that's life

So why, you may ask, is there a picture of American billionaires Bill and Melinda Gates on this page? Well, when I came to write my letter this week, I realised my photo is on the opposite page, and one photo of me is more than enough! So I thought a

Thank you that’s life! for my gift card prize I won! Chris Scanlan, Blaxland, NSW My daughter Remy, 13, was pretty happy with the bream she caught recently, and was thrilled to release it as well. Andrea Lems, Ballina, NSW Walter our Spood

Dragging the washing basket into the yard, I paused to catch my breath. You can do this, I told myself. But after pegging just one dress on the line, I was utterly exhausted and needed another break. I’d been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF) at s

My mum, Julie, 50, teared up as she cuddled my baby son, Ashton. ‘He’s beautiful, darl’,’ she said. Aged 27, I’d just given birth to my first bub and Mum had held my hand through it all. ‘I’m so happy you’re here,’ I told her. Growing up, Mum was lov

I remember the first time I met Merle like it was yesterday. In fact, it was 1968. Aged 26, I was working in the Army Reserves and, on one of my weekends off, I’d bought tickets for myself and another young lady to attend a local dance. But, on the

Some people have been creatively busy this year. ABC Radio Sydney hosted a Household Lockdown Portrait competition, with listeners asked to use everyday objects to re-create some of the world’s most famous artworks. Karen Vincent Spencer’s daughter E

Each week we bring you the cutest pets from Instagram! What happened to the frog whose car broke down? He had to be toad! Hermione, a miniature dachshund, will forever be our baby! Janine Gallacher, Echuca, Vic My two-year-old tabby, Twitc

If you look at the two pictures, we’ve made a change to the second picture. When you have found the change, write the number of the quadrant in which the change occurs on the puzzle entry coupon on page 44 for your chance to win. Turn to entry coupo

You are invited to Hachette Australia’s Books & Bubbles, a free series of virtual events with the country’s favourite authors. Bring your own beverage, and log on from the comfort of your home, when that’s life! editor, Linda Smith, sits down to ch

True crime fiction rarely has such a fascinating and somehow relatable main character, but I was enthralled by journalist Erin Sloane from the first few pages. I Shot the Devil follows Erin’s story after she’s called back to her hometown of Southpo

I recently got a bit of a promotion at work which came with a modest pay rise. I’m super excited about the recognition and new challenge. The trouble is, I’m feeling concerned about telling my best friend as she often seems jealous of any good news I

Toothpaste can help to quickly take the itch out of a bug bite. Melissa Alfonso, Birdwood, SA Cut old sponges into small cubes and combine them with your soil mix when potting plants. The cubes add bulk and help retain moisture for the plants.

¦ Old newspapers can be used as wrapping paper, adding a nice vintage touch to any present. ¦ When packing away fragile items to store, wrap with newspaper for extra protection. ¦ For a wood-burning stove or when setting a bonfire, use newspaper as a

When staff working at the Cape Wildlife Center in Massachusetts noticed a wild goose in a nearby pond was limping, they brought him to their clinic. There, they found that the goose, named Arnold by staff, had a fractured foot and required surgery.

Dressed in matching white, my daughter Latisha, 18, and I headed to the bar for a drink. Together with my husband, Jonathan, then 38, and our daughter, Déjà, 10, we’d gathered with our closest friends and family to celebrate Latisha’s special birthda

When I was younger, it was a little bit annoying that my mum would be mistaken for my sister but I’ve learned to love it. My favourite time was at my 18th, when Mum was asked for her ID multiple times as I’m sure they thought it was her party. I’

My name‘s Sam and I’m an average Aussie mum determined to uncover every money-saving, budget-friendly tip I can. Each week, I’ll share them with you, so that your family – and mine – can get into the best financial shape of our lives! And if you ha

Julie Crimp from Feilding in New Zealand recently emailed with her tip for boosting her savings account. Julie’s job often allows her to take on extra shifts. If I do anything above my set hours, I transfer that money from the extra shifts into a

We often think of fingernails as something to be painted and decorated. But did you know they can also be an indicator of your health? ‘There are a multitude of nail disorders with dozens of causes,’ Sydney-based GP Dr Jillian Forer says. It’s im

While tomatoes lose some of their vitamin C during the cooking process, they increase their amount of lycopene – a powerful antioxidant which is believed to have protective benefits against heart disease and cancer. 24 The average person has this m

The much-loved tradition of blowing out candles on a cake may have a not-so-pleasant side. In one study, subjects were asked to blow out candles on fake birthday cakes straight after they’d eaten a pizza. The frosting that got blown on had an average

While there’s no hard and fast rule, experts say you should change your towels after around three uses. To minimise the growth of bacteria, always let your towels dry after use, and wash them on a hot water cycle. ■

Hate doing the dishes? Here’s something to think about next time you’re at the sink. Doing the dishes by hand burns an average of about 26 calories. The average man burns around 100 calories during a steamy session between the sheets, while the numb

Q I sprained my back recently and have been struggling to get comfortable sitting at my desk when I’m at work. I saw my GP and he recommended some back exercises, but I’m worried I could make things worse. Aren’t you supposed to rest injured muscles?

Claire Eva, 35, Pingelly, WA Climbing out of bed one Sunday evening, my daughter Emma, three, padded up to me in the lounge, coughing noisily. ‘What’s wrong?’ I asked. ‘Sorry, Mummy,’ she sniffled. ‘I swallowed a coin.’ ‘How?’ her dad Rod, 41, ask

• Children can sometimes swallow things such as coins, small toys or beads. Most objects are harmless and pass through the body. • If your child has swallowed a magnet or button battery, call Triple Zero immediately. They can seriously harm the body

When New Zealand mum-to-be Eevee Vokins boarded a flight from Wairoa to Hawke’s Bay, she had no idea she was about to give birth. During the trip, Eevee started going into labour. Thankfully, the plane made its scheduled landing, but there was no tim