Become Wealth's Blog

Real financial guidance for New Zealanders, from professionals advising on over $1 billion in client funds. Independently ranked a top 50 worldwide finance and investing blog.

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand: What It Does, Why It Matters, and Its Track Record

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand: What It Does, Why It Matters, and Its Track Record

What the RBNZ does, how its decisions affect your mortgage, savings and KiwiSaver, and its 90-year track record including bailouts, money printing, and governance crises.
Learn More
Term Deposits vs Bonds in NZ: What Investors Are Missing

Term Deposits vs Bonds in NZ: What Investors Are Missing

Term deposits are safe, but are they the right tool for every dollar? What NZ investors miss when comparing TDs with bonds, and when each works best.
Learn More
How to De-Risk Your Investments Before Retirement

How to De-Risk Your Investments Before Retirement

Protect tomorrow by derisking your investment portfolio on the approach to retirement.
Learn More
What’s the Difference Between Saving and Investing for Retirement?

What’s the Difference Between Saving and Investing for Retirement?

After tax and inflation, bank savings often go backwards. Why investing in productive assets is the only reliable way to build retirement wealth.
Learn More
Making Retirement Drawdown Work for You

Making Retirement Drawdown Work for You

Learn how to draw down your retirement savings with purpose, so your money lasts and supports your lifestyle throughout retirement.
Learn More
Become Wealth Surpasses $1 Billion in Funds Under Advice

Become Wealth Surpasses $1 Billion in Funds Under Advice

Become Wealth reaches $1 billion in funds under advice. A milestone reflecting DIMS portfolio growth, the NZDF partnership and national expansion.
Learn More
Is Cash Really Trash? When to Hold and When to Invest

Is Cash Really Trash? When to Hold and When to Invest

Interest rates have changed, but too many savers haven't changed with them. The arithmetic of why cash destroys wealth, and what to do about it.
Learn More
Financial Mistakes to Avoid in Your 40s, 50s, and 60s

Financial Mistakes to Avoid in Your 40s, 50s, and 60s

The seven most common financial mistakes people make in their 40s, 50s, and 60s in New Zealand, and how to avoid each one.
Learn More
Are You Putting Too Much Into KiwiSaver?

Are You Putting Too Much Into KiwiSaver?

KiwiSaver is valuable, up to a point. If you contribute above the minimum, here's what to consider.
Learn More
Is Your Money Safe in a New Zealand Bank?

Is Your Money Safe in a New Zealand Bank?

Learn why NZ banks are safe, how the Depositor Compensation Scheme works, and how to protect savings beyond the $100,000 limit.
Learn More
Don’t Just Save Money – Make It Work for You

Don’t Just Save Money – Make It Work for You

You may have heard the old saying that ‘cash is king’. Once upon a time, this was a true statement. Since then, cash has been toppled from the throne.
Learn More
Why Your Term Deposits Could Be Your Worst Enemy

Why Your Term Deposits Could Be Your Worst Enemy

Term deposits feel safe, but inflation, low returns and limited access can quietly erode your wealth. Seven drawbacks every NZ saver should know.
Learn More
The Top Sources of NZ Passive Income

The Top Sources of NZ Passive Income

A practical guide for New Zealand investors building income they do not have to work for. Covers dividends, rental property, bonds, REITs, and more.
Learn More
Negative Real Rate of Return on Term Deposits

Negative Real Rate of Return on Term Deposits

After inflation and tax, many NZ term deposits deliver a negative real return. How the maths works and what alternatives could protect your wealth.
Learn More
Index Funds Explained: What Kiwi Investors Actually Need to Know

Index Funds Explained: What Kiwi Investors Actually Need to Know

Simple and cheap? Mostly. But index investing from New Zealand has a few wrinkles worth knowing about.
Learn More
How to Teach Yourself to Invest

How to Teach Yourself to Invest

A practical guide to self-directed investing in New Zealand. Build real financial knowledge, avoid costly mistakes, and grow wealth with confidence.
Learn More
What to Do With a Large Sum of Money

What to Do With a Large Sum of Money

Practical guidance for anyone in New Zealand with a financial windfall. Covers universal principles, common mistakes, and how to put a lump sum to work.
Learn More
Best Term Deposits: The Surprising Truth

Best Term Deposits: The Surprising Truth

Have term deposits done their dash? Weigh up returns, inflation and risk, and when Kiwi investors might look beyond term deposits.
Learn More
Eight Ways to Protect Yourself From Inflation

Eight Ways to Protect Yourself From Inflation

Eight practical steps to protect your finances from inflation in New Zealand, from shares and property to reviewing your mortgage and getting professional advice.
Learn More
Sold a Property? How to Put the Proceeds to Work

Sold a Property? How to Put the Proceeds to Work

Sold a property in New Zealand? The common mistakes, tax considerations, wholesale investment traps, and how to put the proceeds to work.
Learn More
The FIF Rules: A Plain English Guide to Taxing Overseas Investments in NZ

The FIF Rules: A Plain English Guide to Taxing Overseas Investments in NZ

Most investors hit the $50,000 FIF threshold without realising it. How FDR and CV methods work, and how to reduce your tax bill.
Learn More
How to Avoid (And Start) a Property Bidding War

How to Avoid (And Start) a Property Bidding War

A bidding war is every buyer’s nightmare and seller’s dream. Here's how to start one (for sellers), and avoid one (for buyers).
Learn More
Make the Most of Current Mortgage Interest Rates

Make the Most of Current Mortgage Interest Rates

The return of first home buyers and property investors and a changing mortgage interest rate environment.
Learn More
Benefits of Using a Mortgage Adviser (“Mortgage Broker”)

Benefits of Using a Mortgage Adviser (“Mortgage Broker”)

Six ways a mortgage adviser saves you time, stress and money in NZ, from comparing lenders and structuring your loan to negotiating better terms.
Learn More
Inherited a Large Sum? What to Do Next

Inherited a Large Sum? What to Do Next

Practical NZ guidance for people who have inherited a significant sum. Covers tax, relationship property, wholesale traps, and building a portfolio to last.
Learn More
Sold Your NZ Business? What to Do With the Proceeds

Sold Your NZ Business? What to Do With the Proceeds

Practical guidance for NZ business owners deciding what to do with sale proceeds. Covers tax, trusts, wholesale traps, diversification, and the questions worth asking.
Learn More
The 31 March Deadline: An EOFY Checklist for NZ Business Owners

The 31 March Deadline: An EOFY Checklist for NZ Business Owners

The tax timing decisions, balance sheet checks and wealth moves every small business owner should make before financial year end.
Learn More
How Does KiwiSaver Actually Work?

How Does KiwiSaver Actually Work?

How KiwiSaver contributions, employer matching, tax, and withdrawals actually work. A plain English guide to the mechanics most Kiwis never read.
Learn More
Retire on Your Terms with Smart Financial Planning

Retire on Your Terms with Smart Financial Planning

Raising the NZ retirement age to 70 is gaining attention, but relying on it is risky. How to plan for a retirement you control, not one forced on you.
Learn More
How Wealthy New Zealanders Invest Their Money

How Wealthy New Zealanders Invest Their Money

How New Zealand's wealthiest build, manage, and protect their wealth through diversification, professional coordination, and long-term discipline.
Learn More
The $1.6 Trillion Shift: Why Women Will Control New Zealand's Wealth

The $1.6 Trillion Shift: Why Women Will Control New Zealand's Wealth

New Zealand women are set to inherit a significant share of over $1.6 trillion in wealth. A practical guide to the KiwiSaver gender gap, and protecting inherited assets.
Learn More
The Best Investments for Under-65's

The Best Investments for Under-65's

Six investments suited to under-65s in NZ, from repaying debt and building KiwiSaver to growing a diversified portfolio for financial freedom.
Learn More
The Great Wealth Transfer: Will Millennials Really Be the Richest Generation in History?

The Great Wealth Transfer: Will Millennials Really Be the Richest Generation in History?

Up to $1.6 trillion in wealth will change hands in New Zealand. What the great wealth transfer really means for Kiwi millennials.
Learn More
Debunked: Common Money Myths Holding You Back

Debunked: Common Money Myths Holding You Back

Common money myths debunked, from “all debt is bad” to “rent is dead money”, so Kiwis can make clearer, evidence‑based financial decisions.
Learn More
Millennials Are the Wealthy Generation

Millennials Are the Wealthy Generation

Despite the stereotypes, data shows millennials are wealthier than previous generations at the same age. What it means in New Zealand.
Learn More
How to Pass On Wealth and Protect Your Legacy

How to Pass On Wealth and Protect Your Legacy

Rich boomers are stressed about passing on their wealth, here's why, and what they can do about it.
Learn More
How To Become A Millionaire in 2026

How To Become A Millionaire in 2026

Seven steps to become a millionaire, even if you have nothing to begin with.
Learn More
9 Small Financial Steps With a Big Long-Term Payoff

9 Small Financial Steps With a Big Long-Term Payoff

Nine actionable money steps covering savings, insurance, investing and debt reduction. Based on Suze Orman's framework, adjusted for NZ conditions.
Learn More
Why Spending Your Kids’ Inheritance Can Make Sense

Why Spending Your Kids’ Inheritance Can Make Sense

Most retirees underspend and die with portfolios intact. Five reasons to enjoy your money now, plus a practical drawdown framework.
Learn More
Why Am I Not Wealthy Yet? Fix These Money Blocks

Why Am I Not Wealthy Yet? Fix These Money Blocks

Ask “Why am I not wealthy?” and explore common obstacles, mindset issues and practical steps to change your trajectory.
Learn More

What stage of financial life are you in - have you missed a step?

Get your free 30-minute financial health check today.

Book Now