How to clean puffer jackets, Oodies, uggs and other tricky winter items

By Kellie Scott of the ABC Often these clothing items are an investment, especially when made from natural insulators like down and sheepskin. Photo: Unsplash While winter clothing items such as puffer jackets, Oodies, and ugg boots do a great job of keeping us warm, cleaning them is a little tricker than throwing into the … Read more

How to be a better listener

Asking multiple questions is a powerful listening tool, Jo Robertson says. Photo: Unsplash Listening is about trying to fully understand the other person’s position, not trying to assert your own, a therapist says. Effective listening is a muscle that must be developed, Auckland therapist Jo Robertson tells RNZ’s Nine to Noon. Being quiet for long … Read more

Still hungry after porridge? How to make it more filling

By Nicola Heath, ABC Add a scoop of protein powder, nut butter, or a handful of chopped nuts or seeds to boost your porridge. Photo: Unsplash When the weather turns cooler, many of us switch from cereal and smoothies to a warm bowl of porridge for breakfast. Porridge – or oatmeal, as it’s known in … Read more

Dai Henwood: On living with cancer and how to ‘squeeze every moment’ from life

Dai Henwood Photo: cr. Thievery It was almost a relief when his cancer diagnosis was classed as incurable, comedian Dai Henwood says. Prior to that, he was on a mission to be cured. “When there was this intent to cure, there was so much pressure on every scan, so much pressure on every blood test, … Read more

How to enter the property market without a First Home Grant

Photo: Supplied/ Dan Bailey The First Home Grant might be gone, but there are still options for people wanting to enter the property market, brokers say. The government has scrapped the grant, which could provide buyers up to $10,000 if they bought a new build, and says it plans to redirect the money to social … Read more

Open banking: How to opt in – and out – of the new payment system

The deadline for the country’s four major banks ANZ, ASB, BNZ and Westpac to be ready for secure payments through open banking is 30 May. Photo: RNZ / 123rf Open banking is a new way to pay for items online – but how does it work? From 30 May, New Zealand’s four major banks – … Read more

The supermarkets will try and make you spend more – how to beat them at their own game

Become a mindful shopper and don’t just go for the bottle of wine with the coolest label. Photo: Unsplash Huge screaming sale signs upon entry, bread and milk buried out the back, the classic allure of product placement and some feel-good music to keep you strolling the aisles longer – customers are getting pretty clever … Read more

Burnout recovery: ‘We don’t really know how to rest’, specialist says

Many of us are driven by productivity and do not take our own need for rest and recovery seriously, says clinical fatigue specialist Vincent Deary. (file image) Photo: 123rf.com When recovering from burnout it helps to prioritise doing whatever restores your spirit, says clinical fatigue specialist and “really skilful worrier” Vincent Deary. “I would encourage … Read more

How to find out if you have unclaimed money sitting with the IRD – and how to get your hands on it

Photo: 123RF IRD is holding millions of dollars in unclaimed funds. Like many people, this is probably news to you. But how do you know if some of it is yours and perhaps more importantly, how do you claim it? RNZ is here to clear it all up. Why have I not heard about this, … Read more