Tamsyn Parker: Do you care where your money goes?

More and more Kiwis are owning shares than ever before through their KiwiSaver accounts.

But it seems doubtful that many of the 2.3 million people signed up to the scheme would have an idea exactly which companies they own a slice of.

Across the industry there is hope that as people's balances grow their interest in what is happening to their money will grow too.

But in our time poor world do punters really have the energy to look up the statements showing where their money is being invested?

And do people really care?

Some people liken it to paying a mechanic to fix their car.

They pay the mechanic money to get it sorted and don't need to understand how all the parts work together.

For KiwiSaver they pay a fund manager fees to ensure their money is invested in a way that will (hopefully) make them money.

But what if you really don't like a company?

If you don't buy petrol from a certain oil company because you don't like their principles would you buy shares in that company?

What do you think?

For those who do have a strong interest in the share market share clubs are one way to join in with others and learn about investing from a hands on perspective outside of KiwiSaver.

Diana Clement talks about the ins and outs of share clubs in her piece this week.

Making the most of KiwiSaver
Heading into retirement every dollar can count so why not make the most of KiwiSaver by ensuring you get the Government's contribution?

Helen Twose has some great tips this week in her KiwiSaver Q&A about how to wring every last dollar out of the scheme.

Once you have turned 65 and been a member for five years savers are no longer eligible to get the Government's tax credit but they can make sure they get every bit they are owed up until their birthday.

New car versus old debate
Mary Holm finishes up the new car versus old car debate which has been raging in her column for the last couple of weeks with a final letter from the boss of Turners Auctions.

Todd Hunter argues that conditions are in favour of new car buyers at the moment with the strong New Zealand dollar giving us good buying power especially against the yen.

It's a topic with no one right answer and no matter which side of the fence you are on people will find ways to justify either buying new or second hand.

Holm also has a rare 'I got it wrong' from Labour politician David Parker after a reader pointed out that gains from shares listed in New Zealand and Australia are exempt from tax through KiwiSaver.

Parker goes on to reiterate that Labour's proposed capital gains tax will exempt KiwiSaver.

Can't save? Blame it on being human
If you've always wondered why it is so hard for young people to think about saving for their retirement behavioural economist Nick Southgate explains why.

He also talks about how we can convince ourselves to save and overcome our human nature.

Read more about it here.