Whether it's Lotto, Bonus Bonds or free competitions, many Kiwis enjoy a flutter. Photo / Getty Images
Q: Referring to recent correspondence to your column, aside from investing some money in Bonus Bonds, my own rule is not to play games of chance if I have to pay, as I regard the odds of winning as stacked against me.
For example, for Lotto, I understand the odds of winning the smallest Lotto prize are about 1 in 350, meaning a Lotto punter would, on average, have to spend about $350 to win about $22 to $23.
At a recent social event, a couple stated that they each bought a Lotto ticket each week and had won a $500 prize, but acknowledged that this had been long spent on further tickets, spending on average about $1800 each year. I keep thinking how much wealthier they would be if they simply left the money in the bank rather than buying Lotto.
However, I do play games of chance. I enter lots of competitions on New Zealand-based internet sites, with the odds of winning often not greatly different from the odds of winning a small Lotto prize, the only cost being my time.
Since 2006, on average I have won $5500 worth of stuff each year, often winning two to three things a week. Wins include books, DVDs, CDs, tickets to movies and events, clothing, etc. My two biggest wins have been a heat pump and clothes washer and dryer pair.
If I sold all the stuff I won for just 10 per cent of its value, I would be far ahead of most Lotto players, yet I haven't laid out a cent of my own money. It is fun.
A: Uh oh! I fear you've just reduced your chances of winning competitions by encouraging other readers to take part.
I agree with your assessment of Lotto. However, years ago I remember talking to a woman who gave budget advice to people on low incomes. If they bought the occasional Lotto ticket, she never suggested they stop, as it gave them a ray of hope.
Still, maybe they should try competitions instead. As you say, they cost nothing but a bit of time.
Q: Another approach to Bonus Bonds is to consider them in the light of spending on gambling. Let's face it, Kiwis do like to gamble in a variety of ways: Big W, Lotto, poker machines, etc.
Thus people who, say, spend $20 a week on Lotto can buy Bonus Bonds instead and still retain the money, whereas with other forms of gambling, if you don't win you lose the cost of entry. This should be a win-win for people who regularly allocate/spend money on gambling.
My wife and I have been buying Bonus Bonds for our health insurance since when I turned 65 the premiums went sky high and we did not think it was value for money. We have been putting the equivalent of the premium costs into Bonus Bonds, as our health insurance fund, and cashing in when the need arises - mainly for dental care.
So far we have not won a big prize, but quite a few of the small ones.
We have a lot of golden-age friends who complain that their health insurance premiums are in the thousands of dollars, and some have switched to Bonus Bonds, giving them quick access to funds in time of need.
A: Bonus Bonds do certainly seem to beat Lotto and other gambling.
It's not quite so clear that they're a good substitute for health insurance, though. Your system should work well as long as you don't need really expensive medical care. Sure, the Government will take care of some major medical spending. But you might find you don't receive some treatment as quickly or comfortably - or at all if your health problem isn't a life-and-death one.
Still, as you say, New Zealanders are gamblers, and perhaps you're just taking another gamble - that you won't need that sort of medical care. At least you've made some sort of provision for health spending, unlike many. And maybe you have other funds you can call on if needed.
I should also add that I've assumed you won't win big with Bonus Bonds. Who knows?
Q: I'm off to university this year as a first-year student and have about $5000 saved (plus $8000 if I sell my car).
Would I be best to invest in shares or leave the money in a bank account, or are there any other options you would recommend? I won't need to access it in the first year but after then I may need to.
A: Well done for heading to uni with some savings. But I'd stay away from shares if I were you.
A basic rule of investing in shares is that it's not wise to use money you think you might spend within eight to 10 years. While shares tend to give higher returns than other assets over the long term, they're volatile.
If you invest in a wide range of shares or a share fund, over a single year there's about a one-in-four chance you'll lose money. And over five years it's about one in 15. Once you get to 10 years, though, it's about one in 50 - in other words, highly unlikely.
If you invest in just one or a few shares - so you don't benefit from diversification - the chances of losing are considerably higher.
Given that you might spend your savings in a year to two, I suggest you stick with bank term deposits. You can get slightly higher interest rates the longer you tie up your money, so you might want to spread your savings a little. For example, you could put a third into a one-year deposit, a third into an 18-month deposit and a third into a two-year deposit - depending on your likely spending.
You don't have to confine yourself to your own bank. Have a look on www.interest.co.nz at what interest rates the different banks offer.
Q: Re your comments last week regarding the young landlord:
1. Yes, the young man was lucky his dad was able to give him $200,000 as a wonderful wedding gift. Many other parents wish they could afford to do the same and can't. Don't knock the parents for being able to do it.
2. At least he has invested the money in a sensible way, not blown it on toys. Yes, there are risks in growing his property portfolio, but there is also a risk in crossing the road. He sounds like he has planned his purchases and has plans in place for the future.
3. Why do you instantly assume because he talks about putting up his rent that taxpayers are subsidising his tenants through welfare? He may not have one person on welfare renting his properties.
4. Being a landlord is not a cheap option. You pay out for rates, insurances, mortgages, maintenance inside and out and possibly a property manager to ensure the place is tenanted by people who are willing to look after it and not deliberately wreck it or manufacture P in it.
It's no use making silly comments about "that's the kind of attitude that makes people hate landlords". I would have thought you had more sense. You sound like you have slipped back into the 20s and the slum landlord era. Why should he give his tenants a break? He pays taxes on the money earned, and it is a business he is running not a charity.
Yes, there are good and bad landlords all over the world. This young guy did say he was not a slum landlord, and by charging above-market rent he gets to keep his places better than the market average. So why the snide comments, when he should be congratulated for having a positive attitude to his financial future?
A: I'll reply to your comments in order.
1. Um? How did I knock his parents?
2. I agree that it's better to invest in property than toys. And yes, the young man seems to have plans, which is good. But he must have taken big risks to grow $200,000 into 11 rentals worth $6.5 million in five years. This is in a whole different league from crossing roads. I was merely trying to warn others who might try to copy him.
3. People receiving the Government's accommodation supplement include not only beneficiaries but also low- and middle-income workers, as I said last week. It seems unlikely the young man has none among his tenants.
4. Um again? I didn't say anything about landlords' expenses.
I have lots of sense.
Why do I think the young man should give his tenants a break? Basically because he's lucky. I acknowledge that he seems to have worked hard, too. But it sounds as if he has not only the father's gift, but intelligence, connections and probably an upbringing that has made setting up the business much easier for him than it would be for many.
If he were to acknowledge all that and - as I suggested - be proud of charging below-market rents for above-market places, I would be happy to congratulate him.
You're not the only one unhappy with what I said last week on this. More next week.
Q: I was interested in your last column in respect to living afloat and would appreciate you passing my details to the contributor. I've been toying with this idea for some time but lack the knowledge to make an informed decision.
I would be very interested in finding out the pros and cons from someone who is living on their boat or has done so in the past for any length of time.
I have modest savings, will never be in a position to buy a home in Auckland and have no interest in living in council housing, which is becoming increasingly difficult because of high demand and an ever-increasing number of retirees. Living afloat sounds like the perfect alternative for some of us.
A: I've put you in touch with last week's correspondent, along with lots of other readers.
They include a Waiheke real estate agent and a man who says, "My business colleagues and I are about to 'launch' the production and marketing of a well engineered aluminium houseboat." Also a New Zealand couple who live on board a boat in England, and another couple in London thinking about living in a houseboat when they return to New Zealand.
When you think about it, New Zealanders tend to be keen on boats and boating, so it's surprising there aren't more people living afloat in this country.
Who knows what might develop out of all this? Houseboats in the Viaduct Harbour?
If any reader can respond to your second paragraph, that would be great. But please keep it brief. This is not a boating magazine!
The S&P/NZX 50 Index closed down 0.10%, falling to 12,627.32.