Get in touch with Futurisk Insurance for personalised insurance and mortgage solutions in New Zealand. Contact us today to discuss your financial needs and secure your future. Contact Futurisk Contact Us > Contact Our Team For Personalised Insurance Solutions - servicing Wellington through to Kapiti, Palmerston North, and Waikato. Our locations Futurisk Manawatu 0800 17 18 19 +64 6 358 3400 enquiries@futurisk.co.nz 178 Broadway Ave Palmerston North 4410 PO Box 5252, Terrace End Palmerston North 4441 Futurisk Waikato 0800 17 18 19 +64 7 929 2296 enquirieswaikato@futurisk.co.nz Unit 4, 310 Tristram Street, Hamilton PO Box 1419, Hamilton Central, Hamilton 3240 Futurisk Kāpiti 0800 367 467 +64 6 364 6123 enquirieskapiti@futurisk.co.nz 153 Main Highway Otaki PO Box 134, Ōtaki 5542 Contact Us Our financial advisers are dedicated to providing exceptional service to our clients when it comes to health and life insurance, business insurance cover, home and contents insurance, and travel insurance coverage. Name* Phone* Email* Message* Submit We offer honest and genuine advice with your best interests at heart. Our passion lies in discovering the best solutions tailored just for you. We've got your back Enquire Now Freephone 0800 17 18 19

Stay informed with the latest news, updates, and insights from Futurisk Insurance, covering insurance trends and company announcements in New Zealand. Recent News News > Helpful news and advice on your insurance, finance or mortgage needs. Advice All news Financial Insurance Mortgages Fixing or Floating Your Home Loan: What’s the Right Choice? A perennial question for New Zealand homeowners, especially during times of uncertainty in global financial markets, is, “What should I do when my home loans come up for refixing: Should I lock in a fixed rate, move to a floating rate, or consider a combination of both?” Read More Is Your Insurance Still Working for You? Small Tweaks Can Make a Big Difference If the cost of your insurance has been on your mind lately, you’re not alone. We all sometimes wonder if we could get a better deal or if there are a few tweaks we could use to maximise our cover. The good news is, there are more options than you might realise. Here are a few thoughts on optimising your insurance cover. Read More My KiwiSaver and other investments are dropping in value – what should I do? Recent global events, including the current situation in the Middle East, have resulted in increased volatility in financial markets across the world, including New Zealand. For most of us this has meant a decrease in the value of investments including KiwiSaver. It’s understandable that seeing our investment balances drop can be worrying, however, it pays to remember, periods like this are a normal part of investing – the market is constantly moving up and down and up again. Read More Seasonal Insurance Tip – Heading into the Cooler Months Each year, as we move into autumn, we usually see a noticeable rise in home insurance claims, particularly those caused by burst pipes and unexpected water damage. The good news is that many of these claims are preventable. Read More Five Reasons to See a Mortgage Adviser Before Going to Your Bank You’re looking to purchase a new home and need a mortgage so it’s obvious—you just drop into the bank you’ve always used and ask for a home loan, right? No. Just hang on a second. While many borrowers instinctively turn to their bank when taking out a home loan, there is another way. Working with a mortgage adviser from an independent company such as Futurisk can mean significant advantages. Read More How to Strengthen Your Financial Safety Net with Accidental Injury Cover In New Zealand, ACC provides excellent support for a wide range of injuries. However, it may not cover every expense, and the financial impact of an injury can still be significant. That’s where Accidental Injury Cover (also known as Specific Injury Cover) comes in — offering a valuable layer of protection to help ease the burden. Read More Show more news At Futurisk, we work for you, not the insurer. So when it’s time to make a claim, we’ve got your back. We’ve got your back Enquire Now Freephone 0800 17 18 19

Six Tips to Help You Pay Off Your Mortgage Faster Six Tips to Help You Pay Off Your Mortgage Faster Contact Us 3. Make repayments fortnightly, not monthly Most banks will set up your mortgage with monthly repayments; request fortnightly repayments. What that means is that, over a year, you’ll make 26 half-monthly repayments rather than 12 monthly payments – that’s two extra repayments per year. Over the course of a 30 year mortgage that can save you thousands of dollars. 4. Make lump sum repayments If you have a tax refund or some other windfall, put it on your mortgage. It will go straight towards paying off principal owed and save money on interest repayments. 5. Track your finances Many people could radically improve their personal finances if only they kept track of their income and expenditure – that means, keeping to a budget. Remember, even small amounts of money saved and put on your mortgage can save thousands over the period of your mortgage. 6. Set your mortgage up with part revolving credit Of all the tips to save money on your mortgage, this is the most effective. It can be tricky to set up properly and you may need some financial advice to do it. Once set-up, however, it can save you tens of thousands of dollars and many years of mortgage repayments. The team at Futurisk would love to talk to you about all aspects of your personal finances. Click here to contact Futurisk. I remember when I was about Intermediate School age (a long time ago), my mother would give me $20 each fortnight and I’d take it to the local building society. It was the mortgage money. Having taken out a mortgage, my parents faithfully paid back the required sum every fortnight until every dollar of the interest and principal were paid off. No thought was given to ways of saving on those mortgage repayments. These are, however, simple things you can do to speed up your mortgage repayments saving you both money and time. Here are Futurisk’s six tips to help pay off your mortgage faster: 1. Start early Whatever strategy you decide on, start as early on in your mortgage as you can. In fact, think about how you will repay your home loan before you even sign up for it. Perhaps get some advice from a financial solutions company like Futurisk or from your accountant. This is because, with a table mortgage, which most mortgage-holders will have, the early payments are mostly interest with little principal being repaid. Then, as time goes on, the proportion of interest per payment decreases, and the proportion of principal per payment increases. So, the sooner you begin on a plan to speed up the paying off of your mortgage, the more you save. 2. Each fortnight, pay a little more than the bank asks for If you pay any amount over what the bank asks you to pay on your mortgage, that amount will go straight into lowering the principal owed and therefore lower the interest you are paying. Over the life of your mortgage even a small amount of extra money paid per payment can save tens of thousands of dollars. Here’s another little trick: over time, most mortgage repayments will decrease. Many home owners look forward to this and see it as extra money in their wallet. However, by keeping your repayments the same throughout the life of your mortgage, a lot of money can be saved. View next post At Futurisk, we work for you, not the insurer. So when it’s time to make a claim, we’ve got your back. We’ve got your back Enquire Now Freephone 0800 17 18 19

Seasonal Insurance Tip – Heading into the Cooler Months Seasonal Insurance Tip – Heading into the Cooler Months Contact Us Your One‑Minute Insurance Check Take a moment and ask yourself: Have I bought anything valuable in the last 12 months? Have rebuild or replacement costs increased since my policy began? If I needed to claim tomorrow, would my excess still be affordable? If you hesitated on any of these, it may be time for a quick review – give your Futurisk Financial Advisor a call. Small adjustments now can make a big difference later. Behind the Scenes: Why Clarity Matters As advisers, one of the most important aspects to our role isn’t the help we give at claims time; it’s doing the foundational work to ensure there are no surprises when that moment arrives. Understanding what isn’t covered is just as important as knowing what is. Insurance works best when expectations are clear from the start, allowing you to live each day with confidence rather than uncertainty. Contact your Futurisk Financial Advisor today and ask for a free, no obligation insurance review. Each year, as we move into autumn, we usually see a noticeable rise in home insurance claims, particularly those caused by burst pipes and unexpected water damage. The good news is that many of these claims are preventable. Something as simple as insulating outdoor taps or making sure gutters are clear of leaves and debris can make a powerful difference. A few minutes of preventative care today can save thousands in repairs tomorrow. After all, the easiest claim you’ll ever make is the one you never have to. The Most Common (and Costly) Mistake We See One issue continues to appear time and again: underinsurance, especially when it comes to contents cover. Over the past few years, building costs and replacement values have risen dramatically. What was adequate cover when your policy was set up may no longer reflect today’s reality. A quick review with your Futurisk Financial Adviser could be the difference between peace of mind and a stressful shortfall when you need support the most. View next post At Futurisk, we work for you, not the insurer. So when it’s time to make a claim, we’ve got your back. We’ve got your back Enquire Now Freephone 0800 17 18 19

My KiwiSaver and other investments are dropping in value – what should I do? My KiwiSaver and other investments are dropping in value – what should I do? Contact Us Managed funds Managed Funds are a great option if you’re saving for something big in the future like an overseas trip, home renovations, or the tertiary education of your children. Unlike KiwiSaver, you can make withdrawals at any time, and you don't have to keep refixing like with a Term deposit. Like any investment, however, they will increase and decrease with the ebb and flow of the economy. Once again, the key is usually to invest for the long-term. What we should do Rather than reacting to headlines, consider using this time to review your investment strategy. Are you in a fund that matches your investment timeframe and are you comfortable with your investment risk? If retirement or a first‑home purchase is still many years away, short‑term market drops usually matter less. The most important thing is to stay invested and focus on long‑term growth. If, however, market swings are causing significant stress, or if your circumstances have changed, it may be helpful to seek advice from your Futurisk adviser. A well‑structured plan can provide reassurance and help ensure your investments remain aligned with your goals. Don’t give up And don’t give up! Continuing regular contributions during downturns usually means you’re buying investments at lower prices. That means you reap the benefit when the market turns. Recent global events, including the current situation in the Middle East, have resulted in increased volatility in financial markets across the world, including New Zealand. For most of us this has meant a decrease in the value of investments including KiwiSaver. It’s understandable that seeing our investment balances drop can be worrying, however, it pays to remember, periods like this are a normal part of investing – the market is constantly moving up and down and up again. Don’t panic The first and most important step is to neither panic nor feel depressed about this situation. Financial markets react quickly to global uncertainties, but history shows they tend to recover over time. Making rushed decisions to move or withdraw money based on short‑term market movements can lock in those short-term losses and reduce your ability to benefit when markets rebound. This is particularly relevant for KiwiSaver, which is designed as a long‑term investment for most people. KiwiSaver It also pays to remember that many KiwiSaver funds today hold a higher proportion of growth assets than in the past, which means balances can move up and down more sharply in the short term but provide a greater yield in the longer term. While this volatility can be unsettling, higher‑growth investments have historically delivered stronger long‑term returns for investors with time on their side. View next post At Futurisk, we work for you, not the insurer. So when it’s time to make a claim, we’ve got your back. We’ve got your back Enquire Now Freephone 0800 17 18 19

Is Your Insurance Still Working for You? Small Tweaks Can Make a Big Difference Is Your Insurance Still Working for You? Small Tweaks Can Make a Big Difference Contact Us Consider targeted insurances You may also be surprised to learn about some newer, more targeted options. There’s now Cancer Cover available that focuses solely on cancer treatment, offering up to $500,000 a year. It’s often less than half the price of comprehensive health cover and there’s no excess. On top of that, some policies allow you to cover just specialist consultations and diagnostic tests. This can help with the cost of things like specialist visits (up to $10,000 a year) or procedures such as colonoscopies, MRI scans, ECGs, and more (up to $100,000 a year), when referred by a registered medical practitioner. Give your Financial Adviser a call At Futurisk, we work for you. If your cover is starting to feel a bit expensive, we’re more than happy to review it with you. Our goal is to help you keep insurance in place that’s affordable, practical, and—most importantly—does exactly what you expect it to do when claim time comes. Sometimes, a small tweak today can make a huge difference tomorrow. If the cost of your insurance has been on your mind lately, you’re not alone. We all sometimes wonder if we could get a better deal or if there are a few tweaks we could use to maximise our cover. The good news is, there are more options than you might realise. Here are a few thoughts on optimising your insurance cover. Adjust your cover to suit your life and your budget Today, there are plenty of ways to adjust your cover so it better suits your life and your budget. A quick conversation with a Futurisk Financial Adviser could unearth a few simple changes to ensure you’re getting great value without giving up the protection that matters. Review your insurance’s benefits It’s also worth asking yourself, “When was the last time I reviewed the benefit amounts I have in place?” Life changes quickly. Your financial situation today may look very different from when you first arranged your cover. Do you still need the same level of Life Cover, or do you now have other assets that could support your family and ease the financial pressure if the unexpected happened? The same goes for Critical Conditions (Trauma) Cover. Insurance products have evolved, and there are now more flexible options available. For example, Progressive Care Cover can pay out based on the severity of a condition and even allow for multiple claims. Some insurers also let you split Trauma Cover, with part allocated to Severe Trauma Cover, focusing on the most serious conditions and often coming at a lower cost than standard Trauma Cover. Income Protection is another area worth revisiting. You might now have more resources at your disposal, such as accrued leave or savings, that allow you to increase the waiting period or reduce the benefit period. Small adjustments like these can make a noticeable difference to your premiums while still ensuring a firm safety net is in place. And don’t forget Health Insurance. If your financial position has improved, increasing your excess could be a smart way to reduce costs while still maintaining access to private healthcare when you need it. View next post At Futurisk, we work for you, not the insurer. So when it’s time to make a claim, we’ve got your back. We’ve got your back Enquire Now Freephone 0800 17 18 19

Fixing or Floating Your Home Loan: What’s the Right Choice? Fixing or Floating Your Home Loan: What’s the Right Choice? Contact Us The benefits of a floating mortgage rate Floating rates, on the other hand, are constantly adjusted according to market interest rates and the Official Cash Rate (OCR). While they are usually higher than fixed rates, floating loans offer greater flexibility. You can make lump‑sum repayments, restructure your loan, or refinance without penalty. This can suit borrowers who expect changes in income, plan to sell or refinance soon, or want to pay their loan down faster. However, floating rates can rise at any time, which can make your regular repayments less predictable. Something else to consider When refixing, it’s important to think beyond the interest rate. Consider how long you plan to stay in the property, whether your income is likely to change, and how much flexibility you may need over the next few years. Here’s one answer Many borrowers choose a split‑loan approach, especially in times of economic uncertainty. This involves fixing a portion of your mortgage for stability while keeping the remainder on a floating rate for flexibility. This can help balance the different characteristics of a fixed versus a floating mortgage rate. Refixing is an opportunity to review whether your mortgage still supports your wider financial goals. That’s why it makes sense to contact your Futurisk Mortgage Adviser. We will provide you with information that enables you to properly consider your options and ensure your home loan remains fit for purpose, even in uncertain times. A perennial question for New Zealand homeowners, especially during times of uncertainty in global financial markets, is, “What should I do when my home loans come up for refixing: Should I lock in a fixed rate, move to a floating rate, or consider a combination of both?” The answer Unfortunately, there is no one‑size‑fits‑all answer. The best decision for you depends less on trying to predict where interest rates might go next, and more on your personal circumstances and cash flow, and how comfortable you feel with whatever decision you make. The benefit of a fixed mortgage rate Fixed rates provide certainty. By fixing your interest rate for a set period, your repayments remain the same regardless of market movements. This can make budgeting easier and offer peace of mind, particularly if your household budget is tight or you would struggle to absorb higher repayments. While fixed rates are often lower than floating rates, they typically come with less flexibility. Making extra repayments or breaking the loan early can result in fees. View next post At Futurisk, we work for you, not the insurer. So when it’s time to make a claim, we’ve got your back. We’ve got your back Enquire Now Freephone 0800 17 18 19

Nine Things to do to get Your Personal Finances in Order Nine Things to do to get Your Personal Finances in Order Contact Us 5. Set financial goals and save for them. Most people have dreams and goals. Problem is we don't plan a strategy to achieve them. Rather than saving for things like a new car or overseas trip, we go into debt to pay for them. Set goals, price how much those goals will cost, work out how much you need to save per month to save that amount, and go for it! 6. Protect what you've got. We all struggle with the "I" word = Insurance. If we never make a claim insurance can seem like money thrown away. Many people have fallen into a lifetime of debt because of inadequate insurance. Here's the general rule of thumb - anything you need but cannot afford to replace with cash if you lost it should be insured. This includes your ability to earn money. (Futurisk give free no-obligation insurance consultations; contact us to make an appointment). 7. Make a financial plan for retirement. People often ask, "When is the best time to save for retirement?" The answer is "now." There are two basic mistakes people make; the first is that they leave it too late to begin saving for their retirement. The second is that they assume their family home is an adequate investment for their retirement when it is only part of what they will actually require. A great way to save for retirement is through a workplace savings scheme, especially if your employer will make a contribution too. And, whatever your age, a great time to start is now. 8. Invest! Make your money work for you. There are many ways to invest other than property or the share market. We all need to determine which is best for us. Simply leaving money idle in the bank, however safe and secure it may be, is not maximising the earning potential of those savings. 9. Teach your kids about money. There is a definite lack in our school system as regards the teaching of basic personal financial management. Teach your children about budgeting, saving for things they want, how to write cheques and use internet banking, the true value of the things we buy etc. It'll pay off in the end - maybe they'll help you build a ‘granny-flat' on the back lawn of their mansion!! The team at Futurisk have three rules regarding personal finance: Spend less than you earn Pay off debt Don't go into debt This article expands on those rules - do these nine things and you need never worry about your finances again. 1. Know what you've got and work to increase it. A person's net worth is the value of everything they own minus everything they owe.In other words; assets minus debt. Many people do not know what their net worth is. Some would be surprised at how high it is, others shocked at how low it is. Set goals and plans that will enable you to increase your net worth. Decide on a figure that you would like to achieve in the next ten years and work out how you can achieve it. I think you might be surprised how much you could increase your net worth over a decade if you just start now and keep at it. 2. Budget! In New Zealand today the average person is spending 17% more than they earn, and that does NOT include mortgages (Dept of Statistics figure) - that means they are now adding to their net worth, they are going into greater debt. The reason people overspend is because they have not calculated how much money they are able to spend without going into debt. The answer is simple; do whatever you have do to ensure you spend less than you earn. Now, it's difficult to never go into debt but it must be avoided unless absolutely necessary. Borrow only what you absolutely need to, e.g. to buy a house. And, when you borrow money, make sure you know the true cost of borrowing that amount. Once interest payments and fees are added onto a purchase it can make for a very expensive item! 3. Pay off debt. This is one of the fundamental principles of good personal finance; pay off debt as quickly as possible. Start with the debt you're paying the highest interest on. This will usually be credit-card and hire purchase debt followed by personal loans and mortgage debt. Remember, the faster you repay debt the better off you are long-term because it is the interest payments that cripple us financially. Paying just the minimum repayments on your debt means you pay thousands of dollars in unnecessary interest. 4. Save for an emergency fund. The killer for the personal finances of many people comes when their washing machine dies or their car breaks down or some other unexpected crisis arises. With no savings we often go into debt that can that haunt us for a long time. Having savings equivalent to three month's income can overcome such an eventuality. NOTE: this is a good thing to do even if you are paying off a mortgage. However, if you have high-interest debt, pay that off first. View next post At Futurisk, we work for you, not the insurer. So when it’s time to make a claim, we’ve got your back. We’ve got your back Enquire Now Freephone 0800 17 18 19

Refinancing, Refixing, or Restructuring Your Home Loan? Refinancing, Refixing, or Restructuring Your Home Loan? Contact Us The right structure can save you thousands The way your home loan is structured can make a huge difference to the amount of interest you pay over time. When structuring a home loan thought needs to be given to: The mix of fixed and floating rates. The length of your fixed terms. Whether or not you would benefit from have a revolving credit facility. Your stage of life and your financial goals. Despite these considerations, many homeowners stick with the same setup year after year, unaware of the potential savings a smarter structure could bring. That’s why it makes sense to let your Futurisk mortgage adviser help you reassess your mortgage structure in light of current rates, lifestyle changes, and financial goals. Peace of mind in uncertain times Finally, a mortgage is the biggest financial commitment most of us will ever make. Let’s face it, even an average sized mortgage is a lot of money. It’s no wonder some people feel overwhelmed. Getting professional advice from your Futurisk adviser will give you confidence that you’re making informed decisions. If you’re about to refix or restructure your home loan, or if you or someone you know is about to take out a new home loan, get the best advice you can – talk to your Futurisk qualified mortgage adviser. Good Advice Matters Good news! Interest rates are finally starting to ease. That means, many Kiwi mortgage-holders are asking whether now is the right time to restructure, re-fix, or refinance their home loans. While lower rates can offer the opportunity to reduce your monthly repayments or pay off your mortgage faster, navigating the options isn’t always straightforward. That’s where good advice from your Futurisk mortgage adviser can make all the difference. Here’s why good mortgage advice is essential: Every mortgage is different Home loans aren’t all the same. That’s because, when setting up a loan, your current financial situation, your long-term goals, and the structure of your existing loan(s) are all taken into account to ensure the best move for the next period of your life. But situations change as we go through various life stages. Depending on your current situation, it may make sense to break your fixed-term mortgage and lock in a lower rate. However, not always. Breaking a loan early can trigger costly break fees that outweigh the savings. You Futurisk mortgage adviser will help you calculate the real costs and benefits, and tailor a strategy that fits your situation—not just for now, but for the years ahead. Timing is everything The Reserve Bank signalling a lowering of the OCR (Official Cash Rate), is good news and we would expect interest rates to gradually trend downwards. During times of adjustment in interest rates, banks move independently and those movements can be unpredictable. So, when should you refix or restructure your loan? The temptation is always to grab a lower interest rate as soon as you see one. However, fixing too soon or for too long can mean missing out on later interest rate decreases. Your Futurisk mortgage adviser will track market trends, explain what’s likely to happen next (although there are never any certainties), and help you strike the right balance between risk and opportunity. View next post At Futurisk, we work for you, not the insurer. So when it’s time to make a claim, we’ve got your back. We’ve got your back Enquire Now Freephone 0800 17 18 19

Cleaning up after Christmas Cleaning up after Christmas Contact Us The Futurisk plan to escape Christmas debt: Make escaping debt a priority. This is the most important step: make a conscious decision that you are going to do whatever it takes, and make whatever sacrifices you need to make, to get out of debt as quickly as possible. Work out what you can do without. To become debt free as soon as possible will require some short-term sacrifices. Think about some things that you could do without for the sake of being debt free. Maybe you only buy coffee twice a week at work instead of every day. Maybe you don't buy that weekly magazine for a little while. Maybe you don't go out for dinner until the bill is paid. Whatever sacrifice you make, it will be worth it to escape the stress and financial cost of credit card debt. Just make sure you put the money saved towards paying off that debt. Pay off more than the minimum. This is the biggest mistake made by people with credit card debt. They believe that, by paying the minimum payment required each month, the debt will quickly disappear. While it will eventually disappear, it will be a long and costly process. The quicker you pay off debt, the more you save in interest and the better off you are financially. Having decided what sacrifices you will make with your spending, calculate how much you can put towards paying off your debt each month, and stick to it. Don't add any more to your credit card. The temptation is always there to treat yourself. "It's only a few dollars," we say. But all those few dollars add up. When the credit card interest rate is added to that, we are just prolonging our time in debt. Set a goal. Having made the decision to be debt free; and worked out where you can economise; and calculated what is the most you can repay each month; and having determined not to add anything to your card, set a date at which you can be debt free. Circle that date on your calendar or in your diary; keep that date at the forefront of your mind... it's the day you'll feel a great sense of release--you'll be debt free! Celebrate. Being debt free is something worth celebrating. Plan a celebration for the day you pay off your debt - but don't make it an expensive celebration, and don't put the cost of celebrating onto your credit card! The team at Futurisk would love to talk to you about all aspects of your personal finances and insurances. Beware Christmas debt! As we wander around the shopping malls leading up to Christmas, it's so tempting to pull out our credit card to buy gifts and treats for family and friends. Of course, our intention is to quickly pay off the amount owing as soon as we get back to work in the New Year. Problem is, for many New Zealanders that doesn't happen. Some credit card statistics Leading up to Christmas last year the New Zealand Herald reported: New Zealanders were collectively paying more than $600 million a year in interest on personal credit card debt. New Zealanders collectively owed $5.542 billion on plastic cards at the end of July 2012. Of this $5.264 billion was on personal credit cards. Nearly two-thirds of personal credit card debt is incurring interest. Despite credit card rates of just 12% being available, the average interest rate on outstanding balances is 17.8 per cent. That equates to $638 million in payments going into the pockets of financial institutions over the past year. Credit card debt is dangerous Now, I know most people will say, "But I pay off my card every month before it incurs any interest." The reality is, most people don't! Much of the debt loaded onto credit cards occurs in the period leading up to Christmas. Last December, we collectively loaded over 5 billion dollars onto our credit cards. Did we pay it all off within the month? No. In January this year we still owed over 3.5 billion dollars of that, plus the interest it was accruing. Credit card debt is dangerous because of the high interest rate it incurs. For many people, going into debt on their credit card puts them into debt for a long, long time. It makes sense to limit the use of your credit card leading up to Christmas, but just in case it's too late, here are a plan to help you clean up after Christmas if you find yourself in debt when January 2014 arrives. View next post At Futurisk, we work for you, not the insurer. So when it’s time to make a claim, we’ve got your back. We’ve got your back Enquire Now Freephone 0800 17 18 19

Do you have an emergency nest egg? Do you have an emergency nest egg? Contact Us Most financial gurus and advisers these days recommend having a separate account that’s just for emergencies, and they’re not hard to set up. In fact, most banks will let you do it online. Just log in to your banking website and create a brand new internet account.But having the account is only half the job – now it just needs some money. Because many people live from pay day to pay day, putting a couple of hundred dollars aside into your emergency account is much easier said than done. Instead, consider starting an automatic payment, so every week or fortnight even as little as $5 is transferred into your emergency account without you having to do anything. $5 doesn't sound like much, but within 10 weeks you’ll have more than enough to put petrol in your car and buy some lunch if your pay doesn't come through. One of the key pieces of advice given about keeping an emergency accounts is to make it a little harder to access than your regular accounts. If you had a card in your wallet that had access to your emergency account, the temptation to spend the money would be too great. Instead, make it so that the only way to access that money is to have to transfer it from the special account into your regular account. So next time you need some emergency cash in a hurry, all you’ll need to do is whip out your smartphone, transfer some money and you’ll be away laughing. Earlier this year this was a glitch with ANZ’s payment system, and a whole lot of New Zealanders woke up on payday to discover they hadn't been paid. It didn't take long for the issue to be resolved, and everyone was paid by lunchtime, but the ANZ Facebook page was still inundated with complaints and tales of tragedy as people claimed they were now starving, cold and unable to put petrol in their car because of ANZ’s mistake. If you woke up on payday and found yourself in this situation, what would your day be like? Would you be going to work hungry because you couldn't afford to buy food for lunch? Would you have to walk to work because you had no money to pay for petrol or a bus? Or would you just transfer a few dollars from your emergency account and go on your merry way? For many, waking up on pay day to find their account empty should be a wake-up call, and one of the best things you can do if you’re scared of ever being in this situation is to create an emergency account. View next post At Futurisk, we work for you, not the insurer. So when it’s time to make a claim, we’ve got your back. We’ve got your back Enquire Now Freephone 0800 17 18 19

How to decide before you buy something How to decide before you buy something Contact Us THREE: What will this item really cost me? If ever you decide to buy something on credit, the first question you should ask it this: "What will this actually cost me?" Recently I saw a lap-top that I'd quite like. It cost around $1,000. But there was a deal - the store said I could have it for just $10 a week spread over three years. $10 a week didn't seem much, until I worked it out. Spread over three years, $10 a week is a lot more than $1,000 - it's $1,560! You see what I mean? It wasn't such a great deal after all. I was paying one and a half times what the lap-top would have cost if I paid cash. Avoid purchasing anything on credit, but if you do, calculate the actual cost of the item - it may make you change your mind! FOUR: What can't I have if I buy this? We all have a limited amount of money to spend. That means, when we spend money on one item, we have to go without something else. So, before you buy anything ask yourself, "What is it that I won't be able to afford to buy?" Then ask which of those items you'd rather have. Remember this, if we buy a luxury item with cash, but then have to put our weekly groceries or petrol on our credit card, we have, in effect, gone into debt for that luxury item. FIVE: Will buying this item blow my budget? This question is like a summary question of the previous four. Living without a budget is dangerous for our personal finances. But a budget is only worth anything if we stick to it. So, if you don't have the available money to buy that treat, put off buying it until you do, it could save a lot of heartache in the long term. If you'd like any advice on your personal or business finances, contact the team at Futurisk. "Your money is burning a hole in your pocket." That's a phrase my mother used to use. It's another way of saying, sometimes we just feel like buying something! And, we've all felt like that at some time or another. We're down at the mall and we see something we'd like. We say to ourselves, "I've got to have that, and it only costs..." The reality is this, every time we purchase anything it impinges on our future lifestyle and living standard. That's why we need to pause and ask ourselves a few searching questions before we pull out our eft-pos card. Here's Futurisk's five questions to ask before you buy anything: ONE: Do I really need this? Impulse buying can quickly lead to regret, especially when a credit card is used. While there's nothing wrong with buying the occasional luxury, we need to ensure those purchases are within our budget. The best thing to do is set aside some money for those treat-type items, and stick to your budget no matter what! TWO: If I buy this, will I go into debt? The answer to this question is always, "yes," unless you're buying with cash, eft-pos or debit card, or you can clear your credit card before the next due date. New Zealand is facing a debt crisis and this is the number one way ordinary New Zealanders get themselves into trouble with their personal finances;we overspend on our credit cards. It only takes a small luxury here and another small one there, and before you know it - you're struggling to repay your credit card debt. The simple rule is - avoid going into debt View next post At Futurisk, we work for you, not the insurer. So when it’s time to make a claim, we’ve got your back. We’ve got your back Enquire Now Freephone 0800 17 18 19