And now for a little me time
MONTHLY CHALLENGE
FIX YOUR FINANCES
by Lorna Gordon
If you need financial advice you would think about going to your accountant or a financial advisor for help, and you would be right to do so, finances can be tricky! However, there are things you can do to keep your finances in tip top shape for 2026, and you don’ t need a university degree to manage on your own.
Doing a mini audit on your own bank accounts can help you keep on top of your money, what you spend, where you spend it and how you can save yourself a few dollars here and there.
Set yourself about half an hour once a month to go through your statements. Before you look at your statements, think about your goals, are there specific things you want to save for, do you want to add money to your super or pay off your mortgage or loans if you have any? Do you need to start an emergency fund for unexpected costs? When you have an idea about these you can move onto the next step, checking your spending.
Chack all of your statements, are your credit card purchases correct or has something unexpected came up on your bill? Look at your day to day account and check for spending patterns, do you grab a coffee or buy lunch every day, do you get a lot of takeaway food, are there any spending habits that you could change to save money?
Check your subscriptions, are you using them all, are there any you can cancel to save money? A few unused subscriptions can add up over the course of a year, and it’ s money you could be saving.
If you don’ t have savings or an emergency account, consider setting one up and work out how much you can put into it each month, a few dollars a month will soon add up.
Check your insurance policies, health fund costs, superannuation, phone, internet, gas and electricity providers. Could they be working harder for you, or can you get a better deal elsewhere? Each time you do this you might make a few changes, put some money aside or cut back on spending. By looking at your money each month, you will become more in control of your spending, saving and habits and make your hard earned cash work for you. For help with bigger financial decisions, see a qualified financial advisor.
A quick check of your finances each month could save you money.
PODCASTS
MYSTERY MONDAYS
GIVEAWAYS
LAUGHTER TAKES CENTRE STAGE in Retired Laughing
BELROSE, CHATSWOOD & SUTHERLAND- FEBRUARY 2026
Silent Partner Creative Productions is delighted to announce the world premiere of a new comedy theatre show, Retired Laughing, opening on 17 February at Glen Street Theatre, Belrose then playing at The Concourse, Chatswood on 20 & 21 February
Retired Laughing is a hilarious revuestyle comedy for“ people of a certain age.” Packed with sketches, songs and jokes to resonate with the retired, the show brings together an all-star cast of veteran comedy performers: Kim Lewis( Sons and Daughters, Senior Moments), David Callan( Theatresports, Senior Moments), Nicola Parry( Thank God You’ re Here, Senior Moments), Terry Hansen( The
MOVIE TICKETS
HOW TO MAKE A KILLING In Cinemas March 5 Disowned at birth by his obscenely wealthy family, blue-collar Becket Redfellow( Glen Powell) will stop at nothing to reclaim his inheritance, no matter how many relatives stand in his way.
Children) and Daniel Cordeaux( Thank God You’ re Here, Theatresports).
Loaded with laughs, witty oneliners, and light-hearted lunacy, Retired Laughing is an absolute crowd pleaser for the slightly older crowd; 90 minutes of good clean fun, frivolity and foolishness for people who understand that growing older doesn’ t mean growing up! VENUE DETAILS & SHOW DATES Glen Street Theatre, Belrose 17-18 Feb 2pm & 7pm; The Concourse Theatre, Chatswood 20 – 21 Feb 2pm & 7.30pm; & The Pavilion Theatre, Sutherland 27 Feb 2pm & 7:30pm, 28 Feb 7.30pm. Prices: from $ 65. Tickets & Info available at www. retiredlaughing. com. au.
We have tickets to give away to the Chatswood shows. Tell us why you would like to see Retired Laughing and send it in an email to info @ hdinews. com. au put Retired Laughing in the Subject line and leave your name, address and phone number. Winner will be contacted by email / phone. by Lorna Gordon
I know there are lots of people who love a good true crime podcast, so here is one for you. Mystery Mondays started out on You Tube but has now moved over to be in a podcast format too. Host Bella Fiori dives in to the world of true crime to share stories of victims and their families.
Each week she looks at a different case or brings you an update on older cases which have since been solved. Unlike many of her contemporaries, Bella doesn’ t just look at crimes in the USA, she checks them out all over the world, included the recent case of Erin Patterson, which had all of Australia wondering about what her family were served for dinner.
There are cases about billionaire’ s, like Barry and Honey Sherman who were found dead at their mansion. Barry was one of Canada’ s wealthiest men, but also had a lot of enemies, including family members who held a grudge. This case is still to be solved, who do you think did it? Would a 14 year old kill their mother? The case of Michael Politte is one of the most hotly debated juvenile convictions in the USA in recent years.
These are just a few examples of the episodes you have to look forward to, with new ones dropping every Monday on your favourite streaming service.
Get a dose of True Crime each week.
COLD STORAGE In Cinemas March 12 When a highly contagious, mutating fungus escapes a sealed facility, two young employees – joined by a grizzled bioterror operative – must survive the wildest night shift ever to save humanity from extinction.
We have 15 Double passes to each movie to giveaway send us an email to info @ hdinews. com. au with the name of the movie you would like to see in the subject line and your name, address and phone number to go in the draw to win. All winners will be notified via email / phone.
14 ISSUE 128 // FEBRUARY 2026 theindependentmagazine. com. au THE HILLS INDEPENDENT