

Cheques and Balances
Cheques and Balances
Whether you're buying your first home, tackling debt, or building long-term wealth, we’ll show you how to make smarter money moves. With over 20 years of combined experience as qualified financial advisers, James Blair and Michael Vincent share straight-talking advice, practical strategies, and real conversations about money - all to help you take control of your financial future with confidence.
Check out our website below:
lighthousefinancial.co.nz
Check out our website below:
lighthousefinancial.co.nz
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 27, 2026 • 38min
Is Buy and Hold Dead? Rethinking your property strategy Ft. Jim Dodd Property CEO Founder | Episode 436
Is the classic buy-and-hold strategy still enough in today’s property market?In this episode, we’re joined by Jim Dodd, Founder of Property CEO, to unpack whether long-term holding still stacks up - or if more active strategies like property trading are the smarter path forward - covering how investors can shorten timelines, manage risk, and regain control as growth rates, lending rules, and market conditions shift.Next Steps: To learn more about property trading and active investment strategies, check out Property-CEO a coaching and mentoring programme helping Kiwis understand the strategies, funding options, and systems used to build wealth through property.If you’re rethinking your property strategy and want help structuring the right approach whether that’s buy and hold, trading, or a mix of both get in touch with the Lighthouse mortgages team.For more money tips follow us on:FacebookInstagramThe content in this podcast is the opinion of the hosts. It should not be treated as financial advice. It is important to take into consideration your own personal situation and goals before making any financial decisions.

Jan 25, 2026 • 21min
The Real Reason Mortgage Rates Are Rising ft. The Takeover | Episode 435
Mortgage rates aren’t rising because of one headline number - there’s a lot more going on behind the scenes.In this episode, we break down the real drivers behind rising mortgage rates, including wholesale funding costs, swap rates, global uncertainty, and why banks can lift longer-term rates even when the OCR hasn’t moved - plus how borrowers should think about fixing, floating, and avoiding emotional decisions.Next Steps: Before you react to the headlines or lock in a rate, talk to the Lighthouse Mortgages team to understand what’s really driving your mortgage and what makes sense for you.For more money tips follow us on:FacebookInstagramThe content in this podcast is the opinion of the hosts. It should not be treated as financial advice. It is important to take into consideration your own personal situation and goals before making any financial decisions.

Jan 22, 2026 • 50min
Build Wealth And Protect It: The Insurance Mistakes You’re Making | Inside a Financial Plan Ep 7
Insurance isn’t about ticking boxes - it’s about protecting the life you’re actually building.In this episode of Inside a Financial Plan, Lighthouse Insurance Adviser Callum Gilmour breaks down Rachel and Dion’s real insurance setup, covering life, trauma, health, and income protection, how much cover is actually enough, where self-insurance makes sense, and how insurance should change as your assets, income, and priorities evolve.This episode is proudly sponsored by PocketSmith: Big goals mean nothing without action. PocketSmith helps you track, plan, and stay accountable. Start today with 50% off your first two months.For more money tips follow us on:FacebookInstagramThe content in this podcast is the opinion of the hosts. It should not be treated as financial advice. It is important to take into consideration your own personal situation and goals before making any financial decisions.

Jan 20, 2026 • 10min
Can You Get a Mortgage After 50? | Episode 433
Can you actually get a mortgage after 50 or does age quietly change the rules?In this episode, we break down how banks assess lending as you get older, including servicing requirements, loan terms, retirement runways, exit strategies, and the key differences between owner-occupied and investment property lending - and why age itself isn’t the decision-maker.Next Steps: If you’re navigating lending later in life or weighing up a big property decision, speak to Lighthouse Financial about aligning your mortgage, wealth plan, and long-term goals before you commit.For more money tips follow us on:FacebookInstagramThe content in this podcast is the opinion of the hosts. It should not be treated as financial advice. It is important to take into consideration your own personal situation and goals before making any financial decisions.

Jan 18, 2026 • 36min
Why is NZ’s Healthcare System under pressure? Ft. Nick Astwick, CEO of Southern Cross Health Society | Episode 432
New Zealand’s healthcare system isn’t broken - but it is under serious strain.In this episode, we’re joined by Nick Astwick, CEO of Southern Cross Health Society, to unpack why demand is overwhelming supply, what rising waitlists and costs really mean, how public and private healthcare intersect, and what needs to change to improve access, outcomes, and long-term health in New Zealand.Next Steps: Lighthouse Insurance can help you structure health cover properly so medical decisions don’t turn into financial stress.Register now: Buying a home, investing, or want better control of your money? Join Michael Vincent and James Blair for a practical 2026 financial planning webinar.For more money tips follow us on:FacebookInstagramThe content in this podcast is the opinion of the hosts. It should not be treated as financial advice. It is important to take into consideration your own personal situation and goals before making any financial decisions.

Jan 15, 2026 • 12min
Why Property Is the Biggest Threat to Your Retirement | Episode 431
Property can make you look rich... while quietly leaving you cash-poor in retirement.In this episode, Mike and James break down why relying solely on property can undermine retirement income, covering liquidity, cashflow realities, transaction costs, leverage, when property works best, when it doesn’t, and how blending property with diversified investments creates a retirement that actually pays you to live.Next Steps: If property has built your wealth but won’t fund retirement, speak to the Lighthouse Wealth team today about a real financial plan.Register now: Buying a home, investing, or want better control of your money? Join Michael Vincent and James Blair for a practical 2026 financial planning webinar.For more money tips follow us on:FacebookInstagramThe content in this podcast is the opinion of the hosts. It should not be treated as financial advice. It is important to take into consideration your own personal situation and goals before making any financial decisions.

Jan 13, 2026 • 38min
Why You’re Still Broke | The Easiest Way to Stick to a Budget in 2026 Ft. Jason Leong | Episode 430
Most people think they know where their money goes... they don’t.In this episode, Jason Leong, CEO of PocketSmith, breaks down how budgeting software, open banking, and real spending data reveal hidden leaks, lifestyle creep, and why even high-income earners feel broke.Nest Steps: If you don’t know where your money is going, you can’t plan your future - Download PocketSmith today and get 50% off your first two months.Register now: Buying a home, investing, or want better control of your money? Join Michael Vincent and James Blair for a practical 2026 financial planning webinar.For more money tips follow us on:FacebookInstagramThe content in this podcast is the opinion of the hosts. It should not be treated as financial advice. It is important to take into consideration your own personal situation and goals before making any financial decisions.

Jan 11, 2026 • 19min
2026 Property Predictions: Growth, Rates, Elections & What to Buy | Episode 430
The property market is waking up but it won’t be a straight line.In this episode, Matt Harris, Michael Vincent and Adam Farrell unpack their 2026 property predictions, covering expected price growth, interest rate risks, election uncertainty, capital gains tax chatter, and where the best opportunities sit across townhouses, multi-unit and commercial property.Next Steps: In a slower, more fragmented property market, the edge comes from the right structure and team - get in touch with Lighthouse to review your borrowing, cashflow and investment strategy today.Register now: Buying a home, investing, or want better control of your money? Join Michael Vincent and James Blair for a practical 2026 financial planning webinar.For more money tips follow us on:FacebookInstagramThe content in this podcast is the opinion of the hosts. It should not be treated as financial advice. It is important to take into consideration your own personal situation and goals before making any financial decisions.

Jan 8, 2026 • 40min
How to Protect Your Income in 2026: ACC vs Income Protection | Live Webinar | Episode 429
If you couldn’t work tomorrow, how long would your income really last?In this episode, we break down how ACC actually works, the key differences between standard ACC and Cover Plus Extra, common misconceptions around income protection, and why self-employed Kiwis should rethink how they protect their income when injury or illness strikes.Next Steps: Talk to the Lighthouse insurance team today about health, life, and income protection options that actually work when you need them most.https://lighthousefinancial.co.nz/insurance/Register now: Buying a home, investing, or want better control of your money? Join Michael Vincent and James Blair for a practical 2026 financial planning webinar.For more money tips follow us on:FacebookInstagramThe content in this podcast is the opinion of the hosts. It should not be treated as financial advice. It is important to take into consideration your own personal situation and goals before making any financial decisions.

Jan 6, 2026 • 39min
The Best Tax Insights of 2025: Structures, Deductions & Smart Planning | Episode 428
Think tax is just something you pay and forget? This episode proves otherwise.We break down the best tax insights of 2025, covering provisional tax, cashflow pressure on NZ businesses, smart entity structures, chattel depreciation, home office deductions, and how debt restructuring can legally turn tax into a strategic advantage for business owners and property investors.Register now: Buying a home, investing, or want better control of your money? Join Michael Vincent and James Blair for a practical 2026 financial planning webinar.For more money tips follow us on:FacebookInstagramThe content in this podcast is the opinion of the hosts. It should not be treated as financial advice. It is important to take into consideration your own personal situation and goals before making any financial decisions.


