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14 personal finance tips you were never taught – but need to know

Take a day to think about large purchases to avoid impulse buys “Delaying your purchases for a day gives you time to think about whether or not you really need the items, and it curbs regrettable impulse buys,” advises Marc Diana, CEO of MoneyTips. “Sale items may be an exception to this rule, but even then, question how badly you need the item compared to saving or investing the money you would use to purchase it. When times are tough, and you’re cutting expenses, would you rather have a rarely worn $300 pair of shoes or $300 cash?” Budgets are freeing, not constricting Says financial educator Tiffany Aliche, “Keeping a budget allows you to say yes to your goals in a strategic way. If you have a budget, you can save for the holiday, house or car you want to get. You can look at it as ‘No dining out,’ but I see it as ‘Yes to a trip to Paris.’ A budget is not a NO plan, but a YES plan with actual steps towards achieving your goals.” Budget with the 50/20/30 rule Lynn Toomey, co-founder of Your Retirement Advisor, suggests following this easy budgeting rule: Use 50 per cent of your income for non-discretionary necessities like food, rent/house payment, utilities, and transportation. Put aside 20 per cent of your income for an emergency fund (three to six months’ salary is a good target), retirement, savings, and to pay off any debts. Use 30 per cent of your income for discretionary (non-essential) spending such as entertainment, holidays and gifts. Penny-pinching is not the road to wealth Spending less doesn’t mean you’ll have more. Saving is a good way to stabilise your finances, but you still need to invest. “Pretend there are two islands,” advises Aliche, who is also known as The Budgetnista: “Financially Stuck Island and Wealthy Island.” She says that your savings can be like a car – you can’t drive off Financially Stuck Island without a bridge. Investing is the bridge to financial success. “To get from one island to another, you need to get in your savings car and drive it over your investment bridge.” It’s OK to put yourself before your kids Many people want their kids to go to university, says Aliche, “but it’s more important for you to save enough for retirement. Because the best gift you can give your child is not a free ride to school, but rather not to be a financial burden on them when it’s time to start their own family. Kids can get student loans; no one is going to lend you money without collateral when you’re retired.” Financial advisors aren’t only for wealthy people Millions of people have trillions invested in stocks, bonds, mutual funds and other stock exchange investments, but just because you can easily make trades yourself doesn’t mean you should. “Why not do what you do best to earn money and let a trained professional invest it for you?” asks Brian Saranovitz, president of Your Retirement Advisor. “A recent Vanguard Investments study indicated that integrating proper retirement strategies can add as much as 3 per cent efficient return to a retirement portfolio.” Adds Aliche, “You need to purposefully seek out knowledge. If you break a leg, you know that you need to go to a doctor. With personal finance, people have got the notion that they could just fix it themselves. When it comes to investing, don’t be afraid to seek professional help.” Get a clear picture of yourself at 80 Barring tragedy, you will live to a ripe, old age. Aliche recommends naming your 80-year-old image of yourself. “Mine is Wanda. I imagine Wanda sitting on the front steps in her yard. People feel disconnected from their older self. The more you can picture her, the better. I don’t want to see her mopping floors at 80. When I’m making a decision, I think, ‘How will this affect Wanda?’ If I dip into my retirement funds to buy an expensive car, that’s going to hurt Wanda.” If it’s easier, pretend you’re living with your grandfather or grandmother. “You’re not going to tell Granny, ‘You have to go to work. We need the money,’” she says. You can never have too much retirement savings Says Lynn Toomey, co-founder of Your Retirement Advisor, “Life is good. Retirement is better, if you are prepared.” She points out that retirement is laden with potential costs, such as healthcare, longevity, market volatility and inflation. “Even if you think you’re saving enough and have assets, it still may not be enough. The earlier you start saving and investing, the longer compound interest can work its magic to help you achieve a successful retirement.” Don’t blow your tax refund “What are you planning on doing with your tax refund?” asks financial advisor Mike Zaino. “If you’re like most people, the world of instant gratification is beckoning. It could be extremely damaging to your retirement account, however, especially given the time value of money and what Albert Einstein called ‘The eighth wonder of the world” – compound interest.” Ask current lenders for a better rate “Banks, credit unions and other lenders are keenly aware of their competition,” says Diana of MoneyTips.com. “If your credit score qualifies you for a better rate from another credit card issuer or lender, ask them to match the rate. There’s no downside to asking; the worst they could do is refuse.” Asking for your credit limit to be raised can improve your credit score Keep your credit utilisation – the amount of credit you use compared to your credit limit – low to boost your all-important credit, advises Diana. “You can borrow less, or you can ask for a raise in your credit limit.” A recent study from CreditCards.com found that only 28 per cent of respondents have never asked for an increase in their credit limit. However, a whopping 89 per cent of those who asked for a credit limit increase received one. Unless they have a high annual fee, don’t close your old credit cards “The longer your stable credit history, the better it reflects on your credit score,” explains Diana. “The age of accounts is averaged over all of your credit accounts, so closing an older account that is infrequently used actually harms your credit score in two ways: it lowers your credit limit, which raises your credit utilisation; and it lowers your average account age. If you have an old card with a decent credit limit, use it at least annually to keep it open. But don’t forget to pay the bill on time!” Don’t ever co-sign a loan “Co-signing a loan isn’t just vouching for someone’s character,” explains Toomey. “Understand that if the borrower doesn’t pay, then you’re responsible for every single missed payment. If they don’t pay, it’s your credit that will be ruined.” Being debt-free should not be your goal Says Aliche, creator of the Live Richer Challenge, “People focus on getting out of debt. If they use that money to grow wealth instead of getting rid of debt, they could be debt-free faster. Do you pay off your student loans to get debt-free, or invest money in your business to grow and secure wealth for yourself? If you focus on being debt-free, that’s all you’ll be. If you focus on building wealth, then you can be wealthy and debt-free.” Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/money/14-personal-finance-tips-you-were-never-taught-but-need-to-know?pages=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.

Money & Banking

14 best places to travel in 2024

If you’ve been to an airport recently, what we’re about to tell you will come as no surprise: Travel is back in a BIG way. Travellers are hitting the skies – and the rails, roads and seas – in record numbers, looking for the best places to travel. So what does that mean for 2024? “We’re looking at a wave of excitement over travelling with family and friends,” according to Heather Heverling, managing director of Audley Travel. “One thing we’re seeing a lot of is ‘skip-gen’ travel,” when grandparents take their grandkids on holidays but leave the parents at home. (We say: Those are some lucky kids!) And while domestic travel will certainly be popular, people are also looking to expand their horizons. Interest in Japan is booming, says Heverling. And there’s a desire to leave the crowds behind and find hidden gems in spots like France, where many people will be headed to watch the Olympics this summer. We know – there are so many amazing places to go and cool things to see, and it’s hard to narrow things down! To help you pick the perfect spot, we’ve rounded up some of the best places to visit in 2024, whether you’re looking for quick trips, beach getaways, cheap places to travel, city experiences or far-flung adventures. Read on to get a whole year’s worth of inspiration! South Island, New Zealand Wondering which hot spot to visit first? Our pick for 2024 is South Island, New Zealand. Christchurch is considered the base camp for South Island explorations. During the day, kayak in the emerald waters of Abel Tasman National Park, bike or hike to gorgeous hot springs, or sample New Zealand’s best pours at spots like Tussock Hill Vineyards (where you can also spend the night in new luxury suites nestled in the vineyard). When the sun goes down, it will be time for spectacular stargazing at Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, which recently became the first Dark Sky Reserve in New Zealand. Where to stay: Find a hotel that puts you right in the heart of Christchurch and within walking distance of restaurants, shops and the Botanical Gardens. Paris, France Everyone is talking about visiting France this year, and for good reason. Paris will be hosting the Summer Olympics, with events held throughout the City of Lights and the surrounding area – including boating and swimming events on the Seine River and dressage events at Versailles. (According to France’s tourism office, 95 per cent of the Olympic and Paralympic events will be held in existing locations for a more sustainable world event.) The city is in full-throttle preparation mode, with new hotels opening, art exhibits launching and plenty of projects underway to make Paris shine even brighter than usual. And that’s not all France has going on. June 6, 2024, is the 80th anniversary of D-Day, when Allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy. To get the most context out of a visit, it helps to go with a guide who can take you through the area and bring the past to life through storytelling and interactive exhibits. Where to stay: If possible, base yourself in the ever-popular Left Bank neighbourhood in the 6tharrondissement of the city, where you’ll be able to enjoy views right across the river of the stunning Notre Dame Cathedral, which is set to reopen in late 2024 after its devastating 2019 fire. Like we said, it’s a big year! Cambodia Why you should go: More ways to explore and two new airports to reach the country Cambodia is a bucket-list destination for many travellers. “With the addition of luxury lodges and resorts, travellers can now enjoy a true luxury immersion in Cambodia – blending ancient ruins and culture, cuisine and handicrafts, rainforest and jungle, and ending with a sublime beach stay,” says Brady Binstadt, CEO of GeoEx, an adventure-travel company. In the little-visited Cardamom Forest Protected Area, options for hiking, mountain biking, boating and bird-watching abound, says Binstadt, who also recommends boating through lush forest to Tatai village, where visitors can walk by the river, kayak through mangroves and listen to the symphonic sounds of wildlife from a floating lodge. You’ll also want to visit Angkor Wat, famed for its glorious temples. Happily, reaching Angkor Wat just became a lot easier with the brand-new, $1 billion Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport, which is just a short drive from the UNESCO Heritage Site temple complex. Later in 2024, the capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh, will also unveil a new $1.5 billion airport, providing even more ways to reach the country. Where to stay: Shinta Mani Wild in the Cardamom Mountains is a luxury jungle retreat about three hours from Phnom Penh; it boasts its own zip line over the waterfalls and river where the remote lodge is located. Another unique option is Six Senses Krabey Island off the southern coast, where 40 glass-front villas are tucked into the dense foliage of this romantic resort. Indulge in a treatment at the luxe spa after exploring the nearby Kbal Chhay waterfalls and the waterways of Ream National Park. Los Angeles, California Yes, we know, you hear “LA” and think beach and sand. But for 2024, replace that with cool art and culture, since Los Angeles will be hosting two awesome openings. When it opens in February, Destination Crenshaw will be the largest Black art program in the US, with a two-kilometre stretch of Crenshaw Boulevard in South LA, containing 100 commissioned works by Black artists displayed within beautifully landscaped community spaces. And September will see the launch of Getty’s colossal PST ART: Art & Science Collide. The latest edition of the initiative (previously known as Pacific Standard Time) will include more than 50 exhibitions across the Los Angeles area, including iconic spots like the Griffith Observatory, the LA County Museum of Art (LACMA) and the Getty Center. The exhibits aren’t just paintings and sculptures. They are intersections of art, science and the natural world – including “Color in Motion: Chromatic Explorations of Cinema” at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures; “From Fire We Are Born,” which explores Native American culture at the Fowler Museum at UCLA; and “Seeing the Unseeable: Data, Design, Art” at the ArtCenter College of Design. Where to stay: No matter which room or suite you book at the InterContinental Los Angeles, you’ll be greeted with what feels like a never-ending view. You’ll see everything from the Pacific Ocean to the Hollywood sign and downtown skyscrapers. And not only is it the tallest building west of Chicago, but the location puts you right in the middle of all the arts action. Okavango Delta, Botswana Why you should go: Sustainable new safari camps deep in the Delta. Always dreamed of going on safari? Botswana should be at the top of your 2024 travel list. A decade after being designated the 1000th site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, Botswana’s watery Okavango Delta remains a captivating marvel of nature that differentiates it from other safari destinations. The intricate network of waterways, lush greenery and diverse ecosystems presents amazing opportunities to observe animals like elephants, impala, kudu, zebra and more from a mokoro, or dugout boat, as you float silently through the area. For an intimate stay in the wilderness areas, try the new tented camps. If that’s not your thing, there are also fancy, all-inclusive hotels that wrap game drives into their included offerings. Where to stay: First, there’s the Natural Selection’s Tawana Camp, which is set to open in May 2024 in the Moremi Game Reserve. It will combine modern luxury (think: multi-bedroom, free-standing suites with private pools) with intimate safari experiences. Bonus: This corner of Botswana is known for its high population of lions and leopards. Atzaro Okavango from African Bush Camps opens in March 2024, offering sustainable luxury in the heart of the Delta. This eco-friendly property is made from recycled materials and powered entirely by solar energy. Guests stay in air-conditioned suites with their own plunge pools and will be treated to year-round sightings of elephants, buffalo, lions, leopards, giraffes, hippos and other African wildlife. Turks and Caicos Why you should go: Because kiteboarding will be the thing to do in 2024 – and Turks and Caicos is also heaven on earth. We’re calling it: When kiteboarding makes its official Olympic debut in 2024, the sport will surge in popularity. But don’t go to Paris to do it. Instead, head to Turks and Caicos, a fabulous warm-weather winter getaway that offers some of the best kiteboarding conditions in the world. “The island’s consistent trade winds, shallow warm waters and large areas of flat, uncrowded riding make it an ideal destination for this thrilling water sport,” says Vasco Borges, the owner of Beach Enclave Turks and Caicos and a passionate kiteboarder. Swimming and snorkelling are popular activities on the island as well, and avid divers love the mammoth undersea coral wall off Grand Turk. Plus, Turks and Caicos is home to some of the most gorgeous beaches in the world. In other words, it’s always one of the best places to travel! Where to stay: New for 2024, Beach Enclave will offer new beach houses with privacy, tranquility and an oceanfront private pool on the North Shore. The Grace Bay location of the multi-location resort is introducing contemporary villas with a blend of indoor and outdoor living, called the Reserve at Grace Bay. And finally, at the resort’s Long Bay location, which is known as a kiteboarder’s haven, you’ll find new beach houses along the pristine white-sand beachfront, ideal for families and water-sports enthusiasts. Belize Have you heard of the Great Barrier Reef? We thought so. How about Belize’s Barrier Reef? Not so much, right? We’re here to tell you that in 2024, it’s time to put this natural wonder on your must-visit list. The world’s second-largest barrier reef (behind Australia’s), it is actually the biggest reef in both the northern and western hemispheres. The snorkelling here is magnificent, and so is the diving – plus, it’s not as crowded as the better-known Australian alternative. If you’re looking for the perfect home base while visiting, consider Belize’s largest island, Ambergris Caye. The Belize Barrier Reef is just a 400-metres offshore, and you’ll definitely want to check out the protected Hol Chan Marine Reserve, which is just a 10-minute boat ride from the main town of San Pedro. When you’re not snorkelling or swimming, spend your days popping into Belizean art galleries and souvenir shops or just lounging on the white sand. Where to stay: Try the Alaia Belize, an Autograph Collection hotel in the island’s historic town of San Pedro. This beachfront hotel is just 600 metres from the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve and has stunning views of the Caribbean Sea. Plus, it has an on-site dive shop and three pools, including Belize’s first-ever suspended rooftop pool and a lounge with 360-degree views. Paros, Greece Have you heard of destination dupes? According to Expedia, these are “places that are a little unexpected, sometimes more affordable and every bit as delightful as the tried-and-true destinations travellers love.” One of our favourites on Expedia’s list is this stunning Greek island that usually sails under the most travellers’ Mediterranean radars in uncrowded bliss while the hordes of tourists head to Mykonos and Santorini. Visiting the island, which is about a two-hour ferry ride south of well-known party island Mykonos and right next to Naxos, is one of the best things to do in Greece, since it means enjoying idyllic beaches framed by the azure waters of the Aegean Sea. While you’re here, explore the winding streets and charming villages of Naoussa and Lefkes, and sip whipped coffee frappes or ouzo at the picturesque port of Parikia (the island’s capital), home to whitewashed houses adorned with vibrant bougainvillea. Where to stay: You can’t go wrong at the newly opened Minois hotel, where the whitewashed walls hold luxurious touches, such as decadent dining at Olvo and pampering spa treatments. But the best part may be simply floating in the infinity pool with views of the sea spread out in front of you. Kyoto, Japan Why you should go: An array of new luxury hotels and the opening of the first Nintendo Museum. “One thing we can say for sure is that interest in visiting Japan is not slowing down,” says Audley Travel’s Heverling. Japan finally welcomed visitors back in 2023, and the numbers are soaring. And for 2024, we’re seeing cool new openings and numerous developments that will make your trip even easier. Kyoto, especially, will be the city to watch in the new year, when the world’s first Nintendo Museum opens in spring 2024 in the former Nintendo Uji Kokura factory site in Kyoto. This will be a big draw for pop-culture lovers and gamers. Even if you don’t know a controller from a cruller, though, Kyoto will enthral you with ancient temples and beautiful architecture that make it look like a real-life fairy-tale town. Plus, there are four amazing new hotels opening in Kyoto in 2024, where you can happily rest, relax and enjoy. Where to stay: Luxury brand Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto will feature a private onsen bath; elegant Six Senses Kyoto will have a spa and zen-like rooms situated around seasonal gardens; and the 313-room Hilton Kyoto will be the brand’s first flagship hotel in Kyoto. Finally, the new Regent Kyoto (an IHG property) is opening a resort-like property in a hundred-year-old garden complex that’s also home to a Michelin-starred restaurant. Northern Territories, Canada Why you should go: An almost-guaranteed opportunity to see the northern lights during the “solar max”. There are two truths about seeing the northern lights: They’re beautiful, and they’re elusive. Unlike the solar eclipse, there’s no date or time that you’re guaranteed to see the night-time spectacular. You do need, however, to go north… in winter… and then wait. That’s why we’re so excited about the news from the Northern Territories of Canada, where a “solar max” cycle is going to make it possible to see the aurora borealis with new ease. According to the Canada Tourism Board, in the Northwest Territories, “travellers have a 98 per cent chance of witnessing the spectacle” during a three-night stay November through March, when longer hours of darkness each day and clear nights make it easier to spot the lights. The jewelled green, purple and gold lights can be seen due to the perfect combination of clear nights, flat landscape, low humidity and the location beneath the earth’s auroral oval. Even better, 2024 is the peak of the 11-year solar cycle, which means the light show will be even more dramatic than usual. Where to stay: The main gateway to the area is Yellowknife, the location of Aurora Village, an entirely Indigenous-owned experience that leads guided night-time tours and where you can go dog sledding and snowshoeing. You can also spend the evening in a cosy teepee, complete with a wood stove, which makes it easy to pop out and see the aurora borealis when it lights up the sky. Mexico City Why you should go: Tour tourism for live-music lovers – and Madonna fans! Expedia predicts that “tour tourism,” following a favourite artist on their headlining tour, will thrive in 2024. “In 2023, the cultural impact of the Eras and Renaissance tours was undeniable, driving ticket sales but also travel and tourism,” according to Expedia Brands travel expert Melanie Fish. Perhaps driven by ticket prices, 30 per cent of travellers told Expedia they would travel outside of their home city for a concert because tickets were cheaper elsewhere, with Mexico City coming out near the top of that list. We’re totally in on the trend, especially since Madonna will play four dates the Palacio de los Desportes in 2024, making Mexico City a live-music hot spot for the coming year. And as an extra bonus, Mexico City is an affordable warm-weather destination, not to mention a hub for art, culture and cuisine. Translation: There’s plenty to do and see when you’re not rocking out. Check out the Colonia Roma neighbourhood, called CDMX – often referred to as “the Williamsburg of Mexico City” for its hipster vibe and cool architecture, art galleries and restaurants. Where to stay: The new boutique hotel Colima 71 features hundreds of authentic Mexican art pieces, a craft coffee bar with an on-site barista and plenty of communal spaces perfect for mingling with fellow travellers. Located in the heart of artsy CDMX, it’s also a super convenient and central location. Washington, D.C. Why you should go: To watch democracy at work during an election year… and visit some cool museums, too. Following a record year of tourism to the US capital, 2024 will likely see visits continue to rise, thanks to the upcoming presidential election in November. But even if you’re not a pollster, there are plenty of other attractions in the nation’s capital that make it one of the best places to travel year-round. First, travellers will be happy to hear that it’s easier to get into the heart of the city now that the Metro added service to Dulles International Airport with direct service on the Silver Line of the underground train system – and it’s never more than $6! While you’re in town, check out the newly renovated and reopened National Museum of Women in the Arts, which spotlights women artists from the 17th century to the present. And in 2024, the Smithsonian’s contemporary art museum, the Hirshhorn, will be celebrating its 50th anniversary with a collection of new exhibits. Also, remember: Nearly all D.C. museums are free, so the sightseeing part of your trip will be super affordable. Where to stay: Book a room at The Dupont Circle, a hotel that successfully walks the line between feeling luxurious and homey. It’s steps away from dozens of art galleries and museums, and it boasts an impressive art collection of its own. Don’t miss brunch and dinner at the delicious new American on-site Pembroke restaurant. The Pekoe Trail, Sri Lanka Why you should go: To check out amazing new hiking trails and old cultures. The newly opened Pekoe Trail in Sri Lanka is a fantastic way to explore the country’s varied landscapes. Ten years in the making, the Pekoe Trail is the first collection of destination-based walking trails that aims to support remote communities, promote cultural heritage and showcase Sri Lankan scenery. Most of the trails opened in the fall of 2023, with a few more opening at the beginning of 2024. The 300-kilometre route starts in the central city of Kandy, famous for the Temple of the Tooth, and meanders through to stunning mountain views of Ella. Audley Travel, says Heverling, can arrange treks to the most scenic parts of the Sri Lanka trail. Hikers will walk on the region’s famed tea trails, as well as through forests, jungle and remote towns and villages. Where to stay: The experts at Audley recommend Mountain Heavens for its fantastic infinity pool that will make you feel like you’re literally floating over the valley. Big, comfy beds and modern amenities, not to mention a delicious included breakfast, all add up to a very luxurious end to a hike. Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates Why you should go: Seaside vibes in Dubai’s under-the-radar neighbour to the north. Dubai is always popular, and always full of flashy new attractions and frenetic energy. But if you want an Emirates vacation that’s a little more relaxing, head 40 minutes north of the city to this under-the-radar gem. Well, under the radar until 2024, that is, when the luxury Anantara Mina Al Arab Ras Al Khaimah Resort opens and more people realise that it’s one of the best places to travel. It’s set amid the area’s stunning mountains and mangroves in the seaside neighbourhood of Mina Al Arab, which is quickly becoming a trendy destination, with new openings and plenty of sunshine. Ras Al Khaimah is a great spot for outdoorsy types, who can snorkel or swim in the crystal-clear turquoise waters, then head off for a quad biking adventure in the desert or soar over the desert on the world’s longest zipline. And speaking of world records: If you get a chance to spend New Year’s Eve here, don’t miss it. The Emirate holds multiple Guinness World Records for its spectacular fireworks performances held during its New Year’s celebrations. Where to stay: The Anantara Resort here is more than just a getaway from the bustling city. It also boasts Bali-style overwater bungalows for an over-the-top romantic getaway. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/flightstravel-hints-tips/14-best-places-to-travel-in-2024?pages=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.

International Travel

What kind of Australia will we wake up to if the Voice referendum is defeated on October 14?

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/paul-strangio-1232">Paul Strangio</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a> It was Robert Menzies, father of the modern Liberal Party, who famously remarked: “to get an affirmative vote from the Australian people on a referendum proposal is the labour of Hercules”. Menzies knew this from bitter experience. The politician with the electoral Midas touch was the sponsor of three unsuccessful referendums. Most notable was Menzies’ (thankfully) failed 1951 attempt to win public support for amending the Constitution to grant his government the power to outlaw the Communist Party of Australia. On the Labor side of politics, the feat of constitutional change has been an even more unfulfilling exercise. The party has been responsible for 25 amendment proposals and only one has been successful. It has been a truly Sisyphean quest. If the opinion polls are to be believed, history is repeating itself with the impending Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice referendum. Since the middle of the year, those polls have been relentlessly moving in the wrong direction for the “yes” case. On the current trajectory, the Voice will secure less than 40% of the national vote and also fail to win the support of a majority of states. The frontier states of Queensland and Western Australia in particular are lost causes. As it must, the “yes” camp continues to evince optimism. Its advocates point, for example, to the relatively high number of undecided voters, hoping they break heavily in their favour. I fervently pray this optimism is well placed. Yet a prudent government would now be wargaming what to do in the scenario that the Voice is defeated on October 14. For Anthony Albanese, a “no” vote will present diabolically difficult challenges. As prime minister, he will be tasked with making sense of that result. His response will need to be finely calibrated, modulating the message to different audiences. First, and most importantly, he will have to devise a formula of words to console and soothe the Indigenous population, the majority of whom will likely feel that the rejection of the Voice is another in a long line of acts of dispossession and exclusion by settler Australia. Albanese has often likened the Uluru Statement from the Heart to a generous outstretched hand. He will not only need to explain why that hand has been spurned, but give cause why First Nations people should continue to keep faith with non-Indigenous Australia. He will have to provide reassurance that reconciliation endures as a genuine project. Both at home and abroad there will be those who view a “no” vote as having exposed a dark streak of racism in Australia’s soul. Albanese will feel obliged to seek to absolve the nation of that stigma. But given some of the more noxious attitudes aired during the referendum campaign, airbrushing racism out of the picture will not be easy. On election nights, leaders are typically magnanimous in victory and gracious in defeat. There is a convenient myth about election results: that the punters always get it right. Albanese will no doubt have to publicly give lip service to that notion if the referendum fails. He will avoid recriminations, despite the sophistry and mendacity that has characterised the “no” side of the debate. In this way, he will play the role of healer-in-chief after the bitter divisions of the referendum campaign. What attacks there are on Peter Dutton for being a wrecker will probably be left to be made by other government members, but even these will have to be carefully framed so as to not indict all those who fell in behind the “no” cause. The larger dilemma Albanese and his government will face if the referendum is lost is where to next with the Uluru Statement agenda, to which the prime minister signed up lock stock and barrel on election night in May 2022. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MlulrQ1w9Zs?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> Most pressing will be the question of what happens to the idea of an Indigenous Voice to parliament. The most obvious fallback position will be a legislated rather than constitutionally enshrined Voice. The complication is that Dutton has claimed some of that space and Indigenous leaders have rightly portrayed a legislated Voice as a poor substitute because it can be repealed by a future government. Somehow a legislated Voice will have to be transformed into a palatable alternative. The Voice was the low hanging fruit of the Uluru statement when compared to treaty-making. The realpolitik takeout from the rejection of the Voice referendum will be that there is next to no chance of delivering on a national treaty in the short to medium term, especially if that were to involve some form of constitutional amendment. It would provoke an even more shrill scare campaign than the one we have endured over the Voice. In the absence of progress at the national level, it will be left to the states to advance treaty making and truth telling. The defeat of the Voice referendum may set back other elements of Labor’s vision for the nation. When he won office, Albanese appointed an assistant minister for the republic in a clear signal that a move to a republic would be a feature of his government’s longer term reform program. With the Australian public’s profound reluctance to embrace constitutional change demonstrated yet again, it will likely douse enthusiasm within the government for proceeding to a referendum on a republic in its second term. The idea will continue to drift, as it has since 1999. Another probable consequence of the loss of the referendum will be a narrowing of the priorities of the government. Labor hardheads will read that result and opinion polls showing a dip in the government’s support as evidence that voters are growing frustrated by what they regard as a straying from bread and butter issues. So, we are likely to see a less expansive government as it steers towards focussing chiefly on matters such as the economy, cost of living pressures and housing shortages. These, of course, are vital issues, but they will not stir the soul or etch themselves into history as would a Voice, treaty and republic. All of this seems a desperate shame. But it is the Australia we will wake up to the morning after October 14, if indeed the referendum goes down.<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/214359/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/paul-strangio-1232">Paul Strangio</a>, Emeritus professor of politics, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-kind-of-australia-will-we-wake-up-to-if-the-voice-referendum-is-defeated-on-october-14-214359">original article</a>.

Legal

Princess Di's black sheep jumper sells for 14 times over asking price

Princess Diana's famous "black sheep" jumper has sold at auction for more than $1.1million. The iconic red and white (and one tiny bit of black, of course!) jumper fetched precisely $1,143,000 at Sotheby's in New York - making it the most expensive piece of clothing owned by the former Princess of Wales to sell at auction, as well as the most expensive jumper to ever be sold at auction. There were a total of 44 bids within the final 15 minutes of a two-week online bidding process for the famous item of clothing - during which the bidding leapt from $190,000 to $1,143,000, which ultimately pushed the sale to a staggering 14 times over the initial asking price of $80,000. The woollen jumper was worn by Lady Di to a polo match in Windsor in June 1981, just one month before she married the then-Prince Charles. Soon after Diana wore the garment, it was returned to Sally Muir and Joanna Osborne, founders of the label Warm & Wonderful because of a tear at the cuff. It was sent back to the designers along with a note from Buckingham Palace, requesting that the jumper be either repaired or replaced. A new jumper was knitted for Diana, with Osborne believing the original garment had been lost after the replacement was sent to the Princess of Wales, which she wore to another polo match in 1983. However, Osborne later discovered the jumper, which had been preserved underneath an old cotton bedspread, while searching her attic looking for an old pattern. She got in touch with Sotheby's auction house which gave the garment an auction estimate of around $80,000 - $120,000. Speaking to The Telegraph UK, Osborne said, "We didn't think we had any of the original sheep jumpers, because at the time, we were so desperate to complete orders that we never owned one ourselves, so I couldn't believe I'd found the original Diana sheep jumper." "It took a while to sink in. And we're so lucky it's not fallen to pieces." Sotheby's said of the now-iconic design, "The Black Sheep sweater is one of the most iconic pieces worn by Princess Diana to ever come to market." "The cultural impact of this moment from the 1980s is exemplified by the head of Rowing Blazers, Jack Carlson, who in 2020, requested to partner with the original designers and license the sheep design to be reproduced for his own fashion line." "Since stumbling upon the sweater ... we have been reliving the fond memories of Princess Diana appearing on the front pages of every newspaper in 1981, wearing our very own sweater. "While we are forever indebted to her for the impact this had on our business, our deepest appreciation lies in the knowledge that she shared a unique connection to the black sheep design. We are thrilled that this cherished sweater has now found a new home, carrying with it the enduring legacy of Princess Diana." Images: Getty

Beauty & Style

Australians will vote in a referendum on October 14. What do you need to know?

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/anne-twomey-6072">Anne Twomey</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a> Australians will go to the polls on October 14 to vote in a referendum on an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. We have not voted in a federal referendum since <a href="https://www.aec.gov.au/elections/referendums/1999_referendum_reports_statistics/1999.htm">1999</a>. So what do you need to know? <h2>How is a referendum run?</h2> A referendum is run by the Australian Electoral Commission in the same way as they do elections. That means most people will vote in a polling booth on Saturday October 14 at a local school or community centre. There will probably be a barbecue, with a democracy sausage or two, and a cake stall if you are lucky. But there will also be <a href="https://www.aec.gov.au/voting/ways_to_vote/">pre-poll voting</a> and postal voting, just like in an ordinary election. Voting in a referendum, like an election, is <a href="http://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/legis/cth/consol_act/rpa1984353/s45.html">compulsory</a>. One difference will be that there will only be one ballot paper, and it will be short and easy to fill out. So the queues at polling booths should move quickly. <h2>What will I be voting on?</h2> A referendum is used to ask the Australian people whether they approve of a change being made to Commonwealth <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2013Q00005">Constitution</a>, which is Australia’s ultimate law. In this case, the amendment doesn’t change existing words, but instead adds new words to the Constitution. If passed, the amendment would insert a <a href="https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;db=LEGISLATION;id=legislation%2Fbills%2Fr7019_aspassed%2F0001;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Fbills%2Fr7019_aspassed%2F0000%22">new Chapter IX</a> at the end of the Constitution, saying: <blockquote> Chapter IX — Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples 129 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice In recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia: (i) there shall be a body, to be called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice; (ii) the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice may make representations to the Parliament and the Executive Government of the Commonwealth on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; (iii) the Parliament shall, subject to this Constitution, have power to make laws with respect to matters relating to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice, including its composition, functions, powers and procedures. </blockquote> Despite the rather confusing public debate about other issues, all that voters are being asked to do in a referendum is decide whether or not the above words should be inserted in the Constitution. <h2>What is the question and how do I fill in the ballot paper correctly?</h2> The ballot paper does not contain the words of the amendment you will be voting on, as in many cases the amendment would be far too long. Instead, voters are asked to approve the amendment as set out in the proposed law that has been already passed by parliament. That proposed law is identified by its “long title’, which gives a brief description of its nature. In this case, voters <a href="https://voice.gov.au/referendum-2023/referendum-question-and-constitutional-amendment">will be asked</a>: <blockquote> A Proposed Law: to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Do you approve this proposed alteration? </blockquote> A <a href="https://twitter.com/AntonyGreenElec/status/1694456812370903178">single box</a> is then provided, and you fill in your ballot paper by either writing "yes” or “no” in that box. While there are some “savings provisions” that allow <a href="https://www.aec.gov.au/media/2023/08-25.htm">votes in other forms</a> to be counted if the voter’s intention is clear, it is best not to risk it. Just follow the directions and vote “yes” or “no” to ensure your vote counts. If you want to see a copy of the amendment when you are voting, you could bring with you the <a href="https://www.aec.gov.au/referendums/files/pamphlet/your-official-yes-no-referendum-pamphlet.pdf?=v1.0">pamphlet outlining the “yes” and “no” cases</a> that the Australian Electoral Commission is currently sending to each household. It sets out the amendment and the arguments either way. Giving an informed vote is important. The people who wrote the Constitution entrusted us with the final say about changes to Australia’s most important law, in the expectation that we would perform our constitutional duty responsibly. We shouldn’t betray that trust. <h2>How is the outcome of the referendum determined and when will we know?</h2> All the votes given in polling booths will be counted by hand on the night, so the results should come in pretty quickly, as it is a single ballot paper with a simple “yes” or “no” choice. Pre-poll votes and those postal votes that have already been received will also be counted on the night. That means we should get a good idea of the result on the night, but if it is very close, we would have to wait some days until the rest of the postal votes arrive and are counted. All votes go through two counts to double-check results and the counting process can be watched by scrutineers. Unlike an election, there is a special double majority that has to be met for a referendum to pass. First, a majority of formal votes across the country (including in the territories) would need to be “yes” votes. Second, there would have to be a majority of “yes” votes in at least four out of six states (for which territory votes do not count). This means, for example, that 60% of voters in the country could vote “yes”, but the referendum could still fail if a majority of voters in three of the less populous states voted “no”. <h2>What happens if the referendum passes or fails?</h2> If the referendum passes, it is then sent to the governor-general, who gives assent to it. Once that happens, the amendment to the Constitution is made. The amendment says “there shall be a body, to be called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice”. But it also says legislation is needed to determine the composition of the Voice and how it operates. The next step would be consultation about such matters before legislation is enacted to give effect to the Voice. If the referendum fails, no change to the Constitution is made.<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/195352/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/anne-twomey-6072">Anne Twomey</a>, Professor emerita, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a> This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/australians-will-vote-in-a-referendum-on-october-14-what-do-you-need-to-know-195352">original article</a>.

Legal

Death announced of child star and her brother at just 14

The family of both rapper Lil Tay, 14, and her brother, Jason Tian, 21, have announced on social media that they have both passed away. Lil Tay, originally known as Claire Hope, was a musical artist and influencer with an enormous, three-million strong following on Instagram, the same account through which the family shared the statement that she passed away suddenly. Their deaths are currently being investigated, as after the controversial social media star's former manager Harry Tsang called into question the legitimacy of the post - which did not mention a cause of death - as police in both Vancouver and LA report that they have no current record of their passing. The statement expressed the profound grief and pain the family is experiencing due to this apparent unexpected loss. <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/CvuphvirkOz/?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/CvuphvirkOz/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Lil Tay (@liltay)</a> </div> </blockquote> Lil Tay gained prominence on social media in 2018 at the tender age of just nine. She became famous for her orchestrated confrontations and videos where she showcased stacks of money while getting in and out of luxurious sports cars. However, she abruptly disappeared from the social media scene due to contractual and custody disputes. During that time, she mentioned in an interview that she and her mother, Angela Tian, were legally required to move back to Vancouver from Los Angeles to be with her father, citing a court order. She alleged at the time that her father's motivation was financial. Her father's spokesperson, Charles Wong, denied these accusations, stating that her father wanted her to maintain a more structured public image and a portion of her earnings to be set aside in a trust fund. After a prolonged absence from social media, Lil Tay's Instagram account, which was supposedly compromised, posted accusations of abuse against her father and his second wife. In response, her father refuted these claims, expressing heartbreak over the situation and stating that false information had been spread online. He expressed uncertainty about the hacking of the Instagram account and emphasised the potential legal consequences of the actions taken on the platform. Images: Instagram

News

14 foods everyone over 50 should probably be eating

Beetroot These sweet root veggies have a lot going for them. “The earthy vegetables can boost your energy, brain power, heart health, and more,” says Patricia Bannan, author of Eat Right When Time is Tight. “Beets are full of nitrates that can increase blood flow to the brain, which can help combat dementia.” The nitrates can also help keep blood pressure in check. “They’re converted to nitric oxide in the body and can help lower blood pressure by dilating blood vessels,” says Bannan. Sunflower seeds Who doesn’t want to keep their skin looking young? “A review study suggests that eating a combination of vitamin E and vitamin C can help protect the skin from UV damage,” says, dietitian Natalie Rizzo. “Sunflower seeds are an excellent source of vitamin E, and they pair nicely with a spinach salad. Spinach offers vitamin C.” Pecans They’re not just for pralines and pecan pie: “People over age 50 may worry about heart disease,” says dietitian Toby Amidor. “The unique mix of unsaturated fats, plant sterols, fibre, and flavonoids in pecans all add up to make pecans a heart-healthy nut. Research indicates that eating a serving of pecans each day may help reduce the risk of heart disease.” Whey protein “Since we know that the loss of muscle begins around age 30, it makes sense to think about foods that can help slow down the process of sarcopenia – age-related muscle loss,” says dietitian Ryan Whitcomb. While most nutrition experts will say it’s best to get protein from whole-food sources, obtaining enough is not always possible. You can supplement with whey, adding it to smoothies, yoghurt, pancake mix, and more. “Whey is a high-quality, complete protein,” says Whitcomb. “Another great thing about whey is that it is rich in cysteine, which leads to higher levels of glutathione in the body. Glutathione is one of the most important, if not the most important antioxidant in the body. Glutathione can help prevent the damage that free radicals may cause.” Dark leafy greens “These vegetables, such as collard greens and kale, are an excellent source of calcium,” says sports dietitian Angie Asche. “As you age, calcium needs are increased. One cup of cooked collard greens provides almost 30 per cent of the daily value for calcium, along with a number of other important nutrients such as vitamin K, vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, and fibre.” Beans “As we get older, our risk of developing chronic diseases such as hyperlipidemia, high-cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes increases,” says nutritionist Emily Kyle. “Consuming a fibre-rich, plant-based diet that includes beans and legumes can help reduce the incidence of these diseases, while also providing an aging body with many important nutrients such as calcium, iron, and potassium.” Add chickpeas to a rice bowl or white beans to a pizza. “You don’t need to consume an entirely plant-based diet to reap the benefits of beans, just add them to the meals you are already cooking to begin to enjoy their nutritious benefits immediately,” notes Kyle. Quinoa Here’s another way to up your protein intake. “You can’t go wrong with this plant-based protein source,” says Dana Angelo White, author of the Healthy Instant Pot Cookbook. Quinoa is a complete protein, offering all nine essential amino acids. “It’s a higher protein substitute for brown rice in stir-fries, salads, and even burritos,” says Angelo White. You can also use quinoa as a base for a hearty salad. Tomatoes Here’s a food that you may already love – but did you know it can help prevent wrinkles? Because tomatoes boast the antioxidant lycopene, they may help protect skin from damage that may occur from sun exposure. Your body best absorbs the lycopene from cooked tomatoes, so try combining tomato sauce with pasta or spaghetti squash. Mushrooms “After age 50, it’s important for women to eat foods that counteract symptoms of menopause, like brittle bones and low bone density,” says Rizzo. “During this stage of life, it’s crucial to increase your intake of bone-boosting calcium and vitamin D." "Mushrooms are one of the few food sources of vitamin D, and research suggests using mushrooms as a substitute for beef may help reduce calories in your diet.” Make sure to look for mushrooms grown in sunlight or under UV light to get the biggest helping of vitamin D. Prunes Want to keep your bones strong as you get older? “Research suggests that eating five to six prunes each day may help to prevent bone loss,” says nutritionist Erin Palinski-Wade. “And since bone loss can accelerate after age 50, adding a food like prunes can be key for this population.” As a no-sugar-added dried fruit, prunes are a great way to promote digestive health with three grams of fibre per serving, she adds. Eggs Here’s help for your noggin: Eating eggs can help boost brain health. “There is new research that shows that eating eggs has been associated with improved cognitive performance in adults,” says nutritionist Angelo White. “In fact, lutein that’s found in eggs has been shown to play a role in cognition in older adults.” You can add eggs to anything from fried rice to sandwiches. Chia seeds These crunchy seeds provide crucial nutrients for healthy aging. “Chia seeds are a plant-based source of two nutrients, calcium, and omega-3 fatty acids, that become even more significant to our health as we get older,” says Kyle. “The calcium can help support bone health, and the omega-3s can help support brain health.” Add chia seeds to salads for a bit of crunch or incorporate them into a chia seed pudding. Grapes “The whole grape, which contains more than 1600 natural plant compounds – including antioxidants and other polyphenols – offers a range of intriguing health benefits when included in our daily diet,” says Bannan, a nutritionist. “These include benefits to the heart, eyes, brain, and joints. A ¾ cup of grapes contains just 90 calories, and grapes of all colours are a natural source of antioxidants and other polyphenols.” Greek yoghurt Hello, nutritional powerhouse: “Besides being tasty, Greek yoghurt provides about 40 per cent less sodium and sugar compared to traditional yoghurt – with twice the protein,” says Amidor. “Greek yoghurt also provides live and active cultures, which act as probiotics for digestive health. Research shows that Greek yoghurt may be useful in lowering the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.” Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/healthsmart/diet/14-foods-everyone-over-50-should-probably-be-eating?pages=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.

Food & Wine

How Aussie maths whiz won the lotto 14 times

Winning the lotto is more than likely a once-in-a-lifetime chance, but Aussie man Stefan Mandel defied the odds when he won the golden ticket 14 times using basic maths. The Romanian-Australian mathematician, joined by a small team of investors, discovered a remarkably easy way to hack the system in the 1980s and 1990s. Mandel’s first two wins were secured in his home country of Romania, where he was saving up to escape the then-Soviet Union before he won another dozen times in Australia. Surprisingly, Mandel’s system was not only straightforward but relied on very little of his mathematical training. The odds of winning the jackpot in the Australian Powerball are about one in 76,767,600, according to lotto land. If you want to double your chances with two tickets, the odds are still a mere 2 in 76,767,600. Mandel observed that in certain lotteries, the jackpot prize was much higher than the cost of purchasing every possible combination of numbers. Given he buys every ticket, he was almost guaranteed a return on his investment – so long as the winnings were split between several golden ticket holders. So, Mandel did just that. While it’s not completely against the rules, snatching up every ticket doesn’t quite resonate with the spirit of the game, and his winnings were astronomical. Mandel, now 89, convinced a group of investors to buy into the scheme over several years. He created algorithms that were able to generate and print the millions of different ticket groups required, which some lotteries allowed people to do at the time. With his pile of tickets printed and ready to go, Mandel and his team waited for a hefty jackpot, where they would purchase those tickets in shops. Mandel secured 12 wins on smaller lotteries Down Under before he sought out jackpots in the US with a sum far larger than anything he had won so far. While he won millions of dollars with his scheme, aiming for massive lotteries in the US proved to be his downfall. Mandel specifically had his sights set on the Virginia lottery, which was new at the time and only used numbers 1-44 in its draws. That meant there were 7,059,052 possible combinations, much less than the 25 million or higher that his team was used to. When the jackpot was high enough, around US$15.5 million, Mandel ordered thousands of investors to buy out the tickets in bulk. To Mandel’s dismay, some investors pulled out. After two days of purchases, the group secured about 6.4 million of the possible 7 million combinations needed to guarantee them the jackpot. Fortunately, the odds remained in his favour as he won the Virginia Lottery too. The FBI and CIA launched an investigation into Mandel, but no wrongdoing was found. Virginia Lottery had no choice but to pay up. Mandel won millions of dollars in the Virginia Lottery, including bringing home most of the smaller prizes. He later disbanded his team and retired to a beach house in Vanuatu, where he still lives. While Mandel’s scheme was legal at the time, it resulted in new rules for the lottery. Many countries, including the US and Australia, have since passed laws that stopped punters from buying lottery tickets in bulk or printing them at home, in turn rendering his methods impossible. Image credit: Twitter / Youtube

Money & Banking

14 inspiring movies about teachers that will uplift you

<h2>Our favourite movies about teachers</h2> Teachers are the foundation for pretty much everything in our society. Not only do they provide academic instruction, they often offer guidance, provide life lessons and inspire us. If you’ve been lucky enough to have a great teacher even once in your life – or you’re just a fan of teacher movies – you understand how much of an effect they can have both in and out of the classroom. That’s probably why there’s no shortage of teacher movies in Hollywood, celebrating great educators, coaches and principals who face daunting challenges and often overcome insurmountable odds along the way. Here’s our roundup of some of the very best. <h3>How we chose the most inspiring teacher movies</h3> For this list, we focused on films with messaging about overcoming the odds, movies that feature teachers who help their students realise their full potential – either through tough love or by teaching them a new way of looking at the world. While there are loads of teen movies that take place in high school, only some of them show the power of great teachers. While not every one of these films has a happy ending, each and every one is inspiring and shows just how powerful a great teacher can be. <h2>Dead Poets Society</h2> Released: 1989 Memorable quote: “Carpe Diem! Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary.” Dead Poets Society was one of Robin Williams’s first drama movie roles, and what a role it was. Williams was nominated for an Oscar for his role as English teacher John Keating, an instructor at a stuffy New England prep school. His unorthodox teaching style is an inspiration to many of his students, who take to heart his advice to live their lives on their own terms. After Keating is blamed for the death of a student who had been struggling with his identity and rejection from his family, he loses his job. But in one of the most tear-jerking scenes from any of the teacher movies on this list, his students rally behind him, reciting Walt Whitman’s “O Captain! My Captain!” in support. <h2>Lean on Me</h2> Released: 1989 Memorable quote: “Self-respect permeates every aspect of your existence. If you don’t have respect for yourself, you’re not gonna get it from anyone else.” Morgan Freeman’s resume contains everything from action movies to sci-fi movies to thrillers, but in 1989, he starred in the inspiring drama Lean on Me, based on the true story of high school principal Joe Clark. In 1987, Clark was the head of Eastside High School in Paterson, New Jersey, which had deteriorated as a result of crime and drug use. Clark’s mission is simple: raise the school’s standardised test scores or the school will get turned over to the state. To meet the goal, Clark’s tactics were often extreme and controversial, he expelled students and used tough love and threats to intimidate others. After he implemented more rigorous academics and enforced a strict code of conduct, the school’s tests scores improved, and Clark proved an inspiration to the students at his school. <h2>Critical Thinking</h2> Released: 2020 Memorable quote: “We start by showing up.” One of the newer movies about teachers on our list, 2020’s Critical Thinking is a movie based on a true story of the Miami Jackson High School chess team, the first inner-city team to win the US National Chess Championship. The film was directed by John Leguizamo, who also stars as the teacher who coached the team, Mario Martinez. When Martinez, known as Mr T, begins coaching a chess team in his Miami high school, no one, including the school’s principal, sees the value in it. Despite the fact that few people believe in the team, Mr T sees chess as a way out for his students, so he throws all his money and support behind them. The result is an underdog victory that will make you stand up and cheer. <h2>Dangerous Minds</h2> Released: 1995 Memorable quote: “I believe one should fight for what one believes. Provided one is absolutely sure one is absolutely right.” While the 1980s had more than a few inspiring teacher movies, Dangerous Minds was one of the most popular ‘90s movies, and it even led to a spinoff TV series of the same name. The film was based on the autobiography of retired Marine LouAnne Johnson (played by Michelle Pfeiffer in the film), a teacher at a California school known for its criminal and drug activity. LouAnne, who is white, begins teaching a class of at-risk Black and Hispanic students who dismiss her. But eventually, she motivates and inspires them, winning their trust. Though the film can feel dated and predictable, it’s one of the classic teacher movies that celebrates an unconventional but life-altering mentor who helps students overcome adversity through education. <h2>Goodbye, Mr Chips</h2> Released: 1939 Memorable quote: “I thought I heard you saying it was a pity… Pity I never had any children. But you’re wrong. I have. Thousands of them. Thousands of them. And all boys.” Goodbye, Mr Chips stars Robert Donat at the title character, a teacher at an all-male prep school where he served for more than 55 years. After the death of his wife and child during childbirth, Mr Chipping (lovingly referred to by his students as Mr Chips) threw himself into his work, guiding generations of young boys on a path to adulthood. The film is shown in flashbacks as he becomes ill and nears the end of his life, reflecting on his life’s work and the hearts and minds he touched along the way. Donat won Best Actor at the 1940 Academy Awards for his portrayal of Mr Chips, a character who ages in the film from his mid-20s through his 80s. <h2>Freedom Writers</h2> Released: 2007 Memorable quote: “You can’t make someone want education.” Another one of our movies based on true stories, Freedom Writers stars Hilary Swank as teacher Erin Gruwell, who taught at a Long Beach, California, high school in the early ’90s, a time when racial tension was high and many of her students were at risk. Gruwell immersed herself in her work in an effort to expose her students to racial injustice and oppression throughout history. Inspiring them to write about their own experiences on the subject, the real Gruwell compiled her students’ stories into a nonfiction book called The Freedom Writers Diary, which she published in 1999. Though the film takes its name from the Civil Rights activists known as the Freedom Riders, it has little to do with that. But you can learn more about the subject in one of the best documentaries about race, called Freedom Riders: 1961 and the Struggle for Racial Justice. <h2>Mona Lisa Smile</h2> Released: 2003 Memorable quote: “I thought that I was headed to a place that would turn out tomorrow’s leaders, not their wives.” In 2003’s Mona Lisa Smile, Julia Roberts stars as Katherine Ann Watson, a first-year art history professor at the all-female Wellesley College in 1953. Progressive in her views and unmarried, Watson encourages her students to think outside the box and consider professions beyond becoming wives and mothers after they graduate. Playing Watson’s students are a who’s who of young, talented actresses, including Kirsten Dunst, Julia Stiles, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Ginnifer Goodwin, each of whom is influenced and inspired by Watson sooner or later. Especially Dunst’s character, Betty, who initially reviled Watson for her unorthodox lifestyle and eventually realises Watson is the only adult she’s ever received unconditional support from. Roberts has a solid streak of inspirational, feminist movies from around this time, including Mona Lisa Smile and Erin Brockovich, and this film cemented her status as the highest-paid actress in Hollywood at the time too. <h2>Good Will Hunting</h2> Released: 1997 Memorable quote: “How do you like them apples?” The funny thing about Good Will Hunting being on a list of great teacher movies is that the main character, Will Hunting (Matt Damon), doesn’t actually attend school. Hunting is a self-taught math genius who works as a janitor and has no personal or professional aspirations. When a Harvard math professor (Stellan Skarsgard) discovers Will’s abilities, he introduces him to a psychology professor (another appearance on this list from Robin Williams) named Sean Maguire, who encourages Will to realise his true potential. The two men form a bond, with Sean helping Will realise he’s squandering his life and his talents. As Sean Maguire, Williams, who is beloved for his funny movies, gets serious once again and gives an incredibly heartfelt, empathetic performance; he won an Oscar for the role in 1998, and Damon and co-writer Ben Affleck also won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. <h2>The Great Debaters</h2> Released: 2007 Memorable quote: “I and every professor on this campus are here to help you to find, take back, and keep your righteous mind … because obviously you have lost it.” Based on an astonishing and inspirational true story, The Great Debaters takes place in the 1930s at a small, historically Black school called Wiley College, where debate team coach Melvin B Tolson (Denzel Washington) sought to have his team compete against predominantly white colleges at a time when racial segregation and Jim Crow laws permeated the country. Through sheer will and determination, and while staring down the blatant racism of the era, Tolson and his students would eventually go on to beat the reigning debate champions, Harvard College. It’s an underdog movie that will have you cheering, but the fact that it’s based on real events is what’s truly uplifting. If you’re looking for a great Black history movie, The Great Debaters is the perfect place to start. This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/culture/14-inspiring-movies-about-teachers-that-will-uplift-you" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>. Images: Getty

Movies

How to clean jewellery at home: 14 household items that work miracles

<h2>How to make your jewellery shine</h2> If you want to clean your bling but don’t want to shell out lots of money for a professional, fear not – there are lots of easy methods for how to clean jewellery right at home. You don’t have to save it for your most valuable cocktail rings or necklaces, either. Even the best affordable jewellery needs a cleaning every now and then, especially those delicate earrings that you never take off, even after they turn your skin green. <h2>What is the best home remedy to clean jewellery?</h2> These trusted everyday items are just as good as (if not better than) jewellery cleaner, and you probably already have most of them in the house. <h2>Alka-Seltzer</h2> Drop your dull-looking jewellery in a glass of fizzing Alka-Seltzer for a couple of minutes. It will sparkle and shine when you pull it out. <h2>Aluminium foil</h2> Here’s how to clean jewellery with aluminium foil: simply line a small bowl with it. Fill the bowl with hot water and mix in one tablespoon of bleach-free powdered laundry detergent. Put the jewellery in the solution and let it soak for one minute. Rinse well and air-dry. This procedure makes use of the chemical process known as ion exchange, which can also be used to clean silverware. <h2>Ammonia</h2> Brighten up your gold and silver trinkets by soaking them for ten minutes in a solution of 1/2 cup clear ammonia mixed with 1 cup warm water. Gently wipe clean with a soft cloth and let dry. Note: do not do this with jewellery containing pearls, because it could dull or damage their delicate surface. <h2>Baking soda</h2> To remove built-up tarnish from your silver, make a thick paste with 1/4 cup baking soda and 2 tablespoons water. Apply with a damp sponge and gently rub, rinse, and buff dry. To polish gold jewellery, cover with a light coating of baking soda, pour a bit of vinegar over it, and rinse clean. Note: do not use this technique with jewellery containing pearls or gemstones, as it could damage their finish or loosen any glue. <h2>Light-coloured beer</h2> Get the shine back in your solid gold rings (read: bands without any gemstones) and other jewellery by pouring a bit of light-coloured beer (not dark ale!) onto a soft cloth and rubbing it gently over the piece. Use a clean second cloth or towel to dry. <h2>Soda water</h2> Soak your diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds in club soda to give them a bright sheen. Simply place them in a glass full of soda water and let them soak overnight. <h2>Denture tablets</h2> Has your diamond ring lost its sparkle? Here’s how to clean jewellery using denture tablets: drop the tablet into a glass along with 1 cup water. Follow that with your ring or diamond earrings. Let it sit for a few minutes. Remove your jewellery and rinse to reveal the old sparkle and shine. <h2>Ketchup</h2> Let ketchup do the work of shining tarnished silver. If your ring, bracelet, or earring has a smooth surface, dunk it in a small bowl of ketchup for a few minutes. If it has a tooled or detailed surface, use an old toothbrush to work ketchup into the crevices. To avoid damaging the silver, don’t leave the ketchup on any longer than necessary. Rinse your jewellery clean, dry it, and it’s ready to wear. <h2>Toothpaste</h2> Put a little toothpaste on an old toothbrush and use it to make your diamond ring sparkle instead of your teeth. Clean off the residue with a damp cloth. <h2>Vinegar</h2> Is vinegar good for cleaning jewellery? Yes! Here’s how to clean jewellery with it: soak your pure silver bracelets, rings, and other jewellery in a mixture of 1/2 cup white vinegar and 2 tablespoons baking soda for two to three hours. Rinse them under cold water and dry thoroughly with a soft cloth. <div> </div> <h2>Vodka</h2> In a pinch, a few drops of vodka will clean any kind of glass or jewellery with crystalline gemstones. So although people might give you strange looks, you could dip a napkin into your vodka on the rocks to wipe away the grime on your eyeglasses or dunk your diamond ring for a few minutes to get it sparkling again. But don’t try this with contact lenses! Also, avoid getting alcohol on any gemstone that’s not a crystal. Only diamonds, emeralds and the like will benefit from a vodka bath. <h2>Window cleaner</h2> Use window cleaner to spruce up jewellery that is all metal or has crystalline gemstones such as diamonds or rubies. Spray on the cleaner, then use an old toothbrush for cleaning. But don’t do this if the piece has opaque stones such as opal or turquoise, or organic gems such as coral or pearl. The ammonia and detergents in the cleaner can discolour these porous lovelies. <h2>Dish soap</h2> Dish soap can do a whole lot more than just clean your kitchen! It’s great for regular jewellery cleaning. All you need to do is mix a few drops of dish soap with warm water and let the jewellery soak in the solution for a few minutes. You can use this method for silver jewellery too, but you’re better off using a toothbrush or cloth to wipe down that jewellery rather than fully submerging it. Don’t forget to rinse! <h2>Shampoo</h2> A bit of mild shampoo – think baby shampoo – is a great way to polish your pearls. Stones like turquoise and opals will benefit from this treatment as well. To use this method most effectively, mix a little bit of shampoo with warm water and use a soft, clean brush like a makeup brush to polish each pearl with the mixture. You don’t want to risk damaging pearls by soaking them. Image credit: Shutterstock This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/diy-tips/how-to-clean-jewellery-at-home-14-household-items-that-work-miracles?pages=2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.

Home Hints & Tips

The world’s 14 most underrated places in 2023

The list is aimed at “inspiring and enabling people to discover places which pack a punch in terms of food, culture and experiences but are often overlooked by travellers”, including Plymouth in the UK, Bray in Ireland, Burlington in Vermont, USA, and Gippsland in Australia. Let’s see how they rank. 14. Eastern Highlands, Zimbabwe “While most travellers to Zimbabwe will make a beeline for the majestic Victoria Falls or the renowned Hwange National Park,” Time Out said, “the country's eastern border is home to a place of equally astonishing beauty that has remained relatively unknown.” The Eastern Highlands was formed off a trio of hilly ranges, Bvumba, Nyanga, and Chimanimani - and home to the epic Mutarazi Falls, which are 772 metres in height. Visitors can biplane and step out onto a “dizzying” skywalk. 13. Bray, Ireland When the railway arrived in Bray in 1854, it was an instant attraction, Time Out explained. It was so popular that it became known as the “Brighton of Ireland”. Now, this seaside town 12 miles south of Dublin “buzzes with cafes and restaurants” after years of decline. Time Out added, “Stroll from the harbour along the esplanade to the 800-foot-high (243m) Bray Head, worth the hour’s climb for panoramic views from its rocky summit. Refuel at Butler & Barry on the beach, before a Guinness at ace local institution, the Harbour Bar.” 12. Sao Tome and Principe The volcanic Atlantic Ocean islands of Sao Tome and Principe in the Gulf of Guinea together form Africa's second-smallest country, “remain one of the unsung beauties of African travel’" according to Time Out. 11. Lombok, Indonesia “Considering how crowded the beaches can get in neighbouring Bali, it’s astonishing that more people don’t make the short trip over to the island of Lombok,” Time Out said. “The south’s white-sand beaches see more slow-moving buffalo than traffic, while Instagrammers are a rare breed in the east’s terraced rice fields. Up north, the majestic Mount Rinjani, Indonesia’s second-tallest active volcano at 3,726m/12,224ft in height, offers tough climbs and epic views. For the non-hikers, lush rainforests and thundering waterfalls beckon.” 10. Karpathos, Greece “While tourists flock to watch the sunset in overcrowded Santorini or bronze back-to-back on Mykonos’s packed beaches,” said Time Out, “Greeks in the know take the four-hour ferry ride from Rhodes to the Dodecanese island of Karpathos. “Do the same and you’ll find yourself chilling on a string of near-deserted beaches lapped by pristine waters and frequented by Mediterranean monk seals.” 9. Turku, Finland Nicknamed the “Paris of Finland” - “thanks to its waterside charms on the Aura river and thriving cafe and canteen culture”. Time Out also mentioned that it’s Finland’s oldest city and is “teeming with medieval attractions like its castle and cathedral”. 8. Burlington, Vermont The waterfront university town of Burlington has “charm”, Time Out explained and a “bustling restaurant and bar scene”. The guide said it’s becoming one of America’s’ “unmissable food and drink destinations”. The two stand-out eateries in the guide are Eastern Mediterranean-influenced Honey Road and May Day. 7. Plymouth, England Huw Oliver, Time Out’s UK editor, explained why the city on the south coast of Devon made the list, “Plymouth doesn’t cross a lot of people’s minds when it comes to planning a seaside getaway or a city break, but it should: you get two for the price of one here. It’s got culture in spades, with The Box offering world-class exhibitions in a beautiful setting and the Market Hall dazzling with its "immersive art dome”. “And that’s not to mention all the amazing food and drink, from classic fish and chips to England’s oldest gin distillery, plus quite possibly the UK’s best outdoor pool in the Tinside Lido. It offers an idyllic weekend away, right on the stunning Devon coast, and best of all, you’ll likely have a lot of it to yourself.” 6. Gippsland, Australia “Located in Victoria’s eastern corner - around a 4.5-hour drive from Melbourne - Gippsland is a bountiful wonderland encompassing alpine roads, snaking waterways, fertile farmland and deserted stretches of white-sand beaches,” according to Time Out. “It also has one-of-a-kind villages and a fast-growing food and drink scene that’s all about championing local produce.” 5. Cabo Roji, Puerto Rico Time out describes this location as "a colourful beach town on the southwest coast of Puerto Rico, Cabo Rojo is home to all the white sands and turquoise seas you expect from a Caribbean getaway. It’s three hours by car from San Juan with a laidback vibe that feels light years away from the hustle and bustle of the capital. “Void of big resorts, you can find small family-owned inns and vacation rentals such as the family-friendly Combate Beach Resort or the luxury Cuatro Casitas. “End your day sipping a passion fruit mojito with a view of the sunset the west coast of Puerto Rico is known for.” 4. Srebrenik, Bosnia and Herzegovina “Bosnia and Herzegovina is packed with charming towns, and Srebrenik (87 miles north of Sarajevo) is as charming as it gets,” Time Out explained. Here you can find Bosnia's “best-preserved medieval fortress”, “vibrant cafes”, and “graceful mosques”. “A darling waiting to be discovered,” said Time Out. 3. Cuenca, Ecuador "For a relatively small city, Cuenca packs a mighty punch when it comes to culture,” according to Time Out. “It’s an architectural beauty whose historic centre was declared a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1999. It’s home to many artisans and artists, who showcase their work at the city’s annual arts festival, the Bienal de Cuenca.” The guide added, “it’s here that the renowned Panama hat is made, and travellers can visit workshops to see the intricate hat-making process in full swing”. 2. Lake Bacalar, Mexico “The tourist towns of Tulum and Cancun tend to dominate dialogue about Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula," Time Out said, 'while 30-mile-long Lake Bacalar – also known as the Lagoon of Seven Colours thanks to its forget-me-not, peacock and cyan waters – is often overlooked. “It makes for a welcome change of pace, where you can take in all the beauty this corner of Mexico has to offer away from the influencers and spring breakers.” 1. Mongolia Mongolia is the number one most underrated destination and “has to be experienced to be believed”, Time Out said. The guide notes it’s a land that’s known for its traditional gets, friendly nomadic people, and heard of wild horses, and is now more accessible than ever thanks to a new international airport. Time Out added, “For a perfect introduction to the country, spend a couple of days in the capital, Ulaanbaatar – it’s surprisingly clustered and easy to explore – then take in the picture-perfect ranges and fresh mountain air of Gorkhi Terelj National Park. Stay the night under the stars in your own ger, and don’t be surprised if nomadic herders stop by to welcome you.” Image credit: Shutterstock

International Travel

14 exercises you should modify if you’re over 50

Age is just a number Or at least to some extent: if you’ve been consistently active for decades and work with a personal trainer, you could be way past the half-century mark and more fit than someone half your age – like some of these senior athletes. And as a fit person, you can probably do even the most punishing workouts and still feel great. But that’s not most people. Many people over the age of 50 are not in the best shape of their lives, and they may also need to manage issues like past injuries, joint pain, and chronic muscle aches. It’s also important to remember that the 50-plus set might need to spend some extra time staying limber and take more than a day between serious workouts to recover. You may even want to work with a stretching expert, as stretching becomes even more important as we age. We turned to experts to find out the dos and don’ts of working out for occasional exercisers – and those who’ve sustained injuries – after age 50. Running stairs Being able to get up and down stairs comfortably and easily is a key part of everyday life – but unless you’re in excellent shape, you may not want to run them. For exercise purposes, consider using a stair-climbing machine instead of running actual steps; for those who are unfit, the danger and consequences of falling increase with each passing year, warns chiropractor Bradley W. Bartel Jr. Bikram or hot yoga According to Bartel, extreme heat can cause dizziness or fainting – at any age. This is especially true if you don’t drink enough water. Unless you’re a seasoned yogi, instead of vigorous yoga like Ashtanga, try a lower-impact form like hatha. High-intensity interval training High-intensity interval training – HIIT – is amazing for blasting away fat and kilojoules, but for older people who are not super fit, it may overly stress the body. Bartel recommends swimming for a full-body, cardiovascular workout that’s perfect for any fitness level. Spin classes Fast-paced spin classes are built on the HIIT concept, and they can be too intense for older people who are not in optimal physical condition – especially if they have joint, heart, or lung conditions. “Spin classes can cause too much strain on the joints; a better option would be to spin on your own at your pace, or bike outdoors on a trail,” says Bartel. Push-ups The classic move may be a great way to build all-over strength, but it puts a lot of stress on your shoulders and upper back, which may be problematic for people with past neck and shoulder injuries. Bartel recommends doing wall push-ups instead. “Stand against a wall and angle your body toward the wall to do a push-up – this still works your muscles but takes the strain off.” Squats with weights Trainers love squats, but for older people who haven’t worked out consistently, they can put too much pressure on knees if done with weights. Instead, Bartel recommends focusing on squatting your body weight in the correct form. “You will still get a good workout of the same muscles, and it’s a very good exercise to preserve and improve bone health.” Bench press “Bench pressing creates a lot of tension and stress on your neck and shoulders,” says Bartel, which can exacerbate prior neck, back and shoulder strains. “A rowing machine is a better idea to maintain muscle tone and avoid injuries.” Burpees The burpee is an amazing full-body move, but it can cause excessive strain if you’re not already in great shape. “Non-athletes over 50 should do modified burpees that take out the jumping,” says personal trainer Brett Russell. Even when you’re doing this modified version, burpees can help strengthen your bones. Start from a standing position, then A) bend down to the ground and place your hands flat; B) hop your legs out behind you; C) lower your chest to the ground (place your knees down first if that’s easier); and D) press back up, jump your feet back under you, and stand straight up. Aim to do 5 to 10 repetitions. Pull-ups Pull-ups are challenging no matter what your age and, according to Russell, put a lot of pressure on shoulders, a complex network of muscles, joints, and ligaments that have often suffered strains and injuries by mid-life. He prefers using the lat pull-down machine, which can work the same muscle groups. Crunches According to Russell, the problem with this commonplace ab move is the curving of the spine and lower back, which can be hard on older bones if they’re not already reinforced with regular exercise. “I would suggest a plank to work the abs instead.” Dead lift “Dead lifts can put a lot of strain on the hips and torso,” says chiropractor Kelsey Nelson. Instead, she recommends doing body-weight exercises such as glute bridges: lie on your back and bend your knees with your feet flat on the ground; keep your heels close enough that you can touch them with your fingertips. Press your feet into the floor and lift your hips toward the ceiling, then lower them. Jumping lunges Plyometric leg exercises include things like jump squats and jumping lunges. “These can cause joint strains as well as wear and tear,” says Nelson. She still likes lunges; she just recommends removing the jumping part – or doing them on a springy floor. Sprints Running until you feel like your heart may pop out of your chest is not a great idea at this age if you’re not super fit. It can also cause strains or sprains in knees and other joints, Nelson warns. “Instead, try steady jogging or intervals of jogging and walking. Leg presses “Leg presses are done using a machine that involves leaning back on a flat bench while pushing against a weight with the feet. This action flattens the natural arch of the spine and could cause damage to lumbar spinal discs,” says Nelson. “Use a stationary bike to target those muscle groups instead.” Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/healthsmart/fitness/14-exercises-you-should-modify-if-youre-over-50?pages=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.

Body

14 mind-blowing facts about selfies

They’re a window into your personality It turns out that your favourite selfie pose can say a lot about your personality. In a study published in Computers in Human Behaviour, researchers connected self-portrait styles to specific character traits. For example, conscientious people tend to hide the location of their selfies, showing that they’re concerned with maintaining privacy. Those who appear positive and look directly into the camera tend to be more agreeable. Incidentally, those who have a go-to “duck face” pose are more likely to be emotionally unstable. They can be a red flag Psychologists believe that taking selfies can become a dangerous addiction. More often than not, those addicted to taking and posting selfies are suffering from body dysmorphic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, or depression, all of which can significantly interfere with your daily functioning. British psychologist Dr David Veal, says selfie-addiction is a “mental health issue with an extremely high suicide rate.” Seek help if you feel yourself needing to snap selfies compulsively. They date back to the 16th century You might think selfies started with smartphones, but they have a much longer history. The first-ever selfie was painted in 1524 using oil on wood. In “Self-portrait in a Convex Mirror,” 21-year-old artist Parmigianino depicted his own reflection. This young artist had no idea he was 500 years ahead of a booming trend! They weren’t always easy to take Parmigianino’s oil painting self-portrait aside, the first photographic selfie as we know it today was taken by Robert Cornelius in 1839. Unfortunately, it wasn’t as easy as tapping his thumb on an iPhone’s front-facing lens. Cornelius had to set up the camera on a stand, remove the lens cap, run into the frame, sit for five minutes, then sprint back and replace the cap. In this exhausting process, he took what is believed to be the first photographic self-portrait. Some cities take more selfies than others Though selfies are a global phenomenon, it turns out that some cities produce more than others. Time investigated the geography of selfie-snapping by building a database of more than 400,000 digital self-portraits with the caption, “#selfie.” They then mapped out the photos’ geographic coordinates and managed to rank 459 cities based on the number of selfies they generated. The study concluded that Makati City in the Philippines is the ‘Selfie Capital of the World,’ followed closely by Manhattan and Miami in the US. They’re not only taken here on Earth Everyone loves an exotic selfie, including NASA’s astronauts. Believe it or not, multiple selfies have been taken in outer space. Buzz Aldrin proudly took the first space selfie during the Gemini 12 mission in 1966. That’s one small step for man, one giant step for self-portraits. Women take more than men In every city analysed, women take more cities than men – but the differences greatly vary by area. In Bangkok, women take 55.2 per cent of all selfies, which isn’t that much more than men. In New York, however, women take 61.6 per cent of selfie snaps, which is considerable. Moscow, by contrast, has the greatest disparity, with women taking a whopping 82 per cent of all selfies! It seems Russian men simply aren’t that interested in documenting their own reflection. They can make great book material If you’ve been suffering with writer’s block, perhaps you should follow Kim Kardashian’s example and just fill your novel with selfies. In May of 2015, Kardashian published a book called Selfish, which is 448 pages long and comprised entirely of her favourite selfies. Sound absurd? Apparently not. Selfish quickly became a New York Times bestseller. It’s a young person’s sport As one might expect, selfies are especially favoured by millennials. The average age of selfie-takers is 23.6. However, this average may soon take a dip, as preteens are gaining momentum, snapping more digital self-portraits every year. They’re all about the hashtag As selfies have grown in popularity over the last few years, the corresponding hashtag has remained their official label and link. According to Instagram, the first ever photo captioned with “#selfie” was uploaded by a Jennifer Lee on January 16, 2011. Since then, Instagram has had over 227 million self-portraits posted with the same hashtag – and that number grows by the minute. It’s been the word of the year In 2013, “selfie” was named The Oxford English Dictionary’s Word of the Year. Most years, there will be some disagreement or debate over which word should receive the honour, but in 2013, ‘selfie’ was chosen almost unanimously and expected from the start. And how could they not choose it? Selfie’s usage in the English language had increased by 17,000 per cent that year alone. They aren’t always welcome There has been a growing ban on selfie-taking, specifically when using selfie-sticks as tools. Disneyland’s Paris, Hong Kong, and American theme parks have forbidden the use of selfie sticks on their premises. The Palace Museum in Beijing and the Sistine Chapel in Italy have done the same. Even festivals like Lollapalooza in Chicago and Coachella in California have called for a halt. It looks like visitors will have to document their fun the old fashioned way: by extending their arms. They aren’t always what they seem The purpose of a self-portrait is to reflect your true self in a moment worth capturing. Sadly, it seems online selfies, more often than not, don’t actually portray reality. According to a recent survey, 68 per cent of selfie-takers admitted to editing their photos before sharing online. This number is up from 48 per cent of people who admitted to doctoring their selfies in 2014, suggesting that the pressure to appear perfect has only increased. They’re not the majority Although selfies may seem to be every other picture you encounter online, they fortunately aren’t the majority of all photos taken. In fact, people take selfies far less than we assume. Only 4 per cent of all images are actually selfies (depending on the city). The other 96 per cent of photos feature monuments, food, pets, shoes, friends, family, and more. Written by Aubrey Almanza. This article first appeared in <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/culture/14-mind-blowing-facts-about-selfies" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.com.au/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=RDSUB&keycode=WRA87V" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here’s our best subscription offer.</a> Image: Getty Images

Technology

740,000km of fishing line and 14 billion hooks: we reveal just how much fishing gear is lost at sea each year

Two per cent of all fishing gear used worldwide ends up polluting the oceans, our <a href="https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.abq0135" target="_blank" rel="noopener">new research</a> finds. To put that into perspective, the amount of longline fishing gear littering the ocean each year can circle the Earth more than 18 times. We interviewed 450 fishers from seven of the world’s biggest fishing countries including Peru, Indonesia, Morocco and the United States, to find out just how much gear enters the global ocean. We found at current loss rates, in 65 years there would be enough fishing nets littering the sea to cover the entire planet. This lost fishing equipment, known as ghost gear, can cause heavy social, economic and environmental damage. Hundreds of thousands of animals <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11160-018-9520-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">are estimated to die</a> each year from unintentional capture in fishing nets. Derelict nets can continue to fish indiscriminately for decades. Our research findings help highlight where to focus efforts to stem the tide of fishing pollution. It can also help inform fisheries management and policy interventions from local to global scales. <h2>14 billion longline hooks litter the sea each year</h2> The data we collected came directly from fishers themselves. They experience this issue firsthand and are best poised to inform our understanding of fishing gear losses. We surveyed fishers using five major gear types: gillnets, longlines, purse seine nets, trawl nets, and pots and traps. We asked how much fishing gear they used and lost annually, and what gear and vessel characteristics could be making the problem worse. This included vessel and gear size, whether the gear contacts the seafloor, and the total amount of gear used by the vessel. We coupled these surveys with information on global fishing effort data from commercial fisheries. Fishers use different types of nets to catch different types of fish. Our research found the amount of nets littering the ocean each year include: <ul> <li>740,000 kilometres of longline mainlines</li> <li>nearly 3,000 square kilometres of gill nets</li> <li>218 square kilometres of trawl nets</li> <li>75,000 square kilometres of purse seine nets</li> </ul> In addition, fishers lose over 25 million pots and traps and nearly 14 billion longline hooks each year. These estimates cover only commercial fisheries, and don’t include <a href="https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-97758-4_15" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the amount</a> of fishing line and other gear lost by recreational fishers. We also estimate that between 1.7% and 4.6% of all land-based plastic waste travels into the sea. This amount likely exceeds lost fishing gear. However, fishing gear is designed to catch animals and so is generally understood as <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308597X15002985" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the most environmentally damaging</a> type of plastic pollution in research to date. <h2>Harming fishers and marine life</h2> Nearly 700 species of marine life <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0025326X14008571?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noopener">are known to</a> interact with marine debris, many of which are near threatened. Australian and US <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308597X15002985#bib6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">research in 2016</a> found fishing gear poses the biggest entanglement threats to marine fauna such as sea turtles, marine mammals, seabirds and whales. Other marine wildlife including sawfish, dugong, hammerhead sharks and crocodiles are also known to get <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1442-8903.2010.00525.x" target="_blank" rel="noopener">entangled in fishing gear</a>. Other <a href="https://conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/conl.12781" target="_blank" rel="noopener">key problematic items</a> include balloons and plastic bags. Lost fishing gear is not only an environmental risk, but it also has an economic impact for the fishers themselves. Every metre of lost net or line is a cost to the fisher – not only to replace the gear but also in its potential catch. Additionally, many fisheries have already gone through significant reforms to reduce their environmental impact and improve the sustainability of their operations. Some losses are attributable to how gear is operated. For instance, bottom trawl nets – which can get caught on reefs – are lost more often that nets that don’t make contact with the sea floor. The conditions of the ocean can also make a significant difference. For example, fishers commonly reported that bad weather and overcrowding contributes to gear losses. Conflicts between gears coming into contact can also result in gear losses, such as when towed nets cross drifting longlines or gillnets. Where fish are depleted, fishers must expend more effort, operate in worse conditions or locations, and are more likely to come in contact with others’ gear. All these features increase losses. <h2>What do we do about it?</h2> We actually found lower levels of fishing gear losses in our current study than in <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/faf.12407" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a previous review</a> of the historical literature on the topic. Technological improvements, such as better weather forecasts and improved marking and tracking of fishing gear may be reducing loss rates. Incentives can further reduce losses resulting in ghost gear. This could include buyback programs for end-of-life fishing gear, reduced cost loans for net replacement, and waste receptacles in ports to encourage fishers to return used fishing gear. Technological improvements and management interventions could also make a difference, such as requirements to mark and track gear, as well as regular gear maintenance and repairs. Developing effective fishing management systems can improve food security, leave us with a healthier environment, and create more profitable businesses for the fishers who operate in it. This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/740-000km-of-fishing-line-and-14-billion-hooks-we-reveal-just-how-much-fishing-gear-is-lost-at-sea-each-year-192024" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. Image: CSIRO

Travel Trouble

14 historic places that are now abandoned

Abandoned places From train stations to hotels to entire islands, there are a surprising number of abandoned locales around the world. Some are even on par with the <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/travel/destinations/15-of-the-worlds-spookiest-travel-destinations/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">world’s spookiest travel destinations.</a> City Hall Subway, New York, USA <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/09/02-new-york-usa-january-30-2016-city-hall-subway-station-in-manhattan-landmark-station-built-in-1904-to-inaugurate-the-nyc-subway-system-770.jpg" alt="" width="770" height="513" /> New York City’s very first subway station opened underneath City Hall in downtown Manhattan in 1904, with gorgeous vaulted, tiled ceilings and even leaded-glass skylights. But this Gilded-Age treasure closed in 1945 due to safety concerns with new, longer trains – and never opened again. You can catch a glimpse of the City Hall station if you ride the downtown 6 train past its terminal stop, as trains still use the City Hall track as a turn-around before heading back uptown. But for a better look, the New York Transit Museum offers guided tours for members. Sarajevo Olympic Venues, Bosnia and Herzegovina <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/09/03-shutterstock_1146065324-1-scaled-770.jpg" alt="" width="770" height="513" /> Once the place gold medal dreams came true, the 1984 Olympic venues in Sarajevo now stand as more of a memorial of civil unrest than a tribute to athletic achievement. The first Communist state to hold a Winter Games, Yugoslavia broke up in the 1990s amid a devastating war in Bosnia. Some of the Olympic sites, including the bobsled track and ski jump, were used as battlements and strongholds during the Siege of Sarajevo, and still bear bullet holes. Today, tours are offered as part of a look back at the devastation of war; some of the venues, such as Zetra Olympic Hall, are being rebuilt. Garnet, Montana, USA <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/09/04-shutterstock_704394976-scaled-770.jpg" alt="" width="770" height="513" /> You can actually visit a real-life ghost town in remote Garnet, Montana, near Missoula in the US. Now just a memory of the Old West, this place was once a bustling gold mining town, attracting miners in the late 19th century who hastily constructed buildings to live in. At its height in 1898, 1,000 people lived in Garnet – but by 1905, the gold ran out, and the population shrunk to 150. Then in 1912, a fire destroyed half the town. By the 1940s, no one was left, and everything, including furniture, had been left behind. Now a walk-through museum, visitors can help support the preservation efforts for this piece of history. Maunsell Sea Forts, United Kingdom <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/09/05-346697708-scaled-770.jpg" alt="" width="770" height="513" /> These other-worldly, rusting structures still stand sentinel at the mouth of England’s Thames River, protecting the island from a long-past threat. During World War II, the anti-aircraft sea forts guarded the country, shooting down Nazi planes and sinking a submarine. After being decommissioned in the 1950s, they served as the base of a pirate radio station in the ’60s. Now abandoned, the forts were possibly going to become a spa hotel, but those plans are now on the rocks. So for now, you’ll have to settle for getting a glimpse as you pass by via boat. Pripyat, Ukraine <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/09/06-1368054212-scaled-770.jpg" alt="" width="770" height="513" /> This town close to the site of the 1986 Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant disaster has provided some of the most chilling photos of abandoned places in the world. Thirty-six hours after the explosion, the city was evacuated, with nearly 50,000 people fleeing for their lives and leaving almost everything behind. What’s left are the desolate remains of schools, houses and communities, with clocks frozen at 11:55, the time the power went out. It looks positively post-apocalyptic. Although it may not be safe for humans to live there again due to radioactivity (well, at least not for 24,000 years at the actual disaster site, according to some estimates), a brief visit arranged by tour operators to certain areas is – reportedly – okay. These tours have seen a huge boost in popularity thanks to HBO’s recent mini-series Chernobyl. Ta Prohm Temple, Angkor, Cambodia <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/09/07-1163637748-scaled-770.jpg" alt="" width="770" height="513" /> Not all abandoned places are spooky. Those from hundreds of years ago reflect a more natural cycle of human civilisation on Earth, with historical ruins reminding us how we used to live, work and worship. Take the Ta Prohm Temple, built in the 12th century: Unlike the other better-preserved temples in the Angkor area, such as the famous Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm was left to ruin in the 14th century, after which it was reclaimed by the jungle. Today, with vines and tree roots climbing over the building, this beautiful mix of human architecture and nature looks like something out of a movie – and in fact was used in the filming of Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. Happily for us, it’s open to tourists. Catskills Resorts, New York, USA <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/09/08-735515071-scaled-770.jpg" alt="" width="770" height="513" /> In the heyday of the 1950s, the Catskills were home to over 500 resorts catering to New York’s Jewish families, and the “Borscht Belt” continues to live on in movies and shows like Dirty Dancing and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. But in real life, many of these hotels, including The Pines (pictured) – once a sprawling resort with an indoor skating rink, pool with a huge concrete arch spanning across it, and “sky bridge” to the restaurant – declined in popularity and now dot the countryside in a state of ruin, ghostly remnants of the joy they were once filled with. Michigan Central Station, Detroit, USA <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/09/09-1055756234-scaled-770.jpg" alt="" width="770" height="513" /> See this historic train station in its abandoned state (safely from the outside) while you can: Last year, Ford Motor Co. announced a $740 million project to redevelop the area. When it opened in 1913, the gorgeous building, with an interior featuring huge arches and marble pillars, was the tallest train station in the world. The station was Detroit’s main depot but declined in use in the 1950s until finally closing in 1988. Although its historic status saved it from demolition, the building was considered an eyesore, plundered by looters and defaced by vandals. For the people of Detroit, the station served as a metaphor for the rise and fall of the city – but hopefully, the new project can bring it back to its former glory. Bombay Beach, California, USA <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/09/10-63100468-scaled-770.jpg" alt="" width="770" height="513" /> This short-lived resort area and its abandoned hotels that will give you the chills have to have one of the most bizarre histories ever. The Salton Sea, California’s largest lake, was accidentally created in 1905 after man-made canals from the Colorado River flooded over into the valley. In the 1950s, it seemed like the perfect spot for a holiday, and the Bombay Beach community popped up. But soon, increasing salinity in the lake rendered life unsustainable, resulting in dead fish washing up onshore and a horrendous stench; the lake also became polluted from agricultural runoff. So, Bombay Beach was abandoned, although a few salty souls (get it?) still live in the area. Littered with fish skeletons and the detritus of beach living, this place is a paradise lost. Hashima Island, Japan <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/09/11-1179676483-scaled-770.jpg" alt="" width="770" height="513" /> It’s no surprise why this island of concrete and steel is nicknamed “Ghost Island”: No one lives here anymore. Also called “Battleship Island” for its shape, the site stands as a monument to Japan’s rapid industrialisation. With more than 5000 people crowded into high-rise apartment buildings in the mid-20th century, Hashima was one of the most densely populated places on earth. Most of those who lived here were coal miners and their families, although the island’s place in history is controversial because it was also the site of forced labour. In 1974, the mine was closed, and everyone up and left. Tours of Hashima to see the crumbling buildings are available; you can also catch the island in the 2012 James Bond film Skyfall. Cahawba, Alabama, USA <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/09/12-1228163863-scaled-770.jpg" alt="" width="770" height="513" /> It’s hard to believe, but this site of decomposing cabins was once the capital of Alabama. Now, it’s one of the creepy but real ghost towns around the world. The history of Old Cahawba (also spelled Cahaba) goes in fits and starts: Chosen as the state capital in 1820, the town was abandoned after flooding and the capital moved in 1826, but it reemerged as a distribution point for cotton shipping. During the Civil War, though, its railroad tracks were ripped up and the town was host to a prison for Union soldiers; after the war, another flood drove the remaining residents out. However, the town again found new life as a community for former slave families – at least until around 1900. Since then, the town has been in ruins but is now enjoying yet another rebirth as an archaeological park. Castle Frankenstein, Germany <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/09/13-81631069-scaled-770.jpg" alt="" width="770" height="513" /> Abandoned castle ruins can be seen all over Europe, but the history of 13th century Castle Frankenstein is creepily curious because of its connection to the hidden origins of one of Halloween’s spookiest creatures. A real-life scientist named Johann Konrad Dippel conducted strange experiments here in the early 18th century – including, reportedly, on corpses. Could Dippel have inspired the fictional scientist who shares the castle’s name, and his monster? Although Frankenstein author Mary Shelley never mentioned the castle in her journals, she did pass by on a trip down the Rhine in 1814. Did she hear stories about Dippel from locals? Or perhaps her stepmother, a translator for the Brothers Grimm, read the tale and passed it on? In any case, after being abandoned in the 18th century and rumoured to be the home of a dragon, the ruins of the castle are now open to tourists. Iron Goat Trail, Washington, USA <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/09/14-748018750-scaled-770.jpg" alt="" width="770" height="513" /> This lovely hiking trail passes by the site of one of the worst train accidents and the deadliest avalanche in US history. Known as the Wellington Avalanche Disaster, the incident occurred when two snowed-in trains on the Great Northern Railroad were knocked off the tracks by what one witness described as “white death.” The snow buried the trains in the canyon below and killed nearly 100 people. Afterward, safer tracks and tunnels were built, but the old abandoned ones remain – some say they’re haunted, with hikers hearing screams and sounds around the crash site. It’s not safe to go into the tunnels, so don’t try it, but you can take a peek from outside. SS Ayrfield, Australia <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/09/15-shutterstock_1327747472-scaled-770.jpg" alt="" width="770" height="513" /> This is not your average shipwreck. The SS Ayrfield, built in 1911 and used as a supply ship during World War II, was left to rot where it was moored in Homebush Bay after being decommissioned in 1972, one of many wrecks in the bay. This industrial area was contaminated with toxic waste, but eventually cleaned up, revitalised for the 2000 Sydney Olympics, and now home to suburbs. But the ship had been reclaimed by mangrove trees, and so the “floating forest,” as it’s now known, was kept as it was – a strange juxtaposition of the man-made and the natural. Written by Tina Donovito. This article first appeared in <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/travel/14-historic-places-that-are-now-abandoned" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.com.au/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=RDSUB&keycode=WRA87V" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here’s our best subscription offer.</a> Images: Getty Images, Shutterstock

International Travel

14 ways you’re shortening the life of your washer and dryer

You run the washer/dryer more than you need to “The life of a laundry machine is completely dependent on how often it’s run,” say the tax experts at H&R Block. Try to stick to eight loads a week or less, which they say will “yield an average of a (low) double-digit life,” regardless of the type of machine (front-loading or top-loading, for example). Running only full loads will help to keep your energy bill down. You didn't have your washer/dryer professional installed Proper installation is critical for all laundry machines. For one, they must be installed “level.” Depending on the peculiarities of your floor, that can be more or less complicated. As for dryers, proper venting is critical, and proper venting means selecting the appropriate size and material for your venting tube as well as proper placement of the tube to permit optimal air flow. If you installed your own machines, consider having a professional eyeball your work. You're stuffing your machine Neither washers nor dryers work optimally when overstuffed, and worse, they have to work harder than they should when they’re too full. That increases wear and tear on the machine’s mechanisms such as the washing machine’s central agitator. Plus, if you pack too many clothes into the machine, some detergent residue could be left behind – which will attract more dirt next time you wear the clothes. Using too much detergent Using more detergent than the manufacturer recommends is bad for your washing machine, according to Angie’s List. Using too much soap leads to more suds, which could cause your washer to overflow. Have a high-efficiency washer? They require even less soap to wash clothing properly, so be sure to skimp on the detergent and only use soaps marked safe for HE washers. Washing stuff you shouldn't be washing Hand washing certain items is not just for the sake of said item, but also better for your washing machine, too. Hooks and underwires from lingerie can damage your washing machine’s drum, while zippers can scratch the door of your front-loading machine. Not cleaning out your washing machine's dispensers “When you’re done washing a load of laundry, wipe down the detergent and fabric softener dispensers,” Angie’s List advises. “If you don’t, the build-up could cause a clog.” You should also be washing your washing machine monthly if your owner’s manual recommends it. Not cleaning out the lint from your dryer You should be cleaning the lint out of your lint-catcher every time you run the dryer. Leaving lint in the dryer filter lowers the efficiency of the machine by slowing down the drying process. It can also cause the dryer to overheat and possibly catch fire. Not regularly maintaining your dryer vent Maintaining your dryer vent (the tube that directs moisture and lint out of the dryer drum and out of the house) is crucial to keeping your dryer in good working order. A good rule-of-thumb is to have your dryer vent inspected and cleaned out once per year, according to Ivey Engineering. Overusing dryer sheets “Dryer sheets might make your clothing soft, static-free, and smell fresh, but they have a waxy layer that melts in the dryer,” advises Angie’s List. Using too many can gum up the appliance. But no matter how many dryer sheets you use, you need to be cleaning your lint trap on a regular basis – not just cleaning out the lint but actually removing the lint trap and soaking it in sudsy water every couple of months (or more often if you’re also using fabric softener in the washing machine, which also leaves a residue in the dryer). Leaving stuff in your pockets Gum, tissues, even coins, and paper money can clog your washer drain, and if they don’t fall out of your pockets during the wash cycle, you’ll probably hear and/or see them spinning around the dryer, which isn’t good for your dryer’s inner workings. So empty your pockets before throwing your clothes in the wash for the sake of your laundry machines running smoothly, efficiently and over many years. Not taking clothes out of the washer right away A big problem with washing machines is mould. Mould can lead to a foul-smelling machine, which is definitely going to shorten its life. To avoid mould, take your clean clothes out right away. Bonus points if you also leave the washer door open to allow the machine to air-dry between loads. Drying stuff you shouldn't be drying If you’re planning on drying anything besides clothing, bedding, and towels, check the manufacturer’s instructions to see if you’re actually going to be harming your dryer in doing so. For example, some dryers are not meant to dry rubber, so if you’ve washed your bathroom rug (with a rubber back), don’t dry it in the dryer unless the instructions say it’s OK. Not reading and following the manufacturer's maintenance instructions When Consumer Reports asked laundry machine manufacturers what consumers can do to extend the life of their laundry machines, the same answer kept coming up: follow the manufacturer’s instructions for maintaining the machine. With washing machines, that almost inevitably involves cleaning the washer itself. Many modern washing machines have self-cleaning cycles. Drying the wrong things together Sorting laundry isn’t just for the sake of keeping your whites white. An appliance salesperson Reader’s Digest spoke to told us never to dry “towels with t-shirts.” When we asked him to elaborate, he explained that your dryer works best when it’s drying items of similar weight and that mixing items of significantly different weight can throw off the balance of the machine. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/14-ways-youre-shortening-the-life-of-your-washer-and-dryer?pages=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.

Home & Garden

"Hour 14": Ally Langdon fast asleep on TV

Allison Langdon has fallen fast asleep on TV after a marathon 14-hour broadcast from Buckingham Palace. The Today Show host was streaming live from London alongside Karl Stefanovic for Queen Elizabeth’s funeral. The pair have been hosting the breakfast show from the UK for a few days with Ally clearly needing a break. A photo snapped by Today’s senior producer Will Hutchinson shows an exhausted Ally using a rolled-up jacket as a pillow as she took a well-deserved break. Ally shared the photo on her Instagram stories with the caption: “Hour 14. Everything is fine”. The longest reigning UK monarch was laid to rest on September 19, with more than 2000 people in attendance inside Westminster Abbey for the funeral, and hundreds of thousands more lining the streets of London. Around 2000 dignitaries from around the world were invited to the historic event to bid farewell to Queen Elizabeth II. Almost one million people were expected in London for the state funeral as they mourned the loss of Her Royal Highness. The Queen’s coffin was carried on the State Gun Carriage of the Royal Navy, drawn by 142 sailors. King Charles III and his siblings Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward walked behind, followed closely by the King's sons Prince William and Prince Harry, and Princess Anne’s son Peter Philips. Images: Instagram/Nine

14 medicinal herbs you can grow in your backyard

Basil This medicinal herb can help with flatulence, lack of appetite, cuts and scrapes. Harvest the young leaves of this annual plant as needed. Chamomile Use the flower heads of this medicinal herb for infusions and salves to relieve conditions such as indigestion and colic, anxiety and tension, and skin inflammations and irritations. Echinacea If you suffer from a cold or the flu, try this medicinal herb to ease the severity of your symptoms. It also helps provide relief to your immune system. Feverfew Use the leaves and flowers of this medicinal herb for teas; chew leaves to ease headache pain (including migraines). It’s also been shown to be one of the most effective natural remedies for arthritis, as well as a treatment for various skin conditions. Wild pansy With anti-inflammatory properties, this medicinal herb is a good home remedy for eczema and skin blemishes, as well as to help loosen phlegm. Lavender Is there anything lavender can’t do? Even smelling this medicinal herb has been shown to calm and relax. It also eases pain, and when applied to cuts and bruises functions as an antiseptic. Lemon balm A relative of mint, lemon balm is a versatile medicinal herb that helps relieve anxiety, insomnia, wounds, herpes, insect bites, flatulence and an upset stomach. Marigold Good for easing sunburn, acne, and blemishes, this medicinal herb also soothes ulcers and digestive problems. Parsley Don’t think of it as decorative on your plate; this medicinal herb is loaded with nutrients as well as healing powers to help with flatulence and bad breath. Peppermint If you have digestion issues or gas, sipping tea made of this medicinal herb might provide relief. It’s also been shown to help soothe headaches. Rosemary This medicinal herb helps memory and concentration, improves mood – and sweetens breath. Sage Sage’s genus name, Salvia, means “to heal,” reflecting its early use as a medicinal, not culinary, herb. It can help provide relief for mouth and throat inflammations. Thyme The active principle in thyme, thymol, is a strong antiseptic. If you suffer from coughs, congestion, indigestion or gas, consider using this medicinal herb. St. John's wort Talk to your doctor if you suffer from mild to moderate depression; she may suggest St. John’s wort. The glossy leaves and yellow flowers are this medicinal herb’s active parts. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/14-medicinal-herbs-you-can-grow-in-your-backyard?pages=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.

Home & Garden

Leonardo DiCaprio has listed his gorgeous $14 million mansion for rent

If you have some splash to cash you can now experience Leonardo DiCaprio being your landlord first hand by becoming his tenant. The award-winning actor dropped $US9.9 million ( $14 million) on a gorgeous 1930-era mansion in Beverly Hills late last year and has just listed the updated estate for rent. If you have $US32,500 ($48,000) per month to spare, you could very well be calling the Revenant star your landlord. DiCaprio stands out from other celebrity homeowners because he doesn’t offload his buys swiftly or flip the homes. In fact, “[he] has retained most of his purchases, turning his less frequented homes into rental properties,” Architectural Digest. The 464-square-metre immaculately updated home boasts four bedrooms, six bathrooms, a chef’s kitchen, white oak floors and sits on just over 1100-square-metres of prime Beverly Hills Flats real estate. The rental is fully furnished and available immediately. Serious applicants will also need a $US97,500 security deposit. The space is emboldened by black Marquina granite and white Carrara marble, and includes an adjacent breakfast nook with floor-to-ceiling French doors leading out to an al fresco dining terrace. Upstairs, three ensuite bedrooms include an impressive master retreat with impressive cathedral ceiling. The space boasts a mini-bar, walk-in closet and luxe marble bath equipped with a beautiful oval soaking tub. Other features of the estate include a substantial outdoor pool and a separate guesthouse with its own patio. The home is also shrouded behind prominent gates and established trees, providing a secluded oasis. DiCaprio picked up the arresting mansion for $US300,000 cheaper than its original $US10.2 million asking price.

Real Estate

14 great movies that got rotten reviews when they came out

<h2>Critics missed the mark on these movies</h2> Before there was the almighty review section of every online shopping site, we looked to movie critics to fill us in on whether a film was worthy of our dollars, eyeballs, and time. A trip to the movie theatre isn’t exactly an inexpensive activity, so the opinions of these cinephiles has been historically a pretty important factor in terms of whether or not we buy those tickets. However, these film buffs don’t always get it right. In fact, some features that were badly panned by critics ended up becoming what we now consider the best movies of all time. This surprising list includes some of the most iconic dramas, comedies, romantic movies, and horror films – many of which went on to become blockbusters and award winners. It just goes to show you that sometimes it’s best to trust your gut and take a chance on a big-screen story that looks interesting, regardless of what the so-called experts have to say. <h2>Vertigo</h2> Released: 1958 Director: Alfred Hitchcock Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, Vertigo tells the story of a former police detective battling his own demons who becomes obsessed with a beautiful woman. Starring James Stewart and Kim Novak, the film is now considered a classic by fans of thriller movies, and of Hitchcock in particular. It’s hard to believe any critic could have distaste for a film that’s held in such high regard today, but Time magazine’s review was less than stellar: ‘The old master has turned out another Hitchcock-and-bull story in which the mystery is not so much who done it as who cares.’ Although we appreciate the reviewer’s pun, if you love a good mystery, give Vertigo a watch. <h2>2001: A Space Odyssey</h2> Released: 1968 Director: Stanley Kubrick One of the best sci-fi movies ever, this flick directed by Stanley Kubrick is about astronauts sent to the moon on a mysterious mission who wind up in a battle between man and machine. ‘For all its lively visual and mechanical spectacle, this is a kind of space-Spartacus and, more pretentious still, a shaggy God story,’ wrote John Simon of the New Leader when the film came out. Keep in mind that the movie won an Oscar for its dazzling visual effects (which were a big deal for the time), and Kubrick was also nominated for the Best Director award. We side with the real critics – the fans – on this one, because 2001: A Space Odyssey was an instant classic that earned its place in film history. <h2>Armageddon</h2> Released: 1998 Director: Michael Bay There are so many things to love about Armageddon: there’s action, romance, family drama, and cool special effects. Oh, and Aerosmith’s killer power ballad ‘I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing,’ which gives the flick one of the best movie soundtracks. It also boasts a great cast with Ben Affleck, Bruce Willis, and Liv Tyler. Still, film critics weren’t sold. ‘The movie is an assault on the eyes, the ears, the brain, common sense, and the human desire to be entertained,’ wrote Roger Ebert in 1998. The New York Times‘ Janet Maslin penned a similarly terrible review, saying, ‘Though it means to be inspiring, it has quite the opposite effect. There’s not a believable moment here.’ <h2>A Star Is Born</h2> Released: 1976 Director: Frank Pierson Today when we think of A Star Is Born, we conjure up images of the most recent adaption starring Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga. But back in 1976, Kris Kristofferson and Barbra Streisand put their own spin on one of the best movie musicals of all time, about a former star helping a fledgling singer find fame while his own career falters due to age and alcoholism. The heartbreaking drama had audiences in tears all over the world, but apparently for some critics, those were tears of agony. ‘A bore is starred,’ quipped the Village Voice‘s famous review of the film. A review in the Hollywood Reporter was slightly less savage, complaining mainly that the flick focuses too much on the main stars and not enough on the supporting cast. Still, if you loved the Cooper and Gaga version, you should check out the 1976 entry. <h2>Gladiator</h2> Released: 2000 Director: Ridley Scott Even if you’re not a pop culture trivia whiz, you probably know where is this movie quote from: “Are you not entertained?” Of course, it’s this surprising underdog story. In the Ridley Scott directed picture, Maximus (Russell Crowe) starts out as a big-deal general who finds himself demoted to common gladiator after a sinister betrayal. Needless to say, this move does little to help him avenge his murdered family, so like any good action film character, he has to take matters into his own hands. Gladiator was a massive hit at the box office, so clearly movie seekers thought it was worth seeing. But Roger Ebert’s review wasn’t so sparkling: ‘By the end of this long film, I would have traded any given gladiatorial victory for just one shot of blue skies.’ <h2>Jaws</h2> Released: 1975 Director: Steven Spielberg Yes, it’s a horror movie, but it’s also one of the best beach movies ever made – and started the tradition of the summer blockbuster. Jaws further proved its power by literally making people afraid to go in the ocean for fear of sharks after its 1975 premiere – and today. Directed by Steven Spielberg, the film stars Roy Scheider as a local sheriff desperate to locate a killer shark plaguing the oh-so-quaint Amity Island. The mere sound of the Jaws theme music (you know the one) insinuates there’s trouble afoot. Although the film did get many fine reviews from critics back in the day, it also had its fair share of harsh comments. ‘While I have no doubt that Jaws will make a bloody fortune for Universal and producers Richard Zanuck and David Brown, it is a coarse-grained and exploitive work which depends on excess for its impact,’ wrote Charles Champlin in the Los Angeles Times. ‘Ashore it is a bore, awkwardly staged and lumpily written.’ <h2>The Shawshank Redemption</h2> Released: 1994 Director: Frank Darabont The Shawshank Redemption gifted us the wonderful big-screen duo of Andy (Tim Robbins) and Red (Morgan Freeman) in one of the best drama movies of all time. As they spend years together in prison, the film chronicles the journey of these unlikely friends, long-term inmates who form a close bond. On any given weekend you’re like to find this movie being replayed on television because it’s that good to watch over and over again. Some critics, however, found the film listless. ‘Speaking of jail, Shawshank-the-movie seems to last about half a life sentence,’ writes Desson Thomson in the Washington Post. ‘The story, chiefly about the 20-year friendship between Freeman and Robbins, becomes incarcerated in its own labyrinthine sentimentality.’ <h2>Psycho</h2> Released: 1960 Director: Alfred Hitchcock This Hitchcock thriller’s shower scene featuring Janet Leigh’s heart-pounding screams has been riffed on countless times in pop culture. And to this day motel manager Norman Bates is still among the creepiest of all film characters – made all the more disturbing because this horror movie is inspired by a real story. The movie was also shocking to audiences because in a surprise twist (spoiler alert!) the purported lead star is killed off early on in the movie. But of course, critics wouldn’t be critics without some sort of, you guessed it, criticism. ‘The trail leads to a sagging, swamp-view motel and to one of the messiest, most nauseating murders ever filmed,’ says a Time review. ‘At close range, the camera watches every twitch, gurgle, convulsion, and haemorrhage in the process by which a living human becomes a corpse…. The nightmare that follows is expertly gothic, but the nausea never disappears.’ Actually, that’s kind of a compliment for a horror flick! <h2>Pretty Woman</h2> Released: 1990 Director: Garry Marshall Julia Roberts was nominated for a Best Actress Oscar for her role in 1990’s Pretty Woman, now considered one of the best romantic comedies of all time. Many poked fun at the idea of a wealthy businessman falling for a call girl he meets in Hollywood, but moviegoers fell in love with the couple and the pairing of Roberts with actor Richard Gere. Time magazine critic Richard Corliss wrote, ‘A ticket to Pretty Woman buys you mechanical titillation and predictable twists…Old-fashioned, assembly-line moviemaking without the old panache.’ Perhaps, but we still love it, and so do a legion of fans. <h2>Dirty Dancing</h2> Released: 1987 Director: Emile Ardolino Maybe you’re just in it for the dancing, the romance, or the nostalgia, but Dirty Dancing is one of those flicks you can watch over and over because it just makes you feel good. And we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention its iconic line, “Nobody puts Baby in a corner.” But Roger Ebert wasn’t here for any of it. ‘The filmmakers rely so heavily on clichés, on stock characters in old situations, that it’s as if they never really had any confidence in their performers,’ he said in his review. Another critic, for TV Guide, felt the supporting cast was pretty unlikeable. ‘One problem with the film is that it does nothing to endear the Catskill social setting to an audience; the inhabitants seem to be competing for awards in obnoxiousness,’ wrote Sandra Contreras. That’s an interesting observation, especially as 40 years later, guests still enjoy visiting the Dirty Dancing resort where the movie was filmed. <h2>The Shining</h2> Released: 1980 Director: Stanley Kubrick If you’ve ever read Stephen King’s novel of the same name, you know it’s one of the scariest books of all time. And director Stanley Kubrick’s cinematic take on the scary tale definitely leaves us feeling unsettled. But despite a memorable performance by Jack Nicholson as Jack Torrance, a man who, with his family, spends the winter in an isolated, haunted hotel, film reviewers weren’t so wowed by it. ‘Stanley Kubrick’s production of The Shining, a ponderous, lacklustre distillation of Stephen King’s best-selling novel, looms as the Big Letdown of the new film season,’ said Gary Arnold in the Washington Post. “I can’t recall a more elaborately ineffective scare movie. You might say that The Shining, opening today at area theatres, has no peers: few directors achieve the treacherous luxury of spending five years (and $12 million to $15 million) on such a peerlessly wrongheaded finished product.” Ineffective? Horror fans would disagree. <h2>It’s a Wonderful Life</h2> Released: 1946 Director: Frank Capra We often assume that classic holiday films like It’s a Wonderful Life must have always inspired the feel-good emotions that make it prime for repeat viewing. But while this story of a disappointed small-town man’s visit from an angel is uplifting for many, it didn’t warm critics’ hearts when it first came out. ‘Indeed, the weakness of this picture, from this reviewer’s point of view, is the sentimentality of it – its illusory concept of life,’ read a line in the New York Times’ review. Meanwhile, in New York’s Daily News, Kate Cameron wrote, ‘The film is too sprawling in extent, too noisy as to background music and voices and much too obvious in the application of its social significance notes.’ We beg to differ: it’s one of the best Christmas movies that brings tears to our eyes every holiday season. <h2>The Empire Strikes Back</h2> Released: 1980 Director: Irvin Kershner Despite that this movie is (almost) universally considered to be the best in the Star Wars franchise, film reviewers picked at the second flick in the saga just as they did the first. In this ‘episode,’ Luke Skywalker is in Jedi training with Yoda, and the rest of the gang is still at odds with Darth Vader and Boba Fett. So what beef could critics have with The Empire Strikes Back? Oh, plenty. ‘This time out, the Star Wars enterprise isn’t anywhere as enjoyable as the original,’ wrote Joy Gould Boynum in the Wall Street Journal. “One might argue that all this represents a gain, adding to the original, sophistication, richness, depth. But truth to tell, these developments seem little more than inappropriate. To place internal struggles within one-dimensional characters who by definition have no interior is absurd.” <h2>Inception</h2> Released: 2010 Director: Christopher Nolan Sometimes a movie is so high concept, even the critics can’t get behind its artistic gravitas. That seems to be the case with this thriller starring Leonardo DiCaprio, about a thief who uses dream-sharing technology to commit his crimes. The tables are turned, however, when he’s asked to actually put an idea into a dream, rather than steal from it. The film was an awards-show darling, scoring dozens of nominations and even winning four Oscars in mainly technical categories. However, Rex Reed’s review for the Observer might most succinctly sum up how many folks felt about it: ‘I’d like to tell you just how bad Inception really is, but since it is barely even remotely lucid, no sane description is possible.’ This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/true-stories-lifestyle/entertainment/23-great-movies-that-got-rotten-reviews-when-they-came-out?pages=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader’s Digest</a>. Image: Shutterstock

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