Westpac in Australia has been fined $9.15 million after Sudhir Sinha, a former Westpac financial planner provided poor financial advice on multiple occasions. 

ASIC noted that the Court found Mr Sinha failed to act in the best interests of his clients, provided inappropriate financial advice, and failed to prioritise the interests of his clients, in four sample client files identified by the regulator.

Click here to read more. 

Fidelity have released this brochure summarising their FY19 claims stats.

In this article Southern Cross travel insurance has revealed a list of the top 10 most expensive places for Kiwi travelers to fall ill. The United States tops the list at number one, followed by Australia - While the average medical bill per traveler is lower than in other countries (averaging only $555) the proximity and popularity of Australia as a holiday destination makes it a big source of medical bills for travelers. The article also states the average claim by destination with Israel topping the list at $20,600.

The BBC has a nice video, which I felt it almost holiday themed, on how to be happy - or perhaps, an examination of the extent to which a traditional model of happiness is underpinned by research. Link. 

In a change from the relentless focus on insurance and personal risks you will get a smattering of slightly more general posts over the next couple of weeks as I enjoy the holidays and try to switch off from work a bit. 

The OECD has this charming little chart to help put holiday indulgence into perspective. The more analytical of you can assign nationalities to different levels of drinkers at your party. We'll have to invent a new 'country' for non-drinkers. 

FSC will be holding a breakfast event, Outlook 2020 on 4 February 2020 at Chapman Tripp, Level 35, 23-29 Albert Street, Auckland 1010. Attendees can expect to hear from Rob Everett, the Chief Executive of the Financial Markets Authority. Entry for members is $60 and $100 for non-members.

The agenda is as follows:

7.45am: Breakfast
8.15am: Welcome
8.30am: Outlook 2020 with Rob Everett, Chief Executive, Financial Markets Authority followed by Q&A
9.15am: Networking
9.30am:  Close

Click here to register

Apparently ego is bad for success - and that's obviously right. If you're not already successful, you probably need to try something new to become successful. If you are too worried about failure, you probably won't take the necessary risks in order to learn and to grow. I am worried that this bias may become stronger with age. It manifests itself as an increasing adaptation to do just the things I like. I deliberately push against it, seeking out new restaurants, different shows, and keeping dissenting voices in my twitter feed.

It is also important to keep undertaking 'high-stakes' work: activities that might succeed or fail. These are things like public speaking, setting up events, making cold calls, introducing yourself to new people, and trying out new skills. Taking these on requires courage, and a degree of tolerance for failure. This is even more pronounced in the process of trying to acquire new skills. As you get older it takes more effort to stop doing something that you have an acknowledged ability for (your current work processes, for example, or a well known hobby) and choose to try to do something in a different way. But it is worth the effort - and holidays are a perfect time to experiment with new things. I plan to goof around a bit on the holidays trying out stuff, and I hope you do too. 

Click here to listen to Michael Hill talk about the jewelry business, continuing to strive and dream, his golf course and the importance of letting go of your ego.

Health literacy is important because people generally don't know their health risk until it’s too late says Dr Tom Mulholland, an Emergency Department doctor. He continues by saying that there are many reasons to get yourself and those close to you checked. By using KYND Wellness app, you are able to reduce your risk of ending up in ED.

Click here to read more

Due to popular demand from advisers nib have extended their 2 Months Free campaign which will now continue until the 29th of February 2020. When clients sign up to Ultimate Health Max, Ultimate Health or Easy Health, they’ll get 2 months free health insurance after they’ve paid for the first month. Click here to read more.