I take medication for PTSD and it doesn't work 100% of the time. At least 2 - 5 nights a month I wake up screaming. Last time was a mumble and 2 screams and I THANK MY SON each time he wakes me and rescues me from the horrors I'm in. My vote is WAKE THE PERSON UP!!

Isn't that the problem with social media? So much fake information I don't know why people keep using it.

I learned cursive many years ago. I am 68 now and I enjoy writing. It should have continued to be taught. Technology tends to lessen the thought process in my humble opinion .

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

Live fast. Die young. Leave a good-looking corpse (and you will not have too 'worry' about saving MONEY for your retirement)!

Love some old cartoons like Milton the Monster, Casper the friendly ghost, Prince Planet, Astro Boy, Woody Woodpecker and the list goes on.

Interest rates are still very low in comparison to historical rates but house prices make the current rates unaffordable. People are borrowing beyond their means to get the house of their dreams first off instead of buying small and working towards the house they really want. My parents built our childhood home when they first married and added on and made improvements as the family grew and needs changed. Our house was originally a 3-bed, 1 bath, 1 living room with a fireplace and ended up a 5-bed, 2 bath, 2 living rooms with an extended dining room and central heating throughout to accommodate the family of 7 that we ended up as. To a certain extent, people's greed and immigration has pushed up house prices, which also has an effect on the amount of interest they have to pay, regardless of the rates.

Be more frugal, I was just told I am too frugal? \ud83e\udd23\ud83e\udd23if I didn\u2019t purchase the groceries we would be skin and bones

6 weeks is much too short a period of time to decide to marry unless the man is 99 with a foot in the grave and a few million in the bank, then it should be "where do I sign up"!

After having dark hair since I was a baby I find that I am loving my greys. I really think grey can look quite stylish. I see grey hair everywhere these days. Are people going grey at a younger age or are young people dying their grey. I really feel it is the latter. Dark hair on a older person with a sallow complexion looks comical. A good bottle of purple shampoo and let it be is my recommendation Ruth.

Stay away from work so I don't spread it! Anyway I usually have the flu vaccination so it would be unusual for me to get the flu.

There is no "right" or "wrong" way. What you do with your own personal things is completely up to you and your own family. Nobody else's opinion matters nor is relevant. You might want to keep some, sell or donate some, or simply throw some out. You should course keep any legal documents and financial papers for a while though - people like the tax department can come back years later (in some places it can be 5 years, 7 years, 10 years, or longer).

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

There are no jobs available when graduating from old age. They say firms are looking for experience, but I have 90 years of experience & no takers.

I grew up on a dairy farm with both parents and 4 sisters. As far back as I can remember, we had foster children in our home. Often 2 at a time but mostly 1 and once 3. I remember wanting to adopt them all, some more than others because they came as wee babies and stayed up to a couple of years and you get really attached; at least as a kid it felt like 2 years. We did end up adopting 2 boys and we are all very close and loving as siblings should be. I wondered recently if my parents did it for the money but my Dad set me straight real quick; $7/month for each child. That didn't even cover food. It was out of the kindness of their loving Christian hearts that they were doing this. In my adult life I was able to foster 2 teenaged girls. I don't think there's a much better feeling in life than helping young people out of abusive families and into a Christian home that values them for the gifts they are. And teaching them they are lovable and deserve respect and admiration lead them on to work in a dental office and veterinarian office where their kindness and confidence are shared with a gentleness they never learned in their first families. I am so thankful to God for bringing those girls into my life and the ability to give them what they needed to succeed in life and break the abusive cycle. If any of you get the opportunity to foster and/or adopt a child/children, I say pray about it and if you're led in that direction, follow your heart and do it. You will all be rewarded. God bless...

It amazes me that the younger generation have the call out for helping the earth, etc. yet they use so much stuff. i.e. wipes, disposable nappies, coffee cups and pods, phones and other electronic equipment, yes and fast food packaging and they usually buy bags at the supermarket also. I have young people around the 30 age bracket in my units here and they do not recycle anything. I saw on the news tonight that the young mothers cannot afford nappies which cost somewhere between $20 and $30 a week apparently and take over 100 years to degrade. We had about 2 dozen cloth nappies that we soaked and washed them. No on going costs with those. We used flannels to wash them with and wipe their faces and then we washed those. We can do our bit but big businesses are doing more damage than we can ever offset. They need to be made accountable. Carbon offset is not the way to go either. Carbon negative is how it should be. Buying some trees to offset the carbon is not lowering it as the trees were already there. Sometimes these areas trees/timber have also been sold so a minus. I guess we all need to make everyone take responsibility from the smallest thing to the largest company and governments.

Did not understand your question, but 'I think' you are asking the following: Truth is a generally accepted outcome or reasoning while Fact is a proven Truth. Fact is true but not all Truths are Facts (aka Half-Truths). Other words, Facts are more objective in their nature whereas Truths are more subjective in their nature (which can/will lead to Half-Truths).

If her ongoing behavior (customer) is causing emotional distress and mental distress for the owner and for the staff (as you have stated in your post) and she (customer) has 'no' valid rationale for her ongoing behavior (as you have stated in your post). Then, the owner SHOULD have a conservation with an attorney (lawyer) - that way the owner can find out - if this customer - can legally - be 'bar her' from entering the premise (business). Sometimes, THE CUSTOMER IS NOT ALWAYS RIGHT. Which is WHY I always worked in the PUBLIC SECTOR!

Little house on the Praire, I dream of Jeanie, Wonder Woman, The Flintstones, The littlest Hobo, Gilligans's Island, Scooby-doo, Happy Days, The Beverley Hillbilly's, The love boat... oh and my all time fav... Prisoner - Australian classic! I used to run home from school everyday to watch it!!!

From the time I was a kid and found even a halfpenny on the pavement I would hand it in at the police station for the charity box. Many years ago when a teenager I found a payroll and \u201ctakings\u201d left on the counter of the bread shop when I was locking up for the night. I called the police who quickly arrived and advised it was from the shop two doors down and they were frantic. They were most effusive in their thanks and offered a reward but I said no. For years after my mum and I had free Chinese food.

I have a disability due to collapsed vertebrae in spine and yet have cleaned tile flooring, scrubbed kitchen floor, scrubbed baseboards, hand washed dishes, cooked meals and laundered bedding, towels and clothing.

I drink green tea regularly for the health benefits and use a wide variety of fresh herbs in cooking which I grow my own.

There is My Aged Care but while the mandates are still in place I wouldn't leave one of my cats in an aged care facility. My mother had been in a nursing home for some years before Covid but when they introduced the vaccine mandates almost half the staff left and the place soon fell apart. The residents were neglected as there simply weren't enough staff, the food was terrible, visitors were prevented from visiting and the residents were prevented from going out and every time a resident tested positive they were all locked in their rooms. Prisoners were treated better. My mother had an infection which had previously been tested for regularly, it caused her to have a heart attack, then someone fell on her breaking her knee then another infection went undiagnosed or treated and she died. I lodged a formal complaint 6 months ago and am still waiting for a reply. It was cruel, unkind and over the top and our aged deserve much better. So until sanity prevails and things get back to normal I'd steer clear of the aged care system.

It's already happening so of course. Technology will go as far as mans mind imagines anything and this is endless. of course it goes without saying that the morons in charge of weapons and armies do not destroy everything first.

I am not a 'pet-lover' - in the tradition sense of the word (pet-lover). Furthermore, cyborg pets are already (HERE). Just like people some have microchips in their body and wear wearable technology (to monitor a health issue - internally and externally) which interfaces with a computer. Some people (rich or super-rich) have microchips planted in their pets' body and put wearable technology on their pets (to monitor a health issue - internally and externally) which interfaces with a computer. I have a robotic pet (dog) - which can actually be programmed to speak and/or make sounds like a dog. The advantages of a robotic pet (in my case - a dog): You do not have to walk your robotic dog, feed your robotic dog, clean up after your robotic dog, or take your robotic dog to a veterinarian on a regular basis for shots. Other words, the PERFECT PET. Interesting, I have become 'quite' attach to my robotic dog and I gave my robotic dog a name (SERIOUSLY) :-))!

Nothing as I can't afford shop brought takeaways. I am on a very tight budget and a fixed income. You can make home made takeaways a lot cheaper that buying them.

Eating less and going out less. Can't believe that there's going to be an increase in the price of electricity and gas when many people are already having a tough time.

It is damaging the youth because they would rather be on social media than go outside and play. When my boys were young they went outside and played . My grandson wants to say on the computer all day. I say it hurts their minds and ability to socialize with people.

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

Daddy died of pancreatic cancer and lung. He was 70 and a heavy smoker. We know that's how he got it. It metastisized to his pancreas. Pancreatic cancer has the highest mortality rate. If you have pancreatic cancer, you are going to die in short order.

If a child can get pregnant and have a baby then I see no reason for them not to take responability for another relative but having said that we all mature at different ages

Nicknames are childish. Nicknames are not pet names. In some eras Nickname were insulting. we are really scaping the barrel

A rice cooker is easiest. I have a pressure cooker but now use slow cooker and airfryer and its just used as an ordinary pot for soup usually.

I will admit a rewardian (new word?) gathering intrigues me - but I (personally) prefer the gathering to be in Vatican City (at least it would be sinful enjoyable and not to mention (but I will) - would appease the hedonistic lifestyle principles that I sometimes operate on). I would be in flashback mode and come dressed in the decadent disco era to the rewardian gathering - my drug of choice would be dancing!

Yep, do this regularly. Baked beans or spaghetti on toast, or fried eggs on toast. Hotdogs are a good go-to as well.

You forgot to mention fining them or sending them to jail when they break the rules. As can happen to vehicle drivers.

That is terrible, I am 77 and you are telling me that he isn't real. I won't be able to sleep tonight (but I'll still put my stocking out. Just in case.

Learnt loves be hurtful at times.but family is supose be love of family but learnt not all family same learnt family meambers can hurt worse than stranger

I can show you how to be very wealthy...its easy...just send me $1 and I will explain it all to you..........

If you have a partner why don't one of you stay home and look after your own children? I, and I think many others as well, get sick to death of hearing parents complaining about the cost of Childcare, that it should be Free - which simply means that other Taxpayers - some of whom have chosen not to breed - are expected - or rather it is considered their Duty - to pay for the rearing of other people's children. If you want children then make up your minds to bring them up yourselves and put up with the inconveniences BUT do Not expect others to do it for you. If you are not prepared to rear your own children then don't have any - there are far too many people in the world already so that could be part of your contribution to addressing Climate Change!

Personally, I don't know why anyone sponsors sports especially if they are going to be bad-mouthed over it. I never notice who is sponsoring anyone anyway and I doubt that I am the only person.

Hi Missy, usually the blues pay the best and then purples . What you can earn all depends on if u work ,own a car ,have a mortgage etc as you have probably noticed alot get screened out from by age or other reasons . Payment into your bank is totally safe ,I have used and I'm a real nervous nut about technology! In fact the transfer is within 30 mins amazing! Gift cards in the mail 4 to 6weeks . P.s thnx for the explainer for the above ,I also did not know what:P was or TIA and err not that old !!! Lol

It might be easier if you put the insurance you would pay in a separate account and watch it grow every year.

After I came around after fainting I would just quietly bank it until my emotions settled down and then I would carefully sort out the best way of using it to benefit my loved ones.

Riding for Disabled - its the best thing - esp those riders who are unable to go bushwalking...they just love the trail riding days. We also play games on horse back, giving them eye and hand coordination, strengthening their core muscles, and generally giving them something exciting to look forward to each week.

I must say I see this happen so often why turn up at your funeral when you haven't seen them in years. I don't understand it - I would rather see them for five minutes while I can enjoy their visit than they wait until my funeral and I don't even know that they are there.

Goodness me. I don't have enough time to go to those lengths. I recycle as much as I can but some of the symbols are quite difficult to see. I wonder why there are so many. I feed the food the cats leave to the neighbourhood fox and birds and I compost all tea bags, egg shells and veggies peelings and garden waste so I feel I pretty well do my bit.

People seem to want the top range of everything today. A lot are not prepared to wait until they can afford non-essential items so they buy them on credit, many can't pay it off by the due date and get themselves even further in debt.

Get rid of Facebook and other social media platforms to stop online bullying and scamming etc. Life before these platforms was so much easier, and people cared a lot more

A plane load of agent orange or similar flying over all the sites growing drugs would clear a lot out. But problem is too many big wigs have fingers in the pie and it’s the little guy who get hurt

To buy another house you are entering into the very same problem that the rest of Australia is facing- its expensive All those costs unfortunately either come with the cost of real estate purchase , and the income generated by the increase in value upon sale. Or just with moving home, it’s too much, I agree. At least you are not facing homelessness like many of us who don’t own a home.

Memes don't interest or influence me in any way. As for social media I have FB only with messenger only to keep in touch with family & friends in another state or overseas. I am private with friends & family so don't have all the distractions that some have. If that's what you like then that's fine but I'm not interested.

In the vastness of this Universe, we would be foolish and arrogant to think that we are the only life occupying it.

No not military service But National Service To be trained to help in National Disasters Like we’ve had lately

At 50 you start to become invisible to employers...by 65 you are almost totally invisible to anyone in marketing...or anywhere else for that matter....at that point no-one cares about what you are doing at all and you can basically do whatever you want ....it is the younger members of this new bright and shiny society that is being created for us that need to be very wary and very cautious...they REALLY ARE watching, measuring and weighing you up on a regular basis....and nothing to your benefit is going to come out of it....

The legal ramifications and how to legalize this hasn't caught up. I know there have been wonderful stories of a sister carrying a child for her sister etc, but when you get money coming into this with greedy unscrupulous people it is a big problem. Nobody thinks about the child.

Energy Australia is now owned by China. They bought the company and the name. I think this is very misleading. I changed to an Australian electricity supplier as soon as I was made aware of this.

I only worked one job - before I retired. I was the only minority at the job for thirty years (federal civil service position - USA). I did not socialize with my co-workers on the job, on weekends, holidays, or when I took annual (vacation) leave from the job! If I had a co-worker from hell - I did not care - since I could always transfer to another jobsite (without loss of seniority or having to accept a lower paying position)! More important, I never brought the job home with me (mentally) - left job-related personalities at the job - at the end of my shift (and I never dreaded (mentally) going to work in the morning)!

Yes we get ripped off all the time. I always look at the price per gm as the smaller packets are nearly ways cheaper than the big packet

Trees provide oxygen through photosynthesis - trees are the vacuum cleaner (I know a horrible pun :-)) of our planet. Trees absorb harmful pollutants and release oxygen for breathing! FYI: I have never lived in a house or an apartment - made from timber or had wooden floors. My guess (do not hold me to my guess :-)) - homo sapiens can use other materials to build more homes and/or more apartments (?). Anyway, every country on this planet needs to plant more TREES (we homo sapiens are a very messy lot)!

They say some star signs forgive and quite differently.gemini a couple of days,leo can hold a grudge for life. But unfortunately for Taurean crossers,um it's until your dead and sometime even after that! Believe me I am a taurus! But a genuine apology will always ring true

People are the worst. I could never work hospitality as I would likely get into a brawl with someone who mouthed off.

I haven't noticed it it Australia, but I live in the bush. I see men and women looking after themselves but the ones that are doing that are the minority and usually on TV reality shows or wanna be's

I bought a book for a friend who had recently moved to Australia.."How to be 'Stralian"....in this invaulable text book ..it advised that the locals would ask you questions like "how's it going mate?"..or "you right mate?"...and that it was important to understand that nobody cared about how you actually were at all...that they really didn't want to know....and that in Australia ....the only acceptable answer was "good" ....there is a lot of truth in that!

Never called up, but would have done it if needed. Not an easy task if you are called up for a murder trial like a friend did. She was called up for the Truro Murders and I think it lasted 6 weeks. She was a nervous wreck after it.

Lived with no TV as child out west n no TV available all hours when rearing kids regionally but once we did defiant none before school at meals or till homework done. I still can't handle a TV on n nobody listening or watching it...I am not a big movie watcher either ...so if mine broke would replace for hubby only

It will be interesting to see if we get the same volume of travellers going overseas as before...unlike a lot of Australians...I'm biased...I already chose Australia as my home...I wasn't just born here....it wasn't an accident....I hope a lot of us have learnt that we have a fantastic country and there is plenty to do right here...we are lucky in a whole lot of ways....I'd really only go overseas now for an arctic adventure somewhere like Norway...I've got just about everything else here...even a whinging Croatian called Ivan..... how did that guy get into the country?

This is an appalling idea. It is just an excuse for the Police to do Nothing for that is exactly what will happen. What about people who do not have, nor want, the Internet, computers, mobile phones etc.? What do they do or will some non-Police employee of the Police simply tell you to either report on-line or forget about it? The Police are Supposed to be there to Help, to interact with the Community not just sit in offices looking a computer screens or swanning around in their fancy cars. Once - many, many years ago, there were Police on the Beat in most suburbs - on foot. Today by the time they would get to you when there is trouble it would probably be far too late. This proposal is just making the Police even more remote than they already are! Have a look at some of them the next time you happen to see one walking about! Most are Grossly over-weight so to have them off their backsides and walking the beat would be good for them. The result would be the Public would feel Safer and know that the Police actually do care about Public Safety and the prevention of Crime.

Justice has nothing to do with closure. Closure is the personal ability to accept something and move on. No-one else can do that for you except yourself.

That celebrity is no one to look up to. His disgraceful behavior at the academy awards has forever tarnished him.

When I was 15 I went to the hair dressers & got a perm...cause that is what you did back then. I ended up with an affro, not a good look on me.lol I wore hats for months.

I will supply my delivery details if anyone has a surplus of chocs- particularly caramilk and/or milkybar and flowers, ooh and trinkets also accepted :)

I think my most proud moment was when my brother and I spent 2 months looking after my dying mother in palliative care at home we alternated nightly to ensure that she was looked after,she was embarrassed that her sons were looking after as our sister cared for her during the day,I can recall once I took to the bathroom & had to wipe her butt she cried but I told her you wiped my butt for years she never was embarrassed again.This time I spent with my mum was the most uplifting experience in my life,I have spoken about this in groups it has changed my life made me a more compassionate person to all humanity.

We do need politics & politics is supposed to be about what's best for the majority, elections & politicians are about a popularity contest & not a popular vote - which is why I don't trust them. We vote for the person the party thinks will win not necessarily the best leader. 'Political donations' (basically legal bribery) need to be outlawed. Calling out & jeering in parliament needs to be banned. You don't have to agree with what everyone says - that should lead to intelligent debate not being put down. Example, Ex-PM Julia Gillard seems to be strong, independent & intelligent person & not a puppet, so she was attacked for who she wasn't married to & what she was wearing - not her politics. Not everyone who reads this will agree with everything I wrote, hopefully leading to an intelligent chat & not that I spilled coffee on my t-shirt.

I’m a rubbish sleeper. I get 4-5 hours per night. That’s prolly why I enjoyed shift work all my life and why I have hypertension and arrhythmia and a whole lot of other woes. Would I swap if I had my time again?……not on your nelly, it was a hoot, loved every minute of it. Slowing down now though….lol

There is no way that you could use more handwashing dishes. Not unless the tap was on the whole time. It's like comparing having a wash at the handling to having a shower.

A courier delivered a parcel of ours to a neighbour two doors away and once we discovered the error my partner went to the neighbour's house only to discover one of their sons (about 16yrs old) in the middle of eating some of the chocolates that he'd stolen from our parcel. The Warehouse were good about it though and redelivered the items no charge.

Yes I do .They never cared for that person anyway .The man I met 61yrs ago(and married 59yrs ago)didn't even have a job & was using his savings to pay board & lodgings.He was kind & caring & we did things that didn't cost money.He did eventually find work & we have moved forward .We raised 2 children on a tight budget .We went into business & were successful.We have retired as $millionaires.However money was not that important we were always millionaires with much love & laughter

I got robbed of large amount of money by non very ex cousin of wife. Money is gone and have moved on BUT won’t let her get 2nd go at it. If she knocks on the door it won’t be opened. Just maybe a bucket of water may accidentally get tossed out to clean the patio

i think they are still relvent,learnibg skills that arnt taught anymore,i have taught my children how to fish,hunt,grow their own food and find water and make a fire if they need too,These are skills i learnt as a boy and have never forgoten,if the sh#t goes down i want them to be able to help themselves instead of relying on others,unfortunatly a lot of these skills are not handed down anymore

I still think that people need to work in order to retain their sense of dignity, purpose and pride. I think a "top-up" system is okay, as long as you still need to work. Getting money for doing nothing does not help people.

This is the only law I really agree with in America. The legal drinking age of 21 and learning to drive at 16. That way they have time behind the wheel before being handed the keys to the pub as well

I don't own a TV! I have not watch TV in decades - this gives me time to do things that I enjoy doing!

I haven't been bitten by anything really dangerous. A small bite from an Alsation dog, but more in play than being aggressive, and of course a bull ant bite for stepping too close to their nest and of course mosquitos. Even my horse escapades didn't cause any bites, so I guess I am pretty lucky.

i think government and big business have made it so its near impossible for unions to operate,no power anymore,theres a reason 20 or 30 years ago,dad went to work,mum raised the kids and looked afer the home,one wage kept a roof on your familys head,food on the table,even a holiday someplace every year,maybe not overseas but a holiday some place nonetheless. This is impossible today,prices through the roof,wages going nowhere,while executives get big fat bonuses for every job they cut. I read someplace not long ago in the 60s and 70s bosses were paid 3 times the salary of a worker,now its hundreds of times more

Mixed feelings about that- it depends what they are being taught- if its to shoot and kill people and fixate on weapons then no but if its to teach hard work,fitness, team work, trade's, and helping people/communities in need in our country then yes for a year. And just to add it would need to be a "healthy" environment that doesn't secretly "allow" bullying and abuse.

A better option would be for people sending personal mail not just text message, email or a phone call. When possible meet in person for coffee cake or dinner would be my preferred birthday celebration. I often have to revert back to letters as all of my brothers and sisters are overseas.

I used to have thick hair but it has now thinned out. I think it's due to my anxiety and high stress. I'm always in a state of stress even if I am relaxing, always worrying about something. I suspect this is the cause of mine. I've tried supplements and I have had blood tests to check but nothing wrong there. What do others do to remedy this if anything?

I like to get out & go for a walk in nature, amongst the trees. Sit under a big tree or hug a big tree. Let all your worries & stress go then. Nature is a good healer in my opinion. Be free & relax with nature. Get away from the hussle & busyness of everyday life. Relax & feel free Angel in a natural environment. Natural nature will refresh you & relax you. I guarantee it.

with all due respect to rewardia panellists, I have a firm belief that folks who join the military or the police force are the ones who couldn't make it to be lawyers, doctors, architects, computer programmers and the list goes on.. Some of the police personnel make it to become politicians like the oaf Dutton, others rise in rank and become like the NSW deputy commissioner who stated lately in a televised news program that the police are tired of people breaking the quarantine rules (tired!!!!), srlsy? you are only issuing fines and nowadays all is computrized.

You need to peel the onion then sit it in the freezer for a couple of minutes then take it out and chop. No more tears.

I've discussed this with Grommie, my financial adviser. His wise words are: "in order to make a small fortune, you need to start with a large one."

good old rock n roll, yes, that was a great era, and real dancing. today's act of dancing is shaking your body all over the place, and sometimes is very explicit.. call me old school, rock n roll dancing is still no 1

Definitely masks need to be worn by all while out in public, this is a pandemic we are talking about here, no time to compromise, no need to complain.

Should life skills be taught by school districts - NO! Life skills should be taught by the kids' PARENTS. If a parent doesn't want to teach his/her kids' life skills, then the parent should not have kids!!!

Definitely not i understand people are in desperate need but whether people would see me as selfish with my comment but i came whole and im going whole i couldnt donate my adult sons organs the thought of them not going whole disturbed me drastically and strangers having bits of my children would have haunted me im sorry but its not for me

We used to have one (small) "dustbin" in the old days for all our household rubbish and sometimes that didn't even get full so we must have been better at recycling back then. Don't forget the backyard incinerators served a purpose and of course if you had a wood stove, well, all those old papers, cardboard and magazines were like free fuel to cook by or warm the house up. There weren't any drink cans and of course you took the soft drink bottles to the deli or where you bought your soft drinks from and had it deducted from your purchases. The rag man and other suchlike individuals would also call by periodically and relieve the households of such unwanted goods. We can almost say the in the old days recycling was a behind the scenes well functioning "industry" almost like backroom workers who were never acknowledged in the way they really deserved.

Xmas has become way too commercialised for my liking. Always got to buy the latest gadget for loved ones, and they do not come cheap.Nowadays it seems to be about who can outdo who and not about the gifts themselves. I actually make my grandchildren presents and as a rule of thumb, I always get them stuff that is educational and nothing to do with technology.

The situation compared to the 40’s & 50’s is so different lots of families need two incomes to cope with huge mortgages,cost of education,cost of utilities & food costs,it is much more difficult to save in one income families.

11 is far too young for an iphone. If he doesn't want anything else don't give him anything else. Sounds very spoilt to me.