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Articles by Ben Hocking
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The Conversation Australia and New Zealand is a unique collaboration between academics and journalists that is the world’s leading publisher of research-based news and analysis.
YourLifeChoices
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Senior Economist
37 POSTS https://australiainstitute.org.au/expert/matt-grudnoff/ Senior economist at the Australia Institute, Matt is a regular contributor to YourLifeChoices and has extensive knowledge on retirement incomes, taxation and tax concessions, the federal Budget, poverty and inequality, free trade agreements, housing affordability, energy economics and climate change. He worked at the Australian Bureau of Statistics and the Department of Climate Change.
Contributing writer
Ben Hocking is a skilled writer and editor with interests and expertise in politics, government, Centrelink, finance, health, retirement income, superannuation, Wordle and sports.
Unhealthy foods can cancel cognitive benefits of a healthy diet
If you have changed to a healthy diet to start the new year, but are still having slight deviations from the plan, you could be undoing all the good work the diet is doing for the health of your brain. The Mediterranean diet has been associated with better brain health and maintenance of cognitive abilities into older age, but a study from Rush University has found that deviation from the diet can quickly reduce the cognitive benefits.
What is the Future Fund?
In 2006, the Australian government created the Future Fund as an independently managed sovereign wealth fund with the aim of strengthening the government’s long-term financial position. Sovereign wealth funds are special purpose investment funds owned by government. Sovereign wealth funds hold, manage, or administer assets to achieve financial objectives, and employ a set of investment strategies which include investing in foreign financial assets.
Topics to tackle to survive retirement with your spouse
A big number of retired Australians are independently navigating their way through their retirement finances without consulting their partners. Research from global asset management firm Franklin Templeton found that only 54 per cent of Australian retirees with a spouse or partner said they coordinated their retirement planning with them prior to retiring.
Explained: Financial Complaints Authority and how it can help you
Australia’s financial dispute resolution scheme has reached a major milestone – five years in operation. In that time, consumers have taken more than 400,000 disputes to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) in that time, securing a total of $1.2 billion in compensation and refunds.
To do or not to do of rail travel
If you’ve never travelled by train in Europe, there are some tips you’ll need to know before you start planning your trip. Here’s our list of what to do and what not to do. If you are going to visit several European countries on your trip, a rail pass will save you a great deal of money, compared to constantly purchasing point-to-point tickets. Having a rail pass also makes it easier to be impulsive about your travel decisions because train travel is unlimited with the rail pass.
What is a myGov account and how does it work?
MyGov is simply a secure way to access government services online in one place and is the main way in which you’ll regularly interact with Centrelink and Services Australia.
Ten terrible spending habits
Are you breaking the budget regularly? We know we are supposed to spend less money than we earn, but that isn’t always easy in practice. Below, we outline the bad spending habits that could be leading to your budget blowouts so you can tackle them and get your finances back on track. 1. Credit cards The top three causes of bankruptcy in Australia are unemployment, divorce and excessive use of credit cards. With ready access to credit cards it is way too easy for people to live beyond their means.
The world's easiest volcanoes to climb
Volcanoes are among the world’s most amazing wonders and many people have it on their bucket list to climb one and confront the awesome force of nature. Some of the world’s biggest volcanoes are quite a challenge to climb, however, and it is possible that your peak fitness has passed you by, which means that not all volcano climbs are possible. There are, however, some very active volcanoes that are more accessible than others, so here are some of the best volcanoes that are easy to conquer.
Tech Q&A: Is it possible to digitise my old VHS videos?
Theresa has a lot of memories stored on VHS video tapes and wants to know how she can convert them into a more watchable medium and which one is best? Q. Theresa I have a lot of family moments captured on video but no-one in my family has a VHS player anymore. I would like to show these videos to my grandkids so they can watch footage of their parents as kids. How do I go about converting these old videos into a more watchable format? What format should I choose to convert these into? A.
These smart home gadgets help in ways beyond imagination
Do you remember the television show Beyond 2000? It used to present all the weird little gadgets and innovations we could expect in the future. The future is here and the gadgets haven’t stopped rolling along. Here are some you may find useful, and others that strike us as a little over the top. Heated coffee mugs These heated coffee mugs could not get any fancier.
How does Centrelink assess overseas income?
Helen has an unusual asset overseas and wants to know how it will affect her pension application. ••• Q. Helen I have been looking for answers on the Centrelink website, however, there are some unclear areas I would like to understand. I will retire when I turn 67 in June 2024. I have been a permanent resident in Australia since 2010 and I receive an Age Pension from the Czech Republic. I live in Australia and believe I may be eligible for a part pension once I reach retirement age.
Are you always cold? It might not be just in your head
Why do some people feel the cold more than others? My wife and I have very different views on what is a comfortable temperature. I have always thought that I run pretty hot-blooded, as even in the depths of winter I don’t necessarily feel the need to put on a heater, except for the very coldest of days.
Friday Funnies: Lawyers, drunks and genies
A drunk in a bar is yelling: “All lawyers are thieves!” The guy sitting next to him says: “Whoa, easy there, buddy.” The drunk says: “Are you a lawyer?” “No, I’m a thief,” says the guy. ••• Being cheerful and peppy in the morning is a lot like committing murder. We are all capable of it, but it takes a deranged individual to actually go through with it. ••• What do you call a Frenchman wearing sandals?
How to survive the worst plane seat
Most people try to avoid the middle seat on a plane. If you get stuck with it, here’s how to survive the worst plane seat. Sleeping suggestions The biggest problem with the middle seat is where to lay your head if you are trying to sleep on the plane. Obviously, if you are seated next to your partner you don’t have quite as many problems as you may be able to have a shoulder to sleep on, especially if they have an aisle seat next to them.
How to set up your phone to avoid distraction while driving
Mobile phones are increasingly the cause of accidents on our roads, but a little-known feature can stop them from being so distracting. Both Apple iPhones and Android phones come with features that are made to make travelling with our devices that much safer. Current iOS software for Apple smartphones comes with a setting called ‘Do Not Disturb While Driving’. Read: What does aircon really do to your body?
Why is your balance getting worse?
We’ve all taken a tumble at some point in our lives. But as we get older, the risks associated with falling over become greater: we lose physical strength and bone density, our sense of balance deteriorates and we take longer to recover from a fall. Alarmingly, this process starts around the age of 25. The reasons for that are varied and complex, but by understanding them better, we can find ways to mitigate the effects of older age.
Problem foods as you age
Your nutritional needs change with different life stages and you may notice some foods become problem foods. To be fit and healthy, it is important to take into account the extra demands placed on your body as a result of these changes. As well as shifting the balance to eating more fruit and vegetables and foods rich in fibre, this also means you will need to cut out or cut back on some foods. These are the foods you may need to avoid as you age.
Explained: Superannuation work test
It’s possible to make personal contributions to your super fund right up until age 75, but if you’re aged between 67 and 74 and wish to claim a personal superannuation contribution deduction on your tax, you’ll need to satisfy the work test. To satisfy the work test, you must be ‘gainfully employed’ for at least 40 hours in a consecutive 30-day period each financial year for your fund to accept a personal super contribution and for you to claim a deduction.
How to fix wifi black spots around your house
FacebookTweetPinEmailPrint One thing that working from home has highlighted is the importance of a good internet connection and ensuring your wifi extends to all areas of your house. I was on a zoom call with a friend recently, and she started in her backyard before moving inside. When I asked why the change, she said the internet connection was a bit dodgy. There are a number of tricks and tactics you can use to ensure your wifi coverage is strong all over your property.
Can a stranger discover your location over the internet?
FacebookTweetPinEmailPrint Elroy wants to know if it is possible for strangers to track down his address online. ••• Q. Elroy I was involved in a rather heated discussion with an anti-vaxxer online recently when the person threatened to track me down from my wifi router, pay me a visit and breathe in my face. I was pretty disturbed and immediately stopped engaging with this person, who was clearly unhinged. Is it possible for a stranger to track down your location in this way? A.
How to spot a fake review, before it ruins your Christmas shopping
FacebookTweetPinEmailPrint We’ve learnt a lot in recent years – due to COVID – about getting organised for Christmas. Think back to delivery issues and shortages of many items. But we’ve also learnt a lot about scammers and how what seems to be genuine is sometimes not. Think fake reviews. A study has found that fake reviews were influencing around $152 billion in consumer spending worldwide.
Viagra could be used to treat Alzheimer's disease
Since coming onto the market and revolutionising the treatment of erectile dysfunction, Viagra has been found useful for other purposes, such as in the treatment of hypertension. And now it is emerging as a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.
Keeping your blood pressure in this range can slow brain ageing
How much does a healthy body contribute to a healthy mind? Scientists are continually finding that the link is very strong, and research from the Australian National University (ANU) has found a way to slow brain ageing by keeping blood pressure in the optimal range. That optimal blood pressure range, however, is under the normal recommended range, with researchers calling for a change to national health guidelines to reflect these results.
Vaccine advice changes again as young accused of 'gaming' the system - YourLifeChoices
As the Sydney COVID-19 outbreak continues to spiral out of control, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), has been forced to change its vaccine advice for those under 60. Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that more people should consult with a GP and consider the AstraZeneca vaccine in the wake of the outbreak and limited access to Pfizer vaccines. The new advice from ATAGI is in line with those recommendations.
New tool in the fight to stop older adults losing their teeth
FacebookTweetPinEmailPrint Tooth loss is often accepted as a natural part of ageing, but scientists believe they may have found a way to combat the problem. According to the Australian Dental Association (ADA), tooth decay and gum disease are two of the most common diseases experienced by elderly Australians, with 25 per cent of Australians aged 75 years and over living with untreated tooth decay.
Discover New Zealand's best winter attractions
To mark the start of the trans-Tasman bubble, here are some of the best things to do in New Zealand in winter. Most attractions, activities and locations are open all year and tend to be quieter during the down season. Canoe the Whanganui river The most popular section of the river to canoe is Whakahoro to Pipiriki and can be completed in three days.
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Voice recognition tech explained
Voice recognition technology is taking over and at the rate Australians take up new technology, it won’t be long before most homes have an assistant device. Whether it be Google Home, Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s Siri or Microsoft’s Cortana, these devices are aimed at making things simpler. There is no doubt that delivering commands via speech is much easier and faster than typing commands into a keypad, as well as being more natural.
Do Surface Coatings add Value to your Products?
So, you have noticed that untreated metal is nowhere to be seen nowadays in finished products, but why is that? Do surface coatings add value to your products in more than just making them look nice? Let’s look at some of the ways that a surface coating can improve the value of what you are selling. Corrosion Protection Can Increase The Lifespan Of The Product. Many surface coatings offer increased corrosion protection compared to bare metal, usually measured in salt spray hours.
Changes to Newstart rates and thresholds
From 20 September 2019, Newstart rates and thresholds will be indexed. From 20 September 2019, Newstart Allowance rates and thresholds will be indexed. Find out if your payment will be affected.
Air purifiers are not the solution to keeping your home COVID free
Consumer advocate reveals the worst-performing air purifiers on the market. A recent investigation by consumer group CHOICE found that while air purifiers can be useful in some circumstances, they play a limited role in keeping homes virus free. The research also found that some products on the market produce exceptionally poor results.
Demand for Centrelink causing millions in payments to be delayed
The Australian Lawyers Alliance says millions in compensation payments are being delayed. Many Australians waiting for injury compensation payments are being forced to wait an extraordinary length of time because Centrelink is struggling under the strain caused by the increased demands for its services as the economic fallout from the pandemic continues.
Industry Super Funds
Superannuation is an incredibly useful way of saving for your retirement – but how do you know if you’re in the right fund? The general consensus is that it is in your best interests to work for as long as possible in order to maximise contributions to super and grow your account balance to as high a figure as possible.
Join Our Team
Working for Pym & Wildsmith Here at Pym & Wildsmith, we are always looking for committed and enthusiastic individuals to join our team. By becoming part of the Pym & Wildsmith family, you can become part of our journey to grow and expand into one of the UK’s premier metal finishing companies. Our Values At Pym & Wildsmith, everything we do is conducted with the customer in mind.
How to ask whether a dish is pescetarian-friendly?
I'm traveling to a smallish city in Japan a little over a week from now (I'll be there two weeks), and I'm wondering what is the best way to ask a server whether or not a particular dish is pescetarian-friendly? I tried using the word "bejitarian" last time I was over there (because a vegetarian dish is pescetarian-friendly), but I was just greeted with blank looks. Note that last time I was there (about half a year ago) my Japanese was limited to saying hello, goodbye, and counting to 10.
Word for winning because the competitors were miraculously all worse
Actually, I think "win by default" IS often used to refer to this situation. Perhaps metaphorically: We didn't win because there was LITERALLY no competition, but because the competition that existed was so weak that it hardly counted. People will say "practically won by default" or "virtually won by default". But still, nothing in that phrase implies that you (or your team) was weak, just that the competition was very weak relative to you.
Seconds has/have passed
"Has passed" is grammatically correct, but sounds unnatural to me. I would prefer. The method will be fired after the specified number of seconds has passed. The user is not actually specifying a duration, but a number which is interpreted as a duration.
The louder he talked of his honor, the faster we counted our spoons
My family adored Emerson. I have always taken the saying as meaning, since most families in the U.S. at the time, counted silver spoons as among their most valuable possessions (we have some, nearly transparent with wear),it means the louder one speaks of such as patriotism, the more doubtful we are about the speaker's sincerity as a patriot in the true sense. Very handy for casting doubt in a jocular fashion on reported remarks.
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