Money Made Simple

Simplicity
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Welcome to Money Made Simple, a family of NZ-based financial literacy podcasts from Simplicity which keep it simple and get straight to the point. We want ALL Kiwis to have dignity, and a dignified life is one with choices. What can help with more choices? More money. So we're here to make Kiwis richer and smarter with money.MONEY MADE SIMPLE WITH JENNIE AND LIV: Join co-hosts Liv Lewis-Long and Jennie O'Donovan on a fortnightly basis to help you understand the basics around money, finances, investing, KiwiSaver, and planning for a better future. We aim to provide information in a bite-sized, easy-to-listen way that simplifies the jargon. 'Cos who's got time for that! We want you to feel empowered and confident when thinking about money and investing - whether that be via KiwiSaver, investment funds, the share market, property, or your general finances. THE ECONOMY MADE SIMPLE WITH SHAMUBEEL EAQUB: Join Shamubeel Eaqub, Simplicity's Chief Economist, on a monthly basis to help you understand what's happening in the economy, job market, politics and financial markets. Tune in to get economic updates, interviews with NZ's key movers and shakers, and deep dives into topics you might want to understand better. You can join the Simplicity community via the following channels:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplicity_kiwi/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simplicitykiwiLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/simplicity-kiwi/Or check out our website: https://simplicity.kiwiCheers for tuning in - we appreciate each and every one of you %)

  1. 1d ago

    MMS #80 | Retirement around the world: Is NZ getting it right?

    In this episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie and Liv take a trip around the world to see how different countries tackle the very large question of retirement. New Zealand has NZ Super and KiwiSaver, but elsewhere the mix of government support, compulsory saving and personal choice can look quite different. From Australia's compulsory super contributions to Singapore's all-purpose CPF, the Netherlands' three-pillar model and America's 401(k), Jennie and Liv compare who pays, who carries the risk and who might miss out. This episode covers: The important differences between a government pension and a funded retirement savings schemeWhere New Zealand's mix of NZ Super and KiwiSaver sits within the global pictureWhy Australia's Age Pension is means tested, and how it compares to NZ SuperWhat Australia's 12% (in 2026) employer contributions buy, and what they cost you todayThe Singapore fund that pays for housing, healthcare and retirementHow one country has tackled the problem of outliving your savingsWhy the Netherlands keeps topping the global retirement rankingsWhat America's 401(k) system gets right, and who it leaves behindThe retirement ages around the world that might surprise you (and make you want to move abroad!)The important balancing act behind every system: security, flexibility, fairness and costResources referred to in this episode: - Mercer CFA Institute Global Pension Index - annual global ranking of retirement systems: https://www.mercer.com/insights/investments/market-outlook-and-trends/mercer-cfa-global-pension-index/ You won't come away from this episode with a verdict on which country has retirement 'sorted', but a clearer way to think about the questions NZ keeps needing to ask, and eventually answer. Every system is really a set of choices about who contributes, who carries the risk and who might get left behind. *Please note, this episode discusses retirement rules, contribution rates and eligibility settings which can change at any time, and are accurate as at the date of publishing. It does not account for your own circumstances which may differ from what is discussed.* --- Please help us share the good word (and make Kiwis richer and smarter with money) - the more we grow, the more good we can do %) Don't forget to follow, subscribe and rate the podcast if you found it useful! Find us: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Disclaimer: This podcast contains personal opinions and is intended to provide educational information only. It doesn't relate to your particular financial situation or goals and is not financial advice or recommendations. Simplicity New Zealand Limited is the issuer of the Simplicity KiwiSaver scheme and investment funds. For product disclosure statements please visit Simplicity's website simplicity. kiwi.

  2. Aug 30

    MMS #79 | Reddit's best NZ money tips and tricks from r/PersonalFinanceNZ

    In this episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie and Liv take the show to Reddit, asking the often wise, very debate-happy r/PersonalFinanceNZ community for their very best money tips and tricks. More than 40 people came to the party, and the ones that made the cut are the ones the community upvoted most, so this is a genuinely crowd-sourced list from everyday Kiwis who think hard about their money. Jennie and Liv work through the top ten, from the deceptively simple to the slightly technical.  *Please note, these tips and tricks do not constitute financial advice, and are personal opinions collected from Reddit and shared by the Simplicity team.* This episode covers: The one-week pause that stops a want turning into a regrettable purchase, and the savings trick that turns leftovers into investmentsWhy "buy assets, not crap" might be the most useful money slogan we've heardThe payday order of operations that makes budgeting boring but effectiveHow compounding works against you on debt, and what to do about itGiving money or investments instead of stuff, and why the kids will come round (eventually)The risk question most people have never honestly understood, or put into practice*Why and how playing it TOO safe carries a risk of its ownDollar cost averaging on the way in, and the part most people miss on the way outHow sinking funds work, why they're handy, and why Jennie wants to rename themOffset and revolving credit mortgages, explained in a nutshellThe perspective check that showed one Redditor they were $300 a week better off than they thoughtLiv and Jennie's own additions: the fee question nobody asks, and why you do not need to be an expert to start*Editor's note: there is a subtle difference between risk aversion and loss aversion, although the two are often closely related - often people in higher risk investments are comfortable with risk, until it plays out via a market crash. And this is where loss aversion can kick in, where people switch to more conservative funds upon seeing a drop in their balance. Resources mentioned in this episode: - r/PersonalFinanceNZ - the Reddit community that supplied the tips: https://www.reddit.com/r/PersonalFinanceNZ/ - A longer explainer on everything mortgages, discussed in MMS episode #9:  https://open.spotify.com/episode/1YZXRdwRNeQcUjYuHZv0Y8 - Simplicity First Home Loans: https://simplicity.kiwi/first-home-loans - Sorted's Money Month: https://sorted.org.nz/money-month-2026-sorted/ This episode will deliver you ten tips that real people actually use and agree on, plus a nudge to check a couple of super important things most of us either avoid or don't know to consider. And a huge shout out to r/PersonalFinanceNZ, for the collective help! If you hear your own tip in there, please feel free to get in touch (via whatever channel suits you), and we'll be happy to send out some goodies for the privilege. --- Please help us share the good word (and make Kiwis richer and smarter with money) - the more we grow, the more good we can do %) Don't forget to follow, subscribe and rate the podcast if you found it useful! Find us: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Disclaimer: This podcast contains personal opinions and is intended to provide educational information only. It doesn't relate to your particular financial situation or goals and is not financial advice or recommendations. Simplicity New Zealand Limited is the issuer of the Simplicity KiwiSaver scheme and investment funds. For product disclosure statements please visit Simplicity's website simplicity. kiwi.

    MMS #79 | Reddit's best NZ money tips and tricks from r/PersonalFinanceNZ

  3. Aug 25

    Economy Made Simple #20 | Why do New Zealanders work so hard for so little?

    In this episode of Economy Made Simple, Shamubeel invites Liv over to the green side, to unpack one of the most used and least understood words in New Zealand economics: productivity. Not how hard we work, but what we get back for the effort. New Zealanders work roughly two weeks more a year than Australians, yet our wages and business profits are about a third lower. Shamubeel explains why, and where the real levers sit. This episode covers: What productivity actually measures, and why "we're poor because we're poor" explains nothingWhy Kiwis work longer hours than Australians but earn around a third lessThe three building blocks of any economy, and the bit of magic that separates strong businesses from average onesHow geography, institutions, culture and politics shape productivity far more than effort ever willWhy NZ's cultural dislike of management is quietly holding businesses backWhat it costs a country when 40% of the workforce started their job in the past yearWhere individuals, businesses and govt each sit on the scale of real influenceThe education, health and immigration settings Shamubeel would change - firstHow policy chop and change cost a town like Tokoroa more than it ever saved WellingtonBy the end of this episode you should have a much clearer sense of why productivity is not a measure of effort, and why there is no single fix for it. You'll also understand which levers actually move the productivity scale - at home, at work, and at the ballot box with an election coming. --- Please help us share the good word (and make Kiwis richer and smarter with money) - the more we grow, the more good we can do %) Don't forget to follow, subscribe and rate the podcast if you found it useful! Find us: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Disclaimer: This podcast contains personal opinions and is intended to provide educational information only. It doesn't relate to your particular financial situation or goals and is not financial advice or recommendations. Simplicity New Zealand Limited is the issuer of the Simplicity KiwiSaver scheme and investment funds. For product disclosure statements please visit Simplicity's website simplicity. kiwi.

    Economy Made Simple #20 | Why do New Zealanders work so hard for so little?

  4. Aug 16

    MMS #78 | Dark patterns: the tricks websites use to make you spend more

    Ever felt pressured to hit Buy now by a countdown clock, struggled to cancel a subscription, or been told there is “only one left” while shopping online? You may have encountered a dark pattern. In this episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie is joined by Chandni Gupta from the Consumer Policy Research Centre in Melbourne, Australia and Jon Duffy from Consumer NZ to unpack the design tricks businesses use to steer our choices online - often encouraging us to spend more, stay subscribed longer or hand over more personal information than we intended. They look at where the line sits between legitimate marketing and manipulation, why these techniques are so effective even when we know they exist, and whether consumer protection laws in New Zealand and Australia are keeping up. From fake urgency and hard-to-find cancellation buttons to "drip pricing", data collection and personalised prices, Chandni and Jon explain why dark patterns can be so difficult to resist - and what consumers can do to protect themselves. This episode covers: What dark patterns are and how they influence our decisions onlineWhere the line sits between persuasion, marketing and coercionScarcity cues, countdown clocks and other tricks designed to create urgencyWhy cancelling subscriptions can be deliberately difficultHow drip pricing can make something look cheaper than it really isWhy businesses want so much of our personal data, and how it can be usedThe rise of personalised pricing and why two customers may not always see the same priceWhy dark patterns work even when we know what to look forWhat Australia is doing to strengthen consumer protection, and where New Zealand sitsPractical ways to avoid unwanted subscription renewals and other online trapsWhy making it easy for customers to leave can actually help businesses build trustResources mentioned in this episode: Consumer NZ – consumer advice, research and a report on dark patterns: Invisible influence: Dark patterns and digital deception in Aotearoa New Zealand Consumer Policy Research Centre – Australian consumer research, including Duped by Design and Let Me Out Office of the Privacy Commissioner – for concerns about how your personal information has been collected or used Commerce Commission – for complaints about potentially misleading or deceptive conduct You’ll come away from this episode much more aware of the subtle ways websites and apps can influence your behaviour,  and with some simple strategies for slowing down, questioning the urgency and keeping more control over your money and your data. --- Please help us share the good word (and make Kiwis richer and smarter with money) - the more we grow, the more good we can do %) Don't forget to follow, subscribe and rate the podcast if you found it useful! Find us: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Disclaimer: This podcast contains personal opinions and is intended to provide educational information only. It doesn't relate to your particular financial situation or goals and is not financial advice or recommendations. Simplicity New Zealand Limited is the issuer of the Simplicity KiwiSaver scheme and investment funds. For product disclosure statements please visit Simplicity's website simplicity. kiwi.

    MMS #78 | Dark patterns: the tricks websites use to make you spend more

  5. Aug 2

    MMS #77 | How much should be in your emergency fund?

    It's officially Sorted's Money Month - and we have a special guest in to celebrate! In this episode of Money Made Simple, Liv sits down with Kate Hannah from Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission - the team behind Sorted.org.nz, to unpack what financial resilience really means, and why it's about much more than just having enough money. With cost-of-living pressures still biting, Kate explains why an emergency fund is the foundation for getting your finances sorted. She shares the research on how Kiwis are feeling, why young people are being hit hardest, and how small, achievable steps are the real key to building a buffer. They also talk through Sorted's brand new Buffer builder app, launching for August's Money Month - linked below! This episode covers: What financial resilience actually means, and how it's more than just having enough cashWhy an emergency fund is the foundation everything else is built onThe research on how Kiwis are really feeling about their finances right nowWhy young people are among the hardest hit, and how to start when money is already tightWhether the "$1,000 rule" is a good, genuine goal to start withThe power of small, achievable steps and building a "saver" identityHow Sorted's new Buffer builder app uses open banking to make saving almost automatic Resources mentioned in this episode: - Sorted Buffer builder app – free emergency savings app to make saving automatic, available on Android and Apple - Sorted – free, independent tools, guides and calculators from the Retirement Commission: https://sorted.org.nz - Sorted Retirement Navigator – helps you plan how to draw down your savings in retirement: https://sorted.org.nz/tools/retirement-navigator/ - Sorted Mortgage Calculator – includes a first-home-buyer mode for planning your first mortgage: https://sorted.org.nz/tools/mortgage-calculator/ - Sorted Smart Investor – compare KiwiSaver and Managed Funds on fees, returns and more: https://smartinvestor.sorted.org.nz - Money Matters 2025: The Power of Emergency Savings (Retirement Commission research paper) You will come away from this episode armed with the small steps you can take to start building your financial safety net. Whether you are just starting out or topping up an existing buffer, there are free, independent tools to help you meet money where you are at. --- Please help us share the good word (and make Kiwis richer and smarter with money) - the more we grow, the more good we can do %) Don't forget to follow, subscribe and rate the podcast if you found it useful! Find us: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Disclaimer: This podcast contains personal opinions and is intended to provide educational information only. It doesn't relate to your particular financial situation or goals and is not financial advice or recommendations. Simplicity New Zealand Limited is the issuer of the Simplicity KiwiSaver scheme and investment funds. For product disclosure statements please visit Simplicity's website simplicity. kiwi.

    MMS #77 | How much should be in your emergency fund?

  6. Jul 28

    Economy Made Simple #19 | Can you still afford to insure your home?

    In this episode of Economy Made Simple, Chief Economist Shamubeel Eaqub unpacks why insurance has become one of the fastest-rising costs in NZ, and what that means for the assets we most need to protect. Insuring everything you own would now swallow close to 15% of the average income, and with disasters growing more frequent, Shamubeel argues the days of leaning on a government bailout may be numbered. He explains how to keep meaningful cover as premiums climb. This episode covers: Why insuring everything could now cost close to 15% of your incomeHow and why home insurance has risen  over the last 20 yearsThe disasters that made reinsurers decide NZ is riskier than they thoughtThe rise in natural disaster costs as a percentage of total GDPWhy the government backstop we've been seeing come into play after floods and cyclones may not lastWhich types of cover people tend to drop first when money is tightThree practical ways to keep insurance affordable without losing protectionHow auto-renewing your policy could be quietly costing youBy the end of this episode, you'll understand why insurance costs keep climbing, and three practical moves to keep the cover you actually need: knowing your sum insured, adjusting your excess, and shopping around every year. --- Please help us share the good word (and make Kiwis richer and smarter with money) - the more we grow, the more good we can do %) Don't forget to follow, subscribe and rate the podcast if you found it useful! Find us: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Disclaimer: This podcast contains personal opinions and is intended to provide educational information only. It doesn't relate to your particular financial situation or goals and is not financial advice or recommendations. Simplicity New Zealand Limited is the issuer of the Simplicity KiwiSaver scheme and investment funds. For product disclosure statements please visit Simplicity's website simplicity. kiwi.

    Economy Made Simple #19 | Can you still afford to insure your home?

  7. Jul 12

    MMS #76 | Can I trust TikTok for financial advice?

    There’s no shortage of money info out there. Everyone seems to have something to say about budgeting, investing, mortgages, KiwiSaver and more. But how do you know what’s helpful, what’s marketing, what’s just someone’s opinion, and when you might actually need personalised financial advice? In this episode of Money Made Simple, Liv and Jennie unpack the surprisingly important question of who to trust when it comes to money. They look at the difference between general financial information, education, marketing, opinions and personalised advice - and why understanding the difference can help you make better financial decisions. This episode covers: The difference between general education, marketing, opinions and personalised financial adviceWhy social media can be a great place to learn about money, but not always the best place to rely on for making big financial decisionsThe rise of “finfluencers” - and what to watch out for when it comes to social money contentWhen it may be worth paying for financial advice rather than relying on general financial informationHow to find a financial adviser, including where to start and why it’s worth checking their credentialsWhy fee-based, independent advice can be very different from the “free” advice that dominates the NZ finance industryThe red flags to watch for when it comes to financial information and advice (warning - it's getting easier and easier to get taken for a ride!)Resources mentioned in this episode: - Sorted – independent money guide with comparison tools and calculators: https://sorted.org.nz/ - Financial Advice New Zealand (FANZ) – adviser directory: https://financialadvice.nz/FANZ/FANZ/Consumers/Find-an-Adviser.aspx - Financial Service Providers Register (FSPR) – check if an advisor is licensed: https://fsp-register.companiesoffice.govt.nz/ - MoneyHub – list of independent, fee-based financial advisers: https://www.moneyhub.co.nz/advisers-list.html - The Barefoot Investor (Scott Pape): https://www.barefootinvestor.com/ This episode is a reminder that good money decisions don’t usually come from one hot tip, one viral video, or one confident opinion. They come from taking your time, asking questions, understanding who or what is influencing you, and knowing when a decision matters enough to get proper advice. Simplicity does not hold a financial advice provider licence, so this podcast provides educational information only. --- Please help us share the good word (and make Kiwis richer and smarter with money) - the more we grow, the more good we can do %) Don't forget to follow, subscribe and rate the podcast if you found it useful! Find us: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Disclaimer: This podcast contains personal opinions and is intended to provide educational information only. It doesn't relate to your particular financial situation or goals and is not financial advice or recommendations. Simplicity New Zealand Limited is the issuer of the Simplicity KiwiSaver scheme and investment funds. For product disclosure statements please visit Simplicity's website simplicity. kiwi.

    MMS #76 | Can I trust TikTok for financial advice?

  8. Jul 5

    Economy Made Simple #18 | Is New Zealand's economic recovery back on track?

    In this episode of Economy Made Simple, Shamubeel Eaqub takes a moment to unpack NZ's mid-2026 economic outlook, from the fallout of the war in Iran to signs of a tentative peace. With inflation pressures building, interest rates trending up again, and an election year adding noise, Shamubeel separates the cyclical shocks from the structural challenges Aotearoa NZ still needs to face. This episode covers: Why the tentative truce in Iran doesn't mean cost pressures disappear overnightHow the war disrupted a recovery that was JUST starting to gain momentumThe two-speed export story: a booming rural economy versus struggling old-school manufacturingHow dairy returns are increasingly about farm management, not just rising export pricesWhat rising immigration and steady job ads reveal about business confidenceThe cost of living squeeze and why it's hitting lower-income households hardestWhy the Reserve Bank raising interest rates now could slow this fragile recovery - the warning signsWhy this election year matters more for long-term choices than short-term cyclesBy the end of this episode, you'll have a clearer picture of where NZ's economy sits in mid-2026: genuine signs of recovery emerging, but real risks still ahead from rising interest rates, inflation, and global uncertainty. --- Please help us share the good word (and make Kiwis richer and smarter with money) - the more we grow, the more good we can do %) Don't forget to follow, subscribe and rate the podcast if you found it useful! Find us: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Disclaimer: This podcast contains personal opinions and is intended to provide educational information only. It doesn't relate to your particular financial situation or goals and is not financial advice or recommendations. Simplicity New Zealand Limited is the issuer of the Simplicity KiwiSaver scheme and investment funds. For product disclosure statements please visit Simplicity's website simplicity. kiwi.

    Economy Made Simple #18 | Is New Zealand's economic recovery back on track?
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About

Welcome to Money Made Simple, a family of NZ-based financial literacy podcasts from Simplicity which keep it simple and get straight to the point. We want ALL Kiwis to have dignity, and a dignified life is one with choices. What can help with more choices? More money. So we're here to make Kiwis richer and smarter with money.MONEY MADE SIMPLE WITH JENNIE AND LIV: Join co-hosts Liv Lewis-Long and Jennie O'Donovan on a fortnightly basis to help you understand the basics around money, finances, investing, KiwiSaver, and planning for a better future. We aim to provide information in a bite-sized, easy-to-listen way that simplifies the jargon. 'Cos who's got time for that! We want you to feel empowered and confident when thinking about money and investing - whether that be via KiwiSaver, investment funds, the share market, property, or your general finances. THE ECONOMY MADE SIMPLE WITH SHAMUBEEL EAQUB: Join Shamubeel Eaqub, Simplicity's Chief Economist, on a monthly basis to help you understand what's happening in the economy, job market, politics and financial markets. Tune in to get economic updates, interviews with NZ's key movers and shakers, and deep dives into topics you might want to understand better. You can join the Simplicity community via the following channels:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplicity_kiwi/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simplicitykiwiLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/simplicity-kiwi/Or check out our website: https://simplicity.kiwiCheers for tuning in - we appreciate each and every one of you %)

Information

  • Creator
    Simplicity
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    103
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Money Made Simple
  • Show Website
    Money Made Simple

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