By India Lopez
Editorial & Production Manager
This is the first Consumer magazine I’ve worked on from start to finish since I came on board as editor in April, and let me tell you – it’s been an eye-opener. Here are just some of the things my brilliant colleagues have taught me over the past few months.
1. Good lighting can be life-changing as you get older
For our lead story, Vanessa Pratley and Bryan Wall present a room-by-room guide to upgrading your home so you can stay in it safely and comfortably for longer.
One of the experts Vanessa consulted was lighting specialist Ali McGraw, who describes the impact of lighting on older people’s daily lives: “I’ve met people who are in tears because their lighting’s so bad that they can no longer see to cook their own food.”
While Vanessa focuses on more substantial home upgrades, Bryan offers up 10 instant fixes – clever products that make home life that little bit easier, with no tradie installation required.
2. AI is partly to blame for the surge in laptop and phone prices
Hats off to Nick Gelling for not rolling his eyes when I gave him feedback on his first draft of this article. He’d done a deep-dive on “RAMageddon”, the current global shortage of computer memory … but, being a tech expert himself, he hadn’t thought to explain what RAM actually was.
“But how can memory run out? Isn’t it infinite?” I asked foolishly. In the published story, he answers my questions and describes exactly how the tech industry found itself in this predicament – and what it means for consumers.
3. You don’t have to cash out your whole KiwiSaver fund at once
It’s been almost 20 years since KiwiSaver began, but many of us – including me, until I read this article – are still hazy on what happens to those savings once we reach 65. Enter research lead Rebecca Styles, ready to dispel some common KiwiSaver myths.
Rebecca consulted Tom Hartmann, of Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission, who shares four possible approaches to drawing down your KiwiSaver, depending on your priorities and circumstances. She also spoke to two Consumer NZ members who’ve made their KiwiSaver funds work for them, in very different ways. I loved reading their stories.
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4. Bidet owners really, really like their bidets
It’s another Vanessa–Bryan collab! She demystifies bidets (those bathroom add-ons that let you clean yourself with a stream of water instead of just toilet paper), and he shares his first-hand experience as a proud bidet owner.
Types of bidets, installation costs, hygiene matters and exactly how to use one without shooting water up your back – our fearless journos leave nothing to the imagination.
5. You don’t have to look far to find good talent
The couple radiating joy on the cover? Those are my parents, Jan and Rudy. It was their first professional photoshoot, but they were absolute naturals – and yes, my dad’s back and knees survived all the piggybacking.
My six-year-old son also tagged along on the day, and he and I cheekily jumped into one of the photos you’ll find inside the magazine.
Don’t miss out on your copy!
If you don’t have an Online + Magazine membership, sign up now to get Consumer in your mailbox at the start of September. You’ll also find it on newsstands from mid-month onwards.
