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26 August 2021
Reading time: 4 minutes
Posted
, 13 Comments
The virus continues to upend our working lives, our kids’ lives, and our money lives as well. That said, there's a lot we can do: here are 7 things to do straight away.
We’ll get through this together, so no need to panic. Emotional situations tend to lead to poor financial choices, so be sure to get the help you need as you make financial decisions during an emergency. Take the time to get information and advice on what you would like to do.
The government is acting to support the economy, including leave and self-isolation support, subsidised wages, and business cash flow and tax measures. Find out more on the official COVID-19 government response site.
Especially during an emergency, creating a money plan is key. Financial stresses can cause considerable hardships for you and your family – so having a plan helps bring peace of mind.
If you don’t have an emergency fund, consider putting some money aside each time you’re paid if you can. Depending on how the situation evolves, you may need to rely on your safety net sooner than expected.
If you feel you need to borrow to get by, it’s important not to run to the easiest money available. A short-term payday loan online or a KiwiSaver hardship withdrawal may first come to mind, but there may be other options are likely to be better: government support, temporary loan or mortgage deferral, or consolidating your debt to a lower interest rate with more manageable payments.
The goal is to get through and create as little debt as possible.
A good way to learn about your options is to get personalised help. Reach out to the great team at MoneyTalks (even anonymously) by ringing 0800 345 123, texting 4029 or email:
The earlier you talk to your bank or lender, the better. You might be surprised how they’re willing to make things work with you and your loan. The sooner you get in touch, the better placed they are to help you deal with financial stress. After all, they deal with this sort of thing all the time. Depending on what you’re experiencing, your lender could:
You may be thinking about a KiwiSaver withdrawal and make a 'significant financial hardship' application, but you want to make sure it's a last resort. It's important to know that your KiwiSaver money can generally be withdrawn to meet everyday expenses, but not to repay debt. Tapping your KiwiSaver is a big decision and will shape your future in one way or another, so you want to be sure it’s a smart choice. Here's what to consider before you do.
Crises tend to bring out the best in all of us, but unfortunately the worst can also be seen if you look carefully. Frauds and scams related to coronavirus are popping up like poisonous mushrooms, especially online, so make sure to verify every call, link and email that comes your way – it could easily be a fake. A good way to check is to make a separate call to a published number to make sure something’s the real deal.
Money can be tight, but there are options available.
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Comments (13)
Comments
29 August 20
Frances
I've heard that we can not send money to Australia from New Zealand because of Covid19 Pandemic. I'm not understanding why.
28 July 20
Linda
Now that the banks are paying almost negligible interest, it is very hard to find something without risk to invest in. For those of us who have gone without and saved all our lives, the returns are not keeping up with inflation. It pains me to see the endless help/ handouts that folk who have never saved are getting, and the savers and workers penalised.
May 9th comment was very relevant.
24 July 20
Lyriq
Don't give up COVID-19
9 May 20
When we were kids we all had an orange post office savings book. We took a sixpence to school each, where the office lady banked it for us weekly. That's long gone now. Now there is no interest paid by the banks on savings below $2,000. Next, we now are taxed on all interest. That never happened when we were kids. WHERE is the incentive to SAVE?
9 May 20
The Key/English government passed a law called Open Bank Resolution. GOGGLE IT AND SEE. It says in times of hardship they can steal your term deposit. Reserve bank deliberately cut rates plus taxing on the interest leaves some of us POOR! Plus bank savings are always at risk. Time to take your cash OUT.
9 April 20
Jatinder singh
Hii I lost my job month ago ND m still find the job then country lockdown nd I couldn't find ND I still pay ird last 5year nw my money finish ND i didn't get any benefits. What m do nw
5 April 20
Tom from Sorted
Thanks Elizabeth, we went back to JDB directly and recommended personalised help from money mentors at MoneyTalks. They do a great job of being in your corner when you are working through options with your bank. See above for their contact details, and you can even use that service anonymously if you like. Cheers
4 April 20
Elizabeth
Anyone at Sorted got any advice for JDB???
2 April 20
marry @financesage
Nowadays, we all have to save money and try to make a plan for law expensive. these all are the best tips for money saving. it would be very useful to us. thanks and keep sharing.
29 March 20
Karl
Thanks Sorted
Iv been using your tools for a few years now to budget, and have managed to create a decent safety net money wise, this is now going to be put to the test, wow hope I make it through!
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