Since the beginning of 2016 we have been highlighting cyber risks with our clients, with a focus on protecting your assets and finances by having good cyber security. With Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma, Mexico’s earthquake all top of mind, the article from the Economist highlighting how criminals make money from disasters struck a chord. The…
In 1985, when I began my career, the Dow Jones Index was at 1,200 (now around 22,000). NZ Trustees had been limited by legislation to certain investments. Share investments were considered to be sophisticated, exotic investments, only a handful of people dared venture near them. Working as a Sales Executive for giant US fund manager Fidelity…
On July 9th, 2017 – eight months after moving into our brand new dream home, we had a massive power surge that blew up our brand new appliances, the switchboard, lights and various other things. (Suffice to say we now have $1000 of additional power surge protectors installed.) While it was a real hassle not…
We have recently had several queries from our clients about whether they should consider investing in Bitcoin, or cryptocurrencies. The short answer is NO unless you can afford to lose all the money that you are investing. Why do we say no (unless you can afford to lose all the money that you are investing)? …
You might have heard of Blockchain in reference to Bitcoin or Cryptocurrencies. However, Blockchain as a technology has far more potential than just providing a virtual currency system. In fact, a number of observers believe that blockchain ‘may well change everyday business in scores of industries’. From the perspective, it is an important technology for…
Lifetime Retirement Income is an innovative financial solution that has been available in New Zealand for over a year. We have recommended it to clients and over the last year, Lifetime have updated their offering in response to feedback from clients. These changes provide more flexibility to the offering and make it even more attractive…
For the last twenty years, we have seem commentaries in the media about ‘setting up a family trust to avoid paying residential care subsidies.’ In reality, the rules of Government departments change on a regular basis and there is no certainty that creating a family trust will mean that you will be eligible for the…
The world has definitely changed, and being a New Zealander, it is likely that you are going to travel. Hopefully New Zealand is relatively immune from terror attacks, but that doesn’t mean that as individuals we are. The NZ Herald recently ran an article that you may not have seen, that talks about what to…
With her advice, she has helped me focus on what is important to me and prioritise my financial and life goals. She remembers things that I have said in the past that are important to me and then reminds me when I’m making big decisions -bringing me back to what I want to achieve and…
We have been working with Carey and Moneyworks for a long time now. We were concerned at the start that she would push particular investment products that were good for her and the business in terms of commission, rather than good for us and we are glad to say that that has proven to be…
The IFSO (Insurance and Financial Services Ombudsman) regularly provides its members with case studies on actual claims before it. Here are some interesting case notes on real life cases on non disclosure: Recent non-disclosure cases seen by the IFSO Scheme Vehicle insurance http://www.ifso.nz/assets/Uploads/133707-2016.pdf When Ben bought a car, his finance company arranged the insurance.…
When we work with clients to put in place new insurance cover, I think we might annoy clients by nagging them to remember everything that might ever have happened to them, even if there isn’t a question on the policy relating to that topic. Although it might be annoying, there is method in our madness…