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90-year-old grandma's secrets, regrets and brutal "advice"

An amazingly sprightly 90-year-old grandmother has appeared on TikTok to share her deepest regrets in life, leaving viewers both amused and contemplative with her surprising take on being a nonagenarian. The video, which has garnered a whopping 70,000 views, features the wise words of wisdom from a woman who has seen it all, or at least enough to make her wish she hadn't seen quite so much. The nanna, who spilled the beans to her inquisitive granddaughter <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@racheljdillon?lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rachel Dillon</a> – an online fitness coach – began by revealing what she wishes she did less of in her life. "Probably less of nothing," she admits. "I mean I never worked after I was married or anything like that. I wish I had probably done more mixing with people with that. More socialising." It's then that the truth bombs really start to drop. When Rachel asks, "Do you have any regrets", a cloud of laughter fills the room, before the answer comes. "Yes, I do regret marrying too young," she says emphatically. "I met my husband when I was 13 and he was 15. We got married at 17 and 19. I met him at the library. He used to ride me up on the bicycle when I was going to the library." Then, when asked about the secret to turning 90, Rachel's grandma confesses not only that there isn't one, but that she regrets having made it this far at all. "I didn't really want to get to 90," she declares with the nonchalance of someone choosing between tea and coffee. "I've had enough. I've had all I wanted out of the world. I am quite happy to go and meet my little puppy dog waiting there for me." When asked about her secret to looking so young, Rachel's grandma almost brushes the question aside, laying the blame simply in the quality of her genes for having "always been a fox", according to Rachel. The final question, and the final brutally honest response – which may have made Rachel regret asking about regrets – was simply: "Do you have any advice for us?" "Oh God no," comes the world-weary answer. "Not the way the world's going. No, I'm just glad I'll be gone. I don't want to be part of anything that I can see going on." TikTok users were quick to commend the grandmother, not just for her unexpected revelations but also for her timeless beauty. "She looks absolutely amazing," gushed one admirer, proving that age is just a number – albeit one that sometimes takes us by surprise. In the end, this nonagenarian nanna has become an unexpected sensation, leaving us all to ponder life's mysteries, library love stories, and the prospect of meeting puppy dogs in the great beyond. If her story has taught us anything, it's that life is unpredictable, love can blossom in the unlikeliest of places (like a library), and sometimes it's OK to regret that hasty decision to say "I do" before you even knew how to do your taxes. <div class="post_body_wrapper" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 8px 0px 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: #323338; color: #323338; font-family: Figtree, Roboto, 'Noto Sans Hebrew', 'Noto Kufi Arabic', 'Noto Sans JP', sans-serif;"> <div class="post-body-container" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <div class="post-body-renderer-component post_body" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: top; position: relative; transition: max-height 0.14s ease 0s; overflow: hidden; color: var(--primary-text-color); max-height: none;"> <div class="post-body-content" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 630px; overflow: auto hidden;"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 15px 15px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; position: relative; overflow: auto; color: var(--primary-text-color); font-family: var(--font-family); line-height: 1.5; word-break: break-word;"> <div class="embed" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline: none !important;"><iframe class="embedly-embed" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 600px; max-width: 100%; outline: none !important;" title="tiktok embed" src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2Fembed%2Fv2%2F7311465610821651720&display_name=tiktok&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40racheljdillon%2Fvideo%2F7311465610821651720&image=https%3A%2F%2Fp16-sign-sg.tiktokcdn.com%2Fobj%2Ftos-alisg-p-0037%2Fo49EYZFdsEDJhfBAiE2gfGE8l3IAR2qBQx14iB%3Fx-expires%3D1702681200%26x-signature%3DL%252FvO6dLXwqFOi09XENAbVmG4tgs%253D&key=5b465a7e134d4f09b4e6901220de11f0&type=text%2Fhtml&schema=tiktok" width="340" height="700" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div>Images: TikTok / @racheljdillon</div> </div> </div> </div> </div>

Retirement Life

Richard Wilkins' heartbreaking interview regret

Richard Wilkins has revealed the one heartbreaking question he wished he had asked Charlotte Dawson the day before her passing. In a recent interview for his series Dickie's Diaries the usually upbeat Nine Entertainment reporter sat in a moment of silence before he answered the interviewer’s question: What’s the one question you wished you’d asked? "The one question I wish I'd asked was to my friend," Wilkins began, repeating the question, pausing briefly before saying her name "Charlotte Dawson". "Charlotte used to come on the Today show a lot. "She always used to come into my dressing room at the old Channel Nine studios in Sydney. We'd always have a good old chat about stuff,” he said. He shared the conversation they had in February 2014 and the moment that has weighed on his mind since. "She said 'what are you doing on the weekend' and I said 'I'm going up to see Bruce Springsteen play in the Hunter Valley. It's going to be fantastic', I said. 'I can't wait to get up there'," "Charlotte took her life the next day which still makes my... shivers go up my spine... I had a spare ticket and I wish I'd said to her 'do you want to come?' "You just wonder whether, had she got out of the space she was in, taken a leap of faith, maybe things would have turned out differently." The New Zealand-Australian model and TV personality was found dead in her home in Woolloomooloo on February 22, 2014. Dawson had depression for over a decade and was only 47 when she passed. She had opened up about her struggle in an interview in 2012. "When you work in a public environment like the media, you do have to have a thick skin," she said. "And no matter what you do, people are still going to hate you just because they think you're ugly or because they don't like the sound of your voice." Images: Getty/ Nine Entertainment Don't go it alone. Please reach out for help. Lifeline: 13 11 14 or <a href="http://lifeline.org.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lifeline.org.au</a> Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 or <a href="beyondblue.org.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener">beyondblue.org.au</a> Headspace: 1800 650 890 or <a href="http://headspace.org.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">headspace.org.au</a>

Sam Armytage's biggest "regret" from her time on Sunrise

Samantha Armytage has opened up her decision to quit her hosting gig at Sunrise on her own terms, while sharing her one "regret" from her time on the Channel Seven morning show. Armytage, now the host of Farmer Wants a Wife, left the breakfast program in March 2021, and has shared how the role took a toll on her mental health. Ahead of the Farmer Wants a Wife premiere, Armytage told <a href="https://www.nowtolove.com.au/reality-tv/farmer-wants-a-wife/why-did-sam-armytage-leave-sunrise-77314" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TV Week</a> why she decided to leave Sunrise. "It was a huge risk, absolutely – and I did worry about that," she told the publication. "But I knew at that time that I had to make big changes for my own happiness and sanity." "I'm proud of myself that I made that jump into the complete unknown, because I didn't know what would come after that." "I also have several regrets about [moments] when I didn't stick up for myself," she added. "I've had time away now from that spotlight and I regret not standing up for myself more." Sam also admitted that she "put up with a lot of cr*p", especially during her time at Sunrise. "When it all got too much, I had to step away," she revealed. At the time of her departure from Sunrise, Armytage said she was stepping down from her hosting role after eight years to spend more time with her husband. She broke down in tears at the end of her final broadcast as she accused "some aspects of the media" of treating her unfairly during her tenure. A month before her departure, she had reportedly upset her Seven colleagues by saying the TV industry was filled with "narcissists" and "sociopaths" in a scathing magazine article. Image credits: Instagram

Goldie Hawn shares biggest Hollywood regret

When Goldie Hawn’s name was read as the winner of the 1970 Best Supporting Actress Oscar, one might have expected the actress to be front and centre to accept the award. But that couldn’t have been further from the truth - the then 25-year-old was instead tucked up in bed, sound asleep ahead of an early call for her upcoming movie There’s a Girl in My Soup. And now, the Hollywood heavyweight has confessed that that may just be the biggest regret of her entire career. It was April 7, 1970, and the budding actress had only a few film credits to her name, as well as a coveted Academy Award nomination for her work in Cactus Flower. The awards ceremony was being held in Los Angeles’ Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, and the nominated actress was an entire ocean away in London, when Fred Astaire took to the stage, opened the life-changing envelope, and read out Goldie’s name. And while 63.1 million Americans tuned in live to witness the moment, Goldie was instead watching the inside of her eyelids. “I never got dressed up, I never got to pick up the award,” Goldie told Variety, “I regret it. It’s something that I look back on now and think ‘it would have been so great to be able to have done that.’ “I forgot it was on TV that night,” she continued. “Then I woke up to a phone call at like four in the morning, and it was a man’s voice and he said ‘hey, congratulations, you got it.’” Goldie went on to explain that she’d asked what the man was talking about, before being informed that she “got the Academy Award for best supporting actress”, and that despite her shock, she was able to thank him, before calling her parents and having a much-needed cry. The actress admitted that part of the problem - her reason for not attending - was that she hadn’t expected to win. Cactus Flower was her first ‘real’ role in a movie, and she was nominated alongside a number of talented, established actresses. The likes of Sylvia Miles, Dyan Cannon, and Susannah York were her ‘competition’. Raqual Welch accepted the award on Goldie’s behalf, and until 2023, Goldie had never watched the moment her name was read from that winner’s envelope. It was Jimmy Kimmel - host of the 2023 ceremony - that encouraged her, while the two were on their way to a mutual friend’s party. “He said ‘did you ever see the part where you’re being announced by Fred Astaire?’” Goldie recalled, “and I said ‘Fred Astaire?!’ He’s my idol.” She then explained that she hadn’t known Fred was the one who announced her as the winner, and that when she finally saw the moment unfold, she found herself overcome with emotion. Goldie’s honesty and genuine attitude towards her life and career have followed her from that fateful moment on, a lesson that she told Variety had first been passed down from her father. “You’ve got to work for a living, stay compassionate, and stay realistic,” she said, “and I’m passing that on because that was what my father taught me: stay in reality, don’t get taken away with everything.” And Goldie’s reality may just see her make an anticipated return to the silver screen, with the actress noting that she’d take a step out of retirement for the right role - perhaps something that let her have fun with a “wild, crazy character” or even a sequel to one of her existing films, maybe even another film with her beloved long-term partner, Kurt Russell. “We all have dreams,” she concluded, “but it’s how we fulfil them.” Images: Getty

Movies

"A tunnel of grief": King Charles' biggest regret from Princess Diana's funeral

A royal biographer has revealed the one regret King Charles has from Princess Diana's funeral. According to author Christopher Andersen, the monarch "deeply regrets" making his sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, join the procession behind their mother's coffin. “I think it haunts him because it haunts them, and they’ve spoken about it,” he told <a title="www.usmagazine.com" href="https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/king-charles-regrets-william-harry-procession-at-dianas-funeral/">Us Weekly</a>. “I’ve written that I believe it’s a form of PTSD.” The writer of the new biography, The King: The Life of Charles III, added that while researching the book, he learned that the Prince Harry has found it “triggering” to fly into London at times. “[He said] it reminds him of that day when he had to walk behind the coffin, and they were more or less bullied into doing it by the palace – by the men in grey who really run the palace, the people that Diana used to complain about,” he explained. “[Charles, Earl Spencer], Diana’s brother … has also said that he felt that he was tricked into doing it and regrets it. “He said it was like walking through a tunnel of grief.” At the time of their mother's death, Prince William was 15 and Prince Harry was just 12-years-old. Princess Diana died at age 36 after being chased by paparazzi in Paris, resulting in the fatal car crash in 1997. “I think both William and Harry thought, ‘Who are these strangers who never met her?’” said Andersen. “So, they were angry about what had happened. And Charles, I think, understands that to some extent he was responsible for them having to suffer through [that].” Image credits: Getty Images

Family & Pets

"Zero regrets": Hugh Sheridan reveals secret marriage

Hugh Sheridan has revealed they were married to a well-known entertainer for nine years but the pair opted to keep the relationship a secret. The 37-year-old actor, who is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, appeared on Jessica Rowe's Big Talk Show podcast, and revealed their past relationship. Hugh did not want to reveal their former partner’s name but said the pair tied the knot on July 11, 2011 and were married for nine years. “I can't say their name because they were in the same industry, so. Couldn't really be specific about that, but I was married,” Hugh said. “We were solidly together for about seven years and then the last couple of years we were travelling a lot and it got too hard and, but we're still very good friends.” Hugh confessed that close family and friends knew about the marriage but they decided to keep it private from the public. “I was finding out if you don't speak out about your private life, people can assume that you're ashamed or that you've got some sort of an agenda or that you are denying other people their self expression by not talking about it.” Hugh and their ex officially got divorced a couple of years ago and revealed they are “very single right now”. “I am definitely single. I can confirm that right now,” Hugh said. The news comes just months after Hugh announced their split from fiancé Kurt Roberts after just eight months. In an Instagram post, the actor reminisced about their good times and that it was time to move on. “In retrospect, having a first public relationship, that public, that fast, might’ve been too much pressure on us,” they wrote. “Maybe it was COVID or quarantines or us working to (sic) hard (I take the blame for full responsibility for the working hours), maybe it’s dads death or all the above. “The point is Kurt is incredibly kind, someone who is earnestly caring and helped me through a very tough time. “Transparency is what I promised you all. For now we didn’t make it, but we tried very, very hard, I’m so sorry for us that it wasn’t easy and I’m sorry for the added pressure. “Lots learned, the heartache is heavy, but zero regrets for the greatest love.” Image: Instagram

Relationships

The most common deathbed regret that can change your perspective on life

A healthcare professional has shared the most common life regret she hears from people who are on their deathbed. Camilla Rowland, CEO of Palliative Care Australia, said that "death is the last taboo" in this age of over-sharing online, and is trying to break down that stigma by helping people reevaluate how they go about their day-to-day lives. She told <a href="https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/news-life/surprisingly-common-deathbed-regret-that-could-change-how-you-live/news-story/209319c4137122812f0e91e52b38cb6c" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a>, “We’ve become so great at discussing things that used to be taboo, but we’ve lost the ability to talk about death with one another.” After a 30-year career in palliative care, Ms Rowland said there is one regret she hears continuously from people who are at the end of their life. “Without a doubt, the regret I’ve heard time and time again is that people wish they’d spent less time working, and more time with the people they love,” she says. “The other thing people might find surprising is that money doesn’t seem to have any effect on the way you look back at your life at the end." “I once looked after an incredibly wealthy man at the end of his life and he had been one of those really busy guys – working 18 hours a day, achieving great success." “I remember him saying to me: ‘You know what? I would give up all my boats, my houses, everything that I have just to have spent more time with my kids when they were young.’ I heard that time and time again from people." “No matter which walk of life they were from, it was the quality of their relationships that mattered above all else.” While Ms Rowland knows that talking about death and the end of our lives is a morbid, difficult topic, she says it's important to have those discussions with the people closest to us. Having these conversations can help us share our end-of-life wishes with our family and friends, but also help us learn how to truly appreciate life from the people who came before us. “When I think of those common deathbed regrets that pop up repeatedly, it’s a great reminder for us all to live more in the moment, with the people who matter most.” Image credits: Getty Images

Caring

Readers Respond: If you could go back in time, what is one thing you'd change?

Though going back in time is reserved for fictional superheroes, if you were offered the chance to go back would you change anything? When we asked our readers this very question, many reflected on family, marriages, and decisions made. From saying ‘I love you’ more to changing absolutely nothing, here’s what you had to say. Vicky Poole - I would have been way more supportive / loving to my mother. I thought she would always be there. Cathay Crosby - You can’t do that because if you change one thing everything else changes too. Dawn Dominick - I would have stayed single and kept enjoying my independence. Cheryl Weller - Absolutely nothing. I have hurt, but I have learnt. And I believe it has made me a better person for all I have learnt on my journey Anne Jenkin - My wedding day. Kerri Mack - To meet my real father. George Baumann - To paraphrase the Irishman speaking to the tourist who was asking for directions - I wouldn’t have started where I did. But it all worked out for the best in the end. Erica Brooks - I would choose to not have asthma. Helene Batiste - Saying I love you to my mother many more times than I did. Gillian Hadley - The whole bloody lot!!!!!!!!!! Lyna Box - I would never ever have started smoking. 50 years later I wish I hadn’t. Bob Kairk - Give my granny more time and more hugs. To read what else you said, head <a href="https://www.facebook.com/oversixtys/posts/pfbid02fVYmPCmZi1R1CANwhVgDEepbMjAQKDu4PC2LMjrQsXCRFniAyUohsDddRZh98tZsl" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a> (or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/oversixtyNZ/posts/pfbid02oRsrc9mdaLMB4zcPr4iQ2d4ouXPJzDaxNhgrEupiW6oSH1xTC2GzT7ZJ51iJEGURl" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a> for NZ). Image: Getty Images

Caring

The one movie Sandra Bullock regrets making

There is one movie that Sandra Bullock, to this day, regrets making. The Hollywood actress, who recently <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/entertainment/movies/sandra-bullock-s-big-career-announcement" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> she is taking a break from acting to spend more time with her kids, was quick to respond when asked about the movie. "I have one no one came around to and I'm still embarrassed I was in,” Bullock confessed to <a href="https://toofab.com/2022/03/21/sandra-bullock-daniel-radcliffe-the-lost-city-interview/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TooFab</a>. “It's called 'Speed 2.' I've been very vocal about it. Makes no sense. Slow boat. Slowly going towards an island. “That’s one I wished I hadn’t done, and no fans came around that I know of.” Keanu Reeves, her on-screen lover in Speed, did not star in the sequel, instead Bullock was cast with Jason Patric. Reeves previously said that after reading the script to Speed 2 that he “decided not to be in it”. Bullock’s new movie The Lost City will be released on 14 April 2022. Image: Instagram

Movies

Readers respond: Is there anything you regret not asking your parents?

We asked our readers whether there was anything they regretted not asking their parents, and the response was overwhelming. From family histories to stories from their own lives, here’s what you wished you’d asked. Maureen Collins - I wish I had of listened to her stories. Dorathy Helen Dawes - I regret not asking my father questions about family stories and history while he lived. Thankfully, I did get to ask my mother for her family stories. Roman Frackiewicz - My dad's POW experience, the DP camp experiences before emigration, his family, the political environment in pre WWII Poland from his perspective, his life. Margaret Inglis - I wish I'd taken more notice of things they had said/told me as I was growing up. I am referring to family history etc. I have copies of birth certificates etc as my father had looked into some genealogy, but this was before the internet. He often spoke about his family background, I also have his diaries from the early '30s, so I have some knowledge. Yvone Osborn - So many things - When we're young life tends to get in the way, and then it's too late when we think of things we'd really like to know answers to! Jacqueline Evans - Yes, I lost my Mum earlier this year and everyday, something comes to mind. Along with daily things, I think “Oh I must tell/ask Mum this”. Margaret Leonard - Where do I start, it's not till they have gone, that you needed to know that question or thing and it's too late then. Lyn Miner - Yes, I would ask my mum everything she could think about her father. I don't think I will ever know who he really was. Image: Getty Images

Caring

“What have I done?!” New homeowner’s instant regret

After moving to their new two-storey home by the bay in Victoria, Ros Morton was in tears. Despite the amazing views of Port Phillip Bay, stunning sunsets and finally living close to her grandchildren, there was one major problem… “I’d had a full hip replacement and was having difficulty rehabilitating,” says Ros. “I was in this fabulous house and thinking: What have we done!? How am I ever going to navigate the stairs? “I could barely drag myself up from ground level, let alone carry shopping or washing from one floor to the other. We were seriously considering another move.” The Morton’s main living area is on the top floor of their peninsula home – ideal for drinks on the deck and sighting ships in the distance, but not so great if you are physically challenged. “I had to rely on my husband Stuart to do all the lifting, which was difficult because he was going through his own medical treatment at the time,” explains Ros. “We were in trouble and I felt trapped.” Ros had always been active and involved in community life, but now she says she “had no chance of connecting with anyone because I couldn’t get in and out of the house easily. And the thought of moving again was more than either of us could bear!” The solution? “<a rel="noopener" href="https://resilift.com.au/?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=website_article" target="_blank">RESiLIFT</a>!” answers Ros. “A friend found a brochure at The Home Show. I was considering installing a stairlift, but it was unsightly and too big for our stairwell. “We viewed a RESiLIFT at someone’s home, and as soon as I saw it, I realised my life was about to change. Thankfully, another expensive re-location was off the agenda and our lift was installed extremely quickly. <img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7843576/rosmorton_resilift_sept2021_rd02.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/71f5257f78fb4ef3bebe3bd4a472a0a0" /> As soon as Ros saw a RESiLIFT, she realised her life was about to change. “As it’s a free-standing lift with no shaft, the building modifications were minimal, and it simply plugs into a standard domestic outlet! All of these factors combined to make it an easy choice,” says Ros. Tax Agent George Dimitropoulos, who recently observed his parents install a RESiLIFT into their home, says that “installing a lift is an undoubtedly justified financial decision. The full cost of installing a RESiLIFT in my parents’ home, including building works, was $35,000 all up. If they were to have downsized, aside from the potential impact this can have on people’s pensions, the stamp duty alone is astronomical. For a $700,000 value home you are looking at $37,000, and for a million-dollar property the stamp duty is $55,000. “The costs all stack up. As well as the stamp duty, you need to add selling cost (advertising and agent fees will be approximately $25,000), relocating costs, possible ongoing storage fees or disposal fees.” Luckily for Ros, she discovered RESiLIFT before the stress and expense of moving again. As is often the case, “Visitors can’t even see the lift at first glance”, laughs Ros. “It looks as if it was built with the house. It has also enabled our friends with physical limitations to visit us easily.” “The RESiLIFT has given me the freedom to come and go as I please,” she continues. In her retired life, Ros is active within the community and supporting her family with babysitting. “I feel useful again and can do all the domestic duties I used to,” she says proudly. “My independence and confidence have been completely restored. Thanks to RESiLIFT.” So if you’re in a quandary about whether you need to move home, before you decide, arrange a complimentary home consultation today. This is a sponsored article produced in partnership with <a rel="noopener" href="https://resilift.com.au/?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=website_article" target="_blank">RESiLIFT</a>.

Real Estate

How to discover your half-a-million-dollar retirement nest egg

Many people are quickly discouraged when they think about retirement. They think it’s all too hard, that they have left it too late and there is no way they are ever going to save enough to live on when they do stop work. Typically, this is because they have overlooked their unseen, unsaved ‘half a million dollar nest egg’. By this of course, I’m referring the Federal Government’s aged pension, which is available to all Australians who reach retirement age, subject to how much money you own outside your own home. It’s a significant back stop for anyone approaching retirement and should be the basis of your retirement plans. Importantly, once you qualify for it, you can’t loose it, its indexed for inflation, its tax free and it will last as long as you do. It is very much your long-lost nest egg. So, for a home owning couple, you can own up to $401,500 in assets in addition to your own home and still qualify for the full age pension, which is currently set at $37,000 a year, paid out each fortnight. To generate the equivalent income privately, you will need to save $500,000 a year and obtain a steady return, year in year out, of 7.5 per cent plus capital gains to ensure your assets keep up with inflation. So even if you think it’s all too late and you have no money set aside for retirement, think again. As an Australian, you effectively have half a million dollars just sitting there, waiting for you. Needless to say, the more money you do own in addition to your own home, beyond $400,000, the less you will receive in terms of the age pension and for those who own more than $800,000, the age pension will cut out completely. However, if you do own your own home and have more than $800,000 in savings, you should be confident you will enjoy financial security throughout your retirement without relying on the age pension. <img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/1201/why-many-aussies-are-staying-in-the-family-home-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/748719788cb343d288b29a9f0b3de2c1" /> However, the reason it’s so important to keep in mind that the age pension is there through retirement, acting if you like as a safety net, is that it should help you as you approach retirement to avoid taking undue risks with your precious retirement savings. If nothing else, it should help explode the myth that you need a million dollars saved in order to enjoy your later years and with this, help all Australians plan better for a safe and secure retirement knowing they have the age pension to fall back on. When this becomes your starting point, the key questions then become how can I find somewhere to live where I don’t have a mortgage and how much money can I squeeze into super so I have a second income stream in addition to my age pension entitlements? If you look at your retirement from this perspective, you will start seeing it in a very different light and hopefully it will encourage you to really think through your options about how you do choose to live. The age pension should be the cornerstone of your retirement planning if you’re worried you haven’t saved enough. Importantly, if you think you might qualify for an age pension, you should start applying for it early and certainly within a year of when you hope to qualify for it based on your age. This will give you plenty of time to meet with someone from Centrelink and complete all the paperwork they require. Be completely honest with Centrelink and they will help you make the most of your entitlements. Patricia Howard, author of The No-Regrets Guide to Retirement: how to live well, invest wisely and make your money last (Wiley), is a licenced Australian financial adviser. She has a Commerce Degree from the University of Melbourne, holds her own Australian Financial Services Licence and recently passed the FASEA Financial Adviser exam. Find out more at <a href="http://www.patriciahoward.com.au">www.patriciahoward.com.au</a> Note this is general advice only and you should seek advice specific to your circumstances.

Retirement Life

Ten key steps to help you make your retirement the best years of your life

Too often Australians approach their retirement years with dread. They fear they won’t have enough money to live on and worse still, that somehow, they will run out of money when they most need it. In writing The No-Regrets Guide to Retirement: how to live well, invest wisely and make your money last, I want all Australians to know they can have the retirement of their dreams and live a happy, wonderful life after they stop work. I also wanted to help as many Australians as possible, avoid some of the more obvious pitfalls, that can lead to financial heartbreaks and the sort of regrets that can last the rest of their lives. Hopefully some simple tips can stave off the more obvious disasters. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7840231/eg.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/16c2c0970098410c9026da8791b135b8" /> Tip 1. Don’t Grow Old and Grey. Go Harlequin! Don’t live your retirement the way your parents did or according to some out-dated rule book. Most importantly, don’t skimp on the here and now, so you can leave a nest egg for your children. Retirement is your big opportunity. Make the most of every single day Tip 2. Your ‘Half a Million’ Retirement Nest egg Every Australian is eligible for the age pension. While it is means tested, this is the equivalent of having $500,000 in retirement savings. More, its secure, indexed for inflation and you will never lose it – it’s your long-lost retirement nest egg. There’s too much talk in the financial planning industry that you need a million dollars to retire. Don’t give up on your financial situation. There are still lots of strategies to help you make the most of your financial position and taking advantage of the age pension is one of them. Tip 3. Make Good Choices Just as a healthy diet focuses on good food choices, so you should choose good investment options. Think ‘high yielding dividends’ spiced up by ‘franking credits’ and served with a dish of ‘capital growth‘ on the side. Retirement is a time in your life to make god decisions about your health, about staying fit and thinking long term. That’s the case for your finances as well. Make healthy financial decisions. Tip 4. And give up the (financial) smokes! A key downside of the financial industry focusing so much attention on people needing a million dollars to retire is that it makes people anxious and this in turn prompts many to take risk with their money. Your precious retirement savings are irreplaceable. Don’t put your money into anything you don’t understand and remember retirement is all about generating as much income as you can as safely as possible with some capital growth. Tip 5. Live Like A Millionaire Learn to live off investments just like millionaires do. As John Travolta once said, “I learnt very early how millionaires live. They never spend their capital, just the income it generates, and they always get good advice”. Make sure you know exactly how much money your investments are generating and adjust your spending each year to stay within those limits. That’s the key of making sure you never run out of money. Tip 6. ‘Slide’ Into Retirement These days, few people just stop working at age 65. Find a new mojo and slide your way into retirement. Find a side hustle, volunteer or turn a hobby into a business - you just need to find your groove. If you can monetarize these activities or find a way of making some additional income from them, it will take some of the financial pressure off you in retirement and help make your money last that much longer. Tip 7. Families – Love ‘Em and Leave ‘Em While families can be a great source of happiness as you grow older, they can be a massive financial burden. Never speak to your family or love ones about your financial situation except in the most general terms and never allow your savings to become part of regular conversations. This only encourages others to think you will always have a few dollars to spare to help them out. That may or may not be the case, but it should be your decision. It should not be your family pushing you to give them cash. Tip 8. Sexually transmitted poverty It’s surprising how often love lives and financial affairs become intertwined. If you are living alone, step up and make sure you take control of your financial situation and make sound decisions about what you do with your money. Be wary of romantic involvements and the scams that can come with them. Everything from sending money to on-line romantic encounters to backing your partner in a new business deal. Make sure you do your homework and look upon any money you give someone as a gift and not a loan. Tip 9. Build your “Escape Hatch”. Make sure you have a strategy outlining what you will do if all goes wrong. Again remember, you will always qualify for the age pension and you can’t lose it, its indexed for inflation and it will last as long as you do. Tip 10. Most importantly enjoy your retirement Make good decisions to maximise your income in retirement and then get on with enjoying life. Do not make the mistake of spending all day, every day counting your pennies. There are more important things to do in life than that. Written by Patricia Howard Patricia Howard, author of The No-Regrets Guide to Retirement: how to live well, invest wisely and make your money last (Wiley), is a licenced Australian financial adviser. She has a Commerce Degree from the University of Melbourne, holds her own Australian Financial Services Licence and recently passed the FASEA Financial Adviser exam. Find out more at <a href="http://www.patriciahoward.com.au">www.patriciahoward.com.au</a> Note this is general advice only and you should seek advice specific to your circumstances.

Retirement Life

"I regret it": Grant Denyer recalls time he rejected Pamela Anderson

In an alternate universe, Grant Denyer and Pamela Anderson could have been a couple. On Tuesday night's episode of I'm A Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here, Denyer revealed he was asked out by the Baywatch star while she was in Australia promoting M&M's. Anderson reportedly made a quick trip to Melbourne to relaunch green M&M's and test a theory that the green chocolate is an aphrodisiac. Denyer seemed to become a part of the experiment, with the TV host sharing that he was invited to party with the star. Grant opened up about the missed opportunity during a game of "truth or lie". Denyer began: “Pamela Anderson wanted to date me,” to the unconvinced crowd. “She was out doing a promotional tour for M&M’s. I was nervous as hell, really shy … Very turned on,” he joked. “And she was like ‘You’re cute, do you want to come to a party with me?’” Looking slightly crestfallen, he continued to reveal he turned her down as he had to catch a flight back home to Sydney that night. “I said no … Because I had to fly home.” His tale prompted roars of “LIAR” from the other celebs, who couldn’t believe he’d reject (or perhaps receive) such an offer from Pamela Anderson of all people. “No one believed that this honey pot here could lure in a bee like Pamela Anderson,” Denyer told the camera elsewhere. “Not a notch on my belt, but it’s a scar on my memory,” he added with a laugh, telling the stars “I regret it to this day.”

Relationships

20 baby names parents regret most

A new survey has revealed the names parents regret giving their offspring the most. The team at <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.gigacalculator.com/randomizers/random-name-picker.php" target="_blank">Gigacalculator.com</a> polled 5,842 parents in the UK about their baby name choices, and found that a staggering 73 per cent reported thinking of better monikers for their children after officially naming them. The top reason for regretting the choice was because they felt the child didn’t suit the name as they got older. Others changed their mind after a friend or a celebrity chose the same name for their child, while 32 per cent of parents lamented after their child got teased for their moniker at school. The most regretted name for boys was Hunter, with 32 per cent of parents having a change of heart. For girls, the name that had parents second guessing the most was Aurora. The survey also shared the names parents avoid the most. Names related to <a rel="noopener" href="https://news.yahoo.com/baby-names-parents-regret-111505341.html?bcmt=1" target="_blank">politics and popular culture</a> proved to be the least favoured, with most people ruling out Boris – after UK prime minister Boris Johnson – and Donald, inspired by the US president Donald Trump. For girls, the names Karen, Meghan and Isis were among the most unpopular. The most regretted boys’ names Hunter – 32 per cent Jaxon – 29 per cent Carter – 28 per cent Tobias – 25 per cent Oliver – 24 per cent Grayson – 22 per cent Felix – 21 per cent Jasper – 20 per cent Sonny – 17 per cent Dexter – 12 per cent The most regretted girls’ names Aurora – 35 per cent Arabella – 32 per cent Lyla – 28 per cent Amber – 27 per cent Edith – 24 per cent Maryam – 21 per cent Harriet – 19 per cent Summer – 15 per cent Delilah – 13 per cent Gracie – 12 per cent

Family & Pets

Dame Judi Dench's racy regret

She recently made headlines as the oldest woman to grace the cover of Vogue. Now at 85, Dame Judi Dench is expressing her disappointment that she didn’t do more sex scenes throughout her acting career. Speaking to the Mirror, the veteran actress looked back on her extensive portfolio and reflected on not taking advantage of the more risqué aspects of her impressive onscreen performances. "I have done a few bed scenes. Not many in the theatre. What a disappointment," she told the publication. Despite her body of work, which includes an Oscar-win for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her portrayal as Queen Elizabeth in 1999’s Shakespeare in Love, Dench was once told she would never appear on film. "They told me I would never make a film. To which there is no reply. I put my chair against the wall. I am not quite sure why. I walked out. She continued, "I did not want to do films anyway. I never thought I'd have a future in films as the stage is my passion. It's never ever the same in a theatre, never. You always got a different reaction to things." But when asked about her acting credits, the Bond star remains modest and puts it down to “luck”. "It's really called luck. The whole business of theatre is suddenly being in the right place at the right time and by chance somebody will say, 'That person might do.'" She continued, "It is not really to do with talent I don't think. It just happens that you fall into the slot at that time." Sharing some advice to aspiring actors, Dench said to the Mirror: "My advice is go see as much theatre as you possibly can. I think it is very, very difficult. We are just lucky we are employed." Dench’s career has spanned over 60 years and included starring in iconic films including M in the James Bond series, Iris, Shakespeare in Love, Notes on a Scandal, Philomena and many more.

Beauty & Style

Terrible or understandable? Mother admits she regrets picking “bland” baby name

Picking a baby name is not an easy task, especially since the perfect moniker can take months to resonate and stick with a set of nervous soon-to-be parents. Rushing into making a decision can often result in a very regretful conscience - a feeling one displeased mother admits she knows all too well. She took to mumsnet to share her own story of true regret over choosing a “bland” name for her daughter who is now four-years-old. Her and her husband named their precious little girl Lily, which is a name the father really liked, but the mum was never quite so keen on. She said: "I obviously wouldn't change it now but I can't seem to get over regretting what we called daughter, who is now four. "Husband is a teacher and very picky about names. Her name is Lily. I did used to love it, but had reservations about popularity." The regretful mum says her husband "assured" her that the name wasn't a very popular one when the baby was born and that he hardly taught any girls named Lily. It might have been unknown years ago, however the mother says she feels like she hears it everywhere she goes nowadaysz "She is one of three at nursery and I have waves of being ok with it but right now I feel I am obsessing over it, which I realise is pointless and in the grand scheme of things I know very trivial," continues the parent. "Perhaps it's a combination of lockdown meaning there is more time to dwell on things. "I just find her name really bland now and regret not being more firm with other options (I generally like more unusual, but classic names)." Other Mumsnet users took to reassuring the woman who they felt might be overreacting. One person said: "Lily is lovely. You can never predict what names will be popular in a certain class/group. “Sometimes you end up with one Oliver and three Horatios or something! She's not always going to be in a big group of Lilys." Another added: "Names always come in fashions. It is a pretty name and not at all like the 'unusual' ones that children really hate. “Please don't regret this name, you only have to look at the baby names posts on here to see what parents are saddling their children with, learn to love it, she is her name." A third wrote: "In the nicest possible way, you really need to find a way to let this go. You can't change a four-year-old's name. “So the only way forward is acceptance. Maybe you are obsessing because of all the other things in life we have lost control of, but you can't do anything about this. “You need to find distractions to take the heat out of this."

Family & Pets

Kate Middleton reveals fashion regret on Christmas Day

Every year, the British Royal Family gather at Queen Elizabeth II’s Sandringham Estate in Norfolk for Christmas. They also make a public appearance at St Mary Magdalene Church on Christmas morning. The royal family are expected to wear their Sunday best to the service. However, it appears that not even the royal family are immune to regretting their fashion choices as Duchess Kate confirmed that she wasn’t a fan of this year’s outfit. She wore a long grey Catherine Walker coat with a faux fur collar and cuffs. The outfit was accessorised with a green suede hat, shoes and clutch. The green was chosen specifically to match with her daughter, Princess Charlotte as she made her Christmas Day debut. Fans were on board with the coordinated outfits, but Duchess Kate later admitted to a well-wisher that she wasn’t a fan of the outfit. "Kate was talking to my daughter about clothes and how she was feeling too hot, she said 'I really shouldn't have worn this'," Karen Anvil, who greeted the royal outside the church, told <a rel="noopener" href="https://metro.co.uk/2019/12/26/princess-charlottes-cute-reaction-given-doll-nurse-took-fab-four-photo-11962693/" target="_blank" title="Metro.">Metro.</a> "I'm there talking to Charlotte about dolls and my daughter's talking about fashion with Kate," Karen joked. "It wasn't fake, it was a genuine discussion, it was about a minute, but it was tailored to my daughter, it was like speaking to a friend. They are totally different with the public." Princess Charlotte stole fan’s hearts as she grinned and gave hugs to those who were waiting to meet her. The youngster took her first public engagements in stride. Scroll through the gallery to see the Cambridge family on Christmas Day.

Beauty & Style

BREAKING: ScoMo found and “deeply regrets” causing offence holidaying in Hawaii while Aus is on fire

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has decided to cut his family holiday short and return to Australia after facing fierce criticism. He has been criticised after going on an unannounced family break to Hawaii during the bushfire crisis that’s impacting Australia. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb"> BREAKING: <a href="https://twitter.com/ScottMorrisonMP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ScottMorrisonMP</a> spotted in HAWAII with Aussie holidaymakers. <a href="https://twitter.com/7NewsAustralia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@7NewsAustralia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/7NEWS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#7NEWS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/auspol?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#auspol</a> <a href="https://t.co/fZu0HfUaPf">pic.twitter.com/fZu0HfUaPf</a> — Ben Downie (@Ben_Downie) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ben_Downie/status/1207569984857096192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">19 December 2019</a></blockquote> Suspicions of where Morrison went grew as his team refused to confirm where the Morrison family went, citing “security concerns” and “protocols”. In a breaking statement released on Friday morning, Morrison says he “deeply regretted any offence caused” by his holiday during the raging fires. “I deeply regret any offence caused to any of the many Australians affected by the terrible bushfires by my taking leave with family at this time,” Morrison said. “I have been receiving regular updates on the bushfires disaster as well as the status of the search for and treatment of the victims of the White Island tragedy. “The Commonwealth’s responsibilities have been well managed by the acting prime minister [Michael McCormack], minister [David] Littleproud and minister [Marise] Payne. ''Given the most recent tragic events, I will be returning to Sydney as soon as can be arranged.” <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fscottmorrison4cook%2Fposts%2F2867053510005700&width=500" width="500" height="643" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe> In a separate statement, Morrison expressed “sincere condolences and sympathies” to the families of two volunteer firefighters killed when a truck drove into a tree in Buxton. “Our hearts go out to their families, friends and colleagues who have been working tirelessly beside them, particularly during this Christmas period,” he said. </div> </div> </div> <div> <div class="post-actions-component"> <div class="upper-row"> <div class="watched-bookmark-container"></div> </div> </div> </div>

News

5 car problems you’ll regret ignoring

No one wants to admit that their car needs a service because no one wants to deal with a potentially hefty bill. But ignoring your car problems is a decision you’ll soon regret. Those leaks, screeches, and dashboard notification lights each indicate an issue that can be serious, dangerous, and costly if you pretend it’s just not there. By dealing with these problems when they first rear their ugly heads, you can avoid an expensive repair necessary to keep your car running. 1. “Check engine” light We’ve all been there: The dreaded “check engine” light just flicked on and you fear a massive bill from your mechanic is in your immediate future. We’re sorry to break the news to you, but fear isn’t a good reason to put off a trip to your mechanic. “If your ‘check engine’ light turns on, you should have your car tested as soon as possible because it’s a signal that something is wrong,” explains Tony Arevalo from carsurance.net. He knows this is a bitter pill to swallow and that “people often postpone going to the mechanic precisely because the car is still running,” but doing so may cause major damage to your vehicle. Depending on what type of car you have, you might actually be in luck. 2. Low fuel warning light You might think you know your car and just how long it will run on just how little fuel, but you shouldn’t test this theory—and not just because you might get stuck. Auto professionals and mechanics alike agree that you should not be driving on less than a quarter tank of fuel. Laura Gonzalez, Marketing Manager for Volkswagen, says that this is because “the fuel pump uses petrol as not only a lubricant but also as a method to keep it cool. If you run your car to the point that it’s almost completely out of fuel, you can damage the fuel pump if it sucks in air, causing it to heat up and burn out.” That’s a repair you desperately want to avoid since it’s labour intensive and costly. 3. Alignment problems You may think that you can course-correct your car when your tyres are pulling you to the left or right as you drive, but this is a risky prospect. First, it makes it harder for you to stay safe on the road. Second, says Cindy Price, Import Service Manager at Ricart Automotive, your tyres will suffer. The crazy thing is, you may not even realise you have an alignment problem right away since the first sign of a problem isn’t actually your car pulling one way or the other. “What typically happens first is uneven tyre wear, and by then it is too late—you need new tyres,” Price explains. “Not checking your alignment on a regular basis can end up being very costly in the long run and result in needing new tires more frequently than normal.” 4. Chipped windscreen glass It’s not just an aesthetic issue. “Your windscreen provides up to 30 per cent of your vehicle’s structural strength, meaning any chips or cracks can weaken your windscreen, compromising your safety in a crash or rollover situation,” says Ed Sprigler, VP of Strategic Initiatives at Safelite AutoGlass. Another reason you shouldn’t ignore chipped windscreen glass? “Windscreens host an important yet delicate camera called ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) that control some of our favourite safety features, such as blind-spot monitoring, lane assist, and auto-braking,” Sprigler explains. 5. Slow start “When it comes to auto repair, many people believe that if you ignore a car problem, it will go away, including a slow start,” says Matt Allen, the host of Arizona’s Bumper to Bumper Radio and owner of Virginia Auto Service and Import Car Specialists in Phoenix. This is not the case… at all. So, what is a slow start, exactly, and why is it such a problem? “[A slow start is when] you go to start your car and it struggles to turn over for a minute, but then it does,” Allen explains. “This could be a sign of a dead battery or other starter/alternator problems, and unfortunately, this problem will only continue until one day the car won’t start.” Take your car to a trusted mechanic to determine the strength of your battery. Source: <a href="https://www.readersdigest.ca/cars/maintenance/car-problems-regret-ignoring/">Readersdigest.ca</a> Written by Jeff Bogle. This article first appeared in <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/13-car-problems-youll-regret-ignoring">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.com.au/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=RDSUB&keycode=WRA93V">here’s our best subscription offer.</a>

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