No Stupid Questions with Susan Edmunds

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  Could I run out of money in retirement and other questions experts wish you'd ask 15.09.2026 15хв

  It’s our 50th episode, and so this week on No Stupid Questions with Susan Edmunds, there’s a bit of a twist! Normally, you send in your questions and we find experts to answer them. Instead, we’re asking the experts what important questions they reckon you should be thinking about. In this episode, our experts ask questions about:Is it possible to run out of money in retirement?Should you contribute more to KiwiSaver?Are there any real differences between KiwiSaver providers?How do we solve New Zealand’s productivity problem?Why is income protection insurance a tax deductible expense?If you have a money question you'd like Susan to answer, put it in an email or voice memo, then send it to [email protected] to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  When can I stop giving money to my kids? 08.09.2026 12хв

  Every parent wants to help their kids with money stuff. And we know that some aren't able to. But for those who can, at what age does that responsibility end? Should you still support your kids through university, trades training and the like? What are the options out there, beyond the Bank of Mum and Dad?In this episode, Susan answers questions about:Student loan isn’t enough to cover hall of residence fees. Are there other options?At what age can I stop paying for my kid?How do I set up a financial gift to a child that isn’t mine?Does it still make sense to sign kids up to KiwiSaver?Credit card surcharges were to be stopped this year – what happened to that? Do banks have to pass on the OCR basis increase to their customers?If you have a money question you'd like Susan to answer, put it in an email or voice memo, then send it to [email protected] to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Is there any point in KiwiSaver if I'm on a total remuneration package? 01.09.2026 10хв

  If your employer doesn't contribute extra to your KiwiSaver, is there any point being in the scheme? It's a question that gets to the heart of what KiwiSaver is for, and whether some New Zealanders might be better off investing elsewhere. In this episode, Susan answers questions about:Whether KiwiSaver is worth it if you're on a total remuneration packageThe pros and cons of investing outside KiwiSaverWhether a 46-year-old is too old to switch to an aggressive KiwiSaver fundWhat to consider when deciding whether to keep life insurance after 65Whether a motel can charge a 3 percent surcharge on debit and credit card paymentsAlternatives to using credit cards overseas, including Wise cardsIf you have a money question you'd like Susan to answer, put it in an email or voice memo, then send it to [email protected] to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  How can I pay down my mortgage as fast as possible? 25.08.2026 10хв

  Say you can afford to pay off more than the minimum on your mortgage. Everyone says it's a good idea. But what's the best way to do it? Focus on one part of it, or spread it across the whole loan? Listen and find out in this week’s episode of No Stupid Questions with Susan Edmunds.In this episode, Susan answers questions about:What’s the best way to smash down my mortgage?Is it a good idea to have your current account and savings account with different banks.?What do I do in a dispute over the Consumer Guarantees Act?Is there a limit to how much money I can put in my KiwiSaver?If you have a money question you'd like Susan to answer, put it in an email or voice memo, then send it to [email protected] to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Who charges GST, who doesn't and why? 18.08.2026 12хв

  Everyone loves a good garage sale. But if you're running one, should you be charging GST on the things you sell? They're all goods, after all. Who actually needs to charge GST? And is there a case for and against taking it off essential household purchases? In this episode, Susan answers questions about:Why does my business pay GST when we’re not registered to collect it?Why aren’t we taking GST off our power bills?Should New Zealand issue $200, $500 or $1000 notes?I want to work overseas. How do I balance interest versus earnings on my student loan?Will my bank accept cheese as security on a loan?If you have a money question you'd like Susan to answer, put it in an email or voice memo, then send it to [email protected] to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Why have Ooshies taken over my house? 11.08.2026 11хв

  Do you have kids? If so, are they bugging you to get them Ooshies, those tiny, plastic figurines they’re giving away at one of the supermarkets? Or maybe you’re more in the mood for some stylish new kitchen knives, so you shop at a different supermarket? Either way, does giving stuff away for ‘free’ really drive your decision on where to buy your groceries? The answer - and the business plan behind these promos – is all in this week’s episode of No Stupid Questions with Susan Edmunds. In this episode, Susan answers questions about:Could solar power buybacks ever become taxable income?What are the pros and cons of income protection insurance?I'm struggling to pay tax on my freehold investment property. What are my options?Can the age of eligibility for KiwiSaver be changed?Why do some supermarkets offer giveaways like Ooshies?If you have a money question you'd like Susan to answer, put it in an email or voice memo, then send it to [email protected] to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Do I have to buy that extended warranty? 04.08.2026 12хв

  What should you do if you’re offered an extended warranty when you’re buying an appliance? Isn’t that what the Consumer Guarantees Act is for? That’s just one of the questions that we’re looking into on this week’s episode of No Stupid Questions, which is a dive into some of the niggly questions that annoy people in their everyday lives. In this episode, Susan answers questions about:Are extended warranties worth it?Why do I need to declare personal goods over $700 when I enter the country?Why are fuel prices at discount brands different across my town?Can I opt out of biometric account validation?Why do some teachers have an extra tax bill?If you have a money question you'd like Susan to answer, put it in an email or voice memo, then send it to [email protected] to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  What's good debt, what's bad debt and how do I tell the difference? 28.07.2026 11хв

  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 [email protected] to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  What if you don't want a slice of the AI hype? 21.07.2026 13хв

  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 [email protected] to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Who gets all your stuff when you die? 14.07.2026 15хв

  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 [email protected] to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  What do I do if things go really, really wrong? 07.07.2026 14хв

  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 [email protected] to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Would raising the rate of GST affect you more than others? 30.06.2026 12хв

  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 [email protected] to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  How long does it take to swap my KiwiSaver provider? 23.06.2026 12хв

  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 [email protected] to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Things are going well for New Zealand’s farmers. Shouldn't everyone else be feeling the benefit? 16.06.2026 14хв

  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 [email protected] to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  What's up with my winter power bills? 08.06.2026 13хв

  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 [email protected] to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Some investment rules are changing. But what is a FIF anyway? 02.06.2026 13хв

  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 [email protected] to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  The KiwiSaver quandary; are fund managers worth the fees we pay them? 26.05.2026 21хв

  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 [email protected] to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Buying, refixing or just holding on? Here's what you need to know about the property market 19.05.2026 20хв

  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 [email protected] to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Young, old, or in between, you need to know about NZ Super! 11.05.2026 13хв

  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 [email protected] to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Thrift Podcast: Investing with Share Trading Apps 11.05.2026 13хв

  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