The Good Retirement: Living the high life on a low budget
Retirement can be a tricky time when we wonder, "Have I got enough money to live happily ever after?"
But come retirement time, many Australians find their nest egg isn't big enough to go luxury cruising or laze on a tropical island.
So how can you find enjoyment and fulfilment from retirement without spending a fortune?
Guests:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ABC News
26 minutes ago
- ABC News
GPs will be able to diagnose and treat ADHD under Tasmanian Liberals' election pledge
Tasmanian Liberals have pledged to make it easier for Tasmanians to access attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis and treatment by allowing GPs to undertake assessments. On Saturday morning, Premier Jeremy Rockliff announced that if re-elected, the Liberals would expand Tasmanian GPs' scope of practice to enable them to diagnose, treat, and manage ADHD for both children and adults. Appearing alongside Mr Rockliff, Liberal Lyons candidate Steph Cameron, whose six-year-old son Bruce has ADHD, became emotional when discussing the challenges it had presented. Ms Cameron also has ADHD. "I look at kids who have ADHD … and often they're told that they're the naughty kids," she said. Currently, in Tasmania, it can be time-consuming and expensive to seek a diagnosis and treatment for ADHD. The wait for paediatric assessments can be 18 months or more. Last year, Tasmanian GP Kate Bendall told the ABC it could involve multiple medical practitioners and cost more than $800 to receive a diagnosis. When the state parliament last year held an inquiry into how ADHD is assessed and treated in Tasmania, it received 60 submissions, many of which raised the lack of available medical professionals. Mr Rockliff said the pledge would allow Tasmanian GPs to provide diagnosis and treatment options rather than referring adult and child patients to specialists. "We need to ensure we move with that need and ensure we have more flexibility and opportunity." He said the announcement would provide better, cheaper, and faster access for the families seeking help. The announcement comes just one day after the South Australian Labor government made a similar pledge. It also reflects changes that have been made in New South Wales and Queensland in recent years. The Tasmanian chair of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, Toby Gardner, said the peak body welcomed the announcement. "This is something we've been advocating for for a long time nationally," he said. Dr Gardner said the long wait times for children to be diagnosed could dramatically affect their educational outcomes. He said if adults were unable to access care and treatment, it could cost the national economy in lost productivity in the workplace. Ms Cameron, who has ADHD, said if she had been able to walk into a GP clinic and get the care her son needed, it would have been "life-changing". "To get the support [parents] need when they ask for it, without question or putting any doubt in their minds … it's so important," she said. Labor leader Dean Winter on Saturday also said his party supported the policy. Greens candidate for Bass, Cecily Rosol, said she was on the parliamentary inquiry into ADHD and supported the policy. "Having GPs being able to make an ADHD diagnosis is a sensible move that will improve diagnosis, reduce waiting times and ensure people are able to get the treatment and support they need," Ms Rosol said. Mr Rockliff said if his government was re-elected, it would also amend legislation to allow interstate prescriptions for ADHD medication to be dispensed in Tasmania.
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
‘Shady' relationship act being called out by experts
A 'shady' dating trend rising in popularity is leaving Aussies feeling like their partner's dirty little secret. Partner pocketing, also known as stashing, is when your partner is keeping you a secret from the world, including not posting you on social media, not inviting you to events with family or friends, and appearing as though they are single. Samantha Jayne, a relationship expert, said the trend's been around for years but it has risen in popularity thanks to hook-up culture and more people feeling comfortable being single. She did also say that it could come from worry and shame from getting a relationship wrong, and so it is easier to keep it a secret in case the couple break up. While other times it's due to children being involved. It was common when people were trying to avoid judgement for factors like a big age gap or cultural differences. More 'malicious' reasons included a fear of commitment or cheating. 'No matter what the reason behind it, it never feels good to be someone's secret. It betrays trust, make the person who is being kept a secret feel same, insignificant and it errodes the relationship.,' she said. So, what should you do if you find yourself in this position of being confused about why your partner doesn't appear to be proud of dating you? 'Have an honest open conversation with your partner about the reasons you're being pocketed,' Ms Jayne said. 'You should see how that makes you feel and if you can compromise on a timeline so that you can eventually appear and be known to the outside world. I'd also recommend taking a step back and protecting yourself.' She said it's important to set a clear boundary, and if it makes you feel bad and the person isn't willing to compromise then maybe the relationship isn't for you. 'Know your self worth, practice self care and get out there meet new people that are proud of you and take the time to consider if being pocketed is something you are OK to accept,' she said. Sera Bozza, Tinder's local dating expert, told that on the surface partner pocketing sounds 'shady'. 'And sometimes? It is. If someone is making you feel like a well-kept secret, they might not be ready, or willing, to fully integrate you into their life. That hurts. But it doesn't always mean something's wrong with you,' she said. 'Because here's the thing: not everyone who isn't posting you is pocketing you. There's a difference. Not everyone's comfortable putting their love life on the grid two dates in — and that's fair! 'Privacy in the early stages can be healthy. Posting someone too soon doesn't prove commitment, especially if the connection hasn't earned that level of visibility yet. Rushing to perform commitment before you've actually built it? That's how people end up relationship-sprinting and emotionally crashing later.' She said the red flag isn't when someone introduces you but why they keep avoiding it. She said if someone is being clear and intentional about where things are at, it's a green flag. But. if they keep dodging the question or changing the subject. 'That's not mystery, that's misdirection,' she said. 'The good news? Gen Z daters are flipping the script. According to Tinder's Year in Swipe data, they're not pocketing; they're loud-looking from the start. They're not just hoping someone picks up the vibe, they're actively flagging what they want in their profiles for more aligned connections: effort they can see, communication that's direct, and actions that actually match their intentions. 'Being clear and emotionally available? In. Posting your partner when it feels real? In. Leaving someone in the emotional drafts folder: no introduction, no clarity, no context? Firmly out.'
News.com.au
4 hours ago
- News.com.au
Victorian build-to-rent landlords dodge new minimum lease terms
The Victorian government has quietly backed away from a plan to set minimum 12-month lease terms for thousands of Melbourne rentals. A proposed change to the Land Tax Act 2005 would have removed a deduction offered to build-to-rent operators from January 1 next year, unless they set the minimum lease term. Industry groups challenged the plan, citing research showing that between 10 and 30 per cent of tenants signing on for leases in the city's tenants-only complexes had specifically sought shorter terms. They also warned removing the tax benefit could have impacted attracting much needed development to build more rental homes across Melbourne. The city is currently Australia's capital for build-to-rent apartments, which effectively replace mum and dad investor landlords with corporate groups and super funds. Earlier this week the Victorian government acknowledged 1000 build-to-rent apartments had been built in the 2023-2024 financial year, with a further 18,200 under construction. The changes requiring the minimum term were removed from the State Taxation Acts Amendment Bill 2025 just prior to its passage into parliament late this week. In 2020 the Victorian government created a tax benefits program for build-to-rent projects that has helped it to become the nation's top destination for developers planning such builds. It is understood the decision to remove the minimum terms requirement is subject to further discussion with the property industry. Property Council of Australia Victorian executive director Cath Evans said the change was vital to accommodate a wide range of renters including couples separating, people working interstate for short periods, families completing home renovations who needed the flexibility of shorter leases. 'So we were very pleased to see the government took our advice and has amended the policy as it went through,' Ms Evans said. She added that with the change maintaining stability for the build-to-rent sector, it was hoped more operators would be willing to undertake developments in the space and help boost the supply of new homes for tenants in Melbourne. 'There is a significant need to grow the BTR sector further as part of our broader need to deliver more homes for Victorians,' Ms Evans said. 'A more competitive property taxation regime is critical across all parts of the housing market to keep investment flowing and delivering the homes our communities urgently need.' Build-to-rent projects typically cater for Melbourne's higher-priced rental market, with many operators charging more than $800 a week for two-bedroom residences, but offering significant levels of luxury ranging from pools and gyms to podcasting and work-from home spaces around the complexes. With operators typically seeking to engage tenants long term, leases of up to three years are not uncommon where would-be residents are seeking security. Traditional residential tenancies do not currently have minimum lease terms, with most set at one year before rolling over to a month-by-month arrangement — or being renewed for another 12 months. Tenants Victoria chief executive Jennifer Beveridge said they would be speaking with the government further about creating more stability and security for tenants. 'The government have said they want to consult more with renters, and we'll be calling for more availability of longer term options,' Ms Beveridge said. 'Build-to-rent properties are built for the express purpose of remaining rental homes. We should take this opportunity to give people real security to stay there and make homes in them.'
