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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
529 Episodes
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Property can make you look rich... while quietly leaving you cash-poor in retirement.In this episode, Mike and James break down why relying solely on property can undermine retirement income, covering liquidity, cashflow realities, transaction costs, leverage, when property works best, when it doesn’t, and how blending property with diversified investments creates a retirement that actually pays you to live.Next Steps: If property has built your wealth but won’t fund retirement, speak to the Lighthouse Wealth team today about a real financial plan.Register now: Buying a home, investing, or want better control of your money? Join Michael Vincent and James Blair for a practical 2026 financial planning webinar.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 people think they know where their money goes... they don’t.In this episode, Jason Leong, CEO of PocketSmith, breaks down how budgeting software, open banking, and real spending data reveal hidden leaks, lifestyle creep, and why even high-income earners feel broke.Nest Steps: If you don’t know where your money is going, you can’t plan your future - Download PocketSmith today and get 50% off your first two months.Register now: Buying a home, investing, or want better control of your money? Join Michael Vincent and James Blair for a practical 2026 financial planning webinar.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.
The property market is waking up but it won’t be a straight line.In this episode, Matt Harris, Michael Vincent and Adam Farrell unpack their 2026 property predictions, covering expected price growth, interest rate risks, election uncertainty, capital gains tax chatter, and where the best opportunities sit across townhouses, multi-unit and commercial property.Next Steps: In a slower, more fragmented property market, the edge comes from the right structure and team - get in touch with Lighthouse to review your borrowing, cashflow and investment strategy today.Register now: Buying a home, investing, or want better control of your money? Join Michael Vincent and James Blair for a practical 2026 financial planning webinar.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 couldn’t work tomorrow, how long would your income really last?In this episode, we break down how ACC actually works, the key differences between standard ACC and Cover Plus Extra, common misconceptions around income protection, and why self-employed Kiwis should rethink how they protect their income when injury or illness strikes.Next Steps: Talk to the Lighthouse insurance team today about health, life, and income protection options that actually work when you need them most.https://lighthousefinancial.co.nz/insurance/Register now: Buying a home, investing, or want better control of your money? Join Michael Vincent and James Blair for a practical 2026 financial planning webinar.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.
Think tax is just something you pay and forget? This episode proves otherwise.We break down the best tax insights of 2025, covering provisional tax, cashflow pressure on NZ businesses, smart entity structures, chattel depreciation, home office deductions, and how debt restructuring can legally turn tax into a strategic advantage for business owners and property investors.Register now: Buying a home, investing, or want better control of your money? Join Michael Vincent and James Blair for a practical 2026 financial planning webinar.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 a changing property market, investors face a critical decision: flip for short-term gains or hold for long-term wealth.In this episode, Jim Dodd, co-founder of Property-CEO, breaks down his proven system for finding, renovating, and selling properties for profit, while Matt Harris explains how to structure, finance, and manage buy-and-hold portfolios - including the tax strategies that can make both approaches more effective.Together, they unpack real-world market conditions, investor decision-making, and the tax implications of flipping versus holding, helping you understand which strategy aligns best with your goals.Register now: Buying a home, investing, or want better control of your money? Join Michael Vincent and James Blair for a practical 2026 financial planning webinar.Next Steps: Check out Property-CEO - a coaching and mentoring programme helping Kiwis learn the strategies, funding options, and systems to build wealth through 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.
Property strategy matters more than ever in 2026.In this episode, we revisit the biggest property conversations of the past year - from first-home and investor case studies to buyer’s agent insights, auction tactics, cash flow vs capital gains, interest rates, OCR cuts, and what actually drives confident property decisions heading in 2026Register now: Buying a home, investing, or want better control of your money? Join Michael Vincent and James Blair for a practical 2026 financial planning webinar.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.
Investing doesn’t need to be complicated.In this episode, we break down how the fundamentals of how the sharemarket actually works - what a share is, when you should (and shouldn’t) invest, the risks to watch for, how platforms make money, and why diversified, long-term investing beats trying to pick winners.Register now: Buying a home, investing, or want better control of your money? Join Michael Vincent and James Blair for a practical 2026 financial planning webinar.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.
Summer spending is easy - staying on top of your money is harder.In this episode, we walk through how to set clear financial goals, build a sustainable budget, make smarter KiwiSaver choices, manage debt properly, and create a practical roadmap toward buying a home and building long-term wealth without blowing up your lifestyle.Register now: Buying a home, investing, or want better control of your money? Join Michael Vincent and James Blair for a practical 2026 financial planning webinar.Speak to an adviser: If you want help turning your goals into a clear plan, book a complimentary 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.
Four standout guests. Four conversations that shaped how we think about money, markets, and growth.In this special episode, we’ve pulled together our favourite guest moments from 2025 - revisiting the ideas, debates, and insights that sparked the biggest conversations throughout the year. From investing psychology and compounding, to housing reform, economic recovery, and scaling global businesses, this episode captures the thinking that mattered most.Register now: Buying a home, investing, or want better control of your money? Join Michael Vincent and James Blair for a practical 2026 financial planning webinar.Featured Guests & Key Discussions00:00 - Luke Kemeys- Compounding vs income investing and why behaviour matters more than perfect maths- The psychology of money, motivation, and consistency- Debt repayment strategies and getting early wins that keep people on track07:20 - Nicola Willis- Housing affordability and the future of home ownership in New Zealand- Planning reform, land supply, and replacing the Resource Management Act- Red tape, building constraints, and how supply impacts affordability- Creating economic growth beyond rising house prices13:45 - Mahesh Muralidhar- Scaling Canva from a small startup to a global business- Lessons from hyper-growth, leadership, and big ambition- Why New Zealand needs more global role models- Thinking bigger and building companies that can scale internationally21:00 - Jarrod Kerr - Interest rates, economic recovery, and why the turnaround took so long- Business confidence, hiring decisions, and investment signals- Housing market confidence, GDP outlook, and what to watch next- Where momentum is starting to return in the New Zealand economyFor more money tips follow us on: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/lighthousefinancialnz/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lighthousefinancialnz/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.
Buying before you sell sounds simple - until it isn’t.In this episode, we break down bridging finance, when it makes sense to use it, the difference between open and closed bridging loans, how banks assess risk, the real costs involved, and the common mistakes that can turn a house upgrade into a financial headache.Next steps: If you’re thinking about upgrading, downsizing, or buying before you sell, talk to the Lighthouse Mortgages team early - a 15-minute chat can save you months of stress and costly 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.
2026 is shaping up to be a year of recovery but not without risk.In this episode, we break down our 2026 predictions across the New Zealand economy, covering GDP growth, interest rates and OCR expectations, share market risks and opportunities, AI’s real economic impact, property market forecasts, election uncertainty, and the global factors that could derail momentum.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.
The property market doesn’t wait and the best deals rarely come with notice.In this episode, the Lighthouse Property team breaks down what’s really happening in the market heading into 2026, why speed and preparation matter, and walks through real case studies covering discounted new builds, regional yield opportunities, developer risk, and how first-home buyers and investors can secure strong deals without trying to time the market.Next Steps: At Lighthouse Property, we help clients get clear and prepared to secure the right property before the market moves. If 2026 is on your radar, now’s the time to start.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.
From his first house at 18 to managing over ten projects a year - this is how Kyle turned building skills into a property empire.In this episode, we dive into Kyle’s journey from buying his first property as a teenager to scaling a portfolio through joint ventures, private finance, and smart subdivision strategies. He shares how he mitigates risk, structures his business, and what it really takes to flip and develop properties successfully in today’s market.Next Steps: Wanting to follow in Kyle’s footsteps? Check out Property-CEO - a coaching and mentoring programme helping Kiwis learn the strategies, funding options, and systems to build wealth through 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.
A real-world look at how tracking your money actually works - without spreadsheets or guesswork.In this episode of Inside a Financial Plan, Jess walks through a PocketSmith onboarding session with Rachel and Dion, covering how to set up accounts, track cash flow, build realistic budgets, categorise spending, handle transfers correctly, and use clear insights to stay aligned with their financial plan over time.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.
Passive investing has taken over - but what happens when nobody’s actually picking the stocks?In this episode, we unpack the explosive rise of passive investing, the growing concentration inside major indices like the S&P 500, and whether mechanical money flows into big tech could distort markets, create instability, or even open the door for active management to matter again.Next Steps: If you’ve got money invested or sitting on the sidelines and you’re unsure whether a passive, active, or blended approach makes sense for your goals, book a chat with the Lighthouse Wealth team and build a portfolio that’s actually designed for the long term.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 investment property? Here are the three game-changing rules every investor needs to know before they make their move.In this episode, we break down exactly how to use your equity, why structuring your debt correctly matters, and the essential tax steps - from interest deductibility to chattel valuations and tidy accounting - that can make or break your investment success.Next steps: If you're ready to take the next step toward your first (or next) investment property, book a call with the Lighthouse team - we'll help you understand your equity, borrowing power, and the smartest way to structure your lending and tax.Boarder Income RulesFor 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 NZ’s property market really unproductive — or is everyone getting it wrong?In this episode, we break down the real economic impact of New Zealand’s property sector - from its $50B GDP contribution and 235,000 jobs, to how domestic trade, construction, KiwiSaver investment, and smarter intensification strategies shape whether property truly helps or hinders national productivity.This episode is brought to you by Lighthouse Financial - your partner in financial freedom.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.
The North and South Islands are living two completely different financial realities - and the wealth gap is bigger than you think.In this episode, we break down why regions like Canterbury, Otago, and Southland are outperforming the major centres - from lower debt loads and cheaper housing to booming primary industries - while Auckland and Wellington grapple with high mortgages, sluggish sectors, and rising unemployment.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 just got a whole lot easier and the numbers prove it.In this episode, we break down the five biggest shifts helping first-home buyers right now: falling interest rates, lower test rates, flexible deposit options, smarter bank approvals, easier due-diligence pathways, and a market where negotiation not auctions is finally back on the table.Next Steps: If you want to know exactly how much you can borrow, what deposit you need, and whether you’re ready to buy, book a chat with Lighthouse Mortgages and we’ll run the numbers with 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.
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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.