[selchie]

Hey, Duane, welcome back. I like your observation about money making in your first post on 1 May. I think council rates (NZ) take the place of property tax (US), at least so far as what they are used for (but I might not pass that one on a quiz).

Am I wrong in thinking that capital gains will be taxed as regular income in NZ? That could mean a higher payment than in the US (28% for cap gains?). Although all the taxation gyrations are good to be aware of, they nearly even out as far as I'm concerned. This may be because of living in California, where we pay State income tax in addition to Federal, plus we have sales tax.

Ex-Pat, I disagree with your comparison of a "primitive" vs "sophisticated" understanding of money, though mostly because it is simplistic. It is also condescending to those who simply cannot afford to put away a part of that $100 in your example. They may understand quite well that investing could make their money grow in the long run, but they have immediate bills to pay. Others might see extra money - or time - as an opportunity to share with others. As long as they're not standing with a hand out at your door, why should you care how they spend their resources?

Dawn, thanks for the shot of Jonie Mitchell.