"We own a bach in Mangawhai that turned out to be a great buy.
"Like most of the country, the area is booming. We've had it for years and it has given us many great memories."
Roger Farrelly, radio host, The Rock morning rumble.
Money. It's the driving factor behind many life choices, but is it the be-all and end-all?
'Me and My Money' is a regular feature that investigates Kiwi attitudes towards money and what drives the choices they make.
Newshub spoke to The Rock morning rumble host Roger Farrelly about a New Year goal to get his credit card debt down, an expensive yet memorable family trip to Hawaii and why buying a bach in Mangawhai turned out to be a good financial decision.
1. Are you a saver or a spender?
It will come as no surprise to anyone who knows me that I'm a saver...some even refer to me as 'T-Rex arms'.
As a kid, I worked at kiwifruit packhouses, so saving money started from there. We lived in the country, so I never had anything to spend it on.
I got into radio early and never went down the road of blowing money on cars or toys. I was always working. I flatted with my Nana (ha ha) and earned about $12,000 a year.
2. Share a financial goal for the New Year
I'm certainly not one to be giving out advice but long may these low-interest rates continue.
This year, I hope we can get our credit card bill down...2020 was a year of things breaking down (my car) blowing up (the garbage disposal) or needing fixing (the fridge). It's been never-ending - and that's just the ones I can remember!
Once things start going, the rest seem to follow. But hell, these things are minor. Some people had a terrible year. Let's put 2020 behind us and move on.
3. What has been your biggest financial lesson, success or failure?
My wife and I bought our first house in Hamilton at a reasonably young age (we're talking the 90's).
Getting onto the property ladder when homes could be bought for as little as $150,000 was definitely a bonus.
But your first house is never going to be your last house. So far, they keep going up in price.
4. Give an example of a recent purchase that you consider was great value for money
In 2018, we took a family holiday to Hawaii - it wasn't cheap but the trip was well worth the cost.
None of us had been before. It's a magical place that I'd like to go back to one day.
The kids loved the shopping in Honolulu and Maui is stunning...I don't think anyone would have a bad time in Hawaii.
5. What was your last impulse or 'fritter' purchase and how did you feel about it afterwards?
Recently my wife saw a table that she thought would look good by our front door. Although I'm a saver, I bought it (crazy I know)!
I didn't even have to put it together. Looking at it now, it looks good.
6. If you have spare cash to invest, what's your preferred form of investment and why?
If I did have cash to spare, it would be in property.
I've never had shares. Term deposits earn next to nothing at the moment.
We own a bach in Mangawhai that turned out to be a great buy. Like most of the country, the area is booming. We've had it for years and its given us many great memories.
7. Does having more money increase happiness?
Probably not, it just gives people options.
If the car breaks down, it means affording to be able to fix it. It makes life easier but I don't think it makes people happier.
When I first moved to Hamilton and started working at the Rock, I had nothing. I was beyond happy with life.
8. The best money advice someone's ever given you?
My-father-in-law used to say to myself and my wife, 'If you want nice things, nice things cost money'. He was right.
It's hard to convince our daughters to try and save money. They're still only teenagers and I'm three years off 50! The amount of stuff they buy online is ridiculous!
