Donald Trump doesn't take holidays. Don't be like Donald.
My watercooler column for this week:
My column this week on why the pension is more valuable than we realise. Those losing the part pension in January will need to increase risk or they'll be worse off than less wealthy households who still get the pension. Lots of maths and spreasheets and consulting with experts to produce this one!
My column this week on refinancing our mortgage, and why it's worth the hassle.
This looks like an amazing opportunity for a writer interested in science. Charlotte Wood is just finishing up and the university is looking for applications for next year. http://www.smh.com.au/…/art-meets-science-charlotte-wood-on…
The column I wrote about sport two weeks ago was probably the most controversial thing I've ever written. I got hundreds of social media comments (mostly unflattering), dozens of emails (mostly supportive), and did two radio interviews. Unbeknownst to me, apparently the story was also picked up by Richard Glover and Virginia Trioli on their programs.
Today we've published my second column on our lives at work. This one is on why bosses shouldn't care where and when you work unless the job truly requires set working hours. Agree or disagree, please let me know what you think, and share your stories.
My column for this week is inspired by the Stephanie Alexander in conversation with Annabel Crabb event organised by Better Read Than Dead on Friday night.
It was at Camperdown Commons, which is a lovely transformation of the old Camperdown Bowling Club into an urban farm Pocket City Farms, restaurant Acre Eatery and community space.
Cool competition from Australian Writers' Centre and Microsoft.
Bring your creativity to the Surface - and win your own Surface Pro 4! We'd like to invite you to unleash your creativity in an exciting new competition running... throughout November 2016.
Creativity can reveal itself in many ways – whether it’s writing a compelling novel, taking a mesmerising photo or producing a piece of art. And we’re all about giving you the right tools to help make it happen.
Lately we’ve been sharing some great tips on how you can do that with the ultrathin, powerful and versatile Microsoft Surface. And now we want YOU to bring your creativity to the Surface – for the chance to win your very own Surface Pro 4!
Specifically, this is the Surface Pro 4 i7 512/16GB RRP AU $2799.
HOW TO ENTER
This is the fun part. Right here, tell us how a Surface Pro 4 would help YOU get creative on your next project by completing this sentence: “A Surface would help me create…”.
Be sure to follow the rules below:
1. Your entry should be maximum 25 words. This includes those first six above (and make sure you DO include them in your entry!).
2. Add #SurfaceLife to the end of your message. (This is not included in your word count.)
3. You can use just words, a picture or both!
4. Post your entry in the comments of this post AND share the post about the competition.
This competition is open to Australian residents only. Entries open Monday 31 October. You can enter as many times as you like before 5pm Wednesday 30 November (Sydney time), and the entry we think answers the spirit of the competition (think “creativity”!) best will WIN the Microsoft Surface Pro 4. The winner will be announced Tuesday 13 December 2016.
GOOD LUCK and happy creating!
My column is for all the shopaholics out there. Tips from a wardrobe consultant to improve your clothes collection by spending less money, plus advice on how to overcome actual shopping addiction. #retailtherapy
Getting lots of messages of support for my column on sport - like this one (published with permission).
My new column for the The Sydney Morning Herald. Hopefully a regular spot on the world of people and work, water cooler conversations and work-life balance.
feeling proud.This is undoubtedly a fascinating article in its own right, full of cracking insights about the bard and the writing process. I'm especially chuffed because I happen to be married to the clever clogs who figured this out. Go Jack!
It was weird coming into the office on Thursday to write about the US election and money markets, when there are clearly so many other dimensions to a Trump presidency other than what it means to our hip pocket. But I'm happy with the result - I think I managed to write something both meaningful and useful. I hope you agree.
My column this week: A natural Christmas tree is better than an artificial tree in almost every way.
My colleague Jessica Irvine just sent me this 2001 speech by economist Ken Henry. It's pretty interesting especially in light of my recent column on native forests.
Sometimes if you read the right thing at the right time, it can resonate deeply, and so it is with Jane Caro's Good Weekend column this week. Focus on inputs, and let outcomes take care of themselves. Control what you can, and don't worry about what you can't. She gives a few examples in the column, but really it applies to everything in life.
