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Findavillagethatfeelslikehome metlifecare.co.nz | 0800909303

Loveitorleaveit:

Therecomesatime whenmanyKiwi homeownerswant todownsize.Many willhaveaddedhuge extensionstothe familyhome.

Whenthekidsflythenest,theyrealise they’reknockingaroundaMOTAT-sized aircrafthangar.

Itmaybetimetolistyourhome,notloveitif:

•Youhaveno-gozonesinyourhome.Ifyou haveroomsinyourhomethatyoubarely enter—perhapsasecondloungethat’srarely used—youmaybepayingtoheat,clean, andmaintainspaceyousimplydon’tneed. Manywhodownsizerealiseinhindsight,how unnecessaryanoversizedhomereallywas.

•Yourclutterisaburden.LargerKiwihomes oftenbecomestorageunitsforclutter.Sorting throughyearsofaccumulatedpossessionscan feeloverwhelming.

•Cleaningandmaintenancearetakingover yourlife.Maintainingalargehomeistimeconsumingandphysicallydemanding.Do youreallywanttomowthatPavlovaParadisesizedlawnontheweekends?Asmallerhome meansfewerchores,freeinguptimefortravel, hobbies,orsimplyrelaxing.

•Yourhouseistoobigforyourbudget.The financialrealityaspeoplenearretirementis oftenthatthere’snotenoughmoneyinthe KiwiSaverpottoshutdownyourcomputer comeage65.Downsizingmayfreeupcapital, andalsoreducelivingexpenses.Sellinga largehomecanunlockequity,reducedebt,or providefinancialfreedom.Somehomeowners

downsizewithinthesamearea,whileothers movetomoreaffordableregionswherethey benefitfromasmallerorcheaperhomeand lowerlivingcosts.

•Youdon’twantamortgageinretirement. Payingthemortgageoffordownsignificantly givesmoreoptionsinretirement.Noteveryone wantstoworkuntiltheydrop,althoughsome dochoosetostayintheworkforceforreasons otherthanmoney.

•Yourlifestylewouldbenefitfromachange. Manypeopleintheir60schoosetomoveinto townforculturallife,moreruralforaslower paceoflife,orevenintoretirementvillagesfor socialengagement,security,andamenities

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•suchasgyms,pools,andentertainment spaces.Therecanbeenvironmentalbenefitsto movingintoasmaller,newerhome.

Don’twaituntilit’stoolate.

Oneofthebiggestmistakeshomeownersmake iswaitingtoolongtodownsize.Manyonly realisetheirhomeistoomuchtohandlewhen mobilityorhealthissuesarise,makingthe transitionmoredifficult.Onemomentthey’re aged55andmobile,andthenextthey’re75with healthproblems.Adultchildrensometimesfind themselvesburdenedwhenthishappens.Moving whilestillactiveandindependentensuresyou retaincontroloverthedecision.

Anoregretsdownsize

AnneCliffordhadnoregretsaboutdownsizing hermovefromthePakurangafamilyhometo HobsonvillePointtobenearherchildren.

Cliffordsurprisedevenherself,however,by settlingforawalk-upapartment,notjusta smallerproperty.ItwasonlywhenClifford

spottedtheUniversalHomesTeUru2 development,anddiscoveredshecouldhavean apartmentwithitsownstreetlevelfrontdoor, thatsherealisedapartmentlivingcouldbefor her.

Nothavingagarage,washinglineorpatch oflandtocultivatedidn’tturnouttobethe dealbreakersshewouldhaveexpected.Shehas herowndesignatedoff-streetparkingspace, alargedeckforgrowingpotplantsandsome veges,andanexcellentwasher/dryer,plussunny spotsinside,toreplacetheneedforaclothesline.

Clifford’sadvicetothosecontemplating downsizingisthatdoingsohelpsustoshedwhat isnolongerrelevantaspeoplemovethrough life’sstages.“Itissurprisinghowweadapttoa newreality,wherewecanfullyenjoythisnew lifestyleanditsvariedfreedoms,”saidClifford.

Practicalstepstotake

Whetherforfinancialfreedom,lifestyle improvement,orsimplyadesiretolivewithless, therearesomestepstobetakento“rightsize”

yourhome.Startbydeclutteringandassessing youractuallivingneeds.

Visitsmallerhomes,andevenconsiderrenting forawhiletoseeifyoucanlivecomfortablyina smallerspaceoradifferentlocation.

Touchbasewithrealestateagentswhomight beabletohelpwithpreparationtosellorclarify thetypeofhome/locationthatwouldsuityou. Ifretirementvillagelivingmightbeforyou,take opportunitiestovisitthem.

Downsizingtherentalportfolio

AsKiwilandlordsage,somewilldecideit’s timetosellofftheirrentalportfolio,oratleast consolidateinordertoreducedebtandgain anincomeofftheproperties.Therearemany reasonstodothis.Itmayhavebecometoomuch hardworktomanage,evenwithathird-party propertymanager.

Ortheplanwasalwaystoliquidatethe investmentportfolioatacertainagetoenjoy theretirementsavings.Thatreducesongoing responsibilitiessuchasrepairsandtenant

relations.Thecapitalcanstillbeinvested inKiwiSaverorotherhands-offretirement investments.

Investmentpropertyownersshouldtake financialandtaxadvicebeforemakingany decisions.WhileNewZealanddoesn’thave acapitalgainstaxcurrentlyoninvestment property,therearesomerulesinvestorsshould beawareof.Badplanningcouldleadtotax onthegainsinlimitedcircumstancessuch astheBrightlinetestortheInlandRevenue Department’sAssociatedPersonsrules.It’salso importanttogivetenantspropernoticeunder theResidentialTenanciesAct[1986]toavoidany financialpenalties.

Sellingarentalpropertyisnotthatdifferent toanowner-occupiedproperty.Therewillno doubtbesomeworktodo,togetreadyforsale, andtheusuallegalprocesstogothrough.Itmay beeasiertosellthepropertyonceit’sempty, however,that’snotalwayspossible.

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Smart ways to make the most of falling interest rates

Withmortgageratesfallinglowerandlower, homeownersandinvestorsmightbetempted tobreatheafinancialsighofreliefandrevelin lowerrepayments.

Overthepastthreeandahalfyears, sky-highmortgagerepaymentshave reallyhurtmanypeoplefinancially Whenbuyingorremortgaging,theyhad budgetedfor3–4%interestrates.ByFebruary 2024,averageone-yearrateshit773%, whichcausedalotoffinancialpainformany homeowners.

Interestratesfalling

Mortgageinterestratesbeganfallinginlate 2024aftertheReserveBankcuttheofficial cashrate(OCR).InFebruarythisyear, Westpacwasthefirsttoofferamortgage interestrateunder5% Onan$800,000 mortgage,afallfrom7.73%to499%meant $1,360lesstopayeachmonth.Formany homeowners,that’sagodsend. Butnowthatratesarefalling,it’sworth

rememberingthatwhenrateswerehigh, mostpeoplefoundwaystomanageand stayedafloat Thatabilitytopaymorecould nowbeturnedtohomeowners’advantage. Thedifferencebetweentheoldinterest repaymentsandthenewonescanbe directedintoreducingtheoutstanding capital. Ifhomeownerskeeptheir repaymentsthesame,thedifference betweentheoldandnewinterestpayments willbecomeadditionalcapitalrepayments. Extraprincipalrepaymentscreatea snowballeffect Asthecapitalreduces,so toodoestheinterestpaymenteachmonth, meaningmoreandmorecapitalisreduced overtime Peoplewhoadoptthisstrategy oftenpaytheirmortgagesoffmanyyears earlierthanthestandard25-or30-yearterm.

Butdon’tdothiswithoutspeakingtoyour bankoramortgageadviserfirst Sometimes thefineprintinmortgagecontractsmeans thatoverpaymentscanincurpenalties. Pauseandconsider MortgageadviserNevilleModlin,ofThe LendingTeam,recommendsthatclients pauseandconsidertheiroptions. It’struethatnotallclientshavethecash flowtokeeptheirpaymentshigh.“Ifyoucan keeptherepaymentshighanddothatfroma cash-flowperspective,that’sawesome”

Anotheroptionistogetanoffsetmortgage. “Offsetmortgagesworkbylinkingorholding yoursavingswithintheoffsetmortgage, whichreducestheprincipalonwhichinterest isbeingpaid,”saidModlin.

Forexample,ifsomeonehasa$400,000 mortgageand$20,000insavings,theycan linkthe$20,000tothemortgage,which meansonlypayingintereston$380,000 Somebanksallowcustomerstolinkaccounts frompartnersorchildren,notjusttheirown savings.

Thesavingsarestillavailableifneeded. Butinthemeantime,they,ineffect,earn atax-freereturnatthemortgageinterestrate. Tofixornottofix Thenthequestionofinterestratefixing

arises.Noteveryonecansleepatnightiftheir mortgageratesaren’tfixed.Itmightbebetter forthosehomeownerstofixtheirmortgages evenifratesarefalling.

Sometimes,Modlin’sclientswhoseexisting fixed-ratemortgageperiodsareending simplysitonthefloatingratefornow,hoping forevenlowerratesiftheyholdon.This optionworksforpeoplewhocancopewith uncertainty TheyarebettingthattheReserve BankofNewZealandwilllowertheofficial cashrateevenfurther

Modlinisn’tentirelyinthatcamp “It’squiteadangerousgame,andI’m conservative,”saidModlin.Herecommends clientsspreadtheirriskandsplittheir mortgageacrosssix-and12-monthperiods. Fixedratesallowforpredictablemonthly payments,whichcanbeparticularlyuseful ifyouhaveafixedincomeorvaluefinancial certainty

“Thatspreadstheriskinthisuncertain marketwhiletakingadvantageofpotentially lowerratesinsixmonths.”

Anyonewhowantstowaitandseeif rateswillgolowercaneitherfixforashort period,suchassixmonths,or,bysimply doingnothingattheendofafixedmortgage period,lettherepaymentsrolloverontothe floatingrateuntilthey’rereadytofixagain

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• Guaranteed acceptance between ages 50 and 80.

•

” Michelle, Waiheke.

DIY home maintenance:

it’s easier than you think

Doingyourownrepairjobssavesmoney. That’severythingfromreplacinglockbarrelsto painting.It’snotimpossible.

WhetherornotDIYisinyourDNA,it’s certainlyonYouTube Andeverydollar savedonaDIYjobwillgrowtoseveral dollarsyoucanspendinretirement

Forlandlordsinparticular,themoreDIYskills youdevelop,thebetter Successfullandlords areoftenverygoodonthetools,andsomehave taughtthemselves Theycanreplacetaps,are goodwithapaintbrushandcantackleahostof othersmallandmedium-sizedjobs Indoingso, theysavehundredsoreventhousandsofdollars ayear

InNewZealand,certainjobssuchas electrical,plumbing,roofingandstructural buildingworkmustbedonebylicensedbuilding practitioners[LBPs] Outsideofthoserestricted jobs,thereisalotthathomeownersand landlordscandothemselves

Giveitacrack

Mitre10’sDIYambassadorStanScotttruly believesthatKiwiscandomorethanmany

think TVaudienceswillknowScottfromlast year’sTinyHouseserieswhereheworkedwith celebrityarchitectGeorgeClarke

Scottsaid:“Haveacrackyourself” Hetaught himselftofixvintagemotorcyclesbywatching YouTubetutorials Andhe’salwayskeentosee Mitre10customersgiveitago EvenburlyKiwiblokessometimeslack confidencewhenitcomestoDIY,butifthey approachitstep-by-step,theycandomostjobs Scottremembersmeetingayoungcomputer programmerwhowantedtodosomebasic buildingworkthatwasnotrestrictedtolicensed practitioners Theyoungmansidledupto ScottforadviceataDIYnight “Hewasapretty good-lookingroosterwholookedlikehecould ripmyarmoffinanarmwrestle,”Scotttold theNZHeraldpreviously Whentheyoungman outlinedthejob,Scottsaidtohim::“Bloody oathyoucan,mate”,thenwalkedhimthrough thejobstepbystep “Itoldhimthatyouhaveto havebeliefinyourselfthatyoucandoit”

Someofthejobsthathomeownerslandlords dothemselves,include:interiorpainting, puttingupshelves,basictiling,floorsanding, landscaping,replacementofshowerheads,door handlesandotherhardware,removingkitchen orbathroomcabinets,andhangingcurtains Gettingaccesstotenantedproperties WhenlandlordsdoDIYtheyshouldmakesure theyfollowproperproceduresforentrytothe propertyundertheResidentialTenanciesAct [1986] Thatusuallymeansgivingatleast24 hours’noticebeforeenteringthepropertyfor necessaryrepairsandmaintenance Thenotice mustbeinwritingbyemail,text,orletter,and includethedateandtimeofentry Theworkshouldbedoneduringdaytime hoursunlessthetenantagreesotherwise Landlordsalsoneedtobeawareofnot breachingthetenants’rightto“quiet enjoyment”oftheproperty Tenantsare allowedbylawtoliveinthepropertywithout unnecessaryinterferencefromthelandlord Everyhomeownerandlandlordhasa differenteconomicreality Formanyitwillbe atimeversusthecostofpayingatradesman tocarryoutajob Abarristerearning$800per hourincourt,maysimplychoosetooutsource everything Meremortals,however,mightfindit cost-effectivetodoasmanyjobsaspossible

There’ssomethingelsetofactorin That’sthe feelingofaccomplishmentatcompletingajob The$50or$100savedisn’tunwelcomeeither Evenmorejobsyoucando Thereisanastoundingnumberofjobsthat peoplecandothemselves OneofScott’s favouritesisreplacinglockbarrels “Anyonecan replaceone,”hesaid “Youundoacoupleof screwsandputinabrand-newbarrelwithout doinganydrillingorchiselling Thatisareally simplejobyoucanrealisticallydoyourselfwith nexttozerotoolsandverylimitedknowledge” Wallpaperremovalisanotherone “Allyou needisaweedsprayerfullofhotwateranda bluntspatulatoremovethewallpaper Youcan saveastackofmoneydoingthat,”hesaid Ontheotherhand,bewareoftacklingjobs thatcouldendupgoingwrong Payingfor atradespersontocleanupthemesscanbe counterproductivefinancially BewareaswellofbecominganACCstatistic byhavinganaccidentorinvalidatingfuture insuranceclaims Anexampleisdoinganyjob thatrequiresbuildingconsent,suchasremoving internalwalls Ifahomeownerdoesthework illegallyandsomethinggoeswrong,thereisa goodchancetheinsurancecompanywilldecline aclaim

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Creating healthierhomes inNewZealand:

Awarm,dry,andwell-ventilatedhomeisn’tjusta luxury—it’sessentialforgoodhealth.

HereinNewZealand,wheredampand coldconditionscanbecommoninsome areas,ensuringhomesmeethealthy livingstandardsismoreimportantthanever. Whetheryou’reahomeowner,renter,or landlord,understandingtheHealthyHomes Standardscanmakeasignificantdifferencein bothcomfortandwellbeing.

TheHealthyHomesStandards:AGame Changer

TheHealthyHomesStandards(HHS)were introducedbytheLabourgovernmentin2019 aspartofabroaderinitiativetoimprovethe qualityofrentalproperties.Thesestandards setminimumrequirementsacrossfivekey areas: Heating

Everyrentalpropertymusthaveafixed heatingdeviceinthemainlivingareathatcan maintainatemperatureofatleast18°C.This alignswiththeWorldHealthOrganization’s recommendationsforindoortemperatures thatpromotegoodhealth,particularlyfor childrenandtheelderly. Insulation

Ceilingandunderfloorinsulationare mandatoryinrentalproperties.Insulation mustmeetthe2008BuildingCodeorbeat least120mmthickifitwasinstalledbefore July2016.Properinsulationhelpsretainheat andreducemoisturebuildup.

Ventilation

Rentalpropertiesmusthaveextractorfansin kitchensandbathroomstoreducemoisture andpreventmouldgrowth.Additionally,all habitableroomsmusthavewindowsthatcan beopenedtoallowfreshaircirculation.

MoistureIngressandDrainage Landlordsmustensuretheirpropertieshave efficientdrainagesystems,includinggutters anddownpipes.Ifarentalpropertyhasan enclosedsubfloor,agroundmoisturebarrieris requiredtopreventdampnessfromrisinginto thehome.

DraughtStopping Unwantedgapsandcracksthatcause significantdraughtsmustbesealed.This includesgapsinwalls,doors,andwindows, whichcanletincoldairandmakeheatingless effective.

ComplianceDeadlinesandRequirements

Landlordsmustensuretheirrentalproperties complywiththeHealthyHomesStandards withinaspecifictimeline:

•Privatelandlordsmusthavemetthe standardswithin90daysofanynew tenancybeginningafter1July2021.

•KāingaOraandCommunityHousing Providershaduntil1July2023.

•Allrentalpropertiesmustfullycomplyby1 July2025,aspartofanextendeddeadline toallowpropertyownersadditionaltimeto meetrequirements.

Failuretocomplycanresultinsignificant penalties,withtheTenancyTribunalable toimposefinesofupto$7,200fornoncompliance.

WhyHealthyHomesMatter AhomethatmeetstheHealthyHomes Standardsprovidessignificantbenefits, including:

•ImprovedHealth:Dampandcoldhomesare linkedtorespiratoryillnesses,particularly amongyoungchildrenandolderadults.

•LowerEnergyCosts:Well-insulated, properlyventilatedhomesrequireless heating,leadingtoreducedenergybills.

•IncreasedPropertyValue:Homesthatmeet orexceedthestandardsaremoreattractive totenantsandpotentialbuyers.

•HappierTenants:Providingawarm,dry

homeleadstolongertenanciesandfewer maintenanceissuesrelatedtodampand mould.

TipsforHomeownersandRenters Evenifyou’renotalandlord,adoptingHealthy Homesprinciplescanenhanceyourliving environment.Hereareafewsimpletips: •Usedehumidifiersindamp-proneroomsto reducemoisture.

•Openwindowsdailytoencourageair circulation.

•Checkforleaksandensureguttersareclear topreventwaterdamage.

•Investinqualitycurtainstoretainwarmth duringwintermonths.

•Considerheatpumpsorenergy-efficient heatingtomaintainacomfortable temperatureyear-round.

TheFutureofHealthyHomes Withclimatechangeandrisingenergycosts, thefocusonhealthy,sustainablehomesis likelytointensify.Futurepoliciesmayinclude evenstricterinsulationandventilation requirements,alongwithincentivesfor landlordstoupgradetheirproperties.

Fortenants,understandingyourrightsis crucial.Ifyoususpectyourrentaldoesnot meettheHealthyHomesStandards,talkto yourlandlordorseekadvicefromTenancy Services.

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Bytakingafewsimplestepsandstaying vigilant,youcanenjoythecomfortand securityofyourhomewithconfidence. Takingproactivestepstoenhanceyour home’ssecuritycanprovidevaluablepeace ofmind.Fromadvancedalarmsystemsto simpleyeteffectivelightingsolutions,there areanumberofwaysyoucanincreasethe securityandsafetyofyourhome.

InstallaReliableAlarmSystem

Awell-installedalarmsystemactsasa strongdeterrentagainstintrudersand providesaninstantalertifsecurityis breached.Considerthefollowingfeatures tochoosetherightsystemforyouandyour home:

Monitoredvs.UnmonitoredSystems Monitoredalarmsnotifyasecuritycompany oremergencyservicesiftriggered,while unmonitoredalarmsrelyonloudsirensto scareoffintruders.EaseofUseLookfor systemswithsimplecontrols,largebuttons, andremoteaccessviaasmartphoneapp.

EmergencyResponseFeatureSome systemsincludeapanicbuttonormedical alertintegration,whichcanbeparticularly helpfulinanemergency.

ConsiderCamerasforExtraProtection Securitycamerasareanothereffective toolforhomesafety.Today’scamerasoffer high-definitionfootage,nightvision,and evenmotiondetection.Therearearangeof optionsavailabletosuityourneedsaswell asyourbudget.

ChooseVisiblePlacementCameras atentrypointsanddrivewayscandeter criminalsbeforetheyevenattempta break-in.OptforSmartFeaturesCameras withremoteaccessallowyouoratrusted familymembertomonitorthehomeinreal time. ConsideraDoorbellCameraVideo doorbellsprovideanextralayerofsecurity, allowingyoutoseeandcommunicatewith visitorswithoutopeningthedoor.

EffectiveLighting

Goodlightingisoneofthesimplestand

mostcost-effectivewaystoenhancehome security.Well-litareasmakeitdifficult forintruderstohide,reducingtheriskof burglaryaswellasprovidinganextralevel ofsafetywhenyouarereturninghomeafter dark.YoucouldconsiderMotion-Sensor LightsTheseareanexcellentchoicefor driveways,backyards,andfrontporches, automaticallyturningonwhenmovement isdetected. SmartLighting:Lightsthatcan becontrolledremotelyorsetontimersgive theimpressionthatsomeoneishome,even whenyou’reaway. PathwayandStairway Lights:Theseimprovesafetybyreducingthe riskoftripsandfalls,particularlyforthose withlimitedmobility.

SecureDoorsandWindows Doorsandwindowsarecommonentry pointsforburglars,soreinforcingthemisa crucialstepinhomesecurity.Somesimple upgradescanaddavaluableextralayerof protection. InstallDeadboltLocksAsturdy deadboltprovidesadditionalprotection beyondastandardlock.UpgradetoSmart LocksKeylessentrysystemswithPIN codesorfingerprintrecognitionremovethe needforphysicalkeys,whichcanbelost orduplicated.UsingWindowLocksand SecurityFilmReinforcedlocksandshatterresistantfilmcanmakewindowsmore

difficulttobreakinto.

SmartHomeTechnology Technologyhasmadehomesecuritymore accessibleanduser-friendly.Smartsecurity upgradescanaddvaluetoyourhomeas wellasprovidingasafeconvenientsolution tokeepingyourhomesecure. Home AutomationSystem:Theseallowyouto controllighting,locks,andsecuritycameras remotely. MedicalAlertSystemsWearable emergencybuttonsorvoice-activated systemsensurehelpisavailableatthe pushofabutton. SmartSensorsDevices thatdetectmovement,smoke,orcarbon monoxidecanbelife-savingadditions. NeighbourhoodWatchandCommunity Support Engagingwithyourlocalcommunitycanbe oneofthemosteffectivewaystostaysafe. JoinaNeighbourhoodWatchProgram Thesegroupsworktogethertoreport suspiciousactivityandimproveoverall security. KeepinTouchwithNeighbours Atrustedneighbourcanhelpbycollecting mailwhenyou’reawayorcheckingin regularly. EmergencyContactListKeepa listofemergencynumberseasilyaccessible, includingtrustedfamilymembers, neighbours,andlocalauthorities.

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Money matters and comfort counts: the value of reusable underwear for leaks

savingmoneyovertime

Spendingmoreupfrontcansometimes savemoneyinlife.Thatcanbethe casewiththenigglyproblemoflight bladderleakage.

Modernleakproofunderwearisapractical solutionforthisage-oldproblem,which affectsoneinthreewomeninNewZealand andoneinfivemen,includingmany managingtheafter-effectsofprostatecancer treatment Beingreusable,itcansaveyou moneyovertime,comparedtoforever shellingoutforsingle-usepads,liners, shieldsandguards.

Whenincontinencestartstobecome aproblem,manyKiwiwomen(andeven somemen)turntosingle-useperiod productsbecausethey’reusuallycheaper thanspecialistincontinenceproducts,and there’slessstigmaassociatedwithbuying them.Butwhatmanypeopledon’trealiseis thatpadsandlinersdesignedforbloodare

notlikelytoprovidereliableprotectionfor urine,whichislessviscousandtendstobe releasedinlargerspurts

Switchingtomodernreusableleakproof Just’nCasewomen’sbriefsandConfitexfor Menmaletrunkscanbelifechanging.These uniqueKiwi-designedunderwearlookand feeljustlikeordinaryfabricunderwear, buthavetheaddedbenefitofConfitex’s patentedabsorbentandleakprooftextile rightwhereit’sneeded

They’rediscreet,comfortable,and farbetterfortheplanetthansingle-use absorbenthygieneproducts,whichmakeup about10percentoftheearth’slandfill.

Theupfrontcostofbuyingafewpairsof specialistabsorbentunderwearishigher thanyourweeklyoutlayonsingle-useliners, padsorshields,butbecauseyoucanwash andwearthemoverandoveragainyou’llbe

Andyoualsoneedtofactorinthatyou won’thavetobuyordinaryunderwearany more.Confitexunderwearcostaboutthe sameashigh-qualitydesignerunderwear, andlastjustaslong.Theyhavebeen independentlylabtestedandverifiedto withstandatleast52washanddrycycles withoutdeteriorationinperformance. Andunlikemanybrandsofwashable absorbentunderwear,Confitexproducts canbesafelytumble-driedwithoutaffecting theirleakproofing, whichmeansyoudon’t needtobuyasmanypairstoalwayshavea clean,drypairinyourdrawerfortomorrow “Manyofourlong-termcustomerstellus thatourunderwearhasbeengreatvaluefor money,”saysConfitexfounderanddesign directorFrantisekRiha-Scott “It’sordinary underwearwithextraordinaryprotection.”

TheConfitexstoryisKiwiingenuityatits best Thecompany’srootsstretchbackto 2013,whenFrantisekandafriendcameup withtheingeniousideaofcreatinghighperformanceabsorbentsportsunderwear toavoidtoiletbreaksduringendurance skiraces Thepairquicklyrealisedthat

absorbentunderwearhadafarwider applicationthandownhillskiracing It wouldbelife-changingforwomenandmen withlight-to-mediumurinaryincontinence, offeringthemacomfortableandconvenient waytoreducethenumberofsingle-use absorbenthygieneproductstheysentto landfill.

Drawingonhisdesigntrainingand extensiveresearchintomicroscopictextile technology,Frantisekcreatedamultilayeredtextiledesignedtoquicklywick moistureawayfromtheskin,absorbing liquidwithoutleaking,evenunder bodyweightpressure.Therestis Confitexhistory

ConfitexforMenandJust’nCasebyConfitex underwearcomesinavarietyofsizes,styles, absorbenciesandcolours.Itisavailableonly onlinefromtheofficialwebsiteconfitexco.nz, withdiscreetdeliverytoyourdoor Confitex recommendsthatnewcustomersbuyone pairfirsttotrialinthecomfortofhomeand checkthatthesizeandabsorbencyareright foryou.

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