Paul Starkey

Paul Starkey
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  • Investing
  • Weekly

Hey there, I’m Paul! True financial freedom isn't just for the ultra-wealthy. It’s for anyone willing to learn the rules of the game. On this channel, I’m sharing the frameworks, strategies, and lessons I've learned about personal finance, investing, and navigating the mortgage market. Whether you're trying to buy your very first home, optimize your current mortgage, or kickstart your investing portfolio from scratch, we’re exploring it all together.

  1. 4d ago

    Stop Just Saving: How to Start Investing (Step by Step)

    Saving money is a great habit. But if your money is sitting in a savings account for years, inflation could be quietly destroying its purchasing power.In this video, I explain how to turn your savings into a wealth-building machine using five simple investing principles. Whether you're just starting out or you've been saving for years, these steps can help you build a stronger financial future.You'll learn:Why saving money alone might not be enough to build wealthHow inflation quietly reduces the purchasing power of your savingsThe difference between saving and investingHow compound interest can turn $10,000 into $45,000–$50,000 over 20 years (illustrative example)Why you should build an emergency fund before investingWhy paying off high-interest debt comes firstHow to choose investments based on your goals and risk toleranceWhy ETFs and diversified funds are beginner-friendly optionsHow dollar-cost averaging worksHow to automate your investments and build long-term wealthWhen to rebalance your portfolio and avoid panic-selling YouTube version: https://youtu.be/40BY1OHmm6E👋 Need a Mortgage, KiwiSaver, or Insurance Advisor? Let me connect you: paul@hlf.co.nzDisclaimer: I am not a financial adviser. The information provided in this video is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute personalized financial advice. Please do your own research or consult with a Registered Financial Adviser before making major financial decisions.

  2. 5d ago

    Is Your Emergency Fund Big Enough? 3 vs 6 Months

    How much money should you REALLY have in your emergency fund? Is the traditional 3–6 month rule actually right for you, or could it leave you financially exposed?In this Emergency Fund Masterclass, I break down exactly how to calculate the right emergency fund for YOUR situation, why the generic advice can be dangerously misleading, and how to build a financial safety net that actually protects you.💰 IN THIS VIDEO:What an emergency fund actually is (and what it isn't)Why 3 months of savings might not be enoughThe hidden impact of inflation on your emergency fundThe 5 factors that determine how much YOU should saveWhy self-employed people may need a bigger emergency fundHow dependents, health and job security change your targetHow to build your emergency fund from $0Where to keep your emergency savingsThe biggest emergency fund mistake almost everyone makesTHE BIG TAKEAWAY:Your emergency fund shouldn't be based on a generic rule. It should be based on your actual financial risks, essential expenses and circumstances.📊 Whether you're starting from zero or already have six months saved, this video will help you work out whether your financial safety net is genuinely protecting you.👇 COMMENT BELOW:How many months of expenses does your current emergency fund actually cover? 1, 3, 6, or more? YouTube version: https://youtu.be/o4Ta9x3c90o👋 Need a Mortgage, KiwiSaver, or Insurance Advisor? Let me connect you: paul@hlf.co.nzDisclaimer: I am not a financial adviser. The information provided in this video is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute personalized financial advice. Please do your own research or consult with a Registered Financial Adviser before making major financial decisions.

  3. Sep 23

    How to Start Investing in NZ in 2027 (Beginner's Step-by-Step Guide)

    If I were starting my investing journey from scratch today, knowing everything I know now, this is the exact step-by-step approach I would follow. This isn't about picking the next hot stock or trying to get rich quickly. It's about building the financial foundation that allows you to invest consistently, minimise unnecessary risk, and let time do the heavy lifting. In this video, I break down: • Why starting early can make such a massive difference• How much a simple $200/month investment could potentially grow over time • How much you should have in an emergency fund before investing • Why paying off high-interest debt can come first • How to maximise your KiwiSaver employer contributions• Why I would choose low-cost, globally diversified index funds or ETFs • When I'd consider investing in property • How automation can make investing almost effortless • Why staying invested matters more than trying to time the market. The goal isn't to predict what the market will do next. It's to build a system you can stick with for decades. YouTube Version: https://youtu.be/yhv8G7VLFSU 👋 Need a Mortgage, KiwiSaver, or Insurance Advisor? Let me connect you: paul@hlf.co.nz Disclaimer: I am not a financial adviser. The information provided in this video is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute personalized financial advice. Please do your own research or consult with a Registered Financial Adviser before making major financial decisions.

  4. Sep 16

    Do THIS to Become Completely Debt Free in 2027

    Imagine waking up on January 1st completely debt-free, no credit cards, no car loan, no mortgage hanging over you. In this video, I break down the exact 6-step blueprint to get there, no matter where you're starting from.You'll learn:✅ How to audit your debt properly (Step 1)✅ Debt Avalanche vs Debt Snowball — which strategy suits you✅ Radical budgeting techniques that actually stick✅ Simple ways to boost your income and accelerate payoff✅ How to tackle your mortgage principal aggressively✅ Automating your debt payoff so you never slip upWith household debt-to-income ratios climbing above 170% in New Zealand and interest rates still elevated, there's never been a better time to take control of your finances and build a real plan to get debt-free.💬 Which method resonates with you more — Avalanche or Snowball? Drop a comment below!👍 If this roadmap helped you, like this video and subscribe for more financial freedom strategies.YouTube Version: https://youtu.be/AS5Nep4JJiE👋 Need a Mortgage, KiwiSaver, or Insurance Advisor? Let me connect you: paul@hlf.co.nzDisclaimer: I am not a financial adviser. The information provided in this video is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute personalized financial advice. Please do your own research or consult with a Registered Financial Adviser before making major financial decisions.

  5. Sep 14

    The 5 Levels of Wealth Explained (Level 1 to 5) - Which Level Are You At?

    Right now, you fall into one of five precise financial levels — and most people are stuck in Level 1 or 2 without even realizing it.In this video, we break down the 5 Levels of Wealth: Financial Dependence, Financial Stability, Financial Security, Financial Independence, and Financial Abundance — with the exact dollar figures, savings rates, and action steps to move up each rung of the ladder.You'll learn:✅ How to escape high-interest debt with the emergency fund + debt avalanche method✅ Why an employer-matched retirement contribution (401k, KiwiSaver, Super, RRSP) is a guaranteed 100% return✅ The exact liquid net worth and equity targets for financial security✅ How to calculate your real Financial Independence number using the 4% rule✅ What separates financial independence from true generational wealthYouTube Version: https://youtu.be/eF_0qZnQREI👋 Need a Mortgage, KiwiSaver, or Insurance Advisor? Let me connect you: paul@hlf.co.nzDisclaimer: I am not a financial adviser. The information provided in this video is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute personalized financial advice. Please do your own research or consult with a Registered Financial Adviser before making major financial decisions.

  6. Aug 23

    How to Have Better Finances Than 95% of People (in 3 Months)

    How much could you change your financial future in just 90 days, without earning a single extra dollar?In this video, I break down a simple 3-month financial system designed to help you get ahead financially, no matter where you live.You don't need a huge salary.You don't need a side hustle.And you don't need to become an investing expert.You need to make a few important changes, then build systems that make those changes stick.In this video, you'll learn:💰 How to find the money you're already wasting, including one spending category where the average U.S. household spends around $3,945 a year.🏦 How to build a $1,000 emergency fund so an unexpected expense doesn't immediately turn into expensive debt.💳 How to attack high-interest debt using the debt avalanche method — and why eliminating 20–25% interest debt can be one of the highest-impact financial moves you make.📈 How to optimise your retirement investments and why the type of fund you choose can have a massive impact over decades.💵 How a $500/month investment could potentially grow to more than $1 million over 30 years, and why the difference between two investment approaches could be around $623,000.⚙️ How to automate your finances so saving, investing and debt repayment happen without relying on willpower.🛡️ How to future-proof your finances by setting clear goals and protecting yourself against the financial risks that could derail your plan.The goal isn't to become financially perfect overnight.It's to spend the next 90 days building a system that puts you in a dramatically better financial position — and then keep it going.By the end of the challenge, you'll have a clearer budget, an emergency fund, a plan for high-interest debt, an optimised retirement strategy and automated systems for building wealth.And the best part? You don't need to earn more money to start.If you found this video helpful, please Like, Subscribe, and let me know in the comments:What's the ONE thing you're going to change this week?YouTube Version: https://youtu.be/6KOTRB6ewmo 👋 Need a Mortgage, KiwiSaver, or Insurance Advisor?Let me connect you: paul@hlf.co.nzDisclaimer: I am not a financial adviser. The information provided in this video is for general educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute personalised financial advice. Investment returns and projections shown are illustrative and are not guaranteed. Everyone's financial circumstances are different, so consider speaking with a Registered Financial Adviser before making major financial decisions.

  7. Jul 18

    I Ranked the 10 Biggest Money Wasters

    Most Kiwis don't realise how much money quietly disappears every year. After digging through the numbers, I calculated the biggest financial leaks affecting the average New Zealand household—and the result was shocking.💰 Total annual wealth lost: $81,730In this video we count down the 10 biggest money leaks facing Kiwis, from food waste and subscriptions to KiwiSaver mistakes and mortgage strategies that could cost you tens of thousands of dollars over your lifetime. You'll learn: ✅ How much the average Kiwi wastes on food every year ✅ The hidden subscriptions quietly draining your bank account ✅ Why your mobile plan could be costing hundreds too much ✅ The expensive mistake many people make with KiwiSaver ✅ How banks profit from minimum mortgage repayments ✅ Practical ways to stop these money leaks and build wealth faster Whether you're saving for your first home, paying off a mortgage, or simply trying to get ahead financially, these are the money habits that can make the biggest difference. Which of the 10 surprised you the most? Let me know in the comments below.If you enjoy practical, no-nonsense personal finance content made specifically for New Zealanders, make sure to subscribe. New videos every week covering mortgages, investing, KiwiSaver, budgeting, and building long-term wealth. YouTube version: https://youtu.be/QQ5z8tlUQzU 👋 Need a Mortgage, KiwiSaver, or Insurance Advisor? Let me connect you: paul@hlf.co.nz Disclaimer: I am not a financial adviser. The information provided in this video is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute personalized financial advice. Please do your own research or consult with a Registered Financial Adviser before making major financial decisions.

  8. Jul 16

    Mortgage vs Investing: Which One Actually Makes You Richer?

    Should you pay off your mortgage early, or invest instead? It's one of the biggest financial decisions you'll ever make, and the answer isn't as simple as most people think. In this video, I compare paying an extra $500/month off your mortgage versus investing the same amount into a low-cost S&P 500 index fund, using real numbers to show how the difference could be worth up to $250,000 over time. We'll cover: ✅ How much you could save by paying off your mortgage early ✅ Why investing has historically delivered higher long-term returns ✅ The impact taxes can have on your final result ✅ When paying down your mortgage actually makes more sense ✅ How redraw and offset accounts can give you the best of both worlds ✅ Why you don't necessarily have to choose one strategy over the other YouTube Version: https://youtu.be/_aXCNpO1Ym4 👋 Need a Mortgage, KiwiSaver, or Insurance Advisor? Let me connect you: paul@hlf.co.nz Disclaimer: I am not a financial adviser. The information provided in this video is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute personalized financial advice. Please do your own research or consult with a Registered Financial Adviser before making major financial decisions.

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About

Hey there, I’m Paul! True financial freedom isn't just for the ultra-wealthy. It’s for anyone willing to learn the rules of the game. On this channel, I’m sharing the frameworks, strategies, and lessons I've learned about personal finance, investing, and navigating the mortgage market. Whether you're trying to buy your very first home, optimize your current mortgage, or kickstart your investing portfolio from scratch, we’re exploring it all together.

Information

  • Creator
    Paul Starkey
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Paul Starkey
  • Show Website
    Paul Starkey