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"You're crazy": Adele accidentally confirms long-running rumour

Adele has reignited a long-standing rumour about her relationship status during her concert in Las Vegas. During her residency show on Saturday night, one excited concertgoer jokingly proposed to the iconic singer, with the moment being captured on video by another fan. Adele, 35, replied to the fan's tongue-in-cheek proposal by saying, "You can't marry me. I'm straight, my love, and my husband's here tonight," referring to her partner of two years, NBA agent Rich Paul, 41. The female fan asked Adele if she'd be willing to "try", to which the singer quipped, "No, I don't want to try! I'm with Rich... you're crazy, leave me alone." The clip of the moment was then posted to TikTok, as fans flocked to the comments to speculate if she was joking about her relationship status, or if she had married her partner in secret. Since the pair first started dating in July 2021, they have attracted a slew of marriage rumours. She last addressed the rumours in 2022 in a candid chat with <a href="https://www.elle.com/culture/music/a40803238/adele-interview-elle-september-cover-2022/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Elle</a> magazine, in which she said "I'm not married. I'm not married!...I'm just in loooove! I'm happy as I'll ever be." The couple first met at a mutual friend's birthday party and immediately hit it off. "I was a bit drunk," Adele revealed in a 2021 interview with <a href="https://www.vogue.co.uk/arts-and-lifestyle/article/adele-british-vogue-interview" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vogue</a>. "I said, 'Do you want to sign me? I'm an athlete now.'" "He was dancing. All the other guys were just sitting around. He was just dancing away," the singer added. Image credits: Getty Images

Relationships

5 negotiation tactics to grab crazy property deals in a slowing market

Rising interest rates have started to put the handbrakes on Australia’s runaway property market, and that’s good news for homebuyers who are now in a far stronger position to negotiate on a property than they have been over the last few years. One of the most apparent advantages for buyers in the current market is the reduced levels of competition. Fewer buyers mean that prices aren’t being driven higher, and if you’re a good negotiator, it’s possible to swoop in and find yourself a bargain. If you’re new to negotiating for property or unsure where to start, here are five tactics that will help you achieve a strong result at the negotiating table. <ol> <li>Know the market</li> </ol> You can’t succeed in a negotiation if you don’t know the value of the asset that you’re trying to buy in the first place. That’s why any good negotiator will always start by doing their research. You need to know the market better than your competition and don’t get caught up in any hype or opinions from a sales agent. Start by finding what comparable properties are selling for in the market. Look for the last three months of sales around your property. The sales should be of similar property types, sizes, ages, and land components. Another good way to get an idea of the price is to speak with local agents in the area. When you have a fair market value, you then know your “walk away price,” and you won’t find yourself getting emotional and overbidding. <ol start="2"> <li>Understand the vendor’s motivations</li> </ol> In any negotiation, there is a saying that whoever needs the deal least will likely be the one that comes out on top. When looking at potential properties to buy, you can be the world’s best negotiator, but if the vendor doesn’t need to sell, they will likely either wait for their price or walk away. Whenever you start looking at a property, try to ascertain as much information about the vendor as possible. That will give you an understanding of how motivated they are to sell, which will then impact how much you initially want to offer. <ol start="3"> <li>Be the strong bidder, not the highest</li> </ol> In a property transaction, price is just one piece of the puzzle. When a vendor weighs up an offer on their property, they are interested in the price, but the terms can also play a big part. For example, if you’re a cash buyer who can settle quickly, that might be far more appealing to a vendor than a higher offer that needs three months to settle. Similarly, a larger deposit could give a vendor more certainty that the transaction will occur. As a buyer, getting your finances in place ahead of time and then tailoring your terms to suit the vendor might give you an edge in a negotiation even if you’re not the highest bidder. Ultimately, the vendor wants their problem solved, and your job is to find out what it is and then make a strong offer that addresses those immediate needs. If you are ever tempted to make an unconditional offer, be sure you’ve done extensive due diligence and can secure finance, as there could be significant costs if you have to back out of the deal. <ol start="4"> <li>Unique offers</li> </ol> A great way to make your offer seem stronger than it might actually be is to come in with an odd-numbered amount. An offer price of $596,200 instead of $590,000 or $600,000 reflects that you’ve taken the time to do your due diligence, making your offer stand out. Another approach is to make a written offer with a deadline. That way, you can speed up the negotiation process, and it might prevent the sales agent from pitting your bid against another buyer to drive up the price. <ol start="5"> <li>Know the property</li> </ol> It’s critical to clearly understand what you’re buying before entering any negotiation. While you might have done your comparable sales analysis and have an excellent overall picture of what similar properties are selling for, you still need to investigate this particular property. Several things can impact the property’s value, which can help you negotiate. For example, if an awkward tenant occupies the property, it will be less appealing to many homebuyers, which you can use to your advantage. There may also be issues with the property, such as problematic zoning, service locations, or even large trees that can alter its value. The most obvious factor to consider is the state of the property and whether it needs renovation or repairs. In the current market, homebuyers are less interested in buying a property that needs work due to the cost of materials and difficulty finding tradespeople. That will give you a strong starting point to negotiate around the price. While getting a great deal is essential, it’s crucial not to compromise on the property’s quality. Quality is more important than a bargain, and a property’s performance will ultimately determine its value. A slowing real estate market presents an opportunity for buyers to negotiate and secure a great property deal. By understanding the local market, paying attention to the vendor’s motivations, and putting forward intelligent offers, you can potentially grab an excellent property deal in a slowing market. Rasti Vaibhav is the author of The Property Wealth Blueprint (RRP $39.95) and Founder of Get RARE Properties, a bespoke independent buyers' agency that has been helping hundreds of clients across Australia secure their financial freedom through property. For more information, visit <a href="https://getrare.com.au">https://getrare.com.au</a> Image credits: Getty Images

Real Estate

5 money mistakes that drive experts crazy and what to do instead

Cost of living has hit us hard across the board, from interest rate rises through to inflation increasing the price of a weekly shop along with a range of goods and services. As a financial planner, I spend a lot of my time talking to clients about how to get the most value from their earnings. No matter the income level, there’s often key money mistakes people make that can have a real impact on their financial life in addition to the cost of living pressures. In good news, these can easily be fixed once you start paying attention to them. Let’s take a look at the 5 most common and how to solve them. Thinking too short term People generally spend more time on planning their holidays than to planning their financial lives. It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking to short-term. If we get paid weekly or fortnightly or monthly we tend to think about planning and spending in the same timeframe. There is real benefit though too having some medium and long term planning. Medium term planning is especially important for paying off debts and savings goals. Long term planning is especially important for your retirement planning including your superannuation and even paying off a home loan. So spend some time thinking about your medium and long term goals too. The average weekly wage in Australia is $1,769.80 per week. Over 12 months that is $92,029.60. Over a 45 year working life that amount is over $4.1 million. That’s a lot of income! Respect your earnings and make a plan to make the most of it, not only in the short term, but the medium and long term too. Not paying attention to your spending As a financial planner I’ve genuinely lost count of the number of clients I’ve had sitting across the desk from me who earn great money but don't know where a great deal if it goes. They earn a good wage and they have a sense that things are going OK, because they think too short term. They also don’t pay attention to their spending. As a result they miss out on medium and long-term opportunities to make the most of their earnings. Paying attention to your spending doesn't mean that you have to give up the things you love for example a morning coffee on your way to work either. Paying attention to your spending is not like being on a diet. It’s not about going without. It’s about making sure when you do spend your hard earned money you shop around to try and get the best value you can. Credit cards, loans, car insurance, mobile phones, electricity bills and health insurance are all regular expenses most people have. They should however never be set and forget. Find better value and pay attention to your spending. It will give you the opportunity to save and invest more and achieve your goals sooner. Being uninterested in interest rates Ask anyone with a home loan right now and they will tell you about the impact of rising interest rates on their life. Interest is the cost of money. If you’re a lender, it’s what you pay for borrowing money. It might be a short-term loan like a credit card, a medium-term loan like a personal loan for a car, or a long-term loan to help you buy a mortgage. If you’re an investor interest also matters. Let’s say you’ve saved $50,000 and were getting a 4% return, that’s an extra $2,000 a year on top of your current wage or salary. I’m sure there’s lots you could do with that money. Regardless if you’re a borrower or an investor, the interest rate you’re paying or earning matters. Over time, interest adds up. Over 5 years, for example, that $2,000 becomes $10,000, plus there’s interest earned on the interest too. If you’ve got debt pay it back as quickly as you can comfortably afford to. And if you’re about to get a debt, factor in a few additional interest rate rises. It is really important to make sure you stress-test your ability to pay back the loan under higher interest rates. Not keeping it real Most things we do in life have a financial consequence and it’s important to keep it real. I spend a great of my time as a financial planner asking people what really matters to them. Is life really about showing off to family and friends new purchases on Instagram? Probably not. Having a focus on your own goals makes a world of difference. It provides you with something that can drive you forward. One of the real dangers of the social media world we live in today, especially for younger Australians is the desire to keep up with their friends. What they often don’t see is the financial stress their friends are putting themselves under to have everything right now or the difficult conversations behind closed doors about how to keep it going or reduce the financial stress they’re not telling you about. Your only obligation in your adult financial life is to yourself, your spouse and your kids if you have them. Being overconfident is just as dangerous for your financial health as being too under confident in your financial life. Being overconfident may make you take too much risk. Being too conservative might mean you miss out on opportunities. At the end of the day you need to find the right balance for you and make sure the goals you set and the financial decisions you make are within your own comfort zone. Forgetting to reward and celebrate success along the way If you’re going to set yourself some medium and long-term goals, pay attention to your spending and interest rates as well as keeping it real, then you also need to reward yourself along the way. Rewarding yourself for achieving goals makes setting goals much easier. And if you’ve got medium and long term goals like paying off a car loan, paying down the mortgage or saving into super for your retirement, celebrate key milestones. For example it might be going out for a nice dinner or getting concert tickets for every $25,000 that’s saved into super or paid off a home loan. Your financial life done well shouldn’t be a chore or a bore. If it is you’re doing it wrong. Spend some time and energy to rethink your financial life, learn more about how money works and go forward more confidently to achieve your goals. Luke Smith is a licensed Australian financial planner and author of the new book, Smart Money Strategy – Your Ultimate Guide to Financial Planning (Wiley, $34.95), published by Wiley. Luke is also the host of the popular podcast ‘The Strategy Stacker – Luke Talks Money’ and appears every Friday afternoon on Canberra’s 2CC. Find out more at <a href="http://www.thestrategystacker.com.au">www.thestrategystacker.com.au</a> Image credits: Getty Images

Money & Banking

"This is crazy": Ellen shares worrying update from storm-lashed LA

Former talk show host Ellen DeGeneres shared an update on Twitter showing the intensity of the wild storms hitting Los Angeles. The 64-year-old gave an up close and personal look at how the storm was wreaking havoc near her Montecito mansion. "Montecito is under mandatory evacuation. We are on higher ground so they asked us to shelter in place. Please stay safe everyone," she wrote. The video shows DeGeneres bundled up in a grey raincoat and hoodie as the rising floodwaters in the creek raged behind her. "This creek next to our house never flows, ever. It’s probably about nine feet [2.7m] up. It could go another two feet [60cm] up. We have horses ready to evacuate," she said. DeGeneres lives in an affluent area with other A-listers including the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Oprah Winfrey, Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Montecito is under mandatory evacuation. We are on higher ground so they asked us to shelter in place. Please stay safe everyone. <a href="https://t.co/7dv5wfNSzG">pic.twitter.com/7dv5wfNSzG</a> — Ellen DeGeneres (@EllenDeGeneres) <a href="https://twitter.com/EllenDeGeneres/status/1612591946635284480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 9, 2023</a></blockquote> DeGeneres referenced the five-year anniversary of the deadly mudslides that struck Southern California in 2018, leaving 23 people dead and over 160 others injured. "This is crazy, on the five-year anniversary. We’re having unprecedented rain,” she said. DeGeneres ended the video with a friendly reminder that: “We need to be nicer to mother nature, cause mother nature is not happy with us. Let’s all do our part. Stay safe everybody.” Various fans have commented their support and prayers for the former talk show host. "Wow, so sorry you have to go through that. Stay safe," one commented. "It’s 5 years to the day since 23 people died in the Montecito mudslides. Stay safe Ellen and everyone else," commented another. Image: Twitter

Travel Trouble

5 crazy cruise practices you won't believe are real

Cruising is one of the world’s oldest forms of travel, so naturally, a few crazy rituals have cropped up over time. Here are five of the strangest. <ol start="1"> <li>Baked Alaska parade – the dessert favourite has been subject to a strange ritual ever since the 20th century, when waiters would bring out trays of baked Alaska while performing a song and even dancing. It’s believed the parade first began when refrigeration first came to cruise ships, which was a source of celebration for many workers.</li> <li>Crab racing – this classic pirate game is still played on modern cruises quite regularly. Passengers choose their crab, perhaps make a small bet, and watch the critters battle it out to the finish line.</li> <li>Polar plunges – cruise routes which take passengers around some of Earth’s icier regions often offer an unorthodox activity: a dip in ice-cold waters. Those who brave the cool conditions may be rewarded with a certificate, but for many, the biggest reward is simply being able to say you’ve done it.</li> <li>Unlucky 17 – on dry land, 13 is considered to be the unluckiest number. However, for seafarers (particularly in Italy), the number 17 is cautiously avoided at all cost. This is because the Roman numeral XVII is an anagram for VIXI. Translation? “I have lived” or, “my life is over” in Latin.</li> <li>Tiramisu ceremony – you’re most likely to witness this ritual on Italian cruise ships, where it is traditional for waiters to bring out the famous dessert while singing and waving napkins.</li> </ol> Tell us in the comments below, have you witnessed any of these crazy cruise practices? Image: Getty

Cruising

Wedding photographer photoshops "crazy eyes" over blinking guests

A bride has gone viral for sharing her hilarious wedding photos that had been photoshopped to "fix" the faces of people blinking. Anaya Ramos-Bridgeford, from Pennsylvania in the US, took to Facebook to celebrate her recent marriage with a selection of photos from her big day. However, most of the people in the photos, including the bride herself, had "crazy eyes" after the photographer had attempted to edit out the people blinking. Anaya admitted feeling "upset" about the photoshop blunder, but said she "couldn't help but laugh". <iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fanaya.ramos.31%2Fposts%2F1076308886431509&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="758" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> "My photographer called to allow me to view my photos before he released them to our entire family to view. I noticed that some of the pictures looked ODD," Anaya said in the Facebook post. "I am so upset but can’t help but laugh. I’ve been laughing all day." The now viral post has racked up much online attention, with a flood of comments praising the woman for sharing the hilariously altered pictures. One person said, "Thank you for sharing. I didn't know this was a thing but holy moly." Another said, "I see this a lot. Hire a pro, you won't regret it." Image credits: Facebook

Relationships

Real estate in the metaverse is booming. Is it really such a crazy idea?

The idea of spending thousands or even millions of dollars to buy fictitious “land” in a virtual world sounds, to be frank, absurd. But in recent months, we’ve seen significant investments in virtual land within the metaverse. PwC is among <a href="https://www.consultancy.uk/news/30011/pwc-buys-virtual-land-nft-in-the-sandboxs-metaverse">the latest</a> to dive in, having purchased real estate in The Sandbox, a virtual gaming world, for an undisclosed amount. If other reported sales are anything to go by, it would have been a handsome sum. One person recently bought a plot of land in <a href="https://fortune.com/2021/12/09/snoop-dogg-rapper-metaverse-snoopverse/">the Snoopverse</a> – a virtual world rapper Snoop Dogg is developing within The Sandbox – for <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/sandbox-decentraland-virtual-land-sales-soar-metaverse-nfts-1267740/">US$450,000</a> (around £332,500). Meanwhile, the Metaverse Group, a real estate company focused on the metaverse economy, reportedly bought a piece of land in Decentraland, another virtual platform, <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/metaverse-property-decentraland-nft-decentraland-b1965973.html">for US$2.43 million</a>. Let’s refresh on what the “metaverse” is. You probably heard the term a lot when Facebook re-branded to <a href="https://about.facebook.com/meta/">Meta</a> in October 2021. Other companies, such as <a href="https://www.theverge.com/22833369/nike-rtfkt-nft-sneaker-shoe-metaverse-company">Nike</a> and <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/currencies/5-household-names-companies-plans-metaverse-digital-crypto-2021-12">Microsoft</a>, have also announced they will launch into this space. The metaverse describes a vision of a connected 3D virtual world, where real and digital worlds are integrated using technologies such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). This immersive environment will be accessible through the likes of VR headsets, AR glasses and smartphone apps. Users will meet and communicate as digital avatars, explore new areas and create content. The idea is the metaverse will develop to become a collaborative virtual space where we can socialise, play, work and learn. There are several metaverses already – for example in virtual gaming platforms like The Sandbox and virtual worlds like Decentraland. In the same way a website is part of the broader 2D world wide web, individual metaverses will form a larger, connected metaverse. Importantly, as in the real world, it is and increasingly will be possible to buy things in the metaverse – including real estate. <h2>Virtual land as an NFT</h2> Transactions in the virtual world are generally monetised using cryptocurrency. Other than cryptocurrenies, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are the primary method for monetising and exchanging value within the metaverse. An <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/nfts-digital-revolution-embodies-metaverse-theofilos-tzanidis/">NFT</a> is a unique digital asset. Although NFTs are primarily items of digital art (such as videos, images, music or 3D objects), a variety of assets may constitute an NFT – including virtual real estate. On platforms like <a href="https://opensea.io/">OpenSea</a>, where people go to buy and trade NFTs, there are now plots of land, or even virtual houses. To ensure digital real estate has value, supply is limited – a concept in economics called “scarcity value”. For example, <a href="https://decentraland.org/">Decentraland</a> is made up of 90,000 pieces or “parcels” of land, each around 50 feet by 50 feet. We’re already seeing examples where the value of virtual real estate is going up. In June 2021, a digital real estate investment fund called Republic Realm reportedly spent the equivalent of <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-fintech-nft-land-idCAKCN2DU1GA">more than US$900,000</a> to buy an NFT representing a plot on Decentraland. According to <a href="https://dappradar.com/blog/investors-buy-most-expensive-virtual-real-estate-ever-in-decentraland">DappRadar</a>, a website which tracks NFT sales data, it was the most expensive purchase of NFT land in Decentraland history. But then as we know, in November 2021, the Metaverse Group bought their plot in Decentraland for <a href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/currencies/virtual-real-estate-plot-sells-record-24-million-2021-11-23/">US$2.4 million</a>. The size of this purchase was actually smaller than the former – 116 land parcels compared to 259 bought by Republic Realm. <img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/439652/original/file-20220106-27-dimlq9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="A man wears VR goggles." /> There are already several metaverses. <a href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/bearded-man-wearing-virtual-reality-goggles-519893707" class="source">SFIO CRACHO/Shutterstock</a> It’s not just Decentraland seeing appreciations. In February 2021, <a href="https://coinquora.com/axie-infinity-land-nft-sells-for-2-3-million-surpasses-record/">Axie Infinity</a> (another virtual gaming world) reportedly sold nine of their land parcels for the equivalent of US$1.5 million – a record, the company said – before one land parcel sold for US$2.3 million in November 2021. While it appears that values are climbing, it’s important to acknowledge that real estate investment in the metaverse remains extremely speculative. No one can be certain if this boom is the next great thing or the next big bubble. <h2>The future of metaverse real estate</h2> Financial incentives aside, you may be wondering what companies and individuals will actually do with their virtual land. As an example, the Metaverse Group’s purchase is in Decentraland’s fashion precinct. According to the buyer the space will be used to host digital <a href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/currencies/virtual-real-estate-plot-sells-record-24-million-2021-11-23/">fashion events</a> and sell virtual clothing for avatars – another potential area for growth in the metaverse. While investors and companies are dominating this space at the moment, not all metaverse real estate will set you back millions. But what could owning virtual land offer you? If you buy a physical property in the real world, the result is tangible – somewhere to live, to take pride in, to welcome family and friends. While virtual property doesn’t provide physical shelter, there are some parallels. In shopping for virtual real estate, you could buy a piece of land to build on. Or you could choose a house already built that you like. You could make it your own with various (digital) objects. You could invite visitors, and visit others’ virtual homes too. This vision is a while away. But if it seems completely absurd, we should remember that once upon a time, people had doubts about the potential significance of the internet, and then social media. Technologists predict the metaverse will mature into a <a href="https://www.matthewball.vc/all/themetaverse">fully functioning economy</a> in the coming years, providing a synchronous digital experience as interwoven into our lives as email and social networking are now. This is a strange fantasy come true for someone who was a gamer in a former life. Some years ago, a younger version of my conscience was telling me to stop wasting time playing video games; to go back to study and focus on my “real” life. Deep inside I always had this wish to see gaming overlapping with real life, <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1677720/">Real Player One</a> style. I feel this vision is inching ever closer.<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; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/174021/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/theo-tzanidis-1295734">Theo Tzanidis</a>, Senior Lecturer in Digital Marketing, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-the-west-of-scotland-1385">University of the West of Scotland</a> 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/real-estate-in-the-metaverse-is-booming-is-it-really-such-a-crazy-idea-174021">original article</a>. Image: denisik11/Shutterstock

Real Estate

Russell Crowe "put through a wall" on crazy night out

NRL great Bryan Fletcher has opened up about his encounter with Russell Crowe that left the two scrapping on a boozy night out. Featuring on Brett Finch’s 'Uncensored' podcast, Fletcher revealed the wild night he had with his South Sydney teammates and Crowe in the mid-2000s. Fletcher was the Rabbitohs captain in 2003 when he joined the club from the Roosters, however the team had suffered a nightmare season after winning only three games. The 47-year-old said he'd never met Crowe before his move to South Sydney, but had heard a rumour that the Hollywood star had promised to take the 2002 team to the Playboy Mansion if they made the finals. Fletcher says he was left with his mind in a scramble after Crowe contacted him near the middle of the 2003 season. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7841241/rabbitohs-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/03710573c68e4e7699511d8951dec960" /> Fletcher however believed it was not actually Crowe on the other end of the line, and instead one of his teammates was pranking him. “I said, ‘How’s Meg? Is she good in the cot?’” Fletcher told Finch, referring to Meg Ryan who Crowe was dating during that time. “I said something more crude than that. “Then there was awkward silence and he goes, ‘Fletch, it’s Russell. Russell Crowe’. "And when he dropped his voice I knew straight away it was him and I’ve just gone, ‘F***, how do I get out of this?’” It turns out Crowe had wanted the South Sydney players to bring a pair of nice clothes after their training in order to take them out. “My imagination just starts going so by the time I get to Sutto (John Sutton) who’s the 17th bloke, I said, ‘Sutto, you’re not going to believe this bro, we are going to the Playboy Mansion’,” Fletcher said. “Everyone is frothing, thinking they’re going to the Playboy Mansion.” Sadly enough, the Rabbitohs didn’t go to LA, but instead arrived at a hotel in Woolloomooloo where cricket greats Shane Warne and Merv Hughes were waiting to kick them into gear with some inspirational words. However the night took a turn around 9 pm when Crowe brought out some bottles of Absinthe. “We went through 10 bottles. Ten bottles later and we’re going mad. It’s on. Blokes are cheering and carrying on,” Fletcher said. He went on to say Crowe had challenged him to some footy. “It was an odd time but I’m thinking, ‘You’ve got to humour Russ, he’s put this drink on for us’,” Fletcher said. “So Russell comes running at me and I tackle him how I always have my whole career and I miss him. He runs behind me and dives down behind an imaginary set of posts. “I said, ‘Good on you Russ’ and kept walking. I take two steps and I get pushed in the back. It’s Russ. He just stops in front of me and he goes, ‘You f***ing dog. You’re a f***ing cat. You’re a waste of money, you’re South Sydney’s worst ever captain’. "He was right but he didn’t have to say it to my face. “The boys have jerried to what’s going on … I got the s**ts and said, ‘Let’s just do this again’. “He basically gets up and runs at me and I get under his ribs and drive him … and put him through a wall and the boys are just going, ‘What the f*** are you doing? Why are you doing this?’ “Russ pops up, just shakes his head and goes, ‘That’s what I want to see!’ That was his motivation, so we end up having a terrific night, getting on the p***.” Crowe's motivational tactics seemed to do the job as the Rabbitohs would go on to thrash Melbourne Storm that weekend. However their victory was short-lived. “We beat them 42-10 and we did not win another game all year,” Fletcher admitted. Images: Getty

News

"Crazy": Terrifying three-metre find clogging up toilet

A man has had to call in the fire department after a "crazy" find in his toilet. Crews from Iskandar Puteri Fire Station in Malaysia were called to the bathroom of a house after the man was reportedly bitten on the bottom last month. The toilet was checked and firefights removed a 3.6-metre python from the toilet bowl. The size of the serpent was so large that it broke some of the piping, the fire department revealed. The snake was released safely outside. On Facebook, the snake’s “scary” bathroom exploits had some people spooked. “Be careful in the bathroom after this,” one woman wrote. “Don't forget to close the bathroom door too.” One man called it “crazy”, while another woman wrote it had her worried about using the bathroom at work. As for why the snake was slithering through the pipes, some suggested it’s possible the recent hot weather was to blame and the toilet-dwelling serpent was seeking a place to cool down.

Family & Pets

Woman's warning after Botox treatment leaves her with "crazy eyes"

A US woman has taken to social media to warn about the possible perils of Botox after she suffered an unusual side-effect from the procedure. Whitney Buha, who runs a lifestyle blog called Something Whitty, has documented the results after a botched Botox job made one of her eyes go droopy, making her look "two-faced." The correct name for the reaction is eyelid ptosis, where the upper eyelid droops over the eye. It's usually caused by ageing, an eye injury or as a result of eye surgery, but in Buha's case it happened because Botox was injected into the wrong part of her eyebrow. Taking to Instagram and TikTok, the 33-year-old from Chicago explained how it happened and to raise awareness of the potential side-effects of Botox. Buha went for a second treatment after she realised her right eyebrow hadn't "lifted" as well as her left. But unfortunately, round two did not go according to plans it made her eyelid droop significantly. After consulting with a plastic surgeon, she was told the left eye is overcompensating for the droopy right eye. “I look two-faced, it’s so embarrassing,” she said. “I can’t believe I’m showing this, like, are you kidding?” The plastic surgeon told her it was the worst case of eye droop she had ever seen. Now, Buha has to take special eye drops and do workouts so that her body metabolises the Botox more quickly. Despite the botched Botox job and her embarrassment over her “crazy eyes”, Buha said she wouldn’t stop getting injections, which she started at the age of 30. “You can judge me and say I’m crazy, but I’ve had Botox for three years, and I’ve never ever had a problem until this,” she said.

Beauty & Style

Parents condemned for crazy clifftop camping spot

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> A couple has been slammed for camping with their child on the edge of a cliff in Yorkshire, UK. The Coastguard in the UK was furious and needed to move the family away from the area. “Today’s call was to attend a section of the Cleveland Way to issue safety advice to two adults and a child camping on the cliff edge,” the Staithes Coastguard said. <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fstaithes.coastguard%2Fposts%2F1857131324439338&width=500&show_text=true&height=752&appId" width="500" height="752" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe> “An Officer from North Yorkshire Police also attended due to breach of coronavirus restrictions. “Safety advice was given from Coastguard Rescue Officers due to the dangerous location of their tent, especially with recent landslips. “If you see anyone at risk or in danger at the coast, immediately call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.” As a social media post was put up about the incident, people have slammed the couple for being "braindead". “Not just being stupid for themselves & putting a child in danger but using up valuable time with the coastguard when they could be elsewhere,” one user wrote. Another agreed, saying: “Beggars belief! You can see where the ground has partially broken away! Braindead”. People were particularly angry as the trail where the family were found has recently seen devastating landslides. </div> </div> </div>

Travel Trouble

Crazy fan removed during Australian Open

An unruly fan was removed from Rod Laver Arena after she yelled during Rafael Nadal's second-round clash against Michael Mmoh. While Nadal attempted to serve out the second set, a woman launched into a bizarre tirade. Nadal attempted to ignore it and play on but when it continued the match halted. A female crowd member appeared to be yelling while fans around jeered. The umpire interjected over the microphone: "Thankyou madam, you are delaying everyone", which only provoked the woman further. Reports say that she yelled out from the stands "hurry up you OCD f---" to the Spaniard. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7839877/tennis.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/535092fcb9294556b0bc7f79cc86e330" /> She then gave the finger directly toward Nadal who was seen laughing at centre court. The crowd booed the woman while Nadal laughed off the situation. The play did resume but just two points later, the woman could be heard yelling “w**ker” as Nadal attempted to serve. A security guard eventually came over to remove the woman, who then appeared to change her tune and apologise to Nadal. "A little bit of a disturbance there in the crowd," Aussie tennis great John Fitzgerald said as the madness ensued courtside. "I couldn't hear the specific language, there was a little bit of ill will between two ladies. "Well there is one lady that is getting rather animated, she might be asked to leave, actually. I think she's having a crack at Rafa, I'm not sure why, she's the first person I've seen do that. "She's a bit inebriated I think, this is chaos. This is so unnecessary, it's just one individual that has made a complete goose out of themselves." The World No.2 ended up claiming the match in straight sets 6-1 6-4 6-2. Asked about the disturbance post-match, Nadal laughed as he said: "No (I don't know her). “And honestly, I don't want to know."

The crazy pizza toppings that are actually delicious

Sure, you've been eating your pizza with extra cheese, pepperoni, and mushrooms for years, but that's child's play compared to the craziest new pizza toppings out there. Try not to cringe when there is pineapple on a pizza. There’s a ton of other wild stuff happening out there more concerning. Corn Does corn pizza seem totally crazy to you? You’re probably more used to veggie pizza toppings like sun dried tomatoes or olives, but some fresh roasted sweet corn is actually delicious on a classic pizza thanks to its delicately sweet flavour. If you want add a little zest to your corn, try adding some chilli flakes to give your pizza a sweet heat. Crab meat Remember that old adage that seafood and cheese never go together by Italian culinary tradition? Apparently, American pizza experts are throwing that to the wind, because trend-setting pizza chains in New York are topping their famous pizzas with real lump crab meat and people are loving it. Crab meat is loaded with zinc, so you can tell yourself a slice isn’t the worst decision you could make today. Sriracha People are going crazy for Sriracha sauce-topped pies thanks to the gentle heat of this popular pepper-infused topping and low calorie content. Asian and Italian flavours may not seem like a natural fit, but one bite of a fresh pizza drizzled in spicy Sriracha sauce will make you question what other weirdly wonderful flavour combos you’ve been missing out on. Kale If you’re not the type to order a salad on your pizza, think again—kale is delicious when cooked. It’s one of the best pizza toppings for veggie lovers thanks to high vitamin C and fibre content. Kale-topped pizzas are currently trending in veggie-friendly areas like Los Angeles, where a popular local joint, Pitfire Pizza, tops their pizzas with black kale, field mushrooms, cheddar, chilies, and garlic. Yum! Hummus Hummus sounds like a seriously crazy pizza topping, doesn’t it? It should, but the truth is it’s gaining steam in the health-conscious food blogger seen, and even US brands like Sabra have created limited-time pizza-flavoured hummus lines because surprisingly, the flavours pair really well together. Cashew cheese It turns out cashew cheese is the vegan cheese of choice for foodies these days, and some pizza shops are going to great lengths to satisfy their vegan and dairy-free customers’ pizza cravings. Matthew Kenney, a vegan chef and expert who teaches workshops on going vegan at Turnberry Isle Miami, has been leading the cashew cheese pizza movement in New York and Florida. Try not to cringe when there is pineapple on a pizza. There’s a ton of other wild stuff happening out there more concerning. Nectarines Nectarines, peaches, and other stone fruit have a tangy-sweet flavour that is similar in some ways to the flavour profile of BBQ sauce. If you’re the type who likes a good BBQ-themed pizza, you need to try one topped with nectarine slices and an especially sharp or bold cheese. Milo & Olive, a popular pizzeria in the US state of California, has been serving up a salty-meets-sweet nectarine and bacon pizza that’s topped with Fontina, thyme, balsamic glaze, and deliciously ripe stone fruit. Spicy mac and cheese Mac and cheese is already great, and adding spice is always the next level of excitement, but if you haven’t tried adding fresh jalapeños and gooey mac and cheese to your pizza, have you even really lived? Vinnie’s, a popular local pizza spot in Brooklyn, has lines out the door for their magical, new-age comfort food slices. Eggs Cooked, runny, semi-solid—you name it. Eggs are one of the best weird pizza toppings to be found in both the United States and Italy, the birthplace of pizza. Eggs are healthy, too, so adding a few to your pizza gives you an excuse to have a slice for a responsible brunch. Entire Mexican dishes Why add just a little Mexican seasoning to your pizza when you can throw an entire plate of chilaquiles right on top of your favourite simple pizza. This recipe was the brainchild of Chef Martin Gonzalez in San Diego, California, and includes crunchy tortilla chips, warm green tomatillo sauce, red onion, and queso añejo (a Mexican cheese that is very similar to Parmesan) and crema fresca. There’s no reason this can’t be recreated at home, and you’ll be a hero for combining the world’s most addictive flavours. Avocado Your favourite, trendiest salad addition is also great on pizza. Avocado’s creamy texture is actually similar to that of some soft cheeses, and the mildly nutty flavour pairs well with everything from tomatoes to garlic. Avocado is one of the best pizza toppings you never expected because it can easily be combined with all the other weird toppings too, like corn, crab, and even Sriracha. Plus, avocados are a brain food, so you can feel good about loading your plate up. Written by Bryce Grubern. This article first appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.co.nz/recipes/11-crazy-pizza-toppings-are-actually-delicious">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.co.nz/subscribe">here’s our best subscription offer</a>.

Food & Wine

Purrfectly hidden kitten drives the internet crazy

Cats are crafty little critters, and they seem to have an uncanny ability to cram themselves in the most unlikely spaces. A photograph of one feline winning a game of hide and seek went viral this week on Twitter. On Sunday, Kate Hinds, newsroom planning editor at WNYC public radio, shared a photo of her impressive bookcase at her Manhattan home, captioning it “Today in find the cat.” <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Today in find the cat <a href="https://t.co/P6soGOv8k1">pic.twitter.com/P6soGOv8k1</a> — Kate Hinds (@katehinds) <a href="https://twitter.com/katehinds/status/1269697161329082370?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 7, 2020</a></blockquote> "My cat's name is Norah, although in my family no one agrees on whether there should be an 'h' on the end," Hinds told cnet in an email. "We adopted her a little over ten years ago from a local rescue group." Hind said she knows her family knows most of the places the kitty tends to hide in, and the spot she’s sought out in the photo is one of Norah’s favourite summer hiding spots. Twitter users were left stumped. "I can't find the cat but I love your bookcase," wrote one. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none"> There's an actual cat in this pic?? Or a figurine or something? 🧐 — Nicole J. Butler aka "She-Shed Cheryl" 🏚🔥👩🏾‍🚒 (@NicoleJButler) <a href="https://twitter.com/NicoleJButler/status/1269709061575991296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 7, 2020</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none"> I can’t find the cat but I love your bookcase. — IslandMaven (@LisaAguiar8) <a href="https://twitter.com/LisaAguiar8/status/1269707563416731648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 7, 2020</a></blockquote> Give up? Hinds posted a closeup of the image showing Norah’s paw sticking out from under the TV. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none"> The Power Nap Broker <a href="https://t.co/EEWraGhM6i">pic.twitter.com/EEWraGhM6i</a> — Kate Hinds (@katehinds) <a href="https://twitter.com/katehinds/status/1269698103361318914?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 7, 2020</a></blockquote> "For some reason, she goes behind the TV in the summer," Hinds told me. "She prefers to bed down with the winter hats/scarves in the colder months."

Family & Pets

Holidaying in a disaster zone isn't as crazy as it seems

Holidaying in a disaster zone might seem crazy, but “volunteer tourism” can actually help communities recover from natural disasters. And if can offer a unique and rewarding experience for volunteers, if done carefully. When disaster hits a tourist destination – whether fire, flood, cyclone or earthquake – tourists usually stay away, leaving communities to deal with a loss of income on top of the costs of repair and recovery. On the other hand, people who feel a natural curiosity, as well as a natural desire to help, are keen for experiences where they can interact with locals and make a difference. This “volunteer tourism” should not be confused with “disaster tourism” in which tourists immediately travel to a scene not to help but to look. Nepal shows what can be done We examined volunteer tourism in Nepal in the wake of the April 2015 earthquake that killed nearly 9,000 people and injured nearly 22,000. We found that when it was done in an ethical manner that considered local conditions and the community, it could aid recovery and resilience. It is important that the process be controlled locally and that the invitation from locals be genuine. It is also important that volunteer tourists be prepared to engage in work that mainstream tourists would not. Our study, <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160738319301598">Engaging volunteer tourism in post-disaster recovery in Nepal</a>, has just been published in the Annals of Tourism Research. In the four months that followed the Nepal earthquake, international tourism more than halved. Initially most relief organisations asked international volunteers not to come unless they had specific expertise, such as medical skills, building skills, or experience responding to emergencies. Then the Pacific Asia Travel Association and Nepalese tourism industry leaders worked together to produce the report of the <a href="http://pata.org.np/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/A-Report-on-PATA-Nepal-Tourism-Rapid-Recovery-Taskforce.pdf">Nepal Rapid Recovery Task Force</a>, running workshops with more than 200 tourism industry leaders and professionals. Volunteer tourism led the way back The strategy they came up with prioritised potential tourism regrowth markets, including volunteer tourism. Nepal relaxed conditions to allow international tourists to volunteer on a wide range of projects including rebuilding homes and schools, interning in hospitals, supporting non-government organisations and reestablishing sustainable agriculture. It helped that Nepal was set up for it. It had already hosted organisations offering short-term travellers the opportunity to teach English and to work on health projects. In 2015 and 2016 it hosted three global celebrities whose widely-publicised visits raised the profile and popular appeal of Nepal, especially to volunteer tourists. In May 2015, Hollywood actress Susan Sarandon visited Nepal and actively promoted volunteer tourism to the North American market. In mid-2015 Hong Kong based actor Jackie Chan visited and encouraged Chinese tourists and volunteers to come to Nepal. In March 2016, Prince Harry (the younger son of Prince Charles) spent two weeks in Nepal engaged in volunteer programs. Nepal’s tourism recovery since then has been remarkable. In 2015, the year of the earthquake, just under 600,000 international tourists visited. By 2018 the number had reached an all time record of almost 1.2 million. In 2019 it grew further. Volunteer tourism drove the recovery. The Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents says almost one third of the tours booked to Nepal in the two years after the earthquake comprised groups who combined tourism experiences with volunteering or philanthropy. It needs to meet local needs In times of national crisis, the priority of a government has to be restoring the welfare of its people. However, the process by which that happens is multifaceted. In destinations that rely on tourism as a primary source of foreign investment, it can make sense to build tourism into the recovery process. A focus on tourism need not detract from other critical processes such as providing health care and emergency services, clearing debris and construction. But that’s easier said than done. Natural disasters by their very nature sow confusion, severely damage infrastructure and impose great strains on emergency management and administration. Volunteer tourism won’t work everywhere, but where conditions are right, international visitors can speed rather than slow recovery.<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; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/128841/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/david-beirman-4852">David Beirman</a>, Senior Lecturer, Tourism, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-technology-sydney-936">University of Technology Sydney</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/simone-faulkner-911263">Simone Faulkner</a>, , <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-technology-sydney-936">University of Technology Sydney</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/stephen-wearing-7081">Stephen Wearing</a>, Associate Professor, Management, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-technology-sydney-936">University of Technology Sydney</a> This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/holidaying-in-a-disaster-zone-isnt-as-crazy-as-it-might-seem-128841">original article</a>.

Travel Trouble

"We need a break": Roger Federer sends fans crazy with latest announcement

Roger Federer has made an announcement that has thrilled fans, by revealing he will play the French Open in Paris next year. “I will play French Open. I probably won’t play much before that because I need some time away form it (tennis) and I need some time with the family,” the 38-year-old told CNN. The 20-time Grand Slam champion returned to Roland Garros this year after a three-year absence, losing to Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals. But the tennis star is prioritising family time, by going on a well-deserved holiday. “We need a vacation, we need a break, and especially if I am playing the Olympics and all that,” he said. In Tokyo he will be competing for the only major prize he has yet to win – the men’s singles gold medal. Earlier in the week he said he had been debating with his team on his schedule after Wimbledon and before the US Open. “At the end of the day my heart has decided to play the Olympic Games again,” he said.

International Travel

6 crazy (but totally real!) requests from VIP hotel guests

If you think asking for extra pillows, towels, and blankets when you travel makes you a difficult hotel guest, you’ll get a kick out of the crazy requests guests have made at five-star hotels. <div class="at-below-post addthis_tool" data-url="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/travel/tips/14-crazy-totally-real-requests-vip-hotel-guests">1. Colour allergies</div> <div class="at-below-post addthis_tool" data-url="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/travel/tips/14-crazy-totally-real-requests-vip-hotel-guests"> <div id="page2" class="slide-show"> <div id="test" class="slide"> <div class="slide-description"> “We had a lady come to stay that was allergic to the colour purple,” explains Nathan Brown of the Rees Hotel Queenstown in New Zealand. “Yes, a colour. She emailed prior to her arrival asking that any room amenities, furniture, or fixtures in her room and around the hotel were removed from her sight so she would not feel ill upon seeing them. All of our amenities at the time were lavender scented, we had purple coloured books in our library, shades of purple on wine bottle labels, and paintings in our art gallery as well as flowers throughout the hotel. We did it, no questions asked, and she managed to stay healthy her entire stay.” <div class="at-below-post addthis_tool" data-url="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/travel/tips/14-crazy-totally-real-requests-vip-hotel-guests">2. A swim with (pet) fishies</div> <div class="at-below-post addthis_tool" data-url="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/travel/tips/14-crazy-totally-real-requests-vip-hotel-guests"> “We had doting parents demand some unusual things for their toddlers,” says a representative of high-end concierge company Levitiscus Lifestyle. “They wanted us to fill a bathtub every morning, then add (ever so tenderly) the kids’ pet fish; then hand-wash and air-dry the babies’ clothes, daily.” 3. Disco naps, anyone? “We had a VIP family who wanted us to transform our Tata Presidential Suite into a 70s-themed disco for their son’s 18th birthday,” shares Sanela Mrkulic, director of guest relations at New York’s Pierre Hotel. “Our engineering team brought in a dance floor, we hung several disco balls, removed furniture, used tons of silver foil, and voila! Full success. The guests were so happy they insisted we dance with them.” 4. Perfect romantic touches “We had a guest taking the love of his life on a romantic getaway who asked us to arrange for multiple surprises along the way,” says Maurice Dancer, chief concierge of the Pierre Hotel. “He asked for two dozen white roses, one dozen in the limousine for collecting them from the airport, and another in the room upon arrival. Also awaiting them was a silver tray with chocolate covered strawberries, a large plate of sliced fruit, and two lychee martini cocktails. The finishing touch, greeting them in their room, was a singer and pair of dancers performing the Marc Anthony song, ‘I need to know.’ All accomplished as a team in Pierre style!” 5. Long lost relatives On multiple occasions, Hilton concierges have been asked to find long-lost relatives and loved ones. The concierge at The Waldorf Hilton, London was asked to help locate a friend of a grandmother of a young American woman (how’s that for twisted already?). All she knew was that the woman was the landlady of a pub in North England during one of the world wars. After two days and several phone calls, the concierge located the woman and helped plan a surprise afternoon tea! 6. Woof woof Edward Mady, a longtime manager of The Beverly Hills Hotel, asked the hotel to arrange a $15,000 wedding for her two pooches, including an ordained minister and catering. If that’s not weird enough, another guest at the hotel actually requested the entire staff address him in dog language only instead of English. We’re not sure where the accent on the word “woof” goes, but we’re assuming the word is meant to be said with a lot of exasperation if you’re a hotel concierge. Written by Bryce Gruber. This article first appeared in <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/travel/tips/14-crazy-totally-real-requests-vip-hotel-guests">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.co.nz/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=RDSUB&keycode=WRN93V">here’s our best subscription offer</a>. </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>

Travel Trouble

New study debunks ‘crazy cat lady’ myth

Cat owners have long been stereotyped as depressed, anxious, and solitary, preferring the company of animals to humans – however, a new <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.181555">study</a> published in the Royal Society Open Science discovered that the stereotypical “crazy cat lady” simply does not exist. Researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) analysed more than 500 people and found that cat owners have the same levels of loneliness, depression and anxiety as everyone else, including dog owners and those who have no pets. “We found no evidence to support the ‘cat lady’ stereotype: cat-owners did not differ from others on self-reported symptoms of depression, anxiety or their experiences in close relationships,” the study said. Pet owners were also more likely to be distressed by a cat’s meow or a dog’s whimper. In particular, the researchers found that a crying dog’s effect on the people surveyed was nearly identical to that of a crying human baby. “These sounds are very effective at capturing our attention. If you find yourself responding very strongly, that’s natural,” Christine Parsons, a co-author of the study and associate professor of the Interacting Minds Center at Aarhus University in Denmark told <a href="https://www.insider.com/crazy-cat-lady-stereotype-myth-according-to-science-2019-8">Insider</a>. “They have a really evocative signal and that makes sense. Cats will be OK without humans, but domesticated dogs absolutely rely on us for everything — they need us for survival.”

Mind

Royal babies don’t come cheap: The crazy cost of Harry and Meghan's newborn Archie

He is less than a week old, but the Duke and Duchess of Sussex seemed to have already spent quite a bit in preparation for their first child, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. This large tab is estimated to be a staggering $1.7 million, as reported by <a rel="noopener" href="https://honey.nine.com.au/2019/05/09/14/06/cost-of-prince-harry-meghan-markle-baby" target="_blank">9Honey.</a> It may not come as a surprise to any of us who have been parents that welcoming a tiny tot into the world can come at a ridiculously hefty fee, and the world’s favourite new royal parents seem to know all about that as well. Here is a quick breakdown of all the costs of baby Archie so far. Meghan’s designer maternity wardrobe The Duchess of Sussex has had a very busy year-and-a-half as a full-time royal member. In that time, she has amassed a large collection of designer items to match a princess-like lifestyle – or duchess in Meghan’s case. According to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.lovethesales.com/editorial/meghan-markle-maternity-style" target="_blank">Love the Sales,</a> the glowing new mother’s maternity wardrobe had an estimated price tag of AUD$717,000. It’s not hard to believe though, considering we see the 37-year-old royal member donning the most expensive brands including Givenchy, Calvin Klein, Dior and Victoria Beckham. The Duchess has shown she’s not just into designer items though, as she is often seen in budget-friendly items from fast fashion chain H&M when attending public events. Extravagant baby shower The former actress and Hollywood starlet has not forgotten where she came from even though she’s jumped across the pond to live with her prince. Duchess Meghan had a celebrity-clad baby shower in New York City in March. The tradition cost a staggering AUD$573,000, as reported by <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2019/02/inside-meghan-markles-manhattan-baby-shower?verso=true" target="_blank">Vanity Fair</a>. The guest list did match the hefty price tag though, with A-listers like Amal Clooney, Serena Williams and a number of other celebs gracing the event with their presence. Luxury babymoon According to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/8795175/meghan-markle-prince-harry-babymoon/" target="_blank">The Sun’s</a> royal reporter Emily Andrews, both the Duke and Duchess of Sussex shared a few romantic nights away from the hustle and bustle of royal life and jumped on the “babymoon” bandwagon before they welcomed baby Archie into the world. Reports confirmed the couple chose a luxurious countryside-looking palace at Heckfield Place – a five-star hotel in Hampshire, UK. The intimate holiday filled with romantic walks, cosy fire-lit dinners and luxury pampering doesn’t come cheap though, as a three-night stay costs roughly AUD$60,000. Baby nursery renovation At the end of 2018, the royal family announced Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan would be moving from their comfortable apartment in Kensington Palace in London to Frogmore Cottage on the grounds of the Windsor Estate. Royal insiders confirmed the couple spent a whopping $93,000 on renovating just the nursery for baby Archie. Whatever the cost though, it all seems to be worth it to the glowing first-time royal parents who have said their newest arrival is “to die for.” “It’s magic. It’s pretty amazing. I have the two best guys in the world, so I’m really happy,” Meghan said about her tiny tot. “He has the sweetest temperament,” she went on to say. “He’s really calm.” Harry then cheekily added: “I don’t know where he gets that from!” Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor was welcomed to the world on May 6th, 2019.

Money & Banking

The $9 cleaning hack people are going crazy for

This $5 cleaning hack is bound to help you out when you’re tackling your household chores. A Facebook group called Mums Who Clean have discovered a fast and easy hack to getting dirt out of lounges, tiles and bad odour out of shoes. A member of the group shared her story, where she used Polident to clean her lounge. Polident, which retails for around $9, is a denture cleaner that has very impressive cleaning properties. After mixing warm water and three tablets of the denture cleaner, she got to work cleaning her lounge. Once she let the solution sit on the lounge for five minutes, she scrubbed the sofa “hard” with a dishwashing brush and using a towel to absorb the dirty water. “It has come out great,” she wrote “Our sofa is about five or six years old and this is the first time we’ve cleaned it.” <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7822985/polident.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/89cd2689432b41e8a882a888fa24a64b" /> After seeing the post, another group member decided to clean her bathroom tiles with it. “I used the Polident whitening ones tablets, put two in a spray bottle with water,” she shared. “The whole bathroom floor took me with 40min with toothbrush. Sure a grout brush would of quicker.” She was very impressed with her results! Another group member has used the product to remove the smell from stinky shoes. “My shoes were already yellow so I had nothing to lose,” she wrote. “But after I left them to soak in Polident over night and now they are like new!” However, this group member had to use six tablets instead of the two or three like the others had. Many group members have been enjoying the fact that the product is not toxic and they no longer have to breathe in the chemicals while cleaning. Biome warned <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/home/aussies-are-going-nuts-for-this-5-cleaning-hack/news-story/50a6c50c797c4973d1eef0a6d65873e0" target="_blank">news.com.au </a>that the product itself isn’t completely toxin free. “It’s not completely toxin free, but its main ingredients are bicarb soda and citric acid — which is a take on the old fashioned cleaner of bicarb and vinegar. “Brands like White King and Exit Mould will smack you in the face with their chemical fumes, but oxygen bleach is different. “For an even cheaper option and a 100 per cent toxin free alternative, I’d recommend mixing bicarb soda with white vinegar.” Did you know about this Polident cleaing hack? Let us know in the comments.

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"You're crazy": Adele accidentally confirms long-running rumour

5 negotiation tactics to grab crazy property deals in a slowing market

5 money mistakes that drive experts crazy and what to do instead

"This is crazy": Ellen shares worrying update from storm-lashed LA

5 crazy cruise practices you won't believe are real

Wedding photographer photoshops "crazy eyes" over blinking guests

Real estate in the metaverse is booming. Is it really such a crazy idea?

Russell Crowe "put through a wall" on crazy night out

"Crazy": Terrifying three-metre find clogging up toilet

Woman's warning after Botox treatment leaves her with "crazy eyes"

Parents condemned for crazy clifftop camping spot

Crazy fan removed during Australian Open

The crazy pizza toppings that are actually delicious

Purrfectly hidden kitten drives the internet crazy

Holidaying in a disaster zone isn't as crazy as it seems

"We need a break": Roger Federer sends fans crazy with latest announcement

6 crazy (but totally real!) requests from VIP hotel guests

New study debunks ‘crazy cat lady’ myth

Royal babies don’t come cheap: The crazy cost of Harry and Meghan's newborn Archie

The $9 cleaning hack people are going crazy for