Monday media round-up 15/03/10

This week's pick of personal finance stories from the last few days.
 

• More good news for home buyers
  The pendulum swung further in home buyers' favour last month as the number of houses sold remained at record lows. (Sunday Star Times)
   
• Do-it-yourself sites to help your bottom line
  The starting point for getting a better grip on one's personal finances is budgeting. Knowing how much is coming in and how much is going out, and where the leaks are, is essential to gaining greater control over one's finances. (Dominion Post)
   
• Top investment tips for this decade
  When most New Zealanders invest, their intention is to protect their investments against inflation and to grow their capital for use in retirement. (Stuff)
   
• Delay on Kiwisaver provider decision 
  The fate of one of New Zealand's largest KiwiSaver providers remains up in the air after Australia's competition watchdog decided it needed more time to examine the bids for Axa Asia Pacific Holdings. (NZ Herald)
   
• Words of warning based on bitter experience
  If someone offered you an investment with guaranteed returns of 7 per cent a month, what would your reaction be? (NZ Herald)
   
• Martin Hawes: Depreciation loses lustre 
  "Politicians are not saying so yet, but it looks certain that, quite soon, property investors will not be able to claim depreciation. There is a national debate on this already, and I thought maybe it was a good idea to remind ourselves why depreciation is important to property investors." (NZ Herald)
   
• Brian Gaynor: Leap from politics to business has risks
  "One of the issues raised by the Huljich Wealth Management controversy is the role of well known or celebrity directors, particularly former politicians." (NZ Herald)
   
• Don Brash: No comparison to finance companies
  "Over the past few weeks, repeated attacks have been made on the Huljich KiwiSaver Scheme and on the integrity of the directors of Huljich Wealth Management." (NZ Herald)
   
• Mary Holm: Switch if provider plays hardball
  Mary answers readers' letters about investing in KiwiSaver, fees charged while on a KiwiSaver contributions holiday, and upcoming investment income tax changes. (NZ Herald)