Spring clean your personal finances

Money Week is a great time to spring clean your personal financial arrangements says the New Zealand Bankers’ Association. Money Week brings together a range of financial education activities from 2 to 8 September.

“Most people think about their personal finances when faced with big life events such as studying, starting work, buying a house or retiring. New Zealand’s first ever Money Week gives us all a chance to think about what we’re doing with our money and how we’re planning for the future.

“Knowing how best to manage your money to meet your needs and aspirations helps you, your family and your community. It’s also essential to our country’s economic growth,” says New Zealand Bankers’ Association chief executive Kirk Hope.

New Zealand banks are right behind improving our financial literacy. Well-informed customers are better placed to make borrowing and investment decisions.

“It’s all about people making informed choices to improve their financial well-being. It’s good for banks, and good for their customers.

“We encourage people to get advice on what’s best for them financially in terms of their personal circumstances,” says Hope.

Banks are involved in a variety of financial literacy initiatives, ranging from community education to online money management information and tools for their customers. They also provide information on specific banking products and services.

Get more information about financial literacy, including a free guide to unravelling financial jargon, and what banks do in this area.

A great independent online resource is the internationally acclaimed Sorted website: www.sorted.org.nz.

For information about specific Money Week activities in your area, go to http://moneyweek.org.nz/.