SPRING 2015
Hang on to your new home
Buying a new home is a major step forward in life. It’s the biggest investment you’re likely to make – and it’s a commitment that can affect not only you, but your family too.
So it pays to play it safe and protect yourself for all eventualities. And that includes making sure you have adequate mortgage protection. This might be available as simple life cover or as a more comprehensive package of benefits, including disability income protection, total permanent disablement and redundancy cover.
If you were to die, would you leave behind enough resources to pay off your home loan, and safeguard your family’s future?
If serious illness, disability or redundancy were to stop you from working, would you have enough money in reserve to meet your home loan repayments?
The last thing you want to see is your home slip out of your hands, should you be unable to meet your loan repayments. Talk to your Eric James and Associates advisor about a package that’s right for you.
Why you should make a Will
Although Wills are simple to create, many New Zealanders die without one (or intestate), which means the court is empowered to distribute your property according to law. A common misconception is that Wills are just for the rich – they are not – the amount of property you have is irrelevant. A Will ensures that what assets you do have will be given to the beneficiaries you designate. If you die intestate, these are some of the things that can happen.
- If you are married with no surviving parents or direct descendants, your spouse receives the entire estate. This also applies to de facto partners, including same-sex partners.
- If you are married with children, your spouse receives all the personal chattels, the first $121,500 of the estate, and onethird share of the remaining property. The other two-thirds go to the children.
- If you are married with no direct descendants but surviving parents, your spouse receives all the personal chattels, the first $121,500 of the estate, and two-thirds of the remaining property. The other third goes to the surviving parents.
- If you have neither a spouse nor direct descendants your parents receive the entire estate. If there are no parents, your brothers and sisters or their direct descendants receive the estate. If there are no brothers and sisters, nor any of their direct descendants, the estate is shared between grandparents or, if there are no grandparents, aunts and uncles.
If none of these family members exist, the state receives the entire estate. Having a Will is especially important if you have young children as it gives you the opportunity to designate a guardian for them; without a Will, the court will appoint one. Discuss this with the person you are proposing appointing – being a guardian doesn’t necessarily mean supporting the child financially and may not mean having custody of the child.
It is preferable to get a Will professionally drawn up. Although it’s quite easy to just write your wishes down on paper or use a standard form, if it is not prepared properly and there is a dispute, your wishes may not be carried out. See Public Trust, your solicitor or trustee company for professional assistance.
And just like your insurance policies, remember to update your Will as your circumstances change; marriage, children, separation, buying a house or business.
Advanced diagnostic tool aids detection and treatment
When faced with an illness, a diagnosis and treatment that is accurate and prompt is essential. Having health insurance can go some way to ensuring patients get access to the diagnostic tools and treatment that could help them fight an illness.
Considered one of the most advanced diagnostic tools in the world for identifying and fighting cancer, PET CT scanning provides improved and more detailed imaging, which enables clinicians to determine the most appropriate treatment and in some cases, avoid unnecessary and invasive surgery.
What is PET CT scanning?
PET CT scanning is a combination of a normal CT (Computed Tomography) scan and a PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scan. On a simple CT image, the doctor sees the body’s anatomic structure, similar to how a map shows the outcomes of countries or states.
Tumours use much more glucose than other body tissue and on a PET image, the doctor can see where the body is using glucose – like a satellite weather image shows areas of intense weather activity. When these two images are overlaid into a PET/CT image, a more complete picture of the patient’s health is revealed, providing doctors with significantly improved cancer detection and localisation.
New Zealand’s first PET CT Sca nning Centre opened in Auckland in 2010, and more recently with centres in Wellington and Christchurch. Prior to this the Ministry of Health funded some patients to travel to Australia for the scans.
A PET CT scan costs between $2330 – $3320. Talk to your Eric James and Associates advisor about policies that cover diagnostic procedures in association with treatment or surgery.
Spring-clean your life – step 7
Along with getting lots of sleep, a healthy diet, regular exercise and drinking water, did you know that flossing every day can help keep your blood pressure down and your heart healthy? A Columbia University study found a correlation between patients who suffered from gum disease and oral plaque build-up and patients with increased carotid artery wall thickness. The researchers concluded this might mean that people who have gum disease are at greater risk of developing atherosclerosis and heart disease.
Summer Smoothie
For a healthy breakfast on the go or a post-workout meal, there’s nothing faster than a smoothie. Unlike juicing, which extracts the liquid, a smoothie made in a blender or bullet has all the nutrients and fibre of whole fruit and vegetables. Smoothie recipes are only limited by your imagination, but here’s favourite with our team.
Banana, Blueberry and Spinach Smoothie
Into your blender or nutri-bullet place 1 banana peeled and broken into chunks; ½ cup fresh or frozen blueberries; a handful of fresh spinach;
1 tsp manuka honey and 1 cup milk or coconut water (or ½ cup of milk/coconut water + ½ cup yoghurt). Whizz until blended and pour into
your to-go container or, if you’re using a bullet, place the cap and go.
Note: Bananas are always a good base ingredient. Did you know you can freeze them? Frozen fruits create a thicker colder drink. You can also
substitute blueberries for other berry fruits, and for a special treat, use ice cream instead of yoghurt.
Barrel draw winners
Congratulations to our Auckland Barrel Draw winners
Kayla Clancy and Brian Rowland of Ranui seen here
with EJA Advisor Helen Pearce (on left).
On the move? Let us know
If you have relocated or plan to move, it is crucial you let us know. We will update your records, and advise your insurer/s, and leave you to deal with the many tasks associated with moving. Please complete and return the panel below, or phone or email us with details.
Referrals welcome: A healthy business thrives on referrals and we’d like to work with more people like you. If you know of someone such as a family member, friend or colleague – who would benefit by our services, please encourage them to call us on 0800 374 252 or (03) 977 4400
Head Office, 5/211 Ferry Road, Christchurch, Phone: 0800 ERIC JAMES
(0800 374 252) or (03) 977 4400, Fax: (03) 977 4401, Email: admin@ericjames.co.nz,
Website: www.ericjames.co.nz
The information contained in this bulletin is offered in good faith as general information and for reading enjoyment, and has been derived from sources believed to be accurate. Neither Eric James and Associates nor any of its directors gives any warranty of reliability or accuracy or accepts any
responsibility arising in any way including by reason of negligence for errors or omissions herein. Disclosure Statement available and free on request. Before making any decisions concerning your situation, contact your Eric James and Associates’ advisor.
