Monday media round-up 30/08/10

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

• Banks at odds over fixed v floating rates
  Economists are divided as to whether mortgage holders on floating rates should start moving off now or hold off until the end of the year. (Stuff)
   
• Shopping lists seen as way to save
  The old-fashioned shopping list has made a comeback as shoppers try to save money. (Stuff)
   
• Real estate as investment loses allure
  The Kiwi love affair with property investment is over. New research shows a drastic decline in the number of people intending to buy real estate as a money-making strategy. (Stuff)
   
• Morgan meets new standard
  When it comes to KiwiSaver, Gareth Morgan always likes to stand out from the crowd. (Stuff)
   
• Finsec slams reverse mortgages
  The finance workers' union, Finsec, has come out against the move by ASB to offer reverse mortgages or equity release loans. (Stuff)
   
• What should savings group be looking at?
  The Government this week launched an independent Savings Workings Group tasked with considering how New Zealand can improve its national savings. (Stuff)
   
• Diana Clement: Retail therapy not a cure for depression
  "Just being sad can blow your budget. Virtually everyone has bought something to cheer themselves up at some point in their lives." (NZ Herald)
   
• Mary Holm: When partners spend too much
  Mary answers readers questions about budgeting, shares and KiwiSaver. (NZ Herald)
   
• Too early to rate savings success of KiwiSaver
  It's too soon to tell if KiwiSaver has helped to boost retirement savings, industry experts say. (NZ Herald)
   
• Investor care paramount, Govt tells savings industry
  The Government has delivered a thinly veiled warning to the savings industry to pick up its game when it comes to protecting investor interests. (NZ Herald)