Tim Ellis - Financial Adviser

23/12/2025

Well said by fellow Financial Adviser, Sheldon Wu.

22/12/2025

I must admit, this one surprised me when preparing for this episode.

19/12/2025

The last episode of The Dollars and Sense Podcast for 2025 is out now!

This one's wrapping up 2025. From AI booming to OCR rates dropping while mortgage rates behave to the contrary.

Look forward to hearing from you all in 2026. Stay safe over the festive season.

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 capit...

09/12/2025

Latest episode is out!

This one came from a client enquiry. The client assumed the math was wrong or the charts must be back to front....!

Reality, this is a super common misconception with regular investing. Two tables of returns can be exactly the same but what shows in your balance can be hugely different.

Check out the episode to find out why!

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, v...

01/12/2025

🚨 New Episode: Following Up on NZ’s Health Insurance Crisis — What’s Changed and What You Can Do

A few weeks ago I released an episode unpacking the growing pressure in NZ’s medical insurance sector. Since then, insurers have started taking action — and not all in the same way. So today’s episode is an important follow-up.

In this update, I walk through:
• How Southern Cross, AIA, nib and Partners Life have each responded differently to the cost pressures
• What these changes mean for premiums, benefits, and long-term sustainability
• Practical solutions to consider depending on which insurer you’re with
• How to think strategically rather than emotionally when reviewing medical cover

If you advise clients, manage employee benefits, or simply want clarity on your own medical insurance moving into 2025, this episode will bring you up to speed quickly and clearly.

🎧 Listen here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2249822/episodes/18282250

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, including S...

24/11/2025

Have you ever seen an investment “guru” pushing a course that promises passive income, secret strategies, or financial freedom?

In this week’s episode of The Dollars and Sense Podcast, we dive into exactly how these schemes work — the hype, the manipulation, and the clever marketing that makes people feel like they’re missing out unless they buy in.

If you’ve ever been tempted by one of these offers (or know someone who has), this episode will open your eyes.
🎧 Listen here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2249822/episodes/18247083
Or find us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

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 manipulation, we unp...

17/11/2025

This week I’m joined by Taraia Robin from Stewart Group and Finzo, and this is a genuinely insightful conversation. We get into what really shapes a strong investment philosophy, how to stay disciplined when markets feel loud and uncertain, and why small-cap and value investing still have such strong evidence behind them.

Taraia also shares the story of how he ended up debuting in first-class cricket straight out of his economics classroom — one of the more memorable career detours we’ve heard on the show!

If you enjoy practical, realistic investing conversations (with a few good stories along the way), you’ll enjoy this episode.

🎧 Listen here:

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 prediction, how small-cap an...

11/11/2025

Are we really on the verge of a major market correction? 😬

In this week’s Dollars and Sense Podcast, Tim breaks down the fears driving current market anxiety — from the AI boom and Trump’s presidency to US–China tensions over Taiwan.

He explains what’s actually happening beneath the headlines, looks back at past market corrections, and shares why sticking to a solid, diversified plan still beats trying to time the market.

🎧 Listen now: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2249822/episodes/18169374

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, dive...

04/11/2025

If you caught last week’s episode with Hannah Carter from Carter Chung, you’ll want to tune in for Part 2!
We continue our chat about second marriages, trusts, and contracting out agreements — diving into what happens when things aren’t kept up to date and how blended families can best protect what matters most.

💍 Contracting out and relationship property
📜 Trusts in second marriages
🕰️ The importance of reviewing your agreements regularly

🎧 Listen to Part 2 of our conversation on The Dollars and Sense Podcast — available wherever you get your podcasts! Or use the link below.

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 really happens when ...

28/10/2025

💍 Thinking about remarriage or blending families? This one’s for you.

In this week’s Dollars and Sense Podcast, Tim chats with lawyer Hannah Carter from Carter Chung Law about the legal side of love — second marriages, wills, estate planning, and what really happens if you don’t have a will in place.

They unpack:
✅ The legal duties you have to both your new partner and your children
✅ Why over half of Kiwis don’t have a valid will — and the risks that creates
✅ How to make sure your assets go where you actually want them to

A down-to-earth, must-listen episode for anyone planning a future with both love and logic.

Find us on Spotify, Apple Pods or just use the link below!

 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 don’t have a...

21/10/2025

Next episode is out! Give it a listen here,

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2249822/episodes/18046227

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 your money mindset, ...

15/10/2025

Ever been told your “risk profile” is balanced or growth — and just gone with it?

In this week’s episode of The Dollars and Sense Podcast, we break down why those risk assessment questionnaires so many investors rely on are often misleading, incomplete, and downright unhelpful.

They’re designed to make investing look simple — but the truth is, a few multiple-choice questions can’t capture your goals, your behavior, or your emotional response to market volatility.

We talk about:
💡 Why risk questionnaires miss what really matters
💬 How emotion and timing distort your “risk profile”
🎯 Why great advice starts with goals, not tick boxes

If you’ve ever wondered whether your KiwiSaver or investment portfolio actually fits your life — this one’s worth a listen.
🎧 Listen now: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2249822/episodes/18019026

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