Five questions from listeners

In Mary's last segment with Jesse, she asked listeners to send in questions. The best five questions are answered in this segment.In Mary's last segment with Jesse, she asked listeners to send in questions. The best five questions are answered in this segment, with questioners each winning a copy of Mary's new book, Rich Enough? A Laid-back Guide for Every Kiwi."We've got five questions I've chosen that I just thought were interesting and possibly helpful to other listeners as well," Mary says. "Maybe in the first session or possibly two, we might do some of the other questions that people sent in because they were excellent." Mary's segment on Jesse Mulligan's Afternoons show will be moving to a different time next year: 3.10pm on Thursdays from 24 January 2019. It is also a podcast, Your Money with Mary Holm, and available to listen and subscribe for free on the RNZ app, via Apple podcasts, Spotify, or Podbean. Is buying a home out of reach for 30-somethings?Amanda writes: Approaching our mid-30s, my husband is halfway through his journey to becoming a secondary school teacher and I've been working full time since I completed my Masters 8 years ago. I also work in Education and we are both satisfied working in jobs where ultimately we have the privilege to support families and children learn and grow, but it's difficult living in a house of six flat mates (who are also all trying their best financially ... why else would you want to live in a house of six?!) when you always thought by 30 you'd have a small house (at least) and be in a financial situation to start having a family. We are reasonably sensible without any big debts (except student loans). It's easy to get overwhelmed and panic and spend that extra cash now and then, because that house seems ridiculously out of reach!​"I have sympathy with her and good on Amanda for living in a house with six flatmates," Mary says, "that's certainly one way people can cope in this tough housing environment and save a bit of money - although I hope there's more than one bathroom."When she says it's easy to panic and spend the extra cash every now and then, don't be too hard on yourself as long as your not doing that too often. Life's for living in the meantime as well, and some people get too strict about their saving."Having said that, it really would be a good idea for them to keep saving. …Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details