It’s easy to fall into the habit of checking your Christian KiwiSaver Scheme balance regularly, especially in an age where we can track everything instantly on our phones. However, if you find yourself refreshing your balance every day, you might be focusing on the wrong thing.
Investing is about building for the future, not reacting to the present. The key to growing your savings is trusting in a long-term plan and staying committed, even when markets fluctuate.
Market ups and downs are normal
Financial markets rise and fall constantly. This movement, known as market volatility, is a normal part of investing. Some days your Christian KiwiSaver Scheme balance might be up, while on others, it may drop. But unless you’re planning to withdraw your savings soon, these short-term changes don’t matter.
Proverbs 21:5 reminds us:
“The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.”
Making long-term, steady contributions is often wiser than reacting hastily to short-term changes.
Why reacting emotionally can hurt your savings
It’s human nature to feel uneasy when markets drop. Some people panic and switch funds, trying to avoid further losses. But making decisions based on short-term fear can lock in losses and prevent you from benefiting when the market recovers.
Instead of focusing on daily fluctuations, think about why you’re investing:
- Growing long-term savings for retirement
- Preparing for a first-home withdrawal
- Contributing consistently for future financial security
KiwiSaver is designed as a long-term investment, not something that needs daily tracking.
Take advantage of market downturns
Instead of worrying about when to invest, many members follow a regular savings approach, contributing a set amount into their Christian KiwiSaver Scheme regardless of market movements. This strategy is called dollar-cost averaging and helps smooth out fluctuations over time.
Here’s how it works:
- When the market is down, your contributions buy more of your chosen fund.
- When the market is up, your contributions buy less, but your overall balance grows.
- Over time, this reduces the impact of short-term market swings.
By staying consistent, you take advantage of market downturns rather than fearing them.
Patience pays off
Think of your Christian KiwiSaver Scheme like planting a tree. You wouldn’t expect it to grow overnight, but with time and steady care, it can become strong and fruitful. The same applies to your savings; the longer you stay invested, the greater the potential for growth through compounding returns.
Rather than checking your balance daily, ask yourself:
- Am I contributing regularly?
- Am I contributing enough to reach my goals?
- Does my fund match my long-term goals?
- Am I trusting in the process rather than reacting to short-term changes?
The key is consistency, not daily monitoring. If you ever have questions, our team at Anglican Financial Care is here to support you.
Set yourself up for financial success
Checking your KiwiSaver balance every day won’t make it grow faster. But sticking to a long-term strategy, investing with purpose, staying consistent, and keeping a long-term mindset, will help set you up for financial success, no matter what the market is doing.
If you want to learn more about how your Christian KiwiSaver Scheme savings work, get in touch – we’re always happy to help.
Christian KiwiSaver Scheme is managed and issued by The New Zealand Anglican Church Pension Board (trading as Anglican Financial Care). The Product Disclosure Statement can be found here Documents | Christian KiwiSaver Scheme.
