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Financial Advisers and their teams are human too, just like dentists sneak a sweet treat, we have the occasional splurge (and we’re happy to own it!).
In a world buzzing with AI and automation, it’s refreshing to remember that behind every email, meeting invite, or call is a real person. Someone with ideas, passions, and probably a great story or two (maybe even experiences just like yours).
Our industry thrives on trust and relationships that last, and that begins with knowing the people behind the job titles. So, grab a coffee and meet the incredible humans who make Velocity tick.
MR: Skin care haha! I will forever be splurging on skin care!
DB: Another new mountain bike.
GP: Eating yummy food, going to the movies or buying my precious skincare products.
SM: Anything that gets me and the family into the outdoors.
TW: Solar lights! Sooo pretty!
BZ: My favourite perfume - will never not repurchase it.
SON: Shoes and quality experiences with the kids
TG: Eating at a nice restaurant is always a favourite thing to do of mine. When I can splurge on the place I will. Love going to Pravda!
LS: Clothes ...
AK: A daily morning energy drink. I will not stop this ever in my life.
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GP: I moved my savings/emergency fund into Booster Savvy. Anyone can open that account, it gives you higher returns than banks savings accounts and because you don't see it as often, you don't spend as much.
AK: Bought our first house.
MR: Opened an investment account.
TW: This year we invested some time and money back into our home, I'm proud that we're protecting our assets.
BZ: Set up a Booster Savvy Account (like Giovana). Some great tools in there.
SON: Diversifying into different areas.
DB: Set up two new automatic payments into my investment accounts.
AT: Budgeting - held 30% of wealth in cash and invested the rest.
TJ: This was more smart for my kids than me, but having my son and his girlfriend move in with us, so the two of them could get on top of their finances, and do some good saving so they could be prepared to buy a house has been such a huge advantage for them, and for us in the long run that they can have some stability a little earlier than if they had stayed flatting.
SM: Updated my will and sorted personal insurance cover. Little things that can have a big impact.
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SON: Meal planning. It cuts down on waste and saves hundreds over the year.
DB: Pay yourself first. Save before you spend.
SON: Pay yourself first - put a set amount to savings every pay.
SM: Start investing, and yes absolutely!!
TJ: Move your KiwiSaver from the default fund and bank it was set up in, to a better investment.
SW: Use a budget, and use it every day!
MR: Always have an emergency fund. I will always have an emergency find because you never know what might pop up!
AT: To invest the majority of my wealth.
GP: To pay yourself first, organise your money into fix/variable expenses and goals accounts. When you receive your pay check, distribute your money as planned, you can do what you want with the remaining.
MR: You can do it! You can buy a house, and you can invest young. It's not just for older, wealthier people.
TJ: Don’t buy a new motor vehicle, buy them second hand. It’s not worth the value you lose the minute you take it off the lot.
SM: Don’t blow your money chasing social currency. Start investing, even if it’s only $5 a week, as soon as you start earning.
GP: Don't spend all your money! Save it, open a managed fund and start investing for the future.
DB: Start saving into a managed fund, from your first pay.
LS: I should have bought my first home much sooner than I did. I had the ability to, I just didn't really believe I could, or I thought I was too young to even think about it.
AK: Gamify savings ASAP to get into good money habits as soon as you start earning
SON: Start saving early and always have funds to have fun.
AT: Money is more valuable today than it is tomorrow, so do something with it now.
TW: Make separate bank accounts for savings!
TG: Open an investment account as early as you can. The earlier you can do it, the more significant impact it will have on your future life.
SW: When your Dad tells you to save money, you should listen.
SON: Meal planning. It cuts down on waste and saves hundreds over the year.
MR: Don’t buy it, unless it is on sale.
TJ: Gym’s are great, but there is lots you can do at home, outside, on your own. Get some good advice of some exercises you can do without a gym. Huge savings.
GP: Like I mentioned before, having money aside on Booster Savvy.
SM: Shower timers! Make it a game for the family to beat the clock.
AT: To budget with a concrete goal in mind (i.e. the goal of a home deposit).
LS: Making every bit of cash work for you. I have a Booster Savvy card that can be used like a debit card. Except, every bit of money you have in there is earning a return, as it is being invested for you. It is not a massive return, but every bit counts, and you have complete freedom to spend at will...or even better, spend inline with your budget goals!
DB: Set up a managed fund and start making small deposits. Small amounts soon add up.
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MR: I think that the market will increase slowly, but definitely the lull is over.
SM: Slowly upwards.
DB: It will be slow to recover.
TG: I think house prices will be stagnant for the first half of 2026 then begin to slowly rise over the second half, nothing crazy though.
GP: It will remain the same.
SW: I think it will stay pretty steady
LS: In Wellington? There will be nothing bold about it. I'm picking a level year ahead or possibly a very slow increase in property prices.
SON: We are in stabilisation phase with modest growth.
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Note - these are only guesses! :)
GP: 3.35%
SM: 3.7%
MR: 3.99%
BZ: 4.19%
DB: 4.2%
TG: 4.25%
SW: 4.30 %
AK: 4.31%
LS: 4.55%
SON: 5.25%
TG: I've helped some friends get into their first home which I'm super proud of!
BZ: Helping a 20-year-old into his first home – so wonderful to see young people doing so great and setting themselves up for success!
GP: Last week, my financial planning clients thanked me for helping them look into their overall financial situation, it was very rewarding and reassuring that we can make a difference in people's lives.
MR: Every single first home buy I had, has been rewarding! My favourite thing to message my clients is happy settlement day!
SM: Feeling the love come in from Tania Crocker's clients, after she sadly passed away from cancer in November. Seeing so many at funeral. She was very loved.
TW: Helping clients navigate their claims.
TJ: I often find that when you really talk and listen to people, unexpected and wonderful things happen. Recently, I had a conversation that started casually but shifted to their work. I was able to share some leadership advice, which led to them attending fantastic training and connecting with valuable leadership resources. They were thrilled with the ‘extras’ that came out of our chat. It’s amazing what can unfold when you engage deeply with others.
LS: Sadly, I have had a number of young clients become majorly sick. I am so proud of the life changing payouts they have received from the personal insurance they had taken out from working with me. Without this, their worlds would have been a whole lot more difficult to navegate.
DB: An 88 year old client, trusting me with his wealth, to fund his aged care.
GP: To understand how managing good cashflow, setting up investment and insurance strategies does to their overall financial situation.
SM: A good financial adviser!
MR: The ability to budget well, so you don't need to dip into savings.
AT: Discipline.
DB: Take advice (professional advice that is)
TW: The ability to conjure up some healthy loose change from under the couch!!
LS: Understanding that they can likely achieve more than they think with their money, however the road to get there is generally boring and full of discipline.
SON: The ability to see the long-term impact of every financial decision instantly.
SM: I’m noticing that more Kiwis are starting to take retirement planning seriously, which is really cool. While cashflow or interest rate are always top of mind, retirement is now getting a seat at the table too.
DB: Cashflow and Job security.
LS: Whether or not their financial future will be ok. Chatting to someone (me haha), about this, exploring all of your financial opportunities can alleviate a lot of stress.
SON: Flexibility and structuring loans to adapt to changing economic conditions.
GP: Making the most of their money, smart strategies and setting them up for long-term goals like retirement.
SW: More will begin to wonder if they should start to fix longer term.
MR: For new clients, the focus is usually just on interest rates. Once they're part of Velocity, the discussion shifts to the bigger picture of paying down debt and using wealth generation strategies like KiwiSaver or other investment options.
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TW: Studying my Level 5s in financial advice
DB: Nepal mountain biking for the month of May.
SM: Perhaps a little boring, but the financial adjustments I made five years ago are finally paying off, and each year I feel proud as I watch my retirement nest egg grow.
SON: More travel and time outdoors.
LS: Working more in the financial planning space. Giving clients specific clarity on how their current, and past financial decisions inform their future financial outcomes. Knowing what, if any changes are needed to be made, as well as giving them more confidence for their future.
BZ: Continuing my cheerleading coaching work, 2026 is shaping up to be really special already!
GP: Personally, I'm looking forward for my 2 yo to be 3 and start getting daycare subsidies haha. Professionally, looking forward to connect with a larger number of clients, I left a few voice messages this year
AK: 2025 has been a hard year, I am looking forward to hopefully a break!!!! But in all honesty, I bought my house in August, and we have been doing a full internal renovation, so I am looking forward to finally moving in as soon as it's finished, cooking a home cooked meal every night in a kitchen, never looking at an air fryer again and relaxing in my first home.
SW: Professionally, I am looking forward to being able to help even more clients. And personally my husband and I are currently setting our money goals for 2026 and are stoked to increase our fun money and holiday budget.
MR: Professionally is to keep helping more people purchase homes with little to no stress! It will always be my favourite thing to do. For existing clients, it would be to help people diversify their savings and retirement plan.
The ideas shared in this blog are generalised, and should not be taken as professional advice.
The information shared in this post is meant to be general guide to support you on your journey. When making important decisions about your finances, we encourage you to seek independent financial advice first, tailored to your unique situation. As well as talking with a financial adviser, make sure you talk to your lawyer and accountant too – together they'll help you find the best solution for your specific situation. Our knowledgeable financial advisers are here to help. Check out our website for the details about our financial advisory services in our disclosure: https://www.velocityfinancial.co.nz/disclosure-statement.