are self-employed. So, what’s a legit deduction and what’s not? How do you make the most of what you can claim without crossing the line? And what happens if the IRD think you've crossed that line? Catriona Knapp, director at Future Focused Accountants ,joins Nadine Higgins to share practical tips, clear up common misconceptions and help you feel confident come tax time.If you have a question you want answered, or a financial story to share, get in touch at [email protected] See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amid the soaring cost of everything from butter and cheese to rates and insurance, tips on how to trim your budget abound. But once that budget's cut to the quick, the only alternative is to earn more. While the need for side hustles can be controversial, Tracy Hemingway – who used them to escape $94,000 of debt and buy her first home in just four years – says they can serve a purpose short term. Now a financial advisor and mortgage broker known as the Debt Free Diva, Tracy joins Nadine Higgins to talk about her side hustle experience and share tips for those wanting to bring in some extra cash. If you have a question you want answered, or a financial story to share, get in touch at [email protected] See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Private Equity is starting to become part of the asset mix for an increasing number of KiwiSaver providers, with Fisher Funds the latest to ramp up their Private Equity offering.  Many people may think of corporate raiders when it comes to private equity - the type that sell the business off for parts - but how does that image fit with these new changes? And what are the opportunities, and the risks, for KiwiSavers?  This week, Nadine is joined by Fisher Funds’ Chief Investment Officer Ashley Gardyne to discuss how what you need to know about the changing investments.  If you have a question you want answered, or a financial story to share, get in touch at [email protected] See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trusts are billed as a way to protect your assets and pass your wealth on to the next generation, and they’ve become a common thing for a family to set-up.    But the rules around them have changed significantly over the years – so are they still useful, or more hassle than they’re worth? Henry Stokes is a trust specialist and Perpetual Guardian’s General Council, and joins Nadine to discuss the ins and outs of trusts, and why most of the 400,000 trusts in New Zealand probably serve no purpose at all. If you have a question you want answered, or a financial story to share, get in touch at [email protected] See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all know that ‘til death do us part’ doesn’t always end up that way, even if we don't like thinking about it. But divorce can be financially devastating, and some simple errors can make that process even more costly and difficult than it needs to be.  Enable.me financial adviser Shelley Palman, who has been through divorce herself and coached countless clients through the process, joins Nadine this week to discuss the simple do's and don't's when it comes to getting divorced that could help avoid unnecessary costs - and could even help you with your current relationship! If you have a question you want answered, or a financial story to share, get in touch at [email protected]  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s one thing to decide to move on from a job or career, but what happens when you’re at the top of your game and your job just... evaporates?  After many years as a television journalist, Melissa Chan-Green was co-hosting The AM Show on Three when Warner Bros. Discovery announced it was closing Newshub and its associated shows.   So how do you navigate the financial side of redundancy, and then find your feet again in a shrinking industry?  Melissa Chan-Green joins Nadine this week on The Prosperity Project to talk about her approach to money in the media industry, how redundancy allowed her to redefine herself, and how she went about finding a new purpose.  You can find School Shorts - Melissa's new podcast for parents - wherever your get your podcasts.  If you have a question you want answered, or a financial story to share, get in touch at [email protected]  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When it comes to investing, we all know the usual suspects – shares, bonds, property, gold.  But the latest Financial Services Council report found 7% of people have ‘collectables’ among their investments.  So what makes something you like to collect an investment ... and how do you make money out of it?  Gertjan Verdickt is a finance expert at the University of Auckland, who has written a book about ‘passion’ investing, The Passion Portfolio, and he joins Nadine this week to explain how it all works.  If you have a question you want answered, or a financial story to share, get in touch at [email protected]  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Māori Millionaire Te Kahukura Boynton is a young wahine on a mission to change not just her own money mindset and financial trajectory, but that of her people.  At just 21, she is a podcaster, entrepreneur and now the author of Māori Millionaire – A Beginner’s Guide to Building Better Money Habits. She joins Nadine this week to talk her journey, how close she is to becoming a millionaire, and why prioritising her health is a key part of that journey.  If you have a question you want answered, or a financial story to share, get in touch at [email protected]  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealanders are among the most underinsured in the OECD, according to the Financial Services Council.   We insure our cars, our houses and our other stuff, but not what is arguably our biggest asset - ourselves.  Givealittle fundraisers for families that have hit hard times and need help have become increasingly common. But is insurance the answer, and if so, why don’t more of us have it?  Today, Nadine is digging into the specifics of insurance, and our avoidance of it, with insurance adviser Willie Moala. If you have a question you want answered, or a financial story to share, get in touch at [email protected]  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a decade in a career, it’s perhaps not unusual that you’d consider doing something different, but some career changes can be bolder than others.   Morgan Penn is a somatic sexologist, and co-host of the multi-award-winning juggernaut of a podcast, Sex.Life.   But before that, she spent 15 years in the media – so this was not just your regular run-of-the-mill career change. She joins Nadine to talk about her financial journey - what motivated her career change, how she made the finances work, and how she has handled turning herself and her own story into a brand.  If you have a question you want answered, or a financial story to share, get in touch at [email protected]  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sharemarkets have been like the wild west this year. We’re told to ‘buy the dip’ because that’s when shares are on a big briscoes-esque sale, but before you know you’ve blinked, and the dip is done So if you’re just getting started dabbling in investing and have been thrown by the year's events so far, what do you need to know about the mechanics of it? How do you invest internationally, and can you invest in some of the biggest companies imaginable?  Nadine is running through the lot with co-founder, director and 3EO of Sharesies, Leighton Roberts.  If you have a question you want answered, or a financial story to share, get in touch at [email protected]  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Owning a pet can bring aso much joy to your life - but it can also bring some big expenses.  Some people can spend a fortune on their pets, and as they get older, those costs often increase. And that's before you factor in breeds and how that can impact what you spend.  To talk about some of the costs that you need to be prepared for, this week Nadine is joined by Michelle de Long, chief operating officer at PD Pet Insurance If you have a question you want answered, or a financial story to share, get in touch at [email protected]  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government has unveiled the latest Budget, and it is full of things that are likely to affect your back pocket in one way or another – with changes to KiwiSaver, Best Start, JobSeeker benefits, and Working for Families.  If all the headlines sent you a bit cross eyed, don’t worry - today we’re going to step you through the detail so you know what you’re dealing with.  To help us do that, Nadine is joined by the NZ Herald's Wellington Business Editor, Jenée Tibshraeny, to discuss the big changes and how they impact you. If you have a question you want answered, or a financial story to share, get in touch at [email protected]  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Buying property is one of the biggest financial commitments you’ll ever make, and in this country, it can be really difficult to achieve.   For most of us, the most important first step is to qualify for a mortgage.  So, how do you improve your chances of getting the lending you need to be in the market, and what do you need to know about what you’ve signed up for?  This week, Nadine talks with director of The Loan Market and senior advisor Cam Marcroft to get all the tips and tricks you need to get on the property ladder.  If you have a question you want answered, or a financial story to share, get in touch at [email protected]  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The average wedding in New Zealand is on the rise - once thought to be around $30,000, that cost for higher-end weddings has doubled in recent years. Finance companies often feature pictures of weddings when touting their high-interest loans, but debt is no way to start your life of wedded bliss. So how can you avoid financial stress when planning your big day?  This week, Nadine is joined by Astrid Braid, wedding planner at PS I Love You Events, to talk through what costs you should look at cutting on your big day, and which ones are worth investing the big bucks in.  If you have a question you want answered, or a financial story to share, get in touch at [email protected]  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwis are pretty familiar with the idea of investing in property, but more often than not, it’s in houses, apartments, or other types of residential property.  But more and more people are asking if they should instead consider commercial property. This week, Nadine talks with CEO of property investment firm Rethink Group, and commercial property investor, Scott O’Neill, to discuss the ins and outs of commercial property.  If you have a question you want answered, or a financial story to share, get in touch at [email protected] See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How long could you last if your income stopped tomorrow? Culd you handle a big, unexpected bill without going into debt? And how often do you worry about money?  Those are all metrics in the Financial Resilience Index, a survey on Kiwis’ money habits and stability - so what does it tell us, and crucially, what should we do with that information?  This week, Nadine is talking with the Chief Executive of the Financial Services Council, Kirk Hope, about what his organisation's survey tells us about Kiwis and their money.  If you have a question you want answered, or a financial story to share, get in touch at [email protected] See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The path to becoming a social media influencer or content creator is one a lot of people aspire to these days - in fact, one survey suggested 57 percent for Gen Zers want that career path.  But how easy it is to get into this path, and make it pay?  Julian Sewell is a Kiwi who’s made it big on Instagram and TikTok, although you may know him as his silver haired alter ego, Paloma Diamond.   His first video parodying the Hollywood awards season in 2023 now has over 23 million views on TikTok, and he has 3 million followers across that platform and Instagram. He joins Nadine this week to discuss how his career blew up, and how one actually makes money from social media. If you have a question you want answered, or a financial story to share, get in touch at [email protected] See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When the US President Donald Trump announced a pause on reciprocal tariffs last week, prompting a massive rally on the markets - he admitted he did so after watching the bond market.  So, why is the bond market so significant, and what do you need to know about how it works - especially given you likely own some in your KiwiSaver fund! Today, Nadine is joined by Matt Logan from Fisher Funds to discuss what the bond market is, how it all works, and how you can invest in it.  If you have a question you want answered, or a financial story to share, get in touch at [email protected] See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More than 3.3 million New Zealanders are in KiwiSaver, and they now have more than $110 billion invested  - but too many of us are not making the most of the scheme.  So this week, Nadine is joined by finance expert, columnist and author Mary Holm, who has just revised and updated her 8th book, Rich Enough, to get some guidance on how to ensure you are making the most from the scheme. If you have a question you want answered, or a financial story to share, get in touch at [email protected]  To compare KiwiSaver funds, Mary recommended the Sorted calculator: https://sorted.org.nz/tools/kiwisaver-fund-finder/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recently, the price of gold has been hovering near record highs at over NZ$5000 an ounce - that’s less than 30 grams for those of us only versed in the metric system! It’s commonly thought of as a ‘safe haven’ asset, but why is that? How does it help your investments when the world is an uncertain place? How do you make money out of it? How do you own it? And does your jewellery count. To help us answer those questions, today Nadine is joined by two guests. First, Mark Lister, investment director at Craigs Investment Partners to discuss why people are buying gold And then she talks to financial advisor Louis Boulanger, on the practicalities of owning gold.  If you have a question you want answered, or a financial story to share, get in touch at [email protected] See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

March 31st marks the end of the financial year, and while that doesn’t mean much for the average employee, it does mean that you are probably due for a pay review.   Salaries are a big topic of discussion right now – specifically, how salaries in New Zealand compare to those overseas, with so many Kiwis leaving the country.   So if you are booked in for a pay review in the coming weeks, what can you do to try and improve your pay?   This week, Nadine is joined by Robert Walters Australia and New Zealand chief executive Shay Peters to discuss what employees and employers are expecting this year, advice for getting that pay boost, and what employers can offer beyond salary increases. If you have a question you want answered, or a financial story to share, get in touch at [email protected] See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’ve peeked at your KiwiSaver or other investments lately - it might have given you a bit of a rude shock.  With the US introducing tariffs, withdrawing them, threatening to double them, and other countries starting to retaliate, there’s a lot of uncertainty out there, and that's one thing market really don’t like.  So what do you need to know, and what – if anything – should be doing about it? Mark Riggall, a portfolio manager for Milford Asset Management, joins Nadine this week to discuss what you need to know. If you have a question you want answered, or a financial story to share, get in touch at [email protected] See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emily Owens has grim personal experience of adversity and financial insecurity – from sleeping in her car, feeling trapped by domestic violence, and becoming a widowed single mother at age 20 when her son was just 5 weeks old. But she’s channelled that experience into a meaningful career focused on helping others make good financial decisions. She shared her story of survival and finding purpose with Nadine this week to mark International Women’s Day, and to offer hope to those struggling. If you have a question you want answered, or a financial story to share, get in touch at [email protected] See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s episode is for anyone who’s looked at the price of houses in this country and felt a bit depressed - for many, it seems like that particular dream out of reach, so why bother trying? While housing is expensive, there are other ways to get onto the housing ladder – but there’s a fair bit you need to know to ensure it doesn’t go pear-shaped.  To help everyone navigate some of the options, and the fishhooks with them, Nadine chats with Amy Stevens, the founder of Slice – a platform that helps people achieve the home ownership dream.  And then she talks to Ali Ventura, who teamed up with two friends alongside her husband to buy a home together and how that's working - especially now that she has a baby in the mix.  If you have a question you want answered, or a financial story to share, get in touch at [email protected] See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

if you have a mortgage, you’re likely weighing up your next move after the Reserve Bank cut the Official Cash Rate from 4.25% to 3.75%.  More than 80% of mortgages are due to refix this year, because most people have been opting for floating rates or short terms,  waiting for the right time to pounce as interest rates fell.  So is that time now or should you continue to wait?  This week, Nadine looks at what you should do with the founder of Squirrel Mortgages, John Bolton. If you have a question you want answered, or a financial story to share, get in touch at [email protected] See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The word ‘Retirement’ can prompt a range of reactions. Some yawn, because it’s ages away and there’s heaps of time to sort it. Some people feel a little uncomfortable because it’s not ages away, and they’re not sure if they’re sorted - and some panic because it’s just around the corner they know they’re not sorted.   Listener Sandra is in one of the latter two stages. She wrote in to Nadine with the following concern:  I am 57, have been single for 20 years, and most of that time I have been self employed.  I have struggled watching my friends over the years with two incomes traveling, upgrading their homes, new cars etc.  I work long hours and don’t feel like I’m getting anywhere. I realize that I actually lack focus. My relationship with money has not been great and as I get closer to retirement age, I’m starting to realize it’s now or never to start turning that around but am so confused at how to do that.  To get the answers for people like Sandra, this week Nadine is joined by Tom Hartman, the personal finance lead at the Retirement Commission.  If you have a question you want answered, or a financial story to share, get in touch at [email protected]  For the tools mentioned by Tom in the episode, visit here: https://sorted.org.nz/tools/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Having a baby is life-altering in every respect - and your finances are no exception.   But there are ways to navigate how much growing your family can turn your finances upside down.   Stephanie Pow is the founder of Crayon. She’s on a mission to make it easier for parents to effectively manage the dollars and cents alongside the nappies and sleepless nights.  She joins Nadine this week to discuss what people need to know about parental leave, including some 'quirks' in the law that can be surprising - and costly - for parents.  If you have a question you want answered, or a financial story to share, get in touch at [email protected] See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If every time you have holiday at the beach you think ‘how can I just stay here fulltime and escape the rat race in the city’ - today’s episode is for you.  Dallas and Donna Gurney were two corporate high fliers hustling hard and enjoying city life – when a major life curveball prompted them to re-think everything.  They chucked in their Auckland jobs to take on a bold new adventure as the new owners of the General Store in Whananaki, an idyllic spot in Northland with a regular population of about 500 people  They join Nadine today to discuss why they made the move, what they've learned from it, and how a big change isn’t without its challenges. If you have a question you want answered, or a financial story to share, get in touch at [email protected] See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If feel like you’re done working for ‘the man’, and you want lexibility, autonomy, to be the master of your own destiny - you might be considering chucking in your job and working for yourself.  But behind the romantic ideal of self employment, there is a bit to get your head around if you’ve only ever been an employee. This week, Nadine is joined by James Fuller, the co-founder of Hnry – a platform that helps sole traders and freelancers sort their taxes - to discuss what you need to know about different taxes, ACC, claiming personal expenses and whether you need to register your company. If you have a question you want answered, or a financial story to share, get in touch at [email protected]  Links for more information:https://www.tools.business.govt.nz/choose-business-structure/ https://www.nataliecoombe.com/nail-your-pricing See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If your enthusiasm to maintain your “New Year, new me” financial goals is starting wane already, you’re not alone – most resolutions are abandoned by February! But experts in finance and psychology say there’s both art and a science to setting financial goals and adopting the behavioural change that helps you stick to them. Join Nadine this week as she discusses how to stick to your financial goals in 2025 with EnableMe's Hannah McQueen and clinical psychologist Jacqui Maguire.  If you have a question you want answered, or a financial story to share, get in touch at [email protected] See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you have a question you want answered, or a financial story to share, get in touch at [email protected] See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.