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7 deadly sins that lead to hoarding

<p>If you’ve watched <em>Enough Already!</em> on <em>Oprah</em> with equal parts sympathy and fear, thinking to yourself “That better not be me one day”, then you’ll want to read on. Non-hoarders tend to picture hoarders as people who have rooms brimming with old newspapers piled to the roof and hallway cupboards that they can not open for fear of the contents swallowing them up. The word hoarder just sounds dirty. While researchers are still trying to understand the disorder, here are some clues that could signal you need to enlist some help. </p> <p><strong>Every room has a “storage area”</strong> – If your dedicated storage area is so full that you need to keep the extra microwave in the living room, you may have a problem. When your storage overflows into the rest of the home and continues to grow – check yourself.
</p> <p><strong>Keeping old magazines and newspapers</strong> – Do you hold on magazines and newspapers thinking, “I might like to reread that one day…” Stop it! Just get rid of them. Apart from coffee table-worthy magazines, everything should be thrown out. Besides a lot of stuff is now online.
</p> <p><strong>Storing clothes you don’t wear</strong> – While it’s ok to hold onto your favourite band T-shirt from your younger years, holding onto old clothes – especially those that don’t fit or have holes in them – it just plain silly. Donate all items that fall into this category to charity immediately!</p> <p><strong>Stowing away broken electronics and appliances</strong> – Don’t kid yourself, you’re never go to get around to fixing that printer or TV! Recycle or donate used electronic items that you no longer use.</p> <p><strong>Storing free loot (aka junk)</strong> – Yes, yes we’ve all fallen victim to being giddy with excitement over a free key ring or pen we pocketed at a show or the RTA. But just because you got a free mug doesn’t mean it should be stashed in your drawer or kitchen never to see the light of day again. Chuck it!</p> <p><strong>Your car becomes “extra” storage</strong> – If you keep more than just spare tire and pair of shoes in your car boot, then you are hoarder territory. If you need to keep DVDs and camping gear in the car because they wont fit in the house, it’s time for drop-off to the Salvos. </p> <p><strong>Daily life becomes musical chairs</strong> – If there is no where to sit and eat dinner because every chair is piled high with papers and you can’t sleep comfortably because the bed is covered in clothes, seek help immediately!</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p>

Home Hints & Tips

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Frequent flyer discusses the biggest sins of travelling

<p dir="ltr">A frequent traveller has shared what she believes are the biggest sins of travelling. </p> <p dir="ltr">Posting a series of videos on TikTok, frequent flyer and travel influencer Tinx bluntly exposed the “worst things” people can do in airports and on planes. </p> <p dir="ltr">The 32-year-old regularly flies between London and New York to visit family, and understands that having to deal with the annoying behaviours of fellow passengers is not an easy task. </p> <p dir="ltr">Now Tinx, whose real name is Christina Najjar, has voiced her frustrations with her followers, revealing the “worst” behaviours that make for “awful travellers”, while urging anyone who is guilty of such sins to “take a long hard look at yourself in the mirror before you travel again.”</p> <p dir="ltr">While there are many things travellers can do that annoy their fellow holiday-goers, Tinx said being “unprepared” is the worst travel sin of all. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Let's begin with people that are unprepared at the front of the security line. It's a security line, you know what's coming, and yet there are still people who are fumbling around with their laptop like a child who forgot their homework.” </p> <p dir="ltr">"'Do I have to take off my jacket?’ Yes, spoiler alert, you always have to take off your jacket. Please keep the theatrical water chugging to the Uber,” she joked.</p> <p dir="ltr">Next up, Tinx trashed the “gate crowders” for their lack of awareness. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Next, let's discuss the gate crowders, they haven't even put up our flight on the little digital board and you're crowding around the gate like it's the stampede from The Lion King, grinding your foot into the ground like you're about to run with the bulls,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Aside from the fact that you're in group five, I got to tell you buddy, we're all going to the same place, we're all getting on the same plane.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Lastly, the influencer explained her anger at the other passengers who are “a**holes” when it comes to the overhead bins. </p> <p dir="ltr">“It always baffles me with the bins because it's very simple, just don't be an a**hole.” </p> <p dir="ltr">“Put your overstuffed away suitcase and your ugly little personal item in the seat in front of you,” she said. </p> <p dir="ltr">Many of Tinx’s viewers agreed with her travel qualms, with the comments being flooded with additional faux pas that get under the skin of frequent flyers. </p> <p dir="ltr">One user said, “How about those who as soon as the plane is stopped and the seatbelt sign is off they rush to the front of the plane.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Another commented, “What about the people that go back and forth in the aisle trying to choose a seat that suits their preference while other people are boarding?”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: TikTok</em></p>

Travel Tips

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PM busted in ultimate Aussie sin at Commonwealth Games

<p>It hasn’t been a good week for Malcolm Turnbull <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/2018/04/malcolm-turnbull-loses-his-30th-consecutive-newspoll/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>in the wake of his 30th Newspoll defeat</strong></span></a>, and if the PM thought he was going to be able to enjoy a night without scrutiny at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, he was sorely mistaken.</p> <p>Channel 7 cameras cut to the 63-year-old as the busy Aquatic Centre crowd enjoyed a rendition of John Farnham’s classic Australian hit, <em>You’re The Voice</em>, but some fans on social media couldn’t help but notice the PM’s lips were out of sync.</p> <p><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FBrisbaneLive4BC%2Fvideos%2F1788875854511592%2F&amp;show_text=0&amp;width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p> <p>The Member for Wentworth appeared to be all over the place as the crowd belted out the iconic chorus in unison.</p> <p>Fans on Twitter were also quick to voice their bemusement.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Does Malcolm Turnbull really not know the words to “You’re the Voice”?</p> — Joel Dry (@JoelDry9) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoelDry9/status/983672162249682951?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 10, 2018</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Malcolm Turnbull not knowing the words to “You’re The Voice” is a disgrace! 😒🤦🏼‍♂️ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CommonwealthGames2018?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CommonwealthGames2018</a></p> — Jesse (@Jesse__James) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jesse__James/status/983671094140846082?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 10, 2018</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Turnbull doesn't know the words to "You're the Voice".<br /><br />Newspoll loss no.31.</p> — Iain Payten (@iainpayten) <a href="https://twitter.com/iainpayten/status/983670757828976642?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 10, 2018</a></blockquote> <p>It just wasn’t Mr Turnbull’s night, with the Prime Minister also forced to sport a plastic poncho for part of the evening as a dramatic downpour hit the outdoor venue.</p> <p><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Finsidethegames%2Fposts%2F10155806708579232%3A0&amp;width=500" width="500" height="468" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true"></iframe></p> <p>What are your thoughts? Do you think the criticism is justified?</p> <p><em>Hero image credit: Facebook / Brisbane Live with Ben Davis - 4BC 1116AM</em></p>

Music

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3 dating faux pas to avoid

<p><em><strong>Renee Slansky is an Australian TV Presenter, writer, dating and relationship coach and founder of Australia’s number 1 dating blog, <a href="http://thedatingdirectory.co/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Dating Directory</span></a>.</strong></em></p> <p>We all know that the first date can be a little daunting, there's always a certain amount of pressure and expectation, even if you're just meeting up for a coffee! Leaving a good first impression is usually at the forefront of our minds, but sometimes we can get carried away in the excitement, or perhaps let the nerves get the better of us and make a little (or large) blunder that could seal our fate and even cut all chances of a second date! So, how do we avoid such faux pas? </p> <p>Here are a few quick tips to get you on your way and to make sure things run smoothly from the beginning:</p> <p><strong>1. Plan ahead</strong></p> <p>It's important to actually have a game plan. It's no good just turning up to a restaurant to see if they have a spare seat or two.  Cover yourself by ringing and booking a few days in advance so that you are guaranteed a spot and don't have to stress (or look unorganised). Make sure you check the weather if you are planning on a date outdoors; picnics in the rain aren't nearly as romantic as one would like! Or, if you need to buy tickets for a movie or show then do so in advance, so that once again you aren't left with one seat or worse two seats several aisles apart! </p> <p><strong>2. Listen properly</strong></p> <p>This is pretty important as you don't want to be taking your vegetarian date to an all-you-can-eat steakhouse by mistake. Ask questions about what they like and what they prefer, then take a mental note of what they say so you can use it as a guideline on how to impress them. This goes for everything and not just food, chances are you've already been speaking a bit and have started to get to know each other, so try to remember sensitive topics and handle them gracefully... or avoid them altogether! If you really want to earn yourself a second date, then make them feel like they are a priority to you. The best way to do this is to listen and respond accordingly to what they have said. </p> <p><strong>3. Don't forget your manners</strong></p> <p>Good manners are a sure (and easy way) to impress someone. Turning up on time, not texting through dinner, opening doors etc. are all simple and obvious ways of being courteous. However, there might be a few other ones we can overlook such as waiting till your date's meal arrives before you start eating yours, checking to see if they got home safely, make sure they always have a drink even if you haven't finished yours and of course laughing at their jokes (within reason) and making them feel comfortable.  You don't want awkward silences to become the most memorable moments of the date! </p> <p>Of course nobody is perfect and we all make mistakes, most of the time we can laugh them off and make a mental note for next time.</p> <p>Good luck out there! Happy dating!</p> <p><em>Written by Renee Slansky. First appeared on <a href="http://www.datehub.com.au/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Datehub.com.au</span></strong></a>. </em></p>

Relationships

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7 deadly tax sins that will haunt you

<p>Filling out your tax returns is a painful, confusing and a sometimes boring task – but a necessary one. However, despite the fact it happens every year many of us seem to make common mistakes that set up us for tax hell.</p> <p>According to a leading tax expert, Adrian Raftery, people are setting themselves up for their own pitfalls by not declaring income, failing to lodge tax returns correctly or not at all.</p> <p>The author of 101 Ways to Save Money on your Tax – Legally! said that by taking shortcuts and being lazy, not keeping receipts and being dishonest with income earned top the list of the worst offences. By committing these sins, taxpayers were depriving themselves of legally legitimate entitlements.</p> <p>“Some people mistakenly think if they do not claim the full amount they’re entitled to, then they will stay under the ATO’s radar and avoid being audited,” he said.</p> <p>“But if you’re legitimately entitled to claim the full amount then they simply should.”</p> <p>He added that many believed it was faster and easier to file their tax returns themselves – but a qualified accountant could pick up a lot more than the average person.</p> <p>The 7 deadly tax sins:</p> <p><strong>1. Laziness</strong></p> <p>Failing to properly document things like out of pocket medical expenses and not keeping spreadsheets for your expenses will cost you on a tax return that you are legally entitled to.</p> <p><strong>2. Dishonesty</strong></p> <p>If you don’t declare foreign income, additional payments and shares, the ATO will notice. Mr Raftery said they are data-matching over a billion transactions and were looking at 600,000 taxpayers.</p> <p>“The process is quite lucrative as almost $1.2bn in tax revenue was generated last year due to an audit investigation by the ATO,” he said.</p> <p><strong>3. Greed</strong></p> <p>Over-claiming on things such as rental properties and negative gearing is just asking for trouble. This could include claiming too much for repairs, interest on loans, borrowing costs and depreciation.</p> <p>“The last thing you need is a knock on the door from the taxman because you claimed too much,” he said.</p> <p><strong>4. Arrogance</strong></p> <p>“Remember an accountant is a professional and acts in the same way as a mechanic in a way,” Mr Raftery said. “Anyone can change a tyre but a mechanic can recognise potential problems and fix minor errors which can end up costing you more down the track.”</p> <p><strong>5. Stupidity</strong></p> <p>Mathematical errors could result in big mistakes and earn you a massive tax bill later.</p> <p>“A wrong number here or a bad calculation there may cost you thousands,” Mr Raftery said. “So if you do your return yourself then make sure you measure twice and avoid any unnecessary headaches.”</p> <p><strong>6. Forgetfulness</strong></p> <p>Not lodging a return or forgetting to file one is another means of costing you. Mr Raftery warns that people were losing thousands by not lodging their returns. He said he had one client who had 33 years worth of returns and ended up getting a $70,000 refund.</p> <p><strong>7. Carelessness</strong></p> <p>Always check and double check that you have all the correct information and documents. These should be maintained throughout the year, and not just the night before your tax return is due.</p> <p>“There are a myriad of deductions you might be missing out on,” he said. “But if you have more than $300 worth of total deductions then you must have documentary evidence of that full amount.”  </p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Related links:</span></strong></p> <p><em><strong><a href="/finance/money/2014/06/five-expensive-(but-avoidable)-financial-mistakes/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">5 expensive (but avoidable) financial mistakes</span></a></strong></em></p> <p><em><strong><a href="/finance/money/2015/05/great-apps-to-budget/">Great mobile apps to help you budget</a></strong></em></p> <p><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="/finance/money/2015/05/6-tips-to-save-more-money/">6 tips to save more money</a></span></strong></em></p>

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