No Stupid Questions with Susan Edmunds
RNZ money correspondent Susan Edmunds answers common questions about money and personal finance, aiming to demystify financial topics for listeners.
Episodes
How can I pay down my mortgage as fast as possible?
Say you can afford to pay off more than the minimum on your mortgage. Everyone says it's a good idea. But what's the best way to do it? Focus on one part of it, or spread it across the whole loan? Listen and find out in this week’s episode of No Stupid Questions with Susan Edmunds.In this episode, Susan answers questions about:What’s the best way to smash down my mortgage?Is it a good idea to have
Who charges GST, who doesn't and why?
Everyone loves a good garage sale. But if you're running one, should you be charging GST on the things you sell? They're all goods, after all. Who actually needs to charge GST? And is there a case for and against taking it off essential household purchases?
In this episode, Susan answers questions about:Why does my business pay GST when we’re not registered to collect it?Why aren’t we taking GST o
Why have Ooshies taken over my house?
Do you have kids? If so, are they bugging you to get them Ooshies, those tiny, plastic figurines they’re giving away at one of the supermarkets?
Or maybe you’re more in the mood for some stylish new kitchen knives, so you shop at a different supermarket?
Either way, does giving stuff away for ‘free’ really drive your decision on where to buy your groceries?
The answer - and the business plan behin
Do I have to buy that extended warranty?
What should you do if you’re offered an extended warranty when you’re buying an appliance? Isn’t that what the Consumer Guarantees Act is for? That’s just one of the questions that we’re looking into on this week’s episode of No Stupid Questions, which is a dive into some of the niggly questions that annoy people in their everyday lives. In this episode, Susan answers questions about:Are extended
What's good debt, what's bad debt and how do I tell the difference?
Most of us have debt. And we've all heard about good debt versus bad debt, even if we don't always understand what that means or always make a wise choice if we do. But does the good debt/bad debt divide also apply to the country as a whole? Or are there different ways of weighing it up?
In this episode, Susan answers questions about:Does the thinking about good debt vs bad debt also apply to gov
What if you don't want a slice of the AI hype?
Not everyone is entranced by the promise of AI
That includes potential investors - and might include you.
Perhaps you're unconvinced by the property market?
Maybe you can't make your mind up between pumping up your KiwiSaver balance or paying off more of your mortgage?
Don't worry. We've got you, because on this episode of No Stupid Questions with Susan Edmunds, we're answering your queries about
Who gets all your stuff when you die?
A couple of episodes ago, we talked about tax.
Now, it's time for the OTHER certainty in life: death.
That’s where we’re going in this episode of No Stupid Questions: making a will, estate planning, blended families, joint property - all the thorny questions about who gets what when you pop your clogs.
In this episode, Susan answers questions about:Does a child automatically inherit part of a
What do I do if things go really, really wrong?
It sure seems like the world is a tough place right now. And sometimes it's hard to believe things could get worse.
But they could! History shows us it's possible - and your emails lately show us you're thinking about it, too.
So, in this week's episode of No Stupid Questions with Susan Edmunds, we're going there. What do you do if it all goes really, really wrong?
In this episode, Susan answers
Would raising the rate of GST affect you more than others?
GST turns 40 this year and nowadays makes up about 30% of our total tax revenue every year.
But since its introduction back in October 1986, economists and everyday folk have been questioning whether it’s a fair system for all, or if some households are affected more than others.
In this week’s No Stupid Questions with Susan Edmunds, we'll have a crack at answering that. We'll also look into which
How long does it take to swap my KiwiSaver provider?
There are some solid reasons to change your KiwiSaver provider. But how easy is it to swap? How long does it take? And how do you know whether you should, anyway?
In this episode, Susan answers questions about:How (and why) do you swap KiwiSaver providers?My life insurances premiums are increasing. Should I keep servicing them or cancel the policy?I think I paid too much tax on my overseas pensi
Things are going well for New Zealand’s farmers. Shouldn't everyone else be feeling the benefit?
The news lately seems to have lots of good stories about how well our farmers are doing. Fonterra's big payout, exports going really well and sheep and beef farmers are seeing a rebound after years of struggle.
But there are also stories how some New Zealanders can't afford to buy food like the beef, lamb, butter and cheese our farmers produce. How come?
On this episode of No Stupid Questions wi
What's up with my winter power bills?
There's nothing better than a warm, dry towel after a shower. And on these chilly winter mornings, that goes double.
Your power bills can go double, too, during these months. But is it really all due to your heated towel rail or whether you keep your electric blanket on all night? Does it really matter if you boil the jug for a cup of tea or heat the water in a microwave?
In this episode of No Stu
Some investment rules are changing. But what is a FIF anyway?
Got a foreign investment fund?
Yes?
Wondering what changes to the FIF tax rate mean for you? Probably!
Good news - this episode of No Stupid Questions with Susan Edmunds is for you!
Well, mostly, anyway. We'll also crack into the promise of open banking, selling second-hand stuff on Trademe and the history of the credit card. Hint - they've been around longer than you might imagine...In this epi
The KiwiSaver quandary; are fund managers worth the fees we pay them?
KiwiSaver hardship withdrawals are on the rise. In April, more than 4000 applications were made, with $38.5 million being paid out. On the flipside, questions are being asked about the returns active managers are getting versus the fees they charge. On this week's episode of No Stupid Questions, Susan gets into your KiwiSaver queries, plus a whole bunch of other subjects from our mailbag.In this e
Buying, refixing or just holding on? Here's what you need to know about the property market
The property market has been a bit boring of late.
Prices did drop dramatically after Covid, no doubt, but since then, they have mostly just been moseying along.
But boring doesn't mean things aren't going on under the surface and that there aren't questions to be asked.
What’s actually going to happen to house prices? And what do you need to know if you’re thinking about buying, selling or just
Young, old, or in between, you need to know about NZ Super!
Most of us probably think we have a pretty good understanding of the pension.
You turn 65, you get it. Right?
Well, it turns out that there lots of little details that can catch you out.
We’ve had a lot of questions about the pension (or NZ Super), so we’re on a bit of a deep dive into the most common ones.
And don’t worry – this isn’t all questions for the over 65s, so stick with us if you’re
Thrift Podcast: Investing with Share Trading Apps
About a million New Zealanders are using some form of DIY share investing account to build extra wealth. In this bonus episode from the RNZ podcast Thrift, Susan joins Thrift host, Katy Gosset, to discuss how share trading apps work and we meet some fledgling investors.
You can hear more money saving tips and tricks from Thrift on the RNZ website or on your favourite podcast app.Go to this episode
Where should I be investing right now?
Where should you actually be investing now? It’s an impossibly big question but on this week’s episode of No Stupid Questions, we’re going to be attempting to answer parts of it in a bit of an investing special!In this episode, Susan answers questions about:Is AI any good at share picking?Should I invest in forestry?I want to grow my savings, but also need easy access to it. What are my options?I
I'm losing money on my crypto investments. Do I still need to pay tax?
Say you've been trading in crypto currencies. You know if you are making money you need to declare it. But you're not making money. Instead, you're losing it. Is there a way to write those losses off against other income? We all know we should have long term savings and investments. But how much will high inflation mess around with your returns? And are there any restrictions on who can offer a Ki
We've split up! Is our student loan debt considered relationship property?
Say you and your ex-partner both have student loan debt. While you were together, they worked more while you were the day-to-day caregiver to your kids and reduced your employment hours.
Inevitably, their student loan is all paid off. Yours...not so much.
Then, when you separated, they refused to allow your student loan debt to be included in relationship property.
It all seems incredibly unfair.
I need to downsize my house. Is it better to do it now or later?
You're retired, thinking about the next stage and your house doesn't fit your needs anymore. Is it best to downsize now or wait for another time? Speaking of retiring, is KiwiSaver a safer place for your money than a bank account? Where will you get the highest returns? We all know there's a squeeze on fuel supplies right now. Has the quality of what we're buying decreased?In this episode, Susan a
I don't live with my spouse. Do relationship property laws still apply?
It's a modern trend; one relationship, two separate residences, couples living apart together. But does this mean they are exempt from property relationship laws? And at a time when everything seems so precarious and unpredictable, why would anyone be considering raising interest rates?In this episode, Susan answers questions about:Why are interest rates increasing?Do new build houses experience t
KiwiSaver is Changing! What do you need to do? How will you benefit?
Over the six months or so that Susan has been answering your money questions, we've received many about life after retirement - and even more about KiwiSaver.
April 1 sees change coming to the KiwiSaver scheme. The default rate of contributions will change, as will government and employer contributions.
To mark these changes and to celebrate our 25th programme, this episode of No Stupid Questions
If the squeeze goes on diesel prices, who ends up paying for it?
Diesel is a big driver of our economy, no pun intended. If the squeeze comes on diesel, what will be the impact on your back pocket? Is it fair for someone to live most of their life in Australia, but come back here to claim the pension? And who remembers carless days?In this episode, Susan answers questions about:Have we forgotten about diesel drivers?Can someone work most of their lives in Austr
Can I write my own will, or do I have to hire a lawyer?
You might own a lot, you might own a little, but you probably still need to write a will. But do you have to use a lawyer to do it? There are changes coming to KiwiSaver contribution rates. Who will miss out? And how do donation credits actually work?
In this episode, Susan answers questions about:How will the changes to KiwiSaver contribution rates affect you?How does the donation tax credit act
How will the conflict in the Middle East affect me and my household?
Conflict has broken out in the Middle East – again – and New Zealanders are being warned to watch out for it hitting everything from petrol prices to the cost of food. This week, our special episode of No Stupid Questions is all about how it might affect your household and what you can do to ease the impact.Episode detailsIn this episode, Susan answers questions about:How high could petrol prices
Are the big Aussie banks treating us like mugs?
Quite a few Aussie banks operate here in New Zealand as well as over the ditch. Are Kiwis being offered the same deals as their Australian cousins? If we can peg property rates to inflation, then why not electricity prices? Parents have a legal duty to look after their children, obviously, but at what age does that responsibility end? Susan answers all these questions as well as what's included in
My stepparent sold the family home. I got nothing! What can I do?
It can happen. And does.
Your dad dies. Your stepmother sells their home and then leaves all the money to her kids. You get nothing. This doesn't seem right. Is there anything you can do?
We investigate your options on this as well asking whether it is worth having a savings account anymore, what the unemployment rate tells us and what it doesn't, and are KiwiSaver providers making their returns s
My kids inherit my money when I die. Isn't that too late?
Your kids are all grown up now, having families, buying homes of their own and working hard to make ends meet. Wouldn't this be the best time for them to inherit your money? Have we got the wrong approach to inheritances? Susan has answers for this, as well as what the tax situation is when buying a house overseas, whether financial advisers who are paid on commission can really be objective and w
Can my step kids force me to sell my home?
Family stuff can be pretty tricky, especially after a bereavement. What can you do if you're partner has passed on and their kids want you to sell your house so they can get a payout? Speaking of kids, why isn't the cost of childcare tax deductible? Does the NZ Super Fund super proof my pension? And would you have been better off buying a house in 1981 - or Lego?In this episode, Susan answers ques
I think I'm being charged more than market rent... What do I do?
Plenty of us rent the homes we live in. How do we know if we're paying more for it than we should? Susan finds out and asks if anyone is making money from your rental bond, as well as how to avoid being scammed when you're investing, and whether your LEGO collection is a good investment or not.In this episode, Susan answers questions about:00.55 What to do if you think you're paying more than
What happens if I die before paying off my student loan?
More than 600,000 New Zealanders have a student loan. If you’re one of them, you might have questions - like what happens if you die? Does your partner have to take on half if you split? We're looking at this as well as pension questions, tax questions, investing for your kids, and ensuring your KiwiSaver is invested in a way you're comfortable with.In this episode, Susan answers questions about:0
Can I go for gold with KiwiSaver?
Can I invest in gold through my KiwiSaver? Will I still get my pension if I live on my boat? And what is a disappointment gap?
Questions this week for Susan:00.54 Can I invest in gold through my KiwiSaver?02.39 I qualify for superannuation but still have a mortgage. Will that affect my tax rate?04.31 Can my employer deduct KiwiSaver my from my hourly rate of pay?07.20 If I live on my yacht, can I
Got money questions for Susan? Send them through!
No Stupid Questions with Susan Edmunds will be back online, on-air and in your feed from late-January 2026. If you have a money question you'd like Susan to answer, put it in an email or send us a voice recording to questions@rnz.co.nz.
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
You, me and the IRD
My tradie asked to be paid in cash...will that get me in trouble with the IRD? Where's the best place to keep an emergency fund? And are rewards points really worth it?Episode detailsQuestions this week for Susan:Where should I put my emergency money, in a manged fund, term deposit or just a bank account?When the Reserve Bank changes the official cash rate, where does the extra money I pay on my m
What is productivity? And are Kiwis really so bad at it?
If you die without family, what happens to your KiwiSaver? Is it fair that a household with one high earner pays more tax than one with two average earners? And what is productivity and why does it matter to the average New Zealander who’s just focused on getting their own job done?Questions this week for Susan:00.44 What are tenants not allowed to do?2.52 When it comes to tax, what's the dif
Should I save or invest for my kid's financial future?
A lot of people put money away for their children's future. But is a savings account the best way to do that? And if I invest in the sharemarket, is a growth fund too risky? Do I play it safe or go for gold?Episode detailsQuestions this week for Susan:00.52 What is a capital change notice?3.44 Why do petrol pumps warn you that a hold is being placed on your credit card?5.25 What has happened to my
How does Australia pay high wages but still keep prices low?
We're aways reading headlines about how Australia can pay higher wages than us but are also able to sell a cheaper cup of coffee. How do they keep the cost of living low while we struggle? What's Australia's secret sauce? Economist Mary-Jo Vergara says the answer is actually pretty simple.
Questions this week for Susan:00.44 - How does Australia pay high wages but still keep the cost of living l
Why are banks so stuck on paperwork?
Borrowing money these days seems to involve so much paperwork. Why?Questions this week for Susan:Is private school worth the money?Is it worth getting a second job?Do I have to pay gift tax?And why are banks so stuck on paperwork?Expert input this week came from Dr Michael Johnson, Robyn Walker, Greg Bunkall, and Anne Marie LockyerIf you have a money question you'd like Susan to try and answe
What do I do if the bubble bursts?
Is the AI boom a bubble? Is it about to burst? What should I do?Questions this week for Susan:Is the bubble about to burst on AI?Is it cheaper to rent or buy?Will the Fonterra brads sale drive up inflation?And how do I choose financial advisor?Expert input this week came from Shamubeel Eaqub, Sharon Zollner and Tim Fairbrother.If you have a money question you'd like Susan to try and answer, p
Were we better off in the 80s?
Is it better to be alive in 1985 or in 2025?Questions this week for Susan:Why can’t we take GST off fresh food?What is gift tax?How do I split the bills when a relative moves in?And were we all better off in the 80s?Expert input this week came from Brad Olsen, Craig Renney, Shamubeel Eaqub, David Verry and RNZ Morning Report host Corin Dann.If you have a money question you'd like Susan to try
Do I have to use my KiwiSaver to pay for my partner's care?
Is it fair that my partner's residential care will drain my KiwiSaver account too?Questions this week for Susan:If I have to use my KiwiSaver account to pay for my partner's residential care, is that fair on me?What is a Capital Gains Tax?How likely am I to win Lotto?If you have a money question you'd like Susan to try and answer, put it in an email or voice memo, then send it to questio
What is the bank of Mum and Dad?
When money people and politicians talk about the "bank of Mum and Dad", what does that really mean?If you have a question you'd like Susan to answer, you can email her at questions@rnz.co.nz. We'd love to hear from you!Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Do banks always pass on OCR cuts?
Do banks always pass on cuts to the official cash rate to their customers?If you have a question you'd like Susan to answer, you can email her at questions@rnz.co.nz. We'd love to hear from you!Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
What's going to happen to home loan rates?
There's an OCR announcement soon. What impact will that have on home loan rates?If you have a question you'd like Susan to answer, you can email her at questions@rnz.co.nz. We'd love to hear from you!Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Why do we pay tax on benefits?
If tax was removed from all benefits, what effect would that have on the economy?If you have a question you'd like Susan to answer, you can email her at questions@rnz.co.nz. We'd love to hear from you!Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Can I invest my Kiwisaver in more than one kind of fund?
I want to spread my KiwiSaver contributions across more than one kind of fund. Can I do that?If you have a question you'd like Susan to answer, you can email her at questions@rnz.co.nz. We'd love to hear from you!Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
What is GDP and why should I give a hoot?
New Zealand's quarterly GDP figures are announced tomorrow. What even is GDP, anyway, and should I care? If you have a question you'd like Susan to answer, you can email her at questions@rnz.co.nz. We'd love to hear from you!Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Introducing: No Stupid Questions with Susan Edmunds
RNZ money correspondent Susan Edmunds wants to demystify money and personal finance. Because when you want to understand your money, there’s no such thing as a stupid question. So if you have a stupid (or not-so stupid) question you need to ask, let us know. Each week, Susan will try to answer it for you. The answer might not be perfect – this isn’t personalised financial advice - but you will get
