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Cheques and Balances

Cheques and Balances
New Zealand
Kiwisaver
Interest Rates
New Zealand Economy
Inflation
Property Investment
Financial Planning
Insurance
Housing Market
Capital Gains Tax
Budgeting
Investment Property
Lighthouse Financial
Mortgages
First Home Buyers
Auckland
Mortgage
Health Insurance
Property Market
Reserve Bank Of New Zealand

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. ... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes632Founded6 years ago
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Artwork for Cheques and Balances

Latest Episodes

Is the worst finally behind the New Zealand economy?

Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen joins James and Mike to unpack where the NZ economy really stands, from stubborn inflation and unemployment at an 11-year high to rising interest rates, ... more

Saving enough for retirement is only half the battle - knowing when to spend it could be just as important.

James sits down with Ben Brinkerhoff, Head of Advice at Consilium, to unpack why the first 10 years of retirement matter so much, the psychol... more

A 5% deposit could get thousands more Kiwis into their first home - but is it really as good as it sounds?

James and Mike unpack National’s proposed changes to the First Home Loan scheme, including the new $300,000 income threshold, what buying with... more

The OCR is up but that doesn’t tell you the whole story about where mortgage rates are heading.

James and Mike break down what actually determines your interest rate, unpacking the OCR, swap rates, wholesale funding, customer deposits and bank compe... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Lily Richards
Lily Richards, Pathfinder
Pathfinder
Episode: Is War Funding Your Retirement? Ft. Lily Richards | Episode 516
Jess Hargreaves
Senior Financial Advisor
Lighthouse Wealth
Episode: The First OCR Hike in 3 Years: What It Means for Your Mortgage | Episode 508
Adam Farrell
Property director
Unspecified (guest on episode)
Episode: Are New Build Townhouses Dead? Ft. Adam Farrell | Episode 492
Mikey V
Co-host, casual expert on economics and business, informal role in the discussion
Episode: NZ Budget 2026: Did The Government Get It Right? | Episode 491
Michael Vincent
Business associate and chief
Episode: Australia's Tax Crisis: New Zealand's Golden Opportunity | Episode 486
Matt Harris
Tax expert guest, referred to as 'Mr. Taxman'
Tax professional (NZ)
Episode: $9.3 Billion Tax Bill: Why NZ Businesses Are Struggling | Episode 477
Simon Rolland
Entrepreneur who has sold multiple businesses
Independent entrepreneur
Episode: Why New Zealand’s Economy Is Falling Behind (And How to Fix It) Ft. Luke Kemeys & Simon Rolland | Episode 475
Luke Kemeys
Entrepreneur; Keep the Change, Next Advisory
Keep the Change; Next Advisory
Episode: Why New Zealand’s Economy Is Falling Behind (And How to Fix It) Ft. Luke Kemeys & Simon Rolland | Episode 475
Chlöe Swarbrick
Co-leader of the Green Party, NZ politician
Green Party, New Zealand
Episode: Chlöe Swarbrick: Wealth Tax, Housing & New Zealand’s Broken Economy | Episode 451

Hosts

James Blair
Host and financial adviser with Lighthouse Financial; appears across episodes as a co-host providing financial guidance and market context.
Michael Vincent
Co-host and financial adviser, provides insights on mortgages, investing, and budgeting; part of Lighthouse Financial team.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 318 ratings
  • Agree with Mike here

    How can you go on a holiday without a job, James?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Day0987654321
    New Zealand7 months ago
  • It’s just different

    Listen to a few business podcasts and this one is just different in a good way. Not just property but other asset classes which gives a balanced view. Love it!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bodgy74
    New Zealand9 months ago
  • 12/10

    Love the takeover episodes. Proof financial advice doesn’t have to be dry.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kate the avid listener
    New Zealand2 years ago
  • Favourite Finance Podcast

    Such a great, informative podcast! I usually struggle to follow/engage in finance topics but these guys really make it easy to follow. I especially enjoy the Takeover segments - the girls are entertaining to listen to but also deliver great finance advice and tips!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Vicmcboyle
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Love to listen

    Extremely informative and not complicated so makes for easier listening!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rienestsacre
    United Kingdom2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some critiques mention political digs; overall sentiment is positive and growth-oriented.
Listeners praise clear, practical financial guidance with engaging banter and actionable tips.
Many appreciate coverage of a variety of topics beyond property, and the approachable style.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

National Promises No New Taxes: Can NZ Afford It? Ft. Matt Harris | Episode 528
Q: What are the main levers to achieve a deficit-free outcome without new taxes?
The guests suggest three main levers: spend less, grow the economy through productivity gains, and potentially widen the tax base via existing taxes if growth alone isn't sufficient.
New Build Townhouses: Why They Lost 40% in Value | Episode 530
Q: What are some of the worst situations you've seen with townhouses?
Adam shared a story of a friend who bought a two-bedroom, three-story townhouse with no parking at the market peak; due to a divorce and mortgagee sale, the property sold for significantly less than purchase price, illustrating how timing, desperation in neighbors, and lack of parking can devastate outcomes.
The Future of New Zealand: Sam Stubbs' Plan to Make NZ Wealthier | Part 2
Q: Sam, what should change and what shouldn't change about KiwiSaver as we head into an election year?
Sam suggests compulsory KiwiSaver, broader participation, removal of certain employer subsidies while redirecting some public subsidies to children, and a gradual increase in contribution rates. He argues for channeling domestic investments through KiwiSaver managers to fund infrastructure, housing, and local ventures, while maintaining a strong emphasis on foundational institutions to support long-term growth.
The First OCR Hike in 3 Years: What It Means for Your Mortgage | Episode 508
Q: What should customers be doing now to navigate the OCR hike and mortgage pricing?
Customers should consider locking in longer-term rates where the pricing is favorable and risk is managed, while shopping around across banks to find the best deal and avoiding delaying decisions in a rising-rate environment.
The First OCR Hike in 3 Years: What It Means for Your Mortgage | Episode 508
Q: And what does, how do banks react to that kind of indication that comes from them?
Banks respond by adjusting their own lending rates promptly to protect margins, with some like ANZ moving quickly to raise rates, while others follow later, leading to a period where rates across lenders level out.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Cheques and Balances

What is Cheques and Balances about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Two practical NZ financial advisers share straight-talking money guidance for everyday decisions—from buying a home and paying down debt to building long-term wealth. Episodes cover budgeting, KiwiSaver strategy, mortgage decisions, and the economics of living in New Zealand, often weaving in real-world client stories and market context. The show stands out for its clear, actionable tips, approachable banter, and emphasis on independent, low-cost guidance, making complex finance topics feel doable for a wide audience.

A notable strengths include its hands-on planning focus (e.g., debt reduction before investing, construction financing, and retirement withdrawal strategies) and a consistent team dynamic that blends technical advice with rel... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Cheques and Balances?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Cheques and Balances:

1. Keep The Change
2. The Property Academy Podcast
3. Making Cents
4. The Happy Saver Podcast - Personal Finance in New Zealand
5. Shared Lunch

How many episodes of Cheques and Balances are there?

Cheques and Balances launched 6 years ago and published 632 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Cheques and Balances?

Recent guests on Cheques and Balances include:

1. Lily Richards
2. Jess Hargreaves
3. Adam Farrell
4. Mikey V
5. Michael Vincent
6. Matt Harris
7. Simon Rolland
8. Luke Kemeys

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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