Tick Boxes Don’t Build Wealth

This week on The Dollars and Sense Podcast, Tim and Brodie pull apart one of the most overused and misunderstood tools in investing — the risk assessment questionnaire.

These forms are meant to help investors understand their tolerance for risk, but in practice, they’re often a lazy substitute for real financial advice. The guys break down why they believe the questionnaire can lead to poor decisions, misaligned portfolios, and false confidence — especially for people using them online without guidance.

From confusing time horizons to emotional questions that change with your mood, Tim and Brodie show how these tools fail to capture what truly matters: your goals, behavior, and time frame.

They also discuss how good advisers should actually use risk profiles — not as an answer, but as a conversation starter to build understanding and trust.

💡 Key takeaways:

• Why risk questionnaires often miss the point
• How emotion and timing distort your “risk profile”
• The difference between risk tolerance and investment purpose
• How real advice connects your money to your goals

If you’ve ever wondered what your “balanced” score really means — or why your KiwiSaver fund might not fit your future — this episode is for you.

If you have a question, suggestions, or a topic you would like us to cover, please send an email to: [email protected]

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The information shared on The Dollars & Sense Podcast is general in nature and does not consider your individual circumstances. Dollars & Sense exists purely for educational purposes and should not be relied upon to make an investment or financial decision. Tim Ellis (FSP778196) and Brodie Haggerty (FSP778174) are both Financial Advisers providing advice on behalf of FoxPlan Ltd. FoxPlan Ltd (FSP39630) is a licensed Financial Advice Provider. Important information can be found at www.foxplan.nz/disclosure