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To move or not to move: is it cheaper to find a new place or stay when your rent increases by 10%?

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/park-thaichon-175182">Park Thaichon</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-southern-queensland-1069">University of Southern Queensland</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sara-quach-175976">Sara Quach</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/griffith-university-828">Griffith University</a> Your landlord has just raised your rent by 10% and your mind starts running the numbers – should you cop it sweet or look to move? It’s a familiar scenario in today’s unpredictable housing market. Understanding the real costs of staying versus moving is essential for making informed choices: renters must consider hidden expenses such as moving costs, deposits and changing rental rates, giving them tools to handle rising rent pressures more effectively. <h2>A grim time for many renters</h2> National median market rents have hit record highs, reaching $627 per week, with an average annual growth rate of 9.1% during the past three years, according to real estate giant <a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/Budget/reviews/2024-25/Housing#:%7E:text=Based%20on%20April%202024%20CoreLogic,the%20past%203%20calendar%20years">CoreLogic</a>. <a href="https://www.corelogic.com.au/news-research/news/2024/rent-growth-picked-up-in-the-start-of-2024,-taking-rents-to-new-record-highs">CoreLogic</a> also reported annual rental changes (houses and units) in regional Australia are not far off from the big cities: annual rent changes were 9.4% for combined capital cities, 6.4% for combined regional areas, and 8.5% nationally. So, is it better to stay or move if your rent is raised by 10%? Let’s examine the costs and benefits of each option. <h2>A breakdown of typical moving costs</h2> We’ll start with the most obvious expense: moving costs. Professional moving services aren’t cheap. For example, moving a three-bedroom house in the Gold Coast costs <a href="https://www.muval.com.au/removalists/gold-coast">$1,095.25 on average</a>, with an hourly rate of $158.26. In a bigger city like Melbourne, the cost is slightly higher at <a href="https://www.muval.com.au/removalists/melbourne">about $1,118.46</a>. The moving costs between states or cities will be more expensive if you move further away. You could choose to handle packing yourself and hire some help with a truck – a common option with businesses such as “<a href="https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-removals-storage/gold-coast/2+men+and+a+truck/k0c18643l3006035">Two Men and a Truck</a>”, which typically costs around $100 per hour. Be aware, though, that the hourly rate often starts from the moment the truck leaves the company’s warehouse until it returns. Alternatively, you can rent a van for a lower price, such as $87 for a 24-hour <a href="https://www.bunnings.com.au/for-hire-handivan-24hr-first-100kms-inc-_p5470402">Handivan rental at Bunnings</a>. Don’t forget the cost of moving boxes, too: Bunnings’ 52 litre <a href="https://www.bunnings.com.au/bunnings-52l-light-duty-moving-carton_p0517130?srsltid=AfmBOoqCYAWT0P5apPiJpoOLRAIpUCHNi63ztvIZrG5CxCoNOv45G0TV">moving cartons</a> cost $2.66 each. End-of-lease or <a href="https://firstcallhomeservices.com.au/service-menu/bond-exit-end-lease-cleaning/">bond cleaning</a> is another common expense. For a typical three-bedroom property, internal cleaning can range from $365 to $500. If you have pets, or kids who love drawing on the walls, your cleaning costs might be a bit higher. Now, let’s look at utility connection expenses that can catch people by surprise. Cancelling your internet service can be costly if you don’t meet the exit or cancellation policies. With <a href="https://www.telstra.com.au/internet/5g-home-internet">Telstra Home Internet</a>, for example, if you cancel within the first 24 months, you must return your modem within 21 days to avoid a $400 non-return fee. Most providers charge a cancellation fee or require final device repayments, typically ranging from $100 to $500, depending on the remaining contract period. As a renter, it might be wise to choose a no-lock-in contract plan to avoid these fees if you need flexibility. Electricity and gas connection and disconnection fees are usually minor but can add up, often costing about $40 to $60 for <a href="https://www.energyon.com.au/fees-and-charges/">connection and disconnection fees</a> for electricity alone. If your house uses gas for hot water or cooking, you may have to pay additional fees for setting up service. However, there are also non-financial costs, like the time spent searching for a new home, attending inspections, and putting in applications. Moving takes effort and energy for packing, transporting and unpacking. Some people feel emotionally attached to their current home, which can make leaving harder. Older renters <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1353829218311304">seem to draw strength</a> from their familiarity with, attachment to, and enjoyment of their place and community. This is something to be considered. Plus, moving can take <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41537-023-00349-w">an emotional toll</a>. <h2>The benefits of not moving</h2> The clear benefit of staying is avoiding the hassle of relocating. Staying means saving on moving expenses and avoiding the time spent searching for a new place, packing and unpacking. This may also save some people from needing to take time off work. Changing and updating an address is also another tedious task that can be avoided by staying. Moving can hit the hip pocket with “after moving costs” that people may not initially consider. For instance, a new location might mean a longer commute. If each trip adds just 15 extra minutes, that could amount to an additional 11 hours per month over 22 workdays. For drivers, increased fuel and parking expenses might also come into play. Is the current or new location closer to a supermarket, hospital, and school? This proximity could be beneficial or detrimental, depending on the surrounding environment and available services. <h2>To move or not to move?</h2> One point to note is that overall, moving costs are likely to be similar between big cities and regional areas if you get moving supplies or rent a van from a large company such as Bunnings. In the end, moving costs will be around $2,000 based on the figures above, and it can be around $800 to $1,000 cheaper if you opt to rent a van instead of using a full-service moving company. Therefore, if the current rent is $600 per week and is about to increase by 10% to $660, the additional cost would be $3,120 per year. So is it cheaper to move or stay when your rent increases by 10%? The answer is moving may save about $1,000 to $2,000, but comes with the hassle and emotional toll of relocation. Staying will be more expensive, but with less hassle and emotional strain. The right choice depends on your situation.<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/243155/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/park-thaichon-175182">Park Thaichon</a>, Associate Professor of Marketing, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-southern-queensland-1069">University of Southern Queensland</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sara-quach-175976">Sara Quach</a>, Senior Lecturer in Marketing, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/griffith-university-828">Griffith University</a> Image credits: Shutterstock 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/to-move-or-not-to-move-is-it-cheaper-to-find-a-new-place-or-stay-when-your-rent-increases-by-10-243155">original article</a>.

Money & Banking

How one elderly couple made their big move to Italy

US couple Tony Smarrelli, 74, and his wife, Francine, 75, were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in Venice, Italy when they decided to move to Italy for good. The Smarrelli's, who are retired elementary teachers from New York and both of Italian descent relocated to the picturesque coastal town of Scalea in southern Italy. “We were in St Mark’s Square (in Venice) when a quartet started playing (classic Italian song) Malafemmina,” Tony recalled the day they decided to make the big move. “It brought tears to my eyes, because my father would put on his Italian records every Sunday for dinner and would sing that song to my mother.” Looking to reconnect with their Italian roots, they purchased a 139 metre property with three bedrooms, a dining room and a walk-in-closet for for €150,000 ($A247,754) in November 2023. “We flew to Italy for the second time in 2023 and put an offer in for that home. We then secured our visas in the US in three hours, sold our home (in the US), packed up our belongings and flew back to Italy in December 2023,” Tony said. While their home in the peaceful coastal time was already livable when they bought it, the couple chose to renovate it, spending an extra €80,000 (about $A132,086) to retile the property, add a new plumbing and electric system, as well as two new bathrooms, an entire kitchen, doors, windows and screens. The property was renovated within four-months, and they said that a similar home in the US would have been nearly impossible for them to afford. “It would be easily $US1 ($A1.5) million to $2 million to live on a coast of South California or (a place with) any coastal views on the Eastern Seaboard,” Tony said. Tony's father and grandfather initially immigrated to the US in 1983 to make a better life for themselves, now 86 years later, Tony has returned to his homeland. “Some of my best friends said it takes a lot of guts to pick up and move to another country at 74 years of age. “I tell them it took guts for my father and grandfather to come to another country on a boat for eight weeks with no home, no work, very little money, no resources to make a better life for themselves,” Tony said. “In our modern world, it’s just a lifestyle change and for us, it was a good choice.” The couple said since their big move, they've cut back nearly y $3000 ($A4574) per month on expenses, which amounts to $36,000 ($A54,894) a year. The couple now spends about $1200 ($A1825) a month between the two of them. Back in the US, the couple's mortgage alone was $US1500 per month ($A2281) “Monthly expenses in the US before leaving were between $US4800 to $US5000 a month. In all we are about $US3000 less monthly living here in Italy,” Tony said. Tony plans to apply for an Italian citizenship, and while his father was naturalised as an American citizen before he was born, he plans to rectify this by appealing to a local court. Images: CNN

International Travel

Sam Neill moved to tears by simple question

Sam Neill has unexpectedly broken down in tears over one question posed to him by a university student. The Jurassic Park actor was the surprise guest during the premiere of ABC's new series, The Assembly, based off the UK show which sees high-profile figures being interviewed by a class of university students who are all autistic. The students can ask whatever they want, and one student, Abby brought the actor to tears with her question. “What’s the best lesson you learned from your parents?” she asked. “Ooft, wow. That’s a really interesting question … A really, really interesting question,” Neill replied, before pausing as he began tearing up. “I don’t know why that question has moved me so much, but it has.” The actor then went on to explain that his parents were “of the generation that went through a lot” – including the Great Depression and World War One, in which his maternal grandfather was killed – leaving both his parents “very stoic”. “And I’d done a year of university and I’d done bugger all. I was acting in plays and trying to find a girlfriend, you know … so it came to exam time and I realised I’d done almost no work,” Neill recalled. “It got me very anxious. Anyway, I got home and Mum said, ‘How are you, darling?’ and I said, ‘I think I’m having a breakdown, I’ve got exams in a couple of weeks …’ and she just looked at me and said, ‘Well, you’re just going to have to pull yourself together’.” He continued: “And I think that’s the best lesson I learned from her. Sometimes you just have to pull yourself together. It’s a tough lesson, but a good one – and thank you for that question." Elsewhere during the interview, he also spoke candidly about his recent blood cancer battle, and while he is in remission after a year of chemotherapy, he still requires monthly treatments which he'll have to do for the rest of his life. One student asked him, "what motivated you to keep going, and did you have anyone supporting you through it?” He admitted that while it had been a "pretty brutal" process, he is grateful for all the treatments keeping him alive "and living is much better than the other thing.” Images: ABC

Family & Pets

Hilarious moment King's Guard demands pigeons move from Buckingham Palace

The King's Guard have left royal fans in stitches after a hilarious interaction between two guards and two pesky pigeons has gone viral. The exchange took place outside Buckingham Palace, as the Guards marched out of the gates with a briefcase in hand, holding their signature stern looks. As the Guards progressed, a pair of pigeons stopped in front of them on the pavement, prompting the Guards to bellow "make way" at the birds. Their booming voices startled the birds as they flew away, as the Guards continued down the pavement. The unusual interaction was captured on video and posted to TikTok, where it gained thousands of likes and comments, with many remarking how hilarious it was. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5BwYdaIxPS/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5BwYdaIxPS/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by about.london (@about.ldn)</a> </div> </blockquote> Many were quick to comment on the hilarity of dutiful soldiers yelling at birds with such authority, while another person commented, "How do pigeons behave better than tourists? Incredible." Despite many considering them tourist attractions, the King's Guard consist of elite serving soldiers who are tasked with protecting the monarch's life and properties. The King's Guard are generally not allowed to interact with the public, and have been known to be very vocally aggressive if they get too close or present their bayonets if they become persistent. The soldiers must not let anything distract them from their duties - with toilet breaks banned during two hour shifts - and will march through anyone, or apparently any bird, that gets in their way. Image credits: TikTok

International Travel

Christina Applegate's Emmy’s appearance moves audience to tears

Christina Applegate has moved audiences to tears after making a courageous appearance at the Emmy Awards. Applegate announced at the beginning of 2023 that she would be taking a step back from acting after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), with the disease making a drastic impact on her life. Now, the 52-year-old took to the stage, supported by a cane, at the Peacock Theatre in downtown Los Angeles on Monday night, with the crowd rising to their feet in a round of applause. Applegate immediately began to tear up as she leaned on host Anthony Anderson for support, telling the audience, “I’m gonna cry more than I’ve been crying.” <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jOJNgHgKnFs?si=Y8K-e2H8gFq1Pr0u" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> Keeping her sense of humour, she said to the sea of celebrity faces, “Thank you so much! Oh my God! You’re totally shaming me (and my) disability by standing up.” Applegate presented the award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, with the award going to Ayo Edebiri for her role in The Bear. The heartfelt moment of the standing ovation was shared on X, with fans saying, “She deserves that ovation and more.” The iconic actress has been candid about her battle with MS since she was first diagnosed in 2021, keeping her fans updated as her illness progressed. In 2023, Applegate told Vanity Fair that her work on the hit Netflix TV show Dead To Me would be her last as an actor, saying “I can’t even imagine going to set right now.” “I’m probably not going to work on-camera again,” Applegate said at the time, adding that while she loved her cast and crew, working had been a “struggle.” Image credits: Getty Images

Caring

Top 80s songs to get you moving

While the fashion from the 1980s might only come out of the closet for dress up parties these days, the music is still considered some of the best of our time. Especially for music to get you moving. From dance and pop hits to a little rap and rock, it’s got to be one of the most diverse, eclectic and extravagant decades in recent cultural history. Here, we have been busy rifling through the tracks to whittle down a decade of music into 40 of the best tracks to move to. From dancing to exercise, if you want to get up off that couch, these are the songs to hit play on. 1. “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper (1983) 2. “Hit Me with Your Best Shot” by Pat Benatar (1980) 3. “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor (1982) 4. “Love Shack” by The B-52's (1989) 5. “Beat It” by Michael Jackson (1982) 6. “Manic Monday” by The Bangles (1986) 7. “Let's Dance” by David Bowie (1983) 8. “Livin' on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi (1986) 9. “I Love Rock N' Roll” by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts (1982) 10. “Thriller” by Michael Jackson (1982) 11. “Faith” by George Michael (1987) 12. “Jump” by Van Halen (1984) 13. “Don't Stop Believin’" by Journey (1982) 14. “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina & The Waves (1983) 15. “Kiss” by Prince (1986) 16. “Holiday” by Madonna (1983) 17. “Celebration” by Kool and the Gang (1980) 18. “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson (1982) 19. “Love is a Battlefield” by Pat Benatar (1983) 20. “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” by Eurythmics (1983) 21. “White Wedding” by Billy Idol (1982) 22. “Take on Me” by a-ha (1985) 23. “Video Killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles (1981) 24. “Karma Chameleon” by Culture Club (1983) 25. “The Tide is High” by Blondie (1980) 26. “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” by Wham (1984) 27. “Let's Hear It for the Boy” by Deniece Williams (1984) 28. “A Little Respect” by Erasure (1988) 29. “Sweet Child O' Mine” by Guns N' Roses (1987) 30. “Footloose” by Kenny Loggins (1984) 31. “Wild Thing” by Tone-Loc (1989) 32. “Tainted Love” by Soft Cell (1981) 33. “Borderline” by Madonna (1983) 34. “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” by Whitney Houston (1987) 35. “Just Can't Get Enough” by Depeche Mode (1981) 36. “Never Gonna Give You Up” by Rick Astley (1987) 37. “Always Something There to Remind Me” by Naked Eyes (1983) 38. “You Got It (The Right Stuff)” by New Kids on the Block (1988) 39. “It Takes Two” by Rob Base (1988) 40. “Down Under” by Men at Work (1981) Image: Getty

Music

The move to a cashless society isn’t just a possibility, it’s well underway

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/angel-zhong-1204643">Angel Zhong</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a> When was the last time you used cash? For many Australians using cash or even swiping a card has become a rare event. The move towards a cashless society started 50 years ago with the introduction of the Bankcard and was driven by technological advancements. But it really took off with the COVID pandemic when consumers and retailers were reluctant to handle potentially infected notes and coins. The federal government last week underscored its recognition of this trend by <a href="https://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/jim-chalmers-2022/media-releases/modernising-payments-regulation">unveiling reforms</a> to regulate digital payment providers. Treasurer Jim Chalmers said: "As payments increasingly become digital, our payments system needs to remain fit for purpose so that it delivers for consumers and small businesses. We want to make sure the shift to digital payments occurs in a way that promotes greater competition, innovation and productivity across our entire economy." From big cities to remote rural corners the shift towards digital payments is evident. This raises the question, is a cashless society inevitable? <h2>The phenomenal growth of the digital payments</h2> The convenience of digital transactions has become irresistible for consumers and businesses and has led to the sector eclipsing traditional payment methods. The relentless march of technology has produced myriad innovative platforms from mobile wallets to buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) schemes, each vying for a piece of this burgeoning market. A recent <a href="https://www.ausbanking.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Bank-On-It-%E2%80%93-Customer-Trends-2023-1.pdf">report</a> by the Australian Banking Association paints a vivid picture of the digital payment industry’s explosive expansion. The use of digital wallet payments on smartphones and watches has soared from $746 million in 2018 to over $93 billion in 2022. Cash only accounts for 13% of consumer payments in Australia as of the end of 2022, a stark contrast to 70% in 2007. Digital wallets are popular with most age groups. Young Australians aged between 18 and 29 are leading the pack, with two thirds <a href="https://www.rba.gov.au/publications/bulletin/2023/jun/consumer-payment-behaviour-in-australia.html">using digital wallets</a> to pay for goods and services. About <a href="https://www.ausbanking.org.au/almost-40-leave-wallets-at-home/">40% of Australians</a> are comfortable leaving home without their actual wallets or even credit or debit cards, as long as they have their mobile devices with digital wallets. The astonishing speed at which Australians have embraced digital payments places the country among the top users of cashless payments globally, surpassing the United States and European countries. Digital wallets are not the only players in this space. The use of BNPL products is also growing rapidly in Australia, which was where many of the large-scale products in this category started. The Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) reports the total value of all BNPL transactions increased by <a href="https://asic.gov.au/regulatory-resources/find-a-document/reports/rep-672-buy-now-pay-later-an-industry-update/">79% in the 2018–19 financial year</a>. This continues into 2022 with an annual growth beyond 30% according to the <a href="https://www.rba.gov.au/publications/annual-reports/psb/2022/the-evolving-retail-payments-landscape.html">Reserve Bank of Australia</a> (RBA). PayID and PayPal payments are also claiming their shares in this space. <h2>Are government regulations necessary?</h2> The government’s planned regulation of the system, contained in amendments to the Reforms to the Payment Systems (Regulation) Act 1998, is a big step towards establishing a secure and trustworthy cashless society in Australia. It will subject BNPL and digital wallet service providers like Apple Pay and Google Pay to the same oversight by the RBA as traditional credit and debit cards. The regulations will require providers meet clear standards for security measures, data protection and dispute resolution to give Australians confidence their funds and personal information are safeguarded. With increasing concern over cyber attacks, the regulations will help reduce the risk of fraudulent activities and money laundering and help identify suspicious transactions, maintaining the integrity of the financial system. Also, regulation will promote fair competition and market stability by levelling the playing field and by preventing monopolies. While banks support the forthcoming regulation, new market players are less positive. For example, Apple Pay says it is merely <a href="https://www.afr.com/companies/financial-services/new-rba-powers-to-regulate-apple-google-payments-20231010-p5eb6d">providing technical architecture</a> rather than payment services. The current regulatory debate is not new. When credit cards made their debut in Australia in the early 1970s, there were hardly any safeguards for consumers. This led to card users being hit with high interest rates on money owed, sneaky fees and aggressive marketing tactics. Consequently, regulations were introduced to hold card providers to a standard of responsible behaviour. Today, they must openly disclose interest rates, fees and charges, and follow stringent guidelines in advertising their products and services. Regulating digital wallet providers strikes a crucial balance between innovation and accountability, ensuring life-changing technology continues to serve the public interest. The shift towards a cashless society in Australia isn’t just a possibility, it’s already well underway. The blend of technological advancements, changing consumer preferences and regulatory adaptations has set the stage for this transformation. The new regulations will help Australians navigate this transition more confidently.<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/215446/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/angel-zhong-1204643">Angel Zhong</a>, Associate Professor of Finance, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a> Image credits: Getty Images 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/the-move-to-a-cashless-society-isnt-just-a-possibility-its-well-underway-215446">original article</a>.

Money & Banking

"Totally insensitive": Kate Middleton slammed for "hypocritical" move

Kate Middleton has come under fire after using a taxpayer-funded helicopter to travel a short distance for an offical royal engagement. On Monday, the Princess of Wales travelled to the Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton by helicopter, while the journey by car would've taken just under two hours. She visited the airfield as Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm, an honorary title given to her by King Charles. After news of her mode of travel hit social media, many were quick to slam her decision to use the helicopter, given the royal family's preaching about protecting the environment against climate change. Anti-monarchists took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their frustrations with the "hypocrisy". One person wrote, "She could have gone by car. About two hours from Windsor. But instead flies by helicopter for an entirely pointless visit." Many others agreed, with one user writing, "What about climate change, didn’t Charlie also use a private jet this week to fly people to meet him .. do what I say, not do what I do." "While her husband preaches to the rest of us about the environment," another added. "Ahhh the Uber Helicopter again! And it costs the taxpayer £5,000 [A$9,600] each time!" a third pointed out. "We pay for their travel so they take advantage!" another user said. "Use a car, Kate!" someone else begged. "More climate change hypocrisy," one annoyed user wrote. "A waste of taxpayers money... not to mention the carbon footprint of her trip," yet another said. Others labelled the Princess of Wales as "totally insensitive" and "disgusting" for choosing not to drive, given Prince William's dedication to climate change efforts. The uproar comes after a new poll revealed the British public believes Prince William and Kate need to work harder before they rise to the throne. Image credits: Getty Images

Travel Trouble

What is cognitive functional therapy? How can it reduce low back pain and get you moving?

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/peter-osullivan-48973">Peter O'Sullivan</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/curtin-university-873">Curtin University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jp-caneiro-1463060">JP Caneiro</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/curtin-university-873">Curtin University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/mark-hancock-1463059">Mark Hancock</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/macquarie-university-1174">Macquarie University</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/peter-kent-1433302">Peter Kent</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/curtin-university-873">Curtin University</a> If you haven’t had lower back pain, it’s likely you know someone who has. It affects <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22231424/">around 40% of adults</a> in any year, ranging from adolescents to those in later life. While most people recover, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29112007/">around 20%</a> go on to develop chronic low back pain (lasting more than three months). There is a <a href="https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/54/12/698">common view</a> that chronic low back pain is caused by permanent tissue damage including “wear and tear”, disc degeneration, disc bulges and arthritis of the spine. This “damage” is often described as resulting from injury and loading of the spine (such as bending and lifting), ageing, poor posture and weak “core” muscles. We’re often told to “protect” our back by sitting tall, bracing the core, keeping a straight back when bending and lifting, and avoiding movement and activities that are painful. Health practitioners often <a href="https://theconversation.com/having-good-posture-doesnt-prevent-back-pain-and-bad-posture-doesnt-cause-it-183732">promote and reinforce these messages</a>. But this is <a href="https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/54/12/698">not based on evidence</a>. An emerging treatment known as <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29669082/">cognitive functional therapy</a> aims to help patients undo some of these unhelpful and restrictive practices, and learn to trust and move their body again. <h2>People are often given the wrong advice</h2> People with chronic back pain are often referred for imaging scans to detect things like disc degeneration, disc bulges and arthritis. But these findings are very common in people without low back pain and research shows they <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24276945/">don’t accurately predict</a> a person’s current or future experience of pain. Once serious causes of back pain have been ruled out (such as cancer, infection, fracture and nerve compression), there is <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27745712/">little evidence</a> scan findings help guide or improve the care for people with chronic low back pain. In fact, scanning people and telling them they have arthritis and disc degeneration can <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33748882/">frighten them</a>, resulting in them avoiding activity, worsening their pain and distress. It can also lead to potentially harmful treatments such as <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27213267/">opioid</a> pain medications, and invasive treatments such as spine <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19127161/">injections</a>, spine <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12709856/">surgery</a> and battery-powered electrical stimulation of spinal nerves. <h2>So how should low back pain be treated?</h2> A complex range of factors <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29112007/">typically contribute</a> to a person developing chronic low back pain. This includes over-protecting the back by avoiding movement and activity, the belief that pain is related to damage, and negative emotions such as pain-related fear and anxiety. Addressing these factors in an individualised way is <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29573871/">now considered</a> best practice. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15936976/">Best practice care</a> also needs to be person-centred. People suffering from chronic low back pain want to be heard and validated. They <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35384928/">want</a> to understand why they have pain in simple language. They want care that considers their preferences and gives a safe and affordable pathway to pain relief, restoring function and getting back to their usual physical, social and work-related activities. An example of this type of care is cognitive functional therapy. <h2>What is cognitive functional therapy?</h2> <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29669082/">Cognitive functional therapy</a> is about putting the person in the drivers’ seat of their back care, while the clinician takes the time to guide them to develop the skills needed to do this. It’s led by physiotherapists and can be used once serious causes of back pain have been ruled out. The therapy helps the person understand the unique contributing factors related to their condition, and that pain is usually not an accurate sign of damage. It guides patients to relearn how to move and build confidence in their back, without over-protecting it. It also addresses other factors such as sleep, relaxation, work restrictions and engaging in physical activity based on the <a href="https://www.restorebackpain.com/patient-journey">person’s preferences</a>. Cognitive functional therapy usually involves longer physiotherapy sessions than usual (60 minutes initially and 30-45 minute follow-ups) with up to seven to eight sessions over three months and booster sessions when required. <h2>What’s the evidence for this type of therapy?</h2> Our recent clinical trial of cognitive functional therapy, published in <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(23)00441-5/fulltext">The Lancet</a>, included 492 people with chronic low back pain. The participants had pain for an average of four years and had tried many other treatments. We first trained 18 physiotherapists to competently deliver cognitive functional therapy across Perth and Sydney over six months. We compared the therapy to the patient’s “usual care”. We found large and sustained improvements in function and reductions in pain intensity levels for people who underwent the therapy, compared with those receiving usual care. The effects remained at 12 months, which is unusual in low back pain trials. The effects of most recommended interventions such as exercise or psychological therapies are <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34580864/">modest in size</a> and tend to be of <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32794606/">short duration</a>. People who underwent cognitive functional therapy were also more confident, less fearful and had a more positive mindset about their back pain at 12 months. They also liked it, with 80% of participants satisfied or highly satisfied with the treatment, compared with 19% in the usual care group. The treatment was as safe as usual care and was also cost-effective. It saved more than A$5,000 per person over a year, largely due to increased participation at work. <h2>What does this mean for you?</h2> This trial shows there are safe, relatively cheap and effective treatments options for people living with chronic pain, even if you’ve tried other treatments without success. <a href="https://www.restorebackpain.com/cft-clinicians">Access to clinicians</a> trained in cognitive functional therapy is currently limited but will expand as training is scaled up. The costs depend on how many sessions you have. Our studies show some people improve a lot within two to three sessions, but most people had seven to eight sessions, which would cost around A$1,000 (aside from any Medicare or private health insurance rebates). <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/207009/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/peter-osullivan-48973">Peter O'Sullivan</a>, Professor of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/curtin-university-873">Curtin University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jp-caneiro-1463060">JP Caneiro</a>, Research Fellow in physiotherapy, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/curtin-university-873">Curtin University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/mark-hancock-1463059">Mark Hancock</a>, Professor of Physiotherapy, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/macquarie-university-1174">Macquarie University</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/peter-kent-1433302">Peter Kent</a>, Adjunct Associate Professor of Physiotherapy, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/curtin-university-873">Curtin University</a> Image credits: Shutterstock 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/what-is-cognitive-functional-therapy-how-can-it-reduce-low-back-pain-and-get-you-moving-207009">original article</a>.

Body

The 10 step process to get moving and keep moving for a healthier you

Looking at the <a href="https://mind.uci.edu/research-studies/90plus-study/">research</a>, especially around longevity, the answer to a healthier you lies in the way we live. It’s really about the choices we make every day and the little things we do that accumulate to form the larger picture. If we look around, our lifestyles are full and quite sedentary. We run busy schedules, we work long hours and have many commitments that leave us with little to no time to be active. We spend all day at a desk to then go home and relax, sitting some more, this time on the couch. We need to move more. It is really that simple. Life quality goes hand in hand with being (and keeping) active. When I work with my clients to help them uncover their inner athlete, I follow a 10 step process that helps them shift perspective and move from a short term fix to a framework that lasts the test of time. At the heart of this process is the belief that everyone can learn these steps and create their very own formula, embracing what works for them and them alone. Let’s take a look: 1) Rediscover Think back to a time when being active was second nature to you, something you would just do. Follow the clues that lit you up to understand where your passions lie. Your past is the teacher that can help you rekindle your love of movement. 2) Driving Forces Your beliefs, your values as well as those little things that warm your heart and make you smile carry great power and meaning. They can ignite a spark in you so use them to drive change. 3) Athletic Mindset What goes on between your ears is the difference between being active and letting gravity pull you back down to the couch. Look at your mindset, the way you talk to yourself and the questions you ask. The aim is to remove internal hurdles to help you stay on track. 4) Your Why Think of who you want to become and why. Your why will give you strong roots to weather the storms and a reason to keep moving. 5) Realistic Goals When you work towards a realistic goal you automatically bring order into your life. Structure fosters change and tightens our priorities. 6) Energy Boost To bring about change you require energy. There are 5 elements you can tweak (one at a time and gradually) to boost your energy: food, sleep, breath work, timing and movement. 7) Maximum performance It takes time to develop the skills that go hand in hand with an active lifestyle. The secret is to make your movement incremental, follow your pace (slow burn it) and be deliberate in what you do. 8) Rituals and routines How you greet the morning determines the flavour of every day. Slowly build habits that keep you hungry for more and align with the person you want to become. 9) Recognise Progress Recognising your progress helps you shift perspective and understand that every journey has its setbacks. In life’s transitions you are still moving forward and your focus is now the long game. 10) Celebrate the Wins Take time to pat yourself on the back, celebrate you and how far you’ve come. Lightness and laughter are key ingredients in building momentum. There will be bumps along the way. Nothing is a straight line. Moving challenges every aspect of your being: the physical, the emotional and the cognitive. But to make the change you have all you need inside of you. Enjoy the ripple effects that moment brings into your life. Be playful, creative and make it your own. Dr Brett Lillie, author of Rediscover Your Athlete Within, is a sought-after speaker, coach and rehab professional who helps people rekindle their love for movement and find their mojo so they can live their best life. To find out more about Dr Brett’s programs, go to his website www.brettlillie.com Image credits: Getty Images

Body

“I want to move on”: Rod Stewart announces the end of an era

After more than six decades establishing himself as a legend in the wide world of rock’n’roll, Rod Stewart has announced that he’ll be taking things in a whole new direction. The British music star was chatting to host of BBC Breakfast, Charlie Stayt, when he made the revelation in response to a comment about how “rock stars are performing into incredible ages now.” “I am actually stopping,” Stewart declared, before going on to share that “I’m not retiring, but I want to move on.” He noted that he’d enjoyed “great success” with his album, It Had to Be You: The Great American Songbook, and that he’d “just done a swing album with Jools Holland” that is set to release in 2024. “So,” he said, “I want to go in that direction.” The 78 year old had more to say on the matter, offering more in the way of an explanation to fans who may still be struggling to come to terms with his decision when he said, “I just want to leave all the rock’n’roll stuff behind. For a while, maybe. “Everything has to come to an end sooner or later.” Stewart, who was joined by Boy George for the interview ahead of their tour together, also shed some light into his immediate plans after his 2023 tour, telling Stayt that he was “really looking forward to doing something else, especially singing with Jools’ band.” “It borders on rock‘n’roll anyway,” he noted, “it’s just not ‘Maggie May’ and ‘Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?’” <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> 'Everything has to come to an end sooner or later' Singer Rod Stewart has told <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BBCBreakfast?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BBCBreakfast</a> he's giving up rock and roll as he prepares to go on tour with Boy George<a href="https://t.co/Y29oI6E5Pk">https://t.co/Y29oI6E5Pk</a> <a href="https://t.co/odrQmQkOlT">pic.twitter.com/odrQmQkOlT</a> — BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCBreakfast/status/1667049131867529217?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 9, 2023</a></blockquote> And while some fans of the singer weren’t immediately onboard with the change of tune, others were supportive, taking to social media to share their well wishes ahead of Stewart’s new venture. “Good for him - I loved the American Songbook album,” a fan wrote. “Something to look forward to- Love them both,” another shared. One user took the opportunity to reflect on Stewart’s career so far, writing, “he put on AMAZING shows! Saw him first in 1975, and three others before 2010. He really could blow!!!” And another followed suit, telling the others that “I would HAPPILY hit a Rod Stewart convert just to hear him play his Great American Songbook tracks. Just loved it when he did those tunes. I like all of it! Look forward to the swing album, too! Music!” Images: BBC Breakfast / Twitter

Music

Jacinda Ardern reveals major career move

Jacinda Arden has revealed an exciting new venture following her departure as New Zealand’s prime minister. Ms Arden, 42, will be heading to Harvard University for a semester, where she plans to engage in "speaking, teaching, and learning”. She has now been appointed to fellowships at the elite US university in leadership and fighting online extremism. “I’m incredibly humbled to be invited to join Harvard University later this year,” she announced on Instagram. Ms Ardern has been named the 2023 Angelopoulos Global Public Leaders Fellow and a Hauser Leader in the Kennedy School’s Center for Public Leadership. She will also be a Knight Tech Governance Leadership Fellow at the Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society, based at Harvard law School. She said that Harvard is an important partner as a special envoy to the Christchurch Call, a commitment she started with French President Emmanuel Macron to fight online extremism following the terrorist attack on two mosques in Christchurch in 2019. During that time she also joined the board of Prime William's conservation-minded Earthshot Prize. In 2022, she delivered the annual commencement speech to graduates, which has previously been delivered by world leaders and distinguished figures such as Winston Churchill, Angela Merkel and Oprah Winfrey. The Call is working with 120 governments worldwide to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online. “My semester there later this year will also be an opportunity to take up the first tech governance leadership fellowship at the Berkman Klien Center,” she wrote in her post. “Not only will this be a chance to work collaboratively with the center’s research community, but also work on the challenges around the growth of generative AI tools.” According to a Harvard statement, “she will study ways to improve content standards and platform accountability for extremist content online, and examine artificial intelligence governance and algorithmic harms.” The fellowships commence in Spring, which Ms Ardern noted would align with voting times for New Zealander. She said she hopes to share her experiences through future exchanges in New Zealand and abroad. As she continues the significant work she started as the world’s youngest female head of government, she said she will set aside time to learn while she’s enrolled in one of the world’s top-ranked universities. “While I’ll be gone for a semester (helpfully the one that falls during the NZ general election!),” she said. “I’ll be coming back at the end of the fellowships. After all, New Zealand is home!” Ms Ardern shocked the world when <a href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/it-s-time-jacinda-ardern-announces-shock-resignation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">she announced in January</a> 2023 that she would not be seeking re-election. She stepped into the role of Labour leader seven weeks out from the 2017 general election after Andrew Little stepped down. Before she was elected to the top office she learned she was pregnant with her first child, which sparked debate surrounding her ability to lead the country with a newborn. She made international headlines during her first time when she was the first female leader to bring an infant into the UN General Assembly. While she delivered her speech, her long-term partner Clarke Gayford cradled three-month-old Neve. Ms Ardern and Mr Gayford are yet to announce a date for their wedding. The pair have been engaged since 2019 and were forced to cancel their wedding due to the pandemic. After she stepped down as New Zealand’s prime minister she was <a href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/chris-hipkins-announced-as-next-prime-minister-of-new-zealand" target="_blank" rel="noopener">replaced by Chris Hipkins</a>. Image credit: Getty

News

Simple yoga moves that help with hand and wrist pain

Tracy Adshead is a yoga teacher specialising in yoga for seniors. She is passionate about bringing healing and healthy ageing to the community. As we age, tendonitis is one of the most common problems associated with the hands and wrists. If you are experiencing pain or having difficulty bending one or more of your fingers normally then you may have a tendon inflammation or irritation. The condition is usually short-lived but because many of our daily activities involve repetitive movements such as knitting, texting or typing, joints can easily become aggravated. Yoga helps us to engage in our daily activities in a less stressful way. We can address the cause of the injury by slowing down and observing our habitual movements, then think about how we can do things differently. <ol> <li>Stop whatever activity triggered the inflammation.</li> <li>After swelling has subsided, rest the hand(s) for 4 – 6 days.</li> </ol> Yoga is best used for helping with the healing process at this point when a very slow range of motion can be performed. Be careful not to stretch the muscles so much that you trigger any pain. This practice should be used to supplement conventional therapy, not replace it: 1. Lift up the injured hand in front of you, if possible straighten out all the fingers, finger-tips pointing towards the ceiling. If the fingers are not able to straighten then just move them to a comfortable position. With a slow count of five, little by little, draw the thumb in towards the palm – it may not touch the palm and that’s fine. Next the index finger for the same count. Repeat for each of the fingers. Open up the hand slowly. Now reverse it, small finger moves first towards the palm for the count of four, then all the rest of the fingers follow, thumb comes last. Open up the hand and repeat once more. 2. Spread all of your fingers out like a starfish. With a slow count of 10, begin to fold all your fingers down, closing the hand down into a fist or as close to. Then slowly, all the way open again spreading the fingers out like a starfish. Repeat five to seven times. When this practice becomes comfortable move into a really active hand movement by speeding up. 3. Bring the palms together into “namaste” or “prayer” position in front of the chest. Press the fingers and palms together as you gently lift up your elbows and stretch your wrists. Inhale, lift the elbows up for the count of three. Exhale, lower the elbows for the count of six. Repeat five times. Consult your doctor before starting any new forms of exercise. Images: Getty

Body

Room to Move: Desperate renters forced into backyard boxes

Victorian tenants have taken desperate measures in their hunt for a home in the midst of a housing crisis, turning to portable rooms set up in their parent’s driveways and backyards. The portables - described as ‘stand-alone separate rooms’ - have been seen across Facebook Marketplace for up to $180 per week, in a time when Melbourne’s median rent has reached $460 each week. The company behind the Room to Move initiative have advertised a 7.2sq m room for $150 per week, and for those seeking a little more wiggle room, a 10.1sq m room is available for $180. However, a minimum hire period of six months applies to both, as well as a bond of $500, and a one-month written notice to end the lease. And for anyone just outside of Melbourne who might be interested, the rooms can be delivered within a three-to-four hour drive from the city - for a fee of $250. The spaces don’t come with bathrooms, but do feature weatherproof electrical sockets that power two double power points, two internal downlights, and a reverse cycle air conditioner. “There’s plenty of demand for people looking for a short term solution for accommodation,” Room to Move co-founder Nick Nottle said of the decision to launch the spaces. “Typically people place [the rooms] in their backyard or on their driveway back off the street a bit.” He noted that the spaces attracted the most attention from renters who were moving back in with family in a bid to save enough for their own house deposit, and that he and business partner Mike Rose launched Room to Move when they noticed a gap in the market, and saw an opportunity for portables that weren’t an eyesore in a residential environment. “Neighbours don’t really complain because people like the look of it,” he said, “it doesn’t look like you’ve just dropped a big shipping container in your backyard.” Beyond desperate renters, however, Nick believes the ‘properties’ also appeal to parents who want something self-contained to get their teenagers out of their hair, as well as having somewhere to house visitors coming from a long way away. And last but not least, according to Nick, “the other group is people using them as an office to work from home, or for studio-type businesses like a lash salon, tattoo parlour or hairdresser - things you can do from home rather than renting a space elsewhere.” Images: Facebook, realestate.com.au

Real Estate

6 household items to complete your space

Forget perfect furnishings and decorations and focus on the household items that are easy to forget. 1. A comfy seat As basic as it sounds, it is definitely a necessity. We all do a lot of sitting at home so make sure you invest in a nice, comfy chair or fold-out sofa that won’t hurt your back. 2. A lamp Power outages can and do happen, so make sure you’re prepared with a torch or solar-powered lamp. You’ll thank yourself during an emergency! 3. A shower curtain Buy a fresh shower curtain and experiment with different colours. You could also match the colour of your shower curtain, towels and floor mat to really bring the room together. 4. A good mattress This one is so obvious, but have you bought the right size? Is it good quality? You spend around a third of your life asleep, so make sure you get a good one. A mattress should be more of an investment than a simple purchase. 5. Kitchen utensils Prepare yourself to cook! Make sure you have a wooden spoon, a spatula and basic cutlery. Invest in a fry pan and some saucepans too. 6. Potted plants Your home is going to feel fresh and healthy with a few indoor plants around. They will help clean the air and add a little style to your room as well. Image credit: Shutterstock

Home & Garden

Planning the move to a retirement village

For many, retirement brings with it a new lease on life – whether that comes in the form of an opportunity to seek fresh challenges, studying something you’ve always been interested in, volunteer, travelling, help looking after your grandchildren or learning new skills. In any case, planning what you want your retirement years to look like is the best way to discover what direction you might like to go in. Planning allows you to be well prepared – both financially and emotionally – and gives you the best chance of achieving the financial security and lifestyle you would like in the years ahead. Ultimately it also gives you the ability to take control of your life. Do it when you are healthy and independent and can make well-informed decisions. Here are some things to consider when you start making plans to move to a retirement village. A time of change Where you live in retirement can greatly affect your quality of life. It is hard to predict what the type of housing that suits you early in your retirement may not suit your needs later. The need to change housing or location can be triggered by changing health needs, the loss of a driver’s licence or the need to be closer to essential services. You may need to occasionally reassess where you are living to see whether it still suits your needs. What are your options? Only you can decide what housing will suit you best but here are some option and issues to consider, whether you choose to stay in your home, or move either to other private accommodation, public housing, a retirement village or nursing home. Location, location, location Before you decide to move, ask yourself the following questions: <ul> <li>What type of accommodation will suit your needs?</li> <li>Where are the shops, support services and transport located?</li> <li>What is the cost of public transport and how accessible is it?</li> <li>How accessible will your family and friends be?</li> <li>Will the activities you enjoy be easily accessible?</li> </ul> Also consider all options before you move to your favourite destination. It can be very different when you are living somewhere rather than just visiting on holiday. Sometimes holiday destinations lack a range of suitable amenities and you could be forced to relocate if your needs change. Retirement villages Retirement villages usually have self-contained units with one or two bedrooms and some communal facilities and regulated by the Retirement Villages Act 2003. While retirement village living does not suit everyone, many people thrive on the companionship and feel safe and secure in the environment. It is important to be fully aware of the economic, legal and lifestyle implications involved in moving to a retirement involved in moving to a retirement village. Some of the issues to consider include: Money wise The earlier you develop a financial plan, the more likely you are to achiever your financial goals and preferred lifestyle in retirement. Do you need a financial advisor? It is worthwhile taking to an experienced and licensed financial advisor to review your total financial status and offer advice about what might make your assets work for you in the best way, taking into consideration your income, goals, objectives and attitude towards financial risk. Images: Shutterstock

Retirement Life

“I haven’t been able to move": Home and Away star's debilitating condition

Former Home and Away actress Sophie Dillman has opened up about the debilitating pain she suffers as she battles with endometriosis. The star took to Instagram to share the realities of her condition with two drastically different photos. “Endometriosis can look like this or this depending on the day,” her caption began. In one photo, the actress can be seen smiling and posing for photos at an event. In the second photo, Dillman is pictured lying on the floor with a hot water bottle on her stomach. “I haven’t been able to move from the floor this morning because it’s too painful to even walk around the house,” she said. “But then some days it doesn’t affect me at all. I don’t know when the pain or swelling or nausea will start or end,” she wrote. She then goes on to share that “the unknown is heartbreaking,” and gives a shout out to those who support their loved ones on the days they can’t get up. “We need more research, funding and answers. F***. Endo,” she ended her caption tagging <a href="https://www.endometriosisaustralia.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Endometriosis Australia</a>. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CqP_7wyIqYn/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CqP_7wyIqYn/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Sophie Dillman (@sophiedillman)</a> </div> </blockquote> Dillman is one of nine women who suffer from endometriosis, which is when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the womb, and it’s a chronic disease without a known cure. One option to reduce the pain is a laparoscopy- where a tiny camera is sent into the pelvic region to investigate and “remove any of the tissue that’s causing pain”. Dillman has said that she’s undergone three of these surgeries and said that she has “a lot of tissue that they can’t remove because it’s in the lining of my various organs”. “It’s exhausting and painful and ... sometimes awkward and it sucks,” she said, adding that the surgery does not address her situation. “So it seems that it will be something I will have to continuously do throughout my life,” she added. Bindi Irwin is another woman who suffered from endometriosis, and just this month she opened up about <a href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/caring/how-did-you-live-with-this-much-pain-bindi-irwin-hospitalised" target="_blank" rel="noopener">her experience and the surgery</a> she undertook. Dillman hopes to raise awareness around the stigmas surrounding the condition that stops women talking about it or seeking help. The actress hopes that she can use her platform with almost 300,000 followers, and her role as an ambassador for Endometriosis Australia to continue educating others. Image: Getty

Body

5 key things you need to consider before downsizing

Retirement is a time of change, and it can be a change of address too. Many pre-retirees consider making a sea change or a tree change and make the decision to move into a property that better meets their changing lifestyle needs. Often the move is out of a larger family home into a smaller house, an apartment, or a retirement village. Of course it doesn’t need to be a change of suburb, it might be something smaller in the same area. Like all decisions, your own goals about moving homes should be front and centre. There is a financial planning opportunity associated with a decision like this and it’s one that many Australians are making. It’s called the downsizing contribution strategy and it allows you to use superannuation to help you fund your retirement lifestyle using proceeds from the property sale. The good news is that you don’t have to use all of the proceeds from the sale of the family home into a superannuation downsizer contribution. You get to choose how much you’d like to contribute, up to $300,000 for singles and $300,000 each for couples. There are 5 key things you should consider before you make a decision to use the downsizing contribution strategy. 1. What type of property and which suburb will you downsize to? Many people approaching retirement don’t want to be rattling around in a larger family home. So if you do look for something smaller, what type of property and which suburb will you move to? Some key considerations may include: · Proximity to family and friends · The distance to essential services you use, shopping and medical services · Availability of public transport · Accessibility of lifestyle activities such as golf, tennis courts, swimming · The type of property itself, perhaps single level with no stairs Many city dwellers who choose the sea or tree change often take what they have for granted so if you’re moving to a region, make sure you do your homework to ensure you will have everything you need. 2. Check your eligibility to ensure this strategy is open to you In addition to finding your next home, you should also make sure you understand and follow the rules the government has set out about using the downsizer contribution strategy. There are always rules! Check the eligibility requirements to make sure it’s available to you, including completing the right paperwork at the right time. Originally this was only open to those aged 60 or over from 1 July 2022, however the government has now lowered the accessibility age to those aged 55 and over from 1 January 2023. Other conditions apply too so ensure you meet them to ensure you’re eligible for this financial planning strategy. 3. Make the most of your contribution options. The downsizer contribution allows an individual to make a $300,000 contribution to your super. And if you’re a couple, you each can make a $300,000 contribution. With the focus on getting money into your super to fund your retirement life, remember that you may also make a non-concessional contribution of up to $330,000 (total super balance permitting). This way you can maximise the base from which a tax free income stream may be commenced or equalise the value of accounts if one member is over the transfer balance cap. Remember that you can also make a downsizer contribution if you have reached your transfer balance cap of $1.7 million. 4. Ensure the strategy is considered with Centrelink. For many Australians, Centrelink provides an important source of income for their retirement and it makes sense to consider this strategy in the context of your eligibility for that income. The money you receive from the sale of your family home will be considered when determining your entitlements. Your new home however, the one you downsize to, becomes exempt once you have purchased it. This is because it becomes your primary residence. 5. Don’t forget about the other ways you can contribute to super. The downsizing contribution strategy is just one way you can contribute to super. There are other ways you can contribute too. An example is making a personal deductible contribution to super. Through this type of contribution, you make your contribution, and you claim a tax deduction when you get your tax return completed. Downsizer super contributions don’t allow you to claim a tax deduction. Make sure you consider all of your options when making super contributions and assess the pros and cons of each. There is a lot to consider when making the decision to downsize your family home and it’s not just about where you want to live next. The downsizer contribution strategy is a great way to get extra money from the sale of your family home to fund your retirement lifestyle. Make sure you understand your financial planning options though, before making a decision, to be more confident that you will achieve the outcomes that you’re seeking. No one likes surprises around unexpected outcomes, so do your homework and seek advice from a licensed financial planner if you need help. 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. Found out more at <a href="http://www.thestrategystacker.com.au/">www.thestrategystacker.com.au</a> Image credit: Getty

Downsizing

Woman slammed for asking disabled man to move on the bus

A woman has been slammed online for asking a disabled man on a bus to move so that she and her daughter could sit together. The 32-year-old mother took to Reddit’s “Am I The A**hole?” platform to ask social media users if she was in the wrong. In the post, she wrote that her and her five-year-old daughter boarded the bus at a “busy stop”, noting that “there were no empty seats available, except for one near a person using a wheelchair” – who she described as a man aged about 40. “I asked the person if [he] could move [his] wheelchair to another spot so that my daughter and I could sit together, but the person declined,” she wrote. The man in the wheelchair responded to her request and said no, saying he needed the space for his “mobility device”. “I was taken aback and frustrated by his response,” she wrote. She told the man that her daughter “was very young and needed to sit next to me for safety reasons” – yet the person still “refused to move”. “I ended up having to stand for the entire ride with my daughter in tow, which was uncomfortable and tiring for both of us,” she said. The woman recalled how she told her friend about the public transport incident, to which her friend told her she was being “insensitive and ableist”. The writer’s friend told her “that the person in the wheelchair had a right to the space” he needed, and “that it was unfair” of her to ask the man in the wheelchair to move on such a crowded bus. “Now, I’m questioning whether or not I was wrong for asking the person to move,” the mother concluded her post. The post, which has racked up thousands of comments, was flooded by horrified users questioning how someone could ask a disabled person to move out of their designated space. “Imagine being so entitled that you genuinely think standing up on your perfectly good, working legs is so awful and tiring that you ask someone who is physically unable to stand to get out of your way,” one person wrote. “The five-year-old could have just stood. Seriously, when did five-year-olds become so fragile that they can’t stand for a bus trip. Parenting like this damages children. They are being taught that they are pathetic,” someone else wrote. Another person defended the mum’s insistence that her daughter be able to sit down for the bus ride. “It’s about safety. Children can easily fall in buses because they can’t reach the places to hold onto, since those are made for adults,” they wrote. But others who “used to take the bus a lot” declared that “mothers with kids are the most entitled bus users [that] exist”. “One can only hope [the woman] comes to realise how lucky she is she can even stand and walk without any trouble at all, and that the next time there are no seats on the bus, she would just suck it up for a few minutes of the ride,” one wrote. Image credits: Getty Images

Caring

Should we move our loved one with dementia into a nursing home? 6 things to consider when making this tough decision

Almost <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/dementia/dementia-in-aus/contents/summary">400,000</a> Australians are living with dementia. A million or more family members and friends care for and support them. About two-thirds of people with dementia live in the community. Deciding to move a loved one into a nursing home is an incredibly difficult one. I found it difficult and stressful considering this move for my own loved one, even with 20 years of experience in dementia and aged care. Sometimes the decision has to be made quickly, such as when the person is in hospital. Sometimes the decision takes much longer and is made over months, or even years. There are some important things you should consider when trying to decide the best option for you and your loved one. I’ve outlined six here. <h2>1. Your loved ones’ views around going into care</h2> We don’t want to force our loved one to do something against their wishes. It’s unusual for someone to want to go into a nursing home. It may take many conversations and a decent amount of time before your loved one accepts they might need more care and that a nursing home is the right place to get that care. <h2>2. Your loved one’s current quality of life</h2> If you think your loved one has an overall good quality of life, and that their quality of life may decrease when they go into a nursing home, this could be a sign you should keep trying to support the person to live at home. However, if their quality of life is currently poor, particularly if this is due to not having enough day-to-day physical care, health care or emotional support, then moving into a nursing home might help meet their daily needs. Spend some time observing to figure out <a href="https://theconversation.com/home-for-the-holidays-and-worried-about-an-older-relative-make-observations-not-assumptions-173782">how your loved one is doing at home</a>. You could perhaps make a list of the things they need to lead a good life (company, three square meals, help taking medicines, going out into the community) and see if these are currently being met. <h2>3. Risks if your loved one stays at home</h2> People often <a href="https://bmcgeriatr.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2318-7-13">go into a nursing home</a> because we think they are no longer safe living at home. It might be possible to reduce some of the risks of them being at home through <a href="https://www.enablingenvironments.com.au/home.html">modifying the home</a> and <a href="https://www.alzheimerswa.org.au/about-dementia/living-well-dementia/assistive-technology-help-sheets/">using technology</a>(personal emergency alarms, GPS trackers, stove timers) or services (meals on wheels, community care, physiotherapy for mobility). <h2>4. Capacity of your loved one’s family and friends to keep supporting them</h2> The availability and capacity of family carers is probably the most crucial part in supporting someone with dementia to keep living well at home. Carers often have other responsibilities such as work and children, which means they can’t support their loved one as much as they would like. Being a carer is physically and emotionally demanding, and over time caring can take its toll. Carers should seek help and support from other family and friends, learn more about <a href="https://forwardwithdementia.au/">dementia</a>, use services including <a href="https://theconversation.com/respite-care-can-give-carers-a-much-needed-break-but-many-find-accessing-it-difficult-183976">respite care</a> and <a href="https://www.dementia.org.au/support">Dementia Australia</a>. Carers often face a difficult choice between their own health and wellbeing, and supporting their loved one to remain at home. If carers are caring as much as their time, energy and physical and mental wellbeing will allow, and that care is not enough for their loved one’s needs, then more help is needed – and residential care is one way of getting that help. <h2>5. Alternatives to nursing home care</h2> Community care services are government-subsidised services to support older people to keep living at home. You can get up to 14 hours of care a week depending on need, though there is an assessment process and often a waiting time for services. You can pay for community care privately as well, although this can be very expensive. An <a href="https://www.cota.org.au/information/aged-care-navigators/who-can-use-aged-care-navigator-services/">Aged Care Navigator</a> (or from 2023 an “aged care finder”) can help you search for suitable available home care services. Some families choose to move in with the person with dementia, or have them move in with family. This may be an option if there is suitable accommodation, and they are able to live together comfortably. <h2>6. Availability of quality nursing home care</h2> It’s emotionally easier to place a loved one in a nursing home if carers are confident the home will provide suitable care. Often, family want a nursing home that is geographically close so they can visit, has a suitable room (such as a single room with an ensuite), sufficient and kind staff with training in supporting people with dementia, a pleasant environment, nutritious appealing food, and quality clinical care. It takes time to visit and pick a <a href="https://theconversation.com/when-choosing-a-nursing-home-check-the-clothing-and-laundry-100727">suitable nursing home</a>, check it’s appropriately <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-to-check-if-your-mum-or-dads-nursing-home-is-up-to-scratch-123449">accredited</a>, and understand how much it will <a href="https://theconversation.com/so-youre-thinking-of-going-into-a-nursing-home-heres-what-youll-have-to-pay-for-114295">cost</a>. You might have to wait for a bed in a quality home. You can often trial the nursing home by having your loved one stay for two weeks of respite care. When your loved one enters nursing home care, you’ll still be caring for them. You want to ensure you can continue to support your loved one emotionally and practically in partnership with the nursing home. <h2>Getting help</h2> Usually there is no “right” or “wrong” decision. You might struggle and there might be family conflict around what the “right” decision is. Speaking to a counsellor at <a href="https://www.dementia.org.au/support/counselling">Dementia Australia</a> might help work through the options and your feelings, you can talk to them as an individual or attend as a family. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/should-we-move-our-loved-one-with-dementia-into-a-nursing-home-6-things-to-consider-when-making-this-tough-decision-189770" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

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“I haven’t been able to move": Home and Away star's debilitating condition

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Should we move our loved one with dementia into a nursing home? 6 things to consider when making this tough decision