Habits of High Performers Podcast with James Laughlin

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Why You Don’t Need Millions to Retire with Mary Holm

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Jan 18, 2026

Guest

Mary Holm

Mary Holm, a financial author and analyst known for her book 'Rich Enough,' discusses achievable wealth and financial happiness. She highlights how the pursuit of wealth doesn't always equate to happiness, urging listeners to focus on being 'rich enough.' Mary explains crucial KiwiSaver strategies, emphasizes the importance of low fees, and debunks property investment myths. She also shares wise insights on balancing savings and lifestyle, the benefits of dollar-cost averaging, and the value of nurturing relationships and nature for a fulfilling retirement.

01:01:36

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INSIGHT

'Rich Enough' Beats Endless Accumulation

Chasing ever-more money often reduces happiness because people may end up on a treadmill of working more and enjoying less.
Mary Holm argues 'rich enough' — having enough to live well — matters more than maximizing wealth endlessly.

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ADVICE

Pick KiwiSaver By Risk Then Fees

Choose your KiwiSaver fund by risk level first based on when you'll use the money, then pick the provider with the lowest fees.
Use Sorted's Smart Investor tool to compare funds by risk and fees rather than chasing past returns.

insights

INSIGHT

Fees Compound More Than You Think

Small differences in fees compound massively over decades and can swamp performance differences.
Mary Holm recommends prioritising low fees because long-term returns are sensitive to fees.

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Why 'Rich Enough' Beats Chasing Wealth

01:07 • 2min

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Happiness, Wealth Thresholds, and Work Treadmills

02:42 • 2min

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The Idea Behind 'Rich Enough' and Purpose

04:26 • 3min

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How Much Do You Really Need to Retire?

Rule of Thumb: $100k Gives $100 Weekly

09:36 • 2min

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Attitude Matters: Living Well on Modest Income

11:28 • 1min

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Trust and Choosing a KiwiSaver Provider

12:39 • 1min

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Picking KiwiSaver: Risk Level First

13:48 • 1min

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Fees Matter More Than Recent Returns

14:54 • 1min

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Why Low-Fee Index Funds Win Over Time

15:54 • 3min

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Don't Chase Past Performance

18:41 • 1min

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Using Multiple KiwiSaver Funds Strategically

20:05 • 3min

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Dollar-Cost Averaging: Set and Forget

22:56 • 2min

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How Much to Put in KiwiSaver vs. Elsewhere

25:13 • 3min

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How Much Should You Save Regularly?

28:11 • 2min

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Starting Kids Early: Small Regular Contributions

30:15 • 3min

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Renting vs Owning: There's No Single Right Answer

33:19 • 5min

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Index Funds vs Active Management

38:00 • 6min

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Buy-and-Hold Beats Frequent Trading

44:21 • 3min

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Common Kiwi Financial Mistakes

46:51 • 4min

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Risks and Hassles of Rental Property Investing

51:00 • 5min

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If I Were 40 Again: Simple Investment Plan

56:06 • 4min

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Life Advice: Treasure Friends and Nature

A Laid-back Guide for Every Kiwi

Mary Holm

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Habits of High Performers

Essential principles to thrive in life and work

James Laughlin

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In this episode of Lead On Purpose, I sit down with Mary Holm, author of Rich Enough, to unpack how everyday Kiwis can build wealth simply, avoid common money traps, and focus on what actually leads to a rich life.

What we cover:

Why “rich enough” beats chasing more, and what money can and cannot do for happiness
The two KiwiSaver choices that matter most: risk level first, low fees second
Why low fee index investing and patience usually outperform chasing returns
How to balance KiwiSaver with investing outside it to get bonuses without locking all your money away
Renting vs owning, property myths, and the most common financial mistakes Kiwis make

If you want a calmer, clearer approach to money that supports both your future and your life right now, this conversation will give you a simple framework to work from.

Grab a copy of ‘Rich Enough’ here - https://www.paperplus.co.nz/shop/books/non-fiction/business-finance-law/finance-economics/rich-enough
Have a look at Sorted Smart Investor tool - https://smartinvestor.sorted.org.nz
If you’re interested in having me deliver a keynote or workshop for your team contact Caroline at caroline@jjlaughlin.com

Website: https://www.jjlaughlin.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6GETJbxpgulYcYc6QAKLHA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesLaughlinOfficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jameslaughlinofficial/ Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/life-on-purpose-with-james-laughlin/id1547874035 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3WBElxcvhCHtJWBac3nOlF?si=hotcGzHVRACeAx4GvybVOQ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameslaughlincoaching/

James Laughlin is a High Performance Leadership Coach, Former 7-Time World Champion, Host of the Lead On Purpose Podcast and an Executive Coach to high performers and leaders. James is based in Christchurch, New Zealand.

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Join me at the 2026 Goal-setting Workshop here - jjlaughlin.com/2026goals

- If you're interested in booking me for a keynote or workshop, contact Caroline at caroline@jjlaughlin.com

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