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 BalancesHow To Buy Your First Home In 2024 | Episode 198
In today’s webinar special, we share practical tips and insights on how to buy your first home in 2024. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or updating your…
Cheques and BalancesInsurance 101: When & Where To Start With Insurance | Episode 197
We explore the various types of insurance, including life, income protection, trauma, and health insurance, discussing what each covers and why they are vital…
Cheques and BalancesDo Kiwis Have The Worst Financial Literacy In The World? Ft. Co-CEO Of Banqer Simon Brown | Episode 196
We sit down with Simon Brown, Co-CEO of Banqer, to delve into the state of financial literacy in New Zealand and beyond. Simon shares his expertise on how…
Cheques and BalancesHow To Make Money Decisions In A World Of Inflation, Rising Interest Rates and Investment Volatility | Episode 195
In today’s webinar special, we dive into making smart financial decisions amid inflation, rising interest rates, and investment volatility. Covering market…
Cheques and BalancesWhy People Give Up On Property... | Episode 194
We delve into the frustrations and challenges that drive property owners to give up on their investments. As well as some personal experiences with property…
Cheques and BalancesThe Ultimate Guide To Good & Bad Debt | Episode 193
We explore the critical topic of debt, discussing the different types Kiwis commonly carry and how they can impact your financial health. For more money tips…
Cheques and BalancesThe Great Boomer Business Sell-Off | Episode 192
For more money tips follow us on: Facebook…
Cheques and BalancesWhat To Expect From New Zealand's Housing Market In 2025 Ft. Kiwibank Chief Economist Jarrod Kerr | Episode 191
We’re joined by Kiwibank’s Chief Economist, Jarrod Kerr, to explore the challenges and opportunities within the New Zealand property market and broader…
Cheques and BalancesWill Interest Rates Be At 5% By The End Of 2025? Ft. Kiwibank Chief Economist Jarrod Kerr | Episode 190
We’re joined once again by Kiwibank Chief Economist Jarrod Kerr to discuss New Zealand’s latest inflation numbers and the forecast for interest rates. We…
Cheques and BalancesTop 5 Money Tips From Billionaires | Episode 189
We reveal the top 5 money tips from billionaires and how you can apply them to your own financial journey. From the importance of long-term investments and…
Cheques and BalancesTop 5 Money Myths Debunked | Episode 188
In this episode, we unravel the top 5 money myths that many Kiwis hold. Should you avoid loaning money to friends or family? Is relying on NZ Super for…
Cheques and BalancesHow This Couple Went 6 Years Without Paying Rent | Episode 187
Discover the inspiring journey of a couple who lived rent-free for six years through house sitting across New Zealand. Learn how they managed to cover their…
Cheques and BalancesHow to Build Wealth in Your 30s | Episode 186
We delve into five crucial steps to secure long-term wealth and financial stability, including creating a solid financial plan, building an emergency fund…
Cheques and BalancesAn Introduction to Behavioural Finance: 5 Financial Biases & How to Avoid Them | Episode 185
We dive into behavioural finance, exploring five common financial biases: anchoring, loss aversion, overconfidence, framing, and recency. We break down how…
Cheques and BalancesWhat You NEED to Know About The New LVR Changes... | Episode 184
We discuss the recent changes to Loan-to-Value Ratios (LVRs) and how these updates impact Kiwi property buyers, breaking down the essentials you need to know…
Cheques and BalancesNew Accounting Changes Could Save You Thousands in Tax Ft. Matthew Harris | Episode 183
We sit down with property investor and developer Matt Harris to discuss the new accounting changes effective from 1 July 2024, allowing for debt restructuring…
Cheques and BalancesConnecting A Billion People from New Zealand to India – A Kiwi Success Story Ft. Carmen Vicelich Founder of Valocity, Data Insight & Generate Zero | Episode 182
We sat down with Carmen Vicelich, New Zealand's trailblazing serial female data and tech entrepreneur reshaping the property landscape. Through her visionary…
Cheques and BalancesAssessing Purchasing Power Between Generations | Episode 181
We compare the purchasing power of different generations in New Zealand by examining historical data on wages, house prices, interest rates, and living costs…
Cheques and BalancesHow To Deal with Financial Loss | Episode 180
We explore the emotional impact of financial loss, strategies for learning from past mistakes, and methods to build a strong financial base, providing…
Cheques and BalancesHow To Manage Money in a Relationship | Episode 179
Finances can be a difficult thing to discuss with your partner. However, it’s crucial to be on the same page to ensure a healthy relationship. This week we…
Cheques and BalancesCan Financial Advisers Steal Your Money? Ft. Steven Burgess Director of Compliance Refinery | Episode 178
In this episode, we explore the unsettling reality of financial adviser fraud. With guest Steven Burgess, Director of Compliance Refinery, we discuss notorious…
Cheques and BalancesWhat To Do If You Win $50 Million? | Episode 177
We dive into the exciting yet overwhelming scenario of winning Lotto Powerball's record $50 million jackpot, discuss key steps to take afterward, and share our…
Cheques and BalancesSide Hustle Or 9-5? Ft. Iyia Liu | Episode 176
We sit down with multi-million dollar business owner, Iyia Liu, to gain insights into the world of side hustles. From starting small to scaling up, Iyia's…
Cheques and Balances5 Things Draining Your Bank Account | Episode 175
We dive into five money drains that might be silently eating away at our finances. It's crucial to understand where our money goes, even on seemingly small…
Cheques and BalancesFirst Home Buyer Tips & Traps | Episode 174
In this episode, we discuss tips for first home buyers. Avoid traps like poor building materials, unconsented works, and leasehold properties. Learn strategies…
Cheques and BalancesFrom University Student to 7-Figure Business Owner Ft. Iyia Liu | Episode 173
Discover how Iyia Liu turned from a university student to the owner of four seven-figure businesses as she shares her journey to success. This episode is…
Cheques and BalancesAre Stocks the Best Way to Get Rich? | Episode 172
We explore the unpredictable nature of the stock market, discussing the 2018 study where randomly selected stocks outperformed top fund managers, revealing the…
Cheques and BalancesWhy Is Having A Credit Card A Bad Idea? | Episode 171
Join us as we tackle the misconceptions about credit cards, highlighting how they can lead to bad financial habits and crippling debt. This episode is proudly…
Cheques and BalancesShould You Cancel Life Insurance And Save Instead? Ft. Partners Life Chief Actuary Kate Dron | Episode 170
Join us as we talk with Kate Dron, Chief Actuary at Partners Life, about the risks of canceling life insurance and why it's crucial to keep it for the…
Cheques and BalancesIs Now A Good Time To Buy A House? | Episode 169
We explore if now is the perfect time to buy a house. With house prices low and interest rates expected to drop, we discuss why this could be a great…
Cheques and BalancesWill BlackRock Own All Property In New Zealand? | Episode 168
We explore the trend of big investors buying homes in the U.S. and its potential impact on New Zealand. With predictions of U.S. investors owning 60% of homes…
Cheques and BalancesHow To Make The Most Of KiwiSaver & Grow Your Balance | Episode 167
We break down KiwiSaver, covering its benefits, risks, and the importance of making an active choice. This episode is proudly sponsored by…
Cheques and BalancesR.I.P First Home Grant, What Will This Mean For Buyers? | Episode 166
We say goodbye to the First Home Grant and discuss the financial implications for first home buyers. We also explore and outline alternative strategies for…
Cheques and BalancesHow This Single Mother Bought A House While On The Benefit | Episode 165
The incredible journey of a single mother who managed to buy her own home while living on an annual income of $46,000. This episode is proudly sponsored by…
Cheques and BalancesThe Beginners Guide To Shares Ft. Sharesies Co-Founder Sonya Williams | Episode 164
Sonya Williams, Co-Founder of Sharesies, breaks down the essentials of getting started with shares, making the process approachable and understandable for…
Cheques and BalancesHow $50 Built One Of NZ’s Most Successful Start-Ups Ft. Sharesies Co-Founder Sonya Williams | Episode 163
We sat down with Sonya Williams, Co-Founder of Sharesies, to take a look into the process of building one of New Zealand's most successful start-ups and…
Cheques and BalancesPetrol vs EV Cars: Do Electric Cars Actually Save You Money? | Episode 162
James and Mike discuss whether petrol or electric cars are more cost-effective, exploring whether electric cars can truly save you money. This episode is…
Cheques and BalancesBudgeting 101: How To Create A Budget And Stick To It | Episode 161
In this week's episode of Cheques & Balances: The Takeover, Jess and Makayla explore the basics of budgeting, covering everything from income management to…
Cheques and BalancesHow To Help Your Parents If They Are Behind Financially | Episode 160
With statistics showing a concerning trend of Kiwis struggling post-retirement, Mike and James discuss how to help your parents if they are behind financially…
Cheques and BalancesQuarterly Market Update: Q2 2024 | Episode 159
Mike and James provide a quarterly market update, covering key areas such as share market performance, global GDP trends, and economic outlooks. This episode…
Cheques and Balances5 Things Millionaires Don't Want You To Know | Episode 158
Join Mike and James as they explore the results of the biggest survey ever done on millionaires, uncovering the habits that make and keep them rich while also…
Cheques and BalancesHow To Increase Your Cash Flow On Your Property Ft. Matthew Harris | Midweek Episode
Join us on this Midweek Episode as we discuss how to increase your property's cash flow with Lighthouse's Managing Director, Property Investor and Developer…
Cheques and Balances5 Signs You're Stuck In The Middle Class | Midweek Episode
We've covered the 5 Signs You're Poor and the 5 Signs You're Rich. Now, let's explore the 5 Signs You're Stuck In The Middle Class. This episode is proudly…
Cheques and BalancesMike & James Buy A House Together Ft. Amy Stevens Founder Of Slice | Episode 157
Join Mike and James as they sit down with Amy Stevens, Founder of the first home buyers platform, Slice, to embark on their journey to (hypothetically)…
Cheques and Balances30% Of 2024 Has Passed, Are You Still On Track Towards Your Goals? | Midweek Episode
In this week's Midweek Episode, we take stock as 30% of 2024 is already gone – are you on track with your goals? Tune in to learn how to make the most of the…
Cheques and BalancesYour Guide To Getting A Mortgage The First Time Ft. Makayla Edwards | Midweek Episode
We're joined by Makayla from Lighthouse's Mortgage team to share expert advice on applying for mortgages and avoiding common mistakes. This episode is proudly…
Cheques and BalancesWhy Your Uber Eats Bill Is About To Get More Expensive Ft. Matthew Harris | Episode 156
Find out why platforms like Uber and AirBNB are about to get a whole lot more expensive as Matt Harris joins us to talk on the reinstatement of the "App Tax"…
Cheques and BalancesHow These 2 Tax Changes Will Change The Property Market Ft. Matthew Harris | Midweek Episode
In this week's Midweek Episode, we're back with Lighthouse’s Managing Director, Property Investor, and Developer, Matt Harris to break down the two tax changes…
Cheques and BalancesHow This Couple Bought A House In 4 Weeks Ft. Jess Hargreaves | Midweek Episode
Join us as we chat with Jess Hargreaves from Lighthouse to uncover the secrets behind how her and her partner managed to purchase a house in just four weeks!…
Cheques and BalancesWhy Mothers Could Lose Up To $300K In Retirement Ft. Stephanie Pow | Episode 155
We welcome back Stephanie Pow, Founder of Crayon, to discuss the financial challenges faced by mothers due to the 'motherhood penalty', including the potential…
Cheques and BalancesThe Hot New Housing Trend You NEED To Know Ft. Ilse Wolfe | Midweek Episode
Property Coach, Ilse Wolfe, joins us to discuss the hot new housing trend that property investors NEED to know about. This episode is proudly sponsored by…
Cheques and BalancesWhy Inheritances Will Ruin Your Kids | Midweek Episode
Find out why inheritances can cause family problems and hurt your kids. We explore the challenges of passing down wealth and give you simple tips to handle it…
Cheques and BalancesDoes Living Next To A School Zone Increase Property Value? Ft. Alex Martelli | Episode 154
Is living in a top school zone really worth $500K? Join us as we chat with Buyer's Agent, Alex Martelli, to unpack whether proximity to schools impacts…
Cheques and BalancesHow Much Does A Destination Wedding Cost? | Midweek Episode
Join us for another episode of Am I The A**hole where we delve into Reddit's community dilemmas. This week, we tackle the ethics of declining destination…
Cheques and BalancesAre Term Deposits Worth It? | Midweek Episode
Term Deposits, are they worth it? In this week's Midweek Episode, we weigh the pros and cons of term deposits against alternative investments. This episode is…
Cheques and BalancesMatt's Property Predictions For 2024 Ft. Matthew Harris | Episode 153
Step into the future of property investment with Matt Harris as he unveils his predictions for the New Zealand property market in 2024. This episode is proudly…
Cheques and BalancesShould You Sell Your Home To Pay Off Debt? Ft. Cat Emerson | Midweek Episode
Join us as we delve into real-life financial dilemmas sourced from The Mum Hub community page on Facebook, featuring Cat Emerson. From managing overwhelming…
Cheques and Balances5 Signs You're Wealthier Than You Think | Midweek Episode
From debunking the status game to underlining the significance of financial planning, this week's Midweek Episode offers invaluable insights to reshape your…
Cheques and BalancesDay In The Life Of A CEO Ft. Kiwibank CEO Steve Jurkovich | Episode 152
We sat down with Steve Jurkovich, CEO of Kiwibank, to delve into the multifaceted world of leadership. From navigating public scrutiny to embracing failures…
Cheques and BalancesHow To Retire A Millionaire | Midweek Episode
In this week's Midweek Episode, we dissect a listener's KiwiSaver concerns, unveiling the roadmap to retiring a millionaire. This episode is proudly sponsored…