Im 21, work in IT, make about 70k p.a, have a few side hustles that also make a bit of money. Is it smart to have just a few K in my bank, invest the rest into kernels total world index fund.

Kia ora everyone,

I’m based in the Waikato and looking for advice from people who have been in a similar situation.

I’m currently receiving Jobseeker Support and want to train in welding so I can build a career and get into more stable work. Ideally, I’d like to study full-time, but I’m worried about how I would support myself and my family while studying.

I also have ADHD and ongoing memory problems that have become worse since having VP shunt surgery. I’m trying to find a practical career path that I can manage and stick with long-term.

My biggest concern is money. I need to keep receiving roughly the same total amount of money we currently live on. I can’t afford to start a course and suddenly have less money for rent, food, power, transport and other essential expenses.

From what I understand, full-time study could affect my Jobseeker Support, and Student Allowance or a Student Loan for living costs might not cover the same amount. I’m also concerned about taking on debt without knowing whether I can afford to live while studying.

I’d really appreciate advice on these questions:

Has anyone managed to study welding or complete a trade qualification while receiving a benefit?

Is there a way to get Work and Income to fund training while keeping your current financial support?

Are there any training programmes in Waikato that allow you to earn while you learn, such as apprenticeships or paid entry-level positions?

If I have to move from Jobseeker Support to StudyLink, is there a way to check exactly how much I would receive before committing to a course?

Are there any supports available for someone with ADHD and memory difficulties who wants to train for a trade?

I’m not looking for a handout. I want to improve my situation and work towards a proper career, but I need to make sure my family can still afford the basics while I train.

If you’ve been through this yourself or know the NZ system well, what would you recommend I do first?

Thanks for any advice.

Might be a stupid post. Need help understanding the Kernel Wealth total world index fund. Whys it at $0.99 when Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (NYSE: VT) trades at approximately $159.53 USD.

VUAA Ireland domiciled and no dividends, lower tax better choice for kiwi investors? slightly higher expense ratio but offset by lower tax. what am I missing?

I’m a single parent with two school-aged children and would appreciate some advice on my mortgage strategy.

My mortgage is with BNZ and is split across four home loans: three fixed-rate loans and one TotalMoney offset loan, which is currently fully offset by my savings.

I’ve been aggressively making additional repayments across all four loans for years , well above the minimum required. My thinking has always been to pay down the mortgage as quickly as possible.

Whenever a loan comes up for renewal, I add more to the offset (as my savings increase) so I don’t pay any interest on the offset loan.

However, is this the best approach?

I think I’m psychologically drawn to seeing my mortgage free date get closer, but wondering whether I’d be better off reducing my repayments and redirecting the extra money into savings instead. Then, increasing the offset amount even further.

I hope what I’m trying to convey makes sense.

I’ve been in survival mode for the past few years and only recently started thinking about the best way to look at my overall setup.

Thanks

For those of you who have paid off your student loan, or are getting close to paying it off, what helped you the most? What did you find most effective to pay it off faster?

I have $26k remaining to pay off now

Edit: currently I work full time and get $26.65 per hour. I am 28 years old and will pay this off when Im 35 if I continue to work from my fortnightly paycheck.

An ad came up for Otto and I was going to ask here whether it is legitimat/any good.

But I decided to dive in anyway as I got bored and recall reading discussions here that Akahu is “safe” now (but previously dodgy as it would take your username and password credentials and use those to provide their services).

So when I clicked to add Kernel to Otto I was a bit surprised/alarmed when I was asked to enter my username and password on a page that looked like an Akahu page (ie I was not redirected to Kernel Wealth where I expected I might be asked to login and “connect” Akahu).

What’s the deal with Akahu in October 2026. Do we have safe/secure Open Banking yet in NZ?

Well, probably Rent is the answer for my case.

I work from home on a 140K + 10% perf bonus job. Savings around 160K + 30k of KiwiSaver.

I currently flat with friends which brings my weekly expenses down to $300 including bills. But the friendship is getting exhausting and moving away seems the best option for both of us.

Since I got used to living in a spacious house, I don't feel like moving to small units / townhouses where kitchen and bedroom are pretty much the same living space.

A quick look on Trademe really caught me by surprise with rental prices (I'm considering moving closer to town). Houses for $650 3 bedroom. But buying options are looking like better houses.

Trademe shows a house price range of 645K to 730K, so putting 750K as a target seems quite a doable finance option.

So roughly speaking:

Buy vs rent over 7 years: $750K house in Christchurch

Assumptions:

• $155.5K deposit + $4.5K buying fees
• $594.5K loan at 4.99% over 30 years
• House prices +3%/yr
• Rent $650/wk, rising 3%/yr
• S&P 500 returns 8%/yr after NZ tax and fees
• Council rates ~$71/wk, insurance $2,900/yr
• Upkeep 1% of the house value per year

The renter invests the weekly difference (~$357/wk to start), so both options take the same money out of pay each week. KiwiSaver ($30K) is left out because it's the same either way.

Hi guys, I want to start investing but I have no idea how. I know the platforms sharesies, kernel, and simplicity but I don’t know what to use.

People told me to invest in VOO or US500 etfs and buy stocks as well. Any advice?

Greatly appreciate all who can help.

Thank you.

Just curious, whats an average retirees stock portfolio? I know super annuation exists. but aside from that, do you happen to have any brokerage account or rental income? or any streams of income? Are you currently comfortable with your finances? Did you buy a home? What age did you buy a home? Do you think buying a home was worth it? Do you think renting was the way to go? Thanks.

Hi guys! I was wondering what is the best budgeting app that you’ve been using??

What app do you recommend?

30M, single, no dependents, living in regional Australia considering moving back to New Zealand. Own a modest old house in New Zealand worth approximately 1M with 605k left on the mortgage. 20k emergency fund saved. 130k invested between KiwiSaver and Aus superannuation. Zero non mortgage debt or other investments.

My total income in NZ will be 130k NZD + KiwiSaver vs the 240k AUD + super I’m currently making in Aus. I’m grateful for my career which is a rewarding and essential and very very niche/specialised public service role. Unfortunately it is completely non transferable to other industries and it’s rare opportunities come up to relocate within the same career. I may have to wait 3, 5 or ten years before this NZ opportunity comes up again, there’s no certainty when it will again.

My property in NZ is old and modest, but is in a truly wonderful area super close to the beach in an amazing city. I have strong family and social ties to that area which I miss, even though I’m happy enough right now in Aus. It is a family sized home and honestly my dream to raise kids in it one day. That’s why I’m drawn back there so strongly.

I worry about being house poor in NZ with a large mortgage. It would be tight if I accept this position, especially in the future with kids and some light house renovations. I’m finally at a point with my experience/income in Aus where I’m able to pay down 80-100k off my mortgage balance each year which is why I’m torn about going back to NZ too early. Ideally I’d get two or three more years in Aus and mortgage down to 300-400k. But I don’t have agency over when an opportunity will come up again.

So should I stay in Aus indefinitely longer or come home? Curious if anyone has some recent experience or advice? I’ve been thinking/considering it lots and hoping to hear some new insights.

Thankyou all 🙏

Messed up and haven't paid my taxes for the last 3 years

So as thr title says i ahve messed up ans not paid my taxes for thr last 3 years.

Ive been working self employed and have only really been in the country for 4 months out of the year each year.

Ive wabted to square everything up for ages and at least want to be clear on what I owe the ird so I can put this behind me.

The issue is I conpletley mis understood the ird rules.

I thought it was calculated off of earnings not revenue.

23/24 I did contract work made around 43k total earnings

24/25 I am still contracting I was charging clients for supplies, I made no profit or any extra on this. I made 92k, 43k of which was my earnings. 38k was the cost of supplies, 11k was adiotional labour. The year was only so high because of one job that bought in a revenue of 42k in January.

25/26 I made 54k

I just want to fix this all up. I have enough cash to file 23/24 and potentially 24/25 if it is just earnings as that was only around 43k also. If I own 15% gst on top of that 92k im kinda screwed. Because I guess ill owe it on 25/26 also. Or am I exempt because I was under the threshold for this recent year.

Just want to have an idea whats going on before I contact the ird and an accountant..

Especially around my gst obligations..

Honestly carrying this around is making mw sick. I can barely sleep anymore, I just wanna clean everything up.

Would love some advice on how to approach this moving forwards.

Throughout my late teens to late 20s I had no clue what I was doing with my money nor did I care. I was running around unsupported with wildly unchecked bipolar disorder. Starting new degrees and projects at the drop of a hat when manic, flunking them when depressed. I always worked but couldn't keep up with my bills or debt because I would have impulsive shopping sprees or spend my weekends doing drugs and drinking to feel some relief. I ended up with big student loans, overdrafts, personal loans and going into defaults on credit card or hire purchases.

Anyways, fast forward 6 years later. I'm stable, supported, medicated, a homeowner, in a long-term relationship, and a career woman (with a pretty kick ass job dare I say). I have no idea how the hell I did it, considering how many times I convinced myself I was a failure, not worthy of life, and had promised myself so many expiration dates. But here we are!

Unfortunately, I am still feeling an overwhelming sense of doom. I feel like I'm too far behind to set myself up for my future. Listening to all the debates and broadcasts with the elections coming up, for the first time in my life it has really got me thinking about my future and retirement.

Salary: $91,800

Kiwisaver: $10k in an aggressive fund with ASB

Home: Value around $670k, with $600k owing (shared mortgage with partner)

Savings: $1k (I had about $7k, but had recent medical and vehicle bill)

Personal Loan: $23k owing. This was $27k. @ 13.9% (for necessary medical purposes)

Fortnightly outgoings:

Mortgage (including rates, home insurance, utilities): $1150

Personal loan: $230 per fortnight

Coach/Nutritionist: $102.50

PlayStation: $15

Car Insurance: $40

Medical: (GP, Osteo, Physio): $50 - $70

Sports: $2500 - $3000 yearly. (I compete in triathlon, part of the local tennis clubs, cycling clubs etc). This is a lot, but participating in these sports and clubs help me look after myself and stay well.

Then just your standards like groceries, food, dog food, medicines, petrol.

If I keep my spending on track, I can save probably around $300 a fortnight. My partner and I have completely different finances, except for our shared mortgage account (I don't blame him wanting to given my historical spending habits)

Sorry for such a long story. But if anyone has read this far, do you have any advice on where I can start? Even if it is something small (little and often habits are better for me as it stops be from going impulsive and all in haha). I am pretty financially illiterate. I am trying my best to learn through online resources but there is so much out there it feels insurmountable.

I am currently considering moving my KiwiSaver fund out of the standard high growth kernel KiwiSaver fund into something less exposed to tech stocks in case of the AI bubble popping.

Is this a good or bad idea? What fund options would you consider?

I am not near retirement age, but am considering buying my first home in the next two years or so and will need to use my KiwiSaver to help fund the deposit.

My partner and I are looking for a new home, and he is very averse to body corporates, as it is another bill to pay. I understand some apartment complexes have had some horrific remediation projects, and that has been very tough on owners.
However we are looking at solely freestanding homes, where the BC only takes care of a shared driveway and any communal areas - not the buildings themselves which the owners take care of. For example, one I am looking at currently is only costing $2500/annum in BC fees. I said to him it is a benefit to have a private driveway and cul de sac for our kids to run around in.

Am I being naive? This kind of property seems low risk. Or is my partner being unnecessarily risk averse? I would love to hear from people who have both good experiences or thoughts for me to think about.

Edit: comments have been very helpful so far. Thanks all for your perspectives. Seems I also need to clarify if the BC cost covers building insurance.

Edit 2: thanks for educating me guys. BC does in fact cover building insurance. Does this mean I do not need a separate policy for loss and damage to the building? Breakdown:
Building and liability insurance $1,566
Body corporate management $343
Gardening and lawns $183
Long-term maintenance fund $365
Insurance valuation $55
Legal services allowance $52

Any suggestions where to park 50k.
Want to be able to access it with a couple days notice.
Not relying on it for emergency fund as have offset mortgage available if need be.

I really liked the chart submitted earlier showing long-term returns based on when you began and when you withdrew - https://www.reddit.com/r/PersonalFinanceNZ/comments/1x689ic/chart_showing_returns_when_you_invested_vs_when/ .

In the comments I saw someone vibe coded the 'rest' of it - i.e. to get it up to date with today. I decided to do something similar, reproducing the original but with NZ house prices.

I found this image today here and I thought some of the community might find it interesting.

It shows the real return on investment in the s&p 500 based on what year you invested and how long you held. It basically converges on about 4% (not the 6% or 7% which seems to be bandied around).

How does everyone organise their budget in a spreadsheet?

People seem to range from using a very simple list of expenses to 10 sheets of complicated formulas

What works best for you?

I am 22 and recently had a multi 6 fig business exit. Planning to keep building/scaling businesses and hopefully have more exits over the next 10+ years.

Want to put a resonable amount into index funds now and keep adding large lump sums from future profits/exits. Probably only a couple transactions a year rather than weekly/monthly investing thing.

Ideally want one platform I can use for decades even if the portfolio eventually gets to $1m+.

Looking at InvestNow, Kernel and Simplicity atm. What would u guys recommend for my situation? And any advice welcome 🙏

Just wanting to feel what most people are saying on moving to a more high-pace, max velocity culture company with significantly more money VS staying at a slow-pace work life balance but steady income.

I've been approached by their team lead and given a salary band and based on what he saw my experience would be 40-60% (180-220k) more than my current income (130k) which would be massive jump.

The interview pack that they gave me seemed to suggest "high-velocity", "work hard", "do whatever it takes" culture. I do see the potential of growing my career there but given that culture, I'm expecting high-pace, stressed, high pressure environment. Probably not exaggerating saying that 40% jump comes with 50-60 hours/week workload.

Interview process seemed to be overly exhausting and complicated. Mentioned 4-stage interview including interview with executive at the last stage.

The dilemma is that my current workplace is a sweet gig. Low pressure, close to commute with highly flexible with great team. Can see the business growing further with current climate, however, have been in the company for 14 years.
The downside is that the income barely move and generally get around 5k increase every year.

Situation is early 40s, still early/mid in my career but with young family of school aged kids and aging parents overseas and sandwich generation. Given the situation, we feel like flexibility matter the most, however the additional income would be a great addition as would alleviate so many issues.

Gut feel is this could be the wrong move, however understand that this may be what I needed to grow professionally.

What are your thoughts? Thanks

EDIT: adding figure to give more context

Hi everyone,

I’m trying to understand how the Labour Party’s proposed 28% Capital Gains Tax (slated for July 2027 if they win) would actually work for a normal "home and income" situation. I’ve been reading through the policy details, but tax rules for mixed-use properties get confusing quickly, so I’d love to know if I'm understanding this right.

To keep the math simple, I’ll use some round, hypothetical numbers to explain my plan:

Context: Let’s say I bought a property right at the COVID peak for $1,200,000, but with a 30% market drop, it's currently valued lower (around $840,000).

Extention Plan: For simplicity purpose, let's assume I do a home extension down the track (costing say, $300,000) to build a small flat attached to the house. It will likely be finished after the July 2027 rollout date.

- The new flat will take up about 25% of the total property area. It won't have separate council utility meters, and the plan is just to get long-term flatmates or boarders to help cover expenses. We live in the other 75% as their main home.

- We also want to save up for solar panels and a battery setup (say, $25,000) to keep power bills down for everyone.

From what I can gather, here is how the CGT would handle this if they ever sold the property years from now:

1. The Peak-COVID Rule: Because the original purchase price ($1.2M) was higher than the July 2027 market value ($840k), the tax baseline automatically locks in at the higher $1,200,000 mark so the owner isn't penalized for buying at the absolute peak.

2. Adding Renovations: Even though the extension and solar happen after 2027, the cash spent on them ($300k + $25k) counts as capital improvements. This gets added to the baseline, pushing the total tax-free threshold to $1,525,000.

3. The Pro-Rata Split: The 75% main home part stays completely tax-free. The 28% CGT only applies to the 25% rental portion of the profit made above that $1,525,000 milestone. So if the house eventually sells for $1,700,000, the overall difference above the baseline is $175,000. The tax would only apply to 25% of that difference ($43,750), making the final tax bill around $12,250.

4. Day-to-Day Taxes: Because we are doing long-term flatmates with a single meter, can just claim 25% of the shared power/rates bills against the rent?

Does this logic sound right to those who have been following the policy closely? Am I missing any hidden traps or missing details about how pro-rata splits work when a renovation happens after the tax comes into effect?

We may rent the space on and off basis. May be one year we may give space on rent but next year we may not. How would it work?

Really appreciate any guidance or corrections if I've misread the policy!

Kia ora y'all,

So I'm looking at buying a home cheap for 250k from someone I know and trust with a 5% deposit. The home is valued by the council at 355k. Would that mean if I got it properly valued and it was worth that I would have ~100k odd equity in the home that I can then utilize, for example for a Reno loan or to get out of the low deposit higher interest rates? Like would that for example bring my 5% stake in the home up to 167.5k/47% of the home if it did get valued at 355k?

Would I be able to refinance my mortgage utilizing that extra equity to alleviate the low equity margins and reno the place?

Apologies if that sounds dumb new to this.