Advantages are minimal in comparison to the disadvantages and we are seeing more of those occurring in the younger generation who have really only lived a digital existence. Social media has become the mum, dad, nanny and companion to many children who are unable to live without their smart phones and without their online "friends". But the Big Tech companies knew what they were doing when they developed these platforms and now you have SM like Tik Tok which is targeted at the below 18 years population and owned by a company run by the CCP, which fills me with confidence that they have our best interests at heart, and the algorithms are not just causing terrible addiction in this age group but the kids don't know that their brain chemistry is being changed and rerouted and they can no longer concentrate for more than a few minutes at a time. Their brains are still developing and I am strongly against social media for youth under 18 years old. But the worst part of social media is the "social contagion" aspect with the way it is redefining what gender means to children enmasse and the uptick in online bullying leading to more children than ever before suiciding because of bullying occurring outside of school and in their own homes. Just a couple of weeks ago a 10 year old child killed himself because of being bullied. As a child who was bullied badly at school in the 1970's and early 1980's I at least could get away from the bullies once I left school for the day. Social media has provided a way for bullies to have 24/7 access to their victims and that's just terrible! If you weigh up the negatives and positives of social media I don't think that the benefits outweigh the negative impact that it has had on us globally. The only people who truly benefit are the owners and shareholders of these massive corporations and the kids are suffering due to their power and global influence. There needs to be more restrictions on its usage by our kids. Thanks for reading.

No but as they have an international Women's Day then maybe they should have an International Men's Day. Then don't forget all the other genders that are out there! I agree - way too many "days". Let's just celebrate and respect each other and have peace in the world.

I know that it is hard for single mothers to stay home to look after their sick children but it is not fair to other children who are open to catching the sickness. I don't know the answer!

Pet hate for me this one \u2026.!! I never arrive unannounced and expect the same \u2026. Please don\u2019t bring people I don\u2019t know. 20 years I\u2019ve been here on my own half dozen people know where I live. I like it like that ..definitely a hermit here \u2026. Maybe I should put that on my gate \u2026.!!

This is just silly...that is fake but i bet they will start selling and then the real silliness will follow

Never shop on line. I need to try clothes on, feel the quality of the product also. However, I rarely buy clothes so it does not matter too much to me.

On YouTube I find music from all over the world. I've used it for DIY demonstrations on how to fix appliances, cars, how to cook certain types of food ...just about anything. Product comparisons such as the latest iPhone vs Samsung vs Sony etc. Cartoons and children's shows. Watch stand-up comedians, movies and TV shows, and sporting events.

As a child I was horrified to be told that our dogs were being fed horse flesh. Rabbits were the main protein food of many working class people during the Great Depression and on holidays as child I often hunted with my father for a "bunny" for dinner when we camped on a dairy farmer's property. Depending on circumstance and how desperately hungry I was I might try anything that looked like food from whatever source if that need arose.

Put the money you would spend smoking into a locked container. Given the price of them the money will soon amount to enough to buy something you need or maybe reward yourself with a weekend holiday or one of your "dreams". You may have to cut back over a few days or couple of weeks. You may need encouragement from your family and close friends.

I'm 60 this year. At work they call me "The Jedi. Not because I'm the oldest, which I am, but because I live in their words "the old ways." I don't own a smart phone, smart TV, 3-D printer or any of the other 100 things that this current generation thinks of as essential. I don't even own a credit card. I cut it up 20+ years ago when using it became too easy. I own my own house, plus an investment property, car, 2 investment Supers and $$$$ just sitting in my bank for an emergency. My co-workers are in their 30's to 40's and are in debt up to their eyeballs, living from payday to payday. They have all the latest gadgets but no real wealth at all. When I tell them this they just laugh at me. I had already owned my 1st home when I was their age. This generation is so hung up on the latest stuff and living "Now" on credit that by the time they retire they will still be renting. So yes, I don't like the future and technology. I am a Jedi/lol. But I'll tell you one thing...I'm happy that I'm the way I am. I'm worried about the current generation and their fixation on technology. All these easy options are keeping them poor and they can't see it cause everyone they know is doing the same thing. And they look at someone like me...laugh, and call me old.

I have received a message from my bank twice asking me if I had made a certain purchase on my credit card and both times it wasn't us. Somehow people have been able to get our credit card number but our beaut bank picked it up. The last one was a $4000 lunch. I contacted the restaurant asking them to report the fraud to the police but they said they were letting their bank handle it. I don't understand their attitude because if they didn't see the person ordering the food they must have delivered it, my bank stopped the purchase so why wouldn't they want to get their money back. This is why these crooks keep going, no-one wants the bother of reporting the crime to the police.

I always take the aisle seat as I feel this is less claustrophobic than stuck in a corner albeit with a window to look out from. One has more leg room also and it is easier to get up and down from if one has to walk anywhere or do exercises. As for switching, no I wouldn't. You have been allotted a seat and that is where you should sit. If you want a particular seat then organise it pre flight.

My family is Australian for at least 6 generations. The only killing I've ever seen is my Dad shooting a .22 rifle to kill a rabbit for our dinner when we were on a farmer's land on holidays. I hate the idea that in Africa it is regarded as O.K. to shoot the native animals as a sport, no it is murder!

It's more the question of what isn't fake on Facebook!! The influencers are fake...done up fake, giving fake reviews about products they are paid to give fake reviews for etc etc etc. It's a disgusting place and is has no moral boundries. I can't believe people think it is important to post pictures of 'look at me having a cup of coffee' etc. The stupidity of posting pictures of their new car with number plates showing, their new house with a street number visible, their real birthdays, telling people they are going away for 3 weeks over Christmas to the newest trendy place, the designer dog they just paid $6,000 for...it goes on and on and when they get robbed they blame everybody else. I was a member years ago until I figured 90% of Facebook is just inane crap and all about money and letting people know that you are bored because you have nothing to do but read the stuff posted. I HATE SOCIAL MEDIA...it's just dumbing the world down.

Equity associated with the net value of an asset one receives after disposing of such asset. Example, equity of your home, is the net value of it after taking out the expenses on that home. Equality is the equal rights any person enjoys in society. Like Man and Woman or any other sexual orientation have equal rights to have their opinion heard. This is how I understood these two terms.

Great topic. I see new rules/laws are coming in for people who get offended by someone's comment - won't the politically correct brigade have a ball with that!! I love a good respectful debate - but the skills are being lost by the up and coming generations.

Not sure this talent is in the artistic category (?). I am 'good' at solving crossword puzzles (where you have to pay a fee(s) to enter a crossword puzzle solving contests) - find that out about ten years ago - earned 3,000 dollars in prize money in 2022! Side benefits are: This talent widened my vocabulary. In addition, this talent increased my ability to think outside the box!

Why would you trust the 'MEDIA' on any subject - PERIOD! (Example: Fox News settle a civil lawsuit for 787.5 million dollars based on the fact - Fox News was blatantly distorting the TRUTH (aka outright lying that former President Trump was cheated out of his re-election bid in 2020)). The MEDIA is in business to make money - by any means necessarily - the end (profits) justify the means - (aka capitalism) - which has nothing to do with giving you unbiased facts so that you can make informed decisions!

TO ME NOT ANY MORE IT ALL ABOUT CELL PHONES AND COMPUTERS NOW THE OLD DAY WERE GREAT WISH WE HAD THEM ACK BUT THAT'S ME MIKE

I have no problem using bamboo cuttlery because being a plant it should dispose quicker than plastic. I dont taste any bamboo on the cuttlery and if you dobt enjoy using put a set of cuttlery from your homes to use. That way you can take then home to be wasged abd put back in your vehicle for the next time it is needed. That way you cab have the best of both worlds. Just a thought

Fake covid and go into "lockdown" then do your own thing and try not to get caught...good luck...do not actually get covid...that would suck

If you took tax off medications then some other sector would want tax removed as well and then everyone wants tax gone. Taxes pay for all your other necessities. I'm sure most 1st world countries have systems in place to help the less fortunate. Most medicines do not cure they merely help fight the ailment you are struck with.

As you get 'older' - you will have to fight 'everyday' the urge to become a 'pack rat'. The less 'stuff' you have in your apartment (or house) - the less cleaning you have to do on routine (or everyday) 'basis'.

I was unable to take my phone to school as it was connected to the wall in our hallway and the lead was not long enough to get to our school.

Look I have nothing against gender equality, but when places promote or employ people based on gender or race just to tick an equality box requirement, rather than that person being actually qualified for a job then there's an issue. Unfortunately this happens a lot, so skilled very qualified people are loosing positions to people with lesser skills simply because they're female or of a certain race. But it means the efficiency and the competency within workplaces reduces.

Thankfully my phone usually comes up with a potential scam warning. Most numbers are overseas numbers, Aussie usually. I don't usually answer calls from numbers I don't know, if it's important they will leave a message. Emails are a bit easier to workout if a scam, claim to be from a genuine company, if in doubt always check the email address, usually a "mistake" in it.

Adulting? what do you mean, At 80 years of age I don't understand. Adultery I'm not allowed to do that.

If that is their choice it is none of my business. What other people do in their own backyard is their business and none of mine.

I can't believe that we are having this topic again. It was already done within the last month. In Australia, at least in Victoria, a landlord cannot refuse you on the basis of pets and nor can they kick you out if you get pets afterwards. I think that this is terrible as, at the end of the day, it is your house and your rules. The other problem I have with it is many people that rent do not care about the property they rent to start with because it is not theirs and these type of people would allow pets to damage and destroy the house and the type of damage these tenants do, the bond is not enough to even pay for the materials needed to repair the property, much less any tradespeople to do the work. The other issue I have is certain tenants are always behind on their rent and bills and will use pets as excuses on why they are behind. Even worse, they may not be able to afford to care for the pet (basic food and vet care) and this is abuse. I am a pet owner but would never even think about having a pet unless I can afford it.

It\u2019s like most things eating it in moderation is ok. So once a week or fortnight as long as you aren\u2019t having huge portions of it. I\u2019m always shocked at school holidays seeing parents not only buy them mcds for lunch plus the soft serve ice cream plus the frozen fizzy drink. Way to much sugar!!

If you don't trust 'genetically modified food to be safe, then don't buy genetically modified food. However, this is a capitalistic society (aka profits over people)! What do you expect when it comes to making money (short cuts are going to be involve to raise the profit ability level)?!

Anyone watch banged up abroad? Schapelle Corby story.. or if the plane goes down I guess your life as you previously knew it would change !

Many years ago, when my fiance was about to graduate from college, and was job hunting, he told me that he had an interview scheduled with an engineering company. One night I had a dream that his interview was cancelled because the company had already gotten all the new hires they needed. The next morning, he called me and told me that is exactly what happened. I told him that I knew because I had a dream about it. We were both pretty freaked out. It was in 1975, when the job market was really terrible for college graduates. We went ahead with the wedding and just celebrated our 48th anniversary.

I am not sure why it is but it seems that today the younger people are simply not interested - at least until long after all this information was available and they rejected it - in all these old photos etc. and then when they are in their middle years they start wondering and asking about the family history. I have a wealth of Family History but don't know what to do with it as the Younger ones say they are not interested and then as time goes by they become interested and then spend a small fortune of using one of those sites about Families and their History! I had a look at a couple and, sure enough, there was a lot of mention of my forebears but the vast majority of it was appallingly Wrong! They had the one of my Grandmothers married to her own grandfather! They had immediate members of my family listed as still being alive and married but, in one case, one of my sisters, who died when she was just 4 years old was listed as being married to someone I had never heard of! I suppose we have but two choices. One is to just burn the lot and the other is to store it in the hope that some descendant will realize how important all this inforamtion is - if only to the family.

My family used to get together for all the major holidays, but since my Mom passed away, we hardly ever see each other. So sad, really.

I have no idea what you are talking about..thank you Rewardia for our discussion of the day ..good choice...

Should be called 'Desperation Shows'! 10 women vying for one man, have no qualms about kissing him when he was kissing someone else an hour ago. Willing to have it all hang out, spend hours on make up and hair daily. You don't see blind, deaf, disabled people... on these 'reality shows'. Chivalry can take a back seat, should start with common decency and having enough self respect to dress appropriately. There are already too many botoxed and duck lipped women on the planet. Looking 'normal' will be the new 'in' thing one day, then you can call it a reality show.

I don't drink alcohol, I have never smoked, I don't play the pokies and I have never tried drugs so why people become addicted I have no idea, and while what others chose to do is their own business I am growing tired of their lives over flowing into mine. In both Sydney and Melbourne there are injecting rooms set up for people who chose to use illegal drugs while I have to have a prescription for Mersyndol and they are about reduce the number of tablets in a packet of Panadol from 20 to 16 and will reduce the number of packets you can buy at a time to 2. So the majority of us have to suffer for the actions of a minority.

Have you seen Capitalism: A love story by Michael Moore? It's great but then again I think all his documentaries are great.

Yes, I use them all the time. Can't use online unfortunately. Probably easier to save up to $100 then do a big shop through a manned checkout. Personally though, I tend to go almost every day and buy a few things in self service. Can never get it to scan properly, but I just write down the code on a piece of paper and enter it in then write the balance down when I get out to the car. Have to cut out the first 3 digits I think it is when entering it in, should start with 924701

Raising interest rates is a way of reducing the growth of aggregate demand and the amount of money in circulation, which can lead to lower inflation. By making it more expensive to borrow money, the Fed (USA) hopes to discourage consumer and business spending, especially on big-ticket items like housing and cars. Raising interest rates also tends to lower asset prices, reversing the wealth effect and making banks more cautious in lending. Raising interest rates might seem harsh when prices are already high, but it's intended to eventually cause a slowdown in economic growth and a drop in inflation..

If we had decent government who knew how to govern efficiently and not throw our money away on shite causes like climate change and social engineering we\u2019d be better off!

I found a lot of cash left in the banking machine. It was in an area where a lot of senior people live, and it was the end of the month. First thought came to mind it must be money to pay the rent. I walked into the bank and handed it in to the supervisor. She took my name and number and thanked me. A week later I received a call asking me if I could come to the bank and see the manager. The money was indeed rent money and the person who left it in the machine was elderly. The manager thanked me for being honest about it. Good deed for the day!

Did you ever stop and think that their son has anxiety or something else going on and he simply can't answer? The fact that you don't even think about why a person doesn't say hello back is rude in itself. Are you so self absorbed that that you think everyone just needs to behave the way you want them to? The fact his parents don't force him is a good thing.

I just want to share my brother's story here as it relates to speed and the impact this has on other drivers. In August 2019 my brother left my father's home as he had recieved a text on his phone alerting him to a change of plans on the part of the woman he had just started seeing, so instead of staying overnight with my dad as he had planned to, he decided to drive the 3 hours to see this lady. He was about to leave Dad's house but came back up the stairs to the patio, hugged my dad and told him he'd see him again shortly. My dad was only 2 weeks away from his 80th birthday and both my family and my brother's, including his 3 children aged 14, 13 and 11, would be going out fora rare family meal to celebrate. As my mother had been dead for 16 years at that time and lived alone, this event was to be a big deal! After my brother left at 7:30pm and headed out towards the freeman back to home locality, as this new lady (he was recently divorced).h2e was in a hurry to get to his destination and enjoy the company of this woman. At about 8:15pm an elderly couple just driving home saw a car flying along so fast that they both remarked to each other "well he's certainly in a hurry to get somewhere" and my brother's car went out of their view.There WAS other traffic on the road that saw my brother fly past them but I have no knowledge of their statements to the Police. Shortly after passing the elderly couple my brother hit a large rock which must have been slightly off the actual road surface and he lost control and the car was observed to flip up in the air and spin several times before landing back on earth and immediately bursting into flames. We did not know until after the autopsy that my brother died of a broken neck before the car burst into flames and neither did the couple that were several minutes behind when they came upon the wreck, nor did the other motorists who were just going about their evening only to come upon a burning crash which, although we know that a couple of men DID try to get close enough to the vehicle to try and drag my brother out, but it was impossible to do and far too late anyway! So on that ordinary August evening my brother died due to driving over 30km/h over the speed limit depriving his children of their dearly loved father, and all these innocent road users were left with nightmares and PTSD from seeing a burning car and smelling burning fkesh being totally unable to do anything except for calling 000 and a lady waited for a date who would NEVER arrive! I was at home with both my daughters watching TV and sorting out grass for our guinea pigs when there was a knock at the door. As it was past midnight abd we were not t expecting company my girls and I looked at each other wondering who could it be and so I got up and went to answer it. I found 2 Police Officers standing there and the Sargent asked to come inside as he had some "bad news" to tell me. At that moment I was thinking which one of my 3 sons it was who was dead. When he said that it was my brother I admit to being relieved. I realised then that my sister-in-law had sent them to me so that I would go and break the news to my father.I saw the Police to the door, got dressed and left on the 90 minute trip to my father's home. Telling him that his much loved only son was dead was the HARDEST thing I have ever had to do. I know that this is terribly long and I apologise but I wanted to explain how the most mundane nights can change MANY lives forever if you speed! It kills! Thanks for reading.

I don't have any 'streaming services' (aka a cheap bastard - lol) on my computer - also I don't 'own' a TV - hence - I don't have 'any' suggestions on what to watch next. CIAO

All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages. William Shakespeare

Speed limits are there for all of us to follow. they are there for our safety and the safety of other road users, we should all follow the rules.

Being told I had to give a speech to 500 people I told my boss I could not as I fear public speaking. He insisted (many times) so on the day I got up on the stage and said “hello, my name is Julie” and promptly threw up.

1998 - the day before I got shot in the eye - on the job - by a sorry excuse for a human being (aka a cracker)

Silliest question ever. Of course they don't want us to know the truth. That's called MARKETING. And our skin has protective layers, and these creams can't even get to the layers that need restorative therapy in the first place. So disappointed in how the women of the world are so caught up in any fad, no matter the cost, to stay looking young. Hey, you!!!!!!! If you are old enough to have wrinkles, I'm smart enough to see them. No matter how much of that cream you put on everyday to make your insecure self feel "younger". Age is a number, not defined by grey hair or lines on your face. It's called natural degeneration and IT'S NOT YOUR ENEMY. Wisdom of life is far more valuable.. You'll never find me falling for STUPID, no matter how it's advertised. So wake up humans and grow a brain. Read more. You'll be much more beautiful for being able to carry on a conversation and having a great personality. Not your eye cream that's not helping, and not your clothes label hidden where no one can see what it says. Your not impressing me. Btw, I'm 52 and look fabulous and am beautiful and don't throw my money away. I'm as God intended me to be.

No I don't think we are in the dark ages. I think we have just had our eyes opened to how much corruption there is in the world and the consequences of political systems where leaders get too much power. I don't think it has ANYTHING to do with religion - but people will always blame that...............

Showing them what you wrote on Rewardia should do the trick...You may never hear from them again however.

I don't MISS not having flies around and I don't care if flies don't like rain (for whatever reason). Who cares?

Multi purpose croping is the way to go and opting for native croping as well. We need to change with the times

Never heard about this. Maybe it's mental illness on the increase? Perhaps alcohol and drugs? Is it really increasing or is it just increase in population (more people = more criminals though the proportion may still be the same).

Just be you, be polite and honest, and you are sure to find friends soon enough. Most people are quite happy to accept others as they are. Any that do not are the ones with the problem, not you.

Save the money and invest it in a term deposit then if you need it it’s there for medical expenses if your not sick use it to have a holiday

Some years ago I sprained my ankle, 2 weeks later I broke my knee, 2 weeks after that during a routine X-ray the doctor found my ankle was broken. My cast was getting bigger but just as I was starting to feel better renewed pain in my foot sent me for another X-ray and the other side of my ankle was broken. As I was very incapacitated my husband had to take time off work without pay and we felt it very unfair that we weren't entitled to any form of Government assistance. So no pay and loads of medical bills while other people manage to get heaps of assistance. All caregivers should get some sort of assistance.

I have never had a Paranormal experience but I do sense things. I will go to the letter box and know that a certain letter that was not expected is in it. I also know who people are despite never having met them or even seen them before. I used to know who was on the phone when it rang, now it tells me so I don't know if I can still tell who it is. My daughter and I would go shopping in different places but when we got home we would find we had been in the same stores but in different suburbs, and bought the same things. There are other weird things like knowing what people are going to say on TV or know the plot way ahead of time. I don't think it's supernatural or anything like that, I just put it down to being super attentive and noticing things other people don't.

It’s disgraceful behaviour it makes you wonder if they are hoping for a handout or just feel they have to attend to stop their guilty conscience.

In Tasmania an American came and saw a beautiful valley, bought it and arranged to have some cabins built. With a big privacy fence. He returned to open a nudist camp in May to find snow and freezing wind. He never opened his camp.

The problem is that nurses are sent to university then into hospitals. In the old days you started emptying bed pans before you decided whether or not it was the profession for you. Now they are sent to university then have to empty bedpans. Wouldn't it be a bit of a shock after years of schooling? Why would anyone spend years studying then perform back breaking work, changing dressings, wiping bums and the like when they could be earning much more in the corporate world. Starting at the bottom then studying your way to the top is always the best way to fill the ranks.

Slowly killing the guy who run over my pet frog Jumpy. That happened when I was 5 and I have never forgotten my little mate Jumpy.

In your fifties, that is young, don't worry, by the time you get to almost 90, you will have slowed down!!!!! Guaranteed !!!!!

We have tadpoles here. Herds of the damn things. They grow into gangs of nasty frogs and annoy the living hell out of me. I will happily trade a deer or two for all of my frogs. Let me know if you are interested.

I have reservations about this one! Seems like a sledgehammer to squash a flea. My immediate reaction is a bit like the essential basis of democracy going back many centuries being "The Seperation of Church and State". Yes, I'm comparing "Church" to "Internet", which will offend many people! But more of us spend more time using the Internet than participating in faith based social activities. Having said that, I had a friend/client scammed out of several thousand dollars by an internet fraudster who also tried to get his wife' identity, scan of Drivers Licence, Birth Certificate etc. Bullying IS a serious thing, in any form but I am uneasy about Government involvement in our privacy. More "Traditional" Policing methods & education of legitimate users to know what to look out for seems less draconian. Happy Monday!

I am 85 and have never had a headache in my life feel so soorry for those who have them regularly. For coughs my mother used to give me hot water with a teaspoon of whisky and some honey - it sure worked quickly on coughs and colds

I saw Paul McCartney when he done his tour and he was absolutely fabulous and I would love nothing better than to be able to see him in concert again he was spectacular ???

All animals and plants including us human beings. Are carbon bases life forms. Climate change is a myth, the earth has always heated up and cooled down. Its a blatant money grabbing exercise for the UN and other powers who want to dictate what we say and think. Just blowing off some stream.

Not having a Will is being extremely selfish expecting your children to clean up your mess. My MIL died a year ago and refused to ever make a Will, she was the absolute worst hoarder in NSW, we're still clearing the property it's an absolute nightmare then there's Letters of Administration to file in the Supreme Court, if she just thought about anyone else but herself it would have been a lot easier.

I have 58years of marriage & love the changes the twists & turns .The 2 children ,6 Grandchildren ,3 great grand children.It is a full rewarding journey thru life .

My husband and I have discussed solar panels and decided that should we ever get them because yes I believe that are a great idea but we've come to the conclusion that unless we can afford to buy a battery to store any excess power that we won't use at the time it's not worth it cause you just get ripped off by greedy power companies because they buy it off you for next to nothing then sell it back at huge profits.

If everyone stopped using their car for one week or longer and used other transport, the prices will drop...

I don't see a lot of hope for the rest of my life, and I'm sick of making lists I can never hope to cross off.

We did not open too early; we shouldn't have shut down. We didn't shut down for Swine flu, bird flu, or any other health issue. The problem isn't money, it's rampant inflation due to an idiot who shouldn't be in charge. For anyone who hates capitalism, I do hope you live in (or move to) a socialist county. Let me know how well that works out for you LOL

I've lent money to my sons now and again. It's usually my idea to do it and often I end up telling them not to worry about paying it back. One example was my eldest son one day telling me he was going to get a solar system installed and how much it was going to cost paying it on a plan. Worked out double the cost so I said I'd give him the money and he can pay me back when he has that amount saved up. Then my other son needed money for something some time later and I gave him money for that. In the end I told them both not to worry about paying it back. I have a fair bit sitting in the bank. We don't need much to live on because our house is paid off. We aren't big spenders going on holidays etc and the money will be theirs not so far down the track when my partner and I are no longer here so I figure why not let them have some of their inheritance now. One thing I always do though. If I give to one I give the same to the other so there's no favouritism.

If you are in the market, you buy you sell the dividends are the same. Future generations are unable to buy property because everyone the older generation is investing and negative gearing with portfolios connected to their super. The cost of buying and keeping up with technology is eating up our money with iPhones and internet connection and also smart technology. The aged care sector has bought all the small home units that use to be a way for first home buyers to enter the market. Whose responsible? the Government are always involved.

Unfortunately, money and poor health is a problem so I cannot live the life I would like. I do not have any friends as my sisters were my friends and they have passed. It is a bit lonely and at times I also feel very invisible to people around me i.e. in shops etc. and I really do not like being treated as some idiotic insignificant person. When I go to the doctors and explain my symptoms it is usually brushed off with Oh it's your age or gender. I would have loved to travel more as I enjoyed every country I visited. I have traveled extensively also around Australia but some areas I have not yet seen and would love to. I do think you need someone beside you who has similar views on life and you can enjoy it with them.

Punctuation is an essential part of language, In the passage from Dickens' used it's appropriate. It implies pace and importance to what would otherwise be just words,

I used to watch bet then realised they are really just big ads foe whatever and are really very biased to one point of view so have not watched foe years

This is a very sore point for me as my mother is in a nursing home and as you say they are usually under staffed but when they mandated the vaccine almost 30% of the staff left including the entire management team. It took ages to hire more staff and now the place is nothing like it was previously. The new staff don't really care about the residents and things go left undone and they have demarcation lines where only one person can attend to something. My mother was left with a UTI that went untreated for between 12 to 16 weeks and it was only detected after she had a heart attack and was transported to hospital. The infection was cleared in a couple of days but she now has a heart condition. With only 34% of staff having had the booster more will leave again with the new mandate. I don't for one minute believe unvaccinated people catch or spread Covid anymore than vaccinated people and I would much have preferred that the staff who had worked there for more than 20 years had been allowed to remain working there vaccinated or not. For some very odd reason people seem to have lost their minds over Covid and think that people in nursing homes etc. should be protected from Covid at all costs, even if they die from neglect. I don't agree. Of all the deaths in Australia in 2021 only 1% was from Covid. In 2017 almost 250000 people in Australia caught Influenza, and on one night 17000 were hospitalized because of it. Did you hear that on the evening news? My father fell ill and was admitted to hospital and after a week he was doing well and was about to be discharged but he caught the flu despite being vaccinated. Just after midnight on his 91st birthday he passed away. That wasn't on the evening news either, but if it had been Covid you would have heard about it. People should get a grip, stop listening to the alarmist news media and worry about the elderly and disabled being fed, washed and cared for rather than who has or hasn't had the "jab".

I hate unexpected visitors, especially when I'm not in the mood or feeling sick. The very last thing I want to do is entertain other people.

The worst thing is having someone cheat on you and when you ask them they lie and make you feel as if you are in the wrong, and when found out and they leave it is worse than when someone close dies, the one who dies doe not leave you by choice and then quite often the one they took up with rubs your nose in it. You can forgive but you can never forget, even after 30 odd years certain things make you remember and hurt.

Here's a thought. Make it possible for EDs to Charge - Not Bulk Bill - people who clog up EDs for no good reason. If it can be shown there is a Real Emergency then the ED Bulk Bills to Medicare. Hitting even the most selfish people in their wallets and purses with No Recourse to claim from Medicare would have an immediate effect. This Fee would amount to being a Fine for Time and Resource Wasting - I have yet to hear of anyone being issued with a Fine who has been able to claim the cost of it on any form of insurance or tax dodge!

Who would not want to be the next Niel Armstrong?? Dull as Mars looks (it's not as interesting as the green of Aotearoa) it would be cool to be fist there, wouldn't it???

Agree with all the above. A bit dismal isn't it. Perhaps we can have a laugh on this discussion panel along the way over the coming year. Happy New Year everyone and let's hope it's a good one.

I am one of those children who got adopted. I don't know the reason(s) why my birth mother put me up for adoption but I have no regrets because the two people who adopted me when I was 13 months old, were the most loving parents any child could have. It was during the 2nd World War when my adoption happened so there are so many reason why I was put up for adoption. I had a very happy childhood. My new father's family accepted me, so I had aunts, uncles & cousins to be part of. My new mum & dad always managed to go away for a week's holiday every year to the seaside. At Christmas time, there was always plenty of food on the table & lot of presents. I did try once to try & find information by applying for a copy of my Birth Certificate & as I used to work near Somerset House in the City of London. I requested that it be sent to where I was working at the time, but it was sent to my home address. Of course, mum & dad knew the return address on the envelope so got quite upset & it was at that time, that mum & dad opened up about my adoption & how I became adopted. It was sad but at the same time I got to get my questions answered. After that, I never thought to try & find out anymore information about my background. Why would I when I had been rec'd into a loving family. Years later both those wonderful people, offered to foster a child from Dr Barnardo's because her mother was unable to look after her. So I had a sister. Yes, I still do agree with couples adopting a child or children if they are brother & sister.

I have many things that I have had since I was a little girl. I would love to keep them in the family, but I have no children. I have nephews and nieces, but they show no interest in my family tree which I've worked on since 1970! I'm heart-broken!!!

We ALL have regrets I'm sure but not lebe arning from those stupid, idiotic things that you did do would be my greatest regret of all. I wish that I would have listened to my FIL when he pleaded with me not to sell the home we had built on land he'd paid for. It was perfect for us and my 5 children and would have been for years to come, but I had been bequeathed a 3/4 share in a home which belonged to these elderly sisters I helped to care for in the community and whereas I could simply have paid off the animal welfare organisation that they bequeathed the other 1/4 to and paid my share of the lawyers exorbitant fees and then, after the sale was completed, I could have paid the mortgage on the home we had built, bought my now ex and I a car each and then STILL had money left over. We moved in the weekend my mother died and because the home phone had been switched off at our old residence for a few hours before going on at our new address my mother had passed away of cancer. I missed being with her AND my father was alone with her when she died. He'd been trying to call the home number but couldn't get on to us so he eventually rang my mobile. We'd spent the whole weekend moving houses and my plan had been to go and stay with her that Monday after I got the kids off to the bus stop and remain with her when she died. My old home was officially sold that Thursday and for some reason we had to be there to hand over keys or something, but we were over an hour away from the Chapil where my mother's funeral was to occur at 11am and I still had to pick up the wreath along the way. We were late of course and my father knew that something fishy was going on that week but I didn't want to tell him what we'd done because he'd told me in no uncertain terms NOT to move into the sisters home. I would NEVER make such a mistake as that now, but hindsight is a wonderful thing. We spent over $70K repairing the home as the sisters hadn't been able to afford to fix all the things that needed replacing and tearing down. That "tearing down" happened later that year when my my marriage broke up and a year after that when I couldn't sell the now lovely renovated home and 3/4 of an acre of land within walking distance to town and public transport, the bank came and foreclosed on it. So in 2 and a half years I destroyed my family's finances that we'd built up over 18 years or so and ended up bankrupt. It was, ALL of it, the most difficult experience to go through and the ONE decision out of ALL of life's bad choices that I wish I could change. I know it is shameful and worse because I hurt the very person that had helped me the MOST of anybody in my lifetime, but if anyone reading this can possibly get a family member or another loved one NOT to make a similar disastrous mistake then it's worth it. Thanks for reading.

I honestly can't understand why people pay rent and not own their own home, hard work and sacrificing a lot of luxuries is the only way to go. It will pay off in the end.

I was forced to retire at 60 when a raft of medical conditions culminated in my first heart attack...lost home, lost everything and now just on a Disability Pension - Rent alone takes more than half of that a fortnight - If you have the luxury of planning when to retire do it when you own your home and have enough in your Super or Savings to see you through to your expected Expiry Date!

I would seriously think that if you had to really consider that, then you had better find another girlfriend, she's not the one for you.

Yes of course, one of my houses is built on the site of a former leper colony. I have seen ghosts in there for the last 20 years. However they do not steal my beer so I am fine with them hanging out in the place.

Doctors are forced to charge high rates so they can cover their university fees plus staff wages and other general business fees. Also every time they attend a routine status upgrade session to improve their abilities, they have to pay to this - so they need to cover this.

ask a politician this question and sit back and listen to the crap that would pure from them ALL.....

Self centre, self absorbed, egotistical nobody’s who think their opinions are of importance to the world …. What a load of rubbish these people gush …. So wrapped up in themselves and people are stupid enough to make them a fortune by taking notice of the rubbish they tout … give me a break people get a life ??

Children should not be exposed with adult issues. Let them be children and free from stress for as long as they can. Outside is better than indoors. Children have too much internet time and less exercise.

Congratulations to you but no. In the second week of January, on the Wednesday my FIL was diagnosed with bowel cancer, on the Friday my father was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer and on the Sunday one of my cats passed away suddenly. And I'm still unemployed after 12 years

I think about existence and the wondrous subjects of creation and of life after death. I also think very much about mortality. Where do we go after death, if we go anywhere? These are all challenging thoughts and the older you get the more you think about it. Your emotions come rushing to the surface of your thoughts. In most of us we are taught to believe in a God, or higher power; someone or something that created life and put us on the Earth to exist and live a normal life. Of course, the kind of life we live is coloured or influenced by our environment and again, by our upbringings and circumstances, education, and beliefs. We should remember that for every action and decision there are consequences. Most religions nearly always come to a similar conclusion at the end of life. I do not include the fundamentalists who persist in taking a severe approach to matters and doing things to society against the accepted norm (actions and consequences). In 2015 I was conducting a criminal case in Sydney that was moved from the Downing Centre to the Central Criminal Court. On my way to the Central Court, I was crossing Castlereagh Street and a few paces before I reached the other side I had a Cardiac arrest. I remember going down and my secretary screaming but that was all. Apparently, a young man caught me from behind and proceeded to administer CPR. I came to and was taken to RPA Hospital where after two Angiograms I had a Defibrillator implanted. This was a quick way of letting me know that it was time to retire. I was 74 at the time. I still think very much about that day and how lucky I was to survive. Despite it all, there was nothing on the other side to relate; there was no bright light or rushing wind like near-death stories talk about. But perhaps I had not died in the true sense of the word? The experience has made me think about all these things very deeply and realise we are here on Earth to look after one another as best we can. I have three adult sons, a darling wife of 54 years of marriage, and 6 Grandchildren. Perhaps we weren’t meant to know all about our own existence and mortality? It may come later...I wonder.