How sensitive are you about revealing your true age when applying for a job? And is any reticence about the number due to vanity or a well-placed fear of age-discrimination? The question was raised in my mind after hearing one of the more energetic and richest of Australians, who turns 80 this week, was not keen on any celebratory hullabaloo from his staff. It’s not to suggest businessman... Read more

I have a new proudest possession. It’s a tool of my trade which - while making work a bit harder - can also mean the labour is more creative and even fun. As such it’s a minor symbol of the pendulum which seems to be swinging slightly away from the digital revolution which has overwhelmed our lives. Take some examples. Music: the vinyl LP is selling big time. Cinema: Directors like ... Read more

With energy usage soaring thanks to Winter and Coronavirus, every cent counts. So to get your home running as efficiently as possible, see if you've already tried all of these 101 ideas for saving on Energy bills. 1. Switch retailers! Average households can save $300-$400 below the Government-set 'Reference Price' for Electricity in just a few minutes by shopping around, according to the ... Read more

It showed some conceit but I bought myself a Father’s Day card this year to give to my teenage son. He’s now living far away and might not get around to recognising this quaint custom. It reads: "Thanks DAD for everything you taught me and every adventure we shared… it’s all here with me, wherever I go.” The card was adorned with maps, compasses and globes. My wife, as ever wise to such m... Read more

I am listening to a CD of wedding classics, including Ave Maria which was played at our own nuptials, while ticking off a checklist of steps to take in planning for my death. It might seem a macabre amalgam of thinking about one’s life events, especially since (like most of us I hope) I am not preparing to die anytime soon. But the vast majority of us spend more time considering our holid... Read more

There are so many seemingly important decisions to make in our lives, especially in later life, that it’s easy to lose sight of the truly big ones. Certainly the FiftyUp Club website gives plenty of food for thought around bills such as energy, general household insurance and life insurance. And while you are never too young, or too old, to want to pay a fair amount for these necessary se... Read more

It’s touted as one of the first examples of lifestyle marketing - a catchy slogan in the early 1960s a few FiftyUp Club members may recall. “You’re in the Pepsi Generation,” the soft-drink ads echoed as it sought to seduce hip youngsters away from Coke with little long-term success. But if we need a slogan for our times, which promises more than a few bubbles, might I suggest one for thos... Read more

 IN THIS GUIDE: NEW: Renewal Reminder Service "Insurer of the Year" award announced Trick or treat? We put Multi-policy Discounts to the test The truth about Home Insurance premiums: some providers charge DOUBLE what others do Some Car Insurers are offering partial refunds or gift cards to customers who are driving less Relief packages including discounts for those who have lo... Read more

 IN THIS GUIDE: Premiums to rise again! How does your fund compare? My Top 7 ways to save on Health Insurance How to Avoid a $1k Ambulance Bill Health Insurance COVID-19 Discounts The FREE Sunglasses Trick How to beat the 400,000-person Elective Surgery backlog Why March, June & Sept are a great time to score Health Insurance deals     🚑  HEALTH PREMIUM ... Read more

IN THIS GUIDE: Save $300-$400 a year as wholesale energy prices hit 5-year low.  My 10/15 Rule of Thumb for spotting cheap electricity 3-step Summer Energy Checklist  101 Energy-Saving Ideas Got a big bill? Do the A-B-C NEW list of Govt Efficiency Freebies  The Golden Rule if you can't pay a bill: Retailer Hardship programs State-by-state list of relief payments available ... Read more