House Prices

When two-income families switch to a single wage

Deep intakes of breath followed by muttered comments about "how will they afford it" can be heard when a couple announce their impending parenthood to childless friends. Likewise when redundancy strikes, a couple may feel that Armageddon is upon them.

Monday, November 08th 2004

Losing one income even if just for a period of months seems an unattainable luxury for those used to living in this double-income economy. Yet the suburbs are full of families that have learned to do just that.

Intellectual property lawyer Iva Wright and her husband have had to re-prioritise their spending after Iva gave up her US$100,000-a-year job and husband Darren exchanged a secure salary as an accountant to buy into the New Zealand Business Coaches franchise.

"The big picture for me is that the pendulum has gone from managing our surplus cash to debt management," Iva says. "We are surviving to cover our bases."

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Heartland Bank - Online 6.69
SBS FirstHome Combo 6.74
Wairarapa Building Society 6.95
Unity 6.99
Co-operative Bank - First Home Special 7.04
ICBC 7.05
China Construction Bank 7.09
BNZ - Classic 7.24
ASB Bank 7.24
ANZ Special 7.24
TSB Special 7.24
Unity First Home Buyer special 6.45
Heartland Bank - Online 6.45
China Construction Bank 6.75
TSB Special 6.75
ICBC 6.75
ANZ Special 6.79
ASB Bank 6.79
AIA - Go Home Loans 6.79
Kiwibank Special 6.79
BNZ - Classic 6.79
Unity 6.79
Westpac Special 6.39
China Construction Bank 6.40
ICBC 6.49
SBS Bank Special 6.55
Kiwibank Special 6.55
BNZ - Classic 6.55
Co-operative Bank - Owner Occ 6.55
ASB Bank 6.55
AIA - Go Home Loans 6.55
TSB Special 6.59
Kainga Ora 6.99
SBS FirstHome Combo 6.19
AIA - Back My Build 6.19
ANZ Blueprint to Build 7.39
Credit Union Auckland 7.70
ICBC 7.85
Heartland Bank - Online 7.99
Pepper Money Essential 8.29
Co-operative Bank - Owner Occ 8.40
Co-operative Bank - Standard 8.40
First Credit Union Standard 8.50
Kiwibank 8.50

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