The Dollars & Sense Podcast
The Dollars & Sense Podcast: Smart Finance for Kiwis in Their Prime
Tired of generic money advice that doesn't fit your life? Hosted by qualified NZ financial advisers Tim Ellis and Brodie Haggerty, this podcast cuts through the noise to deliver real-talk financial literacy for New Zealanders in their mid-30s to late-40s. Whether you're growing your wealth, protecting assets amid rising costs, or planning for family milestones like buying a home or prepping for retirement, we've got actionable strategies tailored to Kiwi realities—think IRD tax hacks, KiwiSaver tweaks, and recession-proof investing.
With 50+ episodes packed with expert insights, listener Q&As, and no-BS breakdowns (from "Bulletproofing Your Super in Uncertain Times" to "Side Hustles That Actually Build Equity"), we're back from a quick hiatus with fresh weekly drops starting now. No jargon, just dollars and sense to help you thrive.
Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your fave app—join thousands of Kiwis leveling up their finances. Got a question? Email us podcast@foxplan.nz (or drop it in the show notes). Let's make your money work harder for you.
#FinancialLiteracyNZ #WealthBuilding #AssetProtection #KiwiFinance
Episodes
75 episodes
The “Now and Then” Exercise That Creates Better Financial Decisions
Without clear direction, every financial plan is both right and wrong at the same time.In this episode, Tim steps away from the spreadsheets and market analysis to explain one of the most important exercises used in real financial planni...
When Financial Advice Fees Go Too Far
Most financial advisers defend adviser fees. In this episode, Tim and Brodie do something different...... they challenge them.From ongoing fees on “set and forget” portfolios, to percentage-based charges that grow far faster than the act...
Are Expensive Funds Delivering Better Results?
A recent RNZ headline claimed all active fund managers underperformed over the last year — a bold statement that sparked plenty of debate across the investment world. But how accurate is that headline, and what does the underlying data actually...
The Real Cost of S&P 500 ETFs (It’s Not What You Think)
"Just buy a low cost S&P500 index tracking fund....."Most investors think buying a low-cost S&P 500 ETF is the smartest move they can make—but the 0.03% fee doesn’t tell the full story. In this episode, I break down t...
The Hidden Risks of Early Retirement — with Taylor Schulte
In this episode, I’m joined by Taylor Schulte, founder of Define Financial and host of the Stay Wealthy Retirement Podcast. We unpack why retirement, especially early retirement, is far more of a psychological challenge than a financial one. Fr...
Q1 2026 Market Recap: What Actually Happened
In this episode, Tim breaks down what actually happened across global markets, why investor sentiment has shifted, and how similar this year looks to past market cycles. More importantly, he explains why short-term volatility might not mean wha...
You Retire… Then Lose Half Your Money. Now What?
This year, tens of thousands of Kiwis will reach retirement age — but how much does timing really matter? In this episode, I break down three real retirement scenarios using the same $2M portfolio across very different market co...
3 Ways Index Funds Make Gains in a Bear Market
Index funds “don’t work” in bear markets… or do they? In this episode, I break down three powerful ways index funds can still create future gains when markets are falling From dividend reinvestment to rebalancing and dollar-cost averaging. ...
The Key to a More Effective Financial Plan
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 ...
The 10 Days That Could Delay Your Retirement by a Decade
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, ...
Dividend Investing in Modern Portfolios
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 i...
Why Good People Avoid Financial Planning and Regret It Later
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...
Gold and the Long Game: Does It Really Belong in a Portfolio?
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 m...
Why a Reserve Fund Changes the Way You Think, Invest, and Live
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...
2025 In Review. What just happened and what actually matters?
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 ca...
The Most Misunderstood Part of KiwiSaver Performance
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...
Following Up on NZ’s Health Insurance Crisis: The Latest Developments
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, includin...
Exposed: The Marketing Tactics Behind Modern Investment Snake Oil
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 manipulati...
Your Wealth Philosophy vs. Reality: Taraia Robin Breaks It Down
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 predictio...
The AI Bubble: Hype or the Next Market Crash?
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, d...
Second Marriages, Trusts, and Contracting Out — Part 2 with Hannah Carter
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 rea...
Blended Families & Second Marriages: The Legal Must-Knows with Hannah Carter
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 ...
Why Revolving Mortgages Keep You Stuck on the Financial Treadmill
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...
Tick Boxes Don’t Build Wealth
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 th...
The Hidden Costs of Investing
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 ep...