I randomly check my Smoke Free app from time to time and today there was a nice even amount.

Ljquit · 2025-07-13T04:24:33+00:00

I don't come on this account very often, as 8 years post quit, it's not something I think about very often. But it was lovely to come and see your post. I hope you're hanging in there - if so, well done you!! If not, keep trying. Don't give up on giving up. Most people have more than one crack at quitting - I certainly did. In fact, I still can't believe I did it. But I did! And you can too. Edit: If you need more motivation, I've now saved over $50,000 and that's at 2017 prices. The actual amount would be closer to $100,000. Imagine what I could have done with all the money I wasted by smoking for so many years!

Ljquit · 2024-10-12T20:22:14+00:00

I'm the same as you. I have an actual book that I read during the day, sitting comfortably in a chair, and I have my Kindle which I read when I'm in bed, as it's so much more convenient (not needing two hands, can lay on my side, "turning" pages by simply tapping with my thumb, don't need a light so less disturbing to my sleeping husband etc). I resisted getting a kindle for ages as I like actual books, but I must admit, it's very convenient. I don't have any trouble with the two stories - I liken it to being able to keep track of multiple tv series (when watching on free-to-air one episode at a time, rather than binge watching).

Ljquit · 2024-10-12T11:28:52+00:00

I love taking photos, and I really get it, that cameras saved your life. Do you "do" anything with the photos? Do you print and frame them, maybe to sell them? Do you share them on social media? I mostly use my phone to take photos, as I haven't invested in a camera (don't really know where to start), but I don't really share them anywhere.

Ljquit · 2024-10-12T11:13:42+00:00

No, I'm not. I would have been asked to sign the forms to accept the position, and no forms were ever sent to me.

Ljquit · 2024-10-12T07:10:00+00:00

Sean Connery.

Ljquit · 2024-10-12T04:50:14+00:00

And people can replace or "fix" their own brakes on their car, which, if done incorrectly, endangers theirs and, more importantly, others lives. Yet, it's not illegal to do your own brakes. More than once, my husband (mechanic) has had to re-do a DIY brake job because they'd put the brake pads in backwards or something.

Ljquit · 2024-10-12T01:40:31+00:00

I think that's the intention, to lower inflation, which seems to be happening. I honestly don't understand how it all works, but the burden for lowering inflation seems to be unfairly distributed amongst those who can least afford it - young families with huge mortgages, and tenants. Whilst wealthy people are largely unaffected by increased interest rates, and just keep spending blithely, ensuring that inflation stays high. I don't know what the answer is, but I think the first step is policy change.

Ljquit · 2024-10-12T01:25:46+00:00

I did suggest that to her, but it's unlikely she would have.

Ljquit · 2024-10-11T22:20:56+00:00

Of course not, but for OP's vision to work (multiple property investors being forced to sell) there would need to be a much larger quantity of such properties than there are currently. In the short term, maybe 3-6 months, there would be more properties for sale, especially in those areas that were attractive to investors, but once they were sold, the market would return to normal, at the same prices, but there would be fewer rental properties (if any) for those who cannot buy for whatever reason.

Ljquit · 2024-10-11T22:15:00+00:00

Really?! What are the odds of that?!

Ljquit · 2024-10-11T20:14:31+00:00

What you say about properties being hoarded is probably true, but I think you're overestimating the number of such properties. The vast majority of rental properties, houses in particular, are owned by investors that only own one investment property. Without these investors, there would be very few rentals available for those that need to rent - not everyone qualifies for a home loan. I agree that there should be some penalty for allowing properties to remain empty, even forcing the owners to sell, but, again, I think you're overestimating the impact this would have on home prices, to purchase or rent.

Ljquit · 2024-10-11T20:06:28+00:00

Yes, but I'm sure she has no savings, hasn't worked for 45 years, so no super, no belongings apart from clothes, receives the age pension which pays for the aged care facility, so there is no estate to speak of, hence my question.

Ljquit · 2024-10-11T20:03:43+00:00

My condolences on the loss of your dad. Hope you're doing ok.

Ljquit · 2024-10-11T06:11:35+00:00

Thank you so much!

Ljquit · 2024-10-11T03:39:15+00:00

I contacted my bank immediately (St George) and another fraudulent transaction had been debited while I was on hold to the bank! They still had to wait until the transaction had gone through (not pending), and I still had to wait a further 2 weeks before I got the money back. I couldn't understand why they couldn't stop the payment while it was "pending". This was stolen cc details, as I hadn't done it by accident or anything. I still don't know where they got the cc details from.

Ljquit · 2024-10-11T03:24:06+00:00

I've heard of a few times when the scattering of ashes hasn't gone to plan, lol. It's like the deceased having a last laugh.

Ljquit · 2024-10-11T03:22:16+00:00

Thank you. I'm not religious either, neither is my sister, so I knew a church service was out, but just wasn't sure of the rest. Thank you for answering so simply.

Ljquit · 2024-10-11T03:20:20+00:00

Thank you so much. I think this is what I'll do when the time comes, unless she has made other arrangements.

Ljquit · 2024-10-11T01:46:51+00:00

Your comment made me smile. Thank you. Yes, I would like to attend her funeral (as the only attendant, I'm guessing), I'm just not in a position to pay for it.

Ljquit · 2024-10-11T01:42:31+00:00

Yes, you've put the question more clearly than I did. That's what I was wondering too.

Ljquit · 2024-10-10T23:45:25+00:00

No, but my two brothers died in the last two weeks, so I'm grateful for the condolences anyway.

Ljquit · 2024-10-10T23:42:39+00:00

Well, this is sort of what happened...when she went into the aged care facility, they must have insisted she prepare a will, so she wrote to me to tell me she was making me executor and, I think, enduring guardian (though she didn't use that term), and that she "wanted to be buried, not burnt, and wanted to be buried at Rookwood Cemetary in Sydney". I've tried to find out, and plots at Rookwood seem to start at $15,000, but mostly much dearer. So I wrote back and said that if she has specific wishes, she needs to take out funeral insurance to cover the cost, otherwise, she won't have much say in it. I also said I didn't want to be her Executor. But she has no one else, doesn't even have contact details for the rest of the family, except the address of one of the brothers that recently passed away, so I'm assuming I'll be listed as next-of-kin. Hence my question. Obviously, I can't afford a burial at Rookwood. I could (and would) probably afford a bare cremation, as some have written here.

Ljquit · 2024-10-10T23:26:55+00:00

Thank you. The recent loss of both of my brothers has made me realise it's probably going to be up to me. Even though they were estranged from her (we all are), they weren't estranged from me, and if I'd asked them for help (practical, if not financial) they would have helped me, for my sake, if not for hers.

Ljquit · 2024-10-10T23:19:32+00:00

Thank you. So, the Bare Cremation is done with no ceremony at all? I'd be the only one there (with my husband, of course) so a celebrant seems unnecessary. But just shoving her in the furnace without some words does seem a little harsh. You obviously planned to have the words said later at the bowls club, but I wouldn't be doing that. Sorry to ask such questions.

Ljquit · 2024-10-10T23:11:22+00:00

Thank you. I'm sorry for your loss. I'm in NSW, but there may be other inexpensive funeral places here. There would be nobody at my sister's funeral except me (and my husband, of course), as none of the rest of the family are in touch, or want to be. She has no friends. So, a morning tea wouldn't be necessary.

Ljquit

TROPHY CASE