Money Made Simple
by Simplicity
Welcome to Money Made Simple, a family of NZ-based financial literacy podcasts from Simplicity which keep it simple and get straight to the point. We want ALL Kiwis to have dignity, and a dignified life is one with choices. What can help with more choices? More money. So we're here to make Kiwis richer and smarter with money. MONEY MADE SIMPLE WITH JENNIE AND LIV: Join co-hosts Liv Lewis-Long and Jennie O'Donovan on a fortnightly basis to help you understand the basics around money, finances, investing, KiwiSaver, and planning for a better future. We aim to provide information in a bite-sized, easy-to-listen way that simplifies the jargon. 'Cos who's got time for that! We want you to feel empowered and confident when thinking about money and investing - whether that be via KiwiSaver, investment funds, the share market, property, or your general finances. THE ECONOMY MADE SIMPLE WITH SHAMUBEEL EAQUB: Join Shamubeel Eaqub, Simplicity's
Episodes
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Economy Made Simple #22 | Do Kiwis really pay too much tax?
In this episode of Economy Made Simple, Shamubeel Eaqub, Simplicity’s Chief Economist, takes on the topic that gets everyone fired up: tax. Do Kiwis really pay too much? Who carries the load, and what don’t we tax at all? With the election days away, Shamubeel says we might be asking the wrong...
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MMS #83 | Election special: What each party is promising
In this episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie and Liv address what many are calling the 2026 KiwiSaver election. With almost 3.5 million Kiwis in KiwiSaver and close to $140 billion saved, every major party has a plan for your retirement savings. Going party by party, they break down five big…
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MMS #82 | Can you build a business and raise a family at the same time?
In this episode of Money Made Simple, Liv sits down with Patrice Green, absolute girl boss and Managing Director of Wellington Beds and Natural Rest, to talk about running a fast growing business while raising young kids. Patrice trained as a chartered accountant and took over the family business...
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Economy Made Simple #21 | What is government actually for?
In this episode of Economy Made Simple, Shamubeel Eaqub, Simplicity's Chief Economist, takes a step back from the election noise to ask a bigger question: what is government actually for? With campaigns full of talk about tax, spending, debt (and of course now KiwiSaver), Shamubeel argues we have...
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MMS #81 | Shares, managed funds, ETFs - what do they all mean?
In this episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie and Liv go back to basics on two of the most common ways to invest: buying shares in individual companies, or putting your money into a managed fund. They unpack what you actually own in each case, the pros and trade-offs of both, and the different…
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MMS #80 | Retirement around the world: Is NZ getting it right?
In this episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie and Liv take a trip around the world to see how different countries tackle the very large question of retirement. New Zealand has NZ Super and KiwiSaver, but elsewhere the mix of government support, compulsory saving and personal choice can look quite...
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MMS #79 | Reddit's best NZ money tips and tricks from r/PersonalFinanceNZ
In this episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie and Liv take the show to Reddit, asking the often wise, very debate-happy r/PersonalFinanceNZ community for their very best money tips and tricks. More than 40 people came to the party, and the ones that made the cut are the ones the community upvoted...
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Economy Made Simple #20 | Why do New Zealanders work so hard for so little?
In this episode of Economy Made Simple, Shamubeel invites Liv over to the green side, to unpack one of the most used and least understood words in New Zealand economics: productivity. Not how hard we work, but what we get back for the effort. New Zealanders work roughly two weeks more a year than...
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MMS #78 | Dark patterns: the tricks websites use to make you spend more
Ever felt pressured to hit Buy now by a countdown clock, struggled to cancel a subscription, or been told there is “only one left” while shopping online? You may have encountered a dark pattern. In this episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie is joined by Chandni Gupta from the Consumer Policy...
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MMS #77 | How much should be in your emergency fund?
It's officially Sorted's Money Month - and we have a special guest in to celebrate! In this episode of Money Made Simple, Liv sits down with Kate Hannah from Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission - the team behind Sorted.org.nz, to unpack what financial resilience really means, and why it's…
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Economy Made Simple #19 | Can you still afford to insure your home?
In this episode of Economy Made Simple, Chief Economist Shamubeel Eaqub unpacks why insurance has become one of the fastest-rising costs in NZ, and what that means for the assets we most need to protect. Insuring everything you own would now swallow close to 15% of the average income, and with...
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MMS #76 | Can I trust TikTok for financial advice?
There’s no shortage of money info out there. Everyone seems to have something to say about budgeting, investing, mortgages, KiwiSaver and more. But how do you know what’s helpful, what’s marketing, what’s just someone’s opinion, and when you might actually need personalised financial advice? In...
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Economy Made Simple #18 | Is New Zealand's economic recovery back on track?
In this episode of Economy Made Simple, Shamubeel Eaqub takes a moment to unpack NZ's mid-2026 economic outlook, from the fallout of the war in Iran to signs of a tentative peace. With inflation pressures building, interest rates trending up again, and an election year adding noise, Shamubeel...
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MMS #75 | What you need to know before buying your first home
Buying your first home can feel exciting, overwhelming, and full of unfamiliar jargon, forms and deadlines. In this episode of Money Made Simple, Liv and Jennie break down the first-home buying process into three key stages: getting your finances ready, making an offer and doing your due…
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Economy Made Simple #17 | Getting KiwiSaver right, with Susan Edmunds
In this episode of Economy Made Simple, Shamubeel Eaqub chats with journalist, author and personal finance expert Susan Edmunds about KiwiSaver, the questions New Zealanders are asking, and why getting the basics right still matters. Susan has just written a book about KiwiSaver, based on the...
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MMS #74 | Retirement planning - whatever age you are!
Retirement can feel like something to worry about “later” - especially when you’re in your 20s or 30s. But every decade comes with opportunities to improve your financial future. In this episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie and Liv talk about what retirement planning looks like at different ages...
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MMS #73 | The Self-Employed Guide to KiwiSaver, tax, and not getting caught out
In this week's episode of Money Made Simple, Liv and Jennie tackle a topic that deserves some airtime: the finances of self-employment. Nearly 1 in 5 Kiwis work for themselves - and the financial scaffolding that employees take for granted simply doesn't come with the territory. They break down...
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Economy Made Simple #16 | Can we still trust the news? Bernard Hickey weighs in
In this episode of Economy Made Simple, Shamubeel Eaqub sits down with journalist and publisher Bernard Hickey to talk about how economic stories are told, why trust in media matters, and what’s changed in journalism over the past few decades. Bernard reflects on the major economic shifts in NZ,...
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MMS #72 | Does ethical investing compromise your returns?
In this episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie sits down with Barry Coates, CEO of Mindful Money, to unpack what ethical investing really means and how Kiwis can put their KiwiSaver and other investments behind the values they care about. Barry brings decades of experience from the UK and NZ…
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MMS #71 | What's the right KiwiSaver contribution rate in 2026?
In this episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie and Liv revisit one of the most important - and most overlooked - parts of your KiwiSaver: your contribution rate. With changes coming into effect in 2026, including a lift to the default minimum, now's the perfect time to check in and ask whether…
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Economy Made Simple #15 | Migration in NZ: Who will the next generation of Kiwis really be?
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…
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MMS #70 | What are asset classes? (and how they help you diversify)
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?…
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MMS #69 | The spending traps hurting your budget
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...
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Economy Made Simple #14 | Oil shocks and war: What it means for NZ now - and in the future
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…
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MMS #68 | Side hustle tax? What you need to know (from a real accountant)
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...
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Economy Made Simple #13 | Economic update: Signs of recovery (but risks ahead)
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...
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MMS #67 | How to switch KiwiSaver providers (it's easier than you think!)
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…
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MMS #66 | The gender gap: Why are men retiring so much richer than women?
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…
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Economy Made Simple #12 | Inflation in 2026: What's next for NZ?
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...
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MMS #65 | Your Financial Ins & Outs for 2026
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,...
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MMS #64 | Compounding returns: The “money makes money” episode
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...
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Economy Made Simple #11 | A look into the future: NZ's long term choices explained
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...
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MMS #63 | How does venture capital work? The inside word on startups, scaling up and global impact
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...
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MMS #62 | Real Kiwis share their top investing, saving and money hacks
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...
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Economy Made Simple #10 | KiwiSaver 2.0: Future proofing our golden years
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...
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MMS #61 | Volatility: Why market ups and downs are a good thing (yes, really!)
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...
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MMS #60 | Christmas on a budget - all the joy, without the stress of overspending!
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,...
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MMS #59 | Living boujee, but on a budget - yes, it's possible!
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…
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Economy Made Simple #9 | Why NZ keeps falling behind on infrastructure
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...
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MMS #58 | Hedged vs Unhedged: What's the difference?!
In this much-requested episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie and Liv (finally!) demystify hedging, the financial safety net that can help protect your KiwiSaver and investment balances from foreign currency fluctuations. They explain what it means in a general sense (outside and inside of...
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MMS #57 | From $6k to success: The story behind startup Bear & Moo
In this inspiring episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie sits down with Hannah Porter - founder of baby and kids' brand Bear & Moo - to talk about building a successful startup from scratch, while juggling family life and financial realities. From starting with just $6,000 to growing into a…
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Economy Made Simple #8 | Spring economic update - will this recession ever end?
Spring might be in the air, but the economy hasn’t quite joined the party yet. In this quarterly economic update, Shamubeel Eaqub, Simplicity’s Chief Economist, breaks down what’s really going on in New Zealand and across the globe. He explains why the economy still feels sluggish, what's…
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MMS #56 | Index funds 101: Why they're simpler, smarter, better
In this episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie and Liv unpack one of the most simple and powerful (yet often misunderstood) tools for building wealth: index funds. They explain what index funds are, why they’re so popular with investors worldwide, and how they actually stack up against actively...
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MMS #55 | Five big money myths holding you back financially
In this episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie and Liv take on the top five money myths that keep holding Kiwis back from building financial confidence - and wealth! From saving when money is tight to whether credit cards are always “bad,” they tackle some of the most common misconceptions with...
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Economy Made Simple #7 | Capital, leadership and NZ's future
In this episode of Economy Made Simple, Shamubeel Eaqub sits down with Sam Stubbs, founder of Simplicity, to explore the intersection of personal journeys, global finance, and the future of New Zealand’s economy. From growing up in the depths of West Auckland to investment banking at Goldman…
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MMS #54 | The great Kiwi housing debate: Renting vs. Owning (what's smarter?)
In this episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie and Liv tackle the common Kiwi dilemma: Should you rent forever, or is it better to save up and buy your own home? They unpack the real-world costs on both sides (not just mortgage vs rent), discuss the lifestyle trade-offs, and how today’s market...
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MMS #53 | Smarter spending tips for the (long-term) win!
In Part 2 of our “Save and Spend” series, Liv and Jennie are back to talk about the fun side of money: spend spend spend! But even spending can go sideways if you’re not intentional about it (cue: Jennie's fave Want Monster). This episode explores how to spend smarter, not harder - and how...
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Economy Made Simple #6 | Ashley Bloomfield on leadership,health and the COVID-19 response
In this very special episode of the Economy Made Simple, Shamubeel Eaqub sits down with Sir Ashley Bloomfield, New Zealand’s former Director-General of Health, to talk about what we’ve learned from the COVID-19 pandemic - and how those lessons could help shape our collective future. This…
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MMS #52 | Saving smarter: how to spend less without the sacrifice
*Please note that nothing in this podcast is personalised financial advice or recommendations. We recommend that people seek independent financial advice when it comes to making decisions around their mortgages, insurances and/or general financial situation.* As the cost of living crisis…
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Economy Made Simple #5 | Economic update: Global turmoil, local impact
In this episode of Economy Made Simple, Shamubeel Eaqub breaks down what’s going on in the New Zealand economy - and what’s coming next. Are we still in a recession? Why has it affected people so differently? And what signs should we look for to know that a recovery is finally taking shape? From...
About this show
Welcome to Money Made Simple, a family of NZ-based financial literacy podcasts from Simplicity which keep it simple and get straight to the point. We want ALL Kiwis to have dignity, and a dignified life is one with choices. What can help with more choices? More money. So we're here to make Kiwis richer and smarter with money.
MONEY MADE SIMPLE WITH JENNIE AND LIV:
Join co-hosts Liv Lewis-Long and Jennie O'Donovan on a fortnightly basis to help you understand the basics around money, finances, investing, KiwiSaver, and planning for a better future. We aim to provide information in a bite-sized, easy-to-listen way that simplifies the jargon. 'Cos who's got time for that! We want you to feel empowered and confident when thinking about money and investing - whether that be via KiwiSaver, investment funds, the share market, property, or your general finances.
THE ECONOMY MADE SIMPLE WITH SHAMUBEEL EAQUB:
Join Shamubeel Eaqub, Simplicity's
Hosted by
Simplicity
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