Search

Escape to the Country host dies aged 50

British TV presenter Jonnie Irwin has passed away aged 50 following a battle with terminal cancer. Irwin was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2020, when the disease spread from his lungs to his brain. He was initially given just six months to live, but managed to defy the odds and made his illness public after two years of keeping it a secret. The TV presenter rose to fame in the UK for his roles on shows including A Place in the Sun and Escape to the Country. A statement was shared to Instagram on Friday announcing his death, where he was described as "a truly remarkable soul." "It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of Jonnie’s passing," the statement began. "A truly remarkable soul, he fought bravely against cancer with unwavering strength and courage. Jonnie touched the lives of so many with his kindness, warmth, and infectious spirit." “At this time, we kindly ask for the privacy of Jonnie’s family as they navigate through this profound loss," the statement continued. “Their grief is immeasurable, and your thoughts, prayers, and support are deeply appreciated. As we remember the beautiful moments shared with Jonnie, let us celebrate a life well-lived and a legacy that will forever be etched in our hearts.” “Jonnie may be gone from our sight, but his love, laughter, and memories will live on. Rest in peace, dear Jonnie. You will be dearly missed, but never forgotten.” <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/C22vrMPCwmB/?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/C22vrMPCwmB/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Jonnie Irwin (@jonnieirwintv)</a> </div> </blockquote> Following his death, BBC have paid tribute to the fallen host and described him as an “extraordinary man and wonderful presenter”. “He brought such warmth and fun to Escape To The Country where he was a firm favourite with not just viewers, but the production team too," head of BBC daytime Rob Unsworth said. “More recently, he did some truly inspirational reports for Morning Live about his illness, tackling taboos around end-of-life care and wonderfully demonstrating the limitless positivity that he brought to everything he did.” Irwin’s longtime co-star Jasmine Harman, also shared a tribute on Instagram. “I have never admired you more than over the last few years as you’ve faced life with cancer with positivity, determination and bloody mindedness,” she wrote. “The world is a little darker today without you, but I will always smile when I think of you.” Irwin is survived by his wife Jessica and their three children, Rex, five and three-year-old twins Rafa and Cormac. Image: Instagram

Caring

"Devastating blow": Back to the Future star's tragic family news

Back to the Future star Lea Thompson, renowned for her role as Lorraine, the endearing mother of Michael J. Fox's iconic character, Marty McFly, has recently shared some deeply saddening family news. The 62-year-old actress opened up about her personal struggle, revealing that both of her older brothers have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease within a few months of each other. This announcement resonated profoundly with her fans and followers, especially given Michael J. Fox's well-known battle with the condition since his diagnosis in 1991 at the tender age of 29. In an emotionally charged Instagram post, Thompson shared her family's ordeal, writing, "Both of my beloved exceptional big brothers have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s within a few months of each other. It was such a devastating blow." She went on to describe how the disease had stealthily crept into their lives, noting that her brothers had been displaying signs of slowing down, but the true nature of their condition hadn't been immediately apparent. Fortunately, their early diagnosis, made possible by the diligent efforts of researchers supported by the Michael J. Fox Foundation, has offered them access to medications and tools that have significantly improved their quality of life. Accompanying her heartfelt message, Thompson posted pictures of herself with her two brothers during a day of golf, capturing a precious family moment. Another poignant photo showed her brothers with their arms wrapped around each other. <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/Cyz8bCxO9GF/?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/Cyz8bCxO9GF/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Lea Thompson (@lea_thompson)</a> </div> </blockquote> Thompson's dedication to raising awareness and support for Parkinson's research was evident when she expressed feeling "honoured" to be part of a "public service announcement" for the Michael J. Fox Foundation's gala, sharing a behind-the-scenes photo from the campaign. She also expressed gratitude for the support of scientists, philanthropists, and her "movie son", Michael J. Fox, who has been an unwavering advocate for Parkinson's research. The response from Thompson's fans and followers was heartwarming, as they flocked to the comments section to express their solidarity. Messages of love, hope and empathy poured in from all corners, with many sharing personal connections to Parkinson's disease and the advances in treatment and therapies they have witnessed. Parkinson's disease is a debilitating neurodegenerative condition, and it is the second most common neurological disorder in Australia, with over 100,000 Australians grappling with its impact. Common symptoms include tremors, slowness of movement, and rigidity. Michael J. Fox's diagnosis at the astonishingly young age of 29 stands as a stark reminder of the disease's unpredictable reach, as the average age of diagnosis hovers around 65. Parkinson's disease results from the brain's inability to produce sufficient dopamine, a neurotransmitter vital for controlling movement. Diagnosing Parkinson's is not straightforward; it often relies on clinical evaluation by specialists such as neurologists, who meticulously assess clinical signs and symptoms, as there are no definitive laboratory tests like blood work or brain scans available for diagnosis. Lea Thompson's open acknowledgment of her family's struggle with Parkinson's disease not only shines a light on the challenges faced by those living with the condition but also underscores the importance of continued research and support for those affected. Images: Instagram

Caring

"A true legend": Jane Fonda pegs award at director's head

Film icon Jane Fonda is known to entertain the masses, and her cheeky antics at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival saw her do just that. While hosting Palme d’Or Awards on May 27, Fonda, 85, called up director Justine Triet who had won the award for Anatomy of the Fall, but it was Fonda’s deliverance of said award that had viewers in stitches. The 85-year-old tried to get Triet's attention, but after multiple attempts of calling out to her, Fonda decided to throw the scroll at the director’s back. When the scroll hit Triet on the back of the head and fell to the floor, she didn’t appear to notice. The Book Club star’s unconventional passing of the award sent Twitter users into a frenzy, with many praising her, calling her a “queen” with an “excellent shot.” "A true legend." one person wrote. "This just made my day! 😂😂😂" another said. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> favorite cannes moment is officially jane fonda throwing the palme d'or certificate at justine triet because she forgot to take it <a href="https://t.co/6tv8TEj8zw">pic.twitter.com/6tv8TEj8zw</a> — flo ¨̮ (@astralbarnes) <a href="https://twitter.com/astralbarnes/status/1662568221931601920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 27, 2023</a></blockquote> Fonda hit the red carpet dazzled in black sequins. Her black gown was faired with a chain necklace and matching earrings. The beloved actress has been documenting her Cannes weekend via Instagram, sharing photos of herself with Hollywood greats Eva Longoria and Kate Winslet, as well as a snippet of her accommodation. Fonda’s attendance comes five months into her remission after <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/jane-fonda-reassures-fans-after-cancer-diagnosis" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announcing her non-Hodgkin's lymphoma diagnosis</a> in September 2022. She revealed the happy news on her Instagram, titling it "BEST BIRTHDAY PRESENT EVER!!!" ”Last week I was told by my oncologist that my cancer is in remission and I can discontinue chemo," she wrote. "I am feeling so blessed, so fortunate." Image credit: Getty

Hotel guest wakes to find his toes in the manager’s mouth

A Hilton guest in Nashville has experienced the stuff of nightmares during his overnight stay, having woken in the middle of the night to find the hotel’s manager sucking on his toes. The now-former employee allegedly crept into Peter Brennan’s room using a ‘ghost key card’, according to Brennan’s lawyer, and a warrant has been placed for the arrest of the 52-year-old culprit, David Neal. Brennan is also looking to sue the Hilton Hotel where the incident occurred, WSMV have reported. “I woke up at about 5am,” Brennan explained, “and I was being sexually assaulted by a man who had broken into my room.” Metro police reported that Neal was the night manager at the establishment, and attorney Michael Fisher has claimed that Neal had access to hotel keys despite a criminal past. As court documents note, Neal was previously indicted by the Wilson County Grand Jury in 1996 for second-degree murder in relation to his roommate’s death. In 1997, a jury had found him guilty of manslaughter, while Neal claimed self-defence. And as WKRN have reported, for his 2023 toe sucking offence, Neal allegedly told investigators that he had gone into Brennan’s room without permission using a duplicate key because he could smell smoke and had wanted to check in on its occupant. Brennan, upon waking to find Neal there, confronted his assaulter immediately. He also recognised him as someone who had entered his room the previous day, alongside another hotel employee, to check out a TV issue with the room. "[I] instantly jumped up and was screaming,” he told News Channel 5. “Went into sort of fact-finding mode. ‘Who are you? Why are you in my room? What are you doing here?’ "I could see he was wearing a uniform, he had his name tag on. He was talking to me but not giving me any substantive answers." A spokesperson for the hotel directed the station to the hotel’s local manager for comment, though they refused to comment, telling them that “the safety and security of our guests and team members is our highest priority. We are working closely with the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, and, as part of company policy, we do not comment on ongoing investigations." Which can’t have come as much comfort to Brennan, who was trying to come to terms with what he’d been through, and noted that he was “having problems sleeping frankly, I’m going through some PTSD, talking to a therapist. "I still don’t really feel safe in my own home." Images: Getty

Travel Trouble

How to deep clean your kitchen bin

Cleaning the kitchen bin is household chore that can be easily overlooked until a stench begins to creep into your home. To rid your bin of the odour, follow these deep cleaning steps so that you can have a fresh-smelling and clean kitchen bin. 1. Put on your rubber gloves Cleaning a bin requires you to handle an object that has been full of food scraps and questionable liquids, it is best to wear some rubber gloves to protect you from the germs. 2. Empty the bin Begin by emptying your bin and ensuring that there are no lingering food particles in the bottom. Your main objective is to remove any gunk that can be seen. 3. Wash the bin If you have access to an outside area, take your bin outside and hose it down. If you can only clean your bin indoors, then you can do this in the bathtub. Once the bin has been rinsed, pat it down with paper towel. 4. Spray with disinfectant Using a disinfectant cleaner of your preference, generously spray down the inside and outside of your bin. Also include the top and bottom of the bin as you spray. 5. Scrub the bin Use a toilet brush or other long-handled nylon bristle brush to scrub your bin thoroughly. After you have finished scrubbing all over, let the disinfectant cleaner sit for five minutes. 6. Rinse and dry After the five minutes has passed, rinse the can thoroughly. Depending on what you prefer, let the bin dry in the sun or dry it with a towel. Once you have deep cleaned your bin, maintain your hard work by wiping down the inside and outside of the bin with disinfectant spray every time you empty the trash can. Image credits: Getty Images

Home & Garden

Hit your head while playing sport? Here’s what just happened to your brain

It’s Friday night, your team is playing, and scores are nail-bitingly close. A player intercepts the ball, and bam! A player tackles his opponent to the ground. Trainers and doctors gather nervously while the commentators wait for confirmation: a concussion, mild traumatic brain injury, head knock, strike, tap, bump, blow … there are many terms for it. How to prevent and treat such injuries is the subject to a <a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Community_Affairs/Headtraumainsport">Senate inquiry</a>, with public hearings this week. But what exactly are these injuries? What’s going on in the brain? <h2>What is concussion?</h2> Concussion is a form of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Concussion typically falls at the milder end of the spectrum, and so is often called mild TBI. Concussions happen most often when the head directly hits against something. But it can also happen without head impact, when a blow to the body causes the head to move quickly. The brain is a soft organ in a hard case, floating in a thin layer of <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/cerebrospinal-fluid-csf-analysis/">cerebrospinal fluid</a>. The brain can be damaged away from the site of impact for this reason, as it bounces with force within the skull. Concussions that happen during sport can be complex because the head often rotates as the person falls. This “<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3979340/">rotational acceleration</a>” can cause more damage to the brain. This is especially the case for cells in the long tracts of white matter responsible for relaying signals around the brain. As well as causing initial damage to brain cells at the time of injury, concussion sets off a cascade of <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4479139/">chemical and biological changes</a>. These occur within minutes and may last for days or even weeks after concussion. Cell membranes become permeable (more leaky), causing an imbalance of brain chemicals inside and outside cells. Cellular functions shift into overdrive to try to restore balance, using more fuel in the form of glucose. At the same time, blood flow to the brain is often reduced, resulting in a mismatch between energy supply and demand. The structural scaffolding of cells in the white matter may begin to weaken or break, preventing or reducing the ability of cells to communicate. Sensing danger, cells from the <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28910616/">immune system</a> begin to migrate to the brain in an attempt to stem the damage, spouting chemical signals to recruit other inflammatory cells to the sites of injury. These initial responses to concussion typically resolve over time, but the recovery period may be different for each person, and may persist even after symptoms go away. <h2>What are the symptoms?</h2> Concussion <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/concussion/symptoms-causes/syc-20355594">symptoms</a> can differ depending on the person and the circumstances of injury. Some people have more obvious symptoms like loss of consciousness, vomiting and confusion; others may have headaches, problems with their vision, or thinking and concentration. Some people may have one symptom while others have many. Some people’s symptoms may be severe, and others may have only mild symptoms. So diagnosing and managing concussion can be difficult. Most people who have a concussion will find their symptoms subside within days or weeks. But around <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26918481/">20% of people</a> will have persistent symptoms beyond three months after their concussion. Ongoing symptoms can make it harder to perform at work or school, to socialise with friends and to maintain relationships. Scientists don’t know why recoveries are different for different people. We have no way to <a href="https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/5/e046460.info">predict</a> who will recover from concussion and who won’t. <h2>How about repeat blows to the head?</h2> People who play contact sports are more likely to have multiple concussions over a playing career. Higher numbers of concussions tend to mean <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28387556/">worse symptoms and slower recovery</a> for subsequent concussions. This indicates the brain doesn’t get used to concussions, and each concussion is likely to impart additional damage. Emerging evidence suggests repeated concussions may lead to <a href="https://n.neurology.org/content/88/15/1400.short">ongoing changes</a> in people’s brain cell structure and function. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32326805/">Inflammation</a> may persist inside and outside the brain. Inflammation may also <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30535946/">cause or contribute</a> to someone developing symptoms, and long-term brain functional and structural changes. Prolonged symptoms and long-term brain changes may be worse in the long run for people who experience their concussions as <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6595074/">young adults</a> compared to people who have concussions as older adults. Scientists are also starting to find differences in <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30618335/">symptoms</a> and <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8596946/">brain alterations</a> in males and females. These could be related to newfound sex differences in the <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29104114/">scaffolding proteins</a> of male and female brains, making female brains more susceptible. <h2>We’ve known about this for a long time</h2> The long-term brain and behaviour changes resulting from repeated sports concussions have been reported since at least the <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/1/3306/816">1920s</a>. Back then, it was seen in boxers and termed dementia pugilistica, or <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/260461">punch-drunk syndrome</a>. We now call this condition <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1934148211005296">chronic traumatic encephalopathy</a> (CTE). People found to have CTE don’t always experience severe symptoms. Instead, symptoms tend to emerge or worsen later in life, even decades after injury or at the end of a playing career. People also have <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8166432/">varied symptoms</a> that can sometimes be hard to measure, like confusion, impaired judgement and aggression. This has made diagnosis difficult while people are alive. We can only confirm CTE after someone dies, by detecting altered structural proteins of the brain in <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12024-023-00624-3">specific brain areas</a>. There is still a lot to learn about CTE, including the exact processes that cause it, and why some people will develop it and others won’t. <h2>Concussion is common</h2> Concussion is a common injury almost <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7048626/">30%</a> of us will experience in our lifetime. Although we have a lot still to learn, the current advice for people who experience concussion is to seek medical advice to help with initial management of symptoms and guide decisions on returning back to playing sports. This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/hit-your-head-while-playing-sport-heres-what-just-happened-to-your-brain-203038" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. Images: Getty

Body

8 surprising alternatives to popular European destinations

That’s the problem with great destinations – they become too popular for their own good. So we’ve found some alternatives that are just as good. Instead of: Croatia Try: Montenegro The yacht set have known about Montenegro’s charms for years, but the rest of the world is just getting onboard. Sitting just south of Croatia, the country shares its same gorgeous coastline, beautiful beaches and historic walled cities, but with hardly any of the crowds. It’s sat at the border of east and west for more than 400 years, so expect a fascinating cultural mix and even a unique communist legacy thrown in. Instead of: Prague Try: Brno Hard to pronounce, easy to love. The Czech Republic’s second city is a winning combination of old and new. Baroque cathedrals and historic houses rub shoulders with lively pubs, trendy cocktail bars and contemporary art museums. Plus, as with all of the Czech Republic, Brno is great value – and you won’t come across any of the UK bucks parties that seem to trawl other capitals in Eastern Europe. Instead of: Cinque Terre Try: Rapallo There’s no denying that the Cinque Terre is stunning – provided you can find a hotel in high season. Instead, head around 50 kilometres north along the coast to the charming town of Rapallo. You’ll find the same brightly coloured buildings, a 16th century castle perched above the sea and pebbly beaches lined with retro changing huts. All this for a fraction of the price. Instead of: Canary Islands Try: Azores These Portuguese islands sit around 2,000 kilometres off the west coast of continental Europe, so they’re something of a hidden gem. They miss out on most of the tacky package tours from the UK and have less of a party vibe than other islands in the Med. Referred to as the Hawaii of the Atlantic, you’ll find a landscape volcanic peaks and dramatic crater lakes while offshore there’s world-class surfing, diving and whale watching. Instead of: Florence Try: Bologna Did you know some 16 million tourists visit Florence every year? That’s a lot for a town with a permanent population of less than 400,000. The university town of Bologna gets only a fraction of that and has just as much to offer. The streets are lined with historic religious architecture, the food is incredible and the whole city seems to embrace the culture of aperitivo (afternoon cocktails with friends). We’re sold. Instead of: Berlin Try: Warsaw Berlin is considered Europe’s capital of cool, but Warsaw can give it a run for its money. The city was largely flattened in World War II and was rebuilt in a fascinating mish mash of styles that makes it unlike anywhere else in the world. Restored Gothic buildings sit alongside Communist-era concrete blocks and sleek glass towers rise from gritty laneways. It’s also home to fantastic museums covering everything from the Jewish ghettos to Chopin. Instead of: Interlaken Try: Bovec Switzerland is notoriously expensive, so the Slovenian town of Bovec is a great value alternative. It’s known as the adventure capital of eastern Europe and the surrounding Julian Alps are ideal for hiking, canyoning, mountain biking, white water rafting and skiing in winter. The best part is, they will cost around half of what they would in Interlaken. Instead of: Budapest Try: Tallinn It wasn’t long ago that Budapest was itself an ‘alternative city’, but cheap flights and the river cruise boom have pushed it up to the top of the list. The medieval city of Tallinn, capital of Estonia, sits on the Baltic Sea and is a unique mix if Scandinavian, European and Russian culture. The magnificent onion-domed St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is reason enough to visit, though once you’re there you’ll also love the cool design shops springing up and the very cheap (and very good) local beer. Image credits: Getty Images

International Travel

Steve McQueen’s Ferrari heads to auction

Steve McQueen’s Ferrari 275 GTB/4 is set for auction in California in late 2023, almost 10 years on from its previous sale at ~$14.9 m NZD (~$19.3 NZD in today’s economy). The vehicle, listed by RM Sotheby’s, found its first ever owner in the American actor, and was one of only 330 examples created between 196 and 1968 with bodywork by Scaglietti. And while McQueen had previously owned the car’s convertible version - the N.A.R.T Spider - an accident saw him purchase the coupe from Hollywood Sport Cars’ Chic Vandagriff. When McQueen received the car, it was actually coated in a Nacciola golden metallic paint, but was soon transformed into its iconic red self asking a request from McQueen to his mechanic, Lee Brown. Brown had also worked on the Ford Mustang from McQueen’s Bullitt, and with this job, created the colour known as ‘Chianti Red’. The paint job wasn’t the only custom work that the Ferrari saw, with parts from the N.A.R.T Spider transferred across - including its Borrani wire wheels and its bespoke wing mirror. None of it, however, was enough for the actor to keep the car, with McQueen selling it on to fellow screen star Guy Williams in 1971. From there until 2009, it encountered a number of new owners, before it arrived in the United Kingdom and crossed paths - as a silver vehicle - with retired Australian Formula One driver 1983 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Vern Schuppan. Schuppan had a vision in mind from the moment of the sale, intending to restore the Ferrari to how it had been in the hands of McQueen. It was a big task, and Schuppan had to call in help, even sending the car to Ferrari for restorations. In the hands of the company and its in-house restoration program, the car underwent another painting session - first to its original Nocciola, before it was sprayed back to its Chianti Red roots with a little help from a swatch from Lee Brown. Back in prime condition, the Ferrari made its way to Italy’s Museo Ferrari and then California’s Petersen Automotive Museum, before Schuppan made the decision to sell - also with RM Sotheby’s - in 2014. And while it sold then for a staggering ~$14.9m, an estimate is unavailable for the car’s - likely astronomical - 2023 selling price. Images: RM Sotheby’s

Money & Banking

5 super simple ways to save cash for retirement

During the lead-in to retirement, money management becomes more important than ever. And while we often get lost pondering over in the major financial decisions, getting the minor financial decisions right can be just as important. We’re going to run through five simple ways any soon-to-be-retiree can save cash for their golden years. Sometimes the smallest changes make the biggest difference. 1. Set targets Saving can be difficult if you don’t know where the goalposts are placed. But how much do you really need to retire? As <a href="http://119.9.30.84/blog/are-you-retirement-ready" target="_blank">Equip notes</a>, “According to ASFA (the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia), a couple needs approximately $640,000 in retirement savings for a comfortable lifestyle. For a single person that number is $545,000.” Setting minor saving targets, even if it’s just a little bit of money here and there every week, can get the ball rolling and start putting yourself in a position to prop up your nest egg. 2. Shop smarter While you don’t want to be living like a miser, smarter shopping choices can add up. Keeping your ear to the ground for discounts, taking advantage of specials and avoiding any discretionary purchases will help keep you in the black. 3. Clear any outstanding debt Debt can be an inconvenient drain on your income in the lead-in to retirement. If you’re set to take the plunge and find yourself in a mire of debt, it’s important to take necessary steps as soon as possible, which might mean finding a financial planner. <a href="http://119.9.30.84/blog/are-you-retirement-ready" target="_blank">Equip says</a>, “Having outstanding debts as you approach retirement isn’t necessarily a problem, but it does require some planning. For example - do you use your super to pay off your mortgage? There’s no simple answer, but speaking to a financial planner can help you understand your options and what they mean in the long term.” 4. Change spending habits Ultimately, if you’re looking to save some extra cash for retirement you’re going to have to change your spending habits. Little things like drinking coffee at home, or staying in for lunch and dinner can make a big difference in the long run. 5. Explore your options Taking the measures listed above is a good start, but you’re only scratching the surface of what you can do to prop up your retirement income. <a href="https://www.equipsuper.com.au/financial-planning/meet-our-financial-planners" target="_blank">Qualified financial planners</a> can give you advice and guidance on little things you can do in your day to day life that will ensure you’re in a better position when you’ve reached retirement. What measures do you take to save cash? <a href="https://www.equipsuper.com.au/" target="_blank">Equip</a> manages $7 billion of investments for members working across a wide range of Australian industry sectors. This <a href="https://www.equipsuper.com.au/" target="_blank">superannuation fund</a> has been providing strong investment performance and has been a reliable provider of retirement benefits for over 80 years. This article is for general information only. You should seek formal financial advice on your specific circumstances.

Money & Banking

Escape to the Country star’s heartbreaking cancer update

Jonnie Irwin, star of Escape to the Country, has shared a heartbreaking update on his battle with terminal cancer. The TV star - who was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer and given only six months to live in 2020 - sat down for an interview with The Sun after early 50th birthday celebrations, where he opened up about his diagnosis, and the impact it has had on himself and his young family. Jonnie is the father of three young boys with his devoted wife, Jess. Rex - the couple’s eldest - is four, while their twins Rafa and Cormac are only two. And he was recounting a football game with his eldest son, Rex, when he revealed that he’s feeling the physical weight of his ongoing fight, explaining that he “tried to play football with Rex the other day and was in goal and I couldn’t get near the ball. It was so frustrating. “I’m very sporty and suddenly it’s just like … it was as if it was the first time I’d attempted football. I felt like a granddad. And that broke me a bit. “I always thought, ‘I’m an older dad but I’ll be leading from the front’. “But I’m now at the back.” “I’m weak now, fragile, and my memory is terrible,” he later added, “but I’m still here.” Jonnie only announced his diagnosis in 2020, when his appearance change had become noticeable. “People didn’t know for such a long time, which helped with not having the conversation for some time,” Jess explained. “Our friends knew, but not the severity of it, and Jonnie looked well so it was never really a topic we discussed. The physical side of it came more recently. Now it’s all we talk about at home.” Jess went on to explain that while she knows Jonnie is trying to “cross every T and dot all the I’s” for their family, she’s been trying to stress to him that he should “do what makes you happy. If you want to do something, just do it.” “I just want to be able to bring any bit of fun and enjoyment back into his life,” she added, “which is really hard to do, especially with the reality of how much he’s struggling on a day-to-day basis.” Their children have served as something of a distraction for them, although Jess admits they haven’t quite been able to wrap their heads around the enormity of the truth. “I don’t have time to think to be honest,” Jess said, “and I know that Jonnie is doing all that he can with the diet, the resting, the supplement, research, [and] looking into treatment. Jonnie is partly still here because of sheer willpower. “He’s stubborn and determined and he’s a scrapper. “I think I’m still in denial about a lot of it if I’m honest.” Despite the weight of their situation, Jonnie, Jess, and their loved ones recently came together to celebrate - although he won’t be turning 50 until November, the couple decided to celebrate his birthday early with over 150 of their nearest and dearest friends and family. “It was a great night,” Jonnie recalled. “I chose a playlist with some great tunes from the 90s and 2000s and people came from all over the country and abroad. “I didn’t know the extent of the loyalty and generosity that my friends would exhibit. “I’ve been dumbfounded and spellbound by their support, as well as that of our families, who have been amazing. I just wanted to do something to celebrate my birthday and had no idea how many people would actually turn up. It was incredible.” Images: Instagram

Caring

Great Scott! Michael J. Fox poses with new pup

Michael J. Fox has a new furry friend, and fans are saying the pup resembles the dog from the Back to the Future movies. The 61-year-old icon shared a post on Instagram featuring himself snuggled up with his adorable new dog, whom he named Blue. The star captioned his post, “Hey Blue, welcome to your new home!” Fans of Fox flocked to the comments to share their thoughts on the new pup as well as comparing the dog’s looks to Dr Emmet Brown’s dog in the Back to the Future trilogy. The dog featured in the trilogy, the infamous Einstein, was a similar breed to Fox’s new furry friend. <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/CpePqBRr3A5/?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/CpePqBRr3A5/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Michael J Fox (@realmikejfox)</a> </div> </blockquote> People wrote comments such as, “Einstein came back using the time machine,” and “Aww he looks like a baby Einstein!” The dog in the films was a fully grown sheepdog that went on some serious adventures with Fox’s character, Marty McFly and Doc Brown, played by Christopher Lloyd. Several A-list stars also took to the comments on Fox’s post. “Oh my gosh!! So cute 🥰,” wrote Julianne Moore. Jennifer Grey from Dirty Dancing expressed her thoughts through a series of emojis, commenting, “💞🐶👅🐶👅💞," Fox is known to be a dog lover, having mourned the loss of his previous dog, Gus, in April of 2021. When he announced the loss of Gus on Instagram, he captioned his post, “Gus - great dog and loyal friend, we'll miss you.” The actor has mentioned several times how much of a “wonder dog” Gus had been over the years. Image credit: Instagram/Reddit

Family & Pets

Back to the Future stars reunite

It’s been 37 years since the cinematic masterpiece, Back to the Future part 1, graced our screens. You might be wondering where they are now, although the appropriate question would be, “when the hell are they?” The Back to the Future stars joined up at a fan convention in Portland, USA, and the excitement from fans sighting Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson and Thomas Wilson used up a lot more energy than 1.21 gigawatts. Last year, Fox and Lloyd came together on stage at Comic-Con in New York in an emotional display, which brought fans in the audience to tears. On stage, Fox said, referring to his co-star Lloyd, “The best part of the movie was working with Chris,” going on to say he was a genius, also revealing there was “immediate chemistry” between the pair. Fox played the iconic Marty McFly in the 1985 movie. Director Robert Zemeckis had originally cast Eric Stolz as Marty, however, due to conflict with his schedule on Family Ties, Stolz couldn’t continue with the project. Stolz started filming in November 1984 but was replaced by early January. Aside from the schedule conflict with Stolz, it was reported that early footage was also underwhelming. Now that’s heavy! Fox officially joined the production in mid-January of 1985. Fox played Marty McFly in all three Back to the Future movies, Great Scott! The fans are on a sweet nostalgia trip seeing the cast back together after over three decades. Image credit: Instagram

Movies

Disturbing new details emerge in death of head teacher, husband and daughter

Warning: This article contains distressing content that some readers may find confronting. A headmistress at a private school in the UK made a distress call to a family member just hours before she was found dead, a report has claimed. School principal Emma Pattison, the head teacher of private school Epsom College in Surrey, England, was <a href="https://oversixty.co.nz/news/news/headmistress-husband-and-daughter-found-dead-on-school-grounds" target="_blank" rel="noopener">found dead</a> alongside her 39-year-old husband, George, and seven-year-old daughter Lettie on the school grounds earlier this week. As an investigation into their deaths has commenced, the BBC has reported that Emma made a frantic phone call to a relative with concerns about her partner. By the time the worried relative arrived at the house, which is surrounded by other properties occupied by college staff and is close to the prestigious school’s rifle range, all three were dead. Police have yet to disclose the official cause of their deaths, but are confident no one else was involved in the "isolated" incident. Detectives confirmed a firearm registered to George, of which he had a license for, was found at the scene and they are treating the tragedy as a double murder and suicide. Detectives suspect George killed his wife Emma, 45, and little Lettie before taking his own life. Detective Chief Inspector Kimball Edey, senior investigating officer on the case, said, “This is an incredibly traumatic incident and we are working around the clock to investigate and understand the exact circumstances which led to this point." “We understand the public concern and upset, and we will clarify what we can, when we can, while respecting the right to a level of privacy for the families of those who have lost their lives." The community is reeling from the tragedy, as devastated neighbours who knew the "lovely" family shared how "heartbroken" they are. One person said, “It is just shocking and unimaginable.” Chloe Rathbone, a nursery worker who looked after Lettie, told The Times, “I am utterly so heartbroken over this awful news." “They were such a lovely family and Lettie was perfect in every way, everything you could have wished for in a little girl.” <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">Don't go it alone. Please reach out for help. <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">Lifeline: 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue.org.au <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">Headspace: 1800 650 890 or headspace.org.au Image credits: Getty Images / <em style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">epsomcollege.org.uk

News

"He wants to get in my head": Djokovic takes stand against rowdy fans

Novak Djokovic has spoken out against tennis officials for how they reacted when a group of fans disrupted play at the Australian Open. The Serbian tennis player, ranked world number one, was up against World Number 191 Enzo Enzo Couacaud when he was forced to take his fight from the court to the stands. A group of four young men dressed in Where’s Waldo costumes were responsible for the chaos, and poked at the tennis star’s patience until the fourth set, when Djokovic had had enough. “He’s been provoking all night, the entire night, the entire night,” Djokovic said to the chair umpire, “what are you going to do about it?” The problems began when the group saw fit to shout and taunt during Djokovic’s serves, with their drunken antics leading him to suspect they intended to throw off his game. “The guy's drunk out of his mind, from the first point he's been provoking me,” he told the umpire, gesturing to the trouble in the crowd, “he's not here to watch tennis. He just wants to get in my head. “So I’m asking you, what are you going to do about it? You’ve heard him at least 10 times — I’ve heard him 50 times. What are you going to do about it?” Djokovic called for the expulsion of the disruptive fans, asking officials, “why don’t you get security guards and get him out of the stadium?” A security guard was reportedly sent to speak with the men, and sat in the row before them. The week before, the organisers of the Australian Open stated that anyone who was found to be taunting Djokovic without reason, and disrupting the enjoyment of everyone else, would be removed from the venues. The measure was likely put in place as Djokovic, like Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios, is frequently the subject of heckling from audiences at these events. Despite the security guard’s presence, the interruptions were ongoing, and eventually the men were escorted from the game - but it may have proven too little too late for the Serbian player. In a press conference about the event, Djokovic told reporters, “it’s just unnecessary because why should we as players be put in a position where we have to always react when it‘s been two hours. It’s not been 10 minutes. This is what I mind, and this is why I felt the need to go out there because I had enough, you know? “I can tolerate five, six times somebody telling me something, but there is a limit. That limit was crossed, and I stepped in and I asked the chair umpire, is he going to do something about it or not? He did, and I thanked him.” Images: Getty Images

News

More than 100,000 tourists will head to Antarctica this summer. Should we worry about damage to the ice and its ecosystems?

As the summer sun finally arrives for people in the Southern Hemisphere, more than 100,000 tourists will head for the ice. Travelling on one of more than 50 cruise ships, they will brave the two-day trip across the notoriously rough Drake Passage below Patagonia, destined for the polar continent of Antarctica. During the COVID summer of 2020-21, just 15 tourists on two yachts visited Antarctica. But now, tourism is back – and bigger than ever. This season’s <a href="https://iaato.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/ATCM44-IAATO-Overview.pdf">visitor numbers</a> are up more than 40% over the largest <a href="https://iaato.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IAATO-on-Antarctic-visitor-figures-2019-20-FINAL.pdf">pre-pandemic year</a>. So are all those tourists going to damage what is often considered the last untouched wilderness on the planet? Yes and no. The industry is well run. Tourists often return with a new appreciation for wild places. They spend a surprisingly short amount of time actually on the continent or its islands. But as tourism grows, so will environmental impacts such as black carbon from cruise ship funnels. Tourists can carry in microbes, seed and other invasive species on their boots and clothes – a problem that will only worsen as ice melt creates new patches of bare earth. And cruise ships are hardly emissions misers. <h2>How did Antarctic tourism go mainstream?</h2> In the 1950s, the first tourists hitched rides on Chilean and Argentinian naval vessels heading south to resupply research bases on the South Shetland Islands. From the late 1960s, dedicated icebreaker expedition ships were venturing even further south. In the early 1990s, as ex-Soviet icebreakers became available, the industry began to expand – about a dozen companies offered trips at that time. By the turn of this century, the ice continent was receiving more than 10,000 annual visitors: Antarctic tourism had gone mainstream. What does it look like today? Most Antarctic tourists travel on small “expedition-style” vessels, usually heading for the relatively accessible Antarctic Peninsula. Once there, they can take a zodiac boat ride for a closer look at wildlife and icebergs or shore excursions to visit penguin or seal colonies. Visitors can kayak, paddle-board and take the polar plunge – a necessarily brief dip into subzero waters. For most tourists, accommodation, food and other services are provided aboard ship. Over a third of all visitors never stand on the continent. Those who do set foot on Antarctica normally make brief visits, rather than taking overnight stays. For more intrepid tourists, a few operators offer overland journeys into the continent’s interior, making use of temporary seasonal camp sites. There are no permanent hotels, and Antarctic Treaty nations recently <a href="https://documents.ats.aq/ATCM44/fr/ATCM44_fr001_e.pdf">adopted a resolution</a>against permanent tourist facilities. As tourists come in increasing numbers, some operators have moved to offer ever more adventurous options such as mountaineering, heli-skiing, underwater trips in submersibles and scuba diving. <h2>Is Antarctic tourism sustainable?</h2> As Antarctic tourism booms, some advocacy organisations have warned the impact may be unsustainable. For instance, the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition <a href="https://www.asoc.org/campaign/responsible-tourism-and-shipping/">argues</a> cruise tourism could put increased pressure on an environment already under significant strain from climate change. In areas visited most by tourists, the snow has a <a href="https://theconversation.com/each-antarctic-tourist-effectively-melts-83-tonnes-of-snow-new-research-177597">higher concentration</a> of black carbon from ship exhaust, which soaks up more heat and leads to snow melt. Ship traffic also risks carrying <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2110303118">hitchhiking invasive species</a> into the Southern Ocean’s vulnerable marine ecosystems. That’s to say nothing of greenhouse gas emissions. Because of the continent’s remoteness, tourists visiting Antarctica have a <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09669581003653534">higher per capita carbon footprint</a>than other cruise-ship travellers. Of course, these impacts aren’t limited to tourism. Scientific expeditions come with similar environmental costs – and while there are far fewer of them, scientists and support personnel spend far more time on the continent. <h2>Antarctic tourism isn’t going away – so we have to plan for the future</h2> Are sustainable cruises an oxymoron? Many <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/why-cruise-ships-are-bad-for-the-environment/#:%7E:text=Studies%20have%20shown%20one%20cruise,in%20unhealthy%20levels%20of%20pollution.">believe so</a>. Through its sheer size, the cruise industry has created <a href="https://theconversation.com/time-to-rock-the-boat-cruise-ships-can-destroy-the-very-destinations-they-sell-to-us-55245">mass tourism</a> in new places and <a href="https://theconversation.com/overtourism-a-growing-global-problem-100029">overtourism</a> in others, generating unacceptable levels of crowding, disrupting the lives of residents, repurposing local cultures for “exotic” performances, damaging the environment and adding to emissions from fossil fuels. In Antarctica, crowding, environmental impact and emissions are the most pressing issues. While 100,000 tourists a year is tiny by global tourism standards – Paris had almost 20 million in 2019 – visits are concentrated in highly sensitive ecological areas for only a few months per year. There are no residents to disturb (other than local wildlife), but by the same token, there’s no host community to protest if visitor numbers get too high. Even so, strong protections are in place. In accordance with the Antarctic Treaty System – the set of international agreements signed by countries with an Antarctic presence or an interest – tourism operators based in those nations have to apply for permits and follow <a href="https://www.ats.aq/e/protocol.html">stringent environmental regulations</a>. To avoid introducing new species, tourists have to follow rules such as disinfecting their boots and vacuuming their pockets before setting foot on the ice, and keeping a set distance from wildlife. Almost all Antarctic cruise owners belong to the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators, the peak body that manages Antarctic tourism. For the first time this year, operators have to report their <a href="https://iaato.org/antarctic-tour-operators-fuel-consumption-to-be-analysed-as-they-embark-on-climate-strategy/">overall fuel consumption</a> as part of IAATO’s efforts to make the industry more climate-friendly. Some operators are now using hybrid vessels that can run partly on electric propulsion for short periods, reducing carbon dioxide emissions. <h2>Returning from the ice: the ambassador effect</h2> Famed travel writer Pico Iyer <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/17/t-magazine/travel-destinations-experiences.html?te=1&nl=from-the-times&emc=edit_ufn_20221127">recently wrote</a> of his experience in the deep south of the world. The visit, he said, “awakens you to the environmental concerns of the world … you go home with important questions for your conscience as well as radiant memories”. Iyer isn’t alone. This response is widespread, known in the industry as <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/polar-record/article/what-and-who-is-an-antarctic-ambassador/4943D999A9D58BC00D1705C110075163">Antarctic ambassadorship</a>. As you’d expect, this is <a href="https://iaato.org/antarctic-ambassadors/antarctic-ambassadors/">strongly promoted</a> by tourism operators as a positive. Is it real? That’s contentious. Studies on links between polar travel and pro-environmental behaviour have yielded <a href="https://doi.org/10.1017/S0032247408007456">mixed results</a>. We are working with two operators to examine the Antarctic tourist experience and consider what factors might feed into a long-lasting ambassador effect. If you’re one of the tourists going to Antarctica this summer, enjoy the experience – but go with care. Be aware that no trip south comes without environmental cost and use this knowledge to make clear-eyed decisions about your activities both in Antarctica and once you’re safely back home. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/more-than-100-000-tourists-will-head-to-antarctica-this-summer-should-we-worry-about-damage-to-the-ice-and-its-ecosystems-192843" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

International Travel

5 vitamin deficiencies your body is trying to tell you

It’s so common to have marks, bumps or blemishes on our body and just ignore them until they go away. But what if they don’t? What if your eyes, skin or hair is trying to tell you that you are lacking in a specific vitamin or mineral, which could be affecting your health and wellbeing? Speak to your doctor if you have any of these symptoms, and they can help you diagnose and treat any deficiencies. 1. Calcium deficiency Do you have weak or brittle nails, numbness in your extremities, or regular muscle cramps? Calcium deficiency could be a problem for you. It’s not just in dairy (though that is a great source) but also in seaweed, leafy greens, legumes and nuts. You can also find calcium-fortified products such as specific cereals, orange juice and soy milk. 2. Vitamin C deficiency Do you bruise more easily than you used to? Do you have cuts and wounds that seem to take a long time to heal? This could be a sign that you are low in vitamin C. And it’s not just from a lack of oranges. The best places to find this vitamin include strawberries, kiwi, broccoli and red capsicums. 3. Iron deficiency If you look unusually pale, have cold hands and feet, or a swollen tongue, you could be lacking in iron. As well as iron supplements, you can bulk up your iron intake with iron-rich foods such as red meat, fish and legumes. 4. Omega 3 deficiency Do you have bumps on the skin on your upper arms, dandruff, dry hair or dry eyes? You could be low in omega 3. Generally found in fish, seeds and nuts, leafy greens and eggs – it can also be ingested as a supplement from the chemist. 5. B12 deficiency B12 is readily available in meat, so this is a common deficiency in vegetarians and vegans. B12 is also less able to be absorbed from food as we get older. Signs of deficiency include skin irritation and dermatitis, lethargy and unusual weakness, pins and needles, and a smooth red tongue is also common (the little bumps disappear). You can get B12 in tablets or as an injection, but ideally you can get it from your food. Go for meat, leafy greens, mushrooms and nuts. Do you have any of these symptoms? Will this article encourage you to speak to your doctor to get checked out?

Body

Coastal property prices and climate risks are both soaring. We must pull our heads out of the sand

Australians’ <a href="https://www.nfsa.gov.au/collection/curated/australians-beach">well-documented</a> affinity with the sun, surf and sand continues to fuel <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/property/news/stunning-holiday-hotspots-where-house-prices-have-doubled-in-five-years-20221109-p5bwuk.html">coastal property market growth</a>. This growth defies rising interest rates and growing evidence of the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/jul/23/against-the-tide-storm-battered-wamberal-residents-cling-to-beachfront-homes">impacts of climate change</a> on people living in vulnerable coastal locations. People in these areas are finding it harder to insure their properties against these risks. Insurers view the Australian market as sensitive to climate risks, as climate change impacts can trigger large insurance payouts. They are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/nov/12/australians-facing-prohibitive-insurance-premiums-after-climate-related-disasters">pricing their products accordingly</a>. Clearly, there is a vast disconnect between the coastal property market and climate change impacts such as increasingly severe storms, tidal surges, coastal erosion and flooding. There is no shortage of <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/32-billion-of-cba-mortgages-exposed-to-extreme-weather-risks-climate-analysis-finds-20220819-p5bb5p.html">reports</a>, <a href="https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/resources/australian-homes-uninsurable-2030-climate-risk-map/">studies</a> and <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-11-18/gold-coast-council-additional-88-000-properties-at-flood-risk/101664596">analyses</a> confirming the climate risks we are already living with. Yet another alarming <a href="https://www.csiro.au/en/research/environmental-impacts/climate-change/State-of-the-Climate">State of the Climate</a> report was released last week. We keep talking about reaching global net-zero emissions. But this “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwD1kG4PI0w">blah blah blah</a>” masks the fact that climate impacts are already with us. Even if we make deeper, faster cuts to emissions, as we must, our world is now warmer. Australians will <a href="https://www.science.org.au/supporting-science/science-policy-and-analysis/reports-and-publications/risks-australia-three-degrees-c-warmer-world">feel the effects of that warming</a>. We ultimately cannot afford the price of business as usual, as embodied by so many coastal developments. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZwD1kG4PI0w?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><figcaption>Greta Thunberg denounces the ‘blah, blah, blah’ from world leaders in response to the climate emergency.</figcaption></figure> Risks are worrying banks and insurers In Australia, the disasters and the environmental collapse we are experiencing will get worse. While a range of businesses see this as opening up <a href="https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/accc-internet-sweeps-target-greenwashing-fake-online-reviews">new market and product frontiers</a>, the fact is climate change is creating a fundamentally uncertain, unstable and difficult world. Banks have a <a href="https://law-store.wolterskluwer.com/s/product/banking-on-climate-change-how-finance-actors-regulatory-regimes/01t0f00000J3aMk">central role</a> in addressing climate risks. They are <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-can-your-bank-help-reduce-climate-change-risks-to-your-home-60049">exposed to climate risk</a> through residential lending on properties that are vulnerable to climate impacts and now <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/nov/26/australias-unraveling-climate-risk-leaving-more-homes-uninsurable-against-flooding-expert-warns">face insurance pressures</a>. One in 25 Australian homes are <a href="https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/resources/australian-homes-uninsurable-2030-climate-risk-map/">projected to be uninsurable by 2030</a>. The Australian government risks bearing the large costs of supporting the underinsured or uninsured – otherwise known as <a href="https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/completed/disaster-funding/report">being “the insurer of last resort”</a>. This costly legacy shows why planning decisions made now must take account of climate change impacts, and <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40641-020-00161-z">not just in the wake of disasters</a>. The rapidly escalating impacts and risks across sectors demand that we undertake mitigation and adaptation at the same time, urgently and on a large scale. This means reducing emissions to negative levels – not just reaching net zero and transitioning our energy sector, but also actively removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. We must also respond to climate change risks already locked into the system. We have to make substantial changes in how we think about, treat, price and act on these risks. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Australia’s ‘unraveling’ climate risk leaving more homes uninsurable against flooding, expert warns <a href="https://t.co/cLj1SKei72">https://t.co/cLj1SKei72</a> — Guardian Australia (@GuardianAus) <a href="https://twitter.com/GuardianAus/status/1596294943529893888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 26, 2022</a></blockquote> As the climate shifts, so must our coastal dream The consequences of a warming climate, including reaching and crossing tipping points in the Earth’s weather systems, are <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abn7950#core-collateral-purchase-access">occurring sooner than anticipated</a>. The required behavioural, institutional and structural changes are vast and challenging. People are often attached to places based on <a href="https://rgs-ibg.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/tran.12368">historical knowledge</a> of them. These lived experiences, while important, inform a worldview based on an understanding of our environment before the <a href="https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-19-2428-6_2">rapid onset</a> of climate change. This can skew our climate risk responses, but compounding climate impacts are outpacing our ability to adapt as we might have in the past. Institutional signalling, such as <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/property-values-are-at-risk-in-climate-change-hot-spots-rba-warns-20210917-p58skt.html">warnings by the Reserve Bank</a>, support greater public awareness of climate impacts and risks. When buying a property, people need to consider these factors more seriously than, say, having an extra bathroom. Obligatory disclosure of regional climate change impacts could inform buyers’ decision-making. The data and models used would have to be clear on the validity and limitations of their scenarios. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> A great presentation from <a href="https://twitter.com/Tayanah?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Tayanah</a> at the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/C2C2021?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#C2C2021</a> about the legal status of property rights in Australia enabling (or otherwise...) managed retreat as a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/climateadaptation?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#climateadaptation</a> solution. Once again we find the climate projections are ahead of our legal preced…<a href="https://t.co/XgDVV5O0Gj">https://t.co/XgDVV5O0Gj</a> — Anthony Boxshall (@ScienceN2Action) <a href="https://twitter.com/ScienceN2Action/status/1420173588217303044?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2021</a></blockquote> Nature-based and equitable solutions In recent years there has been an increasing focus on nature-based solutions. This approach uses natural systems and tools for tackling societal issues such as the enormous and complex risks posed by climate change. Indeed, many Indigenous peoples, communities and ways of knowing <a href="https://www.facetsjournal.com/doi/full/10.1139/facets-2019-0058">have long recognised</a> the fundamental role of nature in making good and safe lives possible for people. Nature-based solutions provide a suite of valuable tools for remedying issues we’re already facing on coasts. <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0964569121000399">For example</a>, in many contexts, building hard seawalls is often a temporary solution, which instils a false sense of security. Planting soft barriers such as mangroves and dense, deep-rooting vegetation can provide a more enduring solution. It also restores fish habitat, purifies water and eases floods. Acknowledging the well-being of people and nature as interconnected has important implications for decisions about relocating people from high-risk areas. Effective planned retreat strategies must not only get people out of harm’s way, but account for where they will move and how precious ecosystems will be protected as demand for land supply shifts. Nature-based solutions must be built into retreat policies too. As the Australian Academy of Science’s <a href="https://www.science.org.au/news-and-events/events/launch-national-strategy-just-adaptation">Strategy for Just Adaptation</a> explains, effective adaptation also embeds equity and justice in the process. <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10584-019-02535-1">Research</a> on historic retreat strategies has shown that a failure to properly consider and respect people’s choices, resources and histories can further entrench inequities. Giving people moving to a new home as much choice as possible helps them work through an emotional and <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0964569116301119">highly political process</a>. We all need to find the courage to have difficult conversations, to seek information to make prudent choices, and to do all we can to respond to the growing climate risks that confront us. As climate activist Greta Thunburg <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwD1kG4PI0w">says</a>: <blockquote> “Hope is not passive. Hope is not blah blah blah. Hope is telling the truth. Hope is taking action. And hope always comes from the people.” </blockquote> Acting on this kind of hope can put us on an altogether different and more positive path.<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/195357/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> Writen by Tayanah O'Donnell and Eleanor Robson. Republished with permission from <a href="https://theconversation.com/coastal-property-prices-and-climate-risks-are-both-soaring-we-must-pull-our-heads-out-of-the-sand-195357" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. Image: Getty Images

Real Estate

What will be your legacy?

Maybe you’ve never thought about it, but how you’ll be remembered, and who you’ll be remembered by will be determined by the legacy you’ll leave. If you want your life to count then why leave it to chance when your legacy can be planned and purposeful, and in doing so, establish a firm foundation which generations can build upon? The mistakes of generations-past will be repeated by generations-future up until someone has the vision and determination to derive a different outcome. If not you, then who? A legacy framework Let’s play a game: what’s a word – just one word – you’d like others to use that encapsulates how you’d like to be remembered after you’re gone? For instance, assuming your name was Bobby, imagine a friend at your funeral saying “You know, I always found Bobby to be so…” It might be loving, or honest, or faithful, or sincere or any number of things. Now ask yourself this: "Is how I’m living congruent with how I want to be remembered?" If it is, great. If it isn’t, will you change while you still have time? If you’re interested in being organised and purposeful in leaving a legacy, consider this: your legacy is the summary of your deeds, which is the summary of your actions, which is the summary of your intentions. If you want to leave a bigger legacy then start by being purposeful with your intentions, impactful with your actions, and altruistic with your deeds. Largesse Your largesse is the way and extent to which you distribute money or gifts upon others. Largesse may be, but doesn’t necessarily have to be, financial. To be significant, largesse must be predominantly selfless. Any contribution to humanity that results in a gift qualifies, which is why the largesse of the likes of Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi and Mother Teresa remain significant. Perhaps the ripples of the contribution you leave won’t be as large or as wide as those of Mother Teresa, but that doesn’t make your effort any less important or less worthy. Many small things done well are usually far better than a few great things done poorly. But remember, a selfless act can’t be called so if there are selfish ambitions behind it. Selfish largesse is rarely remembered beyond one generation or is remembered for the wrong reasons like the legacy of any historical tyrant you care to mention whose selfishness caused the death of countless innocent lives. Remembering Nobel Alfred Nobel was a controversial figure for much of this life, and while his inventions improved the industrialised world, he was not universally loved. His work improving military explosives resulted in him being accused of high treason. Upon his death, Nobel bequeathed 94 per cent of his estate be converted into a fund and invested in safe securities, with the income earned from those investments to be ‘distributed annually in the form of prizes to those who during the preceding year have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind’. Why did Nobel perform such a generous act? No-one knows for sure but one possibility is that a French journalist, upon mistakenly reporting his death, eulogised Nobel as a ‘merchant of death’. Reportedly appalled, Nobel shifted his focus to philanthropy and used his fortune to create a legacy to further, not frustrate, humanity. Today, Nobel is revered for his substantial and ongoing contribution to the promotion of peace—a legacy of significance funded by his significant wealth. Do-Doing-Done How do you leave a legacy? First you’ll need to cast a vision for how you want to be remembered. Thereafter every thought and every action in every hour of every day is an opportunity to make a legacy deposit by acting congruently, or legacy withdrawal by acting incongruently, with your vision. The bigger your legacy balance, the more impactful your legacy will be. The trick is to remain persistently consistent with cycling through your intentions (what you want to do), your actions (what you’re doing), and your accomplishments (what you’ve done). Doing so will build momentum and scale. My old high school motto was Spectumer Agendo. It is Latin and means ‘By their deeds they shall be known.’ What are your deeds, and how will you be known? If you want your life to count, do more things that count! Don’t be consumed with petty people or petty matters. Remained focussed on the things you can control. Greek Proverb Here’s a Greek proverb that caught my attention recently: wise men plant trees under whose shade others will sit. This is a beautiful phrase that captures the notion of sowing a blessing today for others tomorrow; a lovely way to capture the concept of legacy. I might have taken the proverb a little too literally because etched on my heart is a vision to return the 600 hectares of land I purchased back in 2018 into a permanent multi-species native forest. If you don’t have your own legacy project on the go and rehabilitating environments, restoring damaged ecosystems or renewing habitat for wildlife is something you care about, you’re welcome to join with me, my family and others as we change the world one tree at a time. Find out more at www.TreeChange.com Will your legacy be a burden or a blessing? It’s not too late to decide, or change if you aren’t happy with the current situation. Edited extract from Steve McKnight’s Money Magnet: How to Attract and Keep a Fortune that Counts (Wiley $32.95), now available at all leading retailers or online at www.moneymagnet.au Image: Getty Images

Mind

Why you should beware spending rewards and BNPL programs

Malware is software designed to disrupt and destroy, and there are plenty of ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing’ financial programs doing just that to people’s financial futures. Some that come to mind are programs (yes, they’re called ‘programs’) that make it easier to spend and / or reward and incentivise spending, and harder to make good financial decisions. When you get tricked into spending, or spending more than you otherwise would, you transfer your wealth to someone else. The more wealth you consume, the less you have for later on. Let’s consider two marketing malware culprits to avoid wherever possible. Rewards Programs Beware programs that trick you into thinking that spending is good. Consider Flybuys for example. It is a rewards program where you generally receive one Flybuys point for every dollar spend. Therefore, to earn 1 000 000 Flybuys points, you need to spend $1 000 000. What if I told you that the cash value of one Flybuys point is 0.5 cents? That would mean to earn 1 000 000 Flybuys points you’d have to spend $1 000 000, yet that $1 000 000 is really only ‘worth’ $5000. They’ve actually created a system where you think you’re being rewarded on a one-for-one basis (i.e. one dollar spent equals one point) when really you’re being rewarded at the rate of half of one cent for every dollar spent. Additionally, when it comes time to redeem your points, the products you can ‘purchase’ are valued at top dollar, rather than at any discounted price you might be able to find if you shopped around. Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) Back in the day, department stores offered something called lay-by. This was where you could grab a product off the shelf, take it to the store’s lay-by counter and enter an arrangement with them to pay it off over two or three instalments. Once you’d made the final payment, the product was yours to own and take home. Lay-by was a great option for people who couldn’t access or didn’t want to use credit cards. There were no upfront fees associated with lay-by, and there was certainly no interest charged. Lay-by has been reborn and rebadged as BNPL; you pay by instalments, and you can take the product with you immediately. You won’t pay any fees provided you make the required instalments in full and on time. If you don’t, then you’ll be slugged with establishment fees, late fees, account-keeping fees and payment processing fees. The danger is that BNPL is easier to access than traditional debt options such as credit cards because BNPL is not technically credit since providers don’t charge interest. But BNPL is consumer debt with instant gratification, and that makes it credit in my book. Afterpay is one of the biggest BNPL providers on the planet. It advertises that it is a ‘free service’, provided you pay on time. If you don’t, their late fee is $10 per missed payment, plus an additional $7 if the payment is still outstanding after a week. It doesn’t sound like a lot, but if you had bought something that only cost $20 and forgot to make a $5 instalment, then the $10 fee is 200 per cent of the missed payment. Ouch! Don’t forget that the fee is per missed payment. If there were other purchases made, then the fee would compound. Late fees, however small, can quickly cascade into a significant sum of money, potentially many times more than the instalment due or even the price of the item purchased. Plus, there are other consequences of missed payments—black marks on credit records, difficulties borrowing for other debt such as a home loan, and the possibility of additional fees as debts are passed over to debt collectors. BNPL organisations profit from users who fail to meet their repayment obligations, and so part and parcel of running a successful business and growing profits would involve them doing well when their customers do poorly. You can’t expect corporate behemoths to do the right thing by you if it’s the wrong thing by them. The best you can do is gain the skills and awareness you need to know when you’re being played. Marketing malware disrupts your ability to accumulate wealth by tricking you into believing you are getting a better deal than is the case. Ideally, you’d avoid using it at all, but if it’s too late for that, then you need to clean up your code as soon as you can. Being rewarded for spending money you haven’t yet earned is a toxic combination that will poison your efforts to attract and keep a fortune that counts. Make sure you are a good shepherd of your financial flock by being vigilant in keeping an eye out for marketing malware wolves, and not falling for their enticing yet financially disempowering charms. Edited extract from Steve McKnight’s Money Magnet: How to Attract and Keep a Fortune that Counts (Wiley $32.95), now available at all leading retailers. Visit www.moneymagnet.au Image: Getty Images

Money & Banking

How to make your money count

How you use your money will be how you’re remembered. For some, the amount of money or wealth they accumulate is the score by which their success is measured. More wealth equals more success. Yet shrouds don’t have pockets, and dead is dead. In order to make your money count, it has to be used, not hoarded. Others use their wealth to purchase a more comfortable ride through life. That’s certainly possible, yet materialism is like fame: addictive and at the same time self-deprecating; there will always someone else who is richer than you and has more toys than you. The quest for more is insatiable. Instead of being defined by the wealth you’ve accumulated and have stored, why not be defined by the wealth you’ve accumulated and have deployed? The 3C’s of Significance The secret to making your money count is a process I call ‘the three Cs of significance’: care, cause and context. Identifying a care and resourcing a cause that supports it will add a context to your money that transcends dollars and cents. The 3C’s are a way of adding significance to your wealth and giving meaning to your life. Let’s look at each of the 3Cs. Care Everyone has at least one care etched on their hearts at birth or engraved on their hearts from life experience. If you were to shut out the ‘busy-ness’ of life and listen to the quiet voice of your soul or engage your self-awareness by looking for issues that trigger an above-average or disproportionate emotional response, you’ll likely identify what you care most about. Possibilities include social justice issues, animal welfare, the environment, politics, gender and social equality, faith, health, nutrition, sport … the list is just about endless. Furthermore, there are niches within niches. For instance, animal welfare might be your thing, and within that, you might be particularly concerned with the wellbeing of koalas, and more specifically, orphaned koalas in south-east Queensland. The ‘thing’ you care about may be a burning passion or just a glowing ember. It may also change over time. For the moment, all that’s important is that you identify something you care about. Does something come to mind? If it helps as an illustration, cancer became an unexpected care that was recently etched on my heart. Prior to being diagnosed with skin cancer, I was aware but not particularly concerned about cancer, but that all changed when a spot on my face turned sinister. Now I had something to care about! Cause Once you have a care in mind, the next step is to find a cause – a person, program, charity or organisation that is doing work that relates to the matter(s) you care about, and offer to become a partner in, or sponsor of, that work by making a financial contribution. The secret to knowing the cause is to stop thinking ‘me’ and start thinking ‘we’. Sometimes the things we care about seem too big, complex or challenging to do anything meaningful about. Or we assume our resources are insignificant compared to the scale of the problem. When we are overwhelmed, the temptation is to feel defeated, to conclude ‘why bother’, and use our time and energy to solve survival problems closer to home. Don’t be put off by what you can’t do—be empowered by what you can. It’s very unlikely you’ll be the only person in the world who cares about the issue on your heart, and you may find an already established ‘cause’ you could partner with to be the change you hope to see. If you’re interested, the Peter McCallum Cancer Centre was a ‘cause’ I found that related to my ‘care’. Context The cares you advance based on the causes you support will provide a context for your money that transcends dollars and cents. Your wealth gains meaning based on the means it provides for the causes you care about. Your life will count because your money counts, and the significance you generate will make you feel more significant. But how will you create the context for your dollars? Will you give time or money or both? And how frequently will you give? Time or money? Many people giving small amounts is just as effective as a few people giving large amounts. You can only give from what you have. If you have money, give money. If you have time (including expertise), give time. If you have both, give both. There’s usually a lack of ‘resource-ers’ over ‘resources’; that is, a shortage of people who can pay for the labour and materials needed to resource the care. Frequent or infrequent giving? Experience has taught me that it is better to give less, more often, than more, less often. Most charitable organisations would rather have guaranteed financial supply over several years, than unreliable and infrequent one-off donations. Why? Because with guaranteed funding they can create, administer and execute programs they know they’ll be able to resource and fund through to completion. Here’s a final suggestion: rather than giving from capital, give repeatedly from the recurrent income your invested capital generates. Giving capital is something you do once. Investing the capital and giving the income is something you can do forever. For example, say you had $50000 to donate. One option would be to donate it in one lump sum. Another option is to invest it and donate the annual income. Assuming you achieved an after-tax return of 8 per cent per annum, then after 12.5 years of giving you will have given the same amount (i.e. $50,000), except the second option would allow you to keep giving and supporting causes you care about for years and years to come—a magic pudding that gives and gives and never runs out! Some people like to count their money. Others like to make their money count. How will you be remembered – for the way you counted your money, or the way you made your money count? If you don’t like the answer, be sure to do something about it while you still can. The secret to making your money count is to put it to use by supporting causes that do good work in fields you care about. Edited extract from Steve McKnight’s Money Magnet: How to Attract and Keep a Fortune that Counts (Wiley $32.95), now available at all leading retailers or online at www.moneymagnet.au Image: Getty Images

Money & Banking

Over 60

News

Shop

Catalogues

Travel

Health

Lifestyle

Finance

Entertainment

Property

Information

Keep up to date

Search

Escape to the Country host dies aged 50

"Devastating blow": Back to the Future star's tragic family news

"A true legend": Jane Fonda pegs award at director's head

Hotel guest wakes to find his toes in the manager’s mouth

How to deep clean your kitchen bin

Hit your head while playing sport? Here’s what just happened to your brain

8 surprising alternatives to popular European destinations

Steve McQueen’s Ferrari heads to auction

5 super simple ways to save cash for retirement

Escape to the Country star’s heartbreaking cancer update

Great Scott! Michael J. Fox poses with new pup

Back to the Future stars reunite

Disturbing new details emerge in death of head teacher, husband and daughter

"He wants to get in my head": Djokovic takes stand against rowdy fans

More than 100,000 tourists will head to Antarctica this summer. Should we worry about damage to the ice and its ecosystems?

5 vitamin deficiencies your body is trying to tell you

Coastal property prices and climate risks are both soaring. We must pull our heads out of the sand

What will be your legacy?

Why you should beware spending rewards and BNPL programs

How to make your money count

News

Shop

Catalogues

Travel

Health

Lifestyle

Finance

Entertainment

Property

Information

Keep up to date

Search

Escape to the Country host dies aged 50

"Devastating blow": Back to the Future star's tragic family news

"A true legend": Jane Fonda pegs award at director's head

Hotel guest wakes to find his toes in the manager’s mouth

How to deep clean your kitchen bin

Hit your head while playing sport? Here’s what just happened to your brain

8 surprising alternatives to popular European destinations

Steve McQueen’s Ferrari heads to auction

5 super simple ways to save cash for retirement

Escape to the Country star’s heartbreaking cancer update

Great Scott! Michael J. Fox poses with new pup

Back to the Future stars reunite

Disturbing new details emerge in death of head teacher, husband and daughter

"He wants to get in my head": Djokovic takes stand against rowdy fans

More than 100,000 tourists will head to Antarctica this summer. Should we worry about damage to the ice and its ecosystems?

5 vitamin deficiencies your body is trying to tell you

Coastal property prices and climate risks are both soaring. We must pull our heads out of the sand

What will be your legacy?

Why you should beware spending rewards and BNPL programs

How to make your money count

Join Over60