Keep The Change

Recently, my KiwiSaver balance ticked over $150,000. Out of curiosity, I looked back through my monthly tracking sheet and saw that only 18 months ago, it was sitting at $100,000. In earlier Money Mails (#198), I shared my goal of hitting $100k so the “snowball” could really start rolling. Just like Charlie Munger talks about. Watching it leap from $100k to $150k in less than two years has been quite phenomenal. However, I am not getting too carried away.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We sit down with James Fuller, Co-founder and CEO of Hnry, to unpack how recent Budget 2025 changes to KiwiSaver are threatening the retirement security of New Zealand’s sole traders. If you’re a freelancer, tradie, or sole trader or keen on learning from someone who scaled from nothing to 60,000 customers, tune in. James shares insights from Hnry’s joint report with the Retirement Commission, revealing that only 44% of the self-employed contribute to KiwiSaver compared to 78% of employees. With the government slashing the annual top-up in half, many are now planning to cut contributions or stop altogether. Hnry stepped in, funding KiwiSaver accounts of 500 of their customers to offset the $260.72 government reduction injecting over $130,000 back into their future. We learn about the growing contractor economy as people step away from employment and how many people are getting side hustles started. James discusses the implications of this policy shift, from the rise of short-term investment behaviors to calls for meaningful reform and equity for independent earners. Find James & HnryInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hnrynz/Website: https://hnry.co.nz (https://hnry.co.nz/)LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jwfuller/I 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 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 : amy@levridge.co.nzInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amy.levridgeWebsite: https://www.levridge.co.nz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why do high-achieving people still struggle with self-doubt, anxiety, and burnout, even when everything looks perfect on paper?I sit down with New Zealand-based mindset coach Sarah Robb, founder of The Breakthrough Blueprint, to unpack the real reasons success doesn’t always silence self-sabotage. Sarah shares how personal loss led her to the world of NLP, hypnosis, psychology, and timeline therapy and how she now helps ambitious people rewrite the mental patterns that hold them back.We talk brain science, high-performer pressure, and why grit alone isn’t enough. Plus: actionable mindset shifts, surprising truths about confidence, and a fresh take on how to actually feel good while doing big things.Whether you're chasing the next level or stuck in self-doubt, this one’s for you.Find Sarah:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/springwithsarah/Website: https://springwithsarah.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahrobbcoaching/I 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 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 : amy@levridge.co.nzInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amy.levridgeWebsite: https://www.levridge.co.nz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This one’s from a listener who shows exactly what happens when you take action, even if it starts small. ‘’Now I’ve got no credit card, no car payments, and a better understanding of how money can actually work for me. Your podcast changed the way I think. Now I’m planning how to grow my income and get into a house ASAP. Thank you, bro. I wouldn’t be here without your podcast." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we sit down with Greg Smith, newly appointed Investment Specialist at Generate and one of New Zealand’s most recognisable market commentators. With two decades in the industry and a regular presence on Newstalk ZB, NBR, TVNZ and the NZ Herald, Greg brings sharp insights and plain-English analysis to the complex world of investing.Together, we cover:Greg’s background in finance and his new role at GenerateThe NZ economy’s recent GDP shock and should Kiwis be worried?Why some property and listed stocks are bouncing back (Argosy, Kiwi Property, etc.)Term deposits vs shares, is cash finally moving off the sidelines?People leaving NZ and what does this mean for investment and growth?Global markets: the US economy at record highs, rate cuts, and whether tech giants like Nvidia, Oracle, and Intel are overvaluedActive vs passive investing: what’s the difference, and why it matters for KiwiSaver membersThe growing debate on compulsory superannuation in New ZealandIf you’ve been wondering whether markets are too good to be true, how KiwiSaver might change, or how to position yourself in uncertain times, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.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: greg.smith@generatewealth.co.nzGenerate 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.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 : amy@levridge.co.nzInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amy.levridgeWebsite: https://www.levridge.co.nz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever stopped to ask yourself: Who am I if I’m not working? Well today we are. In this episode, we dive deep into the topic of identity, exploring how we attach it to our jobs, what happens when work is taken away (thanks AI or unemployment), and why it's so important to know who you are beyond your title. I’ll ask you a few tough questions, share some real-world examples, and challenge you to define you not your job, upbringing, school or the clothes you wear.This is for deep thinkers and something we don’t talk enough about. Set your identity up to serve you, not hinder you. I have a goal to help 100,000 Kiwis improve their financial literacy. Generate KiwiSaver Scheme has sponsored Keep The Change to help me reach more people and make this a reality. Cheers Generate. Head to http://generatekiwisaver.co.nz/change to find out more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The kitchen might still be tiny. The roof still leaks in winter. The location hasn’t changed. The utility and intended use (shelter and sleep) of many of these houses hasn’t even improved. To be fair, many have depreciated. What changed was the number on the bank’s spreadsheet and therefore…what that number could let you borrow. But now, it feels like we’re seeing the full effects. And it’s hitting the next generations HARD. One generation must pass the debt to the next to keep the whole thing going! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we sit down with Nathan Najib, Managing Director of Najib Real Estate in Christchurch, to explore a refreshing perspective on the New Zealand property market.We discuss:  •  Why Nathan refuses to “spruik” the property market.  •  The key variables behind house prices in NZ that the economists miss  •  Whether we really own our homes?  •  What the future of NZ may look like?While many real estate agents are keen to hype the market, Nathan takes a different approach focusing on transparency, people-first values, and long-term trust. How? Being realistic about house prices. From starting in real estate at just 19, to founding Najib Real Estate in 2016, Nathan has built a reputation for being honest, community-minded, and unafraid to challenge the industry status quo.Find Nathan Najib:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathannajib/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@najibrealestate929Website: https://www.najibrealestate.co.nz (https://www.najibrealestate.co.nz/)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 : amy@levridge.co.nzInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amy.levridgeWebsite: https://www.levridge.co.nzI have a goal to help 100,000 Kiwis improve their financial literacy. Generate KiwiSaver Scheme has sponsored Keep The Change to help me reach more people and make this a reality. Cheers Generate. Head to http://generatekiwisaver.co.nz/change to find out more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Let’s talk about one belief I keep seeing lately: The 'Have you seen the cost of living? The average Kiwi can't afford to save right now'. I get it. I really do. But you’ve got to be careful not to stay stuck there. Because saving or investing is a habit not a moment. And I’ve seen this thinking in both good and bad economic times. Why, in the tough economic times, will the debt dealers still happily give us money with interest-free finance or buy now, pay later? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I sit down with Amy Po-Ching of https://www.levridge.co.nz to find out what she is seeing out there and it is one word: uncertainty. Kiwi are stuck with what decision to make and what direction to go in. All of this in a time where we’ve never had more information. Perhaps that is part of the problem? Because realistically, Kiwi today can build more financial certainty than ever before. Drawing on her DIY Financial Plan framework, Amy shares steps she uses with clients to gain clarity on their current position, set bold yet realistic goals, and choose strategies that actually work in New Zealand’s economy. From balancing lifestyle with long-term security, you’ll hear why the path to financial freedom might be clearer than you think.As always, no part of this podcast is intended as financial advice; it is intended as general information only.Amy from Levridge.co.nz has come on as a sponsor of Keep The Change to help people with their financial planning. Stuck? Find Amy : amy@levridge.co.nzInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amy.levridgeWebsite: https://www.levridge.co.nzI have a goal to help 100,000 Kiwis improve their financial literacy. Generate KiwiSaver Scheme has sponsored Keep The Change to help me reach more people and make this a reality. Cheers Generate. Head to https://generatekiwisaver.co.nz/change to find out more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.