Opinion
Falling investment funds have me feeling anxious
OPINION: 45 days is too short a time to judge a fund's performance.
Latest from Mary Holm
Stories and analysis from The Northern Express Herald.
Selling the home and taking shelter in the share market
OPINION: If market returns outweigh rental costs, should I sell my home and invest?
Maybe it's time to sell the rental, clear the debt, have some fun
OPINION: There is a lot to be said for picking the type of investment you prefer.
I'm in a live-apartnership, are my assets going to be safe?
OPINION: By law, partners' assets are considered joint – what if we live seperately?
Mary Holm: Falling home ownership shows it has got harder to buy
OPINION: But there is still ray of hope for would-be first-home buyers.
Mary Holm: Why chasing sharemarket wins beats most investors in the end
OPINION: Betting big on one share is a risky way to invest.
Mary Holm: I am 48 and know I will never get the pension
OPINION: Should younger generations be so pessimistic about the future of Super?
Mary Holm: Why borrowing to invest rarely stacks up better than killing your mortgage
OPINION: If you borrow money and also have investments, you are borrowing to invest.
Mary Holm: What to do when you're 57, have savings but no home
OPINION: Don't rely on the Government to provide housing in older age.
Mary Holm: ‘Don’t count your chickens’ - money lessons from a 122-year-old’s windfall
Opinion: Why trying to outsmart markets and currencies can backfire on your money.
Mary Holm: Sex, drugs, rock 'n' roll – and KiwiSaver
OPINION: How early is too early to start saving for retirement?
Mary Holm: Embracing risk at a time when you might look to avoid it? I love it
OPINION: Clear your debt and mortgage before making that move to the beach.
Mary Holm: When to sell your rental property
OPINION: Property prices are down but you might wait years for them to recover.
Mary Holm: How to save more without feeling broke this year
OPINION: Mary Holm shares practical tricks to painlessly boost your savings this year.
Mary Holm: How to create good spending habits and avoid keeping up with the Joneses
OPINION: It's important to understand the psychology of spending.
Mary Holm: How much insurance do you really need? What every household should weigh up
OPINION: Basic life insurance cover is vital, even for low-income families.
Mary Holm: Why men and women often invest differently – and what it means for your money
Men are more likely than women to chase higher-risk, volatile investments.
Mary Holm: Do we really need to save $1.45m for retirement?
OPINION: Five of the top columns of the year from Mary Holm.
Mary Holm: Why you should consider investing outside of New Zealand
OPINION: The NZ sharemarket makes up about 0.1% of all the shares in the world.
Mary Holm: Why ring-fencing inheritances can save heartbreak later on
Readers warn a young inheritor not to mingle her windfall with her partner's finances.
Mary Holm: How to invest a large inheritance in your 20s and avoid mistakes
OPINION: It's tough losing your mum at a young age.
Mary Holm: We have $1m to invest – should we put it in KiwiSaver or give it to a wealth manager?
OPINION: The rent-versus-buy call is often a lifestyle choice, not clear maths.
Mary Holm: How to tell good debt from bad debt before you borrow to invest
OPINION: Even 'good debt' can undo your wealth plan.
Mary Holm: How to choose between paying off debt and investing
OPINION: Your partner shouldn't be investing in cryptocurrency with his property deposit.
Mary Holm: How to steady your savings when market bubbles look ready to burst
OPINION: Money needed within 10 years should be invested in lower-risk funds.
Mary Holm: Gold or shares – which one is better?
OPINION: Gold has risen lately, but that might not make it the best option long-term.
Mary Holm: Should we have spent all our savings in early retirement?
OPINION: I don't think you did too much wrong.
Mary Holm: KiwiSaver loophole leaves high earners with no incentive to stay
OPINION: About 25% of employers count KiwiSaver in total pay, cutting its benefit.
Mary Holm: Should we sell our house and rent in retirement?
OPINION: There are more long-term lease options available now.
Mary Holm: Renting out your bach? Beware the tax trap that could cost you dearly
OPINION: It sounds like a conversation with an accountant is needed before doing this.
Mary Holm: How to open a bank account without a fixed address
OPINION: The Reserve Bank says banks must offer options for people without an address.