New Zealanders with health insurance are facing unprecedented premium increases in 2025. Global risk management firm, Aon, has given us a new and dubious title – announcing that NZ has one of the highest medical trend rates both in APAC and globally, viciously spiking from 7.4% in 2024 to 14.5% in 2025.[i]
The Simple Path to Financial Freedom
The number 400 carries deep significance. It represents completeness, divine perfection, and liberation from bondage – much like how sound financial planning offers a path to freedom from money worries.
Legacy Planning: Preparing for Tomorrow Today
In the journey of life, we often focus on building—building careers, families, wealth, and memories. Yet, an equally important aspect that many overlook is planning for what happens when our journey ends.
Hedonic Treadmills Have No Finish Line
As Dan Solin (author of ‘The Smartest Investment Book You'll Ever Read’) astutely observes, "The financial media is not your friend. Its primary goal is to separate you from your money."[I]
The 'Great Wealth Transfer’ Myths You Should Know About
The headlines are attention-grabbing all seem to agree: The largest transfer of wealth in history is coming. But how much of this narrative holds up to scrutiny? There are several myths that need addressing.
Stay In Your Seat And Ride Out The Storm
It can be tough not to panic and succumb to a knee-jerk response when markets are experiencing a substantial drawdown like we have seen this year. Stress levels are naturally high and the temptation to “do something” can feel over-powering.
7 Lessons on Volatility
Everyone is an expert after the fact. Predicting the future is nigh impossible, but it’s quite easy to look back and say “we saw that coming” when making a call on either the behaviour of markets, or economic factors.
To Catch a Falling Knife
Financial markets are one of those things that move fast and slow at the same time. Not much happens in the short-term, yet so much happens over longer periods of time. We get so caught up in and sweat the small stuff that we miss the forest for the trees.
Inflation, the Rising Tide
When the Earth, moon, and sun are just so, you get a king tide – which can be a very real issue for those dwelling along the coast. With the rapid swell of inflation, we can see a similar effect.
Banking on Change
In the past few years, we’ve seen moves from big banks offloading their investment and insurance offerings.
We Had Better Have a Plan – Corrections, Risk and Tolerance
With the corrections occurring in the market and the markets doing what they have always done efficiently… It’s time to stop, breathe deep with both feet firmly on the ground, and reassure ourselves of the why and what is of our financial position and plan.
For Want of a Nail
Complaints about lending have increased with banks leery of the risk and opting to take a harsh line instead – leading to reports of people being turned down for mortgages because they were buying drinks at the dairy, spending money at Kmart, or because of pregnancy.
The Downsides of DIY Investing
With home ownership out of reach for many people, we’re seeing shifts in investing priorities that align with generational differences, particularly from Millennials and Gen Z. Following on from Boomers, who are tipped as the wealthiest generation in history, things are tough in a world where costs keep rising and outpacing income.
When it Rains, it Pours
A Consumer NZ sentiment tracker recently reported that 15 per cent of New Zealanders have no savings, 27 per cent were anxious about the level of their savings, and one in ten of the respondents indicated spending more than they saved over the past three months.
The greatest risk
Lurking just under the surface of the investment ocean is a risk waiting to devour retirees desperate for yield. It’s understandable: after all, a retirement portfolio is supposed to generate cash. But considering the current economic situation generating income is tough.
Running a Trust in 2021 and beyond
The Trusts Act 2019 ("Act") will take effect from 30 January 2021. Running trusts under the new regime can be divided into three components — functional, emotional, and ethical. Neglecting to invest trust property or poor investment choices can be reasons for the breakdown of trusts.
Get ready for Life Two
If ever there was a word that needed to be retired it is retirement. What kind of mental picture does this word invoke up for you? Is it sunny beaches and no longer having to set an alarm clock? Or a stressful feeling about how much longer you will need to work to afford such a lifestyle?
The new face of wealth and legacy
Whilst no one sets out to leave a financial mess behind if they lose mental capacity or pass away, but if you want to leave your family fond memories rather than confusion and conflict, you need to properly consider and document your legacy plans.
How to invest during a downturn | Covid-19 Special Focus
Over the past few weeks, we have been answering lots of money and market-related questions that members of our community have asked. Not surprisingly, a lot of the questions have had to do with the market volatility and how that can, or should, affect their investments.
Millionaire’s Dilemma
It is no secret interest rates are low. Have ten grand in the bank? If you are lucky with a ‘high-interest’ account, at the end of the year, you’ll have made $200 and that’s before the taxman and inflation come calling. We’re also told there are rough waters if you’ve got a few million.
