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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
565 Episodes
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It feels like COVID all over again… but is it?In this episode, we break down the key difference between a demand-driven crisis like COVID and today’s supply-driven fuel shock, covering inflation, oil prices, interest rate impacts, government response, and what it means for households and the New Zealand economy over the next 12–24 months.Next Steps: If you’re unsure how rising costs and interest rates could impact your financial position, reach out to the Lighthouse Mortgage team todayFor 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.
KiwiSaver vs your first home deposit… are you building wealth or slowing yourself down? In this episode, we break down whether you should use your KiwiSaver to buy your first home or leave it invested for retirement, covering deposit requirements, interest rate impacts, compounding vs debt, and how this decision affects your long-term wealth strategy in New Zealand.Next Steps: If you’re unsure whether to use your KiwiSaver or how to structure your first home purchase, the Lighthouse Financial team can help you build a plan tailored to your situation.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.
In this episode, We sit down with Kiwibank Chief Economist Jarrod Kerr to unpack the upcoming OCR decision, why rising oil prices are driving inflation, how demand destruction is already hitting spending, and what it all means for interest rates, mortgages, and the broader NZ economy over the next 3-6 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.
Is New Zealand heading into stagflation? Inflation is rising, growth is slowing and the outlook is shifting fast.We sit down with Kiwibank Chief Economist Jarrod Kerr to break down the NZ economic outlook, including inflation, interest rates, OCR expectations, oil price shocks, and whether a recession or stagflation is actually on the cards. We also cover what this means for your KiwiSaver, mortgage, and investments over the next 6–24 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.
Your Sharesies account might be quietly draining thousands in tax and most Kiwis don’t even realise it.We break down how tax actually works on shares in New Zealand - from dividends and PIE funds to the $50K foreign investment threshold, FIF rules, and why the way you invest (not just what you invest in) can significantly impact your returns.Next Steps: If you’re investing and unsure how tax is impacting your returns, get in touch with the Lighthouse Financial team to make sure your structure is working for you not against you.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.
A global oil shock could quietly reset New Zealand’s recovery - and most people aren’t ready for the flow-on effects.In this episode, we break down how rising oil prices are driving inflation, impacting supply chains, pushing mortgage rates higher, and forcing tough decisions from the Reserve Bank - while unpacking what it all means for borrowers, businesses, and long-term financial plans in an increasingly uncertain economy.Next Steps: If you’re unsure how this is going to impact your mortgage, reach out to the Lighthouse team 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.
Build a 30 year retirement plan by starting with your first home.In this episode, we use a real first home buyer case study to break down deposits, KiwiSaver decisions, mortgage affordability, budgeting habits, insurance, and how to turn one property into a long-term wealth plan.Apply Now: We’re picking one Cheques & Balances listener to build a personalised financial plan with and we’ll document the entire journey on the podcast. 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.
If you’re not on track with your 2026 financial plan yet - this is where you fix it.In this episode, we break down how to build a practical financial plan from scratch, covering goal setting, budgeting, KiwiSaver, debt management, investing, and the exact step-by-step roadmap to get ahead financially in today’s market.Apply Now: We’re picking one Cheques & Balances listener to build a personalised financial plan with and we’ll document the entire journey on the podcast. 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.
Buying your first home in NZ isn’t about finding “the one” - it’s about not getting burned in the process.In this 2026 first home buyers guide, we break down everything you need to know - from deposits (5% vs 10% vs 20%) and mortgage pre-approval to affordability, property valuation, auctions, negotiation, and due diligence so you don’t overpay or miss out.Next Steps: Want to know exactly what you can afford and how to structure your first home purchase? Get in touch with the Lighthouse Mortgages team.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.
Most Kiwis won’t realise they’re on track to work until 70… until it’s too late.In this episode, we break down the 5 key signs you’re heading for delayed retirement - from carrying debt into your 60s and having no clear spending visibility, to relying too heavily on NZ Super and KiwiSaver - and more importantly, the practical steps you can take now to build a plan, create consistency, and avoid running out of money in retirement.Next Steps: If you want clarity on where you’re actually tracking for retirement and a plan to fix it - get in touch with the Lighthouse wealth team 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.
Real money questions from listeners - covering KiwiSaver, investing, mortgages, and how to actually build wealth in New Zealand.In this Listener Hotline episode, financial advisors James and Jess answer real audience questions about KiwiSaver contributions, emergency funds, investing during market volatility, retirement planning, spending habits, term deposits vs shares, and whether couples should buy property together. The conversation breaks down practical money decisions many Kiwis face - from saving for a first home and managing debt to building long-term wealth and avoiding common financial mistakes.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.
Meth contamination in NZ property is a growing risk that buyers and investors often overlook.In this episode we explain how meth contamination happens, the testing process, remediation costs, new 2026 standards, and why banks are tightening lending when meth is detected in a property.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.
War headlines are everywhere - but what could global conflict actually do to interest rates?In this episode, the team breaks down how the US-Iran conflict, rising oil prices, and global economic uncertainty could affect inflation, the Reserve Bank’s decisions, swap rates, and ultimately the interest rates Kiwis pay on their mortgages.Tune into Markets, Mystics and Mayhem to learn moreFor 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.
While the human cost of war is devastating, many investors are asking the same question - what does it mean for markets?In this episode, James and Jess break down the Iran conflict and its impact on markets, oil prices, petrol costs and inflation, explaining why crude oil has surged nearly 50%, how global markets have reacted so far, and what long-term investors should actually do when geopolitical events shake the headlines.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.
Ignore your taxes long enough and the problem doesn’t disappear - it multiplies.In this episode James sits down with Lighthouse Senior Accountant Vinay Reddy and Managing Director Matt Harris to unpack real accounting horror stories - from business owners who haven’t filed returns for years to IRD investigators turning up at workshops - and explain how penalties, interest, GST obligations, and poor tax structures can quickly snowball into major financial stress.Next Steps: If you’re unsure whether your tax situation is set up properly, the Lighthouse Accounting team can help you review your structure and get everything back on track before small problems turn into big ones.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.
Property or shares - which one will actually build wealth for the next generation?In this episode, James and Michael break down the long-running debate between property and shares, exploring historical returns, whether housing growth could slow in the future, how KiwiSaver and share investing are changing younger investors’ behaviour, and what it could mean for New Zealand’s economy if wealth shifts away from property.We’re picking one Cheques & Balances listener to build a personalised financial plan with and we’ll document the entire journey on the podcast. Next steps: Book a KiwiSaver check-up with our team to make sure your fund, contributions, and wider strategy are aligned before these changes take effect. 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.
Could the KiwiSaver changes really mean an extra $100,000 at retirement - and is locking that money away actually the smartest move?In this episode, Jess and Makayla break down the increase from 3% to 3.5% and then 4%, explain how that seemingly small shift could materially grow your retirement balance, and debate whether contributing more to KiwiSaver stacks up against paying down your mortgage, investing outside the scheme, or using it for your first home - plus what you should review before the changes take effect.Next steps: Book a KiwiSaver check-up with our team to make sure your fund, contributions, and wider strategy are aligned before these changes take effect. 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.
New Zealand works harder than ever - so why does it feel like we’re falling behind?In this episode, we sit down with Chlöe Swarbrick, co-leader of the Green Party, to unpack wealth tax, inequality, productivity, housing, KiwiSaver, capital gains, and why New Zealand’s economy is stuck in a loop of speculation instead of innovation.Chlöe does not endorse any products or services provided as per Parliamentary standards.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.
Most of the tax advice you see online isn’t just wrong - it could cost you thousands.In this episode, James sits down with Lighthouse Senior Accountant Vinay Reddy and Managing Director Matt Harris to react to the worst tax advice online and break down what you can actually claim, what you can’t, and the costly mistakes business owners make.Next Steps: Bad tax advice can cost you real money - if you want clarity and confidence in your structure, speak to the Lighthouse Accounting team 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.
They paid off $45,000 of debt in months and didn’t feel restricted doing it.In this final episode of Inside a Financial Plan, we review Rachel and Dion’s progress since October - breaking down their budget using PocketSmith, selling down shares to reduce their mortgage, setting up a separate rental property account, restructuring KiwiSaver into a high-growth fund, upgrading insurance, and navigating the mindset shift from “grow at all costs” to building wealth with clarity and choice.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.
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Regarding this, if this scenario did happen.. would that person who is going to invest in the house, do they go on the title? Can they get a contract noting their equity in the house to show that they have assets/ equity? Would that help them if they were going to borrow again? Like an investment/ savings account.