Holm - Rich enough?: a laid-back guide for every Kiwi

To my son Tim (who told me about research that suggests happiness might actually decline beyond a certain income, and came up with some great ideas for this book including having me days as rewards); his partner Dom (who pointed out hard-to-follow sentences and out-of-date words and phrases like piddling, come a cropper and skulduggery); and to all of their young adult generation. May they understand that money is not what its all about.

Contents

Comments from readers of Marys Weekend Herald column and books, and from listeners to her RNZ Your Money segment with Jesse Mulligan

Thank you for opening my and many others eyes to the often confusing world of investment. Ben E, landscape gardener, Whangarei

I really love your column and I often discuss it with husband and 19-year-old, who is investing in shares even though he is a poor student eating a lot of beans, flatting in another city. And yes he has KiwiSaver too! Keep writing and helping us all Mary. NZ needs you! Kim B, blogger, Thames

I wanted to say a massive thank you for the effort you put into your column. Not so long ago I was in my early 20s and struggling under a mound of personal debt, but thanks to the advice in your column I managed to pay it all off and get into my first home before I turned 30. Ben S, economist, Auckland

I have been listening to and passing on your advice to my kids and nieces and nephews for years and really loved your book Get Rich Slow (which I gave away to someone who needed it more than me!). Keep up the brilliant work. Heather W, manager of her own rental properties, Auckland

Im an avid reader of your column. Thank you very much for your sage advice (and awesome comebacks) and great humour! Please keep educating us and making a difference for all Kiwis! Kai T, executive coach, Wellington

As a member of the generation rent cohort I would like to thank you for making me feel that little bit better knowing that there are other ways to invest money other than property!... Following your advice on RNZ, we have paid down all our debts, saved up our rainy day money of $15,000, and another $20,000 of savings too. Chloe K, self-employed, Auckland

In July 2016 I changed my KiwiSaver investment to 80% balanced and 20% high growth (I was feeling brave after listening to you on the radio and reading your column!). I love your column and really enjoy listening to your spot on Jesses program. Had I known in 2012 what I know now from you, I never would switched providers! Thank you for educating us all. Jill F, account manager, Tauranga

I always enjoy your column, and your book Get Rich Slow helped us to get started, turning things around some years ago, so thank you. Graham S, self-employed, Auckland

Thought Id travel down memory lane with you. Back around 2001 you provided advice to us as we negotiated the dual pathways of co-parenting and tertiary education. Thanks to your advice, we adults attained many of our education goals, and the children (who are now nearing the end of high school) each have about $1,300 in a KiwiSaver account. My oldest (17) has just started part time work and is contributing 8% of weekly pay to the account. Im thrilled to have my children so focused on saving for the future early in work life and that this will set them up well for the future. Joanne R, researcher, Auckland

The first thing I do on a Saturday morning is read your column... Recently my employers superannuation fund wound up/paid out and they provided free professional independent financial advice for the beneficiaries. Before I met with the financial adviser I said to my wife, Im not going to be able to get through this meeting without saying at least once, But Mary Holm says... By the end of the session with the adviser even he was saying, Mary says...! Your advice is deeply appreciated and has helped us in unexpected ways in uncertain times. Your advice is garnished with kindness and thoughtfulness. Thank you for all you do. It makes a difference to peoples lives. Dr Geoff N, lecturer, Otago

Love your section in the Saturday Herald best section in my opinion! Paula S, typist, Auckland

Mary, I would like to thank you for your column. Thirteen years ago I separated from my husband and was left with my two young children to care for most of the time. I left with enough money for a deposit for my house and it is almost mortgage-free. Your column has educated me about sound financial decisions and all sorts of unexpected things I wouldnt have thought about. Its one of the reasons I buy the Saturday Herald! Anonymous

Ive lost count of the number of currency swings, economic downtowns, property slumps (and booms), even global financial meltdowns Ive navigated thanks to your advice. Richard L, creative director, Auckland

Thank you, Mary, your columns bring me confidence and comfort. Sherry C, Raglan

When I was younger (Im 27 now), I gave very little thought to how much I spent. If there was money in my bank account, then it was there to be spent and it was! Thankfully, my money habits and financial decisions have become a bit more sensible in the past couple of years, in no small part due to the advice you have provided in your column. Marcus B, Wellington

Keep up the great work. I know a lot of people who read your column and practice what you preach. Jacqui P, Auckland

I moved to NZ nearly 16 years ago. Your columns, which are compulsive reading for me, are well researched and makes lot of sense all the time. I have followed your advice and have started investing in KiwiSaver for family and also started to look for local share market investment. I would like to thank you for your ongoing help through your columns and books. Pragnesh P, project manager, Auckland

I wanted to write to say I am finding your booklet Upside, Downside absolutely brilliant! I am not business savvy or a financial guru, and you have explained everything so clearly and concisely that Its all making sense. I feel so enlightened! Thank you so much for sharing all your knowledge. It is very greatly appreciated. Greta H, radiographer, Christchurch

My wife and I read your column every week and we very much appreciate the advice (as well as your sense of humour!) Anonymous, part retired, Auckland

Youre worrying about your credit card debt, but hey, lifes for living.

Youve given up on ever owning a home.

Youre wondering whether to wipe out your student loan.

You want to buy a car, but its so hard to save for it.

Your mortgage is weighing you down when will it ever be paid off?

Youve heard about this low-risk investment that pays 20% maybe you should try it?

You know bank term deposit interest is pathetic, but other investments seem too risky.

Youve heard you need to save a million for retirement and thats just impossible.

Youre dabbling in shares and seem to be pretty good at picking winners.

Youve put all your savings in rentals because you cant go wrong with property.

Youre retired and scared to put your savings in anything except the bank.

Youve given KiwiSaver a miss, OR youre in but on a contributions holiday, OR you havent got a clue if youre doing KiwiSaver right.

Im here to help.

In many cases, Ive been there myself. Ive been poor (full-time student); somewhat richer (working); poor again (full-time student in the US); somewhat richer (working); poorish again (assets halved in divorce); somewhat richer again (working)...

Ive been employed by an oil company (for two days), a government department, big and little newspapers, big and little magazines; lost my job twice when newspapers folded; self-employed for 20 years...