All in InvestNow

A First-Timer’s Guide: How to Invest Using Smart

A First-Timer’s Guide: How to Invest Using Smart

Ruth
ETF, InvestNow, Sharesies, Sharesight, Smart, Smart Invest

Trying something for the first time can be confusing, especially for those managing their investments on their own. I encourage you to take the plunge and buy and manage your own investments. I understand that, although I know you have the skills to buy, hold, and eventually sell your own investments, the initial experience can be overwhelming. However, there's no need to worry; it's not as difficult as it may seem. It just requires learning a new process and becoming familiar with it. I often receive emails asking how to invest using Smart, which is the provider I use to purchase my Exchange-Traded Fund. I’d like to clarify the process for anyone interested.

How ETFs Are Taxed in NZ

How ETFs Are Taxed in NZ

Ruth
ETFs, Index Funds, InvestNow, Sharesies, Smart, Smart Invest, Tax, PocketSmith, Hnry

Let’s talk about how Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) are taxed in New Zealand. Exciting stuff. Creating this blog post gave my brain quite the workout, I can assure you! I’ve written specifically about tax a few times over the years, but rules change, companies come and go, and the tax questions keep arriving in my inbox. This post was inspired by Susan, who asked about overseas ETFs, the FIF rules, and even whether you pay tax if your investment makes a loss. Tax is complicated, which is why I keep my investing simple. I want you to read what I’ve written and then research, discover and learn for yourself. If you keep your investing simple, you should not need an accountant or tax professional. When the topic of taxes comes up, I’ve often noticed that people can get themselves quite worked up. But for me, someone who has invested for many years, paying tax on investments has always been relatively straightforward.

Applying The Barefoot Investor in NZ - 2025 UPDATE

Applying The Barefoot Investor in NZ - 2025 UPDATE

Ruth
ETFs, Index Funds, Investment, InvestNow, Kernel, KiwiSaver, Money Education, Sharesight, Smart, SmartShares

The content I’ve created on applying The Barefoot Investor book to New Zealand remains some of the most regularly viewed on The Happy Saver, with collectively close to 100,000 views. I continue to gift his book to others because I believe it’s a perfect guide to getting on top of your finances. If you were to combine his book with Rebel Finance School’s free online course, you could pretty much call yourself “financially literate.” Since The Barefoot Investor remains so popular, it's time for me to update the March 2020 blog post I wrote, so that all those people reading the book for the first time, as well as those following along with The Barefoot Investor principles, have a reliable New Zealand resource to turn to. 

KiwiSaver’s Government Contribution is Being Cut – Here’s What I’m Doing About It

KiwiSaver’s Government Contribution is Being Cut – Here’s What I’m Doing About It

Ruth
ETFs, Index Funds, InvestNow, KiwiSaver, Smart, Kernel, Simplicity, Retirement

Every June, I check in with our KiwiSaver accounts to make sure we’re on track to receive the annual government contribution. If you put in at least $1,042 by the 30th of June 2025, the government will deposit $521 into your KiwiSaver account; a welcome little bonus for those of us thinking ahead to retirement. But from 1 July 2025, that bonus will be cut in half, dropping to just $260 a year. With the government’s contribution shrinking, yet again, it’s time for me to rethink my strategy. In my recent fortnightly email, I mentioned that I was considering ceasing payments into my KiwiSaver. My friend Wayne questioned that move, so I wanted to explain a bit more about what I’m planning on doing with my KiwiSaver, and what Jonny and I are planning as a couple, especially given we will be retiring in our fifties.

I have stopped buying the US 500. Well, sort of.

I have stopped buying the US 500. Well, sort of.

Ruth
ETFs, Index Funds, Investment, KiwiSaver, InvestNow, Sharesight, Smart, SmartShares

Managing our money is never ‘done’. I am constantly tweaking and adjusting. Whether for the little things like an increase in our weekly rates bill, or preparing for a bigger expense. Our income and costs are constantly in flux, and we need to keep monitoring and evolving with those changes. The time has come to tweak our investments. Which is why, once I was up and running with our new KiwiSaver provider, I turned my attention to our US 500 ETF and began researching whether we should also slightly adjust our direction with this investment.

Hedged vs. Unhedged Investments: Which One Should You Choose?

Hedged vs. Unhedged Investments: Which One Should You Choose?

Ruth
ETFs, Index Funds, Investment, InvestNow, Sharesight, Smart, SmartShares

Question: Ruth, could you help me understand how to choose hedged or unhedged when investing? This is one of the most frequently asked questions I receive. Investing can be confusing. Not only do you have to consider fund provider, fund choice, and fees, but I often hear from people who come unstuck when they also have the option to choose between selecting “hedged” or “unhedged” for some investment types. Warning: This blog will be boring, brief, but essential.

Why I Changed KiwiSaver Providers

Why I Changed KiwiSaver Providers

Ruth
ETF, Index Funds, KiwiSaver, InvestNow, Simplicity

Over the last six months, I’ve had the dawning awareness that it was time to take a deep dive into my KiwiSaver fund. From everything I’ve read and watched, and from the people around me who know about KiwiSaver and investing in general, it was becoming clear that my Simplicity High Growth KiwiSaver fund might have got me to this stage in life, but it's not appropriate for the next chapter.