In-Touch with Keystone : May/June 2020
Welcome to the May/June issue of "In-Touch with Keystone"
It's hard to believe how much the world has changed since the last regular issue of In-Touch, with the abrupt arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic and the disruption it has created in our lives. I hope that you and your family have been well throughout lockdown and are starting to get back to some semblance of normal as we look toward the rest of the year with cautious optimism.
Please take a few minutes to enjoy this newsletter, and we will be 'In-Touch' again in a couple of months.
How to save with level premiums
Most people are unaware that there is more than one way to pay their life, trauma, or income protection insurance premiums. Traditionally, most of us pay using the “stepping premium” model, where our premiums go up every year on the policy’s anniversary. Unfortunately, this can result in premiums that become increasingly less affordable, as they are at their most expensive when you are at, or close to, retirement.
However, there is another way - the "level premium" model. With level premiums, your payments are fixed for a set period and only adjust slightly each year to accommodate the cost of inflation. While this means that your premiums are more expensive at the start, over the life of the policy you can save thousands of dollars. For example, a 40-year-old female non-smoker with $500,000 of life cover could save $13,000 in premium payments over 25 years - a saving of 35%.
If you are interested to see if level premiums can save you money, give us a call! We'd love to help you explore ways to make your insurance more affordable.
What is income protection insurance?
Income protection insurance supports you and your family financially if you are unable to work because of illness or injury. It provides a regular monthly payment that you can use to cover your usual ongoing expenses, leaving you to concentrate on your recovery. For more information, check out a short video by clicking on the picture below.
Recipe of the Month
On chilly mornings, it's nice to have a hearty, cooked breakfast that keeps you feeling full and energetic until lunchtime. This recipe uses courgettes instead of potatoes to help you towards your 5+ servings of fruit and veggies a day.
Try Luke Hines' delicious zucchini hash-browns with eggs and bacon
How to stay healthy this winter
Winter is New Zealand's cold and flu season, and this year it is more important than ever to take care of your health. Here are a few tips to keep yourself well throughout the colder months.
If you haven't done so already, there is still time to get your flu jab. Influenza can cause severe complications and result in hospitalisation, especially if you have a pre-existing condition like asthma or diabetes.
Get plenty of sleep. While you sleep, your body produces cytokines which are an important part of your immune response. Sleep deprivation can reduce your ability to fight infection.
Reduce stress by exercising, walking or meditating. Your immune system functions less effectively when you are stressed.
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. When you are properly hydrated, nutrients enter your system faster, and you eliminate toxins from your body more efficiently.
Stay diligent with your hand hygiene. Washing your hands frequently and using plenty of hand sanitiser doesn't just get rid of Covid-19, but a plethora of other viruses and bacteria as well.
Thanks for reading
It's been a pleasure to bring you this edition of our regular newsletter. If any of your details or circumstances have changed lately, get in touch so we can make sure you're still adequately covered. Enjoy the start of winter, and we'll be back soon with the next issue of In-Touch.