blog on September 29th, 2009

Air New Zealand Fashion week (second half).
Photos courtesy Air New Zealand Fashion Week/Michael Ng.

Continue reading about Air New Zealand Fashion Week: part 2

blog on September 28th, 2009

The New Zealand economy has experienced growth for the first period in over a year. According to the economists, the recession is over. But for many people, hard times are just beginning.
There are numerous families where there isn’t much leeway in the monthly budget, and if expenses increase, or income decreases, a credit crisis [...]

Continue reading about Mortgage holders face difficult times

blog on September 26th, 2009

It’s quite a week for fashion and the fantastic in New Zealand. As well as the prestigious Fashion Week (more pictures from that later), we also have the Montana World of Wearable Art, an unashamed expression of the incredible.
So, here are some pictures…

Continue reading about Montana World of Wearable Art 2009

blog on September 24th, 2009

Snippets of insurance news:
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Research by Sainsbury’s Finance shows that over one third of university students polled in the UK have no insurance for the belongings they take with them. Which is a sobering statistic when you consider that one third of students will be a victim of crime while at university.
Sainsbury’s encourages students to check [...]

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blog on September 23rd, 2009

In keeping with the South American theme:
Here is a beautiful piece of writing by Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, one of the most influential poets of the last century. Translated from his native Spanish, the phrasing and the ideas are delicate, aching, yet never stray into sentimentality. How I wish I could appreciate it in its [...]

Continue reading about Tonight I can write the saddest lines

blog on September 23rd, 2009

One of my favourite places in the world is South America, with its exciting fusion of cultures, magnificent geography and amazing plants and animals.
It’s witnessing the teeming shore life of Patagonia’s Peninsula Valdes, alive with sea lions, elephant seals, penguins and whales, or following Magellan’s wake around the southern tip of the continent into the [...]

Continue reading about South America ahoy!

blog on September 23rd, 2009

Beware, this is an unashamed plug for the New Zealand fashion industry.
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This week is Fashion week, when NZ’s brightest and best strut their stuff on the catwalk, and buyers (hopefully) dig deep in their pockets.
These are some lovely shots from early on in the week. I must acknowledge image copyright owners Air New Zealand [...]

Continue reading about Air New Zealand Fashion Week

blog on September 22nd, 2009

Not long ago, the Government was admonishing us about not saving enough for our retirements. Now, many peoples savings plans have gone to hell in a handbasket, and they have had to borrow money.
Loans come in many shapes and sizes. Wikipedia tells us that loans are a type of debt, and a debt instrument entails [...]

Continue reading about Loans and things

blog on September 21st, 2009

Ben Bernanke reckons the recession is over. Probably over. Maybe nearly over.
Well, hallelujah. All ye financial services boffins and bankers, rejoice. The recession is over.
But as for the rest of us, I fear it’s only just the beginning.

Continue reading about End of the recession

blog on September 18th, 2009

What does ‘insurance’ mean, and why should we have it?
According to the Online dictionary, it means, amongst other things, ‘a protective measure’.
So what do we need protection against? I guess the main thing about insurance is that it lets you pay a little bit over a long time, in case you are liable for paying [...]

Continue reading about Insurance – why have it?