Sorted

Have you checked out Sorted yet?

Sorted is New Zealand's free independent money guide, run by the Retirement Commission. It is full of calculators and information to help you manage your finances throughout your life.

The site offers advice suited to the stage of life you are in and has specific plans to help you map and achieve your goals. There are calculators for savings, paying off debt, plan for retirement, mortgage repayments and more. It is a handy little tool with a cute little mouse for a guide!

These basics will see you setting some goals, make a budget and start saving, all good New Years resolutions!

We would like to propose a toast!

There is always something to smile about!

1. According to the new Global Peace Index (GPI), New Zealand tops the list of countries that are the safest in the world.
2. According to the just released Human Development Report released by the UN, New Zealand is the third best country to live in the world, climbing 17 places in this year’s index.
3. According to the IFC and World Bank, among 183 economies, New Zealand is in the top 3 for ease of doing business for local firms.
4. Australia and New Zealand shared first place, in a first-of-its-kind survey ranking 153 nations on the willingness of their citizens to donate time and money to charity. China ranked near the bottom, barely higher than last-place Madagascar.
5. And if that doesn’t put a smile on your face, the world recession has created an oversupply of bubbly from France. Retailers are waging a ’champagne war’, with prices for Moët slumping by almost 30%!

Cheers to that!

BNZ Money Map-Santas Little Helper

We love tools that help things to run smoothly!! Have you seen the BNZ Money Map?? This sharp little tool is designed to help you to manage your money - savings and spending!

Ahem, does it look a little familiar...yeah our Xero friends have teamed up with our BNZ friends to roll out this little number.

Got questions? Click here to read some things that are commonly asked. All in all great minds think alike and any inexpensive little helper is perfect for watching your pennies over Christmas. Cool!

Bye Bye Gift Duty

On 1 November the Government announced that it will abolish gift duty with effect from 1 October next year. This decision seems quite a sensible one. Gift duty raises a paltry $2.2M each year for Government, when in fact it collectively costs trusts around $70M per annum to file gift duty statements, most of which result in no gift duty needing to be paid. At last, some simplification!

It’s natural to be concerned that the removal of gift duty creates an ‘open slather’ environment, encouraging people to hide assets in trusts to avoid creditors. Not so, says the Government, who suggest that there is plenty of protection in the Insolvency Act to safeguard creditors. The abolition of gift duty will be included in legislation to be introduced in November 2010 and will be effective from 1 October 2011.

Mark Magill Mortgage Man!

The Findlay and Co Queenstown crew have settled nicely onto their office in Terrace Junction. We have found ourselves amongst like-minded business owners who are also looking to help their customers succeed. Mark Magill from Mike Pero Mortgages is a prime example!

Mark originally hails from Canada. He has been lucky enough to marry a Kiwi lass and lives in Wanaka with his young family. Mark balances his career as a top ranking Ski Instructor with full time Mortgage Broking action. The business is built on giving holistic advice that is current and tailored to each client...that goes for both skiing and finance!

We are in a climate where seeking good advice is key, especially around finance. Mark is able to offer independent advice that is objective and straight up. So if you just need to chat over your existing mortgage or are considering a new one (in this buyers market) give Mark a call and chat through your plans.

A little bit of independent advice goes along way!

Christmas Drinks and Closed Dates

On 16th December from 4.30 we are shouting Christmas drinks to say thank you to our valued clients. Please join us to toast to summer and a New Year approaching.

Our closed dates over the festive season will be from 5pm 23rd December and we are back on deck January 17th 2011.

We look forward to seeing you for a drink mid December.

So much to do!

Summer in the Southern Lakes is awesome! It doesn't matter what you are into, you can find it happening here. But the key is to keep a beady eye out so that you don't miss out!

One to mark in the 'Fun Diary' is Waitangi Weekend, Shotover Sunshine Festival. Lots of great bands, Fat Freddys Drop, Hollie Smith, Shapeshifter, Ladi 6, Opensouls and more. Check it out here.

To keep your finger on the pulse check www.summerdaze.co.nz and go get amongst it!