

Cheques and Balances
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
Check out our website below:
lighthousefinancial.co.nz
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 16, 2025 • 56min
Live Webinar: First Home Buyers Top 5 Negotiation Tips for the 2025 Market | Episode 403
Buying your first home? Don’t walk into a negotiation blind.In this episode, Mike and Adam break down the exact strategies every first-home buyer needs - from spotting genuine negotiation opportunities to avoiding common traps, understanding timing, reading the market, structuring offers, and knowing when to push, walk away, or say yes.Next Steps: Ready for more? Register now for our upcoming webinar with Rethink Investing, where Scott O’Neill, Dylan Menzies and Michael Vincent unpack how to invest smarter and spot real opportunities in 2026.If you need guidance on what to buy and how to negotiate it, connect with the Lighthouse Property team - we’re here to help.For more money tips follow us on:FacebookInstagramThe 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 13, 2025 • 9min
Cost of Living Crisis: $200K Can’t Support a Single Income Household | Episode 402
New Zealand’s one-income household is officially dead - and the numbers prove it.In this episode, James and Michael break down why rising living costs, childcare expenses, inflation, and modern debt-to-income ratios make it nearly impossible to survive on a single salary, and what Kiwi families need to consider when planning work, kids, mortgages, and their long-term financial goals.Next Steps: If you’re navigating childcare costs, mortgages or planning time off with young kids, chat with the Lighthouse Financial team to map out a plan that actually works for your family.For more money tips follow us on:FacebookInstagramThe 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 11, 2025 • 20min
NZ’s Economy Isn’t Growing: Is Infrastructure the Answer? Ft. Jarrod Kerr | Episode 401
Can infrastructure spending really supercharge New Zealand’s economy?In this episode, Kiwibank Chief Economist Jarrod Kerr joins the team to unpack how smart infrastructure investment, foreign capital, and confidence can lift productivity, boost GDP, and strengthen the Kiwi brand on the global stage.For more money tips follow us on:FacebookInstagramThe 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 9, 2025 • 40min
AI Boom or Bust? Sharemarket Crash Fears: Quarterly Market Update | Episode 400
Markets are booming - but are we on the edge of an AI bubble?In this quarterly update, James and Chris from Mapua Wealth break down what’s driving global market performance, how AI hype and passive investing are shaping valuations, and why diversification and patience remain key as investors navigate an overheated landscape.Next Steps: Ready to make sense of the markets and build a plan that works through every cycle? Book a free 30-minute chat with a Lighthouse financial adviser.For more money tips follow us on:FacebookInstagramThe 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 6, 2025 • 33min
Paying Down Debt vs Investing in Property: Smart Mortgage Strategies | Inside a Financial Plan Ep 5
Paying down your mortgage or investing in more property - which gets you closer to financial freedom?In this episode, Mike breaks down Dion and Rachel’s financial plan, exploring how offset facilities, mortgage structures, and long-term property decisions can shape their wealth journey without unnecessary risk.This episode is proudly sponsored by PocketSmith: Big goals mean nothing without action. PocketSmith helps you track, plan, and stay accountable. Start today with 50% off your first two months.For more money tips follow us on:FacebookInstagramThe 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, 2025 • 51min
Live Webinar: Stop Overpaying Tax - What Most NZ Property Investors Miss | Episode 399
Five smart ways to keep more money in your pocket this tax season.In this live webinar, Matt Harris and Andrew Higgs uncover the most overlooked tax hacks for property investors - from claiming chattels depreciation and home office expenses to restructuring debt, maximising travel deductions, and ensuring your accounting structures work in your favour.Next steps: Ready to uncover what deductions you’ve been missing? Book a free 30-minute consultation with one of our accountants to see how much more you could be saving this year.For more money tips follow us on:FacebookInstagramThe 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 4, 2025 • 18min
Should NZ Have 30 Year Fixed Mortgages? | Episode 398
Would 30-year fixed mortgages work in New Zealand? In this episode, James and Michael unpack how long-term fixed loans in the US provide stability for borrowers, compare them to New Zealand’s shorter-term system, and explore the trade-offs between flexibility, certainty, and economic control.Next Steps: If you’re wondering whether your bank, rate, or mortgage structure is right for you, get in touch with the Lighthouse Mortgage team for personalised advice.For more money tips follow us on:FacebookInstagramThe 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 2, 2025 • 28min
OCR Cuts & Capital Gains Tax: NZ’s Recession or Rebound? ft. Jarrod Kerr | Episode 397
Rates are down, but inflation’s still biting. In this quarterly update, Kiwibank Chief Economist Jarrod Kerr unpacks the OCR cut to 2.5%, Labour’s proposed capital gains tax, and what it all means for New Zealand’s economy heading into 2025. From housing and business confidence to inflation and investment, we ask the big question - is this the start of a recovery, or just calm before another storm?For more money tips follow us on:FacebookInstagramThe 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, 2025 • 14min
Will You Get Superannuation? The Debate on Means Testing | Episode 396
Should New Zealand’s wealthiest retirees still receive NZ Super? In this episode, James and Mike unpack the growing debate around means testing - exploring the political risks, financial realities, and whether cutting payments to high-income Kiwis could make the system more sustainable.Next Steps: Your retirement shouldn’t depend on the government. Talk to a Lighthouse adviser today to build a plan that puts your financial future back in your control.For more money tips follow us on:FacebookInstagramThe 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, 2025 • 1h 1min
Live Webinar: How to Plan for Retirement - KiwiSaver, Property or Shares?
Retirement isn’t about luck - it’s about planning, action, and time.In this live webinar, James and Justin break down what Kiwis really need to retire comfortably - from understanding how much you’ll need for a $100K annual income, to paying off your mortgage faster, leveraging property and shares, and building a financial plan that actually works.Next Steps:Ready to see what your retirement number looks like? Book a free 30-minute discovery call with Lighthouse Financial to start your personalised plan today.For more money tips follow us on:FacebookInstagramThe 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.


