In times of uncertainty, investors with a plan should stick with the plan

Over the past few days as global politics create uncertainty and global share markets have responded, I thought it would be good to reflect on markets and provide some perspective on what is happening and as investors, what can or should we do about it, especially when it comes to our investments & KiwiSaver funds.

The longer I’ve been in this industry, the more my perspective on market downturns—corrections, recessions, and the like—has evolved.

Why (and how) to keep your insurance policies during tough times

11 Christmas Budgeting Tips to Free You of Financial Stress

Should I have health insurance for my kids?

Here in Aotearoa, parents and caregivers of young children are fortunate to have access to a public health system that provides free GP care to children aged 13 and under. Anyone who’s experienced a child with a high fever, ear or throat infection, or one of the dozens of viruses that afflict young kids will know exactly how reassuring it is to be able to book a GP appointment without giving affordability a second thought.

While this ability to rely on free primary care is invaluable, it can also mean that parents and caregivers consider health insurance for Kiwi kids to be an unnecessary expense. And, for some children, it’s true that health insurance will never be needed – but for others, it’s worth its weight in gold. That’s because having health insurance for your kids means you can access specialist medical care from private healthcare providers around the country without having to wait.

Are Insurance Payouts Taxable in New Zealand?

Have you just received an insurance payout? You may be wondering if you need to pay tax on this. We're here to help. The tax implication of insurance can get a little complex in New Zealand, so we wrote this blog to help demystify the topic for you. We've covered which payouts are not taxable, which are, and some that are situation-dependent. Check it out!

You can’t put a number on happiness

“What is your number?” That is the catch phrase of a popular advertisement that runs and re-runs amongst financial advising companies.

These types of campaigns are popular as many people will have a jolt of panic at some point just past mid-life, where they think, “Will I have enough for my retirement? I’d better get prepared.” Having a target ‘number’ can help you to understand just how big the mountain you must climb, really is.