When you read about a ‘magic number’ that you’ll need for a comfortable retirement, does it sound right to you? Is your number the same as your friend’s or neighbour’s, or should it be different? In this first edition of the FiftyUp Club’s new podcast series, we ask ‘How much money do you REALLY need to retire?’ Christopher Zinn speaks to Grattan Institute CEO John Daley, a critic of t... read more>

I was once asked to sum up Australia’s aged care system in 500 words and I failed. If you thought electricity, superannuation or NBN plans were complicated wait until you try and navigate this particular market. Aged care, whether we like it or not, at some stage becomes not just a choice but a necessity, and my take is to deal with it as you might any other consumer service and find out... read more>

Recently I had an argument with my wife about staying in a youth hostel which prompted the thought --when’s the right time to admit you might be too old for such an establishment?  After a recent European trip where we stayed in a few Austrian and English hostels, with more lavish pubs in between, she objected to a night in a New Zealand hostel during a hiking holiday. Apart from the ... read more>

Politicians often make grandiose claims as to how they can contain cost of living pressures, but petrol, electricity and grocery prices usually defy their best efforts.  Yet, the one policy which has demonstrably saved ordinary consumers millions of dollars languishes largely unloved by the pollies’. It’s called unit pricing and we have the efforts of one retired economist to thank…no... read more>

I recently heard an Oxford professor say the strongest indicator to a long life and well-being isn’t wealth or social standing but that it was the number and quality of your friendships. You’ll find plenty of research to support the health benefits of having pals which can sometimes be more helpful than family. It’s an amazing thought as you can choose your friendships but not who you... read more>