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“Please go away”: Grieving mother slams “god-bothering” vandal

<p dir="ltr">A heart-broken mother has slammed a “god-botherer” who superglued a cross to her son’s memorial.</p> <p dir="ltr">Sydney parents Edwina and Anthony Symonds lost their son Sebastian, lovingly known as Seb, when he was just 10-months-old in 2018.</p> <p dir="ltr">After Seb’s death, the grieving parents organised for a memorial plaque to be fixed to a sitting rock located at a popular walk in the city's northern beaches – a place they frequented with Seb before his passing.</p> <p dir="ltr">Edwina told <a href="https://honey.nine.com.au/latest/sydney-baby-memorial-plaque-cross-super-glue-parents-message/348ed1ef-3155-4d56-977e-df84db43715b" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>9Honey</em> </a>that she is used to finding well-wishing trinkets people have left behind on Seb’s memorial.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Previously we've had little bibles left there, or small rocks that have been painted by children, or feathers," Edwina said, adding that the family usually takes the items with them as they go along.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, Edwina said one passerby has taken it too far, by supergluing a religious cross to the plaque.</p> <p dir="ltr">"It's obnoxious," Edwina says.</p> <p dir="ltr">She was informed of the unwanted addition to her son's plaque by a friend, and shared a post on a local Facebook page to explain her distress.</p> <p dir="ltr">"To be fair, I'm Catholic and I used to go to church every week when I was younger. I don't have a problem with religion," she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">"I think I captured it well with what I wrote. But don't super glue your religion to me or my son."</p> <p dir="ltr">Her Facebook post read, "To the God-botherer that vandalised our son's plaque by supergluing a cross to it!!! I imagine somewhere in whatever religion you choose to follow, there is some sort of rule that says, 'Don't be a low-life by wrecking other people's property.' If not, there should be.”</p> <p dir="ltr">"Religion is a nice ideal. You are entitled to your beliefs and no-one should take issue with that. I certainly don't.”</p> <p dir="ltr">"I am sure you had some lovely thoughts when you were sitting with Seb like, 'God took this baby to a 'better' place, or that he 'had a plan' for this child, or even the classic 'everything happens for a reason.'”</p> <p dir="ltr">"Cool story, but please go away. Seb doesn't need you to 'save' him. He died already. He can't be saved.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Anthony also commented on the post, not holding back with his frustration over the vandal’s actions.</p> <p dir="ltr">"To the god botherer, Seb is looking down having a laugh at your kooky effort and giving you his swear finger. At 10 months old, his heart was as pure as it gets, though he has subsequently learnt the words f--k you.”</p> <p dir="ltr">"A narrow minded fool, keep away from Seb's little playground. Keep your ideas out of other people's lives unless invited in, the end.”</p> <p dir="ltr">While many of the comments expressed distress at news of her son's death at such a young age, Edwina was quick to explain they are managing to live with their grief, and that Seb's death isn't the issue at hand.</p> <p dir="ltr">"I'm sure they had good intentions, but their execution is s***house," Edwina told <em>9Honey</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">"I haven't been down there yet, you have to walk one kilometre along the walkway to see it. I'll have to go to Bunnings to get some bond remover or something. But I have two young kids, so it's just another thing on my to-do list."</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Facebook</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Why would you bother with a kettle?

<p>Kmart’s brand new $79 Instant Hot Water Dispenser hit shelves and online shops this week, to a clamour of rave reviews from early adopters of the magical speedy boiler.</p> <p>The machine claims to be able to boil a very respectable two litres of water in just three to five seconds – which is far, far quicker than anything else in your kitchen can promise.</p> <p>As a result, the positive reviews have been absolutely pouring in:</p> <p>“Goodbye kettle and the waiting,” one happy customer raved.</p> <p>“Jumped on the instant hot water dispenser bandwagon!” another shopper declared, “I’m loving it.”</p> <p>“Mine is on its way,” wrote another shopper who was a little slower on the uptake – but not by much.</p> <p>With three pour capacity options to choose from – 300, 200 or 150mL – and handy variable temperature settings of 98, 75 and 25 degrees, it’s been declared an instant bargain at just $79, with comparable high-end versions like the Westinghouse’s 2.7L dispenser selling for as much as $189.</p> <p>“I’m always amazed at the things Kmart comes up with. Take my money!” wrote another excited prospective customer – perhaps inadvertently borrowing from a recent KFC TV ad campaign.</p> <p>“It’s definitely hotter than the coffee machines,” chimed in another reviewer. “Highest temp on the machine is 95 and lowest 25.”</p> <p>“I'm so in love with my new Instant Hot Water Dispenser. Love that you can change the temperature to suit... Perfect for my green tea,” another happy customer shared.</p>

Home & Garden

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Why you shouldn’t bother with a tour in Europe

<p>One of my British colleagues often has me in stitches with a spot-on impression of some Australian yobbo she met on a tour of the United States in her university days. As they were driving down the Eastern Seaboard, the man, who parted this wisdom while smelling of the night before and lying in a bus aisle, summed up the alcohol-heavy whistle-stop bus trip with: "Nobody goes on Contiki [Con-teeee-kee] to see the sights!" While I chuckle away at the two prim Brits stuck with a busload of Aussie and Kiwi youth visiting America's bars (first) and historical sites (if they get time), my co-worker still feels a bit miffed that her tour was not all it was cracked up to be.</p> <p>I thought of this again when a reader wrote asking me to recommend a group bus tour company for a European trip he and his wife hope to embark on. The Tauranga-based couple want to take in France, Italy and Germany on a coach tour. The destinations obviously sound great, but my default reaction was still: Why a package tour? Europe is about the most tourist-friendly continent when you consider transport options and their efficiency, widespread understanding of English and tech infrastructure. There couldn't be a better-suited set of countries for the somewhat older independent travellers to explore.</p> <p>Here's why I'd opt for DIY exploration over a cookie-cutter bus tour:</p> <p><strong>1. Public transport utopia</strong></p> <p>Beyond the Eurostar linking London, Paris and Brussels are fast, frequent and comfortable train networks that avoid the hassle of airports and the congestion of road traffic. And you are dropped right in the heart of most cities. The Eurail pass option, offers multi-country and multi-day train tickets all from one pass, which lets you explore 28 European countries easily. Best of all kids aged under 11 go free. Once in a city, exploring is usually best done by a combination of walking and the subway or tram system.</p> <p><strong>2. Ch-ch-changes</strong></p> <p>The biggest sacrifice you make when booking a tour is having any semblance of spontaneity. Love a place and want to linger? You can't – the bus leaves in 30 minutes. Tour group travel is where spontaneity goes to die. Not only that, you often get the feeling the various guides are just going through the motions and rattling off a script they are sick to death of. Going independent lets you keep the plans fluid: move on easily if a place doesn't excite you and stay longer in ones that do.</p> <p><strong>3. Cultural exchange</strong></p> <p>As you are whisked from one organised visit to another, the chances of interacting with locals (outside of, maybe, a local guide) can be limited. If you go independent you can seek out locally-owned inns and restaurants while still opting for the much-loved city walking tours, but just on an ad-hoc basis. On the topic of restaurants, independent itineraries allow you to seek out the destination's best or quirkiest dining options instead of the go-to set tourist menus loved by the tour operators.</p> <p><strong>4. Leave the whiners behind</strong></p> <p>One of the major pros of choosing a tour is the social aspect of getting to know a group of like-minded travellers who also want to travel and explore country. But, it's still a gamble and if there are some who irritate you, too bad you are stuck with them. Going independent can be lonely for solos and lead to couples squabbling, but you can still stay social by staying at hostels (no longer just for backpackers), using meet-up web apps like EatWith or renting a room-only option on AirBnb. Or, you know, just talking to people.</p> <p><strong>5. Communication and connections</strong></p> <p>Speaking of which, Europe is easy for independent travelling because English is so widely spoken. You will feel defeated when your deftly-honed German phrases are rebuffed with a few polite nods from the locals ... who then simply speak English back to you because it's faster for them. Smartphones and free wi-fi have unquestionably made independent travel more alluring for those who would have previously booked a package deal. Sure, a tour group will shepherd you seamlessly from one tourist trap to the next, but you can explore Europe easily with little more than a few polite phrases and phone apps to map your journey, book your bed, find you dinner, help you meet new friends and record it all for the folks back home.</p> <p><em>Written by Josh Martin. Republished with permission of</em> <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Stuff.co.nz</span></strong></em></a>.</p>

Travel Tips

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5 ways to get along with the people who bother you

<p><em><strong>Susan Krauss Whitbourne is a professor of Psychology and Brain Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She writes the Fulfilment at Any Age blog for Psychology Today.</strong></em></p> <p>You’ve got a colleague who is constantly getting on your nerves, due to his bossiness and insensitivity. In meetings, he is always trying to upstage you, and he seems to lack some basic human relationship ingredients like respect and courtesy. You can’t escape him, so how can you possibly manage your feelings so that his actions don’t make you miserable? Consider, also, the case in which you see someone regularly who you also can’t avoid, because it’s a person you need a service or product from. It may be the person who cuts your hair (who’s great, but talks incessantly), or the barista at your coffee shop: You try to put a positive spin on your interactions with her, but she just gets under your skin.</p> <p>Conflicts are an inevitable part of relationships, but when the relationship is with someone who isn’t necessarily all that close, it can be difficult to find the words to bring down the heat. If you tell your hair stylist not to talk so much, she may give you a bad haircut, or that barista may make your latte way too sweet. You could still switch hair salons or coffee shops, though, if the situation really deteriorated, but co-workers with whom you have longstanding relationships present a different case: They are both less avoidable and less interchangeable. You would hardly leave your job over them, without some other very good reason. And if the person who bothers you is a family member or neighbour, there really is <em>no</em> easy way out.</p> <p>One of the reasons people bother other people has to do with what <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/basics/freud" target="_blank" title="Psychology Today looks at Freud">Freud</a></strong></span> referred to as <strong>countertransference</strong>. You’ve probably heard of <em>transference</em>, which is the process through which a patient transfers feelings held toward <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/basics/parenting" target="_blank" title="Psychology Today looks at parents">parents</a></strong></span> onto the therapist. In traditional <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/basics/psychoanalysis" target="_blank" title="Psychology Today looks at psychoanalysis">psychoanalysis</a></strong></span>, transference becomes an important part of the therapeutic process. Psychoanalysts themselves also experience feelings toward their patients, and then they must confront and manage those feelings. As they do, the therapists are better able to understand how their patients interact with people in their own everyday lives.</p> <p>A recent study conducted by the University of Maryland’s Andrés E. Pérez-Rojas and colleagues (2017) provides insight into the process of countertransference, putting it to an empirical test. A sample of 382 supervisors identified through the American Psychological Association’s directory of practicing therapists completed the online Countertransference <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/basics/leadership" target="_blank" title="Psychology Today looks at Management">Management</a></strong></span> Scale (CMS). They rated their employees on a variety of behaviors representing the handling of their feelings toward their patients. Items on the CMS relevant to the general concept of being bothered by others include, for example, “Effectively sorts out how his/her feelings relates to client’s feelings,” “Is able to step into client’s inner world,” and “Understands the basis for own atypical reactions to clients."</p> <p>In condensing the countertransference scale down to its underlying dimension, Pérez-Rojas et al. identified two factors — the ability to be empathic toward clients, and the ability to understand oneself and manage anxiety, or as they define it, the “possession of appropriate boundaries within the therapy hour, and an ability to contain, regulate, and experience <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/basics/anxiety" target="_blank" title="Psychology Today looks at anxiety ">anxiety</a></strong></span> during <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/basics/therapy" target="_blank" title="Psychology Today looks at psychotherapy">psychotherapy</a></strong></span>." Translating these items to your own interactions with the people who bother you, this would mean that being able to tap into the other person’s worldview and then hold onto your feelings of being bothered would be adaptive coping strategies.</p> <p>With this study in mind, let’s look now at those five tips on handling the people who bother you:</p> <p><strong>1. Reframe the situation in a positive light.</strong></p> <p>As bothered as you are by this person’s behavior, ask whether you’re so sure that this person is a truly bothersome individual. People can be poorly behaved for many reasons, and it’s possible that your overly talkative hair stylist is simply lonely. She may also believe that her clients wish her to talk constantly, and there may even be some truth to this. It’s just you who finds her conversational style to be one that makes you uncomfortable.</p> <p><strong>2. If possible, obtain validation that the bothersomeness comes from the other person rather than you.</strong></p> <p>There are some people who you will never like, no matter what, because you just don’t. They may be perfectly fine in general, but they are not your cup of tea. As the Pérez-Rojas and colleagues study showed, countertransference is almost unavoidable, no less so in therapy than in everyday life. This person may remind you of a teacher you absolutely could not stand or the brother of a friend who just rubbed you the wrong way. To find out if this is the case, ask a friend to either back you up or, alternatively, show you’re wrong. If the person is not objectively bothersome, you can learn what it is about you and your past that causes you to feel this way around certain people.</p> <p><strong>3. Try to help the person become less bothersome.</strong></p> <p>If the person is just generally boorish and rude, perhaps you can figure out a way to help intervene with some suggestions for toning things down. Rather than writing the person off as just plain bad or irredeemable, your positive interventions could help change his or her life. This is particularly important with people whose problematic behavior is a constant feature of your life together. Start the conversation off with an “I” statement about how this behavior affects you, rather than by hurling complaints or attacks at them. Such steps would be consistent with the first factor of the CMS involving being able to empathize with others as a vital skill in therapy.</p> <p><strong>4. Don’t let your feelings about this person gnaw away at you.</strong></p> <p>The more you think about this individual, the angrier you get, so the logical thing to do is to stop yourself from replaying your unpleasant conversations in your head. Similarly, don’t let your unhappiness leak out into your interactions with other people in your support network. Based on the Pérez-Rojas et al. study’s second CMS factor, managing your feelings will help you react in a more adaptive manner when people bother you.</p> <p><strong>5. If the situation is truly actionable, then find out how best to act.</strong></p> <p>The bothersome behavior may include inappropriate attention directed to you that could qualify as harassment. If this is in the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/basics/career" target="_blank" title="Psychology Today looks at workplace">workplace</a></strong></span>, there are steps you can take, as outlined by Smith (2018) and described on the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.apaexcellence.org/resources/special-topics/sexual-harassment" target="_blank">APA Center for Organizational Excellence</a></strong></span> website. If the harassment occurs with family members, friends, or neighbors, you won’t be able to turn to this form of protection. Make notes about the incident or incidents, and then plan your strategy. Seek out a family member who you think will be objective and hear your side fairly. In the case of a person you interact with around the neighborhood or community, there may be no way that you can act other than to stay away or to make your unhappiness clear to the person, and then walk away if necessary. Therapists may have supervisors with whom they can share their feelings toward their clients, but in the everyday world, you have to rely on other sources of support.</p> <p><em>Fulfillment in relationships can come from many sources, and when a relationship is particularly unfulfilling, it may be worth finding out what’s behind your feelings of being bothered. Not all of these feelings can be resolved, but if you’re willing to make the effort to manage them, you may find the outcome will be pleasantly surprising.</em></p> <p><em>Written by Susan Krauss Whitbourne. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/au" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Psychology Today.</span></strong></a></em></p>

Relationships

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8 times you shouldn't bother with a tour guide

<p>Sometimes when travelling it’s best to forge your own path. These are the times it’s best to go it alone.</p> <p><strong>1. When you have plenty of time</strong></p> <p>Some of the best holidays are the ones where you spend days just happily wandering, discovering new restaurants or shops, stopping for a coffee (or cocktail) whenever you fancy. If you have no schedule, just let yourself relax and sink into the atmosphere of a city with no pressure.</p> <p><strong>2. When you already have lots of activities planned</strong></p> <p>If you know exactly what you want to see and do, then you can skip the tour and plan your own day. Just make sure you’re organised, plan the best route around town and create your own itinerary that ticks them all off.</p> <p><strong>3. When you have a friend in town</strong></p> <p>A local is the best kind of tour guide! Get your friend to take you on a personal tour, visiting all the places that they love to go. It will give you a look at how people really live in a city, rather than just hitting all the spots listed in a guide book.</p> <p><strong>4. When you speak the language</strong></p> <p>If you’re in an English speaking country (or you have a second language under your belt) you should find it fairly easy to navigate your way around. You’ll be able to read the signs, order from a menu and thank helpful locals, without the need for someone to translate.</p> <p><strong>5. When you’ve been before</strong></p> <p>A tour will probably end up covering a lot of the things you’ve already seen, which can be frustrating (and a little boring). If you’re familiar with a city, you’re better off returning to your favourite places or even asking you concierge for some hidden gems that only the locals know.</p> <p><strong>6. When you’re on a really tight budget</strong></p> <p>Tours cost money and often you still have to pay for entrance fees on top of the price, so if you’re counting your pennies then you can give it a miss. The internet is an incredible resource and you will be able to get all the information you need about a destination and then work out how you can fit it in within your budget.</p> <p><strong>7. When you’re in a really small place</strong></p> <p>Sometimes, there’s just not that much to do in a destination. If there’s just a beach to flop on or a small town square to walk through, you really don’t need anyone to lead you around. Just ask for directions (or follow Google Maps) and potter around happily on your own.</p> <p><strong>8. When you want to feel independent</strong></p> <p>Hire a car, hop on a bike or just pound the pavement with the wind in your hair and a sense of adventure in your heart. Exploring a new place on your own will give you confidence and let you create some unique memories that you can’t replicate when tagging along with a tour.</p> <p>Do you get a tour guide, or go without?</p>

Travel Tips

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5 items to not bother packing for an overseas trip

<p>Packing for overseas travel can be difficult, but sometimes we make it harder than it needs to be. If you took a moment to think of all the items you’ve lugged through airports, onto flights and in taxis over the years, we think you’d be surprised at how few of those items you actually used. Here are five items that commonly find their way into people’s suitcases, but really aren’t worth bringing.</p><p><strong>Books</strong></p><p>Reading on vacation is one of life’s small joys. Carrying a suitcase that contains six books through a crowded airport is not. Books are serial space-thieves so if you can get by with just one, do it. If you’re a serious reader maybe it’s time to invest in a Kindle or tablet, but even if not there’s going to be countless opportunities to pick up more reading material while you’re on the road.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Laptop computer</strong></p><p>Having a laptop handy may seem like a good idea, but it’s potentially risky. Think of it this way – if someone was to swipe your laptop, or it was crushed underneath a particularly heavy bag on the baggage carousel we bet you’d be less than pleased. Smartphones are effectively little computers in their own right, so if you have one of those there’s really no reason to have a laptop in tow.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Excessive toiletries</strong></p><p>We all have our favourite brands, but these can take up a lot of suitcase space. We’re not advocating abandoning the toothbrush completely, but you should purchase travel-friendly sizes when you’re packing. Also, hotels often provide soap, shampoo and even beauty-care appliances like hairdryers, which is an opportunity to save even more space without having to lug a mini-salon around.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Footwear</strong></p><p>When it comes to items that take up too much suitcase space for the amount of times they’re actually used on a trip, footwear is one of the main culprits. On most holidays you don’t need anything more than a pair of nice-enough shoes for going out for dinner at restaurants, comfortable joggers for wearing around and perhaps a pair of sandals and thongs in warmer climates. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Jewellery</strong></p><p>This one may seem pretty self-explanatory, but you would be surprised at how many people actually take expensive, sentimental pieces of jewellery with them overseas. Aside from taking up unnecessary space in your bag, there’s a big chance that this jewellery may get stolen, misplaced or even just lost in transit. You may look fantastic with that necklace and bracelet, but it also potentially makes you a target for conmen and criminals, and you can really do without the hassle.</p><p><strong>What you said…</strong></p><p>We asked our Over60 community whether there was anything they regretted taking overseas. The response was overwhelming, and some of the advice was fantastic. Here are some comments –</p><p><em>Valerie Howitt - Take half the clothes and twice the money.&nbsp;</em></p><p><em>Mike Cross - After every trip separate the stuff in suitcase into 2 piles, what I used and what I did not use. Remember for the next time. This will lead to a dramatic reduction in your suitcase size.</em></p><p><em>Kerri Moore - Always take a good light fold up jacket the weather can change even in summer.</em><br> <br><em> Cecilia McKay - Best to pack your bag and then take half out.</em></p><p><em>Juliet Reynolds - I don't take jeans - they are too heavy - cotton pants are much better and can be dressed up and down.</em><br> <br><em> Fay Cameron - In regards to clothes, if you rarely, or never, wear it at home, don't pack it. You won't wear it away from home either, no matter how 'nice' and new it is.</em></p><p><em>Sandra Lynn Enud - Hang all your clothes and accessories around your bedroom for two weeks prior. Take down anything that doesn't match several other things or just not needed.</em></p><p><em> Mary Campagnolo - Keep cosmetics to minimum. If you read, load your iPad with books before you leave and make sure you download them at home in case you have no internet when away.</em></p><p><strong>Related links:</strong></p><p><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="/travel/travel-tips/2015/09/best-on-time-airlines/">Best airlines for on time performance</a></span></strong></em></p><p><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="/travel/travel-tips/2015/09/smartphone-travel-study/">Smartphone reveals if you’re thrifty or a big spender when travelling</a></span></strong></em></p><p><a href="/travel/travel-tips/2015/10/eight-things-flight-attendants-hate/"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">8 things flight attendants hate</span></strong></em></a></p>

Cruising

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5 items to not bother packing for an overseas trip

<p>Packing for overseas travel can be difficult, but sometimes we make it harder than it needs to be. If you took a moment to think of all the items you’ve lugged through airports, onto flights and in taxis over the years, we think you’d be surprised at how few of those items you actually used. Here are five items that commonly find their way into people’s suitcases, but really aren’t worth bringing.</p><p><strong>Books</strong></p><p>Reading on vacation is one of life’s small joys. Carrying a suitcase that contains six books through a crowded airport is not. Books are serial space-thieves so if you can get by with just one, do it. If you’re a serious reader maybe it’s time to invest in a Kindle or tablet, but even if not there’s going to be countless opportunities to pick up more reading material while you’re on the road.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Laptop computer</strong></p><p>Having a laptop handy may seem like a good idea, but it’s potentially risky. Think of it this way – if someone was to swipe your laptop, or it was crushed underneath a particularly heavy bag on the baggage carousel we bet you’d be less than pleased. Smartphones are effectively little computers in their own right, so if you have one of those there’s really no reason to have a laptop in tow.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Excessive toiletries</strong></p><p>We all have our favourite brands, but these can take up a lot of suitcase space. We’re not advocating abandoning the toothbrush completely, but you should purchase travel-friendly sizes when you’re packing. Also, hotels often provide soap, shampoo and even beauty-care appliances like hairdryers, which is an opportunity to save even more space without having to lug a mini-salon around.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Footwear</strong></p><p>When it comes to items that take up too much suitcase space for the amount of times they’re actually used on a trip, footwear is one of the main culprits. On most holidays you don’t need anything more than a pair of nice-enough shoes for going out for dinner at restaurants, comfortable joggers for wearing around and perhaps a pair of sandals and thongs in warmer climates. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Jewellery</strong></p><p>This one may seem pretty self-explanatory, but you would be surprised at how many people actually take expensive, sentimental pieces of jewellery with them overseas. Aside from taking up unnecessary space in your bag, there’s a big chance that this jewellery may get stolen, misplaced or even just lost in transit. You may look fantastic with that necklace and bracelet, but it also potentially makes you a target for conmen and criminals, and you can really do without the hassle.</p><p><strong>What you said…</strong></p><p>We asked our Over60 community whether there was anything they regretted taking overseas. The response was overwhelming, and some of the advice was fantastic. Here are some comments –</p><p><em>Valerie Howitt - Take half the clothes and twice the money.&nbsp;</em></p><p><em>Mike Cross - After every trip separate the stuff in suitcase into 2 piles, what I used and what I did not use. Remember for the next time. This will lead to a dramatic reduction in your suitcase size.</em></p><p><em>Kerri Moore - Always take a good light fold up jacket the weather can change even in summer.</em><br> <br><em> Cecilia McKay - Best to pack your bag and then take half out.</em></p><p><em>Juliet Reynolds - I don't take jeans - they are too heavy - cotton pants are much better and can be dressed up and down.</em><br> <br><em> Fay Cameron - In regards to clothes, if you rarely, or never, wear it at home, don't pack it. You won't wear it away from home either, no matter how 'nice' and new it is.</em></p><p><em>Sandra Lynn Enud - Hang all your clothes and accessories around your bedroom for two weeks prior. Take down anything that doesn't match several other things or just not needed.</em></p><p><em> Mary Campagnolo - Keep cosmetics to minimum. If you read, load your iPad with books before you leave and make sure you download them at home in case you have no internet when away.</em></p>

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