A collection of articles to help improve your financial health.
The new NZ Super rates are in: are they enough to pay for the retirement you’re envisioning? If your time to retire is peeking around the corner, you might like some extra help to set up a sound retirement plan for your dream lifestyle. On the other hand, if you’re younger, your ‘golden years’ may […]
LEARN MOREEver felt you start cringing when friends bring up money around the dinner table? Do you tend to keep money worries to yourself, rather than discuss them with your loved ones (let alone seek professional advice)? You’re not the only one. Research, locally and internationally, has found that large numbers of people find it hard […]
LEARN MOREIf you asked most parents what they want for their children’s lives? -being happy, healthy and successful would be top of most lists. But while financial literacy is a key factor that underpins those things, many children do not get as much education when it comes to how they manage their money as they receive […]
LEARN MOREHow far can your rainy-day fund go for you? Building your emergency savings is always a good idea, but when it comes to protecting your financial future, it may not be enough on its own. Here are some things to consider. What is self-insurance? Self-insuring means setting aside funds to pay for future losses, rather […]
LEARN MOREHow can you stay on top of your finances? According to research by the Commission for Financial Capability, there are some mistakes that Kiwis commonly make with their money. Here are some behaviours you can build, to avoid those mishaps and support you on your financial journey. Lack of planning Remember – not having a […]
LEARN MORETime for a new home? As life goes on, you may want to find a home more suited to your current needs. And with an existing mortgage, you may be considering your options; like, what happens with your mortgage? Might you buy or sell first? Here are some key things to know as you plan […]
LEARN MOREAccording to the latest data from the Financial Services Council (FSC), $400 million claims were paid out to New Zealanders in the quarters ending 30 June 2021 – $60 million more than what was paid in the previous quarter. So, how is health cover helping Kiwis stay on top of their health? Check out some […]
LEARN MOREHow good are you at money matters? According to the latest financial capability survey* from the Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission, a key way to boost your financial wellbeing, now and in the future, is through improving your financial knowledge. So, what does financial capability mean? Put simply, it’s the “ability to manage money […]
LEARN MOREWorking towards homeownership? Or perhaps, you’re looking to use your mortgage towards a reno, or another financial goal? New consumer credit rules are coming into effect on 1 December 2021, which may or may not affect your plans to top-up your mortgage, or to get a new one. Read on for a handy guide on […]
LEARN MOREThe 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 […]
LEARN MOREWith recent events bringing a wave of changes to Kiwis’ lives, the pandemic has certainly been a key time for personal finance lessons – which will be worth keeping in mind in the years to come. Here are six key money lessons that we can take with us into the future. Setting aside your ‘rainy […]
LEARN MOREThese 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 […]
LEARN MOREI 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 […]
LEARN MOREYou 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, […]
LEARN MOREAs 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 […]
LEARN MOREMany 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 […]
LEARN MOREMany 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 […]
LEARN MOREI 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 […]
LEARN MORERecent 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 […]
LEARN MOREThink you know all you need to know about KiwiSaver? Or is a KiwiSaver myth keeping you from maximising your retirement savings?
LEARN MOREIf 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 […]
LEARN MORESorted 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, […]
LEARN MOREDepending 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 […]
LEARN MOREWhen 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? […]
LEARN MOREAre you looking to get a foothold on the property ladder, but saving a deposit while renting seems to take longer than expected?
LEARN MOREYour 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 […]
LEARN MORESome 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 […]
LEARN MOREAre 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?
LEARN MOREWhen 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 […]
LEARN MORELife always moves fast and forward. It’s a string of choices and change, all of which could affect your protection needs.
LEARN MOREWhen 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.
LEARN MORE‘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, […]
LEARN MOREAre 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.
LEARN MOREIt’s often said that money is one of the leading causes of disagreement in relationships. That’s probably not surprising, given the difference our attitude to money can make to our lives. So, how can you make sure that you and your partner are on the same page? Here are five questions to help you understand […]
LEARN MOREAs the new year rolls around, you may be making lots of resolutions. If top of your list is getting a better handle on your finances, or to start getting ahead at a faster pace, it’s a great opportunity to assess your money habits, and think about adopting some new ones for 2021. Here are […]
LEARN MORESo, 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.
LEARN MOREWith 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.
LEARN MOREWith 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?
LEARN MORESo 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.
LEARN MOREGetting 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.
LEARN MOREAt 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.
LEARN MOREWhen you’re just getting started in life, retirement seems an incredibly long time away.
LEARN MORERBNZ is bringing back LVRs, or loan-to-value ratios, after a suspension period due to the pandemic. In short, Reserve Bank-enforced LVRs restrict the amount that banks can loan to low-deposit borrowers. Starting 1 March 2021, banks can have only 20 per cent of all new lending go to owner-occupiers with less than a 20 per […]
LEARN MOREIt’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 […]
LEARN MOREWhen it comes to your financial life, you’re doing okay. You’re earning a decent income, putting a bit of money aside in a savings account … but you’re never quite getting ahead. Sound familiar? If you think it’s time to have your money work a bit harder for you, to supercharge you on your path […]
LEARN MOREIn an effort to ease the housing market pressures around the country, the Government has announced a series of long-term changes to help Kiwis buy their first home. A key part of this announcement is the raising of property price caps in some areas and income caps to access First Home Grants and First Home […]
LEARN MOREThe New Zealand Government has released a handy online tool to help Kiwis assess when they might be able to get vaccinated. The tool, available on the Unite Against Covid-19 website, has a series of questions for you to answer, which would estimate when you may get the vaccine. The questionnaire uses a grouping system […]
LEARN MOREIn the famous words of the Greek philosopher Heraclitus – “Change is the only constant in life.” And planning for your future, and financial future, may be a matter of ‘when’ and not ‘if’. When things change, and when the journey of your life moves onto the next stage, it helps to have something look […]
LEARN MOREWhile buying your first investment property may be an exciting decision, it comes with its own set of questions. One of the main questions first-time property investors have is: house or apartment? If you have decided to jump onto the property investment ladder, there are a few things to consider before going forward. So, here […]
LEARN MOREAs part of KiwiSaver’s septennial review, the New Zealand Government has recently announced some major changes to the scheme for ‘default providers’, coming into effect on 1 December 2021. Are you invested in a default scheme? Not sure if you are, or which is your provider? Here are some key things to know about the […]
LEARN MOREWhen you’re living closely with someone and your lives become increasingly intertwined, it makes sense that your money meshes together, too. But “all in” isn’t something that works for everyone. Here are some key ways you could manage your money as a couple, depending on your circumstances. Joint account If you’re coming into a relationship […]
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