Search

Placeholder Content Image

"Police have done nothing": William Tyrrell's foster mother speaks out

<p>William Tyrrell's foster mother has issued a rare statement, slamming the police investigation into the disappearance of the toddler. </p> <p>In her first public comments in two years, the woman - who cannot be identified - has been insistent on denying any involvement in William's disappearance despite being at the centre of a dedicated Strike Force team.</p> <p>She claimed police had “gone to great lengths to blacken my character in the media” as they built a case against her, since she was publicly outed as the current person of interest for Strike Force Rosann detectives in 2021.</p> <p>As <a href="https://www.news.com.au/national/crime/done-nothing-william-tyrrells-foster-mother-issues-statement/news-story/0503f8940a3bad2bb2648c38bc44e288" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>news.com.au</em></a> continue their investigative podcast into William's disappearance and the subsequent investigation, the foster mother has slammed the authorities for the way they have handled the high-profile case. </p> <p>She said, “I believe that if the police had properly investigated this case, instead of persecuting me, they may well have found the person responsible for William’s disappearance.”</p> <p>She went on to reiterate she believes the three-year-old was taken from her mother’s yard in Kendall in September of 2014 and that she has “no idea who took William, or what happened to him”.</p> <p>“For the past five years, the police have done nothing to try to discover who took William, and what has happened to him," she said.</p> <p>“Instead, they have concentrated all their efforts on trying to build a case that I was in some way to blame for his death, and the disposal of his precious little body."</p> <p>“They have gone to great lengths to blacken my character in the media.”</p> <p>She went on to say she loved William “as much as any mother could love her child … if not more”.</p> <p>She said, “It did not matter one bit that he was not connected to us biologically. William made my life complete; I loved him fiercely. I just loved being his ‘mummy’.”</p> <p>“Never ever for a moment did I regret becoming a foster mother”, she said, adding the family was “and still are … connected as one”.</p> <p>“It’s challenging to have hope and build plans for the future when our hearts remain shattered and in pieces,” she said. “All I can hope for is that some person who knows something comes forward.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: NSW Police</em></p>

Legal

Placeholder Content Image

"Unimaginable sorrow": Mother and two children drown during family outing

<p>A mother and two children have died after struggling to swim in a Sydney waterway, with tributes and donations flowing in to support the grieving father.</p> <p>Hoai Nguyen, 32, and her two children, Mitchell, seven, and Hazel, five, were enjoying a day out at Shearer Park in south-west Sydney on Sunday, when they were spotted in distress in the waters of the Georges River. </p> <p>Hoai was pulled from the river, but despite the best efforts of bystanders and paramedics, she was unable to be revived. </p> <p>Police and volunteers from the State Emergency Service launched a large search and rescue operation for the two children, with divers locating their bodies in the water hours later, metres from a jetty.</p> <p>According to <em><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/sydney-news-georges-river-mother-hoai-nguyen-and-children-drown-lansvale/c8601ec9-47a1-4a79-8a12-67c3ff18f3ea" target="_blank" rel="noopener">9News</a></em>, the children's father and Hoai's husband had been at work during the incident and was only alerted to the tragedy when police showed up at his house. </p> <p>A <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/hoai-mitchell-and-hazel-nguyen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GoFundMe</a> page has been set up by a family friend to support the children's father, Hoai's husband, and their one-year-old brother during the "time of unimaginable sorrow".</p> <p>"A beloved mother and her two young children tragically drowned... leaving behind a profound void in our hearts and a father and baby who is only 1 years old," the fundraiser reads.</p> <p>An investigation into how the mother and her children ended up in the water is ongoing, as NSW Police acting superintendent Luke Scott yesterday described the tragedy as "beyond words".</p> <p><em>Image credits: GoFundMe</em></p>

Caring

Placeholder Content Image

Desperate search after Aussie man swept out to sea while saving swimmer

<p>A desperate search is underway for an Australian man who got swept out to sea while saving a tourist from drowning on a Bali beach. </p> <p>Craig Laidley, 56, was walking along Balian Beach about 4.15pm on Wednesday when he heard 29-year-old Micro Stalla calling out for help.</p> <p>The Perth man rushed into the water to save the German tourist, but unfortunately Laidley never made it back to shore after being swept out to sea by an "extreme" wave. </p> <p>Laidley, who reportedly lives in Bali, was last seen “drifting back out to the ocean”.</p> <p>He was reported missing to police about three hours later, and they immediately launched a search, with  with Denpasar Search and Rescue Office head Nyoman Sidakarya confirming the search is still ongoing. </p> <p>“[On Wednesday] night our team tried to search for victims using land searches and today the Denpasar Search and Rescue Office dispatched 10 people with land and sea SRU divisions,” Sidakarya said. </p> <p>“Information from the team at the location is that the wave conditions are extreme," he added. </p> <p>Rescue teams used rubber boats to search for Laidley within a 10km radius of where he was last seen and also scoured the coastline on foot.</p> <p>Police have also conducted interviews with witnesses as part of their ongoing search. </p> <p>One witness said that there were no warning signs around the beach, despite the dangers. </p> <p>“Incidents like this happen often here,” he told the ABC.</p> <p>“About four months ago, a foreigner went missing. He was found dead 4 hours later. In the last five years, there have been five incidents like this.”</p> <p>Laidley's family have appealed to the public to help find him. </p> <p>“Hello, our family is seeking assistance from the public in Bali,” Craig’s nephew posted on Facebook.</p> <p>“Craig was last seen helping a male that was reportedly drowning in the ocean between Tebing Balian rocks near Balian Beach.</p> <p>“He was then seen drifting back out to the ocean after saving this man’s life.”</p> <p>The search is set to continue on Friday morning. </p> <p>The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said it is providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian reported missing in Indonesia.</p> <p><em><strong>Editors Update: </strong></em></p> <p>Craig Laidley’s body has been found on the beach on Friday morning by searchers. His two brothers, Bruce and Glenn, arrived in Bali overnight to join the search. </p> <p>His family are  still coming to terms with the loss, but have told <em>7News </em>that they are proud of his heroic rescue and glad that his brothers were there to bring him home.</p> <p><em>Images: Denpasar Search and Rescue Agency/ Facebook</em></p>

Caring

Placeholder Content Image

"We let you down": Karl Stefanovic speaks out on Nine report

<p>Karl Stefanovic has spoken out about the report into toxic workplace culture at the Nine Network, calling out the “perpetrators” of bad behaviour.</p> <p>On Thursday, a <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/damning-report-exposes-toxic-workplace-culture-at-channel-nine" target="_blank" rel="noopener">report</a> conducted by independent investigators revealed that Nine has “has a systemic issue with abuse of power and authority; bullying, discrimination and harassment; and sexual harassment”, with several employees sharing their own horror stories of working for the network. </p> <p>During Friday's episode of the <em>Today Show</em>, Karl took a moment to discuss the findings of the report, saying "many people are hurting" over the shocking allegations. </p> <p>Echoing the concerns of Nine stars including Deb Knight and Dimity Clancey who raised concerns at a meeting on Thursday, the Today show host said he understood concerns that the report didn’t “name names.”</p> <p>“They feel like what was the point of speaking out if perpetrators are not called out? I asked the same question yesterday and it’s my understanding several investigations are now underway and we have to be patient for the process of all that,’’ he said.</p> <p>“It’s essential and it’s critical. I want to say it’s not about us, but there are good men who do work here at Nine who find what happened absolutely intolerable, who struggle to understand how we didn’t know more and do something, how it grieved you." </p> <p>“I feel like we have all in a way, let you down. I love my work colleagues here. Women I have the honour to present with women on the floor of this great show."</p> <p>“Women behind the scenes who make us all better. I’m grateful women are this company and they are the way forward. They will show the way. We just have to listen and act.”</p> <p>"I genuinely, genuinely feel for the women who have given testimony, I can't imagine how hard that was and the courage that it took," Karl said.</p> <div> <div id="adspot-mobile-mobile-3-above"></div> </div> <p>"It's going to be up to all of us now to do better, to say enough - this stops now."</p> <p><em>Image credits: The Today Show</em></p>

TV

Placeholder Content Image

William Tyrrell's biological grandmother speaks out

<p>William Tyrrell's biological grandmother has spoken out about the child's first disappearance, two years before he disappeared without a trace in 2014, and how she was the "mastermind" behind the plan. </p> <p>Natalie Collins, whose three-year-old grandson was last seen alive on 12th September 2014, said she orchestrated for William to be hidden away when a court ordered William to be taken from his parent's custody. </p> <p>“So I hid them,” Ms Collins told the second episode of <a href="https://www.news.com.au/national/crime/i-hid-him-william-tyrrells-biological-grandmother-speaks/news-story/49b7f2998daf1d13035a794622e9a463" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>news.com.au</em></a>’s investigative podcast into William's disappearance. </p> <p>“I hid them for three months after I knew (state government officials) were going to take William … I arranged it all.”</p> <p>When asked if that made her the mastermind of William’s first disappearance, which caused police to set up a dedicated strike force to find him, Ms Collins said “Yeah, that’s right”. </p> <p>“I should have taken him myself … Then no one would have been able to take him off me. That’s what I should have done,” she said.</p> <p>The court order for William to be removed from his biological parents' care came in 2012, when he was jut seven months old. </p> <p>The NSW government Department of Family and Community Services (FaCS) had raised concerns about domestic violence and substance abuse between William's parents Brendan Collins and Karlie Tyrrell, the court heard.</p> <p>The court ordered for William to be taken by officials and placed into government care, but when the officers arrived to take William, he was gone. </p> <p>A police strike force, codenamed Duncraig, was set up to find William, with officers making repeated visits to various addresses over the coming weeks, without success.</p> <p>In 2012, William was ultimately found in the custody of Ms Collins and taken by authorities, who placed him with foster parents.</p> <p>Ms Collins said the government made the wrong decision to re-home William in 2012, and their actions directly led to William's 2014 disappearance.</p> <p>“These (FaCS) people didn’t do their job,” she said. “They failed to do their job properly."</p> <p>“Because this shouldn’t happen these days with foster care children. What it’s done to my family from day one has stuffed all of us up,” she continued.</p> <p>“I’ve got one son in rehab, I’ve got one in jail and my family has been stuffed up. I lost my son and I lost myself on the way.”</p> <p>The podcast also spoke to one of the officials who was present when William was first taken from his biological family, as the man claimed he constantly wonders if he made the right decision about William's care. </p> <p>“We take kids off … families all the time,” the man said, breaking down in tears. “You do it. It is part of the job. </p> <p>“The thing I get upset about is … we took William off Karlie to protect him. I can still see myself walking into that bloody unit … And there was William, on the floor."</p> <p>“And I just think … did we do the right thing? Would he still be alive? Maybe.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: NSW Police</em></p>

Legal

Placeholder Content Image

Charlise Mutten's grieving mother speaks out about her daughter's killer

<p>The heartbroken mother of Charlise Mutten has spoken out about her "amazing little girl", and how she will never forgive herself for starting a relationship with the man who would go on to kill the nine-year-old. </p> <p>In her first TV interview, Kallista Mutten revealed what the final days were like between her, Charlise and Justin Stein - Kallista's partner - who was jailed for life in August after being found <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/unspeakably-vicious-judge-hands-down-verdict-to-justin-stein" target="_blank" rel="noopener">guilty</a> of Charlise's murder. </p> <p>In the days before the young girl's death in January 2022, the trio were celebrating Christmas in the Blue Mountains. </p> <p>Kallista revealed that during their holiday, Stein had asked Charlise to call him "daddy", saying he was “always going to be a father figure”. </p> <p>“That was a very touching moment for both of us because she’s always longed for a dad,” she told <em>60 Minutes</em>. </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBDz4pqhG4e/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBDz4pqhG4e/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by 60 Minutes Australia (@60minutes9)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Kallista and Justin met in 2018 in prison and formed their relationship on wanting to build a better life together, but Kallista now says she will always hate herself for trusting him. </p> <p>“I am forced to live with the fact that I trusted someone with my daughter and that because of my trust in someone, I put my daughter in harm’s way,” She said. </p> <p>"I hate myself for it. I really do. It’s taken this for me to wake up and realise that I already had someone that loved me … He’s a monster, pure evil.”</p> <p>The grieving mum opened up about the nature of her relationship, admitting that her time with Stein had been erratic, in no small part due to their drug use, but she never believed he was capable of what happened. </p> <p>“The thought of what she had gone, would’ve gone through, that’s … that’s what breaks me,” Ms Mutten said. “There is just not enough justice that will make it better for me and my family.”</p> <p>Ms Mutten said she understands why she was judged by those who blamed her for her daughter's death and now knows “Charlise deserved more”. </p> <p>“I do take accountability of the things that I have done,” she said. “I wish I had been there more for her and, like, I see that now and I’ve got to live with that.”</p> <p>While Kallista continues to mourn the loss of her daughter, she hopes Charlise is remembered as a bundle of joy with a kind soul. </p> <p>“We just had this amazing connection and that she just absolutely, she was my number one fan,” she said. “She just was just the most incredible amazing little girl.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: 60 Minutes / NSW Police / Facebook</em></p>

Legal

Placeholder Content Image

Nat Barr slammed for “out of touch” comments about the housing crisis

<p dir="ltr">Nat Barr has been widely slammed online for her comments on the housing crisis, with many claiming she is “stirring the pot”.</p> <p dir="ltr">On Wednesday’s <em>Sunrise</em> show, Barr was just joined by two experts to discuss Labor’s Help To Buy Bill, which would allow Australians earning under $90,000 to buy a home with just a 2 per cent deposit.</p> <p dir="ltr">While discussing the legislation, Barr said she’s worried her two sons — aged 19 and 22 — won’t be able to purchase a home after finance spokesperson Jane Hume claimed “Australians have already rejected this policy right around the country”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m in the lucky position that I got to buy mine when they were cheaper years ago but I don’t know how my kids are going to buy one,” Barr said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Barr, who has hosted Sunrise since 2020, has never spoken publicly about her salary, but it has long been speculated that she earns more than $1 million per year. </p> <p dir="ltr">Viewers were quick to slam her comments on Facebook, claiming Barr will “set her kids up”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“She is the last person who should speak. she’s wealthy and will set her kids up,” one person commented, while another added, “So many young people are buying houses every day without the help of mum and dad. Nat’s just stirring the pot.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Another commenter added, “She makes enough money to buy a house for each of her sons. They’ll be just fine. Check your privilege, Nat.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Instagram / Sunrise</em></p>

TV

Placeholder Content Image

Tony Armstrong called out by Media Watch for "moonlighting"

<p>The ABC has taken aim at one of their own, with <em>Media Watch</em> calling out popular presenter Tony Armstrong over his new "moonlighting" gig. </p> <p>On Monday night,<em> Media Watch</em> host Janine Perrett said she was "stunned" Armstrong had failed to get the all-clear from network bosses before he became the voice of NRMA Insurance.</p> <p>As the ABC is taxpayer funded, staff of the public broadcaster - particular ones with a high profile - are discouraged from appearing in private advertisements. </p> <p>While Armstrong announced he would be leaving his role with <em>ABC News Breakfast</em>, he still has other projects with the network. </p> <p>“It’s a shame this moonlighting at the expense of the ABC’s integrity is what we’re talking about in his final week on <em>News Breakfast,</em>” Perrett said. </p> <p>“Tony’s arguably one of the ABCs biggest stars,” she added. “He’s not only on the breakfast TV couch, he’s appeared at night on a new sports show, he’s one of many appearing in ABC News promos and is the face of a new five part series."</p> <p>“So we were stunned when we got confirmation that Tony was selling an insurance company as well”.</p> <p>The NRMA ads, which Armstrong voiced but does not physically appear in, have been on TV since July, and often appearing in Channel Nine's Olympics broadcasts. </p> <p>Perrett said that <em>Media Watch</em> had asked the ABC if it knew of Armstrong’s work for NRMA Insurance and if he had been given approval to voice the ads. </p> <p>“Astonishingly, he did not,” she said.</p> <p>In a statement to the program, the ABC said the voiceover was done without its knowledge and added this was due to a “misunderstanding,” with Armstrong’s representatives external to the ABC. </p> <p>“A misunderstanding?” said Perrett. </p> <p>“How any ABC reporter could voice a commercial for one of the biggest brands in Australia and not think that is a conflict, is beyond us."</p> <p>“If this is not a breach of the guidelines on external work, which says you must seek approval from above, we don’t know what is”.</p> <p>While ABC’s<a title="www.abc.net.au" href="https://www.abc.net.au/edpols/external-work-and-editorial-conflicts/13644776"> editorial guidelines </a>do not outright ban staff from doing commercial work but it asks them to “quantify the risk” of doing so, while also demanding the staff "seek approval from their manager". </p> <p><em>Media Watch</em> reached out to Tony Armstrong for an explanation, but he did not comment on the private ads. </p> <p><em>Image credits: ABC</em></p>

Legal

Placeholder Content Image

Lost touch with someone? Reach out – your friend will likely appreciate it more than you think

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/peggy-liu-818769">Peggy Liu</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-pittsburgh-854">University of Pittsburgh</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lauren-min-1354136">Lauren Min</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-kansas-1588">University of Kansas</a></em></p> <h2>The big idea</h2> <p>The next time you wonder whether to reach out to a friend, family member, classmate or other person who’s been out of touch for a long time, go ahead and do it. According to <a href="https://doi.org/10.1037/pspi0000402">our just-published research</a>, it’s likely they’ll appreciate it more than you think.</p> <p>In a series of 13 experiments involving over 5,900 participants, we – along with colleagues <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=0Stzf1cAAAAJ&amp;hl=en">SoYon Rim</a> and <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=TZQefJAAAAAJ&amp;hl=en">Kate Min</a> – wanted to investigate whether people accurately predict <a href="https://doi.org/10.1037/pspi0000402">how much their social contacts appreciate being reached out to</a>.</p> <p>In one experiment we conducted, college students wrote a note “to check in and say hello” to a classmate they hadn’t interacted with in a while. Then we asked them how much they thought their classmate would appreciate receiving this note.</p> <p>Next, we delivered these notes to their classmates and asked the recipients how much they appreciated receiving them.</p> <p>We found that the students who received the notes were much more appreciative of the gesture than the students who wrote them had anticipated.</p> <p>Other experiments varied the scenario by involving older adults as participants rather than college students, switching the written message to a small gift – such as cookies or coffee – and comparing how much the sender underestimated the appreciation that an emotionally distant contact would feel compared with a close contact.</p> <p>Overall they yielded the same basic finding: People tended to underestimate how much others appreciated hearing from them.</p> <p>What drives this underestimation? Our results suggest that it’s related to how little the people reaching out factor in the surprise felt by those being contacted. When we asked recipients what they focused on when indicating how appreciative they felt, they reported paying a lot of attention to their positive feelings of surprise, which were linked to how appreciative they felt.</p> <p>Comparatively, potential senders did not report focusing much on recipients’ positive feelings of surprise.</p> <p>It also mattered whether the two parties were already in a close relationship. People’s underestimations were even greater when their contact was a distant acquaintance because these recipients were especially surprised at being contacted.</p> <h2>Why it matters</h2> <p>Many people can name at least one person with whom they would like to reconnect. Taking a new job, moving to a different city, becoming a parent, or the busyness of everyday life – these are just some of the life events and circumstances that can cause people to lose touch. Then, if the desire to reconnect arises on one side, doubts may arise about whether the other person may appreciate being contacted out of the blue.</p> <p>When people consider taking the initiative to reach out, especially after a prolonged period of no contact, they may worry about being rejected. This worry might keep them from reaching out in the first place.</p> <p>Our research lessens this challenge by showing that often, these gestures will be much more appreciated than one might expect.</p> <h2>What other research is being done</h2> <p>Our findings fit within a growing stream of research examining the tendency to underestimate others’ appreciation of various social exchanges. For example, other researchers have found that people underestimate how much <a href="https://doi.org/10.1037/pspa0000277">others appreciate receiving compliments</a> or <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797618772506">expressions of gratitude</a>.</p> <p>Our work adds to this area by broadening the scope of the contexts in which people underestimate how much social exchanges are appreciated. Reaching out could but need not require giving compliments or expressing gratitude – the gesture can be as simple as checking in with someone to show that one is thinking about them.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/185001/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/peggy-liu-818769">Peggy Liu</a>, Ben L. Fryrear Chair in Marketing and Associate Professor of Business Administration, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-pittsburgh-854">University of Pittsburgh</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lauren-min-1354136">Lauren Min</a>, Assistant Professor of Marketing, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-kansas-1588">University of Kansas</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/lost-touch-with-someone-reach-out-your-friend-will-likely-appreciate-it-more-than-you-think-185001">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Relationships

Placeholder Content Image

"Treated as fools": Prime Minister hits out at supermarkets

<p>On Thursday night the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) released an interim report on its supermarket inquiry, and found the price of a typical basket of groceries has increased by more than 20 per cent since 2019. </p> <p>The report found that low-income households spent more than a fifth of their income on food. </p> <p>While prices across all grocery products have increased, the most considerable hikes were in staples such as dairy products by 32 per cent, bread and cereal items by 28 per cent and meat and seafood prices have increased by a fifth. </p> <p>The price of fruit and vegetables has increased by 19 per cent between the March 2019 quarter to the June 2024 quarter. </p> <p>The ACCC released the interim report after examining whether supermarket giants were dudding suppliers and ripping off customers due to a lack of competition. </p> <p>In a statement on Friday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has condemned major supermarkets. </p> <p>“Customers don’t deserve to be treated as fools by the supermarkets. They deserve better than that,” he said. </p> <p>“This is an important piece of work and we will study it closely.</p> <p>“My government is taking a range of actions to make sure Australians are paying a fair price at the checkout and Australian suppliers are getting a fair price for their goods.”</p> <p>Assistant Minister for Competition Andrew Leigh said this was the most comprehensive inquiry they've had in 15 years. </p> <p>“Businesses need to do the right thing by Australians,” he said.</p> <p>“Greater competition is critical for lifting dynamism, productivity and wages growth, putting downward pressure on prices and delivering more choice for Australians dealing with cost-of-living pressures.”</p> <p>The report also found that due to "excessive" prices, many shoppers were buying less food and focusing on cheaper products to stay within their budgets. Others were eating less frequently and have smaller meals, or changing their shopping habits by comparing online prices before going in store. </p> <p>As a result, ACCC deputy chair Mick Keogh said Australians were “losing trust in the sale price claims by supermarkets”.</p> <p>“These difficulties reportedly arise from some of the pricing practices of some supermarkets, such as frequent specials, short-term lowered prices, bulk-buy promotions, member-only prices and bundled prices,” he said. </p> <p>In Australia, Woolworths and Coles contribute to 67 per cent of supermarket sales, with Aldi accounting for 9 per cent and IGA contributing 7 per cent. </p> <p>The ACCC will release their recommendations in their final report due in February 2025. </p> <p>This follows the ACCC launching <a href="https://o60.me/2ssagq" target="_blank" rel="noopener">legal action</a> against Coles and Woolworths over allegations of misleading customers with fake discount prices. </p> <p><em>Image: Daria Nipot / Shutterstock.com/ </em><em>MICK TSIKAS/EPA-EFE/ Shutterstock Editorial</em></p>

Money & Banking

Placeholder Content Image

Olympian's life "a living nightmare" after simple self-check out mistake

<p>A former Olympian has spoken about how her life was ruined after she accidentally failed to scan to items at a self-checkout machine in Walmart. </p> <p>Canadian athlete Meaggan Pettipiece, 48, was arrested on March 28 in Indiana for theft, possession of marijuana and possession of a controlled substance.</p> <p>The charges have since been dropped, but Pettipiece lost her prestigious job as the head coach of the Valparaiso University softball team as a result and says her career and reputation have been ruined. </p> <p>The ordeal began when the self-checkout machine at Walmart reportedly failed to scan the asparagus and ham that Pettipiece intended to purchase. </p> <p>Walmart security saw that she failed to scan the items  — worth a total of $67 — prompting them to call the police despite her having paid $167 for her other groceries.</p> <p>Pettipiece was arrested and when police searched her they found three disposable vapes in her purse, along with two unopened blister packs containing anti-nausea medication Zofran.</p> <p>The former athlete said the vapes did not contain any nicotine or THC, and the anti-nausea pills belonged to an assistant coach who had asked her to keep them in her purse during a softball game, days before her arrest. </p> <p>“We both forgot about them,” Pettipiece told the<em> National Post.</em></p> <p>The outlet reported that earlier this month, her lawyer submitted an application for dismissal that included her account of the incident, proof of her assistant’s prescription, and character reference letters.</p> <p>After reading the application, her charges were dropped by justice officials on September 19, but the damage caused by the incident "changed everything". </p> <p>“It is bittersweet,” she told <em>National Post</em>.</p> <p>“I’m happy, obviously, the charges were dismissed. The sad part is the damage it did to my career. It has changed everything in my life.”</p> <p>Pettipiece resigned as head coach of the softball team shortly after the Walmart incident. </p> <p>"It's been five months, a living nightmare. I lost my career, I lost my job, the life I was building and it's been really difficult."</p> <p>Along with the damage to her career, Pettipiece said the effect on her reputation has been equally heartbreaking. </p> <p>“The softball community is a tight-knit group and it (the news) went through like wildfire,” she said. </p> <p>“You really do learn who the people are that really believe in you and trust you and are truly a friend for you." </p> <p>The former athlete is now living in Ohio with her family, and though the charges against her have been dismissed she is worried the damage "can't be reversed". </p> <p>“The tough thing is, how do you get out to people that you are innocent? And this damage was done for something so ridiculous,” Pettipiece told the outlet.</p> <p>“I’m not sure of the future. For now, I’m going to stay at home and focus on my kids. I’d like to figure out which direction I’m going to go in.”</p> <p><em>Image: Valparaiso University Athletics/ </em><em>ZikG / Shutterstock.com</em></p> <p> </p>

Legal

Placeholder Content Image

Australia tops life expectancy among English-speaking nations

<p>A recent study has revealed that Australians outlive their peers in five other high-income English-speaking countries, including the UK and US, by one to four years. </p> <p>The paper published in the medical journal<em> BMJ Open</em> last month, analysed the average life expectancies in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States between 1990 and 2019. </p> <p>They found that Australians' life expectancy surpassed that of Canadians in the early 1990s - and it has remained in the top spot ever since. </p> <p>The average life expectancy for an Australian born in 2019 was 83.24 years, which is two years longer than the average Brit, and four years longer than the average American. </p> <p>"Australia is clearly the best-performing Anglophone country," the paper said.</p> <p>"While Australian men and women have lower mortality at nearly all ages, their mortality advantage at ages 45–84 accounts for the bulk of Australia's life expectancy advantage."</p> <p>The Irish came in second with an life expectancy of 82.39 years, followed by the Canadians with 82.28, and the Kiwis with 81.83.</p> <p>Australia's long life expectancy could be credited to it's high migrant population and low death rates from drug and alcohol misuse, screenable/treatable cancers, and cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. </p> <p>The nation's "strong public health efforts", such as the 1996 gun law reforms and buyback programs following the Port Arthur massacre, and the creation of Headspace, the national youth mental healthcare service, could also play part in our longevity. </p> <p>Australia also had the lowest level of "geographic inequality", meaning that the gap in life expectancy between rich and poor regions was narrower than other countries. </p> <p>However, the life expectancy for  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continues to be significantly lower than the average Australian, with males born between  2020 and 2022 expected to live for just 71.9 years, and females for 75.6 years. </p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p>

Caring

Placeholder Content Image

"We won't recover": Grieving parents speak out ahead of daughter's funeral

<p><em><strong>Warning: This article contains discussions about suicide that some readers may find distressing. </strong></em></p> <p>The grieving stepfather of 12-year-old Charlotte who died by suicide has spoken about the young girl's struggles with bullying as he prepares for her funeral. </p> <p>On Monday, Matthew remembered his stepdaughter as the “kindest, most caring little girl” whose death had followed “toxic” issues at school.</p> <p>“To lose a little girl at the age of 12 is something we won’t recover from,” he told <em>2GB’s</em> Ben Fordham.</p> <p>Charlotte was a student at Santa Sabina College in Sydney’s inner west, with the Catholic school being forced to defend their handling of bullying in the wake of the 12-year-old's death. </p> <p>Matthew said he believed some of the responses from the school had been “unnecessary”, and claimed he had no direct communication from officials despite their public statements. </p> <p>“I think outside of the response from the broader community of the school I have to say I’ve been disappointed to say the least, with the response that’s come from the school,” he said.</p> <p>“Some of the responses that have gone into the media, I think the first response was around that there’s inconsistencies in their records and I thought that comment to go out at that time when we were grieving was unnecessary."</p> <p>“And since then, comments like the school’s been overwhelmed with support from other parents coming forward and saying how well they deal with these types of issues. And I’m sure they’ve had some communication and some support, Ben."</p> <p>“But those mothers that have given that school support, no doubt they will be planning on picking their daughter up from school today, and we are not.”</p> <p>Matthew went on to confirm that Charlotte's mother had repeatedly asked her daughter's school to do something about the bullying, and break up the friendship that put Charlotte through a "roller coaster".</p> <p>“I would not allow this behaviour to happen in my home,” he said.</p> <p>“I am not after any retribution for these girls … but I’m looking for the schools to step in … to act when these things are raised for the first time, not the second or third time.”</p> <p>Matthew said it was time school “friendship issues” were called out for what they really were, saying, “It’s not called a friendship issue in the workplace.”</p> <p>The year 7 student took her own life on September 9th, leaving a note to her parents that included names of those she wanted at her funeral and others who had made “life too hard”.</p> <p>It also instructed her mother, Kelly, to “tell the school please”, with the note reading, “Mama, please share my story to raise awareness.”</p> <p>The family are preparing to farewell her at a funeral on Friday, and have asked those who wish to send flowers to instead make a donation to the <a href="https://inmemoryofcharlotte.raiselysite.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kids Helpline</a>.</p> <p><strong><em>Need to talk to someone? Don't go it alone. </em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>Call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>SANE: 1800 187 263; saneforums.org</em></strong></p> <p><em>Image credits: 2GB / Kids Helpline</em></p> <p style="box-sizing: inherit; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </p>

Caring

Placeholder Content Image

"Disrespectful and frustrating": Publicists call out Kyle and Jackie O

<p>A group of publicists have called out Kyle and Jackie O's "disrespectful" behaviour on their radio show, while explaining why celebrities keep appearing on their program. </p> <p>The claims against the radio duo were first brought to light in an episode of the <em><a href="https://omny.fm/shows/game-changers-radio/playlists/podcast" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Game Changers Radio: Melbourne Radio Wars</a></em> podcast, with the hosts reading out an email they had received from an anonymous publicist who regularly books their "talent" to appear on the popular KIIS FM radio show.</p> <p>“We are feeding the beast as we are giving Kyle and Jackie O access to artists and stars when they do terrible interviews and are always late,” the publicist complained in the email.</p> <p>“I had one TV publicist have to wait 45 minutes with their A-grade talent. They do it to everyone. It’s disrespectful and frustrating.”</p> <p>The publicist went on to explain why they have no choice but to book celebrities on the show, given the huge audience that listens to the show. </p> <p>“From a music point of view, the big dogs say we have to support them for the bigger picture and airplay, but artists don’t want to talk to them,” they wrote in the email.</p> <p>After the claims were first aired, <em><a href="https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/radio/publicists-expose-kyle-and-jackie-os-disrespectful-behaviour/news-story/e67f5c062dc85ff1a8e6c06e7c395fee" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a></em> reached out to other publicists to share their own stories of dealing with the radio hosts. </p> <p>One publicist shared, “They’re a nightmare, always have been."</p> <p>“Normally you get talent for a day or two to do some promo, so you’ve got to micromanage that day within an inch of its life so you can do as many interviews as possible."</p> <p>“But every single time you go to them, they always leave you waiting,” the publicist said. “You will wait an hour (in the green room) and it just stuffs up your morning."</p> <p>“I think it’s a power play for Kyle who thinks, ‘I’m the king of radio and you will all sit back and wait for me until I say you can come in.’”</p> <p>Another publicist called out the recent dip in quality of the show, criticising the "smutty" nature of the radio program, saying, “They’ve lost it.”</p> <p>“I don’t know if they’ve decided to double down on the smut because somebody has said something about it, but they talk to guests for 30 seconds and then they’ve got nothing and so they start asking them if they’ve done an*l. It’s like, really? You haven’t got anything more than this?"</p> <p>“They went through a phase where they were one of the better interviews,” the same publicist said. “When Kyle is on song, nobody is a better broadcaster and he gives a really generous plug. But it just feels like they’ve lost their way a little bit lately."</p> <p>“I think everybody walks away from them now going, ‘that was just weird,’” they said.</p> <p>Despite all the problems encountered with the show, all the publicists said they were still willing to book their talent on the radio show. </p> <p>“Nowadays I’m very selective about which talent I put up for chats,” one said.</p> <p>“I only pick talent who I think can handle it, who are open to being asked about everything, including their sex lives. I find the interviews often run better if you don’t set parameters, because if you tell Kyle that certain topics are off limits, you can be guaranteed he will ask about them on air.”</p> <p>Another added, “I always factor in delays when booking guests on Kyle and Jackie. Those delays often impact interviews we have lined up with other radio stations, but it’s usually worth it because their audience is so much bigger than all those other stations combined.”</p> <p>News.com.au also reached out to KIIS FM to comment on the controversies, with a rep saying, “There is no issue, and the show continues to enjoy huge stars”.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram / KIIS FM </em></p>

Music

Placeholder Content Image

"Just so tragic": Grandfather of slain boys speaks out

<p><em><strong>Warning: This article contains distressing content that readers may find upsetting. </strong></em></p> <p>The grandfather of the two young boys who were <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/mother-arrested-after-two-boys-found-dead-in-blue-mountains-home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">found dead</a> in their home in the Blue Mountains has spoken out about his profound loss, while also sharing an update on his daughter's mental state while she remains in prison. </p> <p>Geoff Densmore is preparing to bury his grandsons Ben, 9 and Russell, 11, who were found dead in their mother’s Faulconbridge home on September 10th. </p> <p>Mr Densmore is also trying to support his daughter, Trish Smith, who has been charged over the alleged murder of her two children, as she remains under police guard. </p> <p>Ms Smith was rushed to hospital with self-inflicted injuries after the bodies of the two young brothers were discovered in their beds by their father, with both boys suffering fatal stab wounds. </p> <p>Mr Densmore told <em><a href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/trish-smith-living-a-bad-nightmare-after-allegedly-killing-her-sons-at-their-blue-mountains-home/news-story/b8a91443d155a988155dd5e27410becb" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The </a><a href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/trish-smith-living-a-bad-nightmare-after-allegedly-killing-her-sons-at-their-blue-mountains-home/news-story/b8a91443d155a988155dd5e27410becb" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Daily Telegraph</a></em> that he is preparing to bury his grandsons, while trying to cope with the devastating loss. </p> <p>“The kids, they were special kids, so special,” Mr Densmore said. </p> <p>“I have to put them under the ground. I’ve got so much to do. So many people are affected by this, the government has got to do something about this.”</p> <p>He went on to clarify that both he and his wife had no idea about their daughter's mental health struggles until it was too late. </p> <p>“We really don’t know what happened. We had no idea she was unwell. Many prayers and private masses have been said for her,” he said.</p> <p>“You can’t imagine what it’s like. Imagine if it happened to your family."</p> <p>“Linda, she’s not good, she’s very religious. She’s praying. I think I might crack one day but I’m trying not to. I’m trying to be strong for everyone. I still can’t understand that Ben … Russell. They’re gone.”</p> <p>Mr Densmore said he was not angry with Ms Smith, instead saying: “There is only one word for it: tragic. It’s just so tragic.”</p> <p>The grandfather has not spoken to his daughter following her charges, however, he did say Ms Smith was in “a bad way”.</p> <p>“We are all dealing with this, the whole community. We have to bury two children, we’ve never been in this situation before. We’re not sure what to do.”</p> <p><strong><em>Need to talk to someone? Don't go it alone. </em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>Call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>SANE: 1800 187 263; saneforums.org</em></strong></p> <p><em>Image credits: Supplied / NSW Police</em></p>

Family & Pets

Placeholder Content Image

"This is horrific": Queen icon calls out convincing scam

<p>Brian May has spoken out after becoming the target of a dangerous scam, urging people to be careful online. </p> <p>The guitarist of iconic rock band Queen was made aware of the scam by a fan, who sent him the TikTok of what seems to be May himself offering concert tickets at a discount. </p> <p>The video, which is actually AI-generated and has nothing to do with May or with Queen, shows the rockstar offering music fans the chance to see a concert from backstage. </p> <p>“I hope you’re all well out there,” says the fake Brian May in the video. “Some good news. Backstage tickets for my next show in your cities are now going for only $800, which were previously $2000. I’m only selecting 10 people in the comments, so if you’re ready to make payment, comment, ‘ready’.”</p> <p>May responded to the post publicly, sharing his horror and anger with fans over the “creepy” video, saying, “My God. This is horrific.”</p> <p>“I suppose this is now so easy to do – and there are always people who will sink to any depths to try to make a quick buck. Disgusting.”</p> <p>He continued, “Thanks for the alert dear (TikTok username) stereojazz. I’ve alerted our team and hopefully we can squash this.”</p> <p>Fans were quick to comment that they had almost been fooled by the convincing video. </p> <p>“That they abuse your beautiful personality for this scam hurts even more and is really scary. I hate it,” commented one. </p> <p>“It is insanely terrifying what AI can do these days,” wrote another.</p> <p><em>Image credits: TikTok</em></p>

Legal

Placeholder Content Image

7News star lashes out at criticism over news segment

<p>Comedian Mark Humphries has hit back at critics, responding to the criticism surrounding his satirical segment on Channel Seven's evening news. </p> <p>Many viewers responded angrily to his new gig after the first airing of <em><span id="U8416974660538MC">The 6.57pm News</span></em> that airs on Friday night, with Humphries admitting he found the controversy over the lighthearted segment "bizarre". </p> <p>“I was so stunned because I did five years at <em>7.30</em>, the ABC’s flagship current affairs program, which I think of all the shows to have a comedy segment, that’s even less likely to have one,” he told <span id="U841697466053tzC"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/stellarmag/?hl=en"><em>Stellar Magazine</em></a></span>. </p> <p>“I didn’t know people felt so strongly about the 6 o’clock news and how its integrity must be defended. And, you know, it’s the last three minutes at the end of the week before Better Homes And Gardens. I’ve said this before, but the great thing about <em>The 6.57pm News</em> is that if you want to avoid it, you know exactly what time to tune out. [The reaction] was bizarre.”</p> <p>He added: “The worst thing that was said about me, that stays with me is, ‘I look like a Ken doll gone wrong!’”</p> <p>The addition of the satirical segment came courtesy of newly appointed news director Anthony De Ceglie who said the segment “will use satire to cut through political spin and translate current affairs in the universal news language of taking the piss”.</p> <p>When the comedy segment first aired in July, many were quick to voice their disapproval. </p> <p>“This was an appalling segment … hire, rather than sack, journos,” said one on 7News’ social media.</p> <p>“It was a deplorable segment that has no place in a news bulletin,” another added. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Seven</em></p>

TV

Placeholder Content Image

Hunter Valley bus driver finally speaks out over horror crash

<p>The man who was behind the wheel of the deadly Hunter Valley bus crash in June 2023 has finally taken the stand, saying he is deeply sorry for the hurt he has caused the victims and their families. </p> <p>Brett Button, 59, was transporting wedding guests from the reception ceremony at the Wandin Valley Estate back to Singleton when the bus flipped, causing the deaths of 10 people and injuring 25 others. </p> <p>After pleading guilty to 19 charges, including dangerous driving occasioning death and grievous bodily harm, Button appeared before Newcastle District Court on Tuesday to hear emotional <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/hunter-valley-crash-survivor-s-demands-of-killer-bus-driver" target="_blank" rel="noopener">victim statements</a> from survivors and family members of those who were killed.  </p> <p>On Wednesday, Button finally broke his silence on the fatal crash, issuing an emotional apology to all those impacted by the devastating crash.</p> <p>"I've tried to figure out the words to say I'm sorry, but how do you say you're sorry for such a horrible tragic event that has ruined the lives of hundreds of people," he told the court.</p> <div data-component="EmphasisedText"> <p>"I can't forgive myself. I can't believe I caused this, I never meant to cause it and every single person that died and was injured and everyone involved in this, I truly wish it never happened and I could apologise where people actually believe me."</p> </div> <p>"I live with this every day and I hate myself. I've caused parents to have to bury their children, which has been my biggest nightmare all my life, and now I've done it to so many families."</p> <p>"I'm sorry to everyone involved, including the police and everyone, my family — I've shamed everyone."</p> <p>Button also shared with the court that he had been taking the opioid tramadol since 1994, and admitted on the day of the crash, he had taken “in excess” of his prescribed dose of painkillers.</p> <p>When asked by his barrister Paul Rosser KC if he felt he was addicted, Button said he was "certainly dependent", adding that a pain specialist warned Button one year before the crash that he was at risk of addiction. </p> <p>When further questioned, Mr Button said he had no perception on that night the drug had impaired his driving.</p> <p>"I take responsibility for the death and injuries, it was no way purposeful and I wasn't negligent," he told the court. "I didn't do it deliberately."</p> <p>Andrew Scott, 35, and wife Lynan Scott, 33, Nadene McBride, 52, daughter Kyah McBride, 22, and her partner, Kane Symons, 21, Darcy Bulman, 30, Rebecca Mullen, 26, Zachary Bray, 29, Tori Cowburn, 29, and Angus Craig, 28, were killed in the crash on June 11th 2023, with the crash now known as one of Australia's worst ever fatal road incidents.</p> <p>Judge Roy Ellis will consider 40 victim impact statements as part of his sentencing.</p> <p><em>Image credits: 7News</em></p>

Legal

Placeholder Content Image

Readers response: What have you had to cut out of your life to cope with cost of living pressures?

<p>As the cost of living continues to rise, many people have had to cut things out of their day to day spending to cope with the financial struggles. </p> <p>We asked our readers what they have had to cut out of their budgets to cope with cost of living pressures, and the response was overwhelming. Here's what they said. </p> <p><strong>Wendy Oliver</strong> - We don’t eat out often at all… I spend too much in the supermarket.</p> <p><strong>Christine Brooks</strong> - I've cut out steak, good nutritional foods, TV streaming, entertainment, haircuts, new clothes, pets, pool cleaning, and more.</p> <p><strong>Kerrie Dare</strong> - I limit steak meals. I've stopped my haircuts to every 4 months. Internet is getting chopped. I can only afford exercise classes twice a week. I don't eat as much fruit as I used too. I only buy groceries when on special. One bottle of wine per fortnight. One slice of sourdough in the morning, which means the loaf lasts a week. I turn on my washing machine around every 10 days &amp; I have quick showers. No eating out or take away. Maybe one cup of coffee per week with a friend. Movies once every 6 weeks as a social group. No concerts or clubs. I drive only locally, so a tank of petrol lasts 1 month. No weekends away.</p> <p><strong>Jane Dawes</strong> - No coffees, beauty treatments, hairdresser, eating out, takeouts etc. The trouble is not affording to spend on certain items has a flow on effect for businesses. Everyone is suffering. </p> <p><strong>Lois E. Fisk</strong> - Going out to eat or see movies in the cinema or live plays or new clothes. I shop at the least expensive grocery stores as much as possible, and good cuts of meat rarely happen.</p> <p><strong>Janice Stenning</strong> - Don't go to the hairdressers as often and don't buy as many clothes. </p> <p><strong>Debra Dugar </strong>- Thinking about dropping my extras cover of my insurance. By the time I pay for it, I can't afford the gap you have to pay.</p> <p><strong>Robyn Lee </strong>- Living in my own house. I now live with my family. </p> <p><strong>Rhondda Hughes</strong> - Well, petrol is expensive so I have to really think if I can afford to visit anyone. I can’t eat meat much and even vegetables can be expensive. We have three chickens so they give us eggs but good quality eggs and healthy chickens require money too. Fortunately I live in Perth so, in comparison to other states, it isn’t as cold however the cost of heating is a significant consideration and therefore I just tend to go to bed.</p> <div style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Felicity Jill Murphy</strong> - Stopped going out to shopping centres. That's where I spend money unnecessarily.</div> <div style="font-family: inherit;"><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></div> <div style="font-family: inherit;"> </div> <div class="x6s0dn4 x3nfvp2" style="font-family: inherit; align-items: center; display: inline-flex; min-width: 584px;"> <ul class="html-ul xe8uvvx xdj266r x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x1n0m28w x78zum5 x1wfe3co xat24cr xsgj6o6 x1o1nzlu xyqdw3p" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px -8px 0px 4px; padding: 3px 0px 0px; display: flex; min-height: 15px; line-height: 12px; caret-color: #1c1e21; color: #1c1e21; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, '.SFNSText-Regular', sans-serif; font-size: 12.000001px;" aria-hidden="false"> <li class="html-li xdj266r xat24cr xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x1rg5ohu x1emribx x1i64zmx" style="display: inline-block; padding: 0px; margin: 0px 8px;"> </li> </ul> </div> <p> </p>

Money & Banking

Placeholder Content Image

How fear of missing out can lead to you paying more when buying a home

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/park-thaichon-175182">Park Thaichon</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-southern-queensland-1069">University of Southern Queensland</a></em></p> <p>The property market is a competitive space where finding a nice home, in the area you want, at a price you can afford is a hard ask.</p> <p>With buyers outnumbering available properties, the pressure is even greater causing some would-be buyers to develop <a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/understanding-fomo">a fear of missing out</a> (FOMO) and to make irrational decisions.</p> <p>FOMO might make you worry others are finding nicer homes and getting better deals, or that prices will rise to the point where you are priced out of the market altogether. This could cause you to pay too much or to buy a property in an area unsuitable for your needs.</p> <p>Then there is <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/counseling-keys/202103/overcoming-fear-of-making-mistakes">fear of making a mistake</a> (FOMM), which can also cause problems if you’re a home hunter. You might be reluctant to bid or to negotiate because you are afraid of choosing the wrong property or paying more than it’s worth.</p> <h2>Problems caused by FOMO and FOMM</h2> <p>The principles of contagion theory, crowd psychology and the scarcity principle we identified in <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/ijcs.12649?casa_token=271MN72XdP8AAAAA%3AfhYF_2yUJtM7KGv5jvFdXn5UsXQLkMcIM_F6hffYa30QaSdRivjf2mhFX-cr5C7ttCuLl1-e2OFYXBA">our research</a> on panic-buying during the pandemic, can be applied to any purchasing decisions. In this instance we applied them to buying properties in a competitive housing market.</p> <p><a href="https://www.communicationtheory.org/contagion-theory/">Contagion theory</a> applies when people act irrationally under the influence of a crowd. <a href="https://www.bestvalueschools.com/faq/what-is-crowd-psychology/">Crowd psychology</a> is similar but relates to how a crowd behaves in certain circumstances, while <a href="https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/scarcity-principle">scarcity principle</a> is the idea if there are fewer items available, their value increases.</p> <p>Each of these can increase the likelihood of several behaviours when purchasing a property. These include:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Underbidding and overbidding</strong></li> </ul> <p>Fearing other buyers might get the house, house hunters might get caught up in a bidding war and end up paying more than planned.</p> <p>Conversely, buyers with FOMM might fear spending too much so bid too low to start with and risk losing the house.</p> <ul> <li><strong>Following the crowd and peer pressure influence</strong></li> </ul> <p>Buyers might feel <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11403-021-00324-7">pressured to buy</a> in a certain area because it’s popular, even if it is not best fit for them. This can lead to paying more for a house just because others are doing the same.</p> <ul> <li><strong>Delaying decisions</strong></li> </ul> <p>FOMM can lead to <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/ijcs.12990?casa_token=ZhJnLBOwVxUAAAAA%3AW5haHZKSA1rFQsRNdvw0liOoyvdxl0OrFR2phkhGfYC6TnWRv9EsnV-N8w52CmcnAVb8X2yU1obpIjKx">taking too long to decide</a>. This delay can mean missing out on good deals or being forced to rush into a decision and end up overpaying.</p> <ul> <li><strong>Avoiding negotiation</strong></li> </ul> <p>Some buyers might avoid negotiating the price or special conditions such as building and pest inspections and finance approval because they fear the seller will reject their offer. This can result in paying more than they need to if there are problems later.</p> <ul> <li><strong>Excessive inspections and appraisals</strong></li> </ul> <p>While inspections and appraisals are important, too many can suggest indecisiveness driven by fear, resulting in wasted money on unnecessary assessments, and more importantly, wasted time and delayed decisions.</p> <h2>Removing fear from the buying process</h2> <p>Start with thorough research and preparation by learning about different neighbourhoods and house prices. The history of properties and suburbs can be found for free on property websites and is a good place to start.</p> <p>Seek professional guidance from real estate agents or financial advisers to help you through the process.</p> <p>Get insights on market trends from an agent from a selling company or bank to help find homes that meet your criteria. Keep in mind these agents will get some form of incentive from your purchase.</p> <p>All the big banks or loan officers can provide free property reports on specific properties or suburbs.</p> <p>Don’t forget to check council mapping and water authority documents to check for potential future road projects and other developments and for an area’s flood rating.</p> <p>Perform due diligence by thoroughly inspecting properties and reviewing contracts to ensure they meet your needs and are a good investment.</p> <p>For example, it is a good idea to hire a home inspector to check for any hidden issues before making an offer.</p> <p>Another common mistake made by most buyers is not asking their <a href="https://www.qld.gov.au/law/housing-and-neighbours/buying-and-selling-a-property/buying-a-home/before-you-start-looking/appointing-a-solicitor">solicitor</a> to check and give suggestions before signing a contract or offer.</p> <p>A solicitor can check the sale contract before you sign, review the disclosure documents, give advice on your mortgage contract, carry out title searches and explain the results and explain how the purchase may affect your liability for land tax.</p> <p>Do some contingency planning by preparing for unexpected price increases and for the presence of other strong bidders to reduce anxiety about making the wrong decision. Setting aside extra funds could help deal with higher than expected prices or unexpected repairs that need doing.</p> <p>In the end, plan well and make decisions without letting emotions take over. Taking your time to find the right home that fits your budget and goals, rather than rushing into a purchase due to fear of missing out or making a mistake.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/233197/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/park-thaichon-175182">Park Thaichon</a>, Associate Professor of Marketing, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-southern-queensland-1069">University of Southern Queensland</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-fear-of-missing-out-can-lead-to-you-paying-more-when-buying-a-home-233197">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Money & Banking

Our Partners

Over 60

© Copyright 2024 OverSixty.All Rights Reserved.