Stop Living Pay Cheque to Pay Cheque

Wednesday, 14 March 2012, 4:01 pm
Press Release: Kiwi Discount Club Living Pay Cheque to Pay Cheque?
 

Kiwi Discount Club Ltd are giving away a 20 page e-book free showing consumers how they can stop living pay cheque to pay cheque by taking a closer look at their household spending and where they shop for all their day to day expenses.

In this report examples are given of how consumers can save tens of thousands of dollars on their mortgage by voluntarily increasing their mortgage payments by as little as $100 per month. The report provides 7 tips on how to reduce household spending and reallocate those funds to eliminating debt including the mortgage sooner.

Products and Services that come under scrutiny in this report include Mortgage interest rates, Insurance, Electricity, Petrol, Credit Cards and Health Insurance.

Des Morgan Director of Kiwi Discount Club said that in these economic times with the threat of a worldwide recession hanging over our head it is imperative that we make each dollar count, reduce debt and take responsibility for our own financial destiny.

Morgan said The Kiwi Discount Club has been set up to help New Zealanders fight for their money. The Kiwi Clubs mission is to save members thousands of dollars per year by negotiating with the companies who supply most of our day to day goods and services.

As our membership grows Kiwi Discount Club will be in a strong position to negotiate discounts for the benefit of all members he said.

Morgan said there is no joining fee to become a member of the Kiwi Discount Club.

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Health Insurance In New Zealand

health insurance The health insurance industry in New Zealand makes a huge contribution towards the health and well-being of New Zealander’s. In 2009 health insurers spent around $750 million on health care, the majority for the 15-64 year age group. The private health care system paid for half of all elective surgery in New Zealand.

It’s hard to predict what medical problems you might experience within the future. Not all treatments or expenses are covered by the public health system, and also the public health system may not provide you with the urgency of treatment you would prefer.

For those with out health insurance, surgery waiting lists are a fact of life. If you wanted to hurry things along, the only choice would be to pay for private health care treatment your self but would you be able to afford the costs?

While the public health system focuses on acute (emergency) services, private health insurers are able to cover the cost of many semi-urgent and non-urgent procedures. The health insurance industry in New Zealand complements the public health system, by ‘bridging the gap’ between what the public health system can sustain and what we, the public, want for our health.

Health Insurance In New Zealand makes sense

Over 1.39 million New Zealander’s have health insurance. Why? Because, like any other insurance, it offers certainty in occasions of difficulty. You cannot tell what health problems might affect you within the future. And you can’t foresee how they’ll impact on your loved ones, your lifestyle or your earning capability.

Not all treatments or expenses are covered by the public health system, and you often have no control over the timing or quality of the care you get.

Getting health insurance, however, means which you can choose your specialist, and you can select when and where you are treated. All with the assurance that you can recover all or the majority of the expenses.

In short, health insurance takes away the uncertainty of one’s future health care.

By buying your health insurance as a member of Kiwi Discount Club you will receive a cash rebate equivalent to 30% of the first year’s premium from our appointed Insurance Brokers plus special membership benefits

Click online insurance quote to be emailed a free health insurance quote that fits your specific needs.

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Don’t Get Caught This Xmas – Get Your Low Interest Rate Credit Card Now!

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Do you struggle to pay off your credit card and carry over the debt from month to month?

If so your best bet is to go for a low rate card with a very low or no annual fee.  Don’t be swayed by cards offering big rewards, as these usually come with big monthly interest rates and/or large annual fees.

With interest rate charges of around 22% on many bank credit cards  and over 25% for finance company cards now is the time to take control of your finances with the low interest credit cards that are available if you shop around.

As an example ANZ offer a 2.99% p.a. interest for six months on balances transferred from another bank’s credit card, then an on-going low rate of 13.90% p.a. on purchases.

This could save you hundreds of dollars in interest each year.

ASB, Kiwibank, National Bank and Westpac all offer low rate credit cards and some banks will even take over finance company credit cards such as Q Card, GE Money, GEM Visa and Farmers.

Check out the balance transfer calculators on your banks website which should include the introductory interest rate and term, the normal credit card rate, the annual fee and any balance transfer fee that may be applicable.

The four main things to avoid in balance transfer deals are:

1. Spending on the card

Most lenders apply payments to the outstanding balance that has been transferred first, rather than the new spending, which is attracting a higher interest rate. They way around this for clever consumers is to refrain from spending any money on the new card and slowly pay off the balance taking advantage of the low rate. Only after the balance is paid off in full should you spend on the card.

2. High revert rates

After the advertised number of months . these vary from 6 to 12 months to the life of the balance . all unpaid balances are transferred to the standard interest rate. It.s important to know what this .revert. rate is, as it can be as low as 12.9% or as high as 22.20%. As a general rule, before switching credit cards, consumers should know the promotional rate, when it expires and the rate they will pay after expiration.

3. No interest-free days

There are no loyalty points or interest-free days on the balance transferred. Interest is charged from day one on balance transfers.

4. Different Intro Rates

When transferring from more than one card . such as a Q Card and a Visa card to one new credit card, there may be different introductory rates. The fine print in some cards say that where you.ve made more than one balance transfer, payments may be allocated to the balance transfer with the lowest interest rate first.

Statistics tell us the big months for credit card debt are December and January so don’t be caught again this Xmas and make sure you avoid the unpleasant 2012 new year debt hangover many of us will experience.

 

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Save 38 Cents per Litre Just By Shopping At BP

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Save 38 Cents per Litre Just By Shopping At BP

Save 38 Cents per Litre Just By Shopping At BP

• 32 cpl worth of in-store discounts at BP
• Instant 6 cpl discount for all existing AA customers at BP

BP customers can look forward to paying 171.9 cpl, just by shopping at BP in the first of BP’s AA Smartfuel offers.

In the first round of AA Smartfuel discount rewards announced by BP today, customers could save 38 cents just by shopping at BP and being an AA customer.

The scheme begins nationwide this Monday, 7 November, 2011.

“The last time 91-octane petrol was under 171.9 cpl was in January 2010 – and that discounted rate is just from collecting our BP in-store discounts. By combining discounts from other retailers, customers can save even more – up to 50 litres absolutely free, every time they fill up,” said BP managing director Mike McGuinness.

AA Smartfuel is a fuel discount programme that allows motorists to collect fuel discounts from a wide range of retailers from all over the country, and combine them to create large discounts each time they fill up at BP. The full list of participating retailers will be available at www.aasmartfuel.co.nz.

BP today announced the first range of its in-store discounts (available from 7 November to 4 December):

• Buy Castrol GTX engine 15W-40 4L and receive a 20 cpl discount
• Buy two bottles of V 500ml for $7 and receive a 2 cpl discount
• Buy a carwash at participating BP Superwash sites and earn a 10 cpl discount
• In recognition of BP’s 13-year relationship with AA, all AA customers receive 6 cpl off their fuel the first time they use their card*.”

“We know the rising cost of fuel is placing pressure on family budgets,” Mr McGuinness said. “Most of the factors influencing this, such as international cost of crude oil and the foreign exchange rate, are out of our control. AA Smartfuel allows us to provide real savings to our customers.”

“Our customers told us they want to be part of a programme that gives them real rewards. No more catalogues of toasters or saving points for a holiday that never comes. These are real savings.”

“We will regularly refresh and introduce new in-store discounts, giving our customers ongoing opportunities to reduce their fuel costs.”

The AA Smartfuel programme will begin 7 November and replaces the AA Rewards scheme which has been offered through BP for 13 years.

Customers can collect their AA Smartfuel card at all BP stations, AA Centres, and other participating retailers.

Note
$171.9 cpl price is based on current BP price for 91 octane ($209.9 cpl), minus BP exclusive discount rewards ($0.38 cpl). No prediction is made on the future price of fuel.

ENDS

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Contact Energy fights back as customer exodus accelerates

uncategorized Contact Energy fights back as customer exodus accelerates by Pattrick Smellie Aug 9 (BusinessDesk)

Contact Energy Ltd. has effectively slashed its electricity tariffs for prompt paying online customers after losing more than 8,000 customers in July.

 The losses are the second month of record losses since the Electricity Authority began a campaign urging consumers to shop around for lower power prices. “Naturally, we are concerned about these losses,” said Ruth Bound, Contact’s general manager, retail.

The company had recently launched an unprecedented 22% discount for customers who receive their bills online and pay on time. Contact lost 7,679 customers in June, the first month of the “What’s My Number?” campaign, and the pace accelerated last month, with a further 8,034 customers leaving for other retailers last month.

The only other electricity retailers to lose customers last month were Mercury Energy, which dropped 2,465 in what is believed to be a deliberate strategy to slim down its customer base, and TrustPower, which lost 448 customers. Like Contact, TrustPower has traditionally had both the highest electricity prices in the market, and resisted taking on new customers at low tariffs during the last three years of increasing retail electricity market competition.

Contact’s total customer numbers stood at 456,023, a 13.6% drop since they peaked in September 2008 before self-inflicted brand damage began a slide that has barely halted since, and became a flood in the last two months.

 The 22% “prompt payment discount” replaces the previous 12% discount, which was raised from 10% in an early response to the more competitive environment which began to emerge from late 2008. It excludes payments by credit cards, but is otherwise being automatically implemented automatically for all current online customers. “If you already meet the criteria, then you automatically get it,” said Bound. “We think this is a discount that will reward customers and offer additional benefit for staying with Contact,” she said, but declined to comment specifically on whether Contact retained any profit margin on customers availing themselves of the new offer.

 “We look at the integrated value chain through the organisation,” she told BusinessDesk. “This is an investment in retention and long term value so we are comfortable with the numbers we see.” As both an electricity generator and retailer, Contact has long sought to “hedge” its generation output by matching it with known demand from a mix of industrial, commercial and residential customers. However, Bound said Contact did not expect current switching levels would last “forever” and like the rest of the industy, the company expects electricity prices to rise as new wind, geothermal and other forms of generation will be more expensive than in the past.

 “We aren’t walking away from where we think prices are going to go in the future,” said Bound. “Over time, prices will rise.”While it was early days, initial indications were that the 22% discount was helping to save customers who might otherwise be lured to competitors.

 Checks with the Consumer’s Institute Powerswitch website, based on a family of five using only electricity (no gas or LPG), show in some regions that the new discount has pulled Contact into a competitive position against even online retailer PowerSwitch, which recently gained top spot in Consumer’s member poll of electricity retailers. The biggest customer gains in July went to Meridian and its subsidiary Powershop, which between them added 4,261 customers, Genesis and its subsidiary Energy on Line, with a collective gain of 4,195, and Pulse Utilities, which added 1,352 customers.

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Personal Finance Tips That Will Help You Save Money

One of the most important aspects of your FICO score is the balance of your credit cards. The more that you have left to pay off, the worse your score will be. As you start to pay off your balances, your credit score will start to rise. Make an effort to limit balances to no more than 20 percent of your credit limit at any one time.

The way to get money and be wealthy is to spend less than what’s coming in. Those that overspend their earnings will never build a savings or find financial comfort. Calculate the amount that you bring home, and design a budget that spends less than your total take-home pay.

You should start saving money for your child’s education right after they are born. If you wait to save, you may not have enough for them to go to college.

Get a better checking account. Make sure that you do not stick with a checking account that charges fees. Learn of the fees that your bank is charging you, and if it is too much, consider taking your business elsewhere.

If you currently have a full-time job, one of the things that you can do is to get a job on the side. You can work at a nearby restaurant or coach some neighborhood baseball. If you are able to bring in even a little extra income, it will help out over time.

If you’d prefer for your finances to remain in good shape, don’t take on more credit lines than you need. If the amount of credit you have is excessive, it’ll have a negative impact on your credit report. This means higher interest rates and less savings over time.

If a family member is looking to purchase an item, but it costs too much for them to buy on their own, they might be able to convince the family to chip in. If everyone is likely to benefit from a particular purchase, there is no harm in soliciting money from others.

You can save lots of money at home by learning how to cut your own hair as well as that of your family’s. Certain expenses are necessities that cannot be avoided and reward yourself with a small treat once in a while. If you cut it by yourself, it won’t cost you a penny!

Have you considered a credit card that offers rewards? You are a great candidate for such a card if you fully pay your balance regularly. Reward cards reward cardholders for their purchases by giving out cash and airline tickets, and other items. Look for cards that offer appealing rewards and see what works best for your own financial situation.

If you have personal debt you can get it paid off much quicker by using money you get back from tax refunds. Resist the temptation to spend this money! If you do this, you’ll still owe money and future earnings will go to paying off your debt instead of things you want.

Think about what your feelings are towards money. Improving your personal financial situation begins with understanding what led you to your current state. Come up with a list of all the reasons why you have made purchases in the past and see where changes can be made going forward. You’ll be able to move on and cultivate more positive feelings in the future.

Do not borrow money or start new lines of credit unless you have no other option. In some cases credit may be needed, but it’s better to save money for making large purchases and not incurring debt. Some things you must borrow money to get, like homes or cars.

Armed with these tips, you may have a little more confidence that your issues are within your control. Now you are probably well aware of how you can help your personal finances. Do not hesitate to share this useful information with others who could benefit from it.

The Kiwi Clubs mission is to save our members thousands of dollars per year by negotiating with the companies who supply most of our day to day goods and services.

Join Kiwi Discount Club and save on a range of products and services. Click here Kiwi Discount Club to become a member. Membership is free.

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Personal Finance Tips That Can Work For Anyone

Pay your debts and don’t entertain the possibility of new debts. It sounds like common sense, but sometimes it is hard to do. Eliminate debt one step at a time, and don’t apply for any new credit. By working consistently on becoming debt free, you will gain financial freedom.

Have you thought about a credit card with rewards? You are a great candidate for such a card if you fully pay your balance regularly. These cards can bring you nice perks such as air miles and cash back as a thank you for using the card as you normally would. Make a short list of cards with rewards you like and compare them in terms of reward points per dollar spent.

Using single dollars received as change from cash transactions for the purpose of buying lottery tickets can be an enjoyable way to potentially acquire a great deal of money. Saving up change can then be used to buy lottery tickets.

Even if you already are holding down a full-time position, consider finding a part-time job as well. Perhaps you can pick up some shifts at an area restaurant or work as an umpire for recreational sports leagues. If you are able to bring in even a little extra income, it will help out over time.

Be wary of making investment choices based off of past performances alone. When you find that money that you have invested is not living up to its potential, find a better place to invest your money.

Buying a vehicle is a huge expense. The smartest thing to do is to look around for the best deal. If you aren’t finding deals you are satisfied with, try going online.

It is important to devote time each month specifically to paying your bills. You do not have to spend a whole day paying bills, though paying your debt is huge and should be given a lot of thought. Put this day on your calendar and get to your bills on that day regularly. If you forget this day, it could mean bad news in the future.

There are new, specific rules that regulate how individuals under the age of 21 can get credit cards. Once upon a time, credit cards were freely issued to college students. Now credit card companies want you to have a verifiable income or to get a cosigner. Research each card’s requirements before you apply.

It is important to realize that a new job in a new city with a larger salary does not always mean a better living situation; you may be relocating to an area where the cost of living is higher. Avoid any surprises by investigating costs for food, utilities and the size of home you want ahead of time.

Keeping money in line is one of the most important things! While this might seem to be impossible to do, this should be a lot easier through the use of the information in this article. By applying the information we share here, you will become better able to order your personal finances.

The Kiwi Clubs mission is to save our members thousands of dollars per year by negotiating with the companies who supply most of our day to day goods and services.

Join Kiwi Discount Club and save on a range of products and services. Click here Kiwi Discount Club to become a member. Membership is free.

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Protecting Your Finances – Tips To Get Ahead

You may want to get overdraft protection with your bank if you are frequently struggling financially. You might be charged a little every month but you will save money on overdraft fees!

Put some money into your IRA if you’re able to do this. This helps to you build a strong monetary foundation for the future. Those interested can open up IRAs with a brokerage firm, mutual fund company, bank, or credit union. This can definitely help your financial situation when you retire, but only if you make regular contributions!

View your finances like the bank does. Carefully calculate your income and measure it against your expenses. when certain expenses change each month, use a high estimate; put any left over money into your savings account.

If you are planning on buying a home or a vehicle, you should improve your credit score first. You could either take small loans and pay it quickly or get credit cards and pay them every time. Make sure that you are paying more than just the minimal on your credit card balance.

Try to hold a garage sale, where you can sell all of your unwanted goods for additional cash. You can even sell items for neighbors on consignment. There are plenty of inventive ways to make money at a yard sale.

Buying a car is a very serious decision. To get the best deal on a car, it’s smart to check with all the auto dealers in your local area. Do not overlook the Internet as another shopping option to find low prices on cars.

Learn how to live without relying on credit cards. There are many ways you can learn about saving money on interest that applies to all sorts of loans like cars and mortgages. Paying interest doesn’t help you out and you should work to start eliminating any loans with interest.

You should start saving money for your children’s education as soon as they’re born. The cost of college is rising far faster than inflation, so if you wait until your child is a teenager to start saving, you are unlikely to be able to save enough to cover all of your child’s tuition.

Try to save money on sheets, blankets and pillow by buying them at a discount store. This will allow you to save money and time throughout the year and still has the same quality as expensive brands. Do some research before making purchases, and you can save a lot of money.

Get health insurance to secure you and your family’s future. No matter who you are, it’s possible to get sick at any time. High-quality, well-priced health insurance will protect you from financial harm in the event that you do become sick. It doesn’t take long for medical bills to add up, and even a minor health problem can be very costly. This can ruin you financially if you don’t possess insurance.

As was discussed in the beginning of this article, properly and intelligently managing your personal finances takes a solid education. You will find yourself better spending your money by becoming informed on personal finances. Read and re-read this piece. Use the suggestions given to enhance your financial thinking. As your knowledge grows, so will your financial habits.

The Kiwi Clubs mission is to save our members thousands of dollars per year by negotiating with the companies who supply most of our day to day goods and services.

Join Kiwi Discount Club and save on a range of products and services. Click here Kiwi Discount Club to become a member. Membership is free.

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Personal Finance Today And The Best Tips Available!

Learn how to live without relying on credit cards. Find ways to stop paying interest for things like your home, cars and loans. Living within your means means that you don’t waste your money on interest.

Putting money aside in a savings account is an important part of a healthy personal finance plan. You can save money for buying large purchases like a new TV or a new car. Consider a variety of retirement plans and find out if the company you work for offers any type of retirement incentives or savings. No matter the reason, make sure you have a regular saving pattern established.

Find ways to pay off your debts and vow not to accrue any new debt. It sounds relatively simple, however, most of us have difficulty with it. Whittle down your debt gradually, and never incur new debt. If you are consistent, you will reach your financial goals and balance much easier.

Thrift stores are not only for the poor like many people believe. You will be able to save some cash and find things that are gently used such as books, clothes, or household goods. Do not hesitate to bring your children because they are fascinated by these stores and love to explore all the bargains. Shopping during the early part of the day will provide the most choices.

To get rid of your debts quickly, pay off all of your credit cards as soon as possible. You may be tempted to make payments on all of your accounts, but it is far more cost-effective to eliminate those debts which carry high interest rates. This will only become more crucial in the future, when credit card rates go up.

Carefully assess your complicated relationship with money. Take into consideration the different choices and try to improve your decision-making with your finances. Make a good list of what you believe about material possessions and money, and think about what has triggered that from your past. You’ll then be able to trade in those feelings for healthier ones.

You must be sure to pay your utility bills promptly each month. Paying bills late will destroy your credit. Your credit rating will suffer if you pay late and you may also pay late fees too. It is not worth having a headache because you had to pay late; always pay on time

Come up with a budget and be strict with it. You may find that your money is not being managed as effectively as you had previously believed. Write down every purchase, no matter how small. Review the records after each month has passed. This helps you see what needs to be cut.

Review your bank statement every month. This allows you to determine whether or not you have incurred additional charges or are subject to rate changes. It is not uncommon for individuals to disregard their own statements, causing them to incur unnecessary fees and other charges. This makes it especially important to read over each statement.

Always know when to file your income taxes with the IRS. If you know you have a refund coming, file as soon as possible. It is a better idea to file near April 15th if there is a chance the you owe the government money in taxes.

If contributions are allowed for your IRA, make sure to do so regularly. This will increase your personal financial balance for the future. Various financial institutions, such as banks, credit unions or brokerage companies, can open IRA accounts for you. This can offer a good supplement to your other retirement income and lower your current taxes, especially if you make regular contributions.

Avoid getting into debt too far by learning how to properly budget and how to spend your money properly so that you make the most out of your money. If you use the tips you read here, you won’t have to deal with debt collection calls or being constantly in debt.

The Kiwi Clubs mission is to save our members thousands of dollars per year by negotiating with the companies who supply most of our day to day goods and services.

Join Kiwi Discount Club and save on a range of products and services. Click here Kiwi Discount Club to become a member. Membership is free.

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Personal Finance Made Easy. Helpful Tips And Tricks!

Work from home whenever you can to save money. Commuting to your office every day is a surprisingly expensive proposition. Fueling up your car, parking it, buying pricey meals and arranging for daycare can all take healthy bites out of your paycheck.

A yard sale is a great way to get rid of old items while earning you some extra cash. You could also consider selling some of your neighbors items for them and charge a nominal fee for your services. Garage sales offer limitless opportunities for creativity.

Schedule particular days each month for paying your bills. While the entire day isn’t needed to pay bills, having a day specifically for it is helpful. Keep it marked on your calendar and be aware of when it is. Skipping a scheduled bill paying day can lead to lax behavior down the road.

One way to save on bank fees is to only use the ATM’s at your financial institution. The fees from using other banks can add up.

You can save money on bedding by buying covers, pillows and sheets at bargain stores. This will allow you to save money and time throughout the year and still has the same quality as expensive brands. By purchasing your bedding at bargain stores, you can save money.

Your FICO score is effected largely by credit cards. The more that you have left to pay off, the worse your score will be. Your score will improve as you pay off debt. It is a good rule of thumb to keep credit card balances at or below 20% of your credit limit.

Pay off the debt you have and stop taking on new debt. It’s simple, really. Drop your debt bit by bit, while avoiding any new debt. Working at it consistently will find you debt free and in a place of personal financial freedom.

If you don’t feel comfortable selling, don’t do it. When earning some income on a stock, sit on it for a bit. You can certainly take a second look at stocks that are underperforming and think about moving some of those around.

Take advantage of being married and the spouse having the better credit should apply for loans. You can improve bad credit by regularly paying down credit card debt on time. Once you have both improved your credit scores, you can share the debt responsibility for future loans.

The largest purchases that you will probably ever make in your lifetime are your home and vehicle. Payments on your home and car are almost certain to make up the majority of each month’s budget expenses. You can pay these items faster simply with an additional payment every year, or you could make use of your tax refunds for paying the balance.

Saving money is important to your finances. There are many reasons you may want to create a savings fund; perhaps a new TV or a vacation for the family. save money so you can retire and be comfortable. If your expenses are less than your income, you should be able to save money every month.

Stop using credit cards for everything. You will spend far more money in interest than the original items are worth if you rely on credit cards and loans. Interest isn’t a good way to spend money and can get in the way of your living comfortably. Try your best to get rid of these payments over a period of time.

Let your friends know about your current situations and the changes you are planning on making. This will help them understand why you are not going out with them as much. Make sure that everyone is aware of your situation so that they do not take your actions personally. Keep your friends and be sure to let them know about the things that are happening in your life.

To get rid of your debts quickly, pay off all of your credit cards as soon as possible. You may feel that it’s better to pay off your debts evenly, but paying off high interest debts as soon as possible is more cost efficient in the long run. With credit card companies poised to raise rates again, this can be a wise move.

Now you should better understand finances and be less stressed about them. Use the ideas in this piece to help get a grip on your own finances, and keep studying in order to acquire additional knowledge. Consider this the start of a new era in your life. Find joy in it!

The Kiwi Clubs mission is to save our members thousands of dollars per year by negotiating with the companies who supply most of our day to day goods and services.

Join Kiwi Discount Club and save on a range of products and services. Click here Kiwi Discount Club to become a member. Membership is free.

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