
Cheques and Balances
Whether you're buying your first home, tackling debt, or building long-term wealth, we’ll show you how to make smarter money moves. With over 20 years of combined experience as qualified financial advisers, James Blair and Michael Vincent share straight-talking advice, practical strategies, and real conversations about money - all to help you take control of your financial future with confidence.
Check out our website below:
lighthousefinancial.co.nz
Latest episodes

Nov 7, 2024 • 25min
Housing Crisis or Affordability Crisis? What's the Real Issue? Ft. James Kellow | Episode 239
In this episode, we sit down with Director of NZMS James Kellow to discuss the future of housing in New Zealand. We explore the factors shaping New Zealand’s housing market, from affordability challenges to the impact of council regulations on new builds. We discuss whether current policies are helping or hindering the future of homeownership and investment in the country.
Learn more about NZMS
This episode is proudly sponsored by Partners Life.
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The content in this podcast is the opinion of the hosts. It should not be treated as financial advice. It is important to take into consideration your own personal situation and goals before making any financial decisions.

Nov 5, 2024 • 11min
Quarterly Update: Will High Returns Skyrocket or Crash? 2025 Insights | Episode 238
In this episode, we dive into the latest quarterly update, exploring whether today's high returns are sustainable and what that means for investors heading into 2025. Join us as we analyse market trends, share insights, and discuss strategies for navigating the ever-changing financial landscape. Don’t miss out on vital information that could shape your investment decisions!
This episode is proudly sponsored by Partners Life.
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The content in this podcast is the opinion of the hosts. It should not be treated as financial advice. It is important to take into consideration your own personal situation and goals before making any financial decisions.

Nov 3, 2024 • 19min
Is The S&P 500 Just An Illusion Of Diversification? Ft. Kernel Founder Dean Anderson | Episode 237
In this episode, we delve into whether the S&P 500 truly offers diversification for investors. We unpack the index's composition and performance, examining if it lives up to its reputation as a diversified fund in today's market.
Learn more about Kernel
This episode is proudly sponsored by Partners Life.
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The content in this podcast is the opinion of the hosts. It should not be treated as financial advice. It is important to take into consideration your own personal situation and goals before making any financial decisions.

Oct 31, 2024 • 36min
$100 Million Property Empire: How Did Scott O’Neill Do it? ft. Scott O'Neill | Episode 236
We recently sat down with Scott O'Neill, CEO and founder of Rethink Group, Australia’s largest commercial buyers agency.
Scott shares his journey from humble beginnings to building a property empire, diving into his strategic approach to property investment, the importance of positive cash flow, and how he’s helping investors rethink their approach to the commercial property market.
Learn more about Rethink Group here
This episode is proudly sponsored by Partners Life.
For more money tips follow us on:
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The content in this podcast is the opinion of the hosts. It should not be treated as financial advice. It is important to take into consideration your own personal situation and goals before making any financial decisions.

Oct 30, 2024 • 1h 32min
A Beginner's Guide On NZ's Commercial Property Boom ft. Scott O'Neill | Episode 235
A Beginner's Guide On NZ's Commercial Property Boom ft. Scott O'Neill | Episode 235
We recently sat down with Founder & CEO of Rethink Group Scott O'Neill to understand the complexities of commercial property in New Zealand and Australia. If you’ve ever been interested in commercial property, this webinar runs through everything you need to know - we discussed key market trends, strategies for success, and how shifting interest rates are influencing investment opportunities.
Learn more about Rethink Group here
This episode is proudly sponsored by Partners Life.
For more money tips follow us on:
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The content in this podcast is the opinion of the hosts. It should not be treated as financial advice. It is important to take into consideration your own personal situation and goals before making any financial decisions.

Oct 29, 2024 • 20min
Is Now The Time To Flip A Property? Ft. Matt Harris | Episode 234
We sat down with property expert and our very own Lighthouse Financial Managing Director Matthew Harris, to discuss the rise of property flipping in New Zealand's current market. He explores why investors are trading properties now and the potential risks and rewards associated with this cash flow strategy amid declining house values and high interest rate.
This episode is proudly sponsored by Partners Life.
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The content in this podcast is the opinion of the hosts. It should not be treated as financial advice. It is important to take into consideration your own personal situation and goals before making any financial decisions.

Oct 27, 2024 • 27min
The Cost Of Raising Children in New Zealand ft. Stephanie Pow | Episode 233
We sat down with Stephanie Pow, the Founder of Crayon, and explored the significant financial burdens of raising children, highlighting costs like education, healthcare, and extracurricular activities that can accumulate over the years.
Listen to our previous episode with Stephanie here.
Learn more about Crayon here.
This episode is proudly sponsored by Partners Life.
For more money tips follow us on:
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The content in this podcast is the opinion of the hosts. It should not be treated as financial advice. It is important to take into consideration your own personal situation and goals before making any financial decisions.

Oct 24, 2024 • 21min
Is Life Going To Get Easier For Business Owners In New Zealand? Ft. Kiwibank Chief Economist Jarrod Kerr | Episode 232
In this episode, we explore the potential risks facing New Zealand's economy. We also dive into the challenges businesses face in navigating costs, redundancies, and positioning themselves for future growth opportunities.
This episode is proudly sponsored by Partners Life.
For more money tips follow us on:
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The content in this podcast is the opinion of the hosts. It should not be treated as financial advice. It is important to take into consideration your own personal situation and goals before making any financial decisions.

Oct 22, 2024 • 47min
Should You Invest In Your Company? Ft. Orchestra CEO & Sharesies Product Lead Luke Smith | Episode 231
We explore the intriguing question of whether investing in your own company is a smart move with insights from Luke Smith, Senior Product Lead at Sharesies and CEO of Orchestra.
This episode is proudly sponsored by Partners Life.
For more money tips follow us on:
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The content in this podcast is the opinion of the hosts. It should not be treated as financial advice. It is important to take into consideration your own personal situation and goals before making any financial decisions.

Oct 20, 2024 • 29min
Christmas Budgeting: How to Save and Spend Wisely This Holiday Season | Episode 230
In this episode of The Takeover, we share practical tips for saving money and sticking to your budget this Christmas, from prioritising experiences over expensive gifts to using a shopping list and comparing prices.
This episode is proudly sponsored by Partners Life.
For more money tips follow us on:
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The content in this podcast is the opinion of the hosts. It should not be treated as financial advice. It is important to take into consideration your own personal situation and goals before making any financial decisions.