You can trust financial information better once you understand the nature of it and who it's coming from. Ask yourself: is this person informing me, influencing me, selling to me, or advising me? General information helps you learn. Marketing tries to sell. Opinions share experience. Unlike general information, personalised financial advice considers your individual circumstances.

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There's never been more financial information available. Books, websites, podcasts, TikTok, Instagram, news articles, bank websites, KiwiSaver providers, friends, family and colleagues, money advice and opinions are everywhere.

That can be a good thing. The more people talk about money, the less intimidating it becomes. But it also means we all need to get better at working out what kind of information we're receiving, who it's coming from, and whether it's right for our situation.

What's the difference between financial information, marketing, opinion and advice?

These are four different things, and mixing them up is where people can get caught out. Information teaches, marketing sells, opinion shares one person's experience, and advice should be tailored to you (note: advisers may have different remuneration models or conflicts of interest, which should be disclosed  - more on this soon).

• General financial information helps you understand a topic. An article explaining the different types of KiwiSaver funds, or a podcast episode about budgeting is general information. It helps you learn the basics and understand your options.

• Marketing is designed to promote a particular product or service. That doesn't mean it's wrong or unhelpful, but it’s likely trying to influence you in some way.

• Opinions can be useful, especially from someone with lived experience. A friend might tell you how they paid off debt, bought a first home, or chose a KiwiSaver fund. But their situation may be very different from yours.

• Personalised financial advice takes your individual circumstances, needs and goals into account, and makes recommendations based on what may be suitable for you. Sometimes it can be combined with marketing, where a financial adviser employed by a business is recommending their products specifically.

A good question to ask yourself is: is this person informing me, influencing me, selling to me, or advising me?

Can you trust financial advice on social media?

Social media is a great place to learn the language of money and build confidence, but it's often less appropriate to help you make big decisions. Content is designed to be short, simple and attention-grabbing, which means important context like risks, fees, assumptions and trade-offs often get left out.

Social media has made financial information more accessible, especially for younger people. Finfluencers (people who share money tips on social media) can make money topics feel more engaging, less overwhelming, and easier to understand.

A post might explain what someone did with their own money, but that doesn't mean it's the right choice for you. It may also include paid promotions, affiliate links, and/or personal opinions that are not always clearly labelled.

Where should you go to learn more before a big decision?

Books, podcasts, websites and tools are a great next step. They help you understand financial concepts, compare options, and work out what questions to ask. Independent resources like Sorted are especially useful - they include guides and tools on budgeting, debt, KiwiSaver, investing, retirement and home buying, plus calculators where you can input your own numbers. Simplicity's blogs, podcasts and webinars are another free source of general financial information.

But even the best general information has limits. A book, podcast or calculator does not know your income, debts, goals, family situation, risk tolerance, or what else is happening in your life.

When do you need personalised financial advice?

Not everyone needs personalised advice to guide each situation. Many everyday money decisions can be made with good general information and a bit of time. But advice can be worth considering when a decision is big, complex, emotional, involves other people, or would be hard (and consequential) to undo.

You might consider getting financial advice if you are:

• investing a large sum of money

• buying a home

• working through complex insurance needs

• dealing with difficult debt

• receiving an inheritance

• separating from a partner

• making major retirement decisions

Paying for advice can feel like an extra cost, but for big decisions it can sometimes be money well spent.

How do you choose a financial adviser in New Zealand?

Look for someone who is properly qualified, registered, and clear about how they're paid. Financial Advice New Zealand (FANZ) has an adviser directory to help connect you with advisers across Aotearoa. Before working with anyone, ask for their disclosure information - it should explain who they are, what they can advise on, how they charge, whether they receive commissions, any conflicts of interest, and how complaints are handled.

You can also ask:

• Are you independent, or do you only advise on certain products?

• How are you paid?

• Do you receive commissions or incentives?

• What are the risks as well as the benefits?

• Why is this recommendation suitable for me?

• What happens if my situation changes?

A good adviser should welcome your questions and explain things clearly.

What are the red flags to watch for with financial advice?

Be cautious if someone promises guaranteed high returns, pressures you to act quickly, gives one-size-fits-all advice, avoids explaining risks, or makes you feel silly for asking questions.

Money decisions can be emotional and sometimes confusing. You should never feel rushed or embarrassed for wanting to understand what you're doing with your own money.

If you aren't paying directly for advice, it's worth understanding how your adviser is remunerated and whether that may influence the products or options they recommend. At Simplicity we don't pay commissions to advisers. Whatever adviser you choose, it's worth understanding how they're paid and whether any conflicts of interest exist. 

Take your time

Good financial information should help you feel more confident and informed. Good personalised advice should help you understand your options, risks, trade-offs and next steps.

At Simplicity, our podcasts, blogs and webinars provide educational information only, and we are careful not to provide personalised financial advice.

When you’re looking to make an informed decision around anything to do with your finances, take your time, ask questions, understand who is influencing you, and don't be afraid to seek professional advice when the decision really matters.

Frequently asked questions:

Is financial information on TikTok or Instagram reliable?
It can be a good way to learn the language of money and build confidence, but it's rarely the full picture. Social content is short by design, so risks, fees and trade-offs often get left out, and some posts include unlabelled paid promotions or affiliate links. Use it to learn, not to make big decisions.

Do I have to pay for financial advice in New Zealand?
It depends. Some advisers charge a fee, some are paid through commissions on products, and some do both. Always ask how an adviser is paid before you start, and check their disclosure information. For big or complex decisions, paying for advice may reduce potential conflicts associated with product commissions, but it's still important to understand how your adviser is remunerated.

How do I check if a financial adviser is registered?
You can check the Financial Service Providers Register to confirm an adviser or provider is registered, and use the Financial Markets Authority website for information on financial advice and avoiding scams.

What's the difference between financial information and financial advice?
Financial information explains a topic in general terms and applies to everyone. Personalised financial advice takes your specific circumstances, goals and situation into account and recommends what may be suitable for you.

Useful resources

• Sorted - tools and guides on budgeting, KiwiSaver, debt, investing and retirement.

• Financial Advice New Zealand - adviser directory.

• Financial Markets Authority - information on financial advice, investing and avoiding scams.

• Financial Service Providers Register - to check whether a financial adviser or provider is registered.

• Money Made Simple Podcast

The information provided and opinions expressed in this article are intended for general guidance only and not personalised to you. These materials do not take into account your particular financial situation or goals and are not financial advice or a recommendation. This article is not intended to convey any guarantees as to the future performance of any of the investment products, asset classes, or capital markets mentioned. Past performance is no guarantee of future performance. Information is current at the time of posting, and subject to change without notice. Simplicity NZ Ltd is the issuer of the Simplicity KiwiSaver Scheme and Investment Funds. For Product Disclosure Statements please visit our website simplicity.kiwi.