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KiwiSaver and retirement
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Tips and guides

Your 2021 KiwiSaver checklist

KiwiSaver is a great tool to help you save for your future – whether that’s saving a deposit for your first home or setting yourself up for a comfortable retirement. Here's our quick and simple guide to help you get your KiwiSaver account sorted.

#Market updates

Are interest rates heading back up to ‘normal’?

The fixed interest investments (or bonds) in portfolios typically perform well during market stress, as investors favour low-risk assets that generate income. 2020 was no exception.

The best budget resolutions are set in February

It's all too easy to set grand New Year's resolutions while you're relaxing on holiday. Here's why you should set money goals in February – and my best tips for sticking to them.

#Announcements

Calling on social media giants for greater accountability

Booster joined an initiative led by the NZ Super Fund, calling on social media companies to do more to prevent their platforms being used to disseminate objectionable material.

Is your emotional attachment to money holding you back?

The way you attach value to money is more complex than you might realise. Yet, $100 is $100. The value of that $100 doesn’t change, regardless of the emotional value you attribute to it.

#Market updates

A dose of optimism

The big news in November (aside from the results of the US election) has been the release of positive Covid-19 vaccine outcomes.

#Market updates

What can we expect from a new POTUS?

The world held its collective breath during the recent US election. Although it’s pretty much expected that Biden will take over the Oval Office from 20 January 2021, he will likely face a Republican controlled Senate and divided government, potentially limiting his ability to make major legislative changes. So what does this mean for the markets?

#Budgeting

Why is budgeting so hard?

Budgeting should be as simple as: money in, money out. Yet, for most of us, the thought of budgeting leaves us in a cold sweat. Why is that? Well, our brains aren’t particularly well suited to the concept of budgeting, and there are 3 key reasons for this.

Does ethical investing stack up?

Over three-quarters of New Zealanders expect their KiwiSaver investment funds to be managed responsibly and ethically, but there’s still a widely held perception that ethical investment funds don’t perform as well as non-ethical funds. So what are the factors that influence a funds performance, and how does excluding certain industries, such as fossil fuels, lead to better performance in an investment fund?

Booster Spotlight Series – Apple

Apple has been leading the way with cool tech, gadgets, and computers since the late '70s. They've now turned this innovative focus on their environmental impact, committing to reduce their carbon footprint and be carbon neutral by 2030. So how will this tech giant achieve such a significant reduction in their carbon footprint?

#Market updates

The effects of 2020 on the stock market and its recovery

How likely is it, really, that the stock market recovers from ‘the 2020 effect’?

#Market updates

Term deposits and low interest rates

The current low interest rate environment is making it harder for investors to get good returns on their investments. So, what can you do about it?

#Spotlight Series

Booster Spotlight Series – F&P Healthcare

An iconic Kiwi brand, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare is a world leader in the design and manufacture of medical devices and systems. F&P Healthcare's Optiflow™ technology is proving essential as a front-line treatment option for Covid-19.

#Insurance

A safe pair of hands

In cricket, wicket keepers are said to be a ‘safe pair of hands’. They act as insurance for the bowler: taking the catch from that great delivery and – just as importantly – preventing the not so great deliveries going to the boundary for runs.

#Market updates

Engaging with the companies you invest in

Investing in a company isn't just about doing well when the company does well. It also means having a say in how the company is run. How does this happen and what does it mean for you as an investor?

#Market updates

NZ joins the ‘money printing’ club

The term ‘quantitative easing’ has been tossed around in the media recently, particularly in reference to the Covid-19 economic recovery.… But what does this actually mean?

#Insurance

Why do I need life insurance?

What is life insurance and why is it important? Life insurance isn’t so much for you. It’s for your family, should something happen to you.

#Insurance

Insurance – for peace of mind

People can be wary about risk insurance products and might think that it’s not worth it and they could save the money they’d pay in premiums and use that instead if an emergency struck. Often, that’s not the case.

Booster Spotlight Series – Dodson Motorsport

Dodson Motorsport is a world-leading brand in upgraded aftermarket dual clutch transmission components.

Chapter 8: What's next for The Spendy Saver?

In her final blog post, Grace shares some of the ways she's been able to help her friends and family manage their money better. She also reveals what's next in her savings journey.

Chapter 7: The Spendy Saver’s tips

Grace shares some of the helpful money management tips she's learnt from working in the financial services industry. Some of these she's used to help her get out of debt and others have been helpful for clients she has talked to.

Chapter 6: The Spendy Saver buys a house!

Grace's savings plan had finally paid off. Grace and her partner had managed to purchase their very own brand new four-bedroom home!

Chapter 5: The Spendy Saver gets promoted

A promotion, set savings goals and extra KiwiSaver contributions. Grace's savings started to build up, which was really exciting to see all her hard work pay off and see the balance grow!

Booster Spotlight Series – Inhibit Coatings

NZ Innovation Booster invests in a number of exciting research and innovative start-ups, helping fund the ground-breaking research to the next level – while keeping IP right here in NZ - one exciting innovation is Inhibit Coatings.

Chapter 4: Getting back on track

After getting so far into debt, how did Grace get back on the savings track? Using the simplest money management tool out there. An excel spreadsheet.

Kiwis helping Kiwis in the Booster Tahi Fund

Global share markets have continued to bounce back from the big sell off in March, as investors started looking ahead to the gradual lifting of restrictions around the world.

#Budgeting

4 Ways To Budget Your Money

The key thing to know when it comes to budgeting your money is there’s no right or wrong way of doing it. It’s all about finding a method that works for you and then refining that over time.

Chapter 3: A $10,000 conversation

Grace moves out of home to go flatting with her friends. Find out how her "go with the flow" attitude towards money takes her from being a super saver to complete shopaholic!

#Announcements

Introducing mybudgetpal

Dive into the what, the why and the how behind the creation of mybudgetpal and why we’re opening it up to all New Zealanders!

#Spotlight Series

Booster Spotlight Series – Rothschild Bank & Costco

Booster partner with several expert research houses to help deliver solid investment outcomes for our clients. One of these trusted advisers is Rothschild Bank.

#The Spendy Saver

Chapter 2: The Spendy Saver starts working

How did Grace become the Spendy Saver? Find out in this lastest blog how getting her first job started Grace's journey to becoming the Spendy Saver.

#Market updates

Capturing opportunities while helping kiwi companies raise capital

With the effect of Coronavirus dominating the headlines around the world, we thought it was important to share our view on what is happening in the markets and what the key factors affecting your investments are during this time.

Chapter 1: Introducing the Spendy Saver

Grace charts her journey from total shopaholic to serious saver. Find out how she got debt free, learnt how to use her spendy habits to become a smart budgeter and serious saver – managing to save a deposit for her first house. All in just under 3 years!

Booster Spotlight Series – Booster Wine Group

There’s no question that New Zealand’s wine industry is one of our biggest industries. Our wine is exported across the globe, and considered to be amongst some of the finest in the world.

#Market updates

Strategy and planning – when you need it most

The effect of Coronavirus are the main headlines around the world at the moment so we thought it was important to share our Booster view on what is happening in the markets and what the key factors are driving your balance up and down during this time.

#Announcements

Introducing the mybooster refresh

Find out what we have been busy doing behind the scenes with lots of exciting new features and products for mybooster - including the new and improved mybooster!

Booster Spotlight Series – Sunchaser Avocados

To remain at the forefront of avocado production, Sunchaser has perfected the art of growing export-quality avocados on an island.

5 min chat: David Beattie – should I change my KiwiSaver fund?

There’s a lot going on in the world at the moment, which means there's a lot to take in – not least how it all affects your KiwiSaver investment or any other investments you may have.

#Market updates

Understanding market volatility in uncertain times

While market drops can be unnerving to watch, the strategic diversification and active components within Booster’s portfolios are working well to ease some of the downside risks.

#Ethical investing

The tragedy of the commons

Being stuck in traffic is no fun. No one likes the jerky start stops, increased stress and delayed schedules. It is tempting to wonder what would happen if half the people driving took the bus instead.

Concerned about market activity and your KiwiSaver balance?

Concerned about market activity and your KiwiSaver balance? Wondering what the best course of action is to take? It will depend on your investment timeframe and savings goals.

#Online security

Booster's cyber security measures

Online security is more important than ever. James Story, our Head of Technology, outlines the steps Booster takes to ensure your personal information is protected.

5 min chat: Alison Payne and PLPF

Alison Payne, Booster's Chief Operating Officer, discusses how Booster's Private Land and Property Fund is an alternative to traditional property investments, while investing back into New Zealand land and property.

#KiwiSaver

Making extra contributions to KiwiSaver

Tom Donoghue contributes to his KiwiSaver fund with extra payments, using the convenience of direct debit. Knowing that his Booster KiwiSaver fund is ethically invested was also an important factor for Tom.

#Market updates

Viruses and their effect on markets

Over the few past weeks, the media has been filled with information on the outbreak of the coronavirus in Wuhan, China. But how does this compare to other epidemics recently? And what has Booster done in response?

When the stock market reacts to global events

The markets might be reacting to the media reports of the coronavirus outbreak at the moment, but it's not unusual. Markets go through up and down cycles on a regular basis. The key thing to do is not panic and jump into any rash decisions.

NZ Innovation Booster invests in Multiple sclerosis drug research

The New Zealand Innovation Booster announces its latest funding investment for a potentially ground-breaking Multiple sclerosis drug, being developed by Rekover Therapeutics.

Checklist: How to get financially prepared

Been playing ostrich with your finances for too long? Time to take your head out of the sand and get your finances under control! Use this handy checklist to help get you started.

#Ethical investing

Responsible investing toolkit

Responsible investing is an evolving space. Investors look at a range of factors, including non-financial disclosure information from companies, to determine investment opportunities. But how is this information actually used to make investment decisions?

The joy of less

Michelle found herself looking around at the stuff that her and her husband had amassed over a 20-year period and wondered how on earth they were going pack up their lives and start fresh in New Zealand.

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