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 BalancesOur Top Share Market and Economic Insights of 2024 | Episode 258
In this episode, we highlight some of the top share market and economic insights of 2024, featuring expert guests Jarrod Kerr, Chief Economist at Kiwibank, Sam…
Cheques and Balances2024 Financial Review: From Boom To Bust | Episode 257
The 2024 Financial Review—the episode you’ve been waiting for! Join Mike, James, Makayla, and Jess as they break down the year’s highs, lows, and everything in…
Cheques and Balances2025 Property Predictions ft Matthew Horncastle | Episode 256
In this episode, we sit down with Matthew Horncastle, Managing Director of Williams Corporation to unpack his insights on New Zealand's property market for…
Cheques and Balances3,000 Homes: Bought, Sold, or Transformed ft. Steve Goodey | Episode 255
In this episode, we sit down with Steve Goodey, property coach and investor, to explore the state of New Zealand’s property market and its future in 2025. From…
Cheques and BalancesHow To Save Thousands In Tax In 2025 ft. Matt Harris | Episode 254
In this episode, we sat down with Matt Harris, our very own Managing Director here at Lighthouse Financial, to uncover practical strategies for minimising your…
Cheques and BalancesActive KiwiSaver vs. Passive ft. Murray Harris | Episode 253
In this episode, we sat down with Murray Harris, Head of KiwiSaver at Milford, to explore the performance of active versus passive KiwiSaver funds and why…
Cheques and Balances5 Money Saving Hacks For Summer | Episode 252
In this episode of The Takeover, Makayla and Jess explore five smart ways to stretch your budget this summer. From choosing the best seasonal splurges to…
Cheques and BalancesHabits Of The Worlds Top CEO's ft. Markets With Madison | Episode 251
In this episode, we sit down with Madison Reidy, the driving force behind Markets with Madison. From rocket launches to Wall Street, Madison shares how…
Cheques and BalancesCommercial Property: Australia vs New Zealand ft. Scott O'Neill | Episode 250
In this episode, we sit down with Scott O'Neill, CEO and founder of Rethink Group, to explore the key considerations for Australians and New Zealanders…
Cheques and BalancesHow To Buy A Bargain In The Property Market | Episode 249
In this episode, James and Mike explore the journey of securing a property bargain, from navigating deceased estates to handling unexpected repairs. Learn how…
Cheques and BalancesRenovation Success: How We Made $1 Million ft. Ilse Wolfe | Episode 248
In this webinar Mike and James share their journey of transforming a renovation project into a $1 million success in just 10 weeks, under expert guidance from…
Cheques and BalancesInsider’s Look At Queenstown Real Estate Success ft. Mark Harris | Episode 247
In this episode, we sit down with Mark Harris, Managing Director of New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty, delving into the experiences that shaped his…
Cheques and BalancesAuckland vs. Vancouver: The Real Cost Of Living | Episode 246
In this episode of The Takeover Makayla and Jess compare the cost of living in Auckland and Vancouver. From salaries and housing to groceries and transport…
Cheques and BalancesBehind The Bargains: The Dark Side Of Black Friday | Episode 245
We uncover the dark side of Black Friday, exploring staggering sales statistics, misleading deals, and predatory debt practices. Through stories of thrift…
Cheques and BalancesOCR Predictions What Could This Mean For Your Mortgage? | Episode 244
Join us as we delve into the upcoming OCR announcement and its potential impact on mortgage rates. From economic factors to interest rate predictions, we break…
Cheques and BalancesThe Financials Of New Zealand's Largest Music Festival ft. Hamish Pinkham | Ep 243
We sat down with Hamish Pinkham, co-founder of Rhythm and Vines, to discuss the festival’s evolution from a summer project to a cultural icon, and how…
Cheques and BalancesInside Queenstown's Real Estate Boom Ft. Mark Harris | Episode 242
We’re joined by Mark Harris, managing director of New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty, to discuss Queenstown’s unique property market. From…
Cheques and BalancesCommercial vs. Residential: Which Is The Better Investment? Ft. Scott O'Neill | Episode 241
In this episode, we sit down with the commercial property king, Scott O'Neill, Founder and CEO of Rethink Group. We compare commercial and residential property…
Cheques and BalancesShould You Work For The Passion Or The Pay Cheque? | Episode 240
In this episode of The Takeover, we discuss whether you should work for love or money, and how to balance financial goals with personal happiness. We explore…
Cheques and BalancesHousing Crisis or Affordability Crisis? What's the Real Issue? Ft. James Kellow | Episode 239
In this episode, we sit down with Director of NZMS James Kellow to discuss the future of housing in New Zealand. We explore the factors shaping New Zealand’s…
Cheques and BalancesQuarterly Update: Will High Returns Skyrocket or Crash? 2025 Insights | Episode 238
In this episode, we dive into the latest quarterly update, exploring whether today's high returns are sustainable and what that means for investors heading…
Cheques and BalancesIs The S&P 500 Just An Illusion Of Diversification? Ft. Kernel Founder Dean Anderson | Episode 237
In this episode, we delve into whether the S&P 500 truly offers diversification for investors. We unpack the index's composition and performance, examining if…
Cheques and Balances$100 Million Property Empire: How Did Scott O’Neill Do it? ft. Scott O'Neill | Episode 236
We recently sat down with Scott O'Neill, CEO and founder of Rethink Group, Australia’s largest commercial buyers agency. Scott shares his journey from humble…
Cheques and BalancesA Beginner's Guide On NZ's Commercial Property Boom ft. Scott O'Neill | Episode 235
A Beginner's Guide On NZ's Commercial Property Boom ft. Scott O'Neill | Episode 235 We recently sat down with Founder & CEO of Rethink Group Scott O'Neill to…
Cheques and BalancesIs Now The Time To Flip A Property? Ft. Matt Harris | Episode 234
We sat down with property expert and our very own Lighthouse Financial Managing Director Matthew Harris, to discuss the rise of property flipping in New…
Cheques and BalancesThe Cost Of Raising Children in New Zealand ft. Stephanie Pow | Episode 233
We sat down with Stephanie Pow, the Founder of Crayon, and explored the significant financial burdens of raising children, highlighting costs like education…
Cheques and BalancesIs Life Going To Get Easier For Business Owners In New Zealand? Ft. Kiwibank Chief Economist Jarrod Kerr | Episode 232
In this episode, we explore the potential risks facing New Zealand's economy. We also dive into the challenges businesses face in navigating costs…
Cheques and BalancesShould You Invest In Your Company? Ft. Orchestra CEO & Sharesies Product Lead Luke Smith | Episode 231
We explore the intriguing question of whether investing in your own company is a smart move with insights from Luke Smith, Senior Product Lead at Sharesies and…
Cheques and BalancesChristmas Budgeting: How to Save and Spend Wisely This Holiday Season | Episode 230
In this episode of The Takeover, we share practical tips for saving money and sticking to your budget this Christmas, from prioritising experiences over…
Cheques and BalancesCPI & Inflation Data Update: What’s Next For New Zealand? Ft. Kiwibank Chief Economist Jarrod Kerr | Episode 229
We’re joined once again by Kiwibank Chief Economist Jarrod Kerr to discuss the latest CPI and inflation data, offering insights into how these shifts are…
Cheques and BalancesMike & James Just Bought 12 Houses! Ft. Ilse Wolfe (Part 2) | Episode 228
We dive into our latest multi-unit renovation project, where we’ve bought 12 houses in Upper Hutt. We share the challenges we faced, from managing tight…
Cheques and BalancesThe New Accounting Changes That Could Save You Thousands Ft. Matthew Harris | Episode 227
We explore the details of business structuring in New Zealand, highlighting the pros and cons of look-through companies (LTCs). This episode is proudly…
Cheques and BalancesMike & James Just Bought 12 Houses! Ft. Ilse Wolfe (Part 1) | Episode 226
In this episode, we share our journey of purchasing 12 houses, discussing our financial goals and the initial hesitations we faced. With Ilse Wolfe’s guidance…
Cheques and BalancesHow Will the Next OCR Announcement Impact New Zealand? Our Predictions and Insights Ft. Matt Harris | Episode 225
In this episode, we explore the potential outcomes of the upcoming OCR announcement and its impact on the economy. This episode is proudly sponsored by…
Cheques and BalancesHow To Get Retirement Ready | Episode 224
We explore the essential steps to getting retirement ready, covering how to build a solid financial plan, invest smartly in property and managed funds, and…
Cheques and BalancesHow Retirement is Transforming in the 21st Century | Episode 223
This episode explores how the concept of retirement has evolved. We discuss New Zealand’s public pension system and modern financial strategies for navigating…
Cheques and BalancesThe Future of Banking in New Zealand Ft. Akahu Co-Founder Josh Daniell | Episode 222
We sit down with Josh Daniell, Co-Founder of Akahu, to discuss the future of banking in New Zealand, from the latest trends in open banking to its potential…
Cheques and BalancesPrinciples Of Building Wealth | Episode 221
In this episode, we delve into the principles of building wealth and share actionable steps you can take today to achieve long-term financial freedom amidst…
Cheques and BalancesHow To Build Wealth In Your 40s | Episode 220
We break down the top ways to build wealth in your 40s, whether you’re at the peak of your career and own property or starting fresh. This episode is proudly…
Cheques and BalancesHow Much Does It Cost To Raise Children In New Zealand? | Episode 219
We explore the financial implications of having kids versus not having them, delving into key considerations for prospective parents. Covering key topics such…
Cheques and Balances5 Steps To Grow Your Wealth Ft. Luke Kemeys & Tom Hartmann | Episode 218
In this special webinar episode, we sit down with Luke Kemeys from Keep The Change and Tom Hartmann, Sorted’s Personal Finance Lead, to walk us through five…
Cheques and BalancesFrom $94,000 in Debt to Debt-Free in 3 Years Ft. Tracy Hemingway | Episode 217
We chat with Debt Free Diva, Tracy Hemingway, who shares her inspiring journey of paying off $94,000 in just three years. Tracy reveals how she hustled to…
Cheques and BalancesSurvive ’Til 2025: How to Navigate Tough Economic Times | Episode 216
In this episode, we explore actionable strategies to navigate the economic downturn, highlighting the critical need to understand your finances, reduce…
Cheques and BalancesHow To Build Your Financial Plan Ft. Matthew Horncastle | Episode 215
We’re joined by Matthew Horncastle, Managing Director of Williams Corporation, to discuss how to build a bulletproof financial plan. We share the key steps and…
Cheques and BalancesThe Hidden Costs of Breaking A Fixed Rate Home Loan | Episode 214
We look into the true cost of breaking a fixed rate mortgage and why it might cost you more than expected. This episode is proudly sponsored by…
Cheques and BalancesBuying A Home In Your 50's? Here’s Everything You Need To Know | Episode 213
Buying a house in your 50’s can be a significant financial decision, with both advantages and potential risks. We breakdown the risks involved and factors to…
Cheques and BalancesThe Future of Retirement in New Zealand Ft. Retirement Commissioner Jane Wrightson | Episode 212
Retirement planning is one of the most critical financial decisions we will ever make. We sit down with Retirement Commissioner, Jane Wrightson, to explore the…
Cheques and BalancesProtect Your Finances: How To Spot Pyramid Schemes & Scams In New Zealand | Episode 211
We explore the rise of financial scams in New Zealand, from Ponzi schemes to boiler room scams and pyramid schemes. Learn the key warning signs, how to protect…
Cheques and BalancesHow Much Of Your Lifetime Earnings Is Taken Away In Tax? Ft. Andrew Higgs | Episode 210
We dive deep into the surprising amount of your lifetime earnings that go towards taxes with Lighthouse Accountant, Andrew Higgs. Discover how long the average…
Cheques and BalancesWhy 2025 is Going to Be Better Than 2024 Ft. Reagan White | Episode 209
Guest host Reagan White, from Where’s My Money?, joins us to discuss why 2025 is set to be a better year than 2024, with a particular focus on improving…
Cheques and BalancesThe Top Money Lessons Learned From NZ's Finance Experts Ft. Reagan White | Episode 208
Reagan White returns to share lessons from his financial journey and podcast insights. We explore what he’s learned from his guests and how these lessons have…
Cheques and BalancesNavigating a $1 Million Debt Crisis: Interest Rates & Cost of Living Ft. Reagan White | Episode 207
We sit down with Reagan White, host of the Where’s My Money? podcast, as he opens up about his personal experience tackling and managing a daunting $1 million…
Cheques and BalancesWhy 56% of Kiwis Are Struggling with Their Finances Ft. Sorted Personal Finance Lead Tom Hartmann | Episode 206
We sit down with Tom Hartmann, Personal Finance Lead at Sorted, to delve into the pressing issue of financial struggle among New Zealanders. Despite…
Cheques and BalancesHow Much Money Do You Need When Moving To Another Country? | Episode 205
We explore personal finance advice shared on the NZ Reddit community, determining if the advice given is solid or questionable. This episode is proudly…
Cheques and BalancesHow to Build Financial Literacy from an Early Age Ft. SquareOne Co-Founder Jovan Pavlicevic | Episode 204
We discuss the importance of financial literacy for children with Jovan Pavlicevic, Co-Founder of SquareOne, a platform dedicated to empowering the next…
Cheques and BalancesInterest Rate Update: How Long Should You Fix Your Mortgage For? | Episode 203
From the high rates of the past to the current easing trends, we explore how these changes affect your wallet and offer insights on navigating the shifting…
Cheques and BalancesQuarterly Update: OCR Cut to 5.25% – What It Means for Kiwi Finances & Housing Market | Episode 202
We dive into the latest market developments from April to June 2024, discussing the impact of AI stock fluctuations, the S&P 500’s performance, and New…
Cheques and BalancesShould We Tax The Rich? Responding To Your YouTube Comments… | Episode 201
We dive into your reactions and insights from our recent conversation with Jarrod Kerr, Kiwibank’s Chief Economist, covering everything from tax policies to…
Cheques and BalancesWhat Will New Zealand Look Like In 100 Years? Ft. Simplicity Founder Sam Stubbs | Episode 200
We’re joined once again by Sam Stubbs, the visionary founder of Simplicity, as he discusses the long-term thinking behind Simplicity’s 100-year plan for…
Cheques and BalancesWhat Does The Next 30 Years Look Like For New Zealand? Ft. Simplicity Founder Sam Stubbs | Episode 199
We sit down with Sam Stubbs, Founder of Simplicity Living, to discuss his extensive career journey and the innovative approach he has brought to Simplicity…