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Money Myths to Leave Behind in 2024

Financial myths are everywhere and believing them can hurt your wallet. Let’s bust some common myths and set the record straight for a smarter financial future.Myth: KiwiSaver Is Only for RetirementReality: KiwiSaver can also assist with buying your first home.Myth: Health Insurance Is Only for the ElderlyReality: Health issues can arise at any age; early coverage means you are covered for any conditions that develop. If you wait to take health insurance until you are older, there is a higher ...

Summer Travel and Adventure

Summer is for road trips, beach outings, and adventurous fun—but it’s also a season of risks. Is your insurance ready to handle the unexpected? It might feel like the holiday season is over but there is still plenty of summer ahead!Road Trip Ready:Ensure your car insurance covers all likely drivers including under 25-year-old drivers - if needed. Also, check if your windscreen carries a nil excess for repair and replacement, this extension is available at a minimal charge.Check your roadside...

Summer Storms Can Happen at Any Time

Flood risk is a growing concern for many homeowners. Are you prepared? Here’s what you need to know about flood zoning changes and your insurance options.Understand Flood Zoning Changes:Recent updates to flood maps may affect your home's risk profile and insurance premiums. You can check out the updated risk map here.Review Your Current Policy:Check if your home insurance covers flood damage and what exclusions or excesses apply.Mitigation Measures:Discuss preventive steps like installing sump...

Beat the January Blues

January is notorious for financial strain after the holiday season. Don’t worry—a few smart moves can help you bounce back quickly.Cancel Unused Subscriptions: Start the year by reviewing and cancelling services you no longer use.Refinance Debt: Lower your interest rates by consolidating or refinancing high-interest debt.Set a Small, Achievable Savings Goal: Even saving $20 a week can build momentum.Review Your Insurance Excess: Adjusting your excess can reduce your premiums without compromi...

New Year Financial Resolutions

The New Year brings fresh opportunities to rethink your financial habits. Setting resolutions can be motivating, but how do you make them stick? Here are some simple, actionable steps to improve your financial health this year.Set SMART Goals: Ensure your financial goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Examples include saving $500 in an emergency fund within three months or increasing your KiwiSaver contributions.Automate Your Savings: Set up automatic transfers i...

Spreading Cheer

As the festive season approaches, it’s a time for reflection, gratitude, and giving back. At Carricks, we believe in the power of community and the importance of supporting those around us. Our sponsorships and community involvement are at the heart of who we are, and there’s no better time to celebrate this than during the holiday season.Supporting Local InitiativesThroughout the year, Carricks proudly sponsors a variety of local initiatives, from sports teams to Supporting a local refugee ...

Jingle Bells and Budget Spells

Ah, Christmas! The season of joy, giving, and… overspending. 🎄✨ As the festive spirit takes over, it’s easy to get carried away with that Christmas feeling and end up with a credit card bill that looks like Santa’s naughty list. But fear not, here are some tips to help you enjoy the season without breaking the bank and ensure your precious gifts are well-protected.1. Make a List (and Check It Twice)Before you hit the shops or start filling your online cart, make a list of everyone you...

Paul and Nick’s Epic Taupo Cycle Ride Adventure

Last Sunday, Paul and Nick took on the Taupo Cycle Challenge – Length of The Lake event, and let’s just say it was a ride to remember! 🚴‍♂️🚴‍♂️ Not just an easy 60km, but an uphill, head wind kind of ride that left them both feeling exhausted at the end.Despite these challenges and wishing they had trained a little harder, they both crossed the finish line with smiles on their faces [or were they grimaces?] and legs of jelly. Their total cycling time?  Last years recor...

General Insurance Self Check

In the world of insurance, change is a bit like the weather—unpredictable yet inevitable. With new flood zones popping up, you might wonder what this means for your insurance policy and your peace of mind.1. High, Low, and "Uh-Oh" ZonesImagine a friendly map reshuffle [check the Waikato map out here] where you find yourself in a “flood-prone” area. You might be thinking, “But my house is on a hill!” While new zones are carefully calculated, they don’t always match our mental maps. Th...

Does Your Finances Have a WOF for the Festive Season?

Picture it: Paul and Nick at the starting line, both gleaming in their custom Carricks-branded lycra, ready to take on the length of the lake. They’ve each had a professional bike fit, convinced that this minor tweak (plus a flash logo on their kit) will help them glide past the competition. It’s all in the spirit of a friendly rivalry, of course—right, lads?So, as Paul and Nick race across the lake with visions of victory, it’s a reminder that a little prep work (and the right gear) goe...

Exploring NZ Insurers and the extras they offer Customers

However, many New Zealand insurers offer extra Benefits beyond traditional cover, designed to support your health and well-being in more comprehensive ways. These extras can make a big difference in your overall experience, from virtual health consultations to mental wellness programs.Let's explore some standout offerings from leading insurers in New Zealand.1. Southern Cross Health SocietyCareHQOne of Southern Cross’s standout services is CareHQ, a telehealth platform that allows users t...

The Power of Savings: Why It Pays to Start Young

Building a savings habit early allows you to take full advantage of compounding interest. With time on your side, even small, consistent contributions grow significantly. Here's why starting young makes all the difference:  Compounding growth: The earlier you start, the more time your money has to grow. Financial discipline: Building the habit of saving when you’re young instils discipline that carries through life.  Achieving financial goals sooner: Whether it’s for travel, e...

Emergency Funds: Your Financial Safety Net

Life is unpredictable, and an emergency fund ensures you have a cushion when unexpected expenses arise. Whether it’s a medical emergency, car repairs, or job loss, having funds set aside will protect you from debt or financial stress.  Start small: Even a small contribution each month builds over time. Three to six months’ expenses: A good rule of thumb is to have enough to cover three to six months’ worth of living expenses. Avoiding debt: An emergency fund helps you avoid ...

Health Insurance: Safeguarding Your Health and Finances

Health is unpredictable, and medical expenses can quickly pile up. By getting health insurance early, you can ensure access to private medical care without financial strain. Pre-existing health conditionsMost health insurers do not cover pre-existing health conditions, so the younger you are when first signing up the better. As we age, we tend to develop more health conditions which won’t be covered further down the track when we are likely to want to claim. This is the most positive outc...

Life Insurance: Protecting Your Loved Ones

It may seem early but starting life insurance young can save you money in the long run. Premiums are often lower when you’re young and healthy, and it ensures that your loved ones are protected.  Lower premiums: Insurers offer lower rates for younger, healthier individuals. Long-term protection: A policy you start early can continue to provide coverage as you take on more responsibilities. Critical for dependents: If you have dependents, life insurance provides financial securit...

Why planning your Personal Finance early has it's benefits

Starting early when it comes to personal finance offers long-term benefits that are often underestimated. Whether it’s saving for an emergency, setting up life or health insurance, or contributing to your KiwiSaver and wider retirement, acting early can pave the way for financial security and peace of mind, and living a life with purpose  Building a Safety Net Early with insurance  Unexpected Events: Life is unpredictable, and having insurance early can provide a safety net for young...

KiwiSaver: Securing Your Retirement Early

Contributing to KiwiSaver from a young age sets you up for a more comfortable retirement. Your future self will thank you for starting early, as your balance will grow exponentially with employer contributions and government incentives. Employer contributions: If you’re employed, your employer will match a portion of your contributions, adding to your retirement fund. Government contributions: You may also be eligible for annual government contributions if you contribute a minimum am...

Changes to the Earthquake Commission (EQC)

The Earthquake Commission (EQC), a government entity in New Zealand, has undergone significant changes recently. The EQC has been renamed as the Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake. This transformation is not just about a name change, but it also reflects a shift in the commission’s role and responsibilities.Why the Change?The EQC was established to provide insurance cover for damage caused by earthquakes. However, the Canterbury earthquakes highlighted some challenges ...

What Triggers an Insurance Claim: Life, Trauma, TPD, and Income Protection

Insurance policies are designed to provide financial support in times of need. But what exactly triggers a claim in different types of insurance? Let’s explore.Life Insurance and terminal IllnessA life insurance claim is initiated upon the death of the policyholder. The beneficiaries must file a claim with the insurance company, providing a certified death certificate and other required information such as the policy number and cause of death. The claim process can often be started o...

Enduring Powers of Attorney

By Paul CarrickCommonly known as an EPA, this document appoints people to act for you when you cannot, including when you have lost your legal capacity to act. An EPA looks after you when you are still alive.This is the second document you may never get a chance to make or change when needed.In the case of Enduring Power of Attorney, you may have lost your legal capacity, which means you can no longer change legal documents or make certain decisions about your life.These events can be sudden.You...

What is a Will?

Written by Paul CarrickA Will is a written document you create outlining your funeral preferences and nominating a person/entity (the Executor) to manage your assets, pay your debts/and distribute the remaining assets to the people or entities chosen.Will’s provide documentation that has specific requirements, including some clauses and witnessing procedures.An Executor is the person you assign to do the job (and usually will have agreed to be your executor before you make your Will).A Benefic...

Proud supporters of The Kids Foundation

There are over 100 different childhood liver conditions and problems in young children, which are collectively known as Childhood liver disease.One baby each month is born with severe liver problems.Beware Yellow Month is aimed at helping people to understand the early warning signs to ensure early diagnosis and you can see below the fact sheet for 'Need to Know Facts' about Childhood Liver Disease.Donations help ease the pain and pressure for the families with PID and O...

Wealthpoint Conference 2024

The team went down to Blenheim at the start of May for the annual Wealthpoint Conference, and celebrated Wealthpoint’s fifth year in business. We spent a few days down there, trying some of the local cafés and restaurants and staying at the lovely central Lugano Motel.The conference was made up of 2 action-packed days, filled with lots of interesting speakers including Sir Bill English who gave us his perspective on some topical issues relating to the economy, technology and business and also...

Understanding General Insurance Claims

In this blog post, we’ll explore what general insurance claims are, how they work, and some tips to ensure your claims process is as seamless as possible.What is a General Insurance Claim?A general insurance claim is a formal request by an insured individual to their insurance company for coverage or compensation for a covered loss or policy event. The insurance company validates the claim and once approved, issues payment to the insured or an approved interested party on behalf of the insured...

A certain friend in uncertain times

You buy your insurance to give you certainty for when the unthinkable happens and when it is real. Once the initial shock wears off, the next thing is where the money comes from, and insurance becomes a beacon of hope and positivity.Historically, life insurance was about paying money on death or terminal illness, and over the last twenty-plus years, claims increasingly pay for events while you are alive., for instance, paying lump sums for heart attacks, strokes, cancer, inability to return to w...