No Stupid Questions with Susan Edmunds

Who gets all your stuff when you die? 14.07.2026 15min

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? 07.07.2026 14min

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? 30.06.2026 12min

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

How long does it take to swap my KiwiSaver provider? 23.06.2026 12min

There are some solid reasons to change your KiwiSaver provider. But how easy is it to swap? How long does it take? And how do you know whether you should, anyway? In this episode, Susan answers questions about:How (and why) do you swap KiwiSaver providers?My life insurances premiums are increasing. Should I keep servicing them or cancel the policy?I think I paid too much tax on my overseas pension. What do I do?How do I find a good financial adviser?And why does the fee to register your dog vary across the country?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

Things are going well for New Zealand’s farmers. Shouldn't everyone else be feeling the benefit? 16.06.2026 14min

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.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

What's up with my winter power bills? 08.06.2026 13min

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.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Some investment rules are changing. But what is a FIF anyway? 02.06.2026 13min

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.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The KiwiSaver quandary; are fund managers worth the fees we pay them? 26.05.2026 21min

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.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Buying, refixing or just holding on? Here's what you need to know about the property market 19.05.2026 20min

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.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Young, old, or in between, you need to know about NZ Super! 11.05.2026 13min

Most of us probably think we have a pretty good understanding of the pension. You turn 65, you get it. Right? Well, it turns out that there lots of little details that can catch you out. We’ve had a lot of questions about the pension (or NZ Super), so we’re on a bit of a deep dive into the most common ones. And don’t worry – this isn’t all questions for the over 65s, so stick with us if you’re not in that age bracket. In this episode, Susan answers questions about:If I live overseas, can I still claim a New Zealand pension?Why does the first person in a couple turning 65 gets the sharing rate, not the full single payment?Will the pension still be around when the next generation retire?When I turn 65, do I have to let someone know to get the pension?Which city in New Zealand has the most money left over after paying their mortgage, power, rates, insurance and food bills?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

Thrift Podcast: Investing with Share Trading Apps 11.05.2026 13min

About a million New Zealanders are using some form of DIY share investing account to build extra wealth. In this bonus episode from the RNZ podcast Thrift, Susan joins Thrift host, Katy Gosset, to discuss how share trading apps work and we meet some fledgling investors. You can hear more money saving tips and tricks from Thrift on the RNZ website or on your favourite podcast app.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Where should I be investing right now? 05.05.2026 17min

Where should you actually be investing now? It’s an impossibly big question but on this week’s episode of No Stupid Questions, we’re going to be attempting to answer parts of it in a bit of an investing special!In this episode, Susan answers questions about:Is AI any good at share picking?Should I invest in forestry?I want to grow my savings, but also need easy access to it. What are my options?I didn't sell my shares in my company at the best time. Should I wait or offload them now?I've lost the location of my crypto currency! How do I track it down?What's my FIRE number for retiring?What's on IRD's hold music playlist?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

I'm losing money on my crypto investments. Do I still need to pay tax? 28.04.2026 12min

Say you've been trading in crypto currencies. You know if you are making money you need to declare it. But you're not making money. Instead, you're losing it. Is there a way to write those losses off against other income? We all know we should have long term savings and investments. But how much will high inflation mess around with your returns? And are there any restrictions on who can offer a KiwiSaver fund?In this episode, Susan answers questions about:If someone was to make a loss trading crypto how does one write those losses off against other income?What the implications are of higher inflation on long-term savings and investment?Is there is a vetting process determining whether a fund is allowed to be part of the KiwiSaver investment options, and, if so, what the vetting criteria might be?Does paying tax on the employer contribution to KiwiSaver almost make it meaningless?Despite all the uncertainty in the world, my KiwiSaver fund is rebounding. Why?And why is the Tenancy Tribunal getting so many applications written by AI?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

We've split up! Is our student loan debt considered relationship property? 21.04.2026 14min

Say you and your ex-partner both have student loan debt. While you were together, they worked more while you were the day-to-day caregiver to your kids and reduced your employment hours. Inevitably, their student loan is all paid off. Yours...not so much. Then, when you separated, they refused to allow your student loan debt to be included in relationship property. It all seems incredibly unfair. But what does the law say? In this episode, Susan answers questions about:Why can't the government cause a decrease in costs to the consumer by making the big companies take less profit?Why nothing has been done to compensate for or reduce road user charges when the price of diesel is so high.?Is student loan debt included in relationship property?If I don't qualify for the Australian pension can I get NZ Super instead?How long do I have to have lived in New Zealand to qualify for Superannuation?And active or passive wealth managers - which are getting the best returns?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

I need to downsize my house. Is it better to do it now or later? 14.04.2026 16min

You're retired, thinking about the next stage and your house doesn't fit your needs anymore. Is it best to downsize now or wait for another time? Speaking of retiring, is KiwiSaver a safer place for your money than a bank account? Where will you get the highest returns? We all know there's a squeeze on fuel supplies right now. Has the quality of what we're buying decreased?In this episode, Susan answers questions about:Should I downsize now or wit for a better time?Is KiwiSaver a safer place for my money, or a bank account? Which gives me the best return?Has the quality of the fuel we buy decreased?Are we paying higher prices for fuel that arrived before the war in the Middle East?What is the equivalent minimum wage for the self-employed?I canceled my Life Insurance which automatically canceled my wife's. How is that possible in 2026?And why am I paying more for rest home care when I qualify for the government subsidy?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

I don't live with my spouse. Do relationship property laws still apply? 07.04.2026 15min

It's a modern trend; one relationship, two separate residences, couples living apart together. But does this mean they are exempt from property relationship laws? And at a time when everything seems so precarious and unpredictable, why would anyone be considering raising interest rates?In this episode, Susan answers questions about:Why are interest rates increasing?Do new build houses experience the same rate of capital growth when house prices are rising, or do they have a bit of depreciation when they lose their newness?What happens to my foreign pension if I come to live in New Zealand?Do relationship property laws apply if you don't live together?Is the government receiving more revenue from the rise in fuel prices?My kid spent up large online using my credit card. How do I prevent this from happening again?And how much have Roblox share prices risen since they were listed?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

KiwiSaver is Changing! What do you need to do? How will you benefit? 31.03.2026 16min

Over the six months or so that Susan has been answering your money questions, we've received many about life after retirement - and even more about KiwiSaver. April 1 sees change coming to the KiwiSaver scheme. The default rate of contributions will change, as will government and employer contributions. To mark these changes and to celebrate our 25th programme, this episode of No Stupid Questions with Susan Edmunds will be a KiwiSaver bonanza!In this episode, Susan answers questions about:How likely is it for any government to remove the option of withdrawing KiwiSaver money to buy a first home?Should we transfer most of our money to a bank until the middle east conflict settles?Why do workers over 65 still not get paid KiwiSaver by some employers?What is going to be better in the long run, low fees or higher returns?If the age of entitlement to pension rises, will the age of eligibility for KiwiSaver also rise?Stuff is getting more expensive to buy. Why? And what's the solution?And when did New Zealand first attempt a major superannuation scheme?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

If the squeeze goes on diesel prices, who ends up paying for it? 24.03.2026 12min

Diesel is a big driver of our economy, no pun intended. If the squeeze comes on diesel, what will be the impact on your back pocket? Is it fair for someone to live most of their life in Australia, but come back here to claim the pension? And who remembers carless days?In this episode, Susan answers questions about:Have we forgotten about diesel drivers?Can someone work most of their lives in Australia and then come back to New Zealand to claim the pension?Do church-owned retirement homes enjoy tax exemptions?Can a 70-year-old join KiwiSaver?Why are there hurdles to get your funds out of KiwiSaver when you turn 65?What do you do if you're asset rich but cash poor?Will the rise in the benefit be enough for households to get by?And when did New Zealand bring in carless days? Did it work?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

Can I write my own will, or do I have to hire a lawyer? 17.03.2026 12min

You might own a lot, you might own a little, but you probably still need to write a will. But do you have to use a lawyer to do it? There are changes coming to KiwiSaver contribution rates. Who will miss out? And how do donation credits actually work? In this episode, Susan answers questions about:How will the changes to KiwiSaver contribution rates affect you?How does the donation tax credit actually work?Why aren't spouses paid to be caregivers?Are there still benefits to KiwiSaver when the government contribution stops?Do you have to write a will with a lawyer or can you write your own, have it witnessed and just keep it in a safe place?What items have gotten cheaper over the last 10 years?And which part of the country has the highest uptake on solar power?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

How will the conflict in the Middle East affect me and my household? 10.03.2026 15min

Conflict has broken out in the Middle East – again – and New Zealanders are being warned to watch out for it hitting everything from petrol prices to the cost of food. This week, our special episode of No Stupid Questions is all about how it might affect your household and what you can do to ease the impact.Episode detailsIn this episode, Susan answers questions about:How high could petrol prices go?Will inflation rise again?Will my KiwiSaver balance be affected?I want to fly overseas soon. What do I need to consider?What will be the biggest pain points for households?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