All tagged Kernel

KiwiSaver’s Government Contribution is Being Cut – Here’s What I’m Doing About It

KiwiSaver’s Government Contribution is Being Cut – Here’s What I’m Doing About It

Ruth
ETFs, Index Funds, InvestNow, KiwiSaver, Smart, Kernel, Simplicity, Retirement

Every June, I check in with our KiwiSaver accounts to make sure we’re on track to receive the annual government contribution. If you put in at least $1,042 by the 30th of June 2025, the government will deposit $521 into your KiwiSaver account; a welcome little bonus for those of us thinking ahead to retirement. But from 1 July 2025, that bonus will be cut in half, dropping to just $260 a year. With the government’s contribution shrinking, yet again, it’s time for me to rethink my strategy. In my recent fortnightly email, I mentioned that I was considering ceasing payments into my KiwiSaver. My friend Wayne questioned that move, so I wanted to explain a bit more about what I’m planning on doing with my KiwiSaver, and what Jonny and I are planning as a couple, especially given we will be retiring in our fifties.

We Sold Some Investments: Putting Our Version of the 4% Rule to the Test!

We Sold Some Investments: Putting Our Version of the 4% Rule to the Test!

Ruth
ETFs, Index Funds, SmartShares, Sharesies, Kernel

In early May, Jonny and I made a call; we decided to sell off a portion of our investments to supplement our lifestyle. There is no drama, and we are not doing this due to inflation or the current cost of living; the simple fact is that our journey with money continues. For those who have followed along from the beginning, you’ve seen us slowly growing our net worth in readiness for it supporting us in early retirement. We are not there yet, we still need to work for an income, but we are well underway with our early retirement plans. What has changed is that there are things we want to do now that we need money for now.

The Happy Saver Christmas Gift Giveaway!

The Happy Saver Christmas Gift Giveaway!

Ruth
Index Funds, Hatch, Kernel, PocketSmith, Sharesies, Sharesight, Tertiary Scholarship

I’m delighted to tell you that Christmas is imminent! At the time of publishing this blog post, it’s just 34 days away. Yes, indeed it is. You will no doubt have noticed the headlines telling us to shop early for Christmas and stock up due to a predicted lack of supply? Therefore, I have been doing a little bit of shopping for the readers of my blog. Jonny and I have come up with a plan to give away a bunch of goodies, all of which aim to help you in your journey to financial independence.

What the FIF? Foreign Tax and How to Pay It

What the FIF? Foreign Tax and How to Pay It

Ruth
ETFs, Hatch, Index Funds, Investment, Kernel, KiwiSaver, Money Education, Shares, Sharesies, Sharesight, Simplicity, SmartShares, Tax

Because I like to make life difficult for myself, I thought I would write a blog post on the tax implications of using a FIF. A Foreign Investment Fund. Due to the proliferation of online investment providers like Hatch, Sharesies, InvestNow, Smartshares, Kernel, Betashares, Stake etc. I’m getting more and more emails from people who are concerned about the national and international tax implications of using these platforms.

Begin at the Beginning: Step-by-step Path to Financial Independence

Begin at the Beginning: Step-by-step Path to Financial Independence

Ruth
Budgeting, ETFs, Index Funds, Investment, KiwiSaver, Personal Finance, Shares, Sharesies, Sharesight, Simplicity, SmartShares

Whatever it is that you are embarking on that’s always the best place to start in my opinion. The beginning. Then just follow the path, in my case, the path to financial independence and eventually not being tied to a job to earn my income. It’s a long journey but it’s one worth starting. I’m often writing emails that cover the same points over and over again, so I thought that today I’d put that information into a blog post for all of the people wondering where to start and how to string all the bits of information you have learned about money into a cohesive order.

Should I buy VTSAX or US 500 in New Zealand?

Should I buy VTSAX or US 500 in New Zealand?

Ruth
ETFs, Hatch, Index Funds, Investment, Kernel, Shares, Sharesies, Sharesight, SmartShares

This week I read a question on the Kiwi Mustachian Facebook page from a woman by the name of Kimberly who was asking a particularly good question. I thought that such a question required more than a social media soundbite and that it might also be useful to other Happy Savers. This is an important question and it needs a detailed answer because in my view Kimberly is on the brink of making one of the most important investment decisions of her life and she needs to feel comfortable with what she is doing.

An Alternative to Property Investment that Works

An Alternative to Property Investment that Works

Ruth
ETFs, Hatch, Index Funds, Kernel, Investment, KiwiSaver, PocketSmith, Sharesies, Sharesight, Simplicity, SmartShares

I’ve long said that there are alternatives to buying rental property and today I wanted to actually give you some decent detail on this. So today I’m going to give you an idea of what investing into KiwiSaver and index funds/ETFs actually looks like a few years down the track. I find with this blog of mine that it’s helpful to share some real numbers instead of just talking hypothetically all the time.

What should I do with my Bonus Bonds?

What should I do with my Bonus Bonds?

Ruth
Bonds, ETFs, Financial Advisors, Hatch, Index Funds, Investment, Kernel, KiwiSaver, Saving, Shares, Sharesies, Simplicity, SmartShares

This week I’ve received even more emails about Bonus Bonds with people asking what investment options are out there for the money that will be released from the scheme when it winds up shortly and also asking what they could do with the ongoing monthly payments that people had previously been making into the scheme. They don’t want to stop this regular savings habit, but they have no idea where to put it.

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