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
How The Rich Structure Their Finances Ft. Amanda Quill | Episode 318
Trusts, tax hacks, and how the rich play the game. Amanda Quill, Accounting Director at Lighthouse Financial, breaks down the sophisticated financial…
- Cheques and Balances
Is Your KiwiSaver Ethical? Ft. Pathfinder CEO John Berry | Episode 317
We’re joined by Pathfinder CEO John Berry to unpack the grey areas of ethical investing, from greenwashing and responsible due diligence to AI’s energy…
- Cheques and Balances
Recession Fears Rise: What’s REALLY Happening In The Market? Q1 Report | Episode 316
Markets stumbled and optimism faded in Q1, as recession fears took hold and political uncertainty shook investor confidence. In this quarterly report we cover…
- Cheques and Balances
What Would Happen If Property Investors Disappeared? | Episode 315
What if every property investor in New Zealand vanished overnight? We explore the economic chaos that would follow - crunching the numbers, unpacking the…
- Cheques and Balances
The Cost Of Having A Hair Transplant: Is It Worth It? | Episode 314
Hairlines, finance, and tough choices — is a hair transplant really worth it? In this episode, James shares his personal journey through getting a hair…
Cheques and BalancesThe Governments Got Retirement Wrong: We Ran The Numbers | Episode 313
Think you're all set for retirement? Think again. In this episode, Jess and Makayla break down why New Zealand Super and KiwiSaver might not cut it, and use…
- Cheques and Balances
How Does Compounding Interest Work? Ft. Luke Kemeys | Episode 312
Compounding interest is your secret weapon to long-term wealth—if you know how to use it. In this episode, we sit down with Luke Kemeys from Keep the Change to…
- Cheques and Balances
Step-by-Step Guide: 10 Smart Tax Moves for the New Financial Year | Episode 311
Start the new financial year on the front foot by getting your tax setup sorted early. Amanda Quill, Accounting Director at Lighthouse, joins us to share 10…
- Cheques and Balances
How Tariffs Have Hurt Your House Price and Mortgage | Episode 310
Trump’s tariffs are making waves — but are they hitting the New Zealand property market? In this episode, we unpack how global economic uncertainty and the…
- Cheques and Balances
Do Gen Z Really Have It Harder? We Run The Numbers | Episode 309
Boomers blame brunch, Gen Z blame broken systems — but who really had it tougher trying to buy a home in New Zealand? In this episode, we compare house prices…
- Cheques and Balances
Why Rental Prices Are Dropping And Vacancy Is Increasing | Episode 308
Rents are falling and properties are sitting empty—what’s going on? In this episode, we break down why rental prices are dropping across New Zealand, what's…
- Cheques and Balances
Creating Luke Kemeys Financial Plan | Episode 307
Luke Kemeys is building serious wealth - without a mortgage, without the pressure, and 100% on his own terms. In this episode, we’re joined by Luke Kemeys from…
Cheques and BalancesSubscription Theft: The Hidden Cost You’re Not Noticing | Episode 306
Subscription theft is costing Kiwis hundreds — and most don’t even realise it. Jess and Makayla break down how sneaky subscription traps are draining your bank…
- Cheques and Balances
How To Sell Your House In 2025: The Do's And Don'ts ft. Alex Martelli | Episode 305
Selling your home in 2025? The game has changed — and buyers are playing smarter than ever. In this episode, we sat down with Alex Martelli from Martelli & Co…
- Cheques and Balances
What Kiwis Should Do Now: Trump Market Crash | Episode 304
Markets are tanking and Trump’s back with tariffs — but should Kiwis be panicking? In this episode, we break down what’s really causing the global market dip…
- Cheques and Balances
OCR Predictions: Orr Is Out, Tariffs Are In | Episode 303
Adrian Orr steps down and Trump’s tariffs step up—this week, global finance is in flux and Kiwis are wondering what comes next. We break down what the Reserve…
- Cheques and Balances
Rent, Buy, or Hold? What To Do When Relocating | Episode 302
Selling, Renting, or Holding — What’s the Smart Move? We answer a listener question about whether to rent, sell, or hold when relocating across the country. We…
- Cheques and Balances
Midweek Short: Creating Iyia Liu's Financial Plan | Episode 301
We spotlight the best bits from our deep dive into Iyia Liu’s financial planning journey. From managing unpredictable income to navigating the challenges of…
- Cheques and Balances
Should You Buy Property with Friends? | Episode 300
Buying a house solo can feel impossible—could teaming up be the answer? As housing affordability becomes more challenging, co-ownership is becoming a popular…
- Cheques and Balances
Gendered Pricing: Who is Paying More? | Episode 299
Gender-based pricing affects more than just individual purchases—it has a lasting impact on household budgets and long-term financial wellbeing. In this…
- Cheques and Balances
Creating Iyia Liu's Financial Plan ft. Iyia Liu | Episode 298
Iyia Liu has built and sold multiple successful businesses—now, she’s refining her personal financial plan. In this episode, we dive into her approach to…
- Cheques and Balances
The Most Affordable Housing In NZ | Episode 297
Looking to buy a home but struggling with high prices? In this episode, we explore New Zealand’s most affordable housing markets, the risks and rewards of…
- Cheques and Balances
Nvidia Stock CRASH Incoming? Overpriced & Overhyped! | Episode 296
Nvidia has been the hottest stock in AI, but is it all hype or solid investment? In this episode, we break down its 200% year-on-year revenue growth, the…
- Cheques and Balances
Intensification vs. Diversification | Episode 295
Should you go all-in or hedge your bets? In this episode, we explore the key differences between intensification and diversification, breaking down how each…
- Cheques and Balances
The True Cost Of An Inheritance | Episode 294
Think an inheritance is just free money? Think again! In this episode, we uncover the true cost of an inheritance in New Zealand—because while 50% of Kiwis…
Cheques and BalancesHow To Financially Get Ahead In Your 20's | Episode 293
Gen Z, listen up—this is the money talk you need! In this episode of The Takeover, Jess and Makayla break down the key financial lessons they wish they knew in…
- Cheques and Balances
How Trump is Shaping the Global Economy ft. Jarrod Kerr | Episode 292
In this episode we sit down with Kiwibank’s Chief Economist, Jarrod Kerr, to unpack “Trumpnomics” and its ripple effects on global markets, trade, and New…
- Cheques and Balances
Why You Should Buy A Negatively Geared Investment Property | Episode 291
Why would anyone buy a property that LOSES money? In this episode, we break down the real strategy behind negatively geared investments—how short-term losses…
Cheques and BalancesWhat School Should Have Taught You About Money | Episode 290
School taught us calculus, but did it ever teach us how to do our taxes or budget for rent? In this episode of Cheques & Balances, Jess and Makayla dive into…
- Cheques and Balances
NZ’s Economy in 2025: Is the Worst Over? Ft. Kiwibank Chief Economist Jarrod Kerr | Episode 289
In this episode, Kiwibank Chief Economist Jarrod Kerr breaks down NZ’s economy, interest rates, and housing market. Are we on the road to recovery, or is more…
- Cheques and Balances
Ultimate Guide To Kid Friendly Investing | Episode 288
In this episode, we explore how to give your family’s next generation a financial head start. From smart savings strategies to unlocking the power of long-term…
- Cheques and Balances
What SMART Investors Always Look for in Properties! Ft. Adam Farrell | Episode 287
In this episode, we’re joined by Adam Farrell, Director of Lighthouse Property, to break down what smart investors always look for in properties. From…
- Cheques and Balances
How Much Do You REALLY Need To Retire? | Episode 286
In this episode, we tackle one of the biggest financial questions—how much do you need to retire? We break down the key factors, from lifestyle costs to…
- Cheques and Balances
Step By Step Guide: How Financial Advisers Budget Their Money | Episode 285
In this episode of The Takeover, Jess and Mikayla break down how they manage their own budgets, offering a step-by-step guide to structuring finances. They…
- Cheques and Balances
What To Do With Your KiwiSaver in 2025 | Episode 284
In this episode, we break down what you should be doing with your KiwiSaver in 2025, covering the top-performing growth and aggressive funds, socially…
- Cheques and Balances
How to Transition from Employee to Entrepreneur Without Going Broke Ft. Stanley Henry | Episode 283
In this episode, we sit down with Stanley Henry, CEO of The Attention Seeker, to discuss his journey of scaling a global marketing agency. Stanley shares…
- Cheques and Balances
OCR Predictions: What Rate Cuts Mean for Kiwis & Their Wallets | Episode 282
In this episode, we dive into our OCR predictions, what further cuts could mean for Kiwi mortgage holders, and how global events—like Trump’s economic…
- Cheques and Balances
Live Workshop: How To Maximise Your 2024 Tax Return Ft. Matt Harris | Episode 281
Join Matt Harris and James Blair as they unpack everything you need to know for your 2024 tax return—must-know deductions, key compliance tips, and strategies…
- Cheques and Balances
Hey First Home Buyers! Don’t let Property Developers Trick You Ft. Adam Farrell | Episode 280
In this episode, we are joined by Adam Farrell Director of Lighthouse Property to uncover the sneaky tactics property developers use to make deals seem better…
- Cheques and Balances
5 Tax Hacks You Didn't Know About Ft. Matt Harris | Episode 279
In this episode, we're joined by Matt Harris, Managing Director here at Lighthouse Financial, as he shares his top tax-saving strategies. From home office…
- Cheques and Balances
Quarterly Update: Where Should You Invest in 2025? | Episode 278
In this episode, we break down the latest quarterly report, covering key market trends from October to December 2024, including the impact of a strong US…
- Cheques and Balances
Make America Pay Again? What Trump's Tariffs Mean For NZ | Episode 277
In this episode, we break down what Trump’s tariffs mean for the New Zealand economy, exploring their global economic impact, the short- and long-term…
- Cheques and Balances
Should I Buy A House Or Invest In Stocks | Episode 276
In this episode, we tackle the age-old question: is it better to buy a home or rent and invest? We weigh the benefits of each option, from the stability and…
- Cheques and Balances
Why Capital Gains Tax Is A Good Thing For NZ | Episode 275
In this episode, we break down what a capital gains tax could mean for property investors, homeowners, and New Zealand’s economy. We discuss the potential…
Cheques and BalancesThe Best Time Of Year To Travel | Episode 274
In this episode of The Takeover, we explore the best ways to save on travel, from booking flights at the right time to finding affordable destinations. Learn…
- Cheques and Balances
What Is An ETF? | Episode 273
In this episode we break down what an ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is, cutting through the jargon to explain how they work, their benefits, and potential risks…
- Cheques and Balances
How To Build Your Emergency Fund Fast | Episode 272
Ready to take control of your finances? In this episode, we share actionable strategies to build your emergency fund—fast. Learn how to save your first $1,000…
- Cheques and Balances
Termination Rules Every Landlord Needs To Know | Episode 271
In our latest episode, we sit down with Sarina Gibbon, Head of the Auckland Property Investors Association, to break down the latest updates to New Zealand’s…
- Cheques and Balances
Live Workshop: How To Build Your 2025 Financial Plan | Episode 270
Join Mike and James as they break down the fundamental, actionable steps to creating a solid financial plan for the year ahead. In this webinar, they cover…
- Cheques and Balances
The Psychology Of Money In 15mins | Episode 269
In this episode, we dive into the psychology of financial decision-making, exploring common biases like anchoring and loss aversion that can impact your…
Cheques and BalancesThe Cost Of IVF: The Hidden Costs of Starting a Family | Episode 268
In this episode of The Takeover, we dive into the financial side of family planning. From the costs of IVF to budgeting for egg freezing, we explore the key…
Cheques and Balances5 Tips For First Home Buyers | Episode 267
In this episode of The Takeover, Jess and Makayla share key insights and tips for first-time homebuyers, from avoiding common pitfalls to managing your budget…
- Cheques and Balances
Tax Troubles: Bridging the Knowledge Gap for Kiwis ft. Josh Taylor | Episode 266
In this episode, we sit down with Josh Taylor, co-founder of Taxi and Tax Traders, to explore how their workflow tool is helping Kiwis simplify the preparation…
- Cheques and Balances
How To Avoid Dodgy Developers ft Matthew Horncastle | Episode 265
In this episode, we sit down with Matthew Horncastle, Managing Director of Williams Corporation to delve into the complexities of buying off the plans, from…
- Cheques and Balances
KiwiSaver 101: A Beginner's Guide To Your Financial Future ft. Murray Harris | Episode 264
In this episode, we sit down with Murray Harris, Head of KiwiSaver at Milford, to break down the basics of KiwiSaver, its benefits, and how it can play a key…
- Cheques and Balances
Five Financial Tips For New Parents | Episode 263
In this episode, we sit down with an extra-special guest, Cooper Blair, to explore five financial tips every new parent needs to know. From creating a baby…
Cheques and BalancesDupe Culture: Affordable Alternatives or Ethical Dilemmas? | Episode 262
In this episode of The Takeover, Jess and Makayla dive into the rise of dupe culture, exploring how affordable alternatives to luxury products are gaining…
- Cheques and Balances
How to Build Your 2025 Financial Plan | Episode 261
In this episode, we break down why a solid financial plan for 2025 is key to hitting your goals. From setting SMART targets to managing your income and…
- Cheques and Balances
Our Top Financial Advice From Guests In 2024 ft. Matthew Horncastle | Episode 260
In this episode, we revisit some of the top advice shared by our 2024 guests: from tackling debt to navigating the commercial property sector and…
- Cheques and Balances
Our Top Property Insights From 2024 ft. Sam Stubbs | Episode 259
Dive into 2024's top property insights with Sam Stubbs, Founder of Simplicity, Jarrod Kerr, Chief Economist at Kiwibank, Matt Harris, Managing Director of…