Next week is Valentine’s Day and while rose growers and chocolate companies will make a fortune, for some the need to impress costs a small fortune. I’m a single mum and I haven’t been invited out for a Valentine’s Day dinner for more than 20 years (bring out the violins..lol). Back then, the male would generally pay for dinner. If I was to be asked out now in the age of equality, I think... read more>

I don’t know about you but when it comes to surveys and research about us ‘older’ people I often take them with a pinch of salt, even if GPs don’t recommend it. Perhaps the findings are too numerous, general and contradictory such as if a glass or two of red wine is really good for you. (The jury still seems to be out) But in the past week I have spied and want to share two very different... read more>

Each year in July I diligently lodge my tax return through my accountant and eagerly await his call on how much he expects I will get back. It’s usually around $2000 which appears to be the average according to the Federal Government’s Money Smart website ($2,112 - Average tax refund 2 ) Imagine my surprise last year when I get a call saying I owe the ATO $4000! How did this happen? Surely i... read more>

The telecommunications business is fiercely competitive. The major telcos have massive advertising and sponsorship budgets and most have content streaming arrangements in place also but they make their money from your monthly phone bill. Our current Fiftyup Telco survey reflects what our members have been telling us for some time: 74% of FiftyUps still have a landline 72% of responde... read more>

I was surprised there wasn’t more in the media this week when Treasury's annual Tax Expenditures Statement, required as part of the charter of budget honesty, was released. Peter Martin writing for the Sydney Morning Herald reports that the 25 tax breaks that were identified, each cost more than $1 billion and together cost $150 billion. The private health insurance rebate costs the gover... read more>