No Stupid Questions with Susan Edmunds

What's good debt, what's bad debt and how do I tell the difference?

Most of us have debt. And we've all heard about good debt versus bad debt, even if we don't always understand what that means or always make a wise choice if we do. But does the good debt/bad debt divide also apply to the country as a whole? Or are there different ways of weighing it up? In this episode, Susan answers questions about:Does the thinking about good debt vs bad debt also apply to government debt?Which KiwiSaver provider is best for me?Is the Public Trust funeral fund still going?How much has the cost of insurance risen in the last 25 years?Can I be insured against alien abduction?If you have a money question you'd like Susan to answer, put it in an email or voice memo, then send it to questions@rnz.co.nz.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

What if you don't want a slice of the AI hype?

Not everyone is entranced by the promise of AI That includes potential investors - and might include you. Perhaps you're unconvinced by the property market? Maybe you can't make your mind up between pumping up your KiwiSaver balance or paying off more of your mortgage? Don't worry. We've got you, because on this episode of No Stupid Questions with Susan Edmunds, we're answering your queries about investing.In this episode, Susan answers questions about:How do I de-invest from big AI?Am I better off to stick with my rental properties, or sell them and invest in a managed fund?Should I increase my contribution to KiwiSaver or pay off more of my mortgage?Another investment fund is looking good; should I swap to it from my current fund?I cant see how I'm going to have a comfortable retirement. Help!If you have a money question you'd like Susan to answer, put it in an email or voice memo, then send it to questions@rnz.co.nz.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Who gets all your stuff when you die?

A couple of episodes ago, we talked about tax. Now, it's time for the OTHER certainty in life: death. That’s where we’re going in this episode of No Stupid Questions: making a will, estate planning, blended families, joint property - all the thorny questions about who gets what when you pop your clogs. In this episode, Susan answers questions about:Does a child automatically inherit part of a parent's estate even if they are not included in the will? And, if there is no will, does the child inherit?We have a blended family. If my partner dies before I do, do I have to leave my property to their kids?How do I protect myself and my property when making a will with a new partner?What happens to joint property and join bank accounts when one of the partners dies?Is an inheritance relationship property?If you have a money question you'd like Susan to answer, put it in an email or voice memo, then send it to questions@rnz.co.nz.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

What do I do if things go really, really wrong?

It sure seems like the world is a tough place right now. And sometimes it's hard to believe things could get worse. But they could! History shows us it's possible - and your emails lately show us you're thinking about it, too. So, in this week's episode of No Stupid Questions with Susan Edmunds, we're going there. What do you do if it all goes really, really wrong? In this episode, Susan answers questions about:Is my KiwiSaver safe? Like, really, really safe?Can a business refuse to take cash?Have house prices dropped as far as they can go?Can you destroy your money by folding the notes too many times?If you have a money question you'd like Susan to answer, put it in an email or voice memo, then send it to questions@rnz.co.nz.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Would raising the rate of GST affect you more than others?

GST turns 40 this year and nowadays makes up about 30% of our total tax revenue every year. But since its introduction back in October 1986, economists and everyday folk have been questioning whether it’s a fair system for all, or if some households are affected more than others. In this week’s No Stupid Questions with Susan Edmunds, we'll have a crack at answering that. We'll also look into which time of the year is the best to retire (for tax purposes), whether the media talk enough about the long term cost of KiwiSaver fees, and more. In this episode, Susan answers questions about:Would raising the rate of GST affect some more than others?What's the best time of the year to retire for tax purposes?Can a tradie charge me more to fix their mistake?Why don't we hear more about the long term cost of KiwiSaver fees?And does solar power make sense financially?If you have a money question you'd like Susan to answer, put it in an email or voice memo, then send it to questions@rnz.co.nz.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details