Why we’re big fans of banking flexibility
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my many years as a mortgage advisor, it’s that not all bank products are created equal. While most banks offer similar interest rates, the devil truly lies in the details of their mortgage products. This is particularly evident when we look at the flexibility built into different banks’ […]
It’s about opportunity cost
Our previous article, ‘The squeeze is on!’ , was that spending restraint would begin to flow through the economy because interest rates would absorb more household income. Well, the squeeze is still on, and it’s starting to have an impact. We are getting asked the same questions – Are we at the highest interest rates […]
Skills worth saving: How lockdown taught us how to beat the budget
Did you make a list of pursuits to keep you occupied during lockdown? If you weren’t wrangling under-5s or endeavouring to homeschool while doing the 9-5, perhaps you attempted artisan sourdough using panic bought flour? Maybe you learned to knit while listening to a whale song soundtrack? Perhaps you set a goal to read one […]
When to jump at the best interest rate
About 10 days ago there was a flurry of activity on the interest rate front. ANZ appeared to lead the downward charge and everyone else followed, then ASB went one better, and everyone followed that. It turned out to be three days of mayhem for us where we worked hard to lock in some pretty […]
Time to refinance: Should you?
Before I answer that question it’s worth defining what ‘refinance’ actually means because it’s a word people use in different ways. So, when you talk about refinancing, which one do you mean? In most cases it’s all of them! Yes you want a good rate and yes you want the loan to suit you, and […]
Will the LVR changes let you take the next step?
A journalist’s job is to write a headline that gets you interested enough to click on it and read the story. [See above!] Never forget that clicking means you’ll get to see an advertisement that pays their wages. So, when you see “Reserve bank to remove LVR rules”, I want you remember that when you […]
Lockdowners: Have you done a budget yet?
We’re now into the fourth week of lockdown and you’ve probably had plenty of time on your hands. Time to watch Netflix. Time to use a small portion of the 20kg bag of flour you panic bought. Time to get seriously anxious about your income situation. Time to bury your head in the sand and […]
