The festive season is a busy time of year and there’s a lot to think about. Gatherings with family and friends. Holiday traditions. Christmas shopping and gift-giving. With so much going on, it’s important you take some time to check that you have the right financial protection to keep you and your family – and your possessions – safe over the festive season. Here are 3 reasons why insurance is so important at this time of year.

Most families have special Christmas traditions that they take part in year after year. Things like decorating a Christmas tree, baking Christmas biscuits, grabbing a kiss under the mistletoe, or filling stockings for the kids. But have you ever wondered why we do some of the things we do at this time of year? Or what the meaning is behind our Christmas holiday traditions? Read on to find out the origin of some of our most popular Christmas traditions.

Starting the new year with Christmas debt is not something most of us look forward to. But unfortunately, it’s often the reality. To really enjoy the gift-giving season, without feeling guilt-ridden because of overspending, try setting up a Christmas budget that outlines how much you have to spend and who you’re going to spend it on, and then shop without going over budget. Here are some tips for budgeting for Christmas spending.

Whether or not life insurance is something you decide to add to your financial plan will largely depend on your current financial and personal situation. And while it may be hard to imagine anything going wrong while we’re fit and healthy, it’s still important to think about what would happen if you were unable to earn a living. How would those who rely on you survive financially? In this article, we’ll look at 5 reasons why we believe life insurance is worth the cost.

For most Kiwis, applying for a home loan is fairly straightforward. But for those who are self-employed, running their own business, or working as a freelancer or contractor, applying for a home loan can be a little more complicated. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible, it just takes a little extra work. If you’re in the market to buy your first home and you’re self-employed, here is a guide to some of the things you’ll need to think about.

When it comes to getting a mortgage, many home buyers choose to work with a mortgage adviser rather than going direct to the bank. That’s because there are several benefits to working with a mortgage adviser. But it’s just not in the home buying process that mortgage advisers offer knowledgeable guidance and advice: even when you already have a home loan, there are instances where it’s worthwhile using a mortgage adviser.

Insurance is something many of us don’t think too much about. Often, it’s only as a result of an event that we even consider buying insurance. Like when we get a mortgage, start a family, or lose someone we love. The fact is, buying insurance isn’t always a simple purchase and there are a few things that can go wrong. If you’re reviewing your insurance options, look out for these five insurance mistakes that many Kiwis make, and consider how to avoid them.

Ongoing lockdown restrictions have meant many New Zealanders are facing serious financial hardship. Those families that are still struggling from previous lockdowns will be hardest hit, and many will be tempted to turn to easy access, high-interest debt in order to pay for day to day expenses. If you are struggling financially – unable to repay existing debt, maintain your mortgage repayments, or simply put food on the table – please reach out for help. Here are some options.

There’s a lot you can do to chip away at your home loan, beyond just making regular repayments. While working towards being mortgage-free usually means making some sacrifices – like cutting back on spending, or paying more of your income into your home loan – there are a few quick wins that aren’t quite as painful but are just as effective. Here are 5 ways to save on your home loan.

Homeowners who commit more than 30 per cent of their after-tax income to paying the mortgage are likely to be feeling a form of financial stress known as “mortgage stress”. And with around 40 percent of all lending done to borrowers with debts that are five or more times their before-tax income*, as well as the ongoing economic impact of COVID-19 – including redundancy, reduced work hours, or illness – it’s not hard to see why mortgage stress is a growing concern in New Zealand.