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

Car Insurance hiccups Car Insurance hiccups Contact Us 3. Taking your vehicle off-road Most would assume this rule doesn't apply to them – when was the last time you took your hatchback 4-wheel driving? However, off-road doesn't just mean doing jumps and doughnuts in the mud. If you try to do a U-turn in a paddock and a stampede of cows damages your car, that’s counted as driving off-road. If you park on the beach and your car gets damaged, that’s also counted as off-road, and is all the insurer needs to decline your claim. 4. Driving in unroadworthy conditions If you have an accident and upon assessment your tyres are declared to have had insufficient thread, your claim can be denied. It doesn't matter if you have a Warrant of Fitness, or if bald tyres had nothing to do with your accident. 5. Driving recklessly Burnouts and hand-brakies are a favourite past-time of many young folk these days, but attempting to do a manoeuvre in a car that goes wrong is means to have your claim declined almost immediately. There are a number of key things to remember when driving a car: always put on your seat belt, give way to traffic on the right, and make sure you've read the fine print of your insurance policy documents. These days you’d have to be pretty foolish to drive around without insurance. Damaging your car, or even worse, someone else’s, without insurance is a fast-track to debt. But something so many drivers forget is that even having insurance is not always a get-out-of-jail-free card. Your insurance policy will have so many special clauses and exclusions to give your insurer all they need to deny your claims, and put you out of pocket. Here are a few key exclusions to remember. 1. Breaching license conditions If you’re on a restricted license, and you have an accident while illegally carrying a passenger, your insurance claim can be declined. Even though your passenger had nothing to do with the accident, it still gives your insurer all they need to decline your claim. 2. Not securing your vehicle If your vehicle gets stolen, but you’d left the door unlocked or the window down, that’s another reason to have your claim declined. This one can get a bit tricky because there’s often nothing for the insurer to go on other than your word, so you could say it was locked – but that wouldn't be honest. 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

Frequently asked questions when buying a home Frequently asked questions when buying a home Contact Us Should I get an appraisal? Yes. An appraisal is an opinion of the value of the property you are planning to purchase. It's one of the requirements needed to apply for a home loan. Should I pay for a home inspection to check the house? Yes. It is a must to have a professional house inspector check the house first before you decide to buy to get your money's worth. We all want some peace of mind when buying something important like buying a house. Should I use an Agent to buy a house? Yes and No. Yes, because an agent can help you with finding a home that will suit you by giving you a list of available homes within your price range and can also give you some information about the housing market. However, be careful to choose by comparing background, experience and agencies. Or you can ask someone you can trust. No, if you want to do it personally and are ready to take on some house shopping yourself. Should I go directly to the bank or other mortgage lenders to borrow? You can go directly to your bank and ask about their mortgage lending criteria. Or you can let us help you by getting the best offer without the hassles of going through the all the rudiments of getting a home loan. How much can I afford? The answer to this depends on your income and your liabilities (debt). Ideally, most home buyers purchase a house that costs between 1 ½ to 2 ½ times their annual income. However sometimes, there are no houses available in your ideal price range. If this is the case, you may need to spend a bit more. Just keep in mind that your monthly mortgage repayment can't exceed 29% of your gross monthly income and your total debt payments (mortgage payments, car payments, credit cards and hire purchases) can't exceed 40% of your gross monthly income. How much can I borrow? It depends on a number of factors and these may include: The value of the home Your income and your ability to repay the mortgage How much you have saved towards your deposit If you are eligible for a First Home Loan Type of home you are planning to purchase How much should I offer for a house? Each property is unique on its own and the ideal offer will depend on how the buyer perceives the value of the property. If a particular house is overpriced an offer below the listing price would be appropriate. If it's just within the ideal price range, an offer at the asking price or just below the listing price will be fine and if it's priced below the actual value, then you are in for a good bargain (get it while you can soonest!). 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

Six Credit Card Traps to avoid Six Credit Card Traps to avoid Contact Us 4. Missing payments Be careful, with some credit cards, if the bank does not get full payment the day it is due or before you will be charged interest in the full balance. The best way to ensue this does not happen is to arrange to have your credit card bill paid monthly by direct debit or internet banking, that way you never miss a payment. 5. Purchasing goods overseas When you use your credit card overseas you will usually incur two fees: the first is the bank's fee. The fee is often associated wit currency conversion and may be called something like a "currency conversion fee." The second fee is charged by the credit card company. When combined, thee fees can add up to 3% (perhaps a little more) onto your purchase price. It doesn't seem much, but 3% added onto your overseas trip can become quite a large sum of money. 6. Lodging security Sometimes, when you use your credit card to book overseas travel-related items,you will be charged interest immediately; e.g. if you use your card to book a hotel room for a trip you are to take three months' time, you may be charged interest from the time of booking rather than the time of staying in the hotel. In a similar way, if you rent a car overseas the trader ma reserve an amount of credit to secure their payment or to cover any possible damage to the car etc. That means, you may find when you use the card it has less credit on it than you expected despite you having actually bought anything. Most people know nothing about the lodging security until it's too late. If you are travelling overseas with your credit card, or using it overseas with your credit card, or using it overseas from within New Zealand, it pays to find out first, what the various conditions of use are. So, these are Futurisk's six credit card traps. One thing we cannot stress enough- avoid credit card debt. What if I'm already in debt? If you find yourself struggling with debt right now, contact the team at Futurisk. We may be able to restructure your debt in a way that savs you hundreds, even thousands of dollars. Credit card can be dangerous! Many people in New Zealand today find themselves buried by inescapable debt that can be traced back to being overzealous in the use of their credit card. Sure, credit cards are handy. They provide an easy way to purchase things online or if you don't want to carry cash around with you, but it's so easy to forget when you buy something with your card, you are incurring a debt. And, once you get into credit card debt, it can be very difficult to get out of. That's why the team at Futurisk want to remind you of the six credit card traps you need to watch out for: 1. Extra Credit Every credit card will have a credit limit - that's a maximum amount you can have owing on your credit card at any one time. When you first received your card the issuing bank will told you what credit limit is. As time goes by, the bank will offer to increase this limit for you - particularly if you have been paying your card off each month before the interest payment clicks in. BEWARE: this increased limit will immediately increase the chances of you overspending. That's what the banks are hoping for....to get you into debt so that they can make money off the interest you owe. There was a time when banks didn't even give you a choice about the increased credit, they just put it on your card and called it a, "privilege." The law has changed, however. These days banks should ask if you want the extra credit. If the bank approaches you to ask if you want to increase your credit limit, decline their offer 2. Cash advances Here's something a lot of people don' realise. When you buy goods with your credit card there is usually a one month credit free period, BUT, when you get cash out on your credit card you begin to pay interest immediately. A void using your credit card to et cash out of the bank. 3. Card payment surcharges Have you ever gone to use your credit card and had a vendor tell you it will cost you extra to put purchases on a card? That used to be illegal. These days it's considered acceptable provided the vendor tells you about the surcharge before you use your card. I still think it's a bit on the nose, however, and I refuse to pay such surcharges. Wether you do or not is up to you, but be aware, the surcharge is usually a percentage of the purchase price of our goods. That means, on a large item the surcharge can be quite high and can easily wipe out any saving you thought you were making. 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

Explore KiwiSaver investment options and managed funds with Futurisk Insurance. Secure your financial future with expert guidance in New Zealand. Managed Funds Our Solutions > Kiwisaver/Investments > Managed Funds > Our Qualified Fund Managers, can help you choose the right funds to invest your money in, based on your Investor Profile. Managed Funds Enquire Now Why use our Fund Managers? Get specialised help to create an investment strategy – our Fund Managers can help you choose the right funds to invest your money in. Achieve your savings target – be supported to reach your savings goals. Enquire Now About Managed Funds Managed Funds are a great way for you to invest any surplus income and utilise the skills and experience of a qualified Fund Manager, who will choose the right funds to invest your money in, based on your Investor Profile. Your money will be pooled with other investors’ money and invested in various investments. Minimum account balance is $1,000 and you can make regular deposits and withdrawals (minimum amounts apply). Fees are based on the net asset value of your Funds and you can get the same returns as a good performing KiwiSaver fund, but your funds will not be locked in until you reach retirement age, and you are able to move your investment between the Funds at any time. If you are saving for a large expense in 5 – 20 years’ time, this could be the perfect option for you to watch your money grow and help you reach your financial target. Contact Futurisk to find out more and complete your Investor Profile. Or you can work out your own risk profile at https://sorted.org.nz/tools/investor-kickstarter . We offer honest and genuine advice with your best interests at heart. Our passion lies in discovering the best solutions tailored just for you. Talk to an adviser Enquire Now Freephone 0800 17 18 19

Access essential information, policy documents, and disclosures related to our insurance services at Futurisk Insurance in New Zealand. Important Information Important Information > Manawatu Disclosure Download Privacy Policy Dowload Waikato Disclosure Download Complaints Policy Download Kāpiti Disclosure Download General Insurance Disclosure Download General Insurance Kāpiti Disclosure Download Freephone 0800 17 18 19

Protect your business with tailored insurance solutions from Futurisk Insurance. We offer coverage for various industries across New Zealand. Business Insurance options with Futurisk Our Solutions > Business Insurance > Book a free appointment here Business Insurance options Business Interruption Contract Works Material Damage Cyber Insurance Commercial Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Rural Insurance Chat to one of your local advisers today to organise a personalised Business Insurance plan. We are local financial advisers who live and work in your community Enquire Now Freephone 0800 17 18 19 Why choose a Futurisk Adviser? At Futurisk, we work for you, not the insurer or the bank. We are local financial advisers who live and work in your community. We guide you to the right solution, at the right price. And when it’s time to claim, we’ve got your back. Find out more

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

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

Six Things Your Bank Will Never Tell You Six Things Your Bank Will Never Tell You Contact Us 4. Bouncing cheques are good for your bank’s business as long as you don’t write too many. Providing there’s no fraud involved, your bank earns big bucks every time a cheque bounces. Not only do they sock you with a fee for the bounced cheque, you'll pay a higher rate of interest if you go over your agreed overdraft. 5. You can pay your entire credit card bill by setting up a direct debit like you do with your power or phone. Banks don’t actively encourage customers to do this. Why should they? They can’t earn interest on your credit card if you pay it off each month. For the bank, the best credit card is one that has money owing on it. 6. Bank advice may be self-interested. Sometimes, when you use your credit card to book overseas travel-related items,you will be charged interest immediately; e.g. if you use your card to book a hotel room for a trip you are to take three months' time, you may be charged interest from the time of booking rather than the time of staying in the hotel. In a similar way, if you rent a car overseas the trader ma reserve an amount of credit to secure their payment or to cover any possible damage to the car etc. That means, you may find when you use the card it has less credit on it than you expected despite you having actually bought anything. Most people know nothing about the lodging security until it's too late. If you are travelling overseas with your credit card, or using it overseas with your credit card, or using it overseas from within New Zealand, it pays to find out first, what the various conditions of use are. So, these are Futurisk's six credit card traps. One thing we cannot stress enough- avoid credit card debt. What if I'm already in debt? If you find yourself struggling with debt right now, contact the team at Futurisk. We may be able to restructure your debt in a way that savs you hundreds, even thousands of dollars. This information is adapted from Consumer Magazine (January/February 2006, Issue 455, Page 23). There’s something every person who uses a bank needs to understand—a bank is a business. It exists to make a profit and it does that by maximising the use of your hard-earned cash. Knowing how they do that could save you money. Here are six things your bank will never tell you: 1. Your bank wants you to overspend and stay in debt. That may sound a little harsh, but that is the simple reality. You see, banks make money from people who are in debt. In fact, if you are $250,000 in debt you are a better customer for a bank than a person with $30,000 cash in their savings account. The more you spend the more interest the bank earns from you. And, if you’re prone to cheques bouncing, or if you don't pay your credit card bill off in full every month, then you are the bank’s best-friend. 2. A bank’s review of your account is really a sales pitch. The bank is thinking of its bottom line, not yours. If you’re offered a review of your finances or get a call from your “personal banker,” then chances are they want to sell you a new product—usually insurance. It could be that the product on offer is good value, but ask yourself two questions: Do I need the product at all? And, is the bank’s product better than the one I already have or can get elsewhere? 3. Banks prefer to keep their savings-rate changes under wraps. When banks advertise new accounts with flash savings rates, they do so to attract new customers. The banks can’t afford to put their existing customers on these new high-flying rates and they often don't tell you about them. That’s why it pays to ask. 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

Find the best insurance and mortgage solutions in Waikato with Futurisk Insurance. Expert financial guidance for individuals and businesses. Futurisk Waikato Our Solutions > Waikato > We are your local Manawatu advisors who live and work in your community. We work for you, not the insurer or the bank. We’ll guide you through insurance and mortgage solutions with honesty you can trust and advice you can count on. Contact 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 Enquire Now A partner of choice We strive to be partner of choice - for our customers, insurance companies and employees looking for long-term relationships built on a foundation of trust. Our Values, Ethics, Morals, and Integrity - at Futurisk these are the most important factors of our business. Our dedicated team support one another - we learn together, and share each other’s success! We have high standards of achievements and have commitment to the company. We keep our Advisers well informed - they receive continuous education for new products that come up onto the marketplace, we hold regular team meetings, extensive trainings and outings. Our Waikato Team At Futurisk Waikato our mission is to spend time getting to understand you and your financial goals so we can provide you personalised advice which is appropriate for your circumstances and needs. The Principal Adviser, Mark Henderson started in the financial services industry in 2003 as an Insurance Adviser and in 2005 became a consultant with Mortgage Solutions and Financial Services Ltd. In 2010 Mark helped develop the “M-Power” debt management service with Fortifi Financial Solutions and in 2013 he started his own company, Marlin Solutions Ltd. Marlin Solutions provided a range of financial services such as Insurance, Mortgages & Debt Management. In 2020 Mark and Marlin Solutions joined forces with Joe Singh from Futurisk Insurance Limited and they started a new company, Futurisk Insurance (Waikato) Ltd, trading as Futurisk Waikato. Futurisk Waikato are now able to provide expert advice on a wider range of financial services including Domestic Insurance, Commercial Insurance and other General Insurances. Futurisk Waikato also offers our specialised ABF Money Management Service to help kiwis take control of their finances and become debt free faster, saving thousands of dollars in interest payments. Our Waikato Office Meet our Waikato specialists Our advisers are all accredited and have a number of years industry experience behind them. They will work with you to create an ideal insurance plan for you and your family that supports your lifestyle, or the cashflow that your business would need to keep going should something happen. Mark Henderson Director / Financial Adviser 07 929 2296 Bio Mark is the Principle Adviser for Futurisk Waikato and has been involved in the financial services industry since 2003 after working in various roles within NZ post for over 16 years. He lives in Hamilton with his wife. Mark has 2 adult sons and loves spending time with his grandchildren. Mark is keen on most sports and enjoys competing in Masters Athletics. Mark is a proud member of Financial Advice New Zealand (FANZ) and complies with their Code of Ethics in all facets of his business. He has also completed the Trusted Adviser qualifications, with them. Email Alaa Al Hassan Financial Adviser – Life & Health 027 244 5662 Bio Alaa is a Financial Adviser specialising in personal risk insurance, including life, health, trauma, income protection and accident cover. With nearly 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, including extensive work in the UAE, Alaa brings a wealth of knowledge and passion for helping clients protect what matters most — their health and financial security. Now based in Hamilton, with his wife and 2 children, Alaa holds the Level 5 Certificate in Financial Services and is dedicated to supporting individuals and families across the Waikato. Outside of work, Alaa enjoys playing basketball and spending time with his family. Email Andrea Mudaliar Financial Adviser 027 221 1442 Bio Andrea Mudaliar is a Financial Adviser specialising in personal and business risk insurance, ACC restructuring and KiwiSaver advice. Andrea is passionate about helping individuals, families, and business owners create financial security and achieve their goals. With a background in business ownership and financial services, she understands the importance of having the right protection and financial strategies in place at every stage of life. She holds the New Zealand Certificate in Financial Services (Level 5) in Life, Health & Disability Insurance as well as Investments & KiwiSaver. Based in Hamilton, Andrea lives with her husband Arty and is the proud mother of three daughters. Alongside her role at Futurisk Waikato, she co-owns a successful automotive business, giving her first-hand experience of the opportunities and challenges faced by business owners and self-employed clients. Andrea believes great advice starts with building genuine relationships and understanding what matters most to each client. She is committed to helping people make confident financial decisions and providing solutions that offer peace of mind for the future. Outside of work, Andrea enjoys spending time with family and friends, cheering on her daughters from the sidelines, and often being roped into managing or coaching sports teams. She values meaningful connections and helping others succeed, both professionally and personally. Email Get in touch with our Manawatu team today, for local support on your insurance or mortgage needs. Get in touch 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