Innehållsförteckning för TAK2526 från Take 5

I’ve got a question for you! When was the last time you dared to venture into the bottom of your handbag? Not just the casual rummage for keys or lip balm – but a proper archaeological dig. I’m talking lint, loose Tic Tacs, rogue pens, and yes… loads of receipts. Faded, crumpled, mysterious. One dated 2019. One for a sandwich you don’t even remember eating. Well, this week, we’re here to tell you: those forgotten scraps of paper might just be worth something – and not just for wrapping chewing gum! In fact, one savvy sd aver in our issue, Amy, has turned old receipts into a clever little life hack that actually helps her pay her bills. She had the whole team here doing a purse sweep. And I…

My side hustles became my main hustle! Amy Coulston, 25, Sunshine Coast, Qld. Beeep, beeep, beeep! My phone alarm startled me awake, making me feel disoriented. It was 5am, and I wanted nothing more than to roll over and go back to sleep. But my mum, Leanne, tapped on my door. “Time to get up, you need to pick up your papers,” she chimed. “I know,” I groaned groggily. It was 2013, and aged 13, I’d just started my first-ever job delivering newspapers for a bit of pocket money. As a teen who prioritised sleep, the job didn’t last very long! I had a strong work ethic From a working class family, I was very aware money doesn’t grow on trees, and Mum and my dad, John, had instilled a…

On the evening of September 8, 1988, 20-year-old Janine Kerrie Balding walked through a car park at Sutherland railway station, unaware her life was about to be devastatingly cut short. Janine, a bank teller from Wagga Wagga, NSW, had recently become engaged to her fiancé, Steven Moran. The couple were planning their wedding for the following year. That day, she’d travelled into Sydney for work at the State Bank of New South Wales. She’d left her car at the station and returned around 6pm, where five young people were lurking – a group of homeless youths, some with criminal histories. Among them were Bronson Blessington, 14, Stephen ‘Shorty’ Jamieson, 22, Matthew Elliott, 16, Wayne Wilmot, 15, and Carol Arrow, 15. Earlier, at a shelter, Blessington chillingly suggested, “Why don’t we…

Lentil & cauliflower fattoush SERVES 4 PREP 15 MINS COOK 35 MINS 500g cauliflower, cut into florets, blanched 2 tsp ground cumin 2 Lebanese breads 400g can brown lentils, drained, rinsed 1 cup fresh parsley leaves 3 celery stalks, sliced 3 tomatoes, quartered 1 red onion, halved, thinly sliced 1 green capsicum, coarsely chopped 150g feta, cubed DRESSING 1 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp lemon juice 1 clove garlic, crushed 1 Line two oven trays with baking paper. Spray cauliflower with oil spray. Sprinkle with cumin. Arrange on one prepared tray. 2 Cook in a 200°C preheated oven for 15 mins until browned and tender. Spray bread with oil. Arrange on remaining tray. Cook for 8 mins or until crisp. Cool on tray (bread will firm). Break into pieces. 3…

I had no idea my pool playmate would turn into my lifelong love Carly Cooper, 25. Splashing in the pool during our family holiday, I noticed a woman walk over to my mum and ask if the sun lounger beside her was taken. “No, no, please sit down,” Mum replied warmly. Before long, they were chatting away like old friends. It was 2008, and I was eight years old, holidaying in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, with my mum, Jill, dad, Todd, and sister, Amanda, six. Eventually, Mum waved us over. “Girls, this is April,” she said. “And those two over there are her kids, Evan and Taylor.” Evan was my age, and Taylor was Amanda’s. We hit it off instantly, playing and laughing together in the pool like we’d known…

One minute I was flying high, and the next I was plummeting Agustina Barela, 31. As I watched a group of rowdy lads approach me and my friends at the bar, I groaned. “They’re coming over,” I said. “Just ignore them.” It was clear they had all had one too many drinks. It was 2012, and fortunately, after trying and failing to make conversation, the men took the hint and left us to enjoy our night. Later in the evening, however, I stepped out of the ladies’ room to find one of the men waiting for me. He seemed sober, unlike the rest. “I wanted to apologise for my mates,” he said. “They’ve all had a bit too much to drink.” “It’s okay,” I replied. We began chatting, and I…

SHEER RED Red has been front and centre of our fashion looks this year, so it’s no surprise to see it make an appearance on our nails. “Red this season is more whimsical and sheer with ‘popsicle’ shades trending, less opaque-cream and more of a translucent, lip-gloss-like finish,” says Oli. Essie Watermelon Nail Polish, $15.99; Kester Black Rouge Nail Polish, $22 COOL CHROME “Chrome has been a big trend in nails for a while now and shows no signs of slowing down,” says Oli. Shiny and subtle, it’s taking over the glazed-donut nails to “Make way for an injection of colour with rainbow chrome brights.” Opt for sleek silver and rose gold chromes to make your winter outfits look more sophisticated. Rimmel London 60 Seconds Super Shine Nail Polish in…

A game of cops and robbers turned deadly Alyssa Dubois, 25. I shoved dinner in the oven and grabbed my newborn, Ashton, settling on the sofa to breastfeed. “Mum, can we please go outside now?” my son Aceson, four, asked. “Not yet, sweetheart. Just give Mummy a minute to feed your brother and tidy up,” I replied, eyeing the mountain of laundry. It was 2024, and I was a mum of four beautiful children. They were full-on, especially when my partner, Nick, was at work. We’d raised them to love the outdoors, encouraging imagination and play over watching screens. “Let’s play cops and robbers,” my nine-year-old daughter Aliah, eight, suggested. “I’ll be the robber, and you two can be the cops,” Aceson grinned at her and our three-year-old, Abella. I…

Mexican fajita bowl SERVES 4 PREP 15 MINS COOK 37 MINS 4 flour tortillas 40g packet fajita spice mix ¼ cup olive oil 4 corn cobs, peeled 700g chicken breast fillets, cut crossways into 1cm thick strips 1 large red onion, cut into thin wedges 1 red capsicum, quartered, cut into 1cm-thick strips 1 yellow or green capsicum, quartered, cut into 1cm-thick strips 1 lime, juiced, plus wedges to serve 300ml sour cream 1 large avocado, coarsely mashed 3 tsp chipotle sauce Fresh coriander, to serve, optional 1 Spray both sides of the tortillas with olive oil. Cut into triangles. Place into a 7-litre air fryer basket. Air fry, in 2 batches (they don’t have to be in a single layer) on 200°C for 5-6mins, turning and shaking basket every…

CANCER June 22 -July 23 Don’t let dramas at work bring you down at the start of the week. This is a turnaround time for you. You have luck on your side, a breeze in your sails and before you know it, you’ll wonder what all the fuss was about. ★ Pressure now is making you stronger. JULY 3-9 LIBRA Sept 24 -Oct 23 People will be extra demanding now. It’s just something you need to get used to. You’re in a high pressure place for the next short while. The good news is the stars are on your side when it comes to whatever it is you want to achieve in your life. ★ Remember to aim high. LEO July 24 – Aug 23 You are actually entering a…

My ex betrayed me in the most disgusting way Jessica Smith, 31. Sipping on my cocktail, I blushed under my date’s gaze. “Stop staring,” I giggled. “You’re making me nervous.” “I just can’t get over how gorgeous you are,” Dillan said with a grin. It was 2022, and we were on a blind date set up by my friend. It was going better than I could have ever hoped. Not only was Dillan, 27, charming, he was cute, too. “I’d love to see you again,” he told me. “I’d like that, too,” I replied. Before long, we were officially a couple. I was on cloud nine. But one evening, after a few months together, Dillan and I returned to his place and, during a silly argument, he exploded. Grabbing a…

There are many reasons why you may be considering downsizing from your current home. Wanting a more manageable property, being closer to family, unlocking cash to fund retirement, travel or a lifestyle change, reducing exposure to natural disasters, a fresh start with a new partner… These are just some of the many factors that drive this decision. Nevertheless, there are some common dos and don’ts to consider in order to achieve your desired outcomes and safeguard your financial independence. DOWNSIZING DOs Ensure your downsizing experience is a smooth one with these tips: • Start early and plan meticulously. The more prepared you are, the better. This will help you determine the best time to sell, the sale price you can reasonably expect to achieve, and what you will ultimately walk…

People doubted our age gap relationship, but Nicky has been my rock Debbie Hancock, 55, Prospect Vale, Tas. I received a Facebook friend request from a woman named Nicky. Since we had mutual friends, I accepted it. How was your day? she asked in a private message. I chatted casually with this friendly stranger about our lives and mutual friends. Nicky lived in Devonport, Tas, while I was just a few hours away in George Town. After a few weeks of light conversation, Nicky sent a message that shocked me. Are you single? she asked. Why does she want to know that? I wondered. I clicked on her profile and burst out laughing. Nicky was short for Nickolas – she was a man! I’d been misled by his long hair…

Sticky date cake with butterscotch sauce SERVES 8 PREP 20 MINS COOK 1 HOUR 5 MINS 2 cups pitted dried dates, roughly chopped 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda 60g butter, softened ¾ cup caster sugar 2 eggs, lightly beaten 1 cup self-raising flour, sifted Double cream or ice-cream, to serve BUTTERSCOTCH SAUCE 1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar 300ml tub thickened cream 200g butter, chopped 1 Grease a deep 20cm round cake pan and line base and side with baking paper. 2 Combine dates and 325ml water in a medium saucepan. Bring to boil over a high heat. Remove from heat. Stir in bicarb. Set aside 10 mins. Transfer date mixture to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until a smooth paste forms. 3 In a large bowl,…

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