Tim Ellis - Financial Adviser

26/07/2026

2026 election year and we are months away from a potential change in government!

With proposed new policies being announced already and many likely to change, what do Kiwis need to have their head around today to make more informed decisions around building wealth in New Zealand for tomorrow?

Joining Tim on the show this week is ACT MP, Laura McClure. Laura has successfully built a business in New Zealand before finding her way to politics. In this episode of The Dollars and Sense Podcast, Laura lends her opinion on some of the most critical issues New Zealanders face today and what the next generation need to be thinking about for their futures.

Whether you're left, right or stuck in the middle, the challenges are real and whilst solutions can differ from party to party, this week's episode is about bringing the issues to light.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/building-wealth-in-new-zealand-with-mp-laura-mcclure/id1707945217?i=1000778454749
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7D7Ey8GuwOTMV7XBldmB5l?si=0f8ef8c54fd649cf

Podcast Episode · The Dollars & Sense Podcast · July 26 · 45m

21/04/2026

Do you plan to use a concentrated asset to fund retirement?

02/03/2026

Another episode just went live.

This week Sheldon and I discuss dividend investing. I've seen many active investors promoting the idea of only picking high dividend paying stocks as the basis for their outstanding returns.... Sounds good, easily promotable, gives a sense of safety.... But is it really the marker for a good quality stock? Can you really use this metric to exclude any non dividend paying stock from a portfolio? Is it free money that you don't get with non dividend paying stocks?

This week we have dug into the reality of dividend paying stocks, what alternatives companies are using instead of or as well as paying dividends and what else matters when considering a stock in a portfolio that a dividend statement wont tell you.

The Dollars & Sense Podcast · Episode

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...