The Sunday Star-Times readers met Wellington couple Jody Stewart and Sarah Hill three weeks ago when they sent in a "ransom note" to our financial planner of the year competition with a plea for help.
Tuesday, December 7th 2004, 5:55PM
by The Landlord
Like many New Zealanders, Jody and Sarah, both in their 30s, were saving and planning for the future, but wanted to know if their plans would get them where they wanted to go.
They had achieved a lot. Successful professionals - Sarah is an operations manager for a government department and Jody is a self-employed communications expert. They have been careful with their wages, which combined are well into six figures.
The couple had managed to buy a home and a rental property with a combined value of half a million dollars (both with mortgages). As well, they have saved some money, both privately and through work schemes.
But, Jody says, echoing the concerns of many Kiwis: "We didn't really have a plan. We were dabbling and making it up as we went along. We weren't sure if what we were doing was right or wrong."
The Star-Times matched them with financial planner of the year Alison Renfrew, who gave them a financial health-check.
