Electricity and money go hand-in-hand. Every house needs power, and everything costs money.  So how do you balance the two in the midst of a Cost of Living Crisis? And what should you keep an eye out for that might impact the number on your energy bills? Harbour Asset Management Co-CEO Andrew Bascand & Harbour Asset Management Senior Manager Sue Walker join Tim Beveridge on Smart Money.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More than 7800 divorces were granted last year, with nearly 6000 underage children seeing their parents split - that's about 8 divorces for every 1000 marriages.  Looking deeper, about 5 percent of marriages end in 5 years, 15 percent end within 10, and more than a third dissolve within 25 years. With marriage numbers already declining, and the cost-of-living crisis still biting, how does a couple go about splitting up amicably? What paperwork needs to be sorted? and how can we ensure our assets aren't treated as collateral? Family and Relationship Property Lawyer, Sharon Chandra, joins Smart Money to unpack what options there are. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everyone has an employment contract, but what should you be aware of when presented with a new one?  Some key parts that you'd think are a given may also be missing, so what shoud you make sure you have? MyHR's Chief Evangelist Sylvie Thrush-Marsh joins Tim Beveridge to answer your employment questions.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Property becoming less of the golden-goose egg we've made it out to be, people are focusing more on how else they can be financially stable - and with that stability, comes being disciplined with your money - and keeping your spending affairs in order. But how can we do that with loyalty programmes encouraging us to save? and mid-year sales going around? How do we keep our eyes on the long-term goal, and stay on track with our savings? Where should we even start, if we're so far behind? Author of Money Matters, Finance Specialist and Mentor Amanda Morall - joins the Weekend Collective to help out. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Generate Kiwisaver's Nathan Stanners joins Tim Beveridge to chat National's compulsory Kiwisaver policy - and whether it's a good policy for the our retirement savings pool.  They also talk how your risk profile should change the closer your get to retirement.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Earlier this year, a Christchurch businessman was found borrowing millions of dollars against his family trusts for his clothing company - racking up a $3-million dollar spend. His sister prompted legal action, and two homes had to be sold as collateral. But that brings up a question - what can we leave behind for our children and family that won't just be squandered or swindled? Trusts and inheritance is a something most families will have to deal with when older-relatives pass, so how assured can we be that assets are protected? Managing Director for New Zealand Family Trust Servicers, Janet Xuccoa joins Tim Beveridge for Smart Money... LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week's budget announcement had a focus on sorting out the books, and no straight sugar hits for individuals.Infrastructure, healthcare and education seemed to be the clear priority of our fiscal plan, but three  relief for the cost-of-living pressure many face.  Along with that, council rates have gone up for Auckland and the South Island's West Coast, and the Reserve Bank's signalled that there will be an increase to the OCR shortly - so the period we've seen of low interest rates on a mortgage is coming to an end.  So how can we prepare ourselves for a toughening economy? Was it good that we didn't have any government handouts?  Managing Director for the Private Office - Nick Crawford - joins Tim Beveridge for Smart Money...  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Retirement is the time most people dream of, the days where you no longer need to work or study, and you can enjoy a slow and simple life. But what does it actually take to retire? And, when Super is under threat, and the only stable thing about the global economic climate is its instability, can we rely on the pension being there when we're ready to retire? Author of Money Matters Amanda Morrall chats to Tim Beveridge about how much money you really need to retire. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The age of retirement is back in the forefront of news this week after a report from the OECD recommended means testing the age of eligibility for NZ Super or risk an unsustainable rise in public debt.  The agency says New Zealand's ageing population will continue to become a prevalent issue as the government tries to pull the economy out of the red.  But some finance experts say we shouldn't be relying on the government to fund our retirements, and super should be treated as a bonus rather than a survivable income.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All investment accounts are a bit touch and go at the moment.  If you're checking your KiwiSaver more than a few times a year, the amount of movement could really start to get to your head.  But for those close to or at retirement age, or about to withdraw for whatever reason - a volatile market can make all the difference.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.