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. 3d ago

    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?

  2. 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?

  3. Jun 28

    MMS #75 | What you need to know before buying your first home

    Buying your first home can feel exciting, overwhelming, and full of unfamiliar jargon, forms and deadlines. In this episode of Money Made Simple, Liv and Jennie break down the first-home buying process into three key stages: getting your finances ready, making an offer and doing your due diligence, and understanding what happens from going unconditional through to settlement. This is a practical, plain-English guide to help you understand what’s coming, feel more prepared, and avoid being caught off guard when buying your first home. This episode covers: Checking whether you can use your KiwiSaver for your first home and how much you can withdrawGetting mortgage pre-approval and understanding your borrowing limitWorking with lenders, mortgage brokers, lawyers and building inspectors as your home-buying 'team'How different house sale types work in NZWhat "due diligence" means, and what it can costWhat “going unconditional” actually means (and when it happens)Why insurance needs to be sorted before settlement on your new homeApplying for your KiwiSaver withdrawal at the right timeWhat happens on settlement dayCommon watchouts to understand while buying your first homeHelpful links: - Sorted first home buyer resources - Simplicity Home Loans - Simplicity KiwiSaver first home withdrawal information Please remember, this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal financial situation. Simplicity is not providing financial advice or home loan advice in this episode. --- 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 #75 | What you need to know before buying your first home

  4. Jun 22

    Economy Made Simple #17 | Getting KiwiSaver right, with Susan Edmunds

    In this episode of Economy Made Simple, Shamubeel Eaqub chats with journalist, author and personal finance expert Susan Edmunds about KiwiSaver, the questions New Zealanders are asking, and why getting the basics right still matters. Susan has just written a book about KiwiSaver, based on the questions people regularly ask her - from choosing the right fund and contribution rate, to hardship withdrawals, first-home access, fees, self-employment, and what happens once people reach retirement. Together, Shamubeel and Susan discuss how KiwiSaver has changed over the past almost 20 years, why it’s no longer just a retirement savings scheme, and where the system could be improved to better support women, lower-income earners, the self-employed, and people over 65. This episode covers The most common KiwiSaver questions Susan gets from New ZealandersWhy it’s important to check your fund type, contribution rate and provider settingsHow KiwiSaver is being used for retirement, first homes and hardship withdrawalsThe impact of total remuneration and why employer contributions matterWhy women, carers and lower-income earners can fall behind in KiwiSaverThe challenges KiwiSaver creates for self-employed peopleWhat retirees need to think about when turning savings into incomeFees, fund performance and how to compare providersHow KiwiSaver could be improved in the futureTune in for a practical and thoughtful conversation about how KiwiSaver has shaped New Zealanders’ savings habits, what people still need help understanding, and how the scheme could evolve to deliver better outcomes for more Kiwis. Please note: This episode was recorded before National announced their new KiwiSaver policy plans. --- 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 #17 | Getting KiwiSaver right, with Susan Edmunds

  5. Jun 14

    MMS #74 | Retirement planning - whatever age you are!

    Retirement can feel like something to worry about “later” - especially when you’re in your 20s or 30s. But every decade comes with opportunities to improve your financial future. In this episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie and Liv talk about what retirement planning looks like at different ages and stages of life. From making the most of KiwiSaver early on, to checking whether you’re on track in your 40s and 50s, to thinking about how you’ll actually use your savings in retirement, this episode is all about practical steps you can take now - whatever age you are. In this episode, we cover: Why retirement planning matters at every ageHow money can create choices, independence and dignity later in lifeThe important role KiwiSaver can play in helping New Zealanders save for their retirementThe power of compounding returns, especially in your 20s and 30sHow to make sure you’re getting the most from KiwiSaver, including contributing regularly, maximising the benefits and choosing the right fund for you (at the right time)What to review in your 40s and 50s, especially as your life priorities changeHow to think about the lifestyle you want in retirement - and what it might costWhat to consider in your 60s as you move from saving to spendingRetirement isn’t just about accumulating money - it’s about independence, security and having choices later in life. And no matter your age, there is almost always something you can do to improve your future. The key takeaways are - start early if you can (but don’t panic if you haven’t), check your KiwiSaver settings regularly, take time to think about the retirement you actually want and make small adjustments as your life changes. Resources mentioned in this episode: Simplicity KiwiSaver Fund SelectorSimplicity KiwiSaver calculatorsSimplicity Future Projection Tool — available to members only in the Simplicity member app Sorted retirement calculator and guidesMassey University New Zealand Retirement Expenditure Guidelines 2025MMS podcast on Compounding Returns - The Money Makes Money episode Resource we should have mentioned but didn't (opps):  Simplicity Retirement Decumulation Tool (it helps you plan how to withdraw funds to ensure your nest egg lasts for your retirement years) available to members in the Simplicity member app.--- 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 #74 | Retirement planning - whatever age you are!

  6. Jun 1

    MMS #73 | The Self-Employed Guide to KiwiSaver, tax, and not getting caught out

    In this week's episode of Money Made Simple, Liv and Jennie tackle a topic that deserves some airtime: the finances of self-employment. Nearly 1 in 5 Kiwis work for themselves - and the financial scaffolding that employees take for granted simply doesn't come with the territory. They break down what that means in practice, what to set up early, and how to make sure your future self doesn't miss out. This episode covers: The scale of self-employment in New Zealand - and why it's a growing slice of the workforceThe three types of self-employed Kiwis, and why the financial picture looks different for eachTax, GST, and ACC - the basics you need to knowThe KiwiSaver gap between the employed and the self-employed, and what that means for your futureWhat happened to the government contribution - and why it still makes sense to chase itThe "hidden" perks of employment you quietly lose when you go out on your ownFive practical watch-outs to set up early, including cash buffers, KiwiSaver contributions, and income protectionWhy you shouldn't assume selling your business will fund your nest egg - and what to think about when it comes to retirement planning as a self-employedResources mentioned in this episode: - Sorted - tools and guides for building good financial habits: https://sorted.org.nz - Business NZ x IRD's guide to becoming self-employed: https://www.business.govt.nz/business-stage-or-type/sole-traders/becoming-a-sole-trader - Retirement Commission x Hnry report on the KiwiSaver savings gap for self-employed: https://retirement.govt.nz/news/latest-news/new-report-highlights-growing-retirement-savings-gap-between-self-employed-and-employees - Hnry - tax and invoicing platform for sole traders and freelancers: https://hnry.co.nz - MMS Episode 64 - how compounding returns work: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5GEHBzjZWUhTxnyXBNj6ku?si=7bcc6849f80b4a12  By the end of this episode, you'll understand exactly how the financial future of a self-employed person is largely theirs to engineer - and a clearer picture of the key things to set up, think about, and get advice on before the tax bill arrives out of nowhere. --- 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 #73 | The Self-Employed Guide to KiwiSaver, tax, and not getting caught out

  7. May 24

    Economy Made Simple #16 | Can we still trust the news? Bernard Hickey weighs in

    In this episode of Economy Made Simple, Shamubeel Eaqub sits down with journalist and publisher Bernard Hickey to talk about how economic stories are told, why trust in media matters, and what’s changed in journalism over the past few decades. Bernard reflects on the major economic shifts in NZ, how his own views on markets and capitalism have evolved, and why good reporting still matters in a world shaped by social media, misinformation, and AI.  This episode covers  Bernard Hickey’s journey through journalism and economic reporting  How to make economics more human and relatable  Why trust, transparency, and incentives matter in media  Social media, misinformation, and the role of institutions in public information  Whether AI helps or harms journalism and credibility  What good journalism looks like in a fast-moving, noisy worldThis episode offers a thoughtful conversation about economics, media, trust, and the value of clear storytelling in uncertain times.  --- 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 #16 | Can we still trust the news? Bernard Hickey weighs in

  8. May 17

    MMS #72 | Does ethical investing compromise your returns?

    In this episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie sits down with Barry Coates, CEO of Mindful Money, to unpack what ethical investing really means and how Kiwis can put their KiwiSaver and other investments behind the values they care about. Barry brings decades of experience from the UK and NZ ethical investment communities, and more recently founded Mindful Money as a charity to give New Zealanders free, comparable information on what's actually inside their funds. This episode covers: What ethical investing really means, and the jargon you can safely ignoreHow to find out what's actually inside your KiwiSaverThe three big things a fund manager can do with your moneyWhat Kiwis consistently say they don't want their savings fundingWhether choosing ethical means giving up returnsHow to spot greenwashing in funds that claim to do goodHow your investment choices can matter as much as your shopping onesWhere to start, if you want your money to better match your valuesResources mentioned in this episode: - Mindful Money Fund Finder - free tool to find a KiwiSaver or managed fund that fits your ethical values: https://mindfulmoney.nz - Sorted Smart Investor - compare KiwiSaver and managed funds on fees, returns and more: https://smartinvestor.sorted.org.nz - Simplicity "Where in the world is my money?' Tool: see exactly where your KiwiSaver is invested around the globe: https://simplicity.kiwi/calculators/kiwisaver/where-in-the-world-is-my-money By the end of this episode you'll come away with a clearer sense of what ethical investing actually is, what your KiwiSaver might be funding without you realising, and why putting your money behind your values doesn't have to come at the cost of your returns. *For information on Simplicity’s approach to ethical investing, go to simplicity.kiwi/about-us/ethical-investments where you’ll find a link to our Responsible Investment Policy. --- 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 #72 | Does ethical investing compromise your returns?
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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
    97
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Money Made Simple
  • Show Website
    Money Made Simple

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