KiwiSaver brings out creative savers

Last updated 00:00 21/08/2007

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One aspect of KiwiSaver that I'm enjoying is the way people are helping one another understand it. This came through in several entries to our giveaway of my book KiwiSaver: How to Make It Work for You.

Entrants had to say in 40 words or fewer why they should win a copy of the book. Some wanted it to help their children, some their parents and some their workmates.

One entry I particularly liked was from Anne Ringer of Raglan, as follows:

"We're off to Oz," my grandkids say, "Enzed's

no good – we've got to go."

Poor Grandma says, "Now wait awhile –

there's vital news that you should know about

a scheme called KiwiSaver."

Now the kids are all a-waver.

Then there's Penny Muir of the Upper Hutt Citizens Advice Bureau, whose reasons for wanting the book are:

To increase my understanding – I've already joined.

To have it available for our 37 volunteers – many of whom are encouraging children and grandchildren to join.

For a resource when answering queries from people in our community.

Sounds as if that copy will be well used.

Others had practical reasons.

Fraser Fryer of Waikanae wants to save money by not having to go to the library. Mary Wilson of Reefton wants to avoid "having to cut your columns from the newspaper, only to lose them somewhere on my cluttered desk".

Some, such as Dorothy Motoi of Christchurch, sound a bit desperate for information about KiwiSaver. Her entry: "I have less than four years to retirement. And I suffer severe caffeine and shoe addiction (but otherwise excellent health), which conspire to produce an inability to face the inevitability of aging and an expensive retirement."

Many entrants tried their hands at poetry. One of the best was by C Anderson of Palmerston North:

There's different KiwiSaver advice everywhere

I look,

I'm bound to pick the plan that has the hidden

hook,

Or otherwise, the manager, who proves to be the

crook.

It's no wonder that I really need your book!

And it's hard to go past a limerick, like this one from Jo Newcombe Cook of Mt Maunganui.

There was a lady called Jo

She didn't know which way to go

KiwiSaver or not

How to fill "old age pot"

Your book might help me to know.

Congratulations to the following 30 winners, who will receive their books in the mail shortly:

C Anderson, Palmerston North; Elliott Baxter, Waikanae; Richard Bentley, Hamilton; Sandy Caley, Whangarei; Richard Carey, Auckland; Kerry Clark, Christchurch; Reg Clothier, Paraparaumu Beach; C Ennis, Christchurch; Frances Flanagan, Hokitika; Fraser Fryer, Waikanae; R Greeks, Palmerston North; Rowan Hall, Wellington; Julie Julian, Hamilton; Dave Jones, Wellington; David Lumsden, Hamilton; James Mason, Wellington; Murray McDonald, Waikanae; Kim Minot, Wellington; Dorothy Motoi, Christchurch; Penny Muir, Upper Hutt; Jo Newcombe Cook, Mt Maunganui; Vanessa Palmer, Christchurch; Jim and Sue Parker, Lower Hutt; Anne Ringer, Raglan; Jane and Ian Robertson, Hamilton; Ellen Rodda, Lower Hutt; Helen Ross, Christchurch; Robyn Severinsen, Palmerston North; Ross St George, Palmerston North; Mary Wilson, Reefton.

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Mary Holm is a seminar presenter and author (see www.maryholm.com). Her advice is of a general nature, and she is not responsible for any loss that any reader may suffer from following the advice.

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