Mind Your Own Retirement

Planning for your financial future is all about your vision for yourself and your family. How do you want to live now and for the ten years after that? It's exciting to think about – and it can also be a major cause of stress. Daniel Lawton from Fiducian Financial Services joins host John Deeks on the YourLifeChoices podcast to talk about the financial advice you need before beginning your retirement planning journey.

Australia's finance guru Noel Whittaker speaks with host John Deeks on what the return of Donald Trump as US President means for our economy - and your finances. He also highlights the problems with being a landlord today and what he thinks needs to be done with negative gearing.

Noel Whittaker is a longtime friend of YourLifeChoices and is one of Australia foremost financial minds. He's written more than 20 books, all geared towards making the incomprehensible world of money, understandable. We've just entered a new financial year, and with it comes a number of changes. In particular, there are new rules and limits around your super, including new employer contribution rates and higher limits for deductible contributions.

Living in constant pain is something far too many older Australians deal with. Community pharmacist and master herbalist Gerald Quigley joins dealing with chronic pain and how using a pain management schedule can get you living your best life again.

One of the hallmarks of independence, particularly as you get older, is holding a drivers license and being able to drive your own car. Getting an older person to give up their wheels can be a lesson in futility, no matter how they need to stop driving. Getting older doesn't mean you automatically have to give up your independence, but it does mean you may have to take extra precautions compared with someone younger. Joining John on the podcast today is James Williams, head of policy at the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV). Operating since 1903, RACV is a motoring club offering various services to members, including roadside assistance and car insurance. Mr Williams is here to highlight some of the pitfalls of being an older driver, but also some of the positives you can only get with years of experience behind the wheel.

National Seniors is one of Australia's foremost advocacy groups representing the interests of older people. CEO Chris Grice joins host John Deeks again on the podcast this week, after his very popular episode a few weeks ago. He's back to discuss this year's Federal Budget, and what it means for Aussie seniors - from discount medicines to concession cards, there was a lot of ground to cover. He also gives us an update on the push to get the Aged Care Act implemented into law. Sit back and enjoy our chat with one of the leading voices for older Australians.

Australia's Financial Wizard of Oz is back with us on the YourLifeChoices podcast this week. Noel Whittaker is one of the country's foremost financial minds, with a particular interest in retirement finance and wealth building. He is the author of 22 books on the subject, and his latest title Wills, death and taxes made simple, is available now and contains loads of tips and to help navigate some of the trickier financial parts of the end of life.

With so much upheaval over the past few years, its never been more important to develop greater emotional resilience. In this episode, Dr Jane Foster and I explore vital skills that can help you live a happier, less-stressful life.

Pharmacist and master herbalist Gerard Quigley joins me once again to talk about the best supplements and natural therapies to complement more traditional medicines. With decades of experience, Gerard can get you up and about again - naturally. In a bit of bonus media, today's podcast features a second interview - this time with prostate cancer awareness campaigner Shannon Gove. Shannon sadly lost his father to prostate cancer and has since been holding his 'Tour de Tony' cycling events to raise money for prostate cancer research.

YLC managing editor joins host John Deeks this week to discuss the latest Retirement Affordability Index figures.

John is joined on the podcast this week by Trish Ennis, CEO of Companion Animal Network Australia, to talk about the importance of allowing pets to join owners in aged care.

Financial planner and author Helen Baker joins John to talk about her guide to financial independence for women (and men), young and not so young. It's never too late to take control!

Social isolation is on the increase ... but we have good news! It doesn't have to be this way. Pharmacist and Master Herbalist Gerald Quigley joins John to discuss why it's so important to maintain social connections.

Roland Kautzky, CEO of Travel Associates, joins us to talk about your next getaway. We have the cure for that travel itch!

John speaks to Chris Grice, CEO of National Seniors Australia on the importance of insurance as we get older and how best to manage our changing requirements. Find out what you need and what you don't!

Gary Andrews has more than 25 years of media experience and is the managing editor for YourLifeChoices. Gary joins me on the show today to talk about where he sees YLC going in the future. Gary says he wants to take YLC back to its roots, listening to what the readers want and providing them with guidance around complex subjects involved in retirement.

Welcome to today's YourLifeChoices podcast with financial guru and longtime friend of YourLifeChoices, Noel Whittaker. A personal investment expert, columnist and author with more than three million readers weekly, Noel has somehow found time to write 20 bestselling books. Back from an overseas adventure, Noel returns with all the latest from the world of finance.

Hello and welcome to the YourLifeChoices podcast, part of Australia's longest established and most trusted digital destination for the over 50s. I'm joined by motoring journalist Paul Murrell from seniordriveraus.com. Today we look at driving bad habits, not you and me of course because we're good drivers, right? It's everyone else on the road! We also look at the prevalence of EVs and ask, “is the hype real?” Plus, the continuing debate over E-scooters and how they impact not only drivers but the danger to our senior pedestrians.

On this week's YourLifeChoices podcast we welcome Chris Grice, the CEO of National Seniors Australia, a peak body promoting and lobbying issues that affect Australian seniors. We will update you on issues including cost-of-living, negative commentary around the ‘Baby Boomer' generation and the impact on older Australians as we move to a cashless society. We hope you enjoy this informative chat.

Did you know that somebody dies from heart disease every 30 minutes in Australia? That is a shocking statistic that we need to change. This month is REDFEB, a month to raise heart health awareness and funding backed by Heart Research Australia (HRA). Host John Deeks is joined on the podcast today by HRA CEO Nicci Dent, who is working towards that very goal. Heart disease refers to a range of different conditions affecting the function and structure of your heart, including coronary heart disease, arrhythmias, heart failure and valve disease.

We hear much about resilience, meditation, enlightenment and the like, but what does it all mean? It seems that everyone has the solution to a better you. Today we're going to cut through the mystery and speak to Luke McLeod, founder of mindful life app Soul Alive and author of the book, Everyday Enlightenment.

Aged care planning is crucial, yet many people are unsure about how to go about it due to its complexity. Others prefer to ignore that stage of life. On today's podcast, we chat to Bill Savellis, an award-winning financial adviser from Ocean Grove Financial Advice. He is passionate about the aged care system, not just through professional experience but also after having navigated the system for both parents.

When was the last time you checked your private health insurance costs? As we get older, private cover becomes increasingly important but there might be costly add-ons in your policy that are not relevant to your current needs. Today, I'm joined by Compare Club head of research Kate Browne who explains how you might be able to save money when it comes to the ever-increasing cost of your private health cover.

Let me play a little ‘who am I?' and see if you can guess who's joining us on today's YourLifeChoices podcast. I'm an Australian singer born in 1948 in Brisbane. In 1964, I joined a band called The Kodiaks, hosted a TV show called Uptight and was a regular on TV screens throughout the 1960s and `70s. In September 1969, I recorded a huge hit written by Johnny Young called The Star.

Welcome to the summer series of the YourLifeChoices podcasts. In this episode, psychologist Peter Quarry has brought in a friend for a chat – and I'm happy to report that you should prepare for a laugh. The friend is Simon Taylor. At just 24, Simon was on the Tonight Show in the US and has carved out a career as a comedian both here in Australia and internationally. So what makes us laugh? Well, we're about to find out as we go down the comedy rabbit hole with Simon and Peter. Enjoy!

Welcome to today's YourLifeChoices summer series of podcasts, co-hosted by friend and psychologist Peter Quarry . Now I'm certainly no pin-up boy when it comes to fashion. In fact, if it wasn't for my partner helping me to buy my clothes, I would look even more tragic than I do. But how do we express our identity through fashion choices? Today's guest, Annie Juracich, is the program manager at RMIT in Melbourne and has had a long and distinguished career in the fashion industry. Along with her ideas of fashion, Annie has promised to give us some tips on how to look good without spending a lot of money. If that sounds good to you, then stay tuned.

Welcome to the summer series of podcasts featuring chats with multi-award-winning psychologist , writer and producer Peter Quarry.

Joining host John Deeks today is respected music journalist Sandy Kaye, who's here to help us all relive the classic music of the 60s, 70s and 80s.

On today's podcast, host John Deeks is joined by international award-winning chef Eddie Basich, who is ready to help you save money while at the same time tickle your taste buds this Christmas!

Who better to ask for an insightful forecast for what 2024 might hold for your finances? Noel's considered opinions could form the basis of your strategies for the next 12 months.

An alarming 60 per cent of eligible Aussies are missing out on valuable energy rebates, new research shows. And the majority are seniors and veterans, according to a survey by Energy Charter and Melbourne University's Melbourne Institute. Today, Compare Club head of research Kate Browne outlines the findings, explains the problem and tells how you can be sure you're taking advantage of all government subsidies.

Baby boomers have always been great travellers but as we get older, there are extra elements we must pay close attention to when planning overseas trips. Finance guru Noel Whittaker – a great friend of YourLifeChoices – recently travelled to the US via the UK. He explains the benefits of that choice and shares first-hand advice on travel insurance, finances, passports and more.

We've all grieved the loss of a loved one or someone close to us. Fortunately, there's an international not-for-profit organisation called The Compassionate Friends, which was established to support anyone finding it difficult to cope with grief. I'm joined by the CEO of The Compassionate Friends, Alex Hamilton.

On today's podcast, host John Deeks speaks with sleep guru Dr Moira Junge, CEO of the Sleep Health Foundation. Hopefully, that means we're all going to get a better night's sleep!

Australians love property investment, and for good reason. On today's podcast, host John Deeks is chatting with Andrew Wilson, principal and wealth management specialist at Pitcher Partners Sydney.

Five million older and vulnerable Australians now have access to a new and more effective shingles vaccine. On today's podcast, host John Deeks is joined by leading expert in geriatric medicine Associate Professor Michael Woodward, who is raising awareness about how painful and debilitating shingles can be.

Today, I'm joined by funeral celebrant Paul Daffey, who explains the roles of funeral directors and celebrants and how he navigates the emotions of a funeral.

Welcome to the YourLifeChoices podcast. Today, host John Deeks chats with motoring expert Paul Murrell – the man responsible for seniordriveraus.com, which has the motto, ‘car advice for people whose age and IQ are both over 50'. He shares tips for buying a car later in life, how to save on insurance and tells whether the petrol you put in your tank is the same quality at every service station. All that and more.

In between when you woke up this morning and when you go to sleep tonight, 57 Australian women and men will be told they have breast cancer. The same will happen tomorrow, and the next day, making breast cancer the most common cancer affecting Australian women and, to a lesser degree, men. Breast Cancer Network Australia is a not-for-profit organisation on the front line of support for those affected by breast cancer. But the news is not all bad as Kirstin Pilatti the CEO of The Breast Cancer Network Australia explains on today's YourLifeChoices podcast.

Here's a statistic that might surprise you. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, stroke kills more women than breast cancer and more men than prostate cancer. The financial cost of stroke in Australia is estimated to be $5 billion each year. Heidi Victoria is a professional photographer and former politician, but the rough-and-tumble of political life was nothing like the challenge she faced when struck down by a stroke. Heidi joins John Deeks not only to tell her story of recovery, but also to better explain strokes and bust some myths. Make the time to listen – it might just save a life, maybe even yours.

Dr Brett Lillie joins me on today's podcast to explain why you're never too old to feel better about yourself. He outlines the 10-step process to get moving, change behaviours and reap the benefits.

Loneliness, regret, fear and depression are all too common in today's society, in fact, a recent survey has shown 10–15 per cent of older Australian adults experience anxiety or depression, but new research from Swinburne University has what they believe is a pathway  to alleviating mental suffering in the elderly. Lead author Dr John Fallon says effective life review therapy or dignity therapy could help protect older adults from advancing to mental illness. So what is dignity therapy and how might it help inspire the lives of older adults Click on today's podcast as we join DrJohn Fallon to explore this this exciting groundbreaking research and its findings.

Financial planning and aged care planning are crucial. So on today's podcast, financial adviser Bill Savellis, from Olive Grove Financial Advice, shares his professional and personal experience having navigated the aged care system for both parents.

Humans are social beings and for the most part we like one-on-one interaction. But in today's busy world, social contact can be elusive.

Consider this shocking statistic: 25 per cent of mature-aged people in Australia report age discrimination and, no matter their level of experience, it can take up to twice as long to find a job. At YourLifeChoices, we're determined to call out ageism. Today's podcast guest is Hunter Leonard, the managing director of Silver & Wise. He tells why older Australians often struggle to find suitable employment.

Amanda is the author of Financially Fit Women and founder of Endurance Financial. She is driven to support women to have a great relationship with money and own their own financial success. And she has had more than her share of challenges in life.

It's well known that pets can enrich lives and help the owners lead more active lives. Sadly, there's a painful absence of official support for pet owners when they need to go into care. I chat with Trish Innes, the CEO of the Companion Animal Network, and Sam Jewel, the CEO of LifeView Residential Care, to find out first hand the importance of pets in aged-care facilities.

The award-winning journalist and corporate communications guru joins us today to share an inside view of the widespread and insidious nature of ageism.

In this episode we examine cost of living pressures affecting thousands of older Australians and their carers. Findings of the recently published State of the Older Nation report has uncovered a concerning reality faced by carers and sheds light on the hidden toll experienced by these dedicated individuals who provide essential care to their loved ones. To provide expert insight and discuss the implications today I'm joined by Council on the Ageing CEO Marika Kontellis. www.cota.org.au

It's a sad fact that one in five Australians suffer chronic pain and on this episode, psychologist Peter Quarry brings us some ground breaking news when it comes to management of pain.

Aussies are in love with cruising and if you are looking for the best information on how to go, where to go and what NOT to do, tipsfortravellers.com is absolutely the best!