Money Made Simple

In this episode of Money Made Simple, Liv and Jennie unpack the recent changes to KiwiSaver announced in Budget 2025 - what’s changing, why it matters, and how it could impact you both now, and in the long term.

From personal contribution increases to government contribution cutbacks, it’s a mixed bag. Some changes are great, particularly for younger savers and long-term investors, but others (like the halving of the government contribution)  may feel like a step backwards.

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In this episode of Money Made Simple, Liv sits down with Josh Taylor — or JT — co-founder of Tax Traders and Taxi, two innovative businesses making waves in the world of tax. While tax might not sound like a glamorous industry, Josh’s entrepreneurial journey is packed with insight, hard-won lessons, and inspiring moments of resilience.

From getting made redundant to selling the family home to start a business, JT shares what it really takes to build a company from the ground up, and why the best opportunities often come disguised as problems.

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In this episode of Economy Made Simple, Shamubeel Eaqub breaks down one of the most pressing challenges facing Aotearoa today - our ongoing housing crisis. Why are homes so unaffordable? How did we end up here? And what do we need to do to make things better? From historical policy shifts to the present day shortage, this episode offers a comprehensive look at the system’s failure... and how we might fix it. This episode covers:

In this episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie is joined by Tom Hartmann, personal finance lead at Sorted and part of Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission. Together, they break down KiwiSaver in simple, practical terms to help you feel - and help you actually get - sorted when it comes to planning for your nest egg. Whether you're just starting out or have been contributing for years, this episode is packed with insight and easy-to-understand tips to get your KiwiSaver settings right. This episode covers:

In this episode of Money Made Simple, Liv sits down with Simplicity member Rugved Deshpande to share his real-life finance journey. From childhood savings jars and pocket money to index funds, KiwiSaver choices, and building wealth his own way. As a second-generation Indian Kiwi and management accountant, Rugved reflects on how his upbringing shaped his money mindset, and how that mindset has evolved over time to where he is at today. This episode covers:

Rugved’s early memories of money, shaped by his parents’ immigrant experience and a strong culture of saving vs investing

In this episode of Economy Made Simple, Chief Economist Shamubeel Eaqub unpacks how government finances actually work – and why they matter to us all. From tax and spending to investment and debt, he breaks down the jargon we hear so often in political debates and media headlines, and explains how public finance is really just a larger version of household budgeting - with long-term consequences for our country's future. This episode covers:

In this episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie and Liv dive into the not-so-sexy but super important topic of tax – specifically how it works inside your KiwiSaver.

Tax might not be everyone’s idea of a good time (trust us, we get it), but understanding the basics can make a big difference to how confident you feel about your KiwiSaver. Whether you've noticed your balance dropping in March, or you're just trying to figure out what a PIR is, this episode is for you.

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In this thought-provoking episode of Economy Made Simple, Simplicity Chief Economist Shamubeel Eaqub is joined by Liv to help unpack the very important but complex topic of social cohesion. They discuss what it means, why it’s under pressure, and how it underpins everything from economic stability to effective policymaking in Aotearoa. Drawing on global trends and New Zealand-specific data, Shamubeel explores how growing inequality and distrust are slowly eroding the social glue that helps society function and progress. This episode covers:

In this episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie chats with Consumer NZ CEO Jon Duffy about the real pressures New Zealanders are facing in today’s challenging economy – and what we can ALL do about it. From overpriced groceries to big power bills, Jon breaks down the biggest consumer issues and gives practical tips for navigating your way to smarter spending habits. This episode covers: 

In this episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie and Liv dive into effective strategies for building job resilience during an economic downturn (like we're seeing right now). If you're worried about your job security or looking to secure a new job, this episode will arm you with the insights and strategies you may be seeking. This episode covers:

Welcome to the very first episode of the Economy Made Simple! Our host Shamubeel Eaqub delves into the current state of financial markets, the broader economy, and the impact of global volatility on the local environment. This episode offers a "State of the Nation" perspective, perfect for those who would like to gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics of the economy. This episode covers:

In this second episode of our two-part series with Jane Wrightson, New Zealand's Retirement Commissioner, we dive deeper into the future of retirement and how today’s choices can and will impact tomorrow's freedom. This episode, tackles some thought-provoking issues and projections, and could be a game-changer for those trying to secure a more comfortable future. This week's episode covers:

In this episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie sits down with New Zealand’s Retirement Commissioner, Jane Wrightson, to discuss what retirement really looks like in New Zealand. We often think of retirement as something far off on the horizon but the reality is, the choices we make today shape our financial future.

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In celebration of International Women's Day on the 8th March, this episode of Money Made simple sees Jennie and Liv discussing women and money. Something we should know a bit about! We discuss the unique challenges as well as opportunities women face in terms of earning, saving, spending and investing money - both here in NZ and globally. This episode covers:

*Disclaimer: This podcast material is for information purposes only. Simplicity does not provide financial advice or offer insurance products. Simplicity is not affiliated with Partners Life or any other insurer, and we do not provide recommendations or referrals.*

In this second episode of our insurance 101 series, Liv welcomes back Mark from Partner's Life to get into the nitty gritty of personal insurances. Building on our "why" and "how" from Part One, this episode focuses on understanding the specific types of personal insurance and how they cater to different life stages and needs. This episode covers:

*Disclaimer: This podcast material is for information purposes only. Simplicity does not provide financial advice or offer insurance products. Simplicity is not affiliated with Partners Life or any other insurer, and we do not provide recommendations or referrals.*

In this episode of Money Made Simple, Liv is joined by Mark Banicevich, an insurance expert from Partners Life, who helps her break down the often-confusing world of insurance. Together, they explore why insurance matters, how it works, and the key terms you need to know - without too much jargon overload!

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In this episode of Money Made Simple,  Liv and Jennie dive into the world of side hustles - exploring whether they’re a hustle worth pursuing or a hassle to avoid! With rising living costs, more Kiwis than ever are turning to side gigs for financial support, new skills, or to explore passion projects.

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We're back, baby! Liv and Jennie kick off 2025 with a brand new podcast season, and an episode dedicated to making your 2025 as kick-ass as possible - both personally and financially. As we all shake off the cobwebs of 2024, they share insights on crafting New Year's resolutions that stick, and a bunch of strategies to help you manage your money better, both over the short and long-term. This episode covers:

In this episode of Money Made Simple, Liv is excited to welcome (back!) Shamubeel Eaqub, well-respected author, commentator and Simplicity's new Chief Economist and Head of Policy. He helps explain inflation in simple terms, discusses its impact on everyday Kiwis, and how we can manage our finances more smoothly in what is a highly inflationary environment. This episode covers:

In this slightly festive episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie and Liv tackle the easier-to-avoid but very relevant topic of Christmas spending. They share their top tips and tricks for managing holiday expenses without sacrificing the joy of the silly season. This episode covers:

In this episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie and Liv get cozy on their new podcast couch (very exciting!) to tackle a topic that affects us all: generational differences in mindset and money habits. From bearish Baby Boomers to easy-go-lucky Gen Z's, they explore the unique challenges, triumphs, and quirks of each generation's approach to life and finance, sharing a few digs but also a few lessons along the way. This episode covers:

In this episode of Money Made Simple, join Liv as she chats with well-being and resilience guru Brad Hook. He provides a bunch of insight and tips on mastering your money mindset and aligning your spending with your values. They dive into ways to mange stress and prevent burnout, and the link into how this can actually boost your financial wellbeing (a win-win, as we like to say!). This week's episode covers:

In this rather lively episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie and Liv dive into our individual financial facepalms! We share the lessons we've learned since our early investing days, the hard way. Grab a cuppa and join us as we laugh (and maybe cry) about our top money blunders. And maybe you'll get the chance to turn our mistakes into your opportunities! This week's episode dives into:

In this episode of Money Made Simple, Liv kicks off a BRAND NEW podcast segment where we talk to real investors about their money journeys - the good, the bad and the ugly! Our very first investor guest is Te Wai Coulston, a long-standing member and huge advocate of Simplicity. Te Wai shares with us his personal finance experiences and insights, with plenty of learnings along the way. This episode covers:

In this episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie and Liv dive into the essentials of budgeting - exciting, we know! We discuss what a budget actually is in simple terms, how to get started, and different methods that can help you manage your money more effectively. This episode is packed with practical suggestions and tools to help you understand and implement budgeting in your daily life. This episode covers:

In this special, slightly extended episode of Money Made Simple, Liv is joined by Shamubeel Eaqub, renowned Kiwi chief economist, for a deep dive into the current state and future of New Zealand's economy. This episode offers an insightful yet easy-to-understand breakdown of the drivers, challenges, potential solutions, and future projections that concern everyday Kiwi. This episode covers:

In this episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie and Liv address the most frequently asked questions by our KiwiSaver and Investment Fund members. With insights from across the Simplicity team, this episode aims to help troubleshoot common issues and queries, and provide practical tips to help you navigate your KiwiSaver and Investment Fund accounts more efficiently and effectively. We cover the following FAQs we see almost err' day:

In this episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie is joined by the impressive Sam Bridgewater, co-founder and director of the Pure Food Co., a company revolutionising nutrition for seniors around the globe. Simplicity has invested in Pure Food Co. via our Private Capital business, and today, Sam shares his own story and the inspiring journey behind the company's mission to nourish the world's seniors with nutrient-rich, enjoyable food. This week's episode covers:

In this episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie and Liv address the often intimidating and complex world of investing, breaking down the finance-bro jargon! Gaining a deeper understanding around some of these tricky terms is super useful for anyone looking to make informed investment decisions and manage their finances effectively. Today, we break down key investment terms into simple, easy-to-understand language to help you navigate the investment landscape confidently. This episode covers:

In this episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie and Liv continue their discussion on how to beat the cost of living crisis. This is part two of our (hopefully super practical and helpful!) two-part episode. While part one focused on smart cost-cutting strategies, part two shifts to exploring ways to potentially increase your income, as well as outlining the resources where you can find immediate, additional support. This episode covers:

In this episode of Money Made Simple, join Jennie and Liv as they dive into the hot topic of the cost of living crisis, offering insights and practical suggestions to help you navigate what can feel like ever-increasing expenses. This episode covers:

In this episode of Money Made Simple, join Liv and Jennie as they dive into the essentials of setting up a rainy day AKA an emergency fund. With the current economic climate bringing uncertainty for many of us, having a financial safety net is more crucial than ever. This episode covers:

In this episode of Money Made Simple, Liv is joined by Simplicity's (quietly) kick-ass Head of Private Capital, Matt Houtman, to delve into the intriguing but sometimes confusing world of Private Equity and Venture Capital. Get ready to understand why a KiwiSaver and Investment Fund manager would invest in private companies  (rather than just the share market), and how it specifically benefits investors. This week's episode covers:

In this episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie welcomes Liv back after a bit of a hiatus (all is explained!) to chat about what is a highly searched, but often misunderstood topic: Opting out of KiwiSaver, as well as making early withdrawals. We explain how and why someone might choose to opt out once they're automatically enrolled, and the (several) reasons you can take some or all your KiwiSaver funds out  before you retire.

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50% of New Zealand adults don't have a will(!) In this episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie invites Glenys Talivai, CEO of Public Trust, to tell us all about wills - why so many don't have them, why they're so very important, and how you go about making yours.  Many people think everything will automatically go to their partner or next of kin when they die, but this is not always the case. This week's episode covers:

In this episode, Jennie sits down with Simplicity superstar Sebastian Neubrandt to delve into the topic of kids and KiwiSaver. Should Kiwis under 18 have a KiwiSaver? What's the best time to set up an account? What are the key benefits and are there any disadvantages?

Jennie and Seb both admit that they don't have KiwiSaver set up for their own kids yet, but they're definitely considering it by the end of their conversation.

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Colin Magee from Catalist is back, baby! Last time he demystified stock exchanges with Liv, and in this episode of Money Made Simple he helps explains financial regulations to Jennie... Don't worry, it's more interesting than you may imagine! As an ex-lawyer and previous FMA exec, Colin is a fountain of knowledge on the topic and is here to explain the basics so you can feel confident in your investment decisions.

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In this episode of Money Made Simple, Liv is joined by Simplicity's Deputy Head of Investor Services Emma Ryan to get the goss on why getting KiwiSaver government contributions is SUCH a no-brainer. (Caveat - that's if you're eligible!). This episode covers:

In this episode of Money Made Simple, we're stoked to invite our good friend Sarah, host of the OneUp Project podcast to chat all about the Digital Nomad Visa. Not familiar?! Listen in, and you will be in 20 minutes!! Sarah explains to us how this relatively new type of visa tends to work, and we discuss the financial/budgeting side of embarking on a "remote work trip of a lifetime".

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In this episode of Money Made Simple, we're back on the topic of choosing the right KiwiSaver provider for YOU. In Part two of two, we look at a couple more factors to consider when choosing a KiwiSaver provider, some would say having saved the best for last.... Jennie and Liv talk about how you might like think about things like a provider's performance, fees and  the concept of value for money.

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