Buying property is one of the biggest financial commitments you’ll ever make, and in this country, it can be really difficult to achieve.

For most of us, the most important first step is to qualify for a mortgage.

So, how do you improve your chances of getting the lending you need to be in the market, and what do you need to know about what you’ve signed up for?

This week, Nadina talks with director of The Loan Market and senior advisor Cam Marcroft to get all the tips and tricks you need to get on the property ladder.

If you have a question you want answered, or a financial story to share, get in touch at nadine.higgins@nzme.co.nz

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The average wedding in New Zealand is on the rise - once thought to be around $30,000, that cost for higher-end weddings has doubled in recent years.

Finance companies often feature pictures of weddings when touting their high-interest loans, but debt is no way to start your life of wedded bliss. So how can you avoid financial stress when planning your big day?

This week, Nadine is joined by Astrid Braid, wedding planner at PS I Love You Events, to talk through what costs you should look at cutting on your big day, and which ones are worth investing the big bucks in.

If you have a question you want answered, or a financial story to share, get in touch at nadine.higgins@nzme.co.nz

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwis are pretty familiar with the idea of investing in property, but more often than not, it’s in houses, apartments, or other types of residential property.

But more and more people are asking if they should instead consider commercial property.

This week, Nadine talks with CEO of property investment firm Rethink Group, and commercial property investor, Scott O’Neill, to discuss the ins and outs of commercial property.

If you have a question you want answered, or a financial story to share, get in touch at nadine.higgins@nzme.co.nz

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How long could you last if your income stopped tomorrow? Culd you handle a big, unexpected bill without going into debt? And how often do you worry about money?

Those are all metrics in the Financial Resilience Index, a survey on Kiwis’ money habits and stability - so what does it tell us, and crucially, what should we do with that information?

This week, Nadine is talking with the Chief Executive of the Financial Services Council, Kirk Hope, about what his organisation's survey tells us about Kiwis and their money.

If you have a question you want answered, or a financial story to share, get in touch at nadine.higgins@nzme.co.nz

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The path to becoming a social media influencer or content creator is one a lot of people aspire to these days - in fact, one survey suggested 57 percent for Gen Zers want that career path.

But how easy it is to get into this path, and make it pay?

Julian Sewell is a Kiwi who’s made it big on Instagram and TikTok, although you may know him as his silver haired alter ego, Paloma Diamond.

His first video parodying the Hollywood awards season in 2023 now has over 23 million views on TikTok, and he has 3 million followers across that platform and Instagram. He joins Nadine this week to discuss how his career blew up, and how one actually makes money from social media.

If you have a question you want answered, or a financial story to share, get in touch at nadine.higgins@nzme.co.nz

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When the US President Donald Trump announced a pause on reciprocal tariffs last week, prompting a massive rally on the markets - he admitted he did so after watching the bond market.

So, why is the bond market so significant, and what do you need to know about how it works - especially given you likely own some in your KiwiSaver fund!

Today, Nadine is joined by Matt Logan from Fisher Funds to discuss what the bond market is, how it all works, and how you can invest in it.

If you have a question you want answered, or a financial story to share, get in touch at nadine.higgins@nzme.co.nz

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More than 3.3 million New Zealanders are in KiwiSaver, and they now have more than $110 billion invested - but too many of us are not making the most of the scheme.

So this week, Nadine is joined by finance expert, columnist and author Mary Holm, who has just revised and updated her 8th book, Rich Enough, to get some guidance on how to ensure you are making the most from the scheme.

If you have a question you want answered, or a financial story to share, get in touch at nadine.higgins@nzme.co.nz

To compare KiwiSaver funds, Mary recommended the Sorted calculator: https://sorted.org.nz/tools/kiwisaver-fund-finder/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recently, the price of gold has been hovering near record highs at over NZ$5000 an ounce - that’s less than 30 grams for those of us only versed in the metric system!

It’s commonly thought of as a ‘safe haven’ asset, but why is that? How does it help your investments when the world is an uncertain place? How do you make money out of it? How do you own it? And does your jewellery count.

To help us answer those questions, today Nadine is joined by two guests. First, Mark Lister, investment director at Craigs Investment Partners to discuss why people are buying gold And then she talks to financial advisor Louis Boulanger, on the practicalities of owning gold.

If you have a question you want answered, or a financial story to share, get in touch at nadine.higgins@nzme.co.nz

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.