The rich are known for their willingness to pay ridiculous prices to show everyone else they are indeed very well off. Fancy a Tiffany tennis ball can for just $1500, that Louis Vuitton skateboard - only $8,250 - or a carbon fibre toilet seat a snip at $249? But now it seems prices are going through the roof for almost everything: meat, new cars, hire cars, building materials, labour, fru... read more>

When looking back on life, a common refrain is the illusion of the ‘good old days’ and, in certain ways, it all seems somehow better. It’s a fruitless if fun argument to have a younger generation along the lines of music and LPs versus MP3, although the truth as ever lies nearer in the middle. (i.e. they both are different) This Easter, I’ve been reminded of the paper-thin aerogrammes tha... read more>

With much hullabaloo, after two years a cruise ship has returned to Sydney Harbour as the industry gears up to relive its glory days after the Covid shutdown. P&O cruises’ flagship, the Pacific Explorer, was given a mighty maritime welcome. The line says bookings for Australian cruises are approaching the pre-pandemic levels, and they expect a nearly normal season for next summer. Mor... read more>

As if you needed reminding, the election is on. If the prime minister or aspirant leader walked into your pub, club or café. What would you say? And how might they reply? Pensioner Ray Drury, aged 73, gave the PM an earful at the Edgeworth Tavern in Newcastle this month on his claim of low financial support for older Australians. Mr Morrison's response was conciliatory but soon forgotten:... read more>

A last will and testament can sometimes be funny, occasionally ridiculous, but always necessary. A survey found about half of us currently don’t have a will, making life much harder for anyone likely to inherit anything. It’s a paradox we spend so much of our lives earning a nest egg but find it tricky to know who and how to hand out any leftovers. There are probably more tragic storie... read more>