Money Made Simple

In this episode of Economy Made Simple, Simplicity's Chief Economist Shamubeel Eaqub is joined by Money Made Simple host Liv to unpack one of the biggest quiet shifts happening in New Zealand right now: our rapidly changing ethnic make-up, and what it will take to turn that into something genuinely good for everyone.

Drawing on his recent research for the Auckland Policy Office, Shamubeel walks through the numbers, the tensions...

The world feels a bit uncertain right now - headlines are full of market volatility, rising oil prices, and global tensions. In stories about investments, you might be hearing a lot about the importance of “diversification”… but what does that actually mean? And how do you put it in to practice?

In this episode of Money Made Simple, Liv and Jennie break down the main investment asset classes - what they are, how they work, and why s...

Cost of living is spiralling higher and higher - but we're here to help you tackle it. In this episode of Money Made Simple, Liv and Jennie discuss the psychology of spending, the traps that make it easier to overspend, and how to (gently) retrain your brain so your money decisions feel more intentional and less impulsive. We unpack the “Want Monster” - that little voice in your head telling you to buy the coffee, click the sa...

In this episode of Economy Made Simple, Shamubeel Eaqub breaks down the recent surge in oil prices driven by conflict in the Middle East - and what it means for NZ households, businesses and the wider economy.

While price shocks like this are not new, the episode highlights why they may become more frequent and what we need to think about as a country, as we prepare for the future.

This episode covers:

• What’s b...

In this episode of Money Made Simple, Liv sits down with Annè Lensink from Villa Chartered Accountants & Business Advisors to break down “Accounting 101” for everyday Kiwis. Whether you’ve got a side hustle, are freelancing, or just feeling a bit unsure about tax, this episode helps make sense of the basics in plain English.

Annè is a Chartered Accountant based in Northland, known for helping people understand their nu...

Note for listeners: This episode was recorded just before the recent escalation of conflict involving Israel, the United States and Iran. While those developments are likely to influence the global and local outlook, the economic trends and data discussed here remain relevant to understanding the current state of the New Zealand economy. 

In this latest episode of Economy Made Simple, Shamubeel Eaqub takes a step back to look at whe...

In this week's episode of Money Made Simple, Liv and Jennie tackle a surprisingly common KiwiSaver question: how do you switch providers, and is there a “right” time to do it? They break down what happens behind the scenes with your provider and the IRD, why switching can be a smart long-term move (without trying to time the market), and the most common worries that stop people from taking smart action.

This episode covers:

• ...

In this episode of Money Made Simple, Liv and Jennie unpack a stubborn and confronting reality: the retirement savings gap between men and women. While the gender pay gap has narrowed in recent years, the KiwiSaver gender gap remains - and in some age groups, it’s even widening.

With International Women’s Day in mind, this episode dives into the data behind the gap, why it exists, and what it means for women’s financial security in ...

In this episode of Economy Made Simple, Shamubeel Eaqub breaks down inflation in plain English, explaining what’s actually driving rising prices in NZ and what households can realistically expect in 2026.

Inflation has dominated headlines and kitchen table conversations alike. From groceries and electricity bills to mortgage rates and job prospects, Shamubeel explores why the cost of living still feels intense, even as headline infl...

In this episode of Money Made Simple, Liv and Jennie jump on the popular “ins and outs” trend - but give it a practical money twist for 2026.

They share realistic financial habits to bring in this year, and the common money mindsets and behaviours to leave out. This isn’t about perfection, restriction or hustle culture - it’s about small, sustainable tweaks that can make managing your money feel simpler and less stressful.

This episo...

In this episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie and Liv unpack one of the most powerful, and not always well understood, ideas in personal finance -  compounding returns.

They explain how money can make money itself over time, why the “snowball effect” is such a game-changer for long-term savings and investing, and how it can work not just for you, but also against you when it comes to debt. Using simple, relatable examples, ...

In this episode of Economy Made Simple, Shamubeel Eaqub breaks down the Long Term Insight Briefings published by New Zealand’s key government agencies and explains why they matter far more than most of us realise. These reports look decades ahead and ask some uncomfortable but necessary questions about NZ’s future, including how we fund public services, care for an ageing population, respond to climate and geopolitical risks, and b...

In this episode of Money Made Simple, Liv sits down with Robbie Paul, CEO of Icehouse Ventures, to unpack how venture capital really works in New Zealand - and what it takes to build successful startups in a small, but globally connected market. From arriving in NZ as an unpaid intern to leading one of the country’s most influential venture capital firms, Robbie shares his journey, lessons learned, and why he’s more optimistic than...

In this (crowd-sourced) episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie and Liv dive into the best money tips submitted by our lovely Simplicity community! From simple mindset shifts to clever day-to-day hacks, this episode brings together the collective wisdom of everyday Kiwis navigating saving, spending and investing during a pretty tough cost-of-living environment.

This episode covers:

•  Why starting small and starting early matters (and...

KiwiSaver has changed the way New Zealanders save - but with an ageing population and growing fiscal pressures, the current system won’t be enough to support future generations. In this episode, Simplicity Chief Economist Shamubeel Eaqub lays out his vision for KiwiSaver 2.0: a bolder, more sustainable approach to retirement savings that draws inspiration from successful global models.

He explains why New Zealand’s "pay-as-you-...

In this episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie and Liv dive into a topic that can make even seasoned investors nervous - market volatility. What causes the sudden ups and downs in your KiwiSaver or Investment Fund balance? And what should you do when markets are unsettled?

From global news and investor emotion to algorithms and exchange rates, this episode explains what’s really behind those squiggly lines in your fund performance gra...

The silly season is here! But, of course, so are the ongoing bills and cost of living crunch. In this festive episode, Jennie and Liv tackle one of the toughest challenges of the year: how to enjoy Christmas without blowing the budget. They share some practical, creative ideas for saving money, setting expectations with family, and finding fun in over summer even when times are tough.

This episode covers:
• How to set realistic...

In this episode of Money Made Simple, Liv chats with the sassy but very savvy Sabby Jey, the creator of the viral series Boujee on a Budget. They discuss how she turned her upbringing, values, and financial smarts into a platform that helps thousands ok Kiwis live luxuriously without overspending. From second-hand fashion, to smart saving hacks and mindful money habits, Sabby shares her personal journey, business insights, and prac...

In this special guest episode of the Economy Made Simple, Shamubeel Eaqub sits down with Geoff Cooper, CEO of the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, to unpack the country’s infrastructure crisis: why it exists, what keeps driving costs up, and how we can start fixing it. They explore why and how NZ keeps falling behind when it comes to maintaining essential infrastructure, the political and geographic challenges at play, and th...