Every Christmas, we gather for our annual staff event and take a moment to reflect on the past year and make predictions for the future. We ponder questions like: What will interest rates be in 2025? What financial lessons did we learn? What would you do with $500k? Where will house prices rise? What advice would you give to a client like yourself?

It's always fun to look back on our previous predictions and see just how accurate (or not) our crystal ball gazing was!

Read our team insights below 💚

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How have you been good with your own money this year?

Bella: Yes and no... I upgraded my car and moved house which dipped into my funds significantly, but I have otherwise been really good!

Brendon: I have set up a regular payment into Managed Funds on top of my KiwiSaver contributions

Dean: Monthly deposits into a high interest on call account and managed fund.

Giovana: Yes, we are always good!

James: I paid off a large portion of my mortgage from an asset sale.

Joshua: I haven’t really, but that’s why I’m not a financial advisor lol...

Lance: I have not done any unnecessarily new spends. I have made do with things like not buying new clothes (well, not a lot of new clothes) and not travelled. I know, Lame, however, knowing that this is only in the short term makes it not seem like such a big deal.

Manisha: I have not. But I'm getting married, so I feel like I'm allowed!

Simon: Allocating funds to accounts each pay to build up reserves.

Shona: Paid a little extra every fortnight into the mortgage. Invest and save a portion every pay.

Suz: We continued on our budgeting journey and have done super well to build up our accounts. It feels like so much less of a chore and more of just how we live now.

Taz: I've been okay with money this year haha..

Tully: Mostly, I can always be better but sometimes the spending urge takes over

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Do you have a money confession you want to share?

Bella: I did spend like $70 playing UNO online once (though this did come out of a 'discretionary spending' account and was a one-off thing- please don't do this!)

Brendon: Too many 3pm trips to L'affare for Coffee and Lollie Cake (so hard to resist when caffeine and sugar are a simple strategy to get me through the afternoon)

Dean: I spend too much on mountain bikes

Lance: Not publicly

James: I still save every month to either a savings account or shares.

Joshua: Always gamble the feature.

Manisha: I hate paying for the surcharges for credit cards and payWave even if it's cents haha

Shona: Was slack at opening a rates bill and had to pay the penalty fine

Suz: I have spent way too much on lunches this year and need to get back into bringing it to work.

Taz: I accidentally on purpose bought some expensive shoes for myself for crimbo haha

Tully: I wish I put more into managed funds

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How do you want to be better next year?

Bella: Travelling to Hawaii next year!!

Brendon: umm, is less lollie cake the correct answer to this question?

Dean: Manage my day-to-day expenses better (more visibility)

Giovana: Absolutely, I am looking forward to upskilling as a financial adviser with Dean’s help as my mentor.  

James: I want to continue my mortgage reduction and look at new opportunities

Joshua: Spending less on public transport, bathroom renovations underway/done.

Lance: I'm going to stop playing rugby...I feel that would make my body better off at least.

Manisha: I definitely want to save, save, save after such a large expense. With interest rates coming down this will mean that I will have surplus I can put toward investing.

Shona: Maybe invest in a second property?

Suz: I feel very lucky and blessed this year and just hope my family, friends and pets are all still in good health next year.

Taz: I want to do some hard out saving next year!

Tully: I'm focussing on using my time more effectively, so managing my own time

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What is one piece of advice you would give to clients (like you) for 2025?

Brendon: I would encourage clients to be pro-active with their finances (and goals in general) It is really easy for days/weeks and years to "Slip By", so taking some space to confirm what you want to achieve and committing to the first step is pretty important

Dean: Create a plan or if you have one review it and ensure you are on track or made the changes needed.

Elizabeth: If there is a money habit you want to change, first work out what the underlying cause/motivation is. For example, if you are buying takeaway too much, is it convenience (are you time-poor/tired/mentally overwhelmed) and so to change the habit you need to address the root causes? Or is it FOMO - is having the latest gear really important, so again you need to satisfy that need with better habits somehow.

Joshua: Listen to your adviser

Lance: The sun will shine again, it just might not be for a while. Financially we still need to make good, measured decisions, but still make room for fun, cos we will need that in 2025.

Giovana: Set up clear goals, make a plan and stick to it. Ask for help if needed.

Manisha: Set short term, medium term and long-term goals. I think this important if you have financials goals in mind.

Shona: If you are a newly separated and/or single mum, put on your big girl pants and face your financials, one task at a time. Ask for help.

Simon: Think longer term, do a budget, have a plan.

Suz: I know it seems restrictive at first, but budgeting will truly change your life.

Tully: Maybe not related to our work but I would encourage anyone to do something outside of their comfort zone

What are you looking forward to most in 2025?

Alice: I am looking forward to continuing to make goals and smash them out of the park!

Dean: My daughter beginning her new chapter in her life as she heads off to Canterbury University

Elizabeth: Hopefully our family taking our first overseas trip all together! We haven't been able to go overseas since having our youngest who is almost 4 years old so this would be very exciting!

Giovana: To visit my parents in Peru and for them to meet Lili in person for the first time.

Graham: Turning 59 again

Joshua: Toss-up between Hong Kong 7’s with the boys, and London for work.

Manisha: A chill year ahead. 2024 has been an emotional rollercoaster so looking forward to more stability and purpose.

Simon: Keeping fit, spending time with friends, enjoying my kids (and comedian Sarah Millican in January)

Shona: Growing in confidence every day that I am on the right track, financially and otherwise, no matter what life gives me.

Suz: Hopefully moving into our second home!

Taz: Travel

Tully: GROWTH, I've spent the first few months learning and really enjoying the new job but I'm ready to turn it up a notch

If you had $500k right now, what would you do with it?

Alice: Honestly, I'd spend some of it on some really fun things to treat myself (I'd love a jetski and I would not feel guilty in the slightest) and then I'd speak to one of our financial advisers to help me with the rest lol.

Bella: Once I was finished freaking out, I would ask Giovana to help me decide where to invest it!

Dean: Invest it in property or managed funds

Giovana:  I would get financial advice lol, I always thought that I would divide lotto winnings in 3, one part to spend like for to travel, another part to invest and the other part to pay down a bit of my mortgage. I would give money to charity as well if I win more than 1mill though.

Graham: Obviously talk to a financial advisor ... Split between Investment Property Deposit and Funds

‍Joshua: Invest half, Enjoy half.

Lance: As at today, I would put $200k into a revolving credit account, to reduce the mortgage debt, but still have the ability to take it out again if needed. Then continue my mortgage payments as if it was not reduced. Then invest $300k in an aggressive investment fund because I'm still super young and I will not NEED the money for a while.

Manisha: Buy a more efficient car. Buy another investment property and invest some into a managed fund.

Shona: Break it up into different investments including paying off some mortgage debt. Donate a percentage to good cause. Have a holiday. Replace my computer.

Simon: Buy a new car, pay down debt and book an epic holiday for the family

Suz: I would create an offset account of probably $200,000 or use this amount for an investment property, buy my dad a new car and give him some money, invest the rest.

Taz: Pay off my mortgage!

Tully: Personally I am putting a portion of it into a managed fund (boring), the rest, I'm taking

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How are you proud of yourself this year?

Alice: I am so proud of myself this year. I have smashed every little goal I set myself and I've majorly pushed myself out of my comfort zone.

Bella: It's been a really long, busy year for me - I'm honestly just proud of myself for keeping my head above water.  - OH, and a group of girls I coach won the highest score across NZ and Australia for their cheerleading performance - which was amazing!

Brendon: I managed to tick off some of my "bucket list"

Dean: Navigating a severe knee injury, dealing with the emotional challenges of not being able to exercise ad following the medical team's advice.

Giovana: Very, I got a new job, a new work family, a better culture, great opportunities ahead.

Joshua: Winning the trip to London was a pretty key moment, didn’t think my submission would make the finals, let alone win the whole thing

Lance: I have met with a lot of people who were finding this year particularly tough. Being able to remain positive and help people find solutions for their current situations despite at the face of it looked like things where a little desperate, has been very satisfying.

Manisha: I AM SO PROUD OF MYSELF! I have had the craziest year, but one thing is surviving the passing of my dad. People say that funerals brings out the worst in people and man is that true. It has made me realise who is truly is there for you. I am also so proud of me for officially becoming a financial adviser, I love Velocity financial and not many people can say that about a workplace!

Shona: Started giving back to my community more through volunteer work.

Simon: Made it through one that was pretty tough in many respects.

Suz: This year has been a massive year for me. I got married, went to two countries (I've only ever been to Australia, so this was huge for me), we put our first home on the market and made an offer on a dream home, I spent a lot of time on house renovations but also chilled out a little by not studying or having a side hustle this year.

Taz: I started my cool new job this year and I'm super proud of that

Tully: I started a new job and have excelled in the first part of my studying towards becoming a financial adviser

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What is a happy thought for you when you think about retirement?

Brendon: Some more freedom to explore

Dean: The fruits of keeping my body healthy and agile

Giovana: No debt, enough money, enjoy life with things I enjoy and hubby, travelling, eat yummy food!

Lance: Looking back and knowing I have been able to tangibly help people reach their financial goals and know that they are also retiring well.

Manisha: That I will be able to retire with not just the pension or my KiwiSaver. I am not flexing because the last 13 years have been filled with hard work, but I can see it has been paying off and retirement is looking so bright.

Shona: A vision in my mind of a small rural cottage with a veranda, garden and animals outside, art, a library and a fireplace inside! Mostly just being financially secure, having more time for the people and things I love and maybe some grandkids!

Simon: Being a grandparent (maybe)

Suz: I honestly don't know if I will ever fully retire because I'm the type of person who loves to be busy, but I look forward to more freedom with my time, spending more time with my husband, being outdoors, with my fur babies and with family and friends.

Tully: Setting myself up for being able to enjoy this overseas chasing the sun

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What's your current crush or obsession (food/beverage/activity/show/sounds/place/book etc)

Alice: My new obsession/hyper fixation is reading, I've just started reading the Sarah J. Maas 'Throne of Glass' series, so I'm very excited to sit in the sun on my child free days these holidays and read my books!

Bella: WICKED, it’s been out 2 weeks and I've seen it 3 times... By the time you're reading this I would have seen it at least 6 times...

Dean: Open water swimming

Elizabeth: My fave books in recent months have been Nicky Pellegrino's books which are set in Italy and are very easy, wholesome love stories set in adorable Italian villages.

Giovana: Dancing will always be my obsession.

Graham: Vegan Chilli

Joshua: I’m a weeb, so currently rewatching Samurai Champloo and HunterxHunter, playing a fair bit of Path of Exile 2 & Warhammer Space Marine.

Lance: I have never been excited about one singular thing, instead I have always been into a lot of things, all the time. Over summer I get to wipe the dust off my surfboard, I'm pretty amped about that. I guess that makes my board my crush as I give it some summer loving.

Manisha: Chris Brown, haha.

Shona: I have fallen down the rabbit hole of Dystopian fiction. I am loving the classics this year – Animal Farm, 1984, A Handmaids Tale, I am Legend, Fahrenheit 451, etc.

Simon: Amazing Survival Stories podcast, cooking, big walks and cricket.

Suz: I've been playing Harry Potter on my Nintendo in my small amount of free time and really enjoying it. Also, pickle rolls from Moore Wilson's.

Tully: Yellowstone, such a great TV show, unfortunately it is wrapping up!

What's the best thing about your job/and or working in financial services?

Alice: The best thing about my job is my work family.

Brendon: I like helping people get sorted..  be that into a home or rental property or to have some clarity around their wider finances.  I really like sitting with clients to help them plan out some goals and dreams for their lives and then work out how we are going to fund this.

Bella: Being the youngest member of the team, I am really fortunate to be surrounded by so much in-depth financial literacy, that I would not have been exposed to otherwise.

Dean: Seeing my clients prosper and thrive

Giovana: The difference we can make in people's lives, educating and helping them make better decision/plans.

Graham: Honestly it is the people we deal with each day.

Joshua: People listen to me for a change.

Lance: Educating and helping people connect their financial dots and showing people what is possible for them and their families.

Manisha: Helping people to secure a financial future!

Shona: Learning about my own money and helping others understand theirs and not be afraid of it.

Simon: My Team.

Suz: My job is a pretty challenging one, working on complex deals/situations. For me, I love getting stuck into a problem and solving it! I'm also very nosey so I love seeing how people have got to where they are in life. The best thing about working for VF has to be our team, I absolutely love everyone at VF and have never worked at a place like it!

Tully: I love the learning there's a bunch of products and different providers which all have their own tricks. The team as well, the team is amazing!

What is your 1-year fixed rate prediction for this time in 2025?

Bella: 4.35%

Brendon: 5%

Dean: 5.29%

Joshua: 4.89%

Lance: 5.10%

Manisha: Average 4.5%

Shona: 4.65%

Simon:

Suz: Well, I was way off last year, in a good way because rates have dropped! My guess is going to be 3.99% but who knows!

This time in 2025, will house prices be up? Down? Same?

Bella: If I had to guess I would say down, but possibly not by much.

Brendon: I think they will be starting to go up a little bit in Wellington, but not by much

Dean: Wellington the same. NZ up.

Graham: Apparently up by 7% according to the Reserve Bank

Joshua: Likely up.

Lance: Up, but not by a huge amount

Manisha: It will be slightly higher, maybe like 25%

Simon: Same.

Shona: Up.

Suz: Up, no doubt in my mind on this one.

Fave thing to do at Chrissy?

Alice: Spend time with my family, go to the beach and lunch time beers in the sun!

Bella: Shopping on Boxing Day.

Brendon: My favourite moment is after a leisurely wake, that cup of coffee outside in the warm, pondering what to do with myself for the day

Dean: Get outside and feel the sun

Joshua: Eat enough trifle to subdue a small child and beers on the golf course, how good.

Lance: I love heading up north and going surfing. This year I'll be in Raglan for 2 weeks and I am so excited

Manisha: Eating and sleeping, hahaha.

Simon: Surf.

Shona: Getting the whole family together. After that, hiking and camping, swimming in the sea and rivers, being in nature on my days off.

Suz: Just being with family, enjoying the food and sunshine and I love seeing my nieces and nephews get excited about Christmas.

Tully: You can catch me on the beach enjoy a few well-deserved beers!

The VF Team 💚😎

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Disclaimer: These opinions are personal and are not to be taken as professional advice! Always talk to your adviser directly about your own financial situation.

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