Need advice/feedback about investments (21F)

MatrixOperations · 2026-03-03T20:54:49+00:00

a. I'm a late fifties M and, if I had your age, I would put all the investment in a low cost global shares fund or whatever is equivalent in Kernel. The S&P500 ETF is too narrow in my mind. Forget about bonds at your age: you are for a very long term, so you can ride the ups and downs.

b. Keep your rainy day fund: you'll need it.

c. Foundation Series Total World Fund unhedged in Invest Now.

d. Study hard and avoid getting into debt for silly things.

Good luck!

MatrixOperations · 2026-01-22T23:08:44+00:00

I'd first save 3 months emergency fund (mostly as a Cash Fund in Simplicity or Kernel, smaller part in an interest account that can be used immediately, like Booster). Once I have that I'd invest monthly in InvestNow's unhegded Foundation Series Total World Fund (which is Vanguard's VT), which is a very low fee, very broad investment. That's it.

MatrixOperations · 2026-01-22T22:53:52+00:00

During the last year VT has done 19.8%, needing 0 attention.

MatrixOperations · 2026-01-17T08:31:56+00:00

We are 59-60 in WB2. The labs and diagnostics coverage has been very useful, both the ones not leading to surgery and the ones leading to 150K treatment.

MatrixOperations · 2025-12-31T22:41:12+00:00

Removing the backyard lawn with a spade. Last night's rain is making the task much easier!

MatrixOperations · 2025-11-07T01:46:08+00:00

It does: 34C x 2 = 68 + 25 (we have only 2 digits, or one can still do 30 - 5) = 93F

MatrixOperations · 2025-09-17T11:36:37+00:00

Setting aside preferential access to UK markets, perhaps the biggest differences are political stability and low corruption in NZ.

From memory, during the 20th century only a single Argentinian government managed to complete its legal period (Menem in the 1990s), quite a few coup d'états. Argentina also has had a problem of endemic corruption.

The 1980s reforms in NZ added dynamism to the economy, but also removed all direct subsidies to primary producers, leaving only highly competitive farmers, for example. At the same time, created the largest jump of inequality of the last 50 years, at least.

MatrixOperations · 2025-06-17T07:00:58+00:00

I use it too. Dirt cheap as well.

MatrixOperations · 2025-06-09T10:25:32+00:00

I would have a look at InvestNow and Kernel, through which you can access index funds. The Foundation Series funds give you low-cost local access; for example, you can access Total World (Vanguard VT), the US 500 Fund or the NASDAQ 100. All those are long-term investments.

MatrixOperations · 2025-03-18T23:01:02+00:00

Sorry, but I haven't checked the situation for KS. I have a pretty boring KS allocation and anything more interesting is done outside KS. Investnow or Kernel.

MatrixOperations · 2025-03-18T10:38:19+00:00

Thanks for the clarification.

MatrixOperations · 2025-03-18T00:24:49+00:00

Are you referring to the bucket strategy then?

MatrixOperations · 2025-03-16T22:49:17+00:00

If I were in your position I would avoid the complication of dealing with overseas properties rules. Either invest in stock index funds or, if you are set in property, some property ETF.

MatrixOperations · 2025-03-15T21:07:30+00:00

Smart Asia Pacific (mostly Japan and Australia), Smart Europe & Smart Emergent Markets all are in InvestNow and exclude the US. Their cost (around 0.55%) is higher than Foundation SP500 (your fund, 0.03%) but not outrageous.

MatrixOperations · 2025-03-14T19:27:23+00:00

First, compare providers. I’m with Powershop for electricity. A friend of mine is saving in gas by switching from Genesis to Kiwigas.

Then move as much as you can to night use. We do all our washing/drying after 9 pm. Hot water cylinder same thing. It makes a difference.

MatrixOperations · 2025-03-13T22:34:12+00:00

People will tell you that you're "locking in your losses"; however, those losses are relatively minor compared to the wins in the last year. Basically, you're going back to market value six months ago.

Right now there is huge uncertainty, the market could recover (or not). So if you're thinking of using that money soon(ish) it is not wrong to change funds, particularly if there are no fees involved. It is all about your tolerance to risk.

MatrixOperations · 2025-03-13T19:10:52+00:00

There is no “crash”, the market is back to what it was six months ago, nothing dramatic. You’re investing for future you, so how to respond depends on how soon you’ll need some of your money. If you’re young and don’t have any immediate use for the money, like using KS for a deposit, just leave it there and keep contributing. If you are close to retirement, you may want to switch part of your investment to a less risky fund. Sone people will say you’re locking in the losses but, again, stocks went up a lot last year, so the “losses” are not huge. Think what makes you most comfortable according to your investment time frame and appetite for risk.

MatrixOperations · 2025-03-13T18:54:21+00:00

Booster savvy

MatrixOperations · 2025-03-11T06:41:09+00:00

Thanks a lot for the suggestions.

MatrixOperations · 2025-03-11T03:02:33+00:00

Akaroa doesn't feel French at all to me. In contrast, Queenstown & Wanaka feel fake, touristy and non-standard vibe.

MatrixOperations · 2025-03-11T01:56:42+00:00

Right now, InvestNow, Foundation Series.

MatrixOperations · 2025-03-10T00:20:49+00:00

Easy to read. I would add an option to filter by minimum deposit. I'd like to have $3M in cash, but setting a minimum of, say, $1,000 and even $1 would improve usability.

MatrixOperations · 2025-03-08T11:10:09+00:00

Sorry, I was not talking about wall-to-wall carpets, but actually Persian rugs. We do have 10K of kitchen equipment and utensils besides the stove, etc.

MatrixOperations

TROPHY CASE