Welcome

Autumn is almost over, the stories of bugs and flus are already taking their toll. Please take care, don't come down with one of those change of season bugs. Those little bugs can certainly knock us out for a few days.

Well, one thing is for sure, the NZ political landscape will be entertaining over the coming months as the politicians prance around showing us their feathers and slinging the unspeakable to help us determine who we should choose. The displays have already started with Brash and Harawira getting their fair share of media attention. With the election build up, tornados hitting shopping malls, and Rugby World Cup fever about to hit, it is going to make for a fascinating few months.

The newsletter covers some terrific websites for helping kids learn about money. Go over the survey results on the top reasons why people take out health insurance and take the time to watch the video of some truly impressive kids doing free-running - incredible.

Have a fantastic month. Please call if you have any questions or need help.

Warm Regards,

Jamie Coltman

May Articles

Remember Why you have Health Insurance!

It happens to us all. You look through the bank statements and you see money coming out. Occasionally, you think, "Why am I spending all this money?", "I am never sick", or "There is ACC to fall back on if I hurt myself". Sometimes, it is difficult to remember why we chose to have health insurance in the first place.

A recent survey asked policy holders what their reasons for taking out private medical cover 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.

If you would like to review your health insurance, or if you do not have any health cover, please click on this link to email me.

Tips to Teach your Kids

No matter what age you are, I assume that when you were in school, no one taught you the real fundamental things. You know, the money management stuff. Sure, you might have had an envelope to fill every fortnight with your banking money, but how did you learn about the rest of it: interest rates, credit cards, mortgages and investments?

Now, kids do not even get to do their banking at school. How can something so fundamentally necessary as money management, savings and budgeting not get taught in schools? It extends further than our education system. It is not in New Zealand's culture to talk to friends and families about money. The information of wealth creation and wealth management does not get shared. No one wants to sit around a dinner table and say, "I just put our new $4000 couch on the credit card at 21% interest last week. It is going to take me 7 years to pay off, and I will spend $6000 in interest by the time I have paid it off".

The newspapers are filled with doom and gloom when it comes to financial predictions and reports. How do we protect our children and grandchildren from dodgy finance companies, high interest rates and credit cards, if we do not teach them the basics about money management?

Here are some links to give you "tips" on how to teach your kids about money management:

http://www.sorted.org.nz/life-stages/kids-and-money/for-parents/teaching-money-skills

http://kidmoney.about.com/od/savingmoney/ht/savemoney.htm

http://financeviewpoint.com/2008/04/tips-on-teaching-kids-to-save-and.html

Funny Story of the Month

Dear Sir:

I am writing in response to your request for additional information in Block #3 of the accident reporting form. I put "Poor Planning" as the cause of my accident. You asked for a fuller explanation and I trust the following details will be sufficient.  

I am a bricklayer by trade. On the day of the accident, I was working alone on the roof of a new six-story building. When I completed my work, I found I had some bricks left over which when weighed later were found to weigh 240 lbs. Rather than carry the bricks down by hand, I decided to lower them in a barrel by using a pulley which was attached to the side of the building at the sixth floor. Securing the rope at ground level, I went up to the roof, swung the barrel out and loaded the bricks into it. Then I went down and untied the rope, holding it tightly to insure a slow descent of the 240 lbs of bricks. You will note on the accident reporting form that my weight is 135 lbs.  

Due to my surprise at being jerked off the ground so suddenly, I lost my presence of mind and forgot to let go of the rope. Needless to say, I proceeded at a rapid rate up the side of the building. In the vicinity of the third floor, I met the barrel which was now proceeding downward at an equally impressive speed. This explains the fractured skull, minor abrasions and the broken collarbone, as listed in Section 3 of the accident reporting form. Slowed only slightly, I continued my rapid ascent, not stopping until the fingers of my right hand were two knuckles deep into the pulley which I mentioned in Paragraph 2 of this correspondence. Fortunately by this time I had regained my presence of mind and was able to hold tightly to the rope, in spite of the excruciating pain I was now beginning to experience. At approximately the same time, however, the barrel of bricks hit the ground, and the bottom fell out of the barrel. Now devoid of the weight of the bricks, the barrel weighed approximately 50 lbs. I refer you again to my weight.  

As you might imagine, I began a rapid descent down the side of the building. In the vicinity of the third floor, I met the barrel coming up. This accounts for the two fractured ankles, broken tooth and severe lacerations of my legs and lower body. Here my luck began to change slightly. The encounter with the barrel seemed to slow me enough to lessen my injuries when I fell into the pile of bricks and fortunately only three vertebrae were cracked. I am sorry to report, however, as I lay there on the pile of bricks, in pain, unable to move and watching the empty barrel six stories above me, I again lost my composure and presence of mind and let go of the rope... 

The Roof Runners

We hope these people are insured...

Roof runners

6 ratings

620 views

Reading Round-Up

Inflationary undercurrent may push up rates earlier - ANZ (click here...)

The Reserve Bank may start lifting the official cash rate as soon as late this year, according to one bank economist, though most still pick the first rise to be delayed until next March. (Stuff)

Fuel tax on hold - for now (click here...)

Fuel tax hikes set down for July have gone on hold for a year, but increases totalling 3.5 cents a litre are set to go ahead from next year.

Bernard Whimp targets Warehouse shares (click here...)

The Warehouse has written to its shareholders urging them to be ''very wary'' about an unsolicited offer from low-ball share buyer Bernard Whimp.

Inflation threat 'gorilla in the room' (click here...)

The expected rise in inflation in coming months should be a catalyst for the 1.7 million KiwiSaver members to review the type of funds they have invested in, say a couple of scheme providers.

5 tips to investing offshore (click here...)

Looking to invest offshore? The timing is right with the New Zealand dollar riding high. (Stuff)

Economic turnaround predicted for later in the year (click here...)

Consumer spending is likely to flatline as people save more than they earn, but the economy may "turn on a dime" later in the year, ANZ Bank says.

Diana Clement: Wise up to wily ways of modern scammers (click here...)

Scammers rely on human vulnerability. And some of the most vulnerable people in our society are in the 65-plus age bracket.

New financial watchdog gets funding boost (click here...)

The new Financial Markets Authority will have long term funding 44 per cent higher than current regulators, including the much-criticised Securities Commission.

Disclosure rules for finance firms may change (click here...)

Under a Government proposal intended to build confidence in the finance sector, finance companies would have to make more disclosure on their risks, including how many related-party transactions and capitalised loans they have.

Event of the Month

Birkenhead Artisan Market

Birkenhead Artisan Market, Birkenhead, 21 May 2011

Where: Highbury Community House, 110 Hinemoa Street, Birkenhead

A European-style local market that showcases the best in art, craft and food, where you can talk to the producers. At the market, you will find items and produce that are unique and not found in your run-of-the-mill shopping centres. Situated in the historic shopping area and only a five minute walk from the modern centre of Birkenhead, it is an ideal place to visit and spend a leisurely morning enjoying the cafes, the market, galleries and boutique shops.

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