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Credit Simple

The four pillars of wealth: Your way to a richer future

There’s no magic in becoming financially fit. But Credit Simple’s Four Pillars of Wealth approach can help you get there. Going from debt to building wealth is easier than you might think. We guarantee there are people around you earning no more than you do who are well on their way to wealth. Here’s how to become one of them: Pillar one: spend less Do you know your needs from your wants? It’s only you who suffers if you’re not…

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Top tips for renters
Top tips for new renters: Eight things to know before you apply

Getting your first rental is a rite of passage into the big wide world. You’ll have lots of fun times nesting in your own space. But there’s a lot to learn to make it a great experience. 1. Be prepared to wear out your shoe leather. You’ll need to sign up with several local rental agencies and keep a hawk eye out on TradeMe and Realestate.co.nz until you find the one – and get accepted. Before signing the tenancy agreement ask…

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Good debt, bad debt. Know the difference.
Good debt, bad debt: Know the difference

Debt’s bad, right? No, it’s good. Okay, okay. It depends on the situation. Debt’s good if it has a positive effect on your financial future. It’s bad if you’re buying unnecessary stuff and falling behind financially. Good debt Debt can be an investment. But before you tell your mates you’ve ‘invested’ in a new surfboard or the best winter coat ever, read on. Good debt is something that you will make money from. Here’s how: 1. Home loans Homes go…

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Five things that will give you expensive car insurance
Five things that will give you expensive car insurance

Nobody wants expensive car insurance! But with a little bit of insider knowledge, you can get top notch insurance without having to fork over a fortune. Here are five factors that affect how much you’ll pay for your premium. 1. Your credit score There’s a proven correlation between someone’s credit score and how likely they are to make a claim. Things like credit defaults and repossession have a big effect on your credit score, so check it out and make…

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Does customer loyalty pay?

You don’t get much in this life unless you ask. That’s definitely the case with your bank, your insurance company and utility companies. There’s a lot of money to be made there. And if we’re lazy, companies can maximise their profits. Don’t let that be you. By playing hard to get, or by ‘rate tarting’ (that’s shopping around for a better rate), you can have your loyalty rewarded. Understand your spending Before you storm into your bank or phone your…

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Flipping the switch: Why it’s easier than ever to switch banks

So you’ve been sifting around on CreditSimple.co.nz and seen some sweet deals, but you’re thinking it’s wayyyyy too hard to switch banks, right? Errr, pull up a chair and sit down for a moment. Actually, switching banks is easier than ever. Thanks to internet banking, our bank accounts capture loads of information – think about how many automatic payments or preloaded payees you have on your account (mum, dad, utilities, the local pie shop and so on) – and having…

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How to build an emergency fund (and why you need one)

Last week I paid for an upcoming ski holiday in Canada. The trip isn’t until January but it has to be paid in advance. Skiing in Canada is my idea of nirvana, so it wasn’t too painful to see the thousands of dollars flowing out of my account; after all, it’s going to a good cause. But this week, my car decided it needed a wheelbearing replaced plus a wheel alignment and new spark plugs. Then my dentist informed me…

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My boss wants to check my credit score
Help! My new boss wants to check my credit report

Imagine you’re on the cusp of getting a hot new job, and your prospective boss says they’ll need to do a credit check. You’re pretty sure there’s some bad info on there, and anyway, isn’t it a breach of privacy? Fret no more, dear reader: we bring good news. Firstly, it’s true that other parties can check your credit report – landlords, recruiters, telcos, insurance providers and utility companies, as well as employers. However, they can’t do it without your…

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Most Kiwis are just three weeks from disaster. Here’s the ins and outs of ACC and insurance

Touch wood you’ll still be able to do the limbo at parties in a decade or two. But every year a small but individually significant number of Kiwis find themselves temporarily or permanently disabled. “She’ll be right,” many of us think. “ACC will pick up the tab and pay me out 80% of my salary for the rest of my life.” That’s not always the case. If you are prevented from working, i.e. disabled, through illness, you’ll only have minimal Work…

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