Kia ora, I’m Jess from the communications team here at the FMA, and welcome to the final episode of “Jess Learns to Invest.”
When I began this series, 12 months ago, I was a total newbie, investing felt out of reach. But thinking about my future made me curious: what is investing really about? I had questions, about money, risk, and whether it was all too complicated.
What I’ve learned from speaking with investing experts is that it’s not about being perfect, it’s about being informed, curious, and confident enough to start. Even if it’s just $10 a week.
Today, I’ll walk you through the biggest lessons from each guest, revisit some standout moments, and share the tips that stuck with me most.[HN1]
Simran Kaur from Friends That Invest kicked off our journey with the fundamentals. I sat down with Sim to discuss Investing Basics and how to start. Hearing Simran’s story made me realise that you don’t have to come from a finance background to start investing. My parents taught me to save and im proud of that, but investing felt risky and out of reach. Simran’s journey showed me that it’s about starting small and learning as you go.
Sim’s big message is that investing is for anyone who wants to grow their wealth. What stuck out for me was thinking about my goals first, and then work backwards.
“I think a simple way to think about investing is that it's just the vehicle where you put in money on the hopes not the guarantee, but the hopes that it gives you a return. So you put in $100 into a vehicle and you would hope that maybe that turns into 110 dollars. That's all it is, and what that vehicle is can be different types of asset classes, so it can be... shares, it can be property, it could be a expensive handbag that goes up in value. Like investments in themselves are a loose term. But the idea is you're putting money in in the hopes that more money comes out the other side.”
[Jess]
Before this episode I imagined investing was stressful, risky, and maybe even a bit like gambling. But Simran broke it down in a way that made sense to me. Investing isn’t about luck it’s about making informed choices, setting goals, and understanding your own comfort zone. That was a big shift for me.
“I like to think of investing like going to the gym and really feels the exact same for me, where if you go to the gym, you're not gonna go straight to the weight section where all the guys are and you're not gonna start, you know, lifting the weights the way they are, you are probably gonna start on the treadmill and your probably start by walking and then you might make it an incline walk. Then you might start running, but you know you start off on one side. Your both still at the gym, but you know you don't have to start all the way at the end.”
[Jess]
I’ve always been someone who wants to get things right from the start, but investing is about progress. I realised I don’t have to jump in at the deep end. I can start with what feels safe, build up my confidence, and learn as I go. It’s okay to take small steps, and it’s okay to make mistakes. What matters is that I’m moving forward. This episode helped me let go of the fear of “not knowing enough” and focus on just getting started.
“When you're investing the way that I like to do it is I like to have three months of cash, three months of cash that I would need to survive. So yeah, my mortgage, my bills, my groceries have that in a savings account in my bank account that I can just pull if I need it. And I think that gives me so much comfort. Cash does feel good. Yeah, just to know, like it's there if anything happens and you can just, you know, get out of any situation or help out someone in need. So I always like to have three to six months in that and then once that has built up, then I believe that investing is a really good option because on top of that, you don't really if you don't really need that cash and you're thinking okay, I'd rather put it towards that goal that I have, whether it's to retire early to get a home deposit you know. Maybe I have kids and I want to star putting money aside for my children and then that money can start going towards the goal that you've set for.”
[Jess]
This advice was a game-changer for me. I always thought investing meant putting all my money on the line, and that made me anxious. Investing is not about risking everything; it’s about being prepared for life’s surprises. Investing in an amount that you can afford gives you the freedom to invest without constant worry, and it means you’re looking after yourself first. That’s something I’ll carry with me as I keep learning.
“Investing makes more of a compounding effect, the younger you start because when you invest a small amount when you're younger, what you experience is this thing called compound interest, which is every single year. Your investments that you've put in the $10 a week that makes lets say 10% return just for the sake of easy numbers, because 7% would do my head in trying to do that math you click... You make let's say 10% return on that, you know $10. That's awesome, but the year after that you not only make a 10% return on your initial $10, you also make a 10% return on the 10% that you made the year before. So that starts to go up overtime and you experience the sort of exponential rate of growth. Which on average is not a guarantee but on average can look like the money that you invest starting to double every 10 years. And so the more 10 years that you have, the better your investment outcomes look like.”
[Closing – Jess]
Sim’s advice makes investing feel less intimidating and more achievable, remember to:
· Start with your goals and work backwards.
· Diversify your investments.
· Start small and let compound interest work for you.
Episode 2 I spoke with Journalist and Author Frances Cook about women who invest. A special episode for International Women’s Day. This conversation was eye-opening not just about investing, but about why it’s so crucial for women to take control of their financial futures.
“Woman, older woman, are one of the fastest growing groups for being in poverty... We often have to take time out of the workforce to have babies. Which means their earning power is reduced, their savings are reduced... And we often live longer. Which means we need more. And if you are married, your husband is likely to die first. So if you're relying on him helping you out. Also u could get divorced. That’s very common. And so woman are the fastest growing group to be in poverty. Older women. And that is scary and it should scare people. I'm sorry, to come in like the bad news fairy but here is the good news. We absolutely can do something about that now... It is an act of resistance and defiance, to learn more about money and make sure that other people can't take advantage of you. That is one of the most powerful things you can do.”
[Jess]
Hearing Frances talk about the risks women face if we don’t invest was honestly confronting. Things like career breaks, longer lifespans, or even divorce could impact our financial security. This episode made me realise that investing is about protecting myself and my independence. I left this conversation feeling motivated to take action, not just for myself, but for the women around me.
Frances’s advice to automate everything was a game-changer. Setting up automated transfers means you don’t have to remember or feel motivated every week it just happens. This tip made me realise that investing can be done in a way that doesn’t have to be time consuming.
“Automate everything that you can because you’ve got to make it easier for yourself to do the good things and harder to do the bad things that will hold yourself back. So automating your savings, your investments, your whatever. Also, making sure that whips out of your account the day after payday so that you stay on track with your goals, whether or not you're feeling motivated that week, that is just massive because it will build up so much faster than you think...
[Jess]
Frances’s advice to give yourself grace really resonated with me. Life isn’t always straightforward, and sometimes things are harder than we expect. I learned that it’s okay to acknowledge those challenges and still keep moving forward. Automating my finances and being honest about my needs helps me stay on track, even when things get tough.
“And I don't want to minimise it. It is harder when you're flying solo. I think the biggest thing first is sometimes to just you know that there will always be tips and tricks, things you can try, things that can make... A little better to get ahead, but I think the first thing is to just give yourself that bit of grace of yeah, little bit harder and you're not crazy and it's OK to acknowledge that and say I'm still gonna try and get ahead, but it's harder. And that's okay to admit... Look at what you've got. Be really honest about what you need right now and what you can use to build for the future and then automate everything that you can because you've got to make it easier for yourself to do the good things and harder to do the bad things that will hold yourself back”
[Jess]
I used to think investing had to be exciting or complicated to be effective. Frances made me realise that boring is actually good! Consistency and patience are what really pay off, and I don’t need to chase trends or constantly make changes to succeed.
I think a lot of the time people feel like to do investing sort of right, they should be doing a lot and it's, you know, buying and selling and getting into crypto and doing all these things, being super active. Whereas actually a lot of good investing should feel kind of boring the the goals that will get you to should be anything but boring. But the investing itself probably should be a bit boring.
[Jess]
It’s easy to feel like investing “is not for people like me,” but Frances challenged me to question those assumptions. I realised that changing my mindset is just as important as learning the practical steps.
“It does drive me nuts the the messages that we see aimed at men versus women, you know, you mentioned movies and you know, confessions of a shopaholic... Both are useful, right? But the idea of there's only so much you can ever cut back and you hit a point where you can only make yourself so small. Yeah, whereas there's no limit on how much you could earn, how much you could build, and the limit is how much do you want. And so it does drive me nuts. The messages that we aim at people because even when it's not explicit, people can take that in and it becomes part of this. One of the most difficult mindsets, I think, to get around because we don't often think it consciously. One of the most difficult mindsets is ohh, that's just not for people like me. Yeah, and that's really hard, especially if you are not thinking it consciously. To get around it, because you will just before you've even looked at it properly or just not for me, and it could be great for you.”
[Closing – Jess]
Frances made investing feel achievable and empowering, especially for women. Here’s my key learnings from Episode 2
Investing is about protecting your independence and future, especially for women.
Automate your savings and investments to make good habits easy..
Challenge stereotypes and rethink who investing is “for.”
Consistency beats chasing trends.
In Episode 3, I sat down with Tom Hartmann from Sorted.org.nz to demystify managed funds. I’d heard the term before, but I never really understood what it meant or how it could help me grow my money. Tom broke it down in a way that made managed funds feel accessible even for someone just starting out.
“Managed funds and what they are, and we can just call them managed funds here actually and all managed funds are managed by someone, they are just pools of investor money that are then invested by a professional fund manager and buy assets… An asset is something that you buy that puts money in your pocket. Most things you buy take money out of your pocket—those are liabilities. An asset can grow in value or spin off income.”
[Jess]
Before this episode, I didn’t realise that KiwiSaver is actually a managed fund. It was eye-opening to learn that if you’re in KiwiSaver, you’re already investing. Managed funds aren’t just for finance experts; they’re a practical way for everyday people to grow their money with the help of professionals.
“You can get your money out whenever you want. They are what's called highly liquid, meaning always with investing, you're putting your money into something. It's one of the key questions—how hard is it to get out? When you invest in a property, for example, a residential property, it's not really that easy to get your money out because you gotta put your house on the market... With managed funds, actually, it's just like a withdrawal from a savings account in a bank.”
[Jess]
I used to worry that investing meant locking my money away for years, but managed funds are surprisingly flexible. Knowing I can access my money if I need to makes investing feel much safer. It’s reassuring to know that I’m not stuck if my circumstances change.
“A balanced fund is usually the traditional one... half of it is shares and half of it is bonds... If you want to dial up your risk in order to potentially get a better reward, then you start to go towards a growth fund... and then if you want to dial it all the way up, then you get to something called an aggressive fund... From balance, you can dial it down into conservative funds, which hold more bonds and less shares... and then there's even defensive funds, which is basically holding more bonds and cash in the bank... So, when you look at your account, when you've got money in your managed fund, you're not looking at how much you have. You are looking at how much things are worth at a given time. So, when we're buying into a managed fund, we're buying units much like those strawberries, and we buy a certain, just like that pun of strawberries that the number of strawberries doesn't change, but the value of them goes up and down..”
[Jess]
I never realised how many options there are when it comes to managed funds. Tom’s analogy of buying units like strawberries helped me understand that the number of units stays the same, but their value changes over time. I learned that I can choose a fund that matches my comfort with risk whether I want to play it safe or aim for higher returns. It’s empowering to know I can adjust my strategy as my goals or circumstances change.
“You don't want to have all your eggs in one basket, so you want to be able to spread your risk. That's called diversification... If you're spread about a hundred companies, some will do well, some will drop off, some will be able to grow your money over time without relying on the fortunes of a single company... You get professional management, meaning that there's a team of good people who are working on this, who have a track record and who know what they're doing, who are taking care of the admin. And you don't have to, for example, do research on individual companies.”
[Jess]
Diversification was a concept I’d heard before, but Tom made it real. Instead of stressing about picking the “right” company, managed funds let me spread my risk across many investments. Plus, having professionals manage the fund means I don’t have to become an expert overnight.
“Managed funds is this big umbrella that includes KiwiSaver, index funds, and ETFs... An ETF is an exchange traded fund... ETFs are traded on an exchange and its value can go up and down during the day... Whereas a typical managed fund might be valued only at the end of the day, and so it would be just once a day. It's not traded on a market. It doesn't really help us to know that much. But anyway, that's technically the difference between a regular managed fund and an exchange traded fund. What's more important is in any of these funds, is what it's holding, what assets it's holding, how much risk is there, right?.”
[Closing – Jess]
I used to think setting up an investment was complicated, but Tom explained that it’s as simple as opening a bank account. There are plenty of platforms and resources to help you get started, and you don’t have to do it alone. If you’re unsure, seeking advice from a professional can make the process smoother. Tom Hartman taught us that,
Managed funds are pools of money invested by professionals in assets like shares and bonds.
KiwiSaver is a managed fund—if you’re in KiwiSaver, you’re already investing.
Managed funds are highly liquid—you can get your money out when you need it.
Choose the right fund for your risk tolerance: aggressive, growth, balanced, conservative, or defensive.
In Episode 4, I sat down with economist Brad Olsen to finally get my head around market volatility—a topic that always sounded intimidating and mysterious. Brad’s explanations helped me see volatility not as something to fear, but as a natural part of investing that can be managed with the right mindset and strategy.
“The simplest way I think to put market volatility is how much prices go up or down, just how much they change and sort of how quickly as well. And it's both of those I think that are important. Now, often when we talk about market volatility, if you've got some shares, for example, you don't worry as much about volatility on the upside, if it makes you lots of money, you're pretty happy, right? It's on the downside that people worry about, they buy something at a certain price $10 a share. And then if that price is volatile, it goes up to 12 people think ohh, that's quite nice. I've made some money. Then it crashes down to 7. And you go whoa. I just lost a whole bunch. Well, how did this happen? And so it's, you know, changes are uncomfortable to start with, but it's the uncertainty of if it's gone from 11.50 to 7 in the space of four seconds, you just completely lost the plot”
[Jess]
I used to think volatility just meant prices dropping, but Brad explained it’s really about how much and how quickly prices change up or down. That uncertainty is what makes people nervous, but it’s also a normal part of how markets work. Understanding this made me realise that volatility isn’t just a threat; it’s a signal that things are moving, and sometimes that movement can be positive.
“Often what happens when we see periods of market volatility a lot of investors, especially retail investors, they get worried because all of a sudden it looks like generally, they've lost money like that's the fear factor, right? As you go, I've put my money in and now it's worth less and I think one of the instant reactions that people have is I don't want it to get even worse. So, I'll take it all out now. I wanna get rid of that risk and I'll sort of pull it out. And often when we've seen this over time, it depends a lot on what you're wanting your money to do for you. But there is a risk that if you take it out all at once, you may well just lock in what was previously just a paper risk... There's this sort of risk element where people are I think often go. I need to cut my losses and sort of move it out and it depends on your investing strategy and most importantly your risk factor.”
[Jess]
This was a huge learning moment for me. When markets drop, it’s easy to panic and want to pull out your money. But Brad explained that reacting too quickly can mean locking in losses that might have only been temporary. I realised that patience and perspective are crucial sometimes the best move is to pause, breathe, and avoid making decisions based on fear.
“I think probably for short term investors, they are looking or going to be looking a lot more at that volatility because they're a little bit more worried about sort of how quickly could things turn around, do they need to cut their losses or not. You know, in, in terms of are these fluctuations being driven by something that's generally fluctuating lower, generally fluctuating higher? You know do they need to get out or change their position? For longer term investors, it's a whole different ball game for a lot of people, it's probably not for many worth doing all that much about it...”
[Jess]
This episode helped me understand that volatility affects short-term and long-term investors differently. If I need my money soon, I should be more cautious about risk. But if I’m investing for the future, I can afford to ride out the ups and downs. It’s about matching my strategy to my goals and timeline.
“Often what happens when we see periods of market volatility a lot of investors, especially retail investors, they get worried because all of a sudden it looks like generally, they've lost money like that's the fear factor, right? As you go, I've put my money in and now it's worth less and I think one of the instant reactions that people have is I don't want it to get even worse. So, I'll take it all out now. I wanna get rid of that risk and I'll sort of pull it out. And often when we've seen this over time, it depends a lot on what you're wanting your money to do for you. But there is a risk that if you take it out all at once, you may well just lock in what was previously just a paper risk to give you an example, we had, you know, let's say that you had a share or something worth 100 bucks, a bit of volatility over sort of the course of three days, it goes from 100 to 200 to 150 down to 90. Now you're going well, this has sort of moved hugely the last couple of days. I'm worried I'm gonna take it out. So, you take it out at 90 you've lost 10 bucks. Let's say the next day it goes up to 400. Then all of a sudden, you're going I just you know, I lost the opportunity to make 310. What's going on there?”
This episode made me realise just how emotional investing can be when markets get bumpy. I used to think the smart move was to pull out as soon as things looked bad, but Brad’s example showed me how easy it is to turn a temporary dip into a permanent loss. I learned that volatility doesn’t just affect the numbers—it can mess with your confidence and decision-making. Now, I see the value in pausing, checking my goals, and resisting the urge to react too quickly. Sometimes, the best thing I can do is wait for the market to settle, rather than making a decision I’ll regret later.
From this episode Brad taught us that:
Market volatility can make investments feel unpredictable, but reacting too quickly can turn temporary losses into permanent ones.
Market volatility can impact you differently if you are investing for the long or short term and
Staying calm, informed, and focused on your own goals helps you navigate uncertainty.
In Episode 5, I sat down with Vanessa Williams from realestate.co.nz to demystify property investing a topic that’s both exciting and overwhelming for many Kiwis. Vanessa’s insights helped me see property investing as more than just buying a house; it’s about strategy, creativity, and understanding your own goals.
“So whether you're purchasing your own home or an investment property... the simplest terms would be a home that you don't live in or that you live in, that the idea is to make a return out of it. So you... what I have seen before is someone purchased a four bedroom home. They made the garage into a kind of lined the garage with a bit of job and some carpet. They lived themselves in the garage and rented the four bedroom home. Very, very smart... The intention of that was that, yes, they needed a place to live. But they actually wanted to purchase it to make a return from the property. So that is in simple terms, if you're investing in property, it's purchasing something that is going to make you a return..”
[Jess]
I always thought property investing meant buying a house and waiting for it to go up in value, but Vanessa explained it’s much more than that. It’s about finding creative ways to make a return whether that’s renting out rooms, teaming up with friends to buy a do-up, or even living in the garage to rent out the main house. Hearing these stories made me realise there’s no single “right” way to invest in property. Kiwi ingenuity really shines through, and it’s inspiring to see how people adapt to make property work for their situation.
“You've got to be very clear with your goal and what you're aiming to achieve, and that will determine what the risks are... If you're thinking long-term, there's less risk from a returns perspective, but more risk in your ability to actually do that. You don't know what's gonna happen with your job. You don't know what's gonna happen with all sorts of things that come into account... Capital growth is the money you would make from the time in which you purchase the house to the time in which you sold the house. So... I purchased a house for $1,000,000 and ten years later, I sold it for $1.5 million. The capital growth in that house is that $500,000 that I made on top of the price that I paid to purchase it... We've had such strong capital growth over the decades here in New Zealand.”
[Jess]
This episode made me realise how important it is to be honest about my goals and risk tolerance before jumping into property investing. Vanessa’s explanation of capital growth helped me understand why so many Kiwis see property as a nest egg, but she also made it clear that returns aren’t guaranteed and the market can shift unexpectedly. I learned that property investing isn’t for quick wins it’s a long-term commitment that requires planning, patience, and sometimes adapting your strategy if life changes.
“Most people take a 30-year mortgage... You can split your mortgage into different terms depending on your financial situation and what's happening with interest rates. If you have come into a windfall of money or you've just accelerated in your career and got a really juicy pay rise... you might go, actually, we're gonna talk to the bank and we are going to reduce the term of our loan from 20 years to 10 years, which will mean that your repayments will more than double. But well, actually my salary is just worked out so fantastically that what we're gonna do is we're really gonna chop out this mortgage as quick as we possibly can... My biggest piece of advice for that is talk to someone who is able to give you financial advice based on your personal situation and based on the current market and what's happening with the OCR and interest rates.”
[Jess]
Loan terms and interest rates always seemed confusing, but Vanessa broke it down in a way that made sense. I learned that there’s flexibility in how you structure your mortgage, and that working with experts can help you find the best option for your situation. It’s not just about picking the longest term or the lowest rate it’s about understanding your financial goals.
Vanessa made property investing feel more accessible and less intimidating. I’m leaving this episode with a lot more confidence to explore property as an investment.
Key takeaways from this episode:
Property investing is about making a return, not just owning your own home.
There are creative strategies to get started, from renting out rooms to teaming up with friends or family.
Capital growth is a key concept, but returns aren’t guaranteed and the market can shift.
In Episode 6, I spoke with Kim Martin from the Treasury to finally get clarity on bonds a topic I knew the least about before this episode. Kim’s explanations helped me understand how bonds work, how they differ from shares, and what makes them a unique investment option.
“If you're buying a share... you benefit from how well that company does. That very same company that makes shoes may also issue bonds, but you're getting quite a different thing when you buy the bond. So what you're doing there is you're simply saying I will lend you this $100 on the expectation at the end of a certain time period, you're giving my $100 back. And along the way, for the benefit of giving you the money you're gonna give me a coupon or an interest rate. So it might be 5%. So a little bit more like putting your money on a term deposit in the bank. So you're less able to benefit if the company does well, but equally you don't get undermined if they do poorly, but in both accounts with you buy the share or whether you buy the bond if the company totally goes bankrupt, you can lose all your money.”’
[Jess]
I always thought bonds were just another type of share, but Kim made it clear that bonds are actually a loan, you lend money to a company, council, or government, and they pay you interest and return your money at the end. Unlike shares, you don’t benefit from the company’s success, but you also don’t lose out if they don’t grow unless they go bankrupt. This stability makes bonds a unique option for people who want more certainty.
“It's safer, but it also doesn't have the potential upside that a really great share might give me... If there's lower risk, there's potentially lower return, but it's not to say that bonds are risk free... If you want to buy them in the primary market, you have to buy them in lots of $1,000,000. Most people don't have that kind of money... In the secondary market, you can buy them in parcels of $10,000 and $1,000 thereafter. But you can also access them through platforms like Sharesies, where you can invest in very small dollar amounts... If you have a KiwiSaver fund, you might already own bonds. Within your KiwiSaver you will have some shares and probably also some bonds.”
[Jess]
Kim explained that choosing bonds is all about matching your risk tolerance and time frame. AAA-rated bonds are safer but pay less interest, while lower-rated bonds pay more but come with more risk. You can also pick how long you want to invest some bonds mature in a year, others in decades. This flexibility means you can tailor your bond investments to fit your personal goals and comfort level.
“You decide how much risk you want to take—AAA bonds offer a lower return, but you're pretty confident you'll get your money back. Lower-rated bonds offer higher interest, but more risk. You also decide how much time you're prepared to tie up your money—the longer the maturity, the higher the interest rate, generally... Depending on the issuer, there's a menu of bonds with preset maturities. You can choose which one fits your goal—some mature in one year, some in 30 years.””
[Jess]
This episode made me realise that while bonds are stable, they come with their own set of risks. It’s important to understand who you’re lending to, how easily you can sell your bond if you need to, and whether you’re comfortable with the complexity of the bond. For beginners, sticking to simple “vanilla” bonds is a smart way to avoid unnecessary complications.
Some of my key takeaways from this episode are:
· Bonds are stable investments: you lend money and get interest, plus your money back at maturity.
· Bonds are less risky, but not risk-free—credit, liquidity, and price risks matter.
· You can invest in bonds through KiwiSaver, brokers, or platforms, often with small amounts.
· Choose bonds based on your risk appetite, time frame, and investment goals.
In Episode 7, I sat down with Natalie Ferguson from Powrsuit to demystify shares a topic that’s often surrounded by jargon and hype. Natalie’s relatable approach made shares feel accessible, and she shared practical advice for anyone keen to get started. What stood out to me was how she connected investing to everyday life, making it feel less intimidating and more like something I could actually do.
“We use the word stocks, we use shares, we use all sorts of different jargon to explain the same thing… You’re buying a share, or a slice, of a company. What you’re buying when you invest in shares is ownership of a company… If you’re spending money on these things you love, why not invest in them and own a bit of the company? Benefit from the things you already enjoy.”
“Pick a company you love, one you spend a lot of money with. You probably should benefit from a bit of ownership. Just pick that. Don’t overthink it… You get that feeling of, ‘Oh, I get to invest in the future I want to see.’ That’s effectively what you’re doing.
[Jess]
This part of the conversation really shifted how I think about investing. I used to see shares as something disconnected from my values, just numbers and graphs. But Natalie reframed it as a way to support the companies and industries I believe in. That idea made investing feel more personal and meaningful. It’s not just about returns—it’s about impact.
It also made me think about how we spend money. I buy coffee, clothes, tech—all from companies I trust and love. So why not own a piece of them? That shift in mindset—from consumer to co-owner—was empowering. It made me feel like I could be part of something bigger, even with a small investment. And it reminded me that investing isn’t just about growing wealth—it’s about aligning my money with my values.
“There’s one called the ‘Total World’ fund — it buys shares in all the companies listed on all the share markets around the world… You can just put your $100 in there, and you own a slice of every company on every share market… They’re great because when we talk about diversification — having your eggs in lots of different baskets — these funds do that for you.”
[Jess]
I didn’t realise how simple it was to invest in entire industries or even the global economy. Natalie explained that ETFs—exchange traded funds—are like pre-packed baskets of shares. You don’t have to pick individual companies. You can invest in a fund that tracks thousands of companies across the world.
She gave examples like the “Total World” fund, or niche ones like cruise lines or dating apps. That made me realise I can use funds not just to stabilise my portfolio, but also to learn. If I’m curious about tech or healthcare, I can invest in a fund that focuses on that sector and watch how it performs. It’s a way to explore without taking on too much risk.
“You can have totally different investments than me, and we can both do equally well… Don’t worry about what other people are doing. You have your own secret sauce—your knowledge, your interests… It’s not about picking the best. It’s about picking something solid that you feel comfortable with.”
[Jess ]
This was such a refreshing reminder. It’s easy to get caught up in what everyone else is doing—especially online, where people share their wins but not their mistakes. I’ve definitely felt that pressure to “pick the right thing” or copy someone else’s strategy. But Natalie reminded me that investing isn’t a competition. It’s about choosing what works for me, based on my own interests and goals.
I also loved the idea that there’s no single “right” answer. We all have different lives, different priorities, and different timelines. So of course our investments will look different. That doesn’t mean one is better than the other.
My top learnings from Episode 7, include:
Choose companies you already know and love—your spending habits can guide your investing.
Use ETFs and funds to explore industries and economies without needing to pick individual stocks.
Don’t copy others—your strategy should reflect your own values, interests, and goals.
In Episode 8, I sat down with Victoria Harris from The Curve to explore ethical investing—what it means, why it matters, and how to actually do it. I’ve always tried to make ethical choices in my everyday life, like avoiding makeup brands that test on animals, but I hadn’t really thought about whether my investments reflect those same values. This episode made me realise that investing isn’t just about growing money it’s about voting with your wallet and shaping the kind of future you want to support. [Insert clip from Episode 8 ]
“When we invest in companies, we’re essentially voting for that company to grow and succeed in the future. We’re voting with our wallet—giving them money to help them grow and continue their success. When you combine the concept of investing with your ethics or values, you want to align the money you’re giving with companies that reflect your values.”
[Jess]
I’d never thought of investing as a form of activism. If I wouldn’t buy from a brand because of its environmental or social impact, why would I invest in it? Ethical investing is about walking the talk—and that includes checking where my KiwiSaver is going.
What I also appreciated was Victoria’s reminder that ethical investing isn’t just about values—it can also be smart financially. Companies that ignore climate risks or diversity issues might face scandals or lose investor trust. So ethical investing can actually help future-proof your portfolio. It’s not about sacrificing returns—it’s about being thoughtful and strategic.
“ESG investing, which means environmental, social, and governance… used to be the poster child of ethical investing. But companies cottoned on to that and started ticking boxes. So now it’s less about surface-level metrics and more about asking: does this company truly align with my values?””
[Jess]
I’ve seen the term ESG everywhere, but I didn’t really know what it meant. Victoria broke it down—environmental, social, and governance—and explained how it became a kind of checklist for companies. But just because a company scores well on ESG doesn’t mean it’s truly ethical. For example, a company might have a diverse board and treat its staff well, but its core business still involves something you might deem as unethical.
That was a big learning moment for me. ESG can be a helpful filter, especially for beginners, but it’s not the whole story. Victoria’s advice was to look deeper—ask what the company actually does, and whether that aligns with your values.
“Start by sitting down and identifying your non-negotiables. Once you’ve figured out your non-negotiables, then look at your financial goals… It’s about balancing your financial goals with what you need to invest in to achieve those goals, and then finding a tilt or lens—like a company or ETF—that suits your ethics.”
[Jess]
Ethical investing doesn’t mean you have to agree with every company in a fund—it means knowing what you won’t compromise on. For me, that might be gambling. For someone else, it could be fossil fuels or weapons. Victoria’s advice to define your non-negotiables and then find funds that align with them made the process feel manageable.
She also reminded me that there will be trade-offs. Some industries that don’t align with my values might perform well in the short term, and I have to be okay with missing out on those returns. But over the long term, investing in companies that are doing good is likely to pay off—and I’ll feel better about where my money is going.
Here are my top learnings from Episode 8—focused on Victoria’s practical tips for ethical investing:
Ethical investing is about aligning your money with your values—and it can still deliver strong returns.
ESG is a helpful starting point, but it’s not perfect—look deeper into what companies actually do.
Use tools like Mindful Money and MoneyHub to screen your KiwiSaver and managed funds.
Define your non-negotiables and accept that ethical investing might mean missing out on some short-term gains.
In Episode 9, I sat down with Samantha McGuire from our regulatory services team at the FMA to talk about something that’s becoming increasingly urgent: investment scams. We covered everything from Ponzi schemes and fake crypto platforms to deepfake endorsements and emotional manipulation. This episode really opened my eyes to how sophisticated scammers have become and how vulnerable even the savviest investors can be.
“We’re seeing scammers use deepfake technology to impersonate public figures—celebrities, business leaders, even regulators. They create fake investment platforms that look incredibly real. And they’re not just targeting people with lots of money—they’re going after everyday Kiwis. It’s a scamdemic.”
[Jess]
This part really shook me. I’d heard of deepfakes, but I didn’t realise scammers were using them for fake endorsements and lure people into bogus investments. Sam explained that these scams are designed to look legitimate—slick websites, fake testimonials, even fake news articles. It’s terrifying how easy it is to fall for them, especially when they’re shared by someone you trust.
What stood out most was when Sam explained that scammers prey on emotion—they use urgency, excitement, and even fear to get you to act quickly. That’s why Sam’s advice to “pause before you click” really stuck with me. Slowing down gives you time to spot the red flags.
“ A Ponzi scheme pays returns to earlier investors using the money from new investors. A pyramid scheme, on the other hand, relies on recruitment—each person brings in more people, and the money flows upward. Both collapse eventually, and both are illegal”
[Jess]
I used to think Ponzi and pyramid schemes were basically the same thing—but they’re not. Sam broke it down so clearly. Ponzi schemes hide the fact that there’s no real investment happening, while pyramid schemes are all about recruitment. Either way, they’re built on lies, and someone always ends up losing.
What hit me hardest was how these scams often spread through friends and family. That makes it even harder to say no—because you trust the person who’s inviting you in. But as Sam said, just because someone you know is involved doesn’t mean it’s safe.
“Some scams claim to offer real crypto, but the coins don’t actually exist. They use fake platforms to show fake balances. You think you’re investing in Bitcoin or Ethereum, but you’re really just sending money to a scammer.”
[Jess]
Sam explained how some platforms show you a fake dashboards with fake returns—but when you try to withdraw your money, it disappears. That’s terrifying.
The big takeaway for me was: if you don’t understand what you’re investing in, don’t invest. It’s okay to ask questions. It’s okay to walk away. And it’s definitely okay to report something that feels off.
“The most common scams we see are Ponzi schemes, pyramid schemes, and fake crypto platforms. They all promise high returns with little risk, and they often use urgency to push people into acting fast. If you hear ‘guaranteed profits,’ ‘risk-free,’ or you’re pressured to invest immediately, that’s a huge red flag. Other warning signs include unsolicited contact, requests for overseas payments, and providers who aren’t licensed on the Financial Service Providers Register. If it sounds too good to be true—it probably is.” —Samantha McGuire [Podcast transcript]
[Jess – Reflection]
This part was a wake-up call. Sam laid out the biggest scams and the red flags to watch for, and honestly, some of them are things I’ve seen online without realising they were scams. The idea that scammers use urgency—“Act now or miss out!”—really hit me. It’s such a simple tactic, but it works because we don’t want to miss an opportunity.
I also learned how important it is to check if a provider is registered. Sam mentioned the Financial Service Providers Register, and now I know that’s a good place to look before investing. And the phrase “too good to be true” really sums it up—if someone promises guaranteed returns, that’s not investing, that’s a scam.
Sam made it clear that we need to stop and slow down, she also taught us that:
Scams can target anyone—no one is immune.
Investment scams include Ponzi schemes, pyramid schemes, fake platforms, impersonation, and crypto scams.
Red flags: urgency, unsolicited contact, over-credentialism, generic names, too-good-to-be-true promises, constant requests for more money, and distrust of institutions.
If you’ve been scammed: stop all interaction, contact your payment provider, check what you’ve shared, and report it to the FMA.
In this final episode, I sat down with journalist Peter Griffin to demystify the world of cryptocurrencies. I’ll admit, crypto has always felt like an unknown to me, It’s full of jargon, and hype. But after this conversation, I feel like I finally understand not just what crypto is, but why it matters, how it works, and what to watch out for if you’re thinking about investing.
“At its heart, [crypto] is really digital money… The big difference is it’s not money that’s issued by a central bank… All that really underpins that value at the moment is the trust you have in that particular cryptocurrency.”
[Jess – Reflection]
Peter made me see crypto as a new form of digital money that operates outside traditional banking systems. Its value isn’t set by a government or central bank, but by the trust and demand of its users. For some, that’s exciting and innovative; for others, it raises questions about stability and risk. Either way, it’s clear that understanding how crypto works is becoming more important as it becomes a bigger part of the financial landscape.
“The blockchain is like a massive spreadsheet… all the transactions that everyone is doing that are related to Bitcoin are recorded in the spreadsheet. So it’s a very efficient way… it’s quite transparent. It’s also quite secure because you’re using cryptography.”
[Jess – Reflection]
I’d always heard the word “blockchain” but never really understood it. Peter’s analogy of a public, secure spreadsheet helped me see why people are excited about the technology, not just for money, but for things like property transfers or digital identity. It’s not just about coins; it’s about building trust and transparency into the digital world.
“It’s sort of littered with scams and grifters… There are lots of people around the world who are using this, unfortunately, to transfer money illegally, to launder money… So you’ve got to be quite wary about that.”
[Jess – Reflection]
This was a reality check. Crypto’s openness makes it a magnet for scams. I learned that if someone asks you to pay in crypto especially out of the blue that’s a red flag. And while exchanges and wallets can make things easier, they’re not foolproof. The bottom line: do your research, stick with reputable platforms, and never invest more than you’re willing to lose.
“Yeah, I’d start really small. So as I say, don’t start with maybe even thousands of dollars—start with a couple of hundred bucks and, you know, start with the big ones as well. Definitely don’t go all in on so-called meme coins… Start small and start with the trusted players, the big exchanges, the ones that have been in business for a long time… Do your research and buy from trusted companies.”
—Peter Griffin
[Jess – Reflection]
If you’re determined to give crypto a go, Peter’s advice is to start small and stick to the well-known coins and reputable exchanges. Crypto investing can be unpredictable. Some coins gain huge value, while others can disappear completely. The key takeaway for me is that crypto like other investment types comes with risk and it’s a good idea to do your research.
My key takeaways form talking to Peter is that:
Crypto is digital money, but its value is built on trust—not government backing.
The technology is powerful, but the investment space can be risky and volatile.
Only invest what you can afford to lose.
Scams are everywhere—be sceptical of anyone asking for payment in crypto, promising guaranteed returns, or rushing you to act.
Do your research, use reputable platforms, and check official warnings before you invest.
Thank you for joining for Jess Learns to invest this year, I hope you learnt as much as I did. Let us know in the comments if you have any questions. We’re working on what season 2 could look like, so I’ll see you next year.
