Buying a home can give you a lot of security — but it can also come with plenty of costs people don’t always think about upfront.
Building reports, lawyers, maintenance, unexpected repairs… and all the little things that seem to appear once you’ve got the keys.
In this clip, Mark and Claire talk about why buying smart, budgeting well and keeping a rainy-day fund matters just as much as getting into the property in the first place.
Owning a home can absolutely be part of a long-term financial plan — but it pays to go in with your eyes open.
General information only. This isn’t personalised financial advice.
Sheehan Financial
Independent financial advisers based in Nelson, helping Kiwis with KiwiSaver, insurance and financial planning. Locally owned and focused on practical advice.
Content shared is general in nature and not personalised financial advice. The battle for life balance is hard to win; how do you save for tomorrow but live for today? The answer is tactics, clever tactics: muster your resources, plan carefully and find your happy
place – the sweet spot between a risky manoeuvre and a secure stronghold. And that’s where we can help. Define your happy place, work
Before you start investing, start with one question: why?
What are you actually investing for?
A first home? Retirement? Your kids’ future? Building wealth over time?
As Mark explains, your goal helps shape where your money should go and how you approach investing in the first place.
It sounds simple, but it’s one of the most important places to start.
More Investment 101 coming from Mark + Claire soon — follow along, and subscribe on YouTube for the full More Than Money conversation.
General information only. This isn’t personalised financial advice.
01/09/2026
💡Conservative vs Growth KiwiSaver Funds: Could the Wrong Fund Be Costing You Six Figures?
A Conservative fund may be the wrong choice if you have a long time before retirement.
Conservative funds generally provide more stability but have lower long-term return potential. Over several decades, that difference can compound substantially. Sorted estimates there could be a $130,000 difference by retirement between a Conservative and Growth fund.
This is just one member in a household - how about your wife / children / siblings all combined? That's one whooper of a birthday / anniversary / reunion holiday!
💹The right fund depends on your goals, timeframe and comfort with market ups and downs.
We offer free, independent, KiwiSaver reviews to help you understand:
☑️ Which fund you are currently in
☑️ Whether it suits your timeframe
☑️ What your available options are
☑️ Whether your provider is right for you
☑️ How to switch, if appropriate
👉Start your free KiwiSaver review today:
https://sheehanfinancial.co.nz/investment/kiwisaver-and-superannuation/omnimax/
*Investment values can rise and fall. Returns are not guaranteed, and any recommendation must consider your individual circumstances.
Investment 101 starts here. 👀
Yes, this is the teaser — and yes, we know we’re making you wait for the good bits.
Mark and Claire sat down for a full conversation around investing, the questions they’re hearing most often, and the things Kiwis actually want explained in plain English.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be pulling out the FAQs, the useful bits, and the conversations that are worth saving.
Want the whole thing now? The full episode is coming to YouTube — perfect for the drive to work, cleaning the house, walking the dog, or whenever you’ve got an hour to spare.
And if there’s something you want Mark and Claire to answer next, send us your questions. The whole point of these conversations is to talk about the things that actually matter to you.
Follow along and subscribe on YouTube so you don’t miss the full episode or the clips to come.
General information only. This content shouldn’t be considered personalised financial advice.
28/08/2026
💡Your biggest financial risk may not be making a mistake—it may be standing still.
There will always be a reason to wait: an election, changing interest rates, market uncertainty or simply feeling that you do not know enough. But doing nothing carries risks too. Inflation reduces your spending power, debt sticks around and compound returns never get the chance to work.
The truth is, money can actually be pretty simple:
✔️Earn more.
✔️Spend less than you earn.
✔️Pay down debt.
✔️Own productive assets.
✔️Repeat.
Wealth is rarely built through one perfect decision. It is usually built through small, sensible actions repeated consistently over time.
👉Choose one thing you can do now to help build long-term wealth:
☑️Increase your mortgage payment
☑️Review what KiwiSaver fund you're invested in
☑️Set up an automatic investment
☑️Build the first $500 of your emergency fund
☑️Ask your employer what you'd need to do to earn another $10,000 over the next two years
☑️Write that will you've been putting off
☑️Write down some goals
☑️Open the kids' investment account(s)
You do not need to wait for the perfect market, economy or government. Pick one thing—and do the thing.
We love being a part of your journey to financial security and are here to help so feel free to get in touch!
This.is.your.sign.💹
https://sheehanfinancial.co.nz/
A new More Than Money conversation is on the way 👀
Claire + Mark back behind the microphones… any guesses what they got into this time?
A little teaser for now, with the full episode coming soon.
Follow us on YouTube so you don’t miss it. 🎙️💙
🎙️ More Than Money Podcast Subscribe here 👉
https://www.youtube.com/
“Ya gotta think bigger picture.”
Claire did exactly that.
At 23, she bought her first home in Auckland, using KiwiSaver as part of the plan and contributing 8% after getting advice early.
It’s not a blueprint for everyone, and the rules and support available then were different to what they are now — but it’s a big part of why Claire is so passionate about helping people understand their KiwiSaver today.
Because sometimes the biggest difference comes from thinking beyond right now.
If buying your first home is on your radar, or you simply want to understand whether your KiwiSaver is actually aligned with your goals, Claire’s here to help. 💙
Claire is sharing her personal experience. This is general information only and isn’t personalised financial advice.
16/08/2026
It's money month with sorted.org.nz which is all about building a financial safety net for unexpected/emergency costs.
There is some really good, basic material here if you've been meaning to do something about this or even to share with your children.
'Simple ways to save more' - "Sell Stuff"
'Tips to stop raiding your emergency savings' - "Use a different bank entirely"
Check it out!
Insurance covers big risks, but for smaller unexpected costs, you can 'self-insure' by keeping a cash cushion ready. Don't sweat the small stuff when you've got a buffer behind you.
How to build yours → sorted.org.nz/guides/saving-and-investing/how-to-build-up-your-emergency-savings/
13/08/2026
How good 👌
Spectacle turns kilometres into community support Spectacle turns kilometres into community support
Click here to claim your Sponsored Listing.
Location
Category
Contact the business
Address
Level 1/281 Trafalgar Street
Nelson
7040
Opening Hours
| Monday | 9am - 5pm |
| Tuesday | 9am - 5pm |
| Wednesday | 9am - 5pm |
| Thursday | 9am - 5pm |
| Friday | 9am - 5pm |