Shows / Cheques and Balances
Cheques and Balances
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
Episodes
- Cheques and Balances
The Right Property For Every Type of Investor Ft. Adam Farrell | Episode 497
Not every property is right for every investor. In this episode, James and Lighthouse Property Director Adam Farrell break down which property types suit…
- Cheques and Balances
Can ChatGPT Replace Your Mortgage Broker? | Episode 496
Don't mistake information for advice. In this episode, James and Mike discuss whether ChatGPT can replace a mortgage broker, unpack a real-life example where…
- Cheques and Balances
6 Mistakes Stopping You From Buying an Investment Property ft. Ilse Wolfe | Episode 495
Most people don't miss out on their first investment property because of the market - they miss out because they're focused on the wrong things. In this…
- Cheques and Balances
Trades vs Degrees: Which Builds More Wealth? | Episode 494
The degree debate is changing. In this episode, James and Mike break down the real numbers behind trades versus degrees, comparing income, student debt, house…
- Cheques and Balances
A Thriving Business In A Tough Economy: How Did They Do It? | Episode 492
Most businesses are feeling the pressure but some are still finding ways to grow. In this episode, James and Jess sit down with Cruze and Pearl, founders of…
- Cheques and Balances
Are New Build Townhouses Dead? Ft. Adam Farrell | Episode 492
Not all townhouses are created equal. In this episode, James and Lighthouse Property Director Adam Farrell break down the oversupply of new build townhouses…
- Cheques and Balances
NZ Budget 2026: Did The Government Get It Right? | Episode 491
The Budget is out but will it actually make Kiwis better off? In this episode, James and Matt break down NZ Budget 2026, discussing the biggest winners and…
- Cheques and Balances
The Infrastructure Problem Holding NZ Back | Episode 490
Is new infrastructure the answer to NZ’s problems? What if New Zealand’s biggest economic problem isn’t interest rates or housing… but infrastructure? In this…
- Cheques and Balances
Forward Fixing: How To Lock In Your Interest Rate Early | Episode 489
In this episode, we break down what forward fixing actually is, how rate locks work, what rising interest rates could mean for borrowers in 2026, and the key…
- Cheques and Balances
Australia’s Capital Gains Tax Changes: Is NZ Next? | Episode 488
Australia’s tax overhaul could become New Zealand’s opportunity. In this episode, we break down Australia’s major property and capital gains tax changes, what…
- Cheques and Balances
National Debt Crisis: Is NZ Broke? | Episode 487
New Zealand’s debt is exploding… but is it actually a problem? With Budget 2026 around the corner, we break down New Zealand’s $182 billion debt position…
- Cheques and Balances
Australia's Tax Crisis: New Zealand's Golden Opportunity | Episode 486
Australia just changed the game on tax and New Zealand might be the biggest winner. In this episode, we break down Australia’s new capital gains tax changes…
- Cheques and Balances
Why You’re Underprepared For Retirement | Episode 485
Most Kiwis are heading towards retirement with far less than they think they need. The difference between struggling in retirement and living comfortably often…
- Cheques and Balances
Rich vs Wealthy in 2026: Why High Income Isn’t Enough Anymore | Episode 484
More money doesn’t always mean more freedom.In this episode, we break down the difference between being rich and actually building wealth in 2026, including…
- Cheques and Balances
The Problem With Owning Too Much Property | Episode 483
You can own millions in property and still feel financially trapped. In this episode, we break down why bigger property portfolios don’t always create…
- Cheques and Balances
The Harsh Reality of Renting in Retirement | Episode 482
Retirement is changing fast and owning a home no longer guarantees financial security. In this episode, we break down the growing reality of retiring without a…
- Cheques and Balances
Will Interest Rates Rise Again? How To Prepare Your Mortgage Now | Episode 481
Interest rates could be heading back up and most mortgage holders aren’t ready for it. In this episode, we break down why rate rises may not be over yet, how…
- Cheques and Balances
Upgrade Your Home or Buy an Investment Property? | Episode 480
Upgrading your home feels right… but it might be costing you hundreds of thousands in the long run. In this episode, we break down the real wealth trade-off…
- Cheques and Balances
SpaceX IPO Explained: Should You Buy the Biggest IPO Ever? | Episode 479
The biggest IPO in history is coming… but is it a once-in-a-generation opportunity or a massive trap? In this episode, we break down the potential SpaceX IPO…
- Cheques and Balances
What the Oil Crisis Means for Your Portfolio: Q1 Investment Update | Episode 478
Markets held up better than expected but the story underneath is where it gets interesting. In this quarterly update, we break down how the Middle East oil…
- Cheques and Balances
$9.3 Billion Tax Bill: Why NZ Businesses Are Struggling | Episode 477
New Zealand’s $9.3 billion tax bill reveals how tax arrears, rising costs, and cashflow pressure are impacting businesses nationwide. In this episode, we break…
- Cheques and Balances
From First Home to Forever Home: How to Upgrade Property in NZ | Episode 476
Upgrading your home isn’t about buying bigger - it’s about making the numbers work. In this episode, we break down how to actually move into your “forever…
- Cheques and Balances
Why New Zealand’s Economy Is Falling Behind (And How to Fix It) Ft. Luke Kemeys & Simon Rolland | Episode 475
New Zealand isn’t broken but the way we think about money, risk, and business might be. In this episode, we sit down with Luke Kemeys and Simon Rolland to…
- Cheques and Balances
The $3,800% Return: Pokémon Cards vs S&P 500 | Episode 474
Pokémon cards beat the market… but that doesn’t mean they should be your strategy. In this episode, we break down the eye-watering 3,800% return of Pokémon…
- Cheques and Balances
Why 30% of Couples Break Up After Buying a House | Episode 473
Buying a home together might be the dream but for many couples, it’s where things start to fall apart. In this episode, we unpack Charlie Munger’s “ladies…
- Cheques and Balances
Why 8/10 People Should Sell Their First Home | Episode 472
Most first homes don’t make good investment properties but people keep holding them anyway. In this episode, we break down why so many Kiwis become “accidental…
- Cheques and Balances
Why It Feels Harder Than Ever To Get Ahead in New Zealand | Episode 471
It feels harder than ever to get ahead right now - even if you’re doing everything right. In this episode, we break down the reality behind that feeling -…
- Cheques and Balances
Property Prices Are Stuck: Should You Buy in 2026? | Episode 470
With NZ property prices flat in 2026, should you be buying or waiting it out? In this episode, we break down whether 2026 is actually a smart time to buy…
- Cheques and Balances
Fuel Crisis vs COVID: Which Hits NZ Economy Harder? | Episode 469
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…
- Cheques and Balances
KiwiSaver vs. Property: What Builds More Wealth In Retirement? | Episode 468
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…
- Cheques and Balances
OCR Predictions: Petrol Prices Are Spiking - Do Interest Rates Follow? Ft. Jarrod Kerr | Episode 467
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…
- Cheques and Balances
NZ Economic Update: Inflation Rising, Growth Falling Ft. Jarrod Kerr | Episode 466
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…
- Cheques and Balances
The Tax on Shares That’s Costing Kiwi Investors Thousands | Episode 465
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…
- Cheques and Balances
Is NZ’s Economic Recovery at Risk? The Long Term Effects of the Oil Crisis | Episode 464
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…
- Cheques and Balances
A 30 Year-Old’s Retirement Plan | Episode 463
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…
- Cheques and Balances
2026 Financial Plan: Step-by-Step to Fix Your Money | Episode 462
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…
- Cheques and Balances
First Home Buyers Guide NZ: Step-by-Step Process | Episode 461
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…
- Cheques and Balances
5 Signs You’ll Have to Work Until 70 (And How to Avoid It) | Episode 460
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…
- Cheques and Balances
KiwiSaver, Investing & Mortgages: Listener Money Questions | Episode 459
Real money questions from listeners - covering KiwiSaver, investing, mortgages, and how to actually build wealth in New Zealand. In this Listener Hotline…
- Cheques and Balances
Meth Contamination: The Silent Killer of the NZ Property Market | Episode 458
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…
- Cheques and Balances
Will War Push Interest Rates Higher? What It Means for Your Mortgage | Episode 457
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…
- Cheques and Balances
Oil Prices Surge 50%: What War Means for Markets | Episode 456
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…
- Cheques and Balances
10 Years Without Filing Taxes: What Happens Next? | IRD Horror Stories | Episode 455
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…
- Cheques and Balances
Property vs Shares: Which Builds More Wealth in 2026? | Episode 454
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…
Cheques and BalancesAn Extra $100,000 at Retirement? KiwiSaver Changes Explained | Episode 453
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…
- Cheques and Balances
Chlöe Swarbrick: Wealth Tax, Housing & New Zealand’s Broken Economy | Episode 451
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…
- Cheques and Balances
Accountants React To The Worst Tax Advice Online ft. Matt Harris | Episode 450
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…
- Cheques and Balances
$45,000 Paid Off Their Mortgage In 4 Months | Inside a Financial Plan Ep 9
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…
- Cheques and Balances
$145 Billion In KiwiSaver: Why Is The System Still Broken? Ft. Dean Anderson, CEO of Kernel | Episode 448
KiwiSaver holds $145 billion so why are so many Kiwis still heading for a broken retirement? In this episode, we’re joined by Dean Anderson, Founder and CEO of…
- Cheques and Balances
Why New Zealand Is Working Harder And Getting Nowhere | Episode 446
New Zealand used to punch above its weight - so why does working harder now feel like it’s getting us nowhere? In this episode, we unpack New Zealand’s…
- Cheques and Balances
Is The Share Market Overvalued? Here’s What Investors Must Know | Episode 445
Is the sharemarket dangerously expensive or just evolving with a new era of growth? In this episode, the team unpacks whether today’s valuations actually…
- Cheques and Balances
The Bitcoin Crash Explained: $3.2 Billion Wiped Out in 24 Hours | Episode 444
Bitcoin just lost $3.2B in a single day and this crash wasn’t random.We unpack what triggered the February 5 sell-off, how leverage and forced liquidations…
- Cheques and Balances
Quarterly Investment Update: Why Silver Surged! | Episode 443
Silver surged, crashed, and reminded investors just how quickly sentiment can turn.In this quarterly investment update, we break down global market…
- Cheques and Balances
Reduce Your Tax Bill: How the Wealthy Structure Assets & Debt Ft. Amanda Quill | Episode 442
Structure your debt smarter - because how you own assets can be the difference between paying more tax or keeping thousands. Drawing on a real example of an…
- Cheques and Balances
NZ’s Rising Debt Crisis: Why You’re Still Broke And Why It’s Getting Worse | Episode 441
Debt is rising and relief hasn’t arrived. In this episode, the team unpacks rising mortgage arrears, increasing unemployment, stubborn interest rates, and the…
- Cheques and Balances
Paying Too Much, Yet Still Underinsured | Inside a Financial Plan Ep 8
You can be paying thousands for insurance and still be dangerously under-covered. In this episode of Inside a Financial Plan, Callum walks Rachel and Dion…
- Cheques and Balances
Is New Zealand’s Economy Growing… or Shrinking? | Episode 439
New Zealand’s economy is sending mixed signals and the outlook for 2026 isn’t as simple as “good” or “bad.” In this episode, the team breaks down inflation…
- Cheques and Balances
Elon Musk: Is This the End of Retirement Savings? | Episode 438
Elon Musk says we don’t need to save for retirement - but should we actually believe him? In this episode, the team breaks down Musk’s viral comments on AI…
- Cheques and Balances
Haven’t Filed Your Tax Return Yet? Watch This Ft. Amanda Quill | Episode 437
If you haven’t filed your tax return yet, what you don’t know could already be costing you money. In this episode, the team breaks down how to legally minimise…
- Cheques and Balances
Is Buy and Hold Dead? Rethinking your property strategy Ft. Jim Dodd Property CEO Founder | Episode 436
Is the classic buy-and-hold strategy still enough in today’s property market? In this episode, we’re joined by Jim Dodd, Founder of Property CEO, to unpack…