The Dollars & Sense Podcast

Most people excel in one part of their financial plan. Wither they are very proficient in budgeting, investing, or have sought out expert advice regarding their insurances. However, almost no one talks about how they actually work together. In this episode, I break down the hidden link between all three, and why being weak in one can quietly sabotage the others. The alignment of all three is a fundamental to a smart financial plan.

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Everywhere you look right now the headlines are bleak!

Wars, oil shocks, economic uncertainty, and predictions of market crashes. 

But do those headlines actually predict what markets will do next? 

In this episode, Tim breaks down the research behind media sentiment, why negative financial news dominates the headlines, and the real cost investors pay when they react emotionally and miss the market’s best days. 

If you have a question,...

This week Sheldon and I tackle a topic that comes up constantly with clients. Dividend paying shares. Are they essential for building wealth or just one part of the puzzle?

We unpack how dividends and buybacks actually work, why so many investors are drawn to income strategies, and why focusing only on yield can quietly derail long term returns.

If you have a question, suggestions, or a topic you would like us to cover, please send a...

Often people who are doing “pretty well” still avoid financial planning, or they start and quietly drop off. In this episode, Tim Ellis and Sheldon Wu talk about why that happens, what it really costs over time, and why good planning is about a lot more than just returns. A practical, honest conversation based on what we actually see with clients. 

If you have a question, suggestions, or a topic you would like us to cover, please se...

Gold and silver are back in the headlines—but do they actually belong in a long-term investment portfolio? In this episode, Tim and Sheldon unpack the data, the psychology, and the common arguments for holding precious metals, and explain why most professional portfolios don’t rely on them. A practical, no-hype discussion about volatility, diversification, speculation, and what really drives long-term outcomes. 

If you have a questi...

The reserve fund is the one strategy every financial adviser agrees on — and the one most people ignore. In the first episode of 2026, Tim Ellis and Sheldon Wu break down what a reserve fund really is (and isn’t), why credit cards and revolving credit don’t count, and how having real cash set aside changes the way you invest, work, and live. 

If you have a question, suggestions, or a topic you would like us to cover, please send an ...

2025 gave us AI becoming mainstream, another turbulent year under Trump, surprising global market returns, and the end of Warren Buffett’s era as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. In this episode, we unpack what actually happened — from AI hype and capital flows to interest rates and market surprises — and then finish with the bigger question: why none of it really matters for long-term wealth. A grounded reminder of what financial advice...

This week, Tim breaks down one of the most common KiwiSaver misunderstandings: how two funds can show identical long-term returns on paper, yet deliver completely different balances for real investors. He explains why shifting asset allocations, volatility, and regular contributions can make a “better-looking” fund actually perform worse for you. If you’ve ever compared performance tables and felt confused, this episode will finall...

This episode is a follow-up to my earlier deep dive into New Zealand’s medical insurance shake-up — and a lot has changed since then. In this update, I break down how each major insurer has responded differently to rising claims costs, including Southern Cross, AIA and nib, and what these changes mean for your premiums, benefits and future options.

I also outline practical solutions to consider depending on which insurer you’re curr...

In this episode, we break down the tactics used by self-proclaimed investment “gurus” who sell overpriced courses, mentorships, and get-rich-quick schemes.

From seductive narratives to manufactured credibility and psychological manipulation, we unpack how these operators hook people in — and how to protect yourself. 

If you’ve ever wondered why these scams seem to surge during volatile markets, this episode is for you. 

If you have a ...

In this episode of The Dollars and Sense Podcast, Tim sits down with Taraia Robin from Stewart Group and Finzo for an honest, practical discussion about evidence-based investing. Taraia breaks down why discipline beats prediction, how small-cap and value factors fit into a modern portfolio, and what investors often misunderstand when markets get noisy. A grounded, insightful conversation for anyone wanting to invest with confidence...

Investors are nervous — AI stocks are soaring, valuations look stretched, and Trump’s back in the White House. In this episode, Tim breaks down whether we’re really on the edge of a market correction, what’s driving the fear, and why a solid, diversified plan still beats trying to time the market. 

If you have a question, suggestions, or a topic you would like us to cover, please send an email to: podcast@foxplan.nz

For Mor...

In Part 2 of our conversation with Hannah Carter from Carter Chung, we dive deeper into the legal side of second marriages, trusts, and contracting out agreements. Building on last week’s discussion, this episode explores what really happens when documents aren’t reviewed, how blended families can protect their assets, and why proactive planning matters more than ever. 

If you have a question, suggestions, or a topic you would like ...

 In this episode of The Dollars and Sense Podcast, Tim sits down with lawyer Hannah Carter from Carter Chung Law to unpack the legal side of second marriages and blended families. They cover wills, trusts, and what happens if you don’t have a will in place — including who really gets what. A must-listen for anyone navigating family or estate planning in later-life relationships. 

For anyone wanting to get in touch with Hannah. ...

Revolving mortgage accounts promise flexibility — but for many people, they quietly create financial frustration. 

In this episode, Tim Ellis breaks down why so many Kiwis feel “stuck” with revolving credit, how it impacts your money mindset, and the practical steps to get out of the loop. 

Learn how to take back control and start moving forward financially. 

If you have a question, suggestions, or a topic you would like us to co...

This week on The Dollars and Sense Podcast, Tim and Brodie pull apart one of the most overused and misunderstood tools in investing — the risk assessment questionnaire.

These forms are meant to help investors understand their tolerance for risk, but in practice, they’re often a lazy substitute for real financial advice. The guys break down why they believe the questionnaire can lead to poor decisions, misaligned portfolios, and fals...

It’s not the fees you see that hurt — it’s the ones you don’t.

Most investors think they understand what they’re paying for — a simple management fee and maybe a performance fee if things go well. But that’s only the beginning. In this episode, Tim Ellis and Brodie Haggerty unpack the hidden side of investing — the costs that quietly eat away at your returns without ever showing up on your fund statement.

From currency hedging and ta...

We all know that a home bias has kept the All Blacks streak alive at Eden Park against The Springboks..... But is a home bias critical to a New Zealand domiciled managed fund or KiwiSaver fund?

In Season 4, Episode 2 of the Dollars and Cents Podcast, Tim Ellis explores the concept of home bias in investing, focusing on the heavy allocation to New Zealand and Australian stocks in KiwiSaver and managed funds.  Discover 5 reasons why a...

Tim Ellis says: ‘80% premium hikes are nuts!’ 

Season 4, Episode 1 dives into NZ’s medical cost crisis—50% claim surges, 93.4% insurer payouts, and 3 hacks to save for 30s-40s Kiwis. Subscribe for weekly wealth tips! #NZHealthInsurance #MedicalCostsNZ #KiwiFinance

If you have a question, suggestions, or a topic you would like us to cover, please send an email to: podcast@foxplan.nz

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