Mary's on the money HOW TO ENRICH YOUR LIFE

Plan more, worry less and treasure your wellbeing, says the finance guru. Now that advice makes cents!

- Fleur Guthrie

She’s arguably New Zealand’s most trusted money expert – sharing straight-forward advice on her regular National Radio slot, the author of seven books on personal finance and answering financial questions in her long-time Herald newspaper column – but Mary Holm is adamant that money doesn’t absorb her.

“You won’t find me reading finance books in my spare time, that’s for sure. I read novels,” laughs Mary, who is coy about revealing her age. (“Let’s just say I’ve been getting New Zealand Super for a while!”)

In fact, her advice to people is often to try and “forget” about their money – once they’ve worked on reducing debt or have set themselves up with a rainy-day fund – and focus on their wellbeing.

For her, that means connecting with others and keeping active. “Good relationships with family and friends are what really matters,” she says. “Although I can be very happy being alone in wild places, like the bush or a beach.

“And health, of course, is important. But I’m just not interested in having a bigger or flasher house, or the latest car – or the latest dress for that matter.

“You don’t want to get so caught up worrying about your money that you lose focus on enjoying the important things in life.”