Have you participated in the ‘What is your number’ campaign to see if you can get your Electricity cheaper? If not, check it out at What is My Number? This service is provided by the Productivity Commission to increase competition and there have been good results as a result of this campaign. On the back…
The Government today announced changes to the criteria for first home buyers to use their KiwiSaver for the purchase of their first home. This will enable around 2000 more people to get into their first home. So, cutting to the chase, what does this mean? From the 1st October 2013: FIRSTLY – you now need…
What if each year of your life was a jellybean? How would you use your jellybeans? What would you do in those spare years? This video gives you a tangible and visual method of thinking about your life planning, your goals and objectives. When you have watched it, let us know on our Facebook page…
This is a topic that we don’t really like to talk about, but it is happening all around us. Divorce – or as we often refer to it ‘Wealth Division’. There are enough emotions and stress associated with the process of Divorce, without having to start dealing with the financial aspects. I read this excellent…
completes TOWER transaction It was announced on the 1st August 2013, that Fidelity Life completed the purchase of the TOWER Health & Life in-force business and the group risk business of TOWER Life NZ Limited (together TOWER). The transaction makes Fidelity Life the country’s third largest life insurer (by in-force risk premium). We now have…
Since the launch of KiwiSaver 6 (Yes SIX) years ago, Moneyworks have monitored the performance of the core KiwiSaver providers every quarter. We only monitor the Balanced funds, and compare the returns to each other and build up a track record of how the funds have gone compared to each other. Our goal is to…
Are you a ‘normal’ kiwi, or are you in dire straits if you lose your income? This research from Mastercard show that 26% of kiwis can’t survive a month without their regular pay. But, on the hand most New Zealander’s can access 3 months income if their income stops. So, what are the main three…
At present in NZ, all eligible people (NZ Residents who meet the criteria), are entitled to receive a universal income from the age of 65. This is regardless of whether they are male or female, how much they have earned during their lives, whether they still earn an income, whether they have millions of dollars…
Life insurance does work. This story is from Nick about how the life insurance cover from Sovereign,on his father provided for his children after he died from heart problems, Sometimes it feels like a hassle paying these premiums, but if the unexpected happens and someone dies sooner than planned, the value of life insurance…
Every couple of years, the IRD contacts the media and they run a story like the one below. As our goal is to help all our clients to achieve their goals asap, if you have the opportunity to ‘find’ funds that you might have ‘lost’ we encourage you to do this. Where did the money…
The ability to withdraw yours and your employers contributions from your KiwiSaver, for the deposit on your first home is a valuable feature of KiwiSaver. There are not many limitations on this feature of KiwiSaver. However, another feature of KiwiSaver is the ability to apply for a First Home Buyers subsidy from Housing New Zealand…
An important feature of KiwiSaver is the ability to withdraw your contributions from KiwiSaver to purchase a first home. Another valuable feature is the ability for some people to receive a First Home Buyers Subsidy from Housing New Zealand. There are a number of rules around this Subsidy, but if you are eligible, it is…