We save for so many things in our lives, so shouldn’t saving for retirement be part of our plans too? The great news is that Australians are in a better position than most in the world, thanks to our compulsory employer superannuation program that starts as soon as we begin paid employment. But if standard super contributions alone are not enough to give you the retirement lifestyle you’d like, it’s time to consider the next step. 6 best tips to save for retirement Putting away a bit of money for your retirement today, in addition to compulsory contributions, can have a big impact on your retirement balance in the future. But before you begin, the first thing is to understand your finances today. If it’s been a while since you’ve reviewed your household budget – or you don’t actually have one – take the time right now to get all your numbers together to see whether you’re on track to have the retirement you deserve. Remember, being...

SPICE UP YOUR LIFE WHILE YOU INDULGE IN TOGETHERNESS THIS FESTIVE SEASON WITH CHEF MATT CONQUEST’S ULTIMATE CHRISTMAS SHARE TABLE RECIPES. With his flair for creating memorable culinary moments, Chef Matt has crafted a menu designed to bring family and friends together. From a mouth-watering spiced brisket and a complementary Australian summer stone fruit-inspired salad, to providing you with inspiration for the stand-out panforte dessert on a sweet-treat platter, let Chef Matt’s dishes inspire your most delicious Christmas yet! Spiced Christmas Brisket with Pomegranate Glaze 2 kg brisket, ask your butcher for a flat cut piece 3 tsp ground cumin 3 tsp ground ginger 3 tsp paprika 1 tsp ground cloves 2 tsp ground allspice 2 tsp cracked black pepper 3 tsp sea salt 6 tbsp pomegranate molasses 8 sprigs of thyme, stripped leaves (save some to sprinkle over the served brisket) 8 tbsp olive oil 4 large carrots, halved 4 celery sticks, halved 6-8 golden shallot onions, peeled and left whole 500 ml of quality beef stock 2 tbsp plain flour ½ cup or 1 fresh pomegranate, seeds removed...

HO-HO-HOLD ON TO YOUR PARTY HATS! CHRISTMAS MAY BE THE TIME TO INDULGE, BUT IT DOESN’T MEAN OUR FITNESS ROUTINES CAN’T WORK AS HARD AS SANTA’S ELVES ON A CHRISTMAS EVE DEADLINE. Health and Lifestyle Coordinator Josh Kristenson shares his tips to keep fit, festive, and very much ‘sleighing it’ this holiday season. Deck the Halls...and your walks! Christmas lights can be the perfect excuse to get outside and go for an evening stroll. Grab your loved ones and head out for a holiday walk (or a ‘Santa Stroll’ if you will!). You’ll burn calories while soaking up all the festive cheer. Most local councils have a list of Christmas lights displays you can enjoy with the grandkids. Who knows, you might just find yourself singing along to a carol or two along the way! Rock around the Christmas tree Turn holiday decorating into a mini workout! Tasks like lugging boxes of ornaments and reaching high places to hang tinsel mean you can get your...

THE NORTH POLE IS BUZZING WITH EXCITEMENT, AND SANTA IS BUSY FINALISING HIS LIST. BUT THIS YEAR, HE’S ADDING A SPECIAL TWIST – HELPING GRANDPARENTS FIND JUST THE RIGHT GIFT! From tiny tots to tech-savvy teens, Living Gem's ultimate Christmas gift guide has something special for every kind of grandchild.While major stores have plenty of ‘safe toy’ options for children under five years old, this list focuses on the five-to-ten age group, where ‘surprise’ and ‘potion’ toys are all the rage! This year some of the hottest brands include Magic Mixies, Play-Doh, Heroes of Goo Jit Zu, VTech, and the ever-popular LEGO. Here are some top-selling choices for under the tree. Rainbocorns Eggzania Surprise The egg features 20 surprises to unveil, including the big one – a super-squishy plush cuddly toy. Surprises include wearable accessories and stickers. Our Generation Doll Popular dolls for children, with playsets and accessories also available separately. Zuru Smashers Dino Island Gold Treasure Hunt Find over 70 surprises when you smash or dig your...

Regular exercise, a healthy diet, and good sleep habits are vital for over 50s but most aren’t doing enough of it, according to the experts. The Australian Bureau of Statistics shows only one in three (33.4 percent) of people aged over 65 years old have met the latest physical activity guidelines. According to health and fitness coach, Josh Kristenson, that’s not good news. “Especially when you consider all the health conditions that can be prevented or managed with regular exercise,” he said. “These include heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, stroke, and high blood pressure – all chronic diseases that have increased risk of developing with age. “Even if you’re not naturally athletic, there are ways to keep fitness fun to get back into exercise if it’s something you’ve been neglecting, which is something we’re all guilty of at some point! “Overall fitness and reduced risk of disease are just some of the benefits. Exercise can boost your social connections and help you make friends too.” Josh...

More time to travel is one of the biggest benefits of reaching retirement age. In fact, two-thirds of all older Australians intend to go on a holiday within the next 12 months. And for those with an income over $100,000 to spend, that number shoots up to 88 percent, according to COTA’s 2023 State of the Older Nation report.   Cheap retirement travel tips For many retired Australians, a trip to Europe is the number one bucket list destination followed quickly by seeing more of our own country. The Australian Seniors 2022 Travel Trends Report says older Australians don’t mind budget destinations, but they weren’t afraid to splash out either. When you’re on a fixed income, is there a way to enjoy more holiday for your dollar? The answer is a resounding yes.   Look for free events Take the time to really research your destinations. You might be pleasantly surprised to discover how many fascinating things you can do that are absolutely free! Look for local festivals, markets...

When most people think of working out, they think specifically of a gym, weights, or running. But you can stay fit and active in a way that really doesn't feel like work. In fact, some of the best ways to get your body moving really can be found outdoors, where you can immerse yourself in nature or discover your surroundings while staying active, says health and fitness coach, Josh Kristenson. “Take a walk along the beach, for example,” he said. “Walking on sand naturally calls upon your legs, core, and balance. This is one workout that gives your whole body a workout without feeling like you're grinding it out on an exercise machine. “Plus, the sound of the waves and the fresh sea air lend a soothing and relaxing quality. Research even shows that being near water – ‘blue space’ – can help reduce anxiety and boost your mood. It's exercise without it feeling like exercise at all.” For those more inclined toward bushwalking,...

WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A RECIPE THAT’S HEARTY AND SUITABLE FOR ALL OCCASIONS, YOU CAN’T GO PAST STUFFED ROASTED PUMPKIN. “Stuffed roasted pumpkin is a beautiful and hearty meal; perfect as a dish for a special occasion or as a Christmas side dish to complement a big spread,” said Chef Matt Conquest. “It makes for an impressive centrepiece and is packed with savoury flavours and textures. This vegan dish is a delicious and wholesome meal. It is also hearty, festive, and can be easily switched up to suit your taste by using different grains, nuts, or vegetables!” Vegan-style Whole Roasted Pumpkin Serves 5-6 Ingredients 1 medium-sized pumpkin (or use 2 small sugar pie pumpkins for different fillings) 2 tbsp olive oil Salt and pepper, to taste For the Filling: 1 cup quinoa or white and wild rice, cooked 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed 1/2 cup dried cranberries or raisins 1/2 cup walnuts, pecans, pumpkin seeds or pistachios, roughly chopped 1 small red onion, diced 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 tsp ground cumin 1/2 tsp...

TAKING PART IN A MAJOR FUN RUN OR PHYSICALLY CHALLENGING EVENT INSPIRES MANY ACTIVE AND SPORTS-MINDED RESIDENTS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE BUT WHAT HAPPENS ONCE THE EVENT IS OVER? How do you think you would fare after the event wrapped up and what should you do to recover from all that extra training and competing Health and Lifestyle Coordinator Josh Kristenson has some great tips to put you back on the road to recovery after the competition is over. “The fun of competition lies in the thrill of the chase, but the days that follow may leave your body needing a little TLC,” said Josh. He said that recovery is not only essential to get you back to feeling like yourself, but also prepares you for the next exciting activity. The good news is Living Gems has some of the world's best recovery facilities to help you regenerate after a competition. One of the best recovery methods is to spend some time in the...

There’s more to explore in South East Queensland From ancient rain forests, stunning beaches to breathtaking mountains and incredible countryside, the south-east corner of Queensland (and northern New South Wales) has so much to offer. We’ve created a list of favourite destinations, each of which makes a comfortable day trip from Brisbane. However, why not pack up and make a real holiday of it? Make it a multi-day roadtrip north to Harvey Bay, west to Kingaroy, south to Stanthorpe and east to Byron Bay. Spend one day in each location or spend several to really soak up the atmosphere! Noosa This trendy destination is popular for good reason. Noosa is surrounded by stunning beaches, lakes, and the lush hinterland of Noosa National Park. And forget Florida in the USA, you can explore the only other everglades in the world. The Noosa everglades is home to an abundance of birdlife (and no alligators or crocodiles!). The region also boasts unique shopping and world-class dining experiences...

What type of retirement lifestyle would you like to have? What type of retirement lifestyle can you afford?  Those are the two big questions to answer when you’re looking forward to your retirement years.  But where on earth do you begin?  We’ve taken this big topic and broken it down so you can get a better understanding of subjects like:  Superannuation preservation age  Transition to retirement  The aged pension, and  Government incentives to encourage downsizing  It’s important to note that retirement is a big step, so it is wise to seek professional and legal advice before committing to any decision.  A little background on the Australian Superannuation Guarantee  Since 1 July 1992, Australia has had the Superannuation Guarantee, in which employers were obliged to make superannuation contributions on behalf of their employees' compulsory superannuation.   Since 1992 the Super Guarantee has risen from 3 percent to 11.5 percent as of 2024 – and as the percentage increased over the years, so too has the preservation age. Let’s take a...