Three new ways to get Sorted

Getting on top of your money issues will be a lot easier with the new-look Sorted website www.sorted.org.nz.

Sorted has built a huge following out of people keen to make their money work better for them, and is internationally recognised as a leading resource to help improve financial literacy.

The revamped website is simpler, less cluttered and more straightforward to use. In the same way that "slip, slap, slop" helped make us think about protecting ourselves from sunburn, Sorted is encouraging us to "think, shrink, grow" to get our financial affairs in order.

"Think" is about making plans - setting your goals, developing your budget, and making sure you are prepared for unexpected events.

The next step is to "Shrink" your debt - pay off your credit cards, hire purchase, store cards and mortgage.

Finally, "Grow" is what you need to do to save and invest to achieve your goals. There are calculators to help you quantify your potential to save, show you how to get rid of debt faster, and work out how much you need to save to achieve specific goals.

Life events such as leaving school, entering a relationship, having a baby, being made redundant or retiring are often triggers to make new plans and revise budgets. Sorted provides a guide to these events that links back to the calculators. By registering on Sorted, you can save your calculations and bookmark information of relevance to you.

Those looking for a more sophisticated and detailed approach to planning their finances may find Sorted lacking in depth. However, its value lies in its simplicity and ease of use. It outlines a basic framework which can form the basis of more detailed discussions with your financial adviser.

Liz Koh is an authorised financial adviser. The advice given here is general and does not constitute specific advice to any person. A free disclosure statement can be obtained by calling 0800 273 847.