No Stupid Questions with Susan Edmunds

Things are going well for New Zealand’s farmers. Shouldn't everyone else be feeling the benefit?

The news lately seems to have lots of good stories about how well our farmers are doing. Fonterra's big payout, exports going really well and sheep and beef farmers are seeing a rebound after years of struggle. But there are also stories how some New Zealanders can't afford to buy food like the beef, lamb,  butter and cheese our farmers produce. How come? On this episode of No Stupid Questions with Susan Edmunds, we'll go behind the headlines on this as well as questions about the NZ Super Fund, gift cards and even wind power. In this episode, Susan answers questions about: * How can the economy be good for one sector but not another? * What is the NZ Super Fund? What does it do and can that be changed? * Do all vouchers have an expiry date? * Do you have to accept a cash offer from their insurer? * Is your supermarket loyalty card working for you - or for them? 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 [questions@rnz.co.nz]. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details [https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/no-stupid-questions?share=f46edd0a-ae29-4aa9-8175-f36cc425b4ad]

What's up with my winter power bills?

There's nothing better than a warm, dry towel after a shower. And on these chilly winter mornings, that goes double. Your power bills can go double, too, during these months. But is it really all due to your heated towel rail or whether you keep your electric blanket on all night? Does it really matter if you boil the jug for a cup of tea or heat the water in a microwave? In this episode of No Stupid Questions with Susan Edmunds, we’re looking at winter power bills – and more specifically, what’s adding to them. In this episode, Susan answers questions about: * Is it cheaper to boil the jug, microwave a mug of water, or boil the water on the stove? * Is it cheaper to cook with an air fryer or in the oven? * What's the best time to run the shower? * What does a heated towel rail cost to run? * Is it OK to have my electric blanket on all night? * What's cheaper, having the heat at pump on all the time or only when you need it? * How do electricity companies set their line charges? 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 [questions@rnz.co.nz]. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details [https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/no-stupid-questions?share=5014d1f0-15c7-482d-af80-da1a9e7047d8]

Some investment rules are changing. But what is a FIF anyway?

Got a foreign investment fund? Yes? Wondering what changes to the FIF tax rate mean for you? Probably! Good news - this episode of No Stupid Questions with Susan Edmunds is for you! Well, mostly, anyway. We'll also crack into the promise of open banking, selling second-hand stuff on Trademe and the history of the credit card. Hint - they've been around longer than you might imagine... In this episode, Susan answers questions about: * What's up with the changes to the tax rates on Foreign Investment Funds? * Sometimes my interest charge goes up instead of down...shouldn't it only go down? * What is open banking, and how is it going to work for me? * Is it getting harder to sell secondhand stuff on Trademe? * When was the credit card invented? 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 [questions@rnz.co.nz]. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details [https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/no-stupid-questions?share=d9b981b1-44c3-41b7-8743-6c158ea98b0a]

The KiwiSaver quandary; are fund managers worth the fees we pay them?

KiwiSaver hardship withdrawals are on the rise. In April, more than 4000 applications were made, with $38.5 million being paid out. On the flipside, questions are being asked about the returns active managers are getting versus the fees they charge. On this week's episode of No Stupid Questions, Susan gets into your KiwiSaver queries, plus a whole bunch of other subjects from our mailbag. In this episode, Susan answers questions about: * Are there any special circumstances where I can claim more from my hardship withdrawal application?? * When you consider their fees, are KiwiSaver investment managers actually adding value to your fund? * What's the deal with the Australian Federal Budget and what does it mean to us? * Is the reported number of unemployed people accurate? * Are power retailers being less generous with their solar buy back rates? 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 [questions@rnz.co.nz]. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details [https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/no-stupid-questions?share=af5e42f0-9e48-4f2b-82c7-ad0a6c9a5375]

Buying, refixing or just holding on? Here's what you need to know about the property market

The property market has been a bit boring of late. Prices did drop dramatically after Covid, no doubt, but since then, they have mostly just been moseying along. But boring doesn't mean things aren't going on under the surface and that there aren't questions to be asked. What’s actually going to happen to house prices? And what do you need to know if you’re thinking about buying, selling or just fixing your home loan? So, on this week’s No Stupid Questions, we’re going in deep on the New Zealand property market. In this episode, Susan answers questions about: * The market has turned against you, but you need to make a move. Should you take the hit or hold on? * I have a chunk of change from the sale of my home. Should put it in one bank or spread it around to be safe? * I've recently retired and sold my home, but I'm not ready for a retirement village. What are my options? * In times of trouble, should I fix my mortgage for six months or longer? * Will the next government offer a solar panel package so homes can cope with high power costs? 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 [questions@rnz.co.nz]. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details [https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/no-stupid-questions?share=cf7b593a-6dbc-4163-9f17-9c1e8964bf16]