September 2014
Get your finances into shape this Money Week
By Sorted’s Tom Hartmann
’There will come a day when I can no longer do this. But today is not that day.’ There are lots of motivational quotes
out there that get us heading to our workouts or out onto the pitch. Maybe it’s ‘Just do it,’ ‘Play your best game’ or
even ‘You deserve this.’ They get us going.
What does it take to reach our highest potential? What does it take to leave it all on the court? You need
determination, commitment, effort. You need a goal in your sights and good routines to get you there. You need
inspiration from others – a coach, teammates, a workout partner.
When it comes to your money, things work in the same way – especially if you want to achieve the most with what you’ve
got and truly get ahead to where you want to be. And there’s no better time to get your finances into the best shape
possible than this year’s Money Week, which runs 13–19 October.
Money Week, led by the Commission for Financial Literacy and Retirement Income, is a series of money-themed events and
activities held across the country. The goal is to motivate Kiwis to look at their financial situations and get their
money fighting fit.
As a country, New Zealanders have high levels of knowledge on money matters, but we sometimes get into habits that knock
us back instead of getting us ahead. We could all do with a bit of a detox and some toning up!
Yet it doesn’t matter what level of financial fitness you’re at now as Money Week will have something for everyone. The
first step’s easy – check out moneyweek.org.nz, where you’ll find all the Money Week events happening near you. If you want to organise something yourself, there are
loads of free resources and ideas for running great events. Check if your workplace, school, church, community group or
campus is involved, and what they’re planning.
However you participate in Money Week in October, keep in mind what it takes to get your money fighting fit:
determination, commitment, effort. Those motivating phrases really help – and so does inspiration from those around you.
You’ll be playing your best game in no time.
Money Week is brought to you by the Commission for Financial Literacy and Retirement Income and powered by Sorted, and
runs from 13-19 October. You can find more info and free resources at www.moneyweek.org.nz.
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ENDS – 400 words