![Mary Holm: Is greed feeding the property boom?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Mary Holm: Is greed feeding the property boom?
To what extent would you attribute the rise of house prices in Auckland over the past 10 years to the greed of vendors and real estate salespeople?
To what extent would you attribute the rise of house prices in Auckland over the past 10 years to the greed of vendors and real estate salespeople?
Investing in bonds need not leave you shaken or stirred. Mary Holms explains what bonds are and and how they rate as an investment.
You may already have one savings scheme, but two can be even better.
Mary Holm looks at selling up rental properties, more than one super scheme and who owns an inheritance?
Trying to predict where the market is going is a more dangerous strategy than digging in and staying put.
A reader asks Mary Holm: Is it true I could lose all my KiwiSaver fund if the investment crashed?
Your advice to retirees to get out there and live it up - and not worry about investing money, or putting it into term investments - is probably a good idea.
Mary Holm responds to readers financial questions - should old people spend the money and live it up?
Winners pay off their debt in full each month, so they never pay any interest. If you're not in a position to do that, please - stop using your card.
Investors must be sure they won't be forced to sell at some point, because that's when hefty losses can hit.
I've edited your long letter, which went into more detail about how hard it was to get a clear picture of fees, commissions and so on. I agree that's poor.
One reader thinks he's cracked it through by topping up monthly KiwiSaver losses and at lower prices.
Women's gifting circles and promises of rich returns are raising concerns for some people about their legality, writes Mary Holm.
Mary Holm says Auckland house prices and shares may look a bit bubbly, but it’s better to focus on what you want and go for it.
Partying and fun veil pressure to give to ‘worthy’ cause and could be classed as illegal pyramid schemes in US, writes Mary Holm.
The results are varied and the FMA regulates and monitors only licensed crowdfunding service providers, explains Mary Holm.
HomeStart grant and KiwiSaver withdrawals can be used for deposits, provided conditions are met, Mary Holm writes.
Whatever lies ahead, your best bet is to avoid any position in which you have to sell - mortgagee sale or not, advises Mary Holm.
Rules can mean it’s easier for single-parent child to get passport or medical care than to join savings scheme, Mary Holm writes.
Selling in city and buying a cheaper property either north or south could mean plenty of money to invest, Mary Holm writes.
But diversification by spreading savings among different funds and providers allows investors to reduce risk.
Our dollar may be soaring but don’t be tempted to speculate on currency. There’s a loser for every winner, writes Mary Holm.
Combining employer’s scheme with KiwiSaver choices opens possibilities, Mary Holm writes.
The main negative of KiwiSaver for kids is that the money is tied up until they buy a first home or retire, writes Mary Holm.
Selling up to rent could leave you high and dry if prices firm and you want to get back into the market, writes Mary Holm.
Insurance of this kind is not always effective, may be unfair and can lead to risky lending by banks, writes Mary Holm.
Money columnist Mary Holm answers your questions on making and saving more money.