Hello
The past month or so has been a fantastically busy time. People are concerned about all types of risk, whether it is health, business or life cover, there is a higher awareness that insurance is essential. With our hectic, pressured lifestyles, we are constantly juggling balls. The last thing we need in life is to be left without proper cover, making tough times tougher. People now believe that the hospital waiting lists are too long. Can your lifestyle afford you to wait for a place for surgery?
Take a look at this month’s QV prices below. If the past few years have shaken your confidence in the housing market, book in some time to talk to us. One of the great aspects of our work that I love is helping people feel confident that they will feel safe in the future. Whatever your situation is, we will be able to answer your questions, and find the right investment fit for you and your circumstances.
Have a great month.....
Jamie and the Advice Financial Team
Why do you have Health Insurance?
It surprises us how many different reasons our clients have to take out health insurance. A recent survey asked policy holders what their reasons for taking out private health insurance were. We thought you might like to see what those reasons were.
These were the top five reasons:
1. "The hospitals are cleaner"
The top reason people gave for taking out private health insurance was that they felt that private hospitals were cleaner. This has become an even bigger issue with recent scares surrounding 'superbugs' such as MRSA and C.difficile.
2. "It gives you faster access to treatment"
Many people choose to take out a private healthcare policy because it reassures them that if they need treatment, they will be able to access it quickly, as they will usually be able to avoid public waiting lists.
3. "No waiting lists means LESS pain"
A major benefit to immediate treatment is that you will feel better and get back on your feet much sooner, as well as endure the pain for less time.
4. "It means a FASTER recovery"
Many who took part in the survey said that a better chance of a quick recovery was an essential part of their decision to take out a healthcare policy. One of the main advantages is you will need to be absent from work for less time.
5. "It means you can see the same specialist"
Private healthcare gives you greater choice over your treatment. Many people prefer to have the option to see the same specialist each time as they feel more comfortable and the specialist is familiar with their medical history.
Have you had a review of your existing health insurance, or would like a no obligation health insurance assessment?
Call now on 0800 10 22 64 or e-mail us at action@advicefinancial.co.nz.
Warning signs of a stroke
This has been doing the rounds on the social media sites. It is great information. So if you have not seen it, take a look:
The warning signs spell the first four letters of the word stroke.
S *Ask the individual to SMILE.
T *Ask the person to TALK and speak a simple sentence (i.e. It is sunny outside today.)
R *Ask them to RAISE both arms out to their side parallel.
O *ORAL Sign, can they stick out their tongue and move it to the right and left.
IF they have trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call the emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.
Video of the Month
The circumstances of our lives actually matter less to our happiness than the sense of control we feel over our lives.” (Rory Sutherland)
An entertaining talk where Rory, explains that economics shouldn't always be about the numbers.
Click on the image above to play the clip on the TED website.
Property values resume gradual climb
Nationwide residential property values resumed their gentle rise in April according to the latest QV index. Values are up 0.4% over the past three months and 3.1% up over the past year. Values are now 2.9% below the previous market peak of late 2007.
Click on the image above to read the full report on the QV website.
Reading Round Up
"Chronic shortage" pushes Auckland house prices to new high
Asking prices for Auckland homes hit a new all time high in April of $568,820 - the third high in eight months.
No house price bubble on horizon, says Reserve Bank
Household debt levels and banks unwillingness to lend will act as a check and prevent a repeat of the house price inflation seen between 2002-2007, according to the Reserve Bank.
Mortgagee sales hit record levels
Some winners dream of being free of work forever. Calculating the cost to do that is tricky. Say you're 30 and need $100,000 a year to live comfortably.
Keith Rankin: Austerity needs stimulus to work
Public austerity, under different names, has commonly been extolled as a prudent fiscal policy that remediates alleged past excesses of governments.
How savage has European austerity (spending cuts) been?
To be sure, there are particular small countries which have made serious spending cuts, in the Baltics most of all. But sometimes one hears it said that an anti-austerity strategy must be EU-wide as a whole, or that austerity is “a failed strategy for the eurozone,” or something similar.