As business owners, you know how hard it is keeping up with your business, let alone the news. Join Wilhelmina O'Keeffe each week as she gives you a rundown of the biggest stories that could impact your business, so you can make informed decisions with expert advice.

This week, household spending takes a hit, what’s behind our population growth, and why the tourism sector is feeling quietly confident … plus if you’re afraid of failure this one's for you.

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Why are we hooked on negative news? Luke Kemeys of Keep the Change joins us to dissect the media "doom loop" and how the algorithmic bias towards negativity impacts money decisions.

We discuss the psychological impact of hitting your first $100,000 milestone and why compounding returns feel completely different after you cross that barrier. Luke explains how he’d reverse-engineer a 25-year financial plan, how to overcome action paralysis, and whether the goals of the FIRE movement are really attainable—or desirable.

We also discuss the gap between Kiwi business and the wider Asia-Pacific region when it comes to adopting technology — and how a new generation is acquiring business from retiring baby boomers and using digital upgrades to rapidly increase profitability.

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We ask the PM what’s in the Budget for farmers? With cuts to the Public Service, is Wellington doomed as a city? Is Winston barking mad or just barking up the wrong tree in wanting to buy the BNZ? And at Fieldays, will he be attending the Rural Industry Leaders Event (dinner and debate) to raise funds for the Rural Support Trust?

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Fonterra’s CFO comments on last night’s final GDT Auction for the 25/26 season. The headline move (up 0.6%) was largely in line with expectations, with a few unders and overs. Butter came out better than thought, and SMP a little worse (WMP 1.2%, SMP 0.2%, Butter 2.5%, and Cheese -1.3%).

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The ongoing conflict in Iran has led to bond yields and interest rates going up all over the world, and it's prompted concerns among experts.

This will impact Kiwis as well, as many KiwiSaver portfolios have taken a hit as a result.

Milford Asset Management's Jeremy Hutton explained further.

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Labour leader Chris Hipkins doesn't think the public much cares about which companies would be in the party's Future Fund.

It won't be revealing key details - including the cost to the Crown and which state assets would go into it - until after voters go to the polls.

NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny unpacked the reactions to this announcement.

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Retailers are feeling the pinch, with card spending plunging across the board.

Stats NZ data reveals retail electronic card purchases dropped 1.3% last month.

Kiwis are spending more overall compared to last year, but on cheaper food and are cutting back on buying items like clothing.

Retail NZ CEO Carolyn Young told Ryan Bridge margins are being squeezed and cash flows is tight.

She says the cost of things like freight and rubbish collection are up, and retailers are bearing the brunt

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Oil prices surged, inflation risks are rising again, and all eyes are now on the Reserve Bank’s next OCR decision. Liam Dann and Tamsyn Parker break down why petrol prices haven’t hit worst-case forecasts, what it means for the wider economy, and whether interest rate hikes are coming sooner than expected.

The Economy of Everything is brought to you by NZ Herald in partnership with CMC Markets.

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