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
NZ Economy Shrinks: Why GDP is Falling | Episode 377
NZ’s economy has gone backwards - here’s what it really means for Kiwis. In this episode, we break down the 0.9% GDP decline, what it signals for business and…
- Cheques and Balances
Most Played Moment: Finance Minister Nicola Willis on Debt, Growth, and NZ's Economic Future | Episode 376
Your Most Played Moment Of 2025: In this exclusive interview from inside the Beehive, Finance Minister Nicola Willis joins us to discuss NZ’s economic future…
- Cheques and Balances
Debt-Free Faster: How to Cut 10 Years Off your Mortgage Ft. Justin Gauci | Episode 375
Stop sleepwalking on your mortgage - learn how small changes could help you cut years off and reduce interest costs. In this episode, we explore practical…
- Cheques and Balances
2025 Property Market: Negotiation Tactics to Save Thousands Ft. Adam Farrell | Episode 374
In today’s buyer’s market, smart negotiation could save you thousands on your next property. Adam Farrell joins us to unpack the strategies behind timing your…
- Cheques and Balances
Why Rentvesting Will Ruin Your Retirement | Episode 373
Rentvesting might look smart now, but it could leave you broke later. In this episode, James and Jess break down the numbers behind rentvesting, comparing real…
- Cheques and Balances
Foreign Buyers Ban Changes: Will They Save or Sink NZ’s Economy? Ft. Matt Harris | Episode 732
Foreign buyers are back...sort of. In this episode, James and Matt unpack New Zealand’s revised foreign buyers rules, the $5 million price cap, and what it…
- Cheques and Balances
NZ's Infrastructure Crisis: Why Are Taxpayers Footing the Bill? | Episode 371
NZ’s infrastructure is crumbling and taxpayers are footing the bill. In this uncut episode, James and Mike unpack the government’s new road user charges…
- Cheques and Balances
$150K Insurance Mistake: Cancer and Cancelled Cover Ft. Emily Powell | Episode 370
A personal story of cancer, cost, and the true value of insurance. In this episode, we share the financial and emotional journey of losing a parent to terminal…
- Cheques and Balances
When the IRD Comes Knocking: Triggers, Mistakes & Penalties Ft. Matt Harris | Episode 369
When the IRD knocks, will you be ready? In this episode, we unpack how Inland Revenue investigations work, the triggers that set off audits, common tax…
- Cheques and Balances
The $1.7M Apartment Disaster: Why Pre Approval Matters | Episode 368
Don’t buy blind - pre-approval could save you from a financial disaster. In this episode, we break down what pre-approval really means, the risks of skipping…
- Cheques and Balances
KiwiSaver vs Managed Funds: How to Get Ahead in 2025 - Audience Q&A | Episode 367
Smart money moves start with the right questions. In this Q&A episode, James and Makayla unpack everything from when to start investing and paying down debt…
- Cheques and Balances
5 Hidden Tax Hacks Most NZ Property Investors Are Missing Ft. Matt Harris | Episode 366
Stop overpaying the IRD - here are five tax hacks you probably didn’t know existed. Matt Harris, Managing Director at Lighthouse Financial, unpacks clever but…
- Cheques and Balances
OCR Explained: What It Means for Your Mortgage & NZ’s Future | Episode 365
OCR explained: the cut, the tracker, and what it really means for your mortgage. In this episode, we break down the Reserve Bank’s 25bps cut to 3%, what…
- Cheques and Balances
Can The Economy Recover If House Prices Don’t? | Episode 364
If house prices stay flat, can New Zealand’s economy really bounce back? In this episode, we unpack how a stagnant housing market impacts GDP, business…
Cheques and BalancesMy Auction Horror Story: What Every Home Buyer Must Know | Episode 363
Buying a house isn’t just about the price tag - how you buy matters just as much. In this episode, we break down auctions, negotiations, deadline sales, and…
- Cheques and Balances
From One Home to Three Rentals: A Client’s Property Journey | Episode 362
From a $39k salary to three investment properties - Crissy’s story proves strategic moves pay off. In this episode, we follow Crissy’s journey from buying her…
- Cheques and Balances
5 Key Steps: A Beginner’s Guide to Property Investing ft. Adam Farrell | Episode 361
Buying your first investment property? Start with the right strategy, not the closest suburb. In this episode, Lighthouse Financial’s Property Director Adam…
- Cheques and Balances
Should Your KiwiSaver Have Crypto In It? | Episode 360
Crypto in KiwiSaver: bold move or big mistake? In this episode, we break down whether cryptocurrency deserves a place in your KiwiSaver, exploring its…
- Cheques and Balances
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Finance Minister Nicola Willis Debt, Growth, and New Zealand's Economic Future | Episode 359
You can’t tax your way to prosperity - but you can grow the pie. In this exclusive interview from inside the Beehive, Finance Minister Nicola Willis joins us…
- Cheques and Balances
Global Markets Are Up: So Why Is NZ Still Struggling? Q2 Report | Episode 358
Markets are bouncing back - but not all economies are sharing the gains. In this April-June 2025 quarterly update, we unpack the drivers behind the global…
- Cheques and Balances
Why Revolving Credit Will Ruin Your Life | Episode 357
Revolving credit might feel like financial freedom - but for most people, it can be a fast track to long-term debt. In this episode, we unpack how revolving…
- Cheques and Balances
Retirement Crisis: NZ’s Ageing Population | Episode 356
Nearly 1 in 4 Kiwis will be over 65 by 2050 - and that’s not just grey hairs, it’s an economic shake-up. In this episode, we break down what an ageing…
- Cheques and Balances
Step by Step Guide: How To Get Your First Mortgage | Episode 355
Think getting your first mortgage is confusing? We break it all down - from KiwiSaver strategies and saving hacks to bank vs broker comparisons and how to…
- Cheques and Balances
4 Reasons Why You Won’t Retire At 65 | Episode 354
Think you’re on track for retirement? Think again. We unpack the four biggest mistakes that are quietly derailing Kiwi retirement plans - from mortgage stress…
- Cheques and Balances
Are Kiwis Giving Up on Property? | Episode 353
Some Kiwis are walking away from property - but is that the right move?We break down why public sentiment is shifting, the risks of short-term thinking, and…
- Cheques and Balances
NZ Debt Crisis: Why Half A Million Kiwis Are Behind On Bills | Episode 352
Debt stress is rising across New Zealand and it’s not just mortgages. Over 485,000 Kiwis are behind on bills, with short-term debt spiking and KiwiSaver…
Cheques and BalancesRetirement in 2025: Should you 'Die With Zero'? | Episode 351
Should you really save every dollar for retirement? Makayla and Jess break down the key ideas from Die With Zero by Bill Perkins exploring why the rich don't…
Cheques and BalancesThe Realities of Saving a 10% Deposit in 2025 | Episode 350
Think saving a 10% deposit is out of reach? We break down the real numbers behind buying your first home in 2025 - comparing couples in Auckland and…
- Cheques and Balances
Mortgages 101: Deposits, Interest and Equity Explained | Episode 349
Mortgage jargon got you confused? We unpack the fundamentals of deposits, loan structures, and equity - breaking down what they actually mean, how they work…
- Cheques and Balances
5 Traits That Mean You’ll Be Wealthy | Episode 348
Being rich is easy - being wealthy is a different game. We break down the five traits that separate the truly wealthy from the paycheque-rich - from mastering…
Cheques and BalancesLuxury Investments: The Birkin Bag vs. The S&P 500 | Episode 347
Can a $30,000 Birkin bag really beat the S&P 500? We unpack whether luxury assets like handbags, watches, wine, and cars truly outperform traditional…
- Cheques and Balances
OCR Breakdown: 2025 Economic Update Ft. Jarrod Kerr | Episode 346
The OCR stayed put - but what does that mean for you? In this episode, Kiwibank Chief Economist Jarrod Kerr breaks down the Reserve Bank’s decision to hold…
- Cheques and Balances
6 Month Money Reset: How To Fix Your Budget Fast | Episode 345
With only 6 months left in 2025 - is your money on track? We share practical ways to check your progress, trim hidden costs, tweak your budget, increase your…
- Cheques and Balances
Why Term Deposits Are Costing You Thousands | Episode 344
Term deposits might be costing you more than you realise. We unpack why parking your cash in term deposits could leave you going backwards after inflation and…
Cheques and BalancesShould you buy a house in your 20s? | Episode 343
Is topping up a mortgage at 22 really the dream? Makayla and Jess break down the pros and cons of buying young, why some Kiwis are purchasing at 22, the…
- Cheques and Balances
OCR Predictions: Is A Rate Cut Off The Table? | Episode 342
Will the RBNZ cut rates in July or keep Kiwis waiting? We unpack why the Reserve Bank might hold off on cutting the OCR, from unexpected GDP growth and…
- Cheques and Balances
From Scaling Canva to Backing NZ’s Next Billion Dollar Startups ft. Mahesh Muralidhar | Episode 341
From scaling Canva to transforming New Zealand’s startup scene - Mahesh Muralidhar knows how to think big. In this episode, we unpack Mahesh’s journey at…
- Cheques and Balances
Is NZ’s Economy at Risk? Trump Escalates Middle East Conflict | Episode 340
Markets are rising, oil prices are spiking - but what does Trump’s strike on Iran mean for your money? We unpack how rising tensions in the Middle East could…
Cheques and BalancesHow to Raise Money-Smart Kids | Episode 339
From digital dollars to chore commissions - here's how to raise money-smart kids. Makayla and Jess explore the best ways to teach kids about money, covering…
- Cheques and Balances
Inflation Forecasting: Why Is Business Sentiment So Low? Ft. Matthew Harris | Episode 338
Inflation is easing, rates are dropping - so why are Kiwi businesses still stuck in a rut? In this episode, we’re joined by Matt Harris, Managing Director of…
- Cheques and Balances
Debt 101: Fixed, Floating & Revolving Explained | Episode 337
Done right, debt can build wealth - not just cost it. We break down everything you need to know about the core types of mortgage lending in New Zealand -…
Cheques and BalancesEnd of Life Finances: What to Organise Now for Your Family’s Future | Episode 336
We get it no one likes thinking about their mortality, but planning now protects your family later. Makayla and Jess unpack the financial steps every Kiwi…
- Cheques and Balances
$0 To 20% Deposit In 2 Years: A First Home Buyer’s Story | Episode 335
From $0 to 20% deposit - here’s how Jordan did it. In this episode, we unpack the real-life journey of Jordan Hosking, who went from living paycheque to…
- Cheques and Balances
What If NZ Introduced Capital Gains Tax in 2026 ft. Matthew Harris | Episode 334
Is a capital gains tax coming to New Zealand? We’re joined by Matthew Harris, Managing Director at Lighthouse Financial, to unpack what CGT could look like in…
- Cheques and Balances
Is 55 Too Old To Buy A House? | Episode 333
Buying your first home at 55? It’s not as crazy or as simple as it sounds.In this episode, we unpack the financial trade-offs of buying later in life, the…
Cheques and BalancesMoney Habits We Inherit: The Good the bad and the frugal | Episode 332
The way you spend, save, or stress about money? Chances are, you learned it at home.In this episode, we unpack the financial behaviours passed down through…
- Cheques and Balances
Trump’s Market Manipulation: Crypto and Meme Coins | Episode 331
Trump’s crypto play is making headlines - but is it hype, hustle, or something more serious? In this episode, we break down Trump’s endorsement of Bitcoin, the…
- Cheques and Balances
James Sells His House Part 1 ft. Jono Barton | Episode 330
Selling your first home? Here’s what you need to know before it hits the market. From valuations and setting the right price to fixing dodgy renos and staging…
- Cheques and Balances
Most Played Moment: How Does Compounding Interest Work? Ft Luke Kemeys
Your most played moment of 2025: Compounding interest is your secret weapon to long-term wealth—if you know how to use it. In this episode, we sit down with…
- Cheques and Balances
Investment Boost Explained: The New Tax Deduction That Will Save Kiwi Businesses Thousands Ft. Amanda Quill | Episode 329
The Investment Boost could slash your tax bill — but only if you know how to use it. Amanda Quill, Accounting Director at Lighthouse Financial, breaks down…
Cheques and BalancesSwitch and Save: How To Cut Your Bills In Half This Season | Episode 328
Don’t let winter bills freeze your budget. We break down practical ways to save on power, gas, internet, and insurance by comparing plans, dodging loyalty…
- Cheques and Balances
Investing 101: Future-Proofing Your Wealth | Episode 327
Your no-nonsense guide to getting started with investing. We break down the four key asset classes — cash, bonds, shares, and property — explain the pros and…
- Cheques and Balances
OCR Predictions: How much will they cut? | Episode 326
OCR cuts, budget moves, and Trump’s trade threats—everything’s in motion. We break down what’s likely next for the cash rate, how the 2025 Budget could spark…
- Cheques and Balances
Debt-Free by 50: $5 Million Retirement Story | Episode 325
Same income. Two very different financial futures. We dive into a powerful client case study — the story of “Bob,” a high-income earner whose financial…
- Cheques and Balances
Budget 2025 Explained: What the KiwiSaver Changes Mean for You | Episode 324
Did the government get it right? We dive into the biggest shake-ups to KiwiSaver since the scheme began—Finance Minister Nicola Willis’ new 2025 Budget…
- Cheques and Balances
Q1 Property Market Update: Why We’re Buying When Everyone Else Isn’t | Episode 323
When everyone else is sitting still, we’re making moves. we unpack why now might be the smartest time to buy, even amid uncertainty, slow sentiment, and a…
- Cheques and Balances
KiwiSaver Changes Are Coming: Will the Government Get It Right? | Episode 322
The government’s about to drop major changes to KiwiSaver - here’s what you need to know before it hits. We break down what the National-led government is…
- Cheques and Balances
Should You Pay Down Debt Or Invest? | Episode 321
Should you crush your mortgage or chase investment gains? We unpack one of the most common financial dilemmas Kiwis face—whether to prioritise debt repayment…
Cheques and BalancesHow to get ahead financially when you're single | Episode 320
Being single doesn't mean falling behind. Jess and Makayla dive into practical, empowering ways single Kiwis can get ahead financially—whether it's buying your…
- Cheques and Balances
How to Help Your Kids Financially: The Smart, Sustainable Way | Episode 319
Want to give your kids a leg-up without jeopardising your own retirement? We break down smart, sustainable ways to support your children financially—covering…