Random thoughts on Human Connection, Investing and Money Management

  The Importance of Human Connection What has become clear to me over the past two week is that we need to really clearly distinguish between Self Isolation, Social Distancing and Human Connection. I have spoken to lots of people over the last couple of weeks, and it has been a great reminder about the […]

Here to help with your financial questions

These are most definitely difficult and unique times as the world grapples with the rapidly evolving impact of coronavirus (COVID-19). Our thoughts are with those affected across the world, and of course at home in New Zealand. Times such as these highlight the importance of supporting each other and caring for our community: from the […]

Well-being and Daily Routines

I thought I’d share part of my daily habits and routines that I’m finding even more important than usual while being at home.   My philosophy is around finding balance, and taking care of my overall well-being. I fundamentally believe that our well-being is built on three areas that interconnect – Physical, Financial and Mental […]

Is a ‘mortgage repayment holiday’ right for you?

You might have heard a bit of talk lately about mortgage holidays. As part of its response to COVID-19, the Government has been working with lenders to make it easier for borrowers to get a break from their home loan repayments. While ‘mortgage repayment holidays’ have always been an option for borrowers experiencing financial hardship, […]

Coping in uncertain times | Building personal resilience

As countries around the world take extraordinary steps to fight against COVID-19, including New Zealand, there’s no denying that we are in a period of uncertainty. So if at times you’re feeling stressed out and overwhelmed, it’s important to keep in mind that this is only a natural reaction to unprecedented change – and there […]

Six money lessons from Covid-19

Many of us are hanging out for the day that Covid-19 is nothing but a memory of a strange time when the world stocked up on toilet paper and flour and hunkered down at home. But while we’re keen to shake off the lockdown as soon as possible, some of the personal finance lessons learnt […]

Why you should hang on to your insurance policies

Many households around the country are coming under increasing financial strain as the impact of Covid-19 bites. In these uncertain times, it’s natural to look at the things you can cut from your monthly budget – and think about your personal insurance policies. While it might be tempting to write these off as non-essential and […]

Kathryn Jackson: Building Resilience in Three Simple Steps

I think it’s fair to say that understanding wellbeing and resilience has suddenly become critical for all of us, but as a professional in this field even I’m getting bored (and overwhelmed) by all the rhetoric and free resources that are being thrown around social media right now. So, I’ll cut to the chase. Chances […]

Nine ways to reduce stress in your daily life

Recent events have turned much of what we thought of as ‘normal life’ on its head. And for many people, this has created an extra level of stress. Whether you’re working from home and worried about trying to home school your kids, or wondering about the future of your job or business, there are a […]

Debunking five KiwiSaver myths

Think you know all you need to know about KiwiSaver? Or is a KiwiSaver myth keeping you from maximising your retirement savings?

Seven ways to stay on top of your mortgage

If your income has dropped, you may be concerned about the affordability of your mortgage repayments over the coming months. While this thought can be a stressful one, there are options available to help you get through. Talk to us and your lender The first thing to do is get in touch with us and […]

Brand-new tools to teach Kiwi kids about money

Sorted in Schools is the new programme launched by government-funded agency Sorted to help Kiwi secondary students learn more about money management, saving, debt, insurance, investing, KiwiSaver, retirement and goal setting. And they’re also free for parents to use. Developed by the Commission for Financial Capability and designed to be taught by teachers in class, […]

How 360-degree financial advice can help you

Depending on your stage of life, you might think you’re tracking along just fine. You have a few investments, you’re in KiwiSaver, you might be paying down your mortgage or on the way to saving a deposit for a first home. So, why would you need any extra help? The reality is that working with […]

Is KiwiSaver enough for your retirement goals?

When KiwiSaver rolled into the New Zealand psyche more than a decade ago, it transformed the way many New Zealanders thought about the prospect of their post-work lives, helping people create a nest egg for their future. But is KiwiSaver enough to achieve the retirement lifestyle you’re envisioning? What other options are available alongside it? […]

How to save for a house while renting

Are you looking to get a foothold on the property ladder, but saving a deposit while renting seems to take longer than expected?

Why it’s important to regularly review your insurance

Your insurance policies have been issued, so that’s that dealt with, right? Well… maybe. If you’ve gone through the process of putting insurance cover in place, you might think that’s something that’s off your to-do list for the foreseeable future. But even when you have great cover, things may change in your life, and your […]

Mortgage rates may drop further – but how low?

Some banks – including ASB, ANZ and Westpac – are expecting rates to drop further in the coming months, given the Reserve Bank of New Zealand has left the door open to a lower or even negative official cash rate (OCR) next year. Currently, the OCR sits at 0.25 per cent. So, what will it […]

Passion, skills or money? The ‘Why’ of running a business

Are you in business for passion, profit or to leverage your skills? If you answered ‘All of the above’, you are well placed to succeed. But what happens when one motivator prevails over the other?

Keep some money in your investing budget for insurance

When you’re starting out on a financial journey, it’s natural to want to aim for the things that give you a payoff quickly. You might want to invest in shares that could quickly shoot up in value, or funnel all of your available money into buying an investment property so you can call yourself a […]

Seven good times to review your Insurance

Life always moves fast and forward. It’s a string of choices and change, all of which could affect your protection needs.

Here’s what Covid-19 has taught us about insurance

The arrival of Covid-19 shook up many of the things we previously took for granted. In the space of a few weeks, many of us went from being largely unaware of the potential threat of a pandemic to being locked down in our houses, unable to do much more than walk around the block or […]

Four money lessons from 2020

Time to claim? Here’s how we can help

When life throws a curve ball or two and you need to claim on your insurance, having the knowledge, expertise and guidance of your insurance adviser makes all the difference.

How emotions can affect your spending habits

‘Spend less than you earn’ may sound simple – on paper.   But if you’re not a natural-born saver, what’s standing between you and reaching your savings goals? It may be your ‘money personality’, ‘attitude to risk’ or – put simply – your ‘emotions’. The good news? Once you identify what drives you to spend, […]

Finances putting a strain on your relationships?

As the past few months highlighted all too clearly, financial stress can impact anyone at any time. And it can affect our personal lives on many levels, including our health and our relationships. According to a recent survey by the Commission for Financial Capability (CFFC), one in five Kiwis have experienced issues with their partners, […]

Self-employed: do you know your ACC options?

Are you paying over the odds on your ACC levies? Every dollar counts when you’re self-employed, and having control over what you’re paying for various types of protection is crucial.

So you’re buying your first home…

Buying your first house is an exciting time. But are you wondering how to begin? Before you’ve even started looking at the “for-sale” listings, you’re dreaming of how every detail will come together when you finally have a place of your very own. While it’s natural to be emotional about your first-home purchase, there are […]

Getting your mortgage pre-approval right – from start to finish

So, you’ve got your deposit together and you’re rearing to start house-hunting. But first, you may be thinking about getting a home loan – and there’s no better way to get a home loan than to start with pre-approval.

Need a game plan for your New Year’s resolutions?

Life is fluid and, of course, goal-setting isn’t done just once a year, but as the age-old question ‘What are your New Year’s resolutions?’ highlights, the end-of-year break is when many of us take some time to ponder the past and plan for the future… Then, life somehow gets in the way again, and all […]

Why we should be kinder to ourselves when times are tough

by Lauren Keenan   Sometimes, life gets you down. It happens to the best of us. Things are fine, then something happens, followed by something else, and BOOM! That deep, pervasive feeling of not being able to get ahead becomes a constant presence in your life. Then, suddenly, it feels like your problems wait until […]

The difference we can make – from quotes to claim time

With so many types of cover, different policies and a myriad of tiny details to work out, there’s no denying that Insurance is a complex affair.

Should you increase your KiwiSaver contribution rate?

With some recent changes to KiwiSaver, two new optional contribution rates have been introduced providing KiwiSaver members with greater flexibility. But is an increase in your contribution amount the right option for you?

Why financial planning is for everyone

So you think financial planning is only for people with lots of money to invest? Think again. Financial planning is for everyone and having the right financial plan will not only help you grow the money you do have, but will help you save in other areas, to provide more cash flow for your family.

Fixed, floating or split-rate loans? How to choose the right interest rate

Getting a home loan is a big commitment, and this, of course, involves choosing an interest rate that suits your needs. The following tips are a good starting point but don’t forget we’re always here to help.

Time to manage your money better?

  At times, you may view your bank account as a mysterious thing that’s beyond your control. But there are actually some simple things that you can do to turn your personal finances around, no matter what state they’re currently in.

Too young to care about retirement?

When you’re just getting started in life, retirement seems an incredibly long time away.

Business Owners: What’s your Plan B Investment Strategy?

It’s a common New Zealand plan – start a business, continue to reinvest in it, generate profits later to pay yourself better, and then sell it for a capital sum which helps to fund later life (“Retirement”). There are a lot of Kiwi’s that have grown their financial wealth significantly this way. There are also […]