Search

Placeholder Content Image

The types of insurance that aren’t worth your while

<p>While it’s important to make sure you’ve been covered, some forms of insurance aren’t really worth your while in the long run. We’ve taken a look at several types of insurance you shouldn’t really bother with, why they’re not worth your money and how you can find an alternative.</p> <p>Yes, it’s essential to make sure you’re covered, but at the same time you don’t need to waste any money.</p> <p><strong>Extended warranties</strong></p> <p>Many a salesperson has made a customer fork out that little bit extra for an “extended warranty” to go with a major electronic purchase. The thing is though, in many cases the period of time covered by the warranty is actually exactly the level you’re automatically entitled to under consumer law.</p> <p><strong>Credit protection insurance</strong></p> <p>While this type of insurance can be useful and a way to insure yourself against the possibility of something happening to your income as the result of an injury or a condition, credit protection insurance has tendency to be pretty expensive.</p> <p>A more cost effective way to ensure your payments to your credit card, personal loans or mortgages are fulfilled would be to take out a life insurance or total and permanent disability insurance policy through your individual superannuation fund.</p> <p><strong>Funeral insurance</strong></p> <p>Many people see this as a good way to ease the financial burden on their family that comes with their passing, but in reality funeral insurance is quite expensive and the premiums add up every year.</p> <p>A far better option is a prepaid funeral, funeral bonds life insurance or even a special savings account with money set aside. Just make sure you let your family know!</p> <p><strong>ID theft insurance</strong></p> <p>This is one of those types of insurance that isn’t really protecting your from becoming a victim, rather helping you deal with the costs once it’s already happened. And what’s more, you bank is usually willing to cover the costs of credit card fraud, which is one of the major problems to be associated with ID theft.</p> <p>Instead of spending money on a policy you can protect yourself from ID theft by simply keeping your personal documents safe, shredding documents such as bank account statements before throwing them away, and using antivirus software that is up to date. You can also check your credit file each year to make sure nobody’s using your identity for fake accounts.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p>

Money & Banking

Placeholder Content Image

Is Valentine’s Day worth the romantic investment? Here’s what we can learn from economics

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/selma-wather-1510222">Selma Wather</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sussex-1218">University of Sussex</a></em></p> <p>Expressing affection can be expensive. Spending on heart-shaped gifts, romantic cards, chocolates and flowers (other gifts are available) to celebrate Valentine’s Day has reached <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/510981/valentines-day-total-spending-great-britain/#:%7E:text=In%20the%20United%20Kingdom%20%28UK%29%20alone%2C%20Valentine%E2%80%99s%20Day,increased%20by%20just%20over%20300%20million%20British%20pounds.">close to £1 billion</a> in the UK.</p> <p>So the value of Valentine’s to retailers seems clear enough. But just how valuable is the annual ritual to consumers? What return can you expect for the money you invest in that bouquet of roses or candle lit meal?</p> <p>Broadly speaking, and depending on your relationship status, buying into Valentine’s Day traditions suggests two possible scenarios. You might be sending a card or gift to a potential partner to inform them of your interest; or you might be giving something to your current partner to remind them of your continuing love.</p> <p>Research suggests that both options have intrinsic economic value.</p> <p>For those seeking to express interest, sending a card is like dipping your toe into what economists might refer to as the “marriage market” – the search for someone you like, who likes what you have to offer in return.</p> <p>This search can happen smoothly, with plenty of information about your potential match, or it can be paved with obstacles, where you may not know much about who is available, and <a href="https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1703310">learning about potential partners</a> takes time.</p> <p>So suppose you are searching for a partner, and comprehensive information about potential matches is not freely available. What do you do?</p> <p>One option might be to put all your hopes into meeting someone on your daily journey to work. You pray that one day, just like in the movies, you will simply bump into “the one”.</p> <p>A second option might be to focus your search on single work colleagues, or people you know socially, and send Valentine’s Day cards to those you are attracted to.</p> <p>The option with the highest chance of success is the second one. You are using reliable information – knowledge of who is single. And sending a card to them can provide them with important information about you – that you’re also single, and that you’re interested. This is why research suggests that sending a Valentine’s Day card can be a <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/2938374?origin=crossref">logical investment</a> of time and money.</p> <h2>‘Match quality’</h2> <p>Fast forward five years or so and imagine you are happily married to the recipient of one of those cards. Is it worth repeating the gesture now that you’re settled down together?</p> <p>Economists think of marriages or partnerships as having an inherent “<a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1468-2354.2006.00385.x">match quality</a>”, which reflects how good (or bad) your relationship is – and the likelihood of you breaking up.</p> <p>If match quality falls below the level of happiness you might expect to have if you were to leave, a <a href="https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2759255">separation may well follow</a>. But many studies also show that <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/2535409">match quality is malleable</a> – that it can change, for better and indeed for worse, over time.</p> <p>You can invest in trying to improve match quality in various ways. It might be starting a family, sharing hobbies and interests, or gestures such as cooking a special meal or exchanging gifts on the 14th day of February. Improving your match quality <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228431914_How_Does_the_Change_of_Marriage_Quality_Affect_Divorce_Decisions">directly reduces the probability</a> of a separation.</p> <p>Then there’s the question of commitment – the willingness to stay in a relationship rather than walking away. And again, gestures can make a difference.</p> <p>Imagine you have just started a new job, and your employer asks you to complete an intensive training session in your free time, for a skill that would only be useful for that particular role. If you expect to hold the job for a long period, you might happily invest your time. But if your employer is struggling financially and redundancy is on the cards, you are much less likely to agree to perform the task.</p> <p>Relationships work in a similar way. People are more prepared to invest in things like having children or buying a house together if they expect the relationship to last. Given that commitment is not guaranteed by a marriage certificate, people <a href="https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=950688">need to find other ways</a> to signal their continued devotion.</p> <p>Celebrating Valentine’s Day is one way of making such a signal. It can show faith in your shared commitment, signify that you wish to continue investing in the relationship and improve match quality, further stabilising the partnership.</p> <p>So even if deep down you think that Valentine’s Day has become over commercialised and meaningless, research suggests it makes good economic sense to send that card.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/223128/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/selma-wather-1510222"><em>Selma Wather</em></a><em>, Senior Lecturer in Economics, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sussex-1218">University of Sussex</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/is-valentines-day-worth-the-romantic-investment-heres-what-we-can-learn-from-economics-223128">original article</a>.</em></p>

Money & Banking

Placeholder Content Image

Maintaining friendships after a dementia diagnosis can spur feelings of joy and self-worth

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/colleen-whyte-1281976">Colleen Whyte</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/brock-university-1340">Brock University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/darla-fortune-1363967">Darla Fortune</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/concordia-university-1183">Concordia University</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rebecca-genoe-1363968">Rebecca Genoe</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-regina-3498">University of Regina</a></em></p> <p>What would our lives be like if we could no longer depend on our most cherished friendships? The people who know us best, who have been there through our ups and downs, and share a history with us?</p> <p>For many people living with dementia, this is a reality. Over 500,000 Canadians <a href="https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/what-dementia/dementia-numbers-canada">are currently living with dementia</a>, and a diagnosis often leads to <a href="https://www.alzscot.org/news/friendship-and-dementia">a loss of friendships</a> and social opportunities.</p> <p>The reactions of friends greatly affect the experience of someone living with dementia. When friends distance themselves because they don’t know what to say or presume they no longer know how to interact with their friend, a person with dementia can experience <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/275353356_Friendships_for_People_Living_with_Dementia_in_Long-Term_Care">feelings of isolation and loneliness</a>.</p> <p>When people living with dementia can depend on their friends, they continue to enjoy meaningful leisure activities, experience <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afx186">feelings of joy and self-worth</a>, and see themselves as <a href="https://alzheimer.ca/en/take-action/become-dementia-friendly/meaningful-engagement-people-living-dementia">valued members of their social circles</a>.</p> <p><a href="https://dementiaandfriendship.ca/">Our research</a> had us interview friends together, asking them to share tips and strategies for navigating dementia. We heard moving stories of deepened bonds of friendship, genuine acceptance and the joy of simply being together.</p> <h2>Adapting to changes</h2> <p>Our research allowed us to speak with people who shared a 70-year friendship and couldn’t imagine life without each other. We learned that for some, a neighbourhood walk together was an opportunity to say a quick hello and how a weekly trip to the pub enabled some friends to connect and re-connect in a familiar space.</p> <p>People living with dementia and their friends <a href="https://doi.org/10.1017/S0714980821000301">may adapt to changes</a> brought about by the diagnosis in several ways. For example, they may prioritize their friendship by setting aside time for regular phone calls and visits. They may alter the way they think about the friendship by being accepting of the changes. They may also use practical strategies, like providing reminders for plans, and offering additional support when spending time together.</p> <p>Friends of individuals living with dementia may seek ways to <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/1471301220980898">continue enjoying meaningful time together</a>. Sometimes this involves identifying activities that are comfortable and familiar. It may also involve providing direction and encouragement to support the continuation of enjoyable experiences, such as visiting a favourite restaurant.</p> <p>For some, additional comfort may come from hanging out as a group because there is extra support available if needed.</p> <h2>Open and honest communication</h2> <p>Open and honest communication is key to maintaining any friendship and becomes particularly important following a diagnosis of dementia. Yet, that may be the biggest challenge.</p> <p>Below are <a href="https://dementiaandfriendship.ca/">some questions that friends might find helpful</a> to ask over a cup of coffee, on a walk or in a quiet, shared moment:</p> <ul> <li>What do you value about our friendship? Can I tell you what our friendship means to me?</li> <li>What is one thing I do that makes you laugh? Here’s something you do that makes me laugh…</li> <li>How can we make sure we maintain our friendship (i.e., talk on the phone, over the internet, go for coffee)? How often do you want to connect? How do we need to change our time together? What can stay the same?</li> <li>How can we support each other to continue enjoying the leisure activities that are meaningful to us?</li> <li>What are the best times and days to plan activities (i.e., morning, afternoon, weekday, weekend)? Are there exceptions?</li> <li>Do we need to schedule something in advance (need time to prepare, or get more rest the day before) or can we be spontaneous?</li> <li>Where do you feel safe and able to be yourself?</li> <li>When we are in public and you need me to step in for you, how will I know? What is “our” signal?</li> <li>What do I do if I notice you’re starting to make decisions that are not like you?</li> <li>Can I ask you these same questions in a few weeks?</li> </ul> <p>The need for friendship <a href="https://alzheimer.ca/en/help-support/im-living-dementia/living-well-dementia/staying-socially-connected">does not diminish with age</a> and <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/happiness-in-world/201312/the-true-meaning-friendship">friendships continue to deeply enrich our lives</a>.</p> <p>Given that a dementia diagnosis often puts individuals at an increased risk of social isolation, we must pay careful attention to understanding ways to ensure that friends remain engaged with their networks in personal and meaningful ways.</p> <p>The first step is to trust in the friendship and begin to explore how it can be sustained over time.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/187038/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/colleen-whyte-1281976"><em>Colleen Whyte</em></a><em>, Associate Professor in the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/brock-university-1340">Brock University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/darla-fortune-1363967">Darla Fortune</a>, Associate Professor, Applied Human Sciences, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/concordia-university-1183">Concordia University</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rebecca-genoe-1363968">Rebecca Genoe</a>, Professor, Kinesiology and Health Studies, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-regina-3498">University of Regina</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/maintaining-friendships-after-a-dementia-diagnosis-can-spur-feelings-of-joy-and-self-worth-187038">original article</a>.</em></p>

Relationships

Placeholder Content Image

"Worth it": Insane amount woman spends to clone dead cat

<p>Kelly Anderson from Texas, US was devastated when she lost her "soulmate" cat Chai more than four years ago. </p> <p>Not long after, in what she calls "fate", Anderson decided to clone her beloved pet, a process which cost her a whopping $USD25,000 ($AUD38,000).</p> <p>"It was just one of those moments where I had been talking about cloning a few weeks before and fate kicked in," she told <em>Weekend Today</em>.</p> <p>"I remembered the conversation and decided to clone."</p> <p>The process took about four years, which is roughly twice the average time it takes to clone a pet. </p> <p>"It was not money that I had come easily to me but it was a very important process for me to do," she said.</p> <p>"It was 100 per cent worth it. The process saved my life."</p> <p>Anderson added that Belle, the successfully cloned cat, has grown to be as "bold, bossy, sassy" as Chai, and their personalities have become more alike. </p> <p>Despite the similarities, Anderson said that she doesn't set any expectations on Belle to be Chai's replacement. </p> <p>"I would still say she's very much her own cat and I treat her that way. I always try to treat them as individuals.</p> <p>"I never wanted to put expectations on Belle to be Chai. But I would say that they're very similar in a lot of ways."</p> <p><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">According to</span><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;"> </span><em><a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/business-60924936" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BBC</a>, </em>the process itself involves extracting DNA from the pet to be cloned, then injecting that into a donor egg that has had its genetic material removed. The egg then grows into an embryo before being implanted into a surrogate mother, who then gives birth to the kitten. </p> <p>Pet cloning has become an increasingly popular practice, , despite how controversial and expensive it is, with celebrities like Barbra Streisand and Simon Cowell using the process to clone their own beloved pets. </p> <p>Anderson, who decided to document her story on social media added that people have mixed reactions to the process. </p> <p>"I think there's people who are fascinated and don't even realise that we're cloning animals ... so a lot of people are learning about cloning," she said. </p> <p>"But a lot of people also have opinions. So it's a mixed bag."</p> <p><em>Images: Weekend Today</em></p> <p> </p>

Money & Banking

Placeholder Content Image

“Worth the wait”: Jacinda Ardern ties the knot

<p dir="ltr">Jacinda Arden and her long-term partner Clarke Gayford have tied the knot, five years after getting engaged. </p> <p dir="ltr">The former New Zealand prime minister shared a series of loved-up photos from the big day, as she beamed from ear to ear as she embraced her new husband. </p> <p dir="ltr">Posting the photos to Instagram, she captioned the post, “13.01.24 Worth the wait”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ardern, 43, and Gayford, 47, tied the knot at the Craggy Range vineyard in New Zealand’s Hawkes Bay region on Saturday, surrounded by their friends and family. </p> <p dir="ltr">The couple’s five-year-old daughter, Neve, accompanied her father down the aisle, wearing a dress made from her grandmother’s wedding dress.</p> <p dir="ltr">Jacinda wore a white halter neck gown by New Zealand designer Juliette Hogan, paired with a floor-length white veil and an all white bouquet. </p> <p dir="ltr">The wedding came after almost five years of engagement, with the former first couple originally planning to hold the ceremony in 2022 before the Covid pandemic forced the plans into disarray.</p> <p dir="ltr">“My wedding won’t be going ahead but I just join many other New Zealanders who have had an experience like that as a result of the pandemic,” she told reporters in January 2022, adding, “Such is life.”</p> <p dir="ltr">​​The couple began dating in 2014 after Gayford, a marine enthusiast and host of local fishing shows, contacted the then-Labour list MP about proposed legislation in 2013.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Instagram - Felicity Jean Weddings</em></p>

Relationships

Placeholder Content Image

New commemorative Queen coin worth serious cash

<p>The Royal Australian Mint has confirmed that it will be releasing a commemorative 50c coin to celebrate the life of Queen Elizabeth II, on Thursday. </p> <p>The coin will feature all six effigies which have been featured on Australian coins during the late monarch’s reign, with two versions up for sale. </p> <p>One is an uncirculated version which will cost $15 and, the other is silver proof edition for $135.</p> <p>“With limited mintage, this coin is expected to be a highly prized addition to any coin collection,” the Mint said. </p> <p>Australian coin expert Joel Kandia said that online marketplaces are already selling the coin at “seven times the RRP”. </p> <p>Royal Australian Mint CEO Leigh Gordon added that this latest release is the perfect tribute to the late Queen. </p> <p>“Historically, coins bear witness to a Monarch’s reign with their royal effigies appearing on the obverse. In keeping with that tradition, this exceptional coin showcases the Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Effigy by Jody Clark on the obverse,” he said. </p> <p>“The Mint’s trademark storytelling is strongly represented on the coin’s reverse, which features a central design depicting the first six effigies, fanned above the Queen’s royal cypher.”</p> <p>This surprise release will be in high demand, with a “frenzy” expected for coin collectors, according to the Perth coin and bank note expert. </p> <p>“It is essentially the last coin commemorating the Queen,” Kandiah said in an interview with<em> 7News</em>. </p> <p>“It is extremely special because it features all six effigies of the Queen that have appeared on Australian coinage since 1954, so it unique in that respect.</p> <p>“There will definitely be a frenzy, which is why the RAM have reduced the allocation to just one per person through their physical store, through the phone and their authorised distributors.</p> <p>“There have been murmurings about the coin for a while, so collectors are really excited to see it confirmed and able for purchase.”</p> <p>The uncirculated coin itself will have a mintage of  25,000 and the silver proof version has an even lower mintage of 7,500. </p> <p>The coins will be for sale at the Royal Australian Mint in Canberra from 8.30am on Thursday November 23, through the Mint’s Contact Centre on <strong>1300 352 020</strong>, or through the Mint’s authorised distributors.</p> <p><em>Image: Royal Australian Mint</em></p>

Money & Banking

Placeholder Content Image

Matthew Perry's huge net worth revealed

<p>As the world <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/you-were-loved-tributes-flow-over-tragic-passing-of-matthew-perry" target="_blank" rel="noopener">mourns the loss </a>of one of its beloved <em>Friends</em> stars, Matthew Perry, whose iconic portrayal of Chandler Bing left an indelible mark on fans worldwide, it's important to remember the legacy he leaves behind – a legacy encompassing not only his role in <em>Friends</em> but also his achievements in film, television, literature, real estate and more.</p> <p>While his presence will be missed, his work will continue to inspire and entertain fans for generations to come. Let's take a look at the legacy he leaves behind.</p> <p><strong>The <em>Friends</em> Phenomenon</strong></p> <p>Matthew Perry's fame skyrocketed when he became Chandler Bing on the hit sitcom in 1995. Initially earning US$35,000 per episode, <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/so-utterly-devastated-friends-cast-break-silence" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Perry and his five co-stars</a> (Jennifer Aniston, Courtney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer and Matt Le Blanc) rewrote history in 2002 when they negotiated a groundbreaking deal to earn US$1 million per episode during the show's final season. Each season consisted of 23 episodes, meaning that Perry made well over US$20 million for just one season. Over the course of the show's ten successful seasons, each cast member earned a staggering $141 million.</p> <p>To add to his wealth, <em>Friends</em> continues to be one of the most popular streaming series globally, guaranteeing the stars royalties of approximately $16 to $31 million annually. Even Warner Bros., the show's producer, reaps substantial profits, with an estimated $1.5 billion yearly from reruns.</p> <p>The 2021 <em>Friends</em> reunion special on HBO Max further contributed to Perry's financial success, with each principal cast member receiving $3.9 million.</p> <p><strong>Film and Television</strong></p> <p>Matthew Perry's talents extended beyond the realm of <em>Friends</em>. He starred in various film and television projects, including <em>The Whole Nine Yards</em> alongside Bruce Willis, Aaron Sorkin's <em>Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip </em>alongside <em>West Wing</em> alum Bradley Whitford, <em>17 Again</em>, and <em>The Odd Couple</em>, where he also served as an executive producer.</p> <p>In his memoir, Perry disclosed that he negotiated his <em>Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip</em> salary from an initial offer of $79,000 per episode to $275,000 per episode. In the romantic comedy <em>Fools Rush In</em> (1997), he earned $1.57 million.</p> <p><strong>Memoir</strong></p> <p>Perry's memoir, titled <em>Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir</em>, was released in November 2022. Despite a <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/keanu-reeves-attacked-for-still-being-alive" target="_blank" rel="noopener">minor hiccup involving actor Keanu Reeves</a>, where he questioned why Reeves was still alive while others like River Phoenix and Heath Ledger had tragically passed, Perry's memoir received a warm reception. Perry swiftly apologised for the comment and promised to remove all mention of Reeves from future editions.</p> <p>It's rumoured that Perry secured a "seven-figure" book deal for the candid memoir, which is bound to generate significant earnings through book sales.</p> <p><strong>Real Estate Ventures</strong></p> <p>Perry also dabbled in real estate throughout his life. In 2011, he purchased a $17 million beachfront home in Malibu, later listing it for $23 million in 2020. Ultimately, the property sold in 2021 for $20 million.</p> <p>In 2015, Perry sold another Malibu home for $17 million. In 2017, he acquired a luxurious 40th-floor condo in Century City for $30 million. Two years later, he listed the condo for $46.4 million but eventually sold it in 2021 for $28.3 million, 38% less than the initial asking price.</p> <p>One of his most recent acquisitions was a $7.8 million Hollywood Hills home, purchased in June 2021. In 2020, Perry bought his Pacific Palisades residence, where he resided until his passing. This midcentury modern ranch-style home boasted four bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, a fire pit and a raised pool overlooking the ocean.</p> <p><strong>Car Collection</strong></p> <p>Apart from his real estate ventures, Perry was known for his impressive car collection. It included various luxury vehicles, such as a Lincoln Navigator, a BMW 6 Series Convertible, a BMW 7 Series sedan, a Porsche Panamera, and a Porsche 911 Carrera Convertible. He also owned a BMW Z8, an Aston Martin Vantage Convertible, a Porsche Taycan 4S, and an Audi R8 Spyder, each valued between $300,000 and $500,000.</p> <p>Perry's enduring legacy spans far beyond the confines of the <em>Friends</em> universe. His multifaceted career, literary contributions, and real estate ventures have solidified his status as an entertainment icon. While his presence will be missed, his work will continue to inspire and entertain fans for generations to come.</p> <p><em>Image: NBC</em></p>

Money & Banking

Placeholder Content Image

"Worth every cent": Robert Irwin's I'm A Celeb salary revealed

<p>Crikey! It seems like Robert Irwin is about to make a serious splash in the entertainment industry. The 19-year-old wildlife warrior has just landed a deal to co-host the upcoming season of <em>I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here</em> alongside the ever-entertaining Julia Morris, and the paycheck he's bagged is leaving jaws dropped - even those of the crocodiles he's used to wrestling.</p> <p><em>Daily Mail Australia</em>, always on the prowl for celebrity news, <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-12668557/Robert-Irwins-staggering-Im-Celebrity-pay-cheque-revealed.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">has uncovered</a> that Irwin is set to pocket nearly half a million dollars for his month-and-a-half-long adventure in the wilds of South Africa. Yep, you read that right; $430,000 for six weeks of living in the jungle and mingling with celebrities who are just a tad less famous than his family's favourite marsupials.</p> <p>Now, you might be wondering, "Why on Earth is a teenager getting paid more than some seasoned celebs?" Well, according to a well-placed source at Channel 10, Irwin's star power is the real deal. They believe he'll be "worth every cent" - a sentiment shared by everyone except maybe the critters he'll be sharing the jungle with.</p> <p>But why Robert? Turns out it's not just his rugged good looks and charming Aussie accent. It's his magnetic appeal and the adoration he commands from fans around the globe. </p> <p>The source at Channel 10 spilled the beans on the reason behind this financial safari expedition: "His pairing with the witty and ever-entertaining Julia [Morris] has all the makings of a dynamic duo, promising viewers an unforgettable experience."</p> <p>So, not only will we get to see Irwin in action, but we'll also witness Julia trying to teach him how to make a proper cup of tea while being chased by hungry lions.</p> <p>In April, we learned that other celebrities on the show are getting paid anywhere from $35,000 to $180,000. The top earner before Robert's arrival was TV legend <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/tv/kerri-anne-kennerley-heads-to-the-jungle-on-one-condition" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kerri-Anne Kennerley</a>, with a generous salary of $300,000. That's a lot of khaki shirts right there!</p> <p>The show must've really wanted Irwin because they pulled out all the stops to outbid big names like Sam Pang, Jimmy Rees, Curtis Stone, Beau Ryan, and Tristan MacManus for the role. It wasn't an easy task to replace <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/tv/darryl-somers-jumps-the-gun-with-major-dr-chris-brown-announcement" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dr Chris Brown</a>, who is loved by many, but casting agents were impressed with Robert's natural charm during the audition.</p> <p>"He had charisma and spontaneity. He was funny and had amazing instincts," said an insider. "It was actually part of the original brief back when Dr Chris got the job that animal experience was required - which Robert has in spades." So, it's safe to say that Robert's ability to charm a crocodile probably came in handy during the audition.</p> <p>And as for the age difference between Robert, 19, and veteran host Julia Morris, 55, casting agents weren't worried at all. They believe that Robert's maturity and the fact that he can wrangle a croc as well as he can tell a dad joke made him the perfect match for the job. (And, bless her, Morris herself <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/tv/julia-morris-promises-a-little-less-shameless-flirting-with-new-co-host" target="_blank" rel="noopener">has promised to be very mature also</a>... for once!)</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram / Network 10</em></p>

Money & Banking

Placeholder Content Image

Diary worth over $50,000 found in mother's attic

<p>The world of diaries often holds a realm of personal musings and daily chronicles, but for one fortunate woman, a hidden treasure in her mother's attic turned out to be far more valuable than she ever imagined.</p> <p>In a captivating episode of<em> Antiques Roadshow</em>, an unsuspecting woman sought the expertise of the renowned Richard Price, presenting him with a diary that held not just sentimental value but an astonishing historical significance.</p> <p>With a sense of anticipation in her voice, she began, "We believe that it is the transcript of the diary written by one of the Shackleton expedition crew members aboard the <em>Endurance</em>."</p> <p>This remarkable artefact had been handed down to her father 45 years earlier and had subsequently resided in her mother's attic, concealed beneath layers of dust beside an old television set.</p> <p>The Shackleton expedition, set against the stark backdrop of Antarctica, unfolded in the year 1915. The woman eloquently narrated the captivating tale, "That was the famous expedition that got stuck in the ice, and the crew members survived on the ice for a number of months. Then they made a journey in the lifeboats to Elephant Island, and Shackleton, along with five others, embarked on a perilous voyage to South Georgia as a rescue party.</p> <p>"They managed to secure a ship to retrieve the remaining men stranded on the ice. Astonishingly, every member of the expedition survived, a testament to their incredible resilience."</p> <p>This remarkable diary bore witness to the harrowing journey and contained invaluable insights into the crew's survival tactics, including details of their sustenance during their ordeal.</p> <p>Price, the seasoned expert, meticulously examined the diary's condition. While a few pages had become detached from the spine, the document was, for the most part, remarkably well-preserved.</p> <p>However, one crucial mystery lingered – the identity of the diary's author remained elusive. Recognising the importance of this missing puzzle piece, Price urged the woman to seek out an expert capable of uncovering the writer's identity, emphasising that this revelation could significantly enhance the diary's value.</p> <p>As the moment arrived for the much-anticipated valuation, Richard declared, "I'm just going to say off the top of my head, £30,000 (over $50,000)."</p> <p>The room fell into a collective state of shock, with audible gasps emanating from the captivated audience. The guest herself was visibly taken aback by the astronomical figure.</p> <p>Despite the woman's earnest efforts to safeguard this extraordinary document over the years, Price issued a stern warning, "I don't want it back under your bed or wherever it was before. You must go to Cambridge to let the real experts work on it."</p> <p>In the end, this unassuming diary, tucked away for decades in an attic, not only unveiled an epic Antarctic adventure but also carried an unexpected fortune, proving that sometimes, the most extraordinary treasures are hidden in the most unlikely places.</p> <p><em>Images: Antiques Roadshow / 9Now</em></p>

Money & Banking

Placeholder Content Image

Aussie patient given new drug worth $5 million per dose

<p>A potential cure for a rare genetic disease is being trialled, and it comes with a hefty price tag.</p> <p>Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred Hospital is part of a groundbreaking new trial aimed at potentially curing haemophilia B – a hereditary bleeding disorder.</p> <p>Patients with haemophilia B have a mutation on the F9 gene, which causes excessive bleeding and damage to joins as they lack the protein that helps blood to clot.</p> <p>A mere 40 patients worldwide will be infused with the gene therapy, with each dose the equivalent of $5 million, or over $1,000 a drop.</p> <p>A safe virus carrying the F9 gene is infused into the body, sending it to the liver cells, where doctors hope the protein is made for the rest of the patient’s life.</p> <p>Professor John Rasko, Head of Cell and Molecular Therapies at RPA, said the process is a “thrilling moment in the history of gene therapy”</p> <p>"We are pushing the boundaries of medical technology hoping to bring cures to individuals," he said. "It's a massive international effort that takes time and money and ultimately the manufacturing alone costs millions and millions of dollars."</p> <p>Haemophilia B patients currently require three injections a week. This revolutionary treatment could mean just one infusion in a lifetime.</p> <p>The infusion on May 22 was the culmination of more than two decades of work.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Shutterstock</em></p>

Caring

Placeholder Content Image

4 seemingly boring cities worth visiting

<p>They might not have all the flashy bells and whistles of the world’s top tourist destinations, but these ‘boring’ cities actually make for excellent travel destinations.</p> <p><strong>1. Geneva, Switzerland</strong></p> <p>Switzerland regularly tops polls for the best country to live in or the happiest country in the world. Yet for many travellers, the fact that it’s a great place to live doesn’t seem to translate into a great place to visit. Sure, a city that’s known for making watches and housing the UN doesn’t sound like it would be much fun, but we think it’s definitely worth a visit. First of all it’s beautiful, strung gently around the shores of Europe’s largest alpine lake. A multicultural population makes for friendly people and good dining, and the high-end shopping is among the best in the world (even if you can only afford the window variety).</p> <p><strong>2. Adelaide, South Australia</strong></p> <p>Poor Adelaide, always the butt of Australian jokes. People claim that it’s woefully backward, has no culture and is full of bogans. The mayor of Melbourne even said it has so little going for it that it should be shut down. We disagree. Adelaide is an elegant colonial capital surrounded by acres of lush parkland and gorgeous beaches, and it’s home to an emerging small bar scene to rival any other Australian city. Then you’ve got the incredible wineries of the Adelaide hills, which are reason enough to put this South Australian gem on your list.</p> <p><strong>3. Brussels, Belgium</strong></p> <p>A TripAdvisor survey found Brussels to be the most boring city in Europe and it’s a sentiment that most experts agree with. As the ‘capital of Europe’ and the seat of the EU, most people regard Brussels as a centre for boring political types and not travellers. Look beyond that though and you’ll find a fascinating city filled with hidden architectural marvels, a buzzing café scene and a contented population living a very good life. And then there’s all the delicious chocolate, waffles and beer you can eat. What’s not to love?</p> <p><strong>4. Toronto, Canada</strong></p> <p>Toronto has always been happy to accept its boringness and leave the flashy, good-time fame to cities like Vancouver or Montreal. Not anymore. The city has undergone enormous growth in recent years and has emerged as a prosperous, stylish, well-adjusted destination that that is emblematic of the ‘new Canada’.  Toronto is one of the country’s most multicultural cities, so you can eat and drink your way around the world, and the shopping is equally good. It’s Canada’s largest city, but still manages to be arguably the safest city in North America.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Shutterstock</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="../travel/international/2016/09/10-stunning-shrines-and-temples-to-visit-in-kyoto/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>10 stunning shrines and temples to visit in Kyoto</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="../travel/international/2016/08/magical-french-region-of-alsace/"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>France’s Alsace is like something from a fairy-tale</em></span></strong></a></p> <p><a href="../travel/international/2016/08/10-of-the-most-enchanting-churches-in-france/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">10 of the most enchanting churches in France</span></em></strong></a></p>

International Travel

Placeholder Content Image

10 vintage baking tips that are still worth using

<p>When it comes to baking, some techniques remain relevant no matter what decade you’re in. These tried and true baking methods are worth remembering today.</p> <p>1. Add two tablespoons of vinegar to one cup of milk to create soured milk</p> <p>2. Make whipping cream a breeze by adding a dash of lemon juice.</p> <p>3. Place a bowl of water in the oven while baking for moist fruit cakes.</p> <p>4. A pinch of salt in the bottom of a bowl will keep ingredients from sticking.</p> <p>5. Heat a bowl up with warm water, empty, and place your butter in the still-warm bowl for softer butter.</p> <p>6. Measure butter post melting, not before to get the perfect measurement.</p> <p>7. Adding a tablespoon of jam to your biscuit dough keeps them softer for longer.</p> <p>8. Substitute whipped cream for a slice of banana beaten with an egg white until stiff.</p> <p>9. When separating eggs, if you get egg yolk in your whites, wet a cloth and touch the yolk, which will then stick to the cloth.</p> <p>10. Prevent the curdling of custards by adding half a tablespoon of flour and half of sugar.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Food & Wine

Placeholder Content Image

King Charles’ eye-watering net worth revealed

<p dir="ltr">The royal family’s net worth has always been up for speculation, but <em>The Times</em> has analysed the King’s various income streams and unveiled the King’s personal net worth.</p> <p dir="ltr">King Charles reportedly has a personal net worth of £600 million or around $1.1 billion.</p> <p dir="ltr">The King’s fortune surpasses the late Queen’s net wealth of £370 million or $684 million, by more than double the amount.</p> <p dir="ltr">A former aide told <em>The Times </em>that King Charles had managed to accumulate a significant net wealth over the years following his costly divorce from Princess Diana in 1996 - where he paid her a $31 million lump sum and $740,000 annual salary.</p> <p dir="ltr">“He became prudent at tucking away some money from the Duchy [of Cornwall] after that wipe-out [of capital],” said the source.</p> <p dir="ltr">The duchy is where most of King Charles’ income comes from.</p> <p dir="ltr">There are two duchies in the UK, the Duchy of Lancaster and the Duchy of Cornwall. Both of these property empires primarily invest in land.</p> <p dir="ltr">King Charles inherited the Duchy of Lancaster following his mother’s death last September, and Prince William is now in charge of overseeing the Duchy of Cornwall, which is estimated to be worth $1.8 billion.</p> <p dir="ltr">When King Charles was in charge of overseeing the Duchy of Cornwall, he had increased its annual profits by 42.6 per cent to $47 million between 2011-2022.</p> <p dir="ltr">He made $393.6 million from the duchy in that time period, which isn’t liable to tax, though King has been voluntarily paying income tax since 1993.</p> <p dir="ltr">A lot of the revenue comes from “renting commercial properties” from other parts of the UK according to <em>The Times</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Duchy of Lancaster has $1.2 billion of net assets, and although the royal in charge of overseeing the duchies are not allowed to sell the assets, they can keep the annual revenue.</p> <p dir="ltr">Sandringham and Balmoral are a couple of other income streams for King Charles, with an estimated value of $453 million for Sandringham and $388 million for the Balmoral castle and its estate.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

Money & Banking

Placeholder Content Image

“Once-in-a-lifetime find”: Man discovers gold nugget worth six figures

<p>A man from Victoria has struck gold armed with his budget metal detector.</p> <p>The man, who wishes to not be named, discovered a 4.6kg rock in Victoria’s “Golden Triangle” which stretches between Ballarat, Bendigo and up to St Arnaud.</p> <p>Unsure of whether it was worth anything, he brought the rock to Lucky Strike Gold in Geelong for evaluation where Gold trader Darren Kamp discovered it contained a staggering 2.6kg of gold worth $240k.</p> <p>“He said, ‘Oh, do you think there’s $10,000 worth in it?’, and as soon as it hit my hand I looked at him and said: ‘Try a $100,000’,” Kamp told <em>9News</em>.</p> <p>"And he said, 'Oh wow, the wife's going to be happy with that," said Kamp.</p> <p>Funnily enough, the man had only brought in half of the rock and left the other half “at home”.</p> <p>“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime find,” said Kamp.</p> <p>Small nuggets of gold are worth up to $1000, but the value of gold has soared due to inflation.</p> <p>“You’ll hear the term, ‘if it’s got your name on it, you’ll find it’,” Kamp said.</p> <p>“You just need some luck and persistence. It’s like a Tattslotto ticket, you’re never going to win it unless you’ve got a ticket,” he added.</p> <p>The gold nuggets from this region were famous for their quantity, size and purity, and were mostly found in streams or river beds.</p> <p><em>Image: Nine News</em></p>

Money & Banking

Placeholder Content Image

“Worth the wait”: Backstage with Rod Stewart

<p>Rod Stewart has finally returned to Australia, after years of Covid-19 restrictions meant he had to postpone his highly anticipated tour Down Under. </p> <p>Long time fan and friend of the musician Richard Wilkins was one of many who saw the entertainer at his very best during his show in Melbourne, with Wilkins telling Today that the show did not disappoint. </p> <p>"He was in sparkling form last night, putting on a fabulous show and I had the pleasure of catching up with the great man, both backstage and on stage in his inner sanctum," Wilkins said.</p> <p>Stewart have Wilkins an exclusive tour of the stage being set up, while he candidly shared one of the many reasons behind his success: the closeness of his band. </p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">EXCLUSIVE: We went backstage with Sir Rod Stewart ahead of his Melbourne show last night! 🌟<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/9Today?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#9Today</a> | WATCH LIVE 5.30am <a href="https://t.co/0RhkPD0k8J">pic.twitter.com/0RhkPD0k8J</a></p> <p>— The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheTodayShow/status/1635756324712480772?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>"They're a good bunch of guys, brothers and sisters - We party with each other, go out to dinner, drink together - No shagging though, they're all spoken for," Stewart said with a cheeky grin.</p> <p>Rod Stewart has regularly toured in Australia since the 1970s and has been itching to get back to the place that has always been encouraging of his music. </p> <p>"This is very special, we haven't been able to come down here since 2017 - we waited a long time for this," he said.</p> <p>"I wouldn't take their money without putting on a show. You know that, Richard, I'm an old showman."</p> <p>Rod Stewart's <a href="https://www.ticketmaster.com.au/rod-stewart-tickets/artist/736200" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Australian tour</a> will conclude with his performance at the A Day on the Green festival in Bowral, NSW, before he heads to New Zealand where he will share the stage with Cyndi Lauper. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Today</em></p>

Music

Placeholder Content Image

Sculpture worth $42,000 shatters at art fair

<p dir="ltr">Pieces of an iconic sculpture are now in high demand, after the renowned work smashed to pieces. </p> <p dir="ltr">At a Miami art fair, Jeff Koons’ well-known piece Balloon Dog (Blue), worth $42,000, was being showcased at the fair’s VIP preview night. </p> <p dir="ltr">Unfortunately, the 16-inch-tall sculpture would never make it to public viewing, after an art collector accidentally bumped into its transparent pedestal, sending the artwork falling to the floor where it shattered beyond repair. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Before I knew it, they were picking up the Jeff Koons pieces in a dustpan with a broom,” Stephen Gamson, an art collector and artist who was in attendance, told the <em><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/18/arts/jeff-koons-sculpture-broken-miami.html">New York Times</a></em>.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Jeff Koons’ Balloon Dog sculpture was accidentally broken into a thousand pieces by a visitor. </p> <p>The art piece was worth $42,000. <a href="https://t.co/fqHTIKpT5I">pic.twitter.com/fqHTIKpT5I</a></p> <p>— Pop Tingz (@ThePopTingz) <a href="https://twitter.com/ThePopTingz/status/1628070672600645635?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 21, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“It was an event!” Bénédicte Caluch, an art advisor with Bel-Air Fine Art, tells the<em> <a href="https://www.miamiherald.com/entertainment/visual-arts/article272539097.html">Miami Herald</a></em>. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Everybody came to see what happened. It was like when Banksy’s artwork was shredded.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Nervous attendees crowded around the shattered artwork, curious if the destruction was part of a larger stunt. </p> <p dir="ltr">However, as staff members stepped in to help clean the sculpture away, the onlookers quickly realised that was not the case. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Of course it is heartbreaking to see such an iconic piece destroyed,” Cédric Boero, Bel-Air Fine Art’s district manager, told <em>CNN</em>. </p> <p dir="ltr">The art collector didn’t intend to break the piece, but “this kind of thing unfortunately happens,” he adds. “That is why the artwork was covered by insurance.”</p> <p dir="ltr">An insurance expert will evaluate the pieces of the sculpture, which have been placed in a box for safekeeping.</p> <p dir="ltr">Art collector Stephen Gamson is among many who have offered to buy the now-destroyed artwork, with the gallery continuing to receive offers. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I find value in it even when it’s broken,” Gamson says to the <em>Miami Herald</em>. “To me, it’s the story. It makes the art even more interesting.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Art

Placeholder Content Image

How much net-worth do you need to retire?

<p>I’m often asked ‘How much net worth do I need to accumulate before I can retire?’ While everyone will have a different number depending on their wants and needs, let’s try to figure out yours.</p> <p><strong>Net Worth, Assets &amp; Liabilities</strong></p> <p>Your net worth (aka net assets, net wealth) is what’s left over if you cashed in all your assets, and paid out all your liabilities. </p> <p>Keeping things simple, an asset is something of value, and a liability is a debt you owe. For example, if you purchased a car using a car loan then the car’s value is the asset, and the balance of the car loan is the liability.</p> <p>You can further split your assets and liabilities into two categories: lifestyle and financial. Lifestyle assets are items of value you own for necessity or enjoyment: home, clothes, car, furniture, etc. Lifestyle debt is money you borrow to purchase lifestyle assets. Financial assets are investments you purchase for return, and financial debt is money you borrow to purchase financial assets.</p> <p>Here’s a diagram that summarises how to calculate your net assets (i.e. net worth):</p> <p><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/11/net-worth-graph-1.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p><strong>Are You Rich?</strong></p> <p>If you find yourself in a situation where your liabilities are higher than your assets then you have negative net worth and are said to be ‘underwater’. Someone who can’t repay their liabilities is said to be insolvent, or more colloquially, flat out broke.</p> <p>If you’d like to compare your situation against the so-called Joneses, a Credit Suisse report ranked Australia as the richest country in the world, noting that at the end of 2021 the average Aussie had a net worth $410,000. The same report declared there were an estimated 390,000 Aussie millionaires, so pulling out my trusty calculator and dividing by our estimated population of approx 25.5m people, if you have a seven figure net worth then congratulations – you are in the top 1.5% of wealth builders and are amongst the richest of the rich.</p> <p>Before moving on, have a go at filling in the boxes in the diagram above to tally up your lifestyle and financial assets and liabilities and calculate your net worth.</p> <p><strong>What Do The Results Indicate?</strong></p> <p>Here’s a saying to remember: the more you do of what you’ve done, the more you’ll get of what you’ve got.</p> <p>Your present net worth is the product of your financial mindset and habits applied over time. Therefore, unless you improve your financial IQ and / financial EQ (i.e. the way you think, act and feel about money) then your future is unlikely to be any better than your present, and possibly considerably worse once you retire and cease receiving employment income.</p> <p>If your current net worth is strong, then well done and keep it up. If it’s not, or you want it to be better, then you’ll need help to up-skill and change your thoughts and behaviours before it’s too late.</p> <p><strong>What’s Your Magic Number?</strong></p> <p>My suggested magic number for a net worth number to aim for enough financial and lifestyle assets to afford the lifestyle you want in retirement. The goal is to be debt-free and have no financial or lifestyle liabilities.</p> <p>It’s important to point out that retirement isn’t necessarily the domain of older citizens. More and more, younger people are quietly quitting or seeking to be financially independent sooner so they can retire early.</p> <p><em>Financial Assets</em></p> <p>The amount of financial assets you need can be calculated by working backwards. That is, by dividing your desired annual income by your expected average investment return.</p> <p><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/11/net-worth-graph-2.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p>For example, if your annual desired income was $80,000, and you had the skill to achieve an 8 per cent annual return, then you would need financial assets totaling $1,000,000.  That is, $1,000,000 invested at 8 per cent per annum will generate an income from your investments of $80,000 each year for the rest of your life.</p> <p>If you’re finding this all a bit confusing then you might find my ’10 and 8 Rule’ helpful. Simply multiply your current gross income by 10 to get your debt-free financial asset goal, and then multiply that result by 8 per cent (0.08) to get your estimated annual investment income. For instance, if you earned $70,000 per annum then your debt-free financial asset goal would be $700,000, and you would have an annual investment income of $56,000 to fund your retirement.</p> <p><em>Lifestyle Assets</em></p> <p>The amount of your lifestyle assets, such as home, furnishings, car, clothes, etc. all need to be added into the mix. The more extravagant your lifestyle needs, the larger your annual income will need to be to pay for it (and hence you’ll need more financial assets or the ability to achieve higher investment returns), and the bigger the lifestyle asset balance will need to be. </p> <p><strong>Summary</strong></p> <p>Taking into consideration everything we’ve discussed, here’s a blueprint you can follow to calculate your required net worth, and that also reveals how much more wealth you need to attract and keep to achieve your goal. </p> <p><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/11/net-worth-graph-3.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p>Have a go at filling in the boxes, working across each row left to right. If you end up with a surplus then you already have enough assets, you just need to redeploy them so your money is working harder for you.</p> <p><strong><em>Edited extract from Steve McKnight’s Money Magnet: How to Attract and Keep a Fortune that Counts (Wiley $32.95), available now at all leading retailers.</em></strong></p> <p><em>Image credits: Supplied / Getty Images</em></p>

Retirement Income

Placeholder Content Image

Super foods worth adding to your cooking now!

<p>It’s a saying we’ve all heard many times before: you are what you eat! However, it can be tough being a saint all the time when it comes to choosing what to put in your mouth. So, we’ve compiled a list of superfoods to add to your shopping list that will transform the way you look <em>and</em> feel. Plus, you'll feel less guilty for indulging in the occasional treat. We've also included tips on how to use them in your kitchen – we'll have you fighting fit in no time!</p> <p><strong>CHIA SEEDS</strong><br />They may be a tiny grain, but packed with a whole range of nutrients and high-fibre content, they’re a great source of energy. Complete with proteins (which help keep your energy levels high, while the fibre keeps you fuller for longer, they also contain antioxidants and more brain-boosting and cholesterol-regulating omega-3 than salmon.</p> <p><strong>How to use them:</strong> The ways are endless. Try roasting cauliflower in a chia seed-infused oil to add a healthy crunch, adding them to a lemon poppy seed muffin recipe, sprinkling them on your salads, porridge or youghurt.</p> <p><strong>COCONUT FLOUR</strong><br />A natural by-product from making coconut milk, coconut flour is made from the dried coconut meat that’s left over. This newly discovered superfood is so amazing we’re not quite sure why it hasn’t been screamed about from the hilltops. It is sweet in taste but contains no fructose; it’s a great alternative to regular (less healthy) flours when baking; it’s grainless thus containing no sugary starch nor toxins; it’s rich in protein, fibre and good fat, as well as manganese (which curbs cravings and supports the thyroid); and it’s nourishing, especially for autoimmune disease sufferers as it contains lauric acid, a saturated fat that supports the immune system and the thyroid as well.</p> <p><strong>How to use it:</strong> Coconut flour works really well in combination with almond meal when baking as an alternative to normal flour. It can also be used to coat meat or fish. But remember, it does have a “sweet” flavour.</p> <p><strong>BLACK GARLIC</strong><br />Significantly less smelly than regular garlic, this sweet version boasts twice the antioxidants of the white stuff. Not only does the softer texture have a sweeter taste, it won't leave you with bad breath either as it’s produced by fermenting a standard garlic bulb over several weeks, which makes the sugars and amino acids react to produce the trademark black colour.</p> <p><strong>How to use it:</strong> As an alternative to regular garlic.</p> <p><strong>ALMOND MILK</strong><br />Slightly beige in colour and with a nutty taste and creamy texture, almond milk is an extract of protein-rich almonds. Almonds are rich in nutrients such as protein, fibre, vitamin E, magnesium, selenium, manganese, zinc, potassium, iron, phosphorus, trytophan and calcium. Almond milk also contains flavonoids, which help to lower levels of "bad" cholesterol and protect the heart. Almond milk has no cholesterol and is often recommended to lower blood-sugar levels and to treat constipation.</p> <p><strong>How to use it:</strong> It’s a great alternative to dairy. You can either drink almond milk straight or add to coffee, tea or hot chocolate. You can also add it to smoothies, non-dairy ice-cream or savoury dishes.</p> <p><strong>KUKICHA TWIG TEA</strong><br />Smokey in flavour with all the antioxidant goodness of green tea, this refreshing option is made with twigs (rather than leaves) of the camellia plant and has significantly less caffeine than your green tea (and approximately 90% less caffeine than coffee).</p> <p><strong>How to use it:</strong> Drink as you would herbal tea. </p> <p><strong>BAOBAB</strong><br />With three times as much vitamin C as an orange, twice as much calcium as milk, Baobab is packed with antioxidants and is as tasty as a yummy pear - it makes the praised pomegranate seem like a small fry.</p> <p><strong>How to use it:</strong> It is great in powder form and you can add it to your smoothies, juices, yoghurts, or even into cake and bread mixes.</p> <p><strong>NATTO</strong><br />Considered a Japanese breakfast staple that is thought to prevent heart disease and strokes, these fermented soya beans are rich in vitamins and an enzyme called nattokinase. High in protein and a great source of tummy-friendly probiotics, natto is full of vitamin K as well as omega-3 fatty acids so could help to protect against bone loss and to boost skin health.</p> <p><strong>How to use it:</strong> With a cheesy flavour and a stringy consistency, natto is often served with soya sauce and mustard, eaten straight or with rice, spaghetti or in omelettes. </p> <p><strong>MAQUI BERRY</strong><br />Move over acai, there’s a new superfood wonder berry in town. Pronounced “mah-kee”, this berry found in Patagonia has various health benefits. With high levels of anthocyanins and polyphenols, maqui is said to fight signs of ageing, aid weight loss and boost your immune system. And they taste sweet to boot!</p> <p><strong>How to use it:</strong> Commonly available in supplement form as capsules or a powder.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

Food & Wine

Placeholder Content Image

Amid flight cancellations and airport chaos, is it worth traveling right now?

<p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/frederic-dimanche-836528">Frederic Dimanche</a>, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/toronto-metropolitan-university-1607">Toronto Metropolitan University</a></em> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/wayne-smith-1136529">Wayne Smith</a>, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/toronto-metropolitan-university-1607">Toronto Metropolitan University</a></em> <iframe style="width: 100%; height: 100px; border: none; position: relative; z-index: 1;" src="https://narrations.ad-auris.com/widget/the-conversation-canada/amid-flight-cancellations-and-airport-chaos--is-it-worth-traveling-right-now" width="100%" height="400"></iframe></p> <p>We all realized the importance of the COVID-19 pandemic when we were asked by the government to <a href="https://pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2020/03/16/prime-minister-announces-new-actions-under-canadas-covid-19-response">stay home</a> in Winter 2020.</p> <p>When <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-travel-international-covid-advisory-1.6220428">Canadians were given the green light to travel again</a>, the government and media instilled <a href="https://theconversation.com/fear-of-travelling-canadians-need-to-put-travel-risk-into-perspective-171193">a fear of travelling</a> and many chose not to.</p> <p>Although <a href="https://www.medpagetoday.com/opinion/second-opinions/99225">we’re not out of the pandemic yet</a>, when it comes to restrictions, things are looking better. Take the EU for example: Restrictions have <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/02/28/europes-travel-rules-are-dropping-as-fast-as-its-covid-cases-.html">been dropped</a>, and as a result, <a href="https://www.doi.org/10.18111/wtobarometereng.2022.20.1.3">international trips increased 182 per cent from 2021 to 2022</a> for the first three months of the year.</p> <p>And while some are still preferring <a href="https://ca.news.yahoo.com/canada-travel-summer-muir-halifax-hotel-vrbo-vacation-rental-banff-niagara-whistler-153800575.html">to stay at home or avoiding international air travel</a>, many are eager to fly, but are confronted with <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/travel-chaos-flight-cancellations-2022/index.html">difficult travel conditions</a>: Flights are delayed or cancelled, people are waiting in line for hours at airports and missing their flights, luggage is being lost and emotions are high.</p> <p>So, is it worth travelling right now?</p> <h2>Revenge travel and a labour crisis</h2> <p>On one hand, the good news is many people have overcome <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2020.104261">their fear of travelling</a> amid the pandemic. They long for a time when they could visit other places, or see friends and family they’ve missed these past 30 months.</p> <p><a href="https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/revenge-travel-explainer/index.html">Revenge travel</a> — a term coined to define people’s need to travel after being deprived of it — and <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/10548408.2021.2006858">nostalgia for travelling</a> are fuelling people’s return to travel. And Europe is a top destination.</p> <p>Compared to 2021, Europe <a href="https://www.doi.org/10.18111/wtobarometereng.2022.20.1.3">welcomed almost four times as many</a> international travellers during the first three months of the year, while the U.S. welcomed more than twice as many.</p> <figure class="align-center "><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/477253/original/file-20220802-11-14sdbs.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/477253/original/file-20220802-11-14sdbs.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=450&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/477253/original/file-20220802-11-14sdbs.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=450&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/477253/original/file-20220802-11-14sdbs.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=450&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/477253/original/file-20220802-11-14sdbs.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=566&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/477253/original/file-20220802-11-14sdbs.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=566&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/477253/original/file-20220802-11-14sdbs.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=566&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w" alt="A mountain with homes embedded along the side is pictured by the sea" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Europe is a top travel destination right now. Pictured: Portofino, Italy.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">(Kristine Tanne/Unsplash)</span></span></figcaption></figure> <p>On the other hand, the <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/europes-summer-discontent-reveals-travel-sector-labour-crisis-2022-06-19/">travel rebound has met a labour crisis</a>: Employers are struggling to hire qualified people after many left due to pandemic unemployment. The result? Travel chaos.</p> <p>From lost luggage to missed connections and cancelled flights, airports are struggling. In particular, Toronto Pearson airport has received <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/toronto-pearson-airport-delays-1.6534360">poor publicity</a> the past several weeks and been ranked “<a href="https://www.statista.com/chart/27865/worst-offending-airports-for-delays/">worst in the world</a>” for the number of delayed flights (over 50 per cent of all flights) from the end of May until July 19.</p> <p>Is it going to be fixed anytime soon? Probably not. But airports like <a href="https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/toronto-pearson-seeing-measurable-improvements-following-weeks-of-delays-1.6015470">Pearson say they are seeing improvements</a>. In the meantime, it’s a safe bet for travellers to get accustomed to paying more for lower quality services.</p> <h2>Plenty of health benefits</h2> <p>But it is still worth travelling. We know how important travel is: We travel to reconnect with friends and family, to escape our normal lifestyles, to discover other landscapes and cultures. And taking vacations is actually <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0047287513496477">good for your health and wellness</a>, even when <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/smi.1434">it’s a short trip</a>!</p> <p>Travelling <a href="https://travelhub.wttc.org/blog/9-reasons-travel-is-good-for-your-mental-health">has health benefits</a>, like recovering from mental and physical fatigue, improving household relationships and making people happier. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-004-5012-3">Researchers</a> have shown that satisfaction with leisure travel is positively connected to quality of life. And <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/jtm/taab123">several studies</a> have even shown that international travel restrictions led to unintended negative health and social consequences.</p> <p>While travel for vacation is recommended, beware: According to air travel specialists, <a href="https://theconversation.com/coming-changes-to-the-canadian-airline-industry-could-lead-to-even-more-disruption-187425">more disruptions</a> are in the cards and <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/air-travel-chaos-more-to-come/index.html">more air travel chaos is on its way</a>. The labour issues that are the main reason for the disruptions are unlikely to disappear anytime soon and will continue to affect all tourism sectors, from transportation to hospitality and attractions.</p> <p>While travellers should not feel discouraged as the benefits outweigh the costs, it may be time to consider alternative, less environmentally damaging forms of travel: closer to home, without flying and <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/19407963.2022.2100410">favouring domestic tourism as a substitute to international tourism</a>.</p> <p>The key to a successful trip is to properly plan for it, consider any alternatives that may be needed and be diligent about checking and double checking travel regulations and restrictions — even while on your trip, as they may change.</p> <p>Make sure you have digital copies of all relevant documents (like your passport, prescriptions and vaccination records) and pack at least a couple of days of clothes in your carry-on (or don’t check a bag at all). Also remember to be respectful of the people and countries you visit (wearing a mask, for example, may be encouraged or required in some countries or public places).</p> <p>Finally, bring some patience, flexibility and a willingness for adventure.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/187045/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/frederic-dimanche-836528">Frederic Dimanche</a>, Professor and Director, Ted Rogers School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/toronto-metropolitan-university-1607">Toronto Metropolitan University</a></em> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/wayne-smith-1136529">Wayne Smith</a>, Professor, Hospitality and Tourism Management, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/toronto-metropolitan-university-1607">Toronto Metropolitan University</a></em></p> <p>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/amid-flight-cancellations-and-airport-chaos-is-it-worth-traveling-right-now-187045">original article</a>.</p>

Domestic Travel

Placeholder Content Image

Moving company accidentally sells $120,000 worth of family belongings

<p>An elderly couple from Bribie island in Queensland are fighting for compensation after a removalist company sold their belongings during their interstate move to Bega, NSW.</p> <p>Gary and Lorraine Taylor are in their late 70s and had originally planned to use removal company ‘Wridgways’ before they liquidated in July 2021. This saw ‘Kent Removals and Storage’ taking on 160 new clients.</p> <p>The Taylors had packed all of their worldly possessions, including furniture and sentimental belongings, into two removal trucks. One truck contained $120,000 worth of furniture - little did they know they would never see these belongings again.</p> <p>Kent Removals &amp; Storage have since apologised and describe the incident as a result of human error, where the company had been court-appointed to assist liquidator Hall Chadwick. Chadwick was in charge of selling off Wridgways’ assets, which included items like office furniture.</p> <p>This is where the swap unknowingly took place - and the Taylor’s container was accidentally sent to online auction company ‘Grays Online’.</p> <p>Of course, everything was auctioned off for a fraction of the price.</p> <p>Lawyers representing the retiree couple say they would have to take $50,000 from their pension to recover only a few of the items, leaving them in complete limbo. Some of the furniture was unfortunately split between the two moving containers, meaning what did arrive couldn’t be assembled.</p> <p>“We’ve been married for 60 years, and 60 years of our bloody furniture has just gone down the tube and nobody cares,” Gary told 7NEWS.</p> <p>Lorraine spoke through tears as she told <a href="https://7news.com.au/news/nsw/elderly-couple-left-in-limbo-after-home-contents-sold-off-by-removalist-company--c-7794935" target="_blank" rel="noopener">7NEWS</a> the incident was “very hard to describe”.</p> <p>“It’s not believable what we’ve been through,” she said.</p> <p>“Its been terrible for both of us, and for our family.”</p> <p>Kent Removals and Storage CEO, Steve Alves has said the matter had been referred to Kent’s insurers but that, “the matter was incorrectly internalised between Kent, Grays Online and Hall Chadwick with a view to establishing liability for this error”.</p> <p>“As Kent Relocation Group contracted with Mr and Mrs Taylor and, irrespective of where the liability resides, Kent Relocation Group could and should have taken a lead role in this process and did not.”</p> <p>Alves said the company “apologises for the way in which this matter has been handled”.</p> <p>“Our team will focus on ensuring we support Mr and Mrs Taylor in any way we can to bring closure to this matter for them.</p> <p>“In terms of the missing items, given the quantum of the potential claim, the matter has been referred to Kent’s insurers along with an instruction to ensure that the matter is expedited in a prompt, efficient and reasonable manner for Mr and Mrs Taylor”.</p> <p>So far only 40% of the moving charges have been refunded, but since the matter was escalated Alves said Kent Removals &amp; Storage would work to refund 100% of all moving chargers. As to whether they will see a refund of their $120,000 worth of lost furniture, they must wait for the companies’ insurance process to run its course.</p> <p><em>Image: 7News</em></p>

Real Estate

Our Partners

Over 60

© Copyright 2024 OverSixty.All Rights Reserved.