Prepaying your funeral
Do you have bonus bonds? With bonus bonds coming to an end, putting these funds towards prepaying your funeral is an option for you to consider.
Why should you pre-plan and/or pre-pay your funeral?
•Peace of mind as relieves some of the stress for those left behind - you have left a plan of what you want.
•Financial security to ease the burden off your family. Currently, $10,000 (held in a funeral plan) is exempt from rest home asset testing.
•Personalisation - your wishes are known. You can record your specific preferences for your meaningful funeral, to be celebrated as you want to be remembered.
•You have control until the end – taking care of your funeral arrangements is a thoughtful and caring thing to do for your family.
•Provides comfort to others – a meaningful funeral is an important event for your family and friends. It brings a sense of closure and enables your family to begin the healing process.
•Funds are held in the FDANZ Funeral Trust, administered by Gallagher Bassett NZ Ltd.
From preplanning and/or prearranging of funerals, to looking after you when your loved one dies, through to designing and organising of memorials, the team at Avenal Park Funeral Home are here for you.
For more information, or to discuss prearranging and preplanning your funeral, contact Nigel, Donna, Chris or Mel at Avenal Park Funeral Home on 03 218 9021 or visit us at 75 Fox Street, Invercargill.
What's your favourite tomato recipe?
Kia ora neighbours. We know your tomato plants are still growing, but we're looking ahead to the harvest already! If you've got a family recipe for tomatoes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine to share with our readers. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our February 2025 issue.
Warnings about scams
This Fraud Awareness Week, we’re reminding everyone to stay sharp and look out for the warning signs of scams to stop them before they start.
Here’s what to watch out for:
🔍 Unrealistic offers or promises of easy money that are too good to be true
🔍 Pressure tactics: Scammers may rush or threaten you to act immediately.
🔍 Requests for personal info: Be cautious if you’re asked for bank details, passwords, or sensitive information.
🔍 Unusual payment methods like gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers.
🔍 Unverified contacts: Emails, calls, or messages from unknown or suspicious sources.
How to protect yourself:
✅ Stop and think before sharing personal details or making payments.
✅ Don't click on any links until you know that it is safe.
✅ Verify the source: Contact the organisation directly using official channels.
✅ If something’s not right, it's OK to hang up, walk away, ignore it and move on.
If you wish to report a scam, contact Police on 105 or report it online via 105.police.govt.nz/use-105.
Tactile texture
Welcome texture into your room by using leftover Resene Anaglypta wallpaper to accentuate furniture and décor items. Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.