There’s something deeply satisfying about finding a good deal, isn’t there? Maybe it’s the thrill of the hunt, or perhaps it’s that smug feeling you get when you know you’re paying less than everyone else for the same service. Whatever it is, I found myself completely absorbed in a recent discussion about mobile phone plans that someone had shared - a comprehensive spreadsheet comparing all the cheapest Optus reseller plans.

The End of Financial Year sales are upon us again, and retailers are already rolling out their deals. While my inbox is flooded with countless “unmissable offers,” I’ve learned over the years that not all EOFY deals are created equal. Some require the investigative skills of a detective to uncover the real value.

Take the current Optus iPhone deal that’s creating quite a buzz. At first glance, it sounds incredible - an iPhone 16 Pro for $400? However, diving into the details reveals a more complex story. The deal actually offers a $1,187 credit towards an iPhone 16, but it comes with strings attached: a 24-month plan commitment and potential cancellation fees. This perfectly illustrates why we need to read beyond the headlines when deal hunting.

Remember when buying a mattress meant spending your Saturday afternoon awkwardly lying down in a showroom while a hovering salesperson watched your every move? Those days might be behind us, thanks to the mattress-in-a-box revolution that’s been flooding our social media feeds lately.

The concept seemed ridiculous at first - how could anyone possibly compress a decent mattress into a box? Yet here we are, with dozens of companies promising the perfect night’s sleep delivered straight to your door. The convenience factor is undeniable, especially when you live in a third-floor apartment off Brunswick Street with no elevator.

The internet never fails to provide fascinating glimpses into the everyday struggles of rental living. Today’s hot topic? A wooden toilet seat that looks like it’s been around since the dawn of indoor plumbing. The photos making rounds online show a wooden toilet seat that’s clearly seen better days - perhaps during the Hawke era.

Living in rental properties often means dealing with landlords who have interesting interpretations of what constitutes “acceptable condition.” Looking at this particular specimen, with its deteriorating finish and mysterious blue-green patina, brings back memories of my first rental in Carlton. The property manager tried to convince me that the 1970s kitchen appliances had “character.” Sure, if by character you mean potentially lethal.