Maxim Sherstobitov - Financial Adviser

Maxim Sherstobitov - Financial Adviser I am passionate about financial markets and dedicated to sharing educational content on US and NZ stocks, market trends, and economic indicators.

βœ… Helping You Achieve Financial Security | Retirement, Investments, KiwiSaver Advice & UK Pension Transfers to NZ | Book Your Complimentary Consultation NowπŸ‘‡ | Hit "Follow" for Regular Updates. βœ… Core Expertise:

βœ” Financial market analysis
βœ” Economic indicators
βœ” Stock market fundamentals
βœ” General investment principles (discussed in a general, educational context)

πŸ“© Let's connect. DISCLAIMER: A

ll content on my profile is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always conduct your own research and consult with a registered financial adviser before making any investment decisions. Investing involves risk, and past performance is not indicative of future results.

If your investments are heavily weighted towards New Zealand, the 0.5% return might be surprising when compared to globa...
05/05/2026

If your investments are heavily weighted towards New Zealand, the 0.5% return might be surprising when compared to global market averages. Do you check your asset allocation? Always remember that past performance is no guarantee of future results.

If you aim for a comfortable retirement in a metro area, likely spending for a couple is around $1,740 per week. With NZ...
24/04/2026

If you aim for a comfortable retirement in a metro area, likely spending for a couple is around $1,740 per week. With NZ Super currently paying about $800 after tax, you face a weekly shortfall of roughly $940. Bridging this gap could require savings of over $1 million, according to Massey University estimates.

Even a basic no frills lifestyle in a metro area for a couple still needs around $120,000 in additional savings beyond Super. Provincial households vary, but the gap exists right across the board.

PRACTICAL TIPS
βœ… Check your KiwiSaver contribution rate. The minimum is 3.5%, but 4%, 6%, 8% and 10% are all available options. Even a 1% or 2% increase today can make a material difference over a 20 to 30 year savings horizon.

βœ… Claim your full government contribution. If you contribute at least $1,043 to KiwiSaver in a year, the government adds up to $260 on top at no cost to you. Many people simply don't know this exists.

βœ… Review your fund type. Just under half of all KiwiSaver members are now in growth category funds, but many younger members remain in conservative or default settings that may not suit a 20 to 30 year investment horizon.

βœ… Ignore short term market noise. Research consistently shows that contribution discipline (staying invested and keeping contributions going through volatility) matters far more to long term outcomes than trying to pick the perfect moment.

βœ… Do an annual review. Life changes. Your fund type, contribution rate and retirement target should all be revisited regularly, especially after major life events like a new job, a relationship change or having children.

❓ Do you know what your current investment balance is projected to be worth at age 65? Is it enough to fund the retirement lifestyle you're actually wanting?

Disclaimer: I am a NZ financial adviser. This is general information only and is not personalised financial advice. Speak to a registered adviser before making any decisions.

Retirement is not just about finishing work. It is about completely reshaping how you live. If you are thinking about si...
04/01/2026

Retirement is not just about finishing work. It is about completely reshaping how you live. If you are thinking about signing off this year, you need to be honest with yourself about a few things.

1. TIMING IS EVERYTHING

New Zealand pension kicks in at 65, but that does not mean you have to stop working. Leaving work too early is expensive. You need to bridge the gap before NZ Super starts, and that can burn through your capital fast. On the flip side, working too long might mean you miss out on your healthy years. You have to find the sweet spot between running out of money and running out of time.

2. LOCATION REALITY CHECK

Are you asset rich but cash poor? If all your wealth is tied up in real estate, you might struggle for income. Moving to a smaller region or downsizing can free up the cash you actually need to enjoy life.

3. HEALTHSPAN VS LIFESPAN

We are living longer. Reaching 90 is becoming common. You need to plan for longevity, but you also need to be realistic about your health. If you are a couple, look at who is likely to live longer or stay healthy longer. Your plan needs to work for both of you.

4. AVOID THE BOREDOM TRAP

Social isolation is a killer. Work often provides your social circle, and losing that can lead to depression fast. You need a plan for what you will actually do. Join a club, find a hobby, or volunteer. Do not wait until the day you quit to figure this out.

5. INVESTING DOES NOT STOP AT 65

Reaching 65 is not the finish line for your investments. It is just the start of the spending phase. With inflation and longer life expectancies, your money still needs to grow. You cannot just put it all under the mattress. You need a strategy where some money is ready to spend now, and the rest is working hard to fund your life in twenty years.

Which of these five areas do you find the hardest to plan for? What is top of your retirement bucket list?

You would not buy shares in a company with no financials. So why run your finances without a clear snapshot of income, s...
04/01/2026

You would not buy shares in a company with no financials. So why run your finances without a clear snapshot of income, spending, debts, and savings? Here are 5 steps to get your finances in order this month.

1. Put it in the diary

Financial planning is not a one-off job. If you do not schedule it, it simply won't happen. Pick a time, perhaps Sunday night or a quiet Saturday morning, and make it a recurring appointment with yourself. Treat it like a meeting you cannot miss.

2. Do a full stocktake

Collect everything. I mean everything. Dig out your KiwiSaver balances, credit card bills, and insurance policies. January is perfect for this because the year-end summaries are an easy way to get the full picture.

3. Track every dollar

For the next 30 days, record every single dollar you spend. Use a spreadsheet, a notebook, or an app. Most of us think we know where our money goes, but we are usually wrong. This isn't about judging yourself. It is about getting accurate data so you can calculate how much you actually need to live.

4. Calculate your net worth

This is a simple formula: Assets minus Liabilities. Take what you own and subtract what you owe. The resulting number is your net worth. It might be positive or it might be negative, but that does not matter right now. The goal is to establish a baseline so you can watch that number grow over the year.

5. Create a one-page summary

Summarise all that data into a single document or an app. This becomes your financial dashboard. It lets you see your financial health at a glance without digging through different login screens or multiple documents.

Don't let perfection get in the way of progress. You do not need the perfect spreadsheet or the fanciest app. You just need to start now.

Kicking off 2026 with fresh air, big views, and a quiet moment to reset. True wealth is having the time and energy to en...
02/01/2026

Kicking off 2026 with fresh air, big views, and a quiet moment to reset. True wealth is having the time and energy to enjoy moments like this, a reminder we work to live, not the other way around. Wishing you and your family a healthy, successful year ahead πŸŽ‰

26/11/2025

Let's get real. Politicians are not the best to run businesses. The Government is currently looking at how councils work, so we must talk about who owns our ports and airports.

Infrastructure companies run better when they have to answer to the share market. The evidence is clear. Just compare the success of Port of Tauranga and Napier Port to those fully run by councils.

Listing part of these companies on the NZX makes sense. It forces them to be more efficient. Councils can sell some shares to free up cash, which helps keep rates down.

The public does not lose out. The council keeps a large stake, but everyday Kiwis get to invest too through their KiwiSaver.

Why do councils insist on owning 100% of these assets? It does not make financial sense and it fails to deliver the best value for ratepayers.

What are your thoughts on it?

Yes, share prices keep hitting records. Yes, it feels a bit wild. AI companies have seen massive gains, and headlines ar...
17/11/2025

Yes, share prices keep hitting records. Yes, it feels a bit wild. AI companies have seen massive gains, and headlines are screaming about potential crashes. But here's the thing. There are two sides to this coin πŸ’°

The worry: Prices might be getting ahead of economic fundamentals. When excitement runs too hot, corrections can happen fast.

The counter-argument: These gains are largely driven by big companies with strong fundamentals. Plus, awareness of a potential bubble might actually reduce the risk of one forming.

TIPS FOR INVESTORS

1. Know Your TimelineπŸ“ˆ
Only invest in growth assets if you won't need the money for 5-10+ years. Can you ride out the bumps? You're in a better position.

Example: If you're saving for a house deposit in 2 years, keep that money safer. Saving for retirement in 20 years? More growth exposure might suit you.

2. Diversify Like Your Portfolio Depends On It πŸ“Š
Don't put all your eggs in one basket or one sector.

Example: Mix NZ shares, international shares, and property investments across your KiwiSaver and other investments.

3. Stick To Your Plan 🎯

Market volatility is normal. We've had several big falls and recoveries just in the past 5 years.

Example: If prices drop, consider it a buying opportunity rather than a reason to panic-sell. Always do your own research before investing.

Drop your thoughts below πŸ‘‡
❓ Are you feeling nervous about current market levels?
❓ How are you managing your investment strategy right now?

Interesting how life works. One moment I’m helping clients save money, the next, I’m saving a life. Both feel equally re...
14/10/2025

Interesting how life works. One moment I’m helping clients save money, the next, I’m saving a life. Both feel equally rewarding!

For any tenant, let alone one paying over $56,000 a year in rent, this is simply not acceptable. Landlords, choose your ...
12/07/2025

For any tenant, let alone one paying over $56,000 a year in rent, this is simply not acceptable. Landlords, choose your property manager wisely. A fine this large, combined with repair costs and damage to your personal reputation, can be a major blow to your investment. Ignoring legal requirements, for any asset class, introduces a significant risk.

Tenants, remember you have rights. You should not have to put up with living in a cold, damp, or unsafe home. This ruling shows that the Tenancy Tribunal is enforcing the rules, so do not be afraid to speak up.

Actively managing your investments, including all compliance risks, is critical for protecting their value and ensuring it supports your long-term financial goals.

What are your thoughts on this? πŸ€”

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