• Shortly after we learned I was pregnant in 2014, we decided to get married.
• With the help of my mom and sister, our wedding was planned in just a few months.
• For $16,000, we had a wedding with 66 guests, and it was perfect for us.

Sam proposed in November 2014 on a stormy afternoon overlooking Port Phillip Bay in Melbourne, Australia. We'd been together for eight years and had unexpectedly found out I was pregnant just a few months before. Marriage had never been on my bucket list, but we knew we loved each other, and it seemed like the next logical step.

With the help of our loved ones, we organized a small wedding for only $16,000 in just a few months. It was perfect for us.

My mom and sister helped plan our wedding

I didn't want to look heavily pregnant in the wedding photos, so we set the date for January 3, 2015. At the time, I was working full-time as a journalist and navigating the first trimester of pregnancy, so my mom and sister (who was also my maid of honor) offered to organize the wedding for me. I was so grateful to have someone else take over.

They scouted out wedding venues on the Gold Coast, where I grew up and Sam and I met, and narrowed it down to three. I chose a beautiful vineyard with a chapel and wedding reception venue on-site.

We had a 66-person wedding for $16,000

My parents and my parents-in-law very kindly offered to split the wedding reception. My husband and I wanted to keep the cost down and make it more intimate, so we limited the guest list to 66 people. The reception cost $7,500.

I bought my own wedding dress, which I found in a boutique store in Melbourne for $1600. It was an A-line ivory dress with a sweetheart neckline, a long train, lace, and diamantes. On the big day, I felt a million dollars.

My parents and my husband paid for everything else, including the flowers, a carriage to the chapel (which made me feel like a princess), a photographer, a DJ, the cake, and wedding favors for the guests. All in all, the whole day cost $16,000.

A few things in particular made our wedding so much fun

One of the things that helped make our wedding such a success was that we ate dinner quite early, around 6 p.m., and kept the speeches short during mealtime. Neither my husband nor I particularly like being the center of attention, and I didn't want the evening to drag on with too much chatter about us.

For me, the most important thing was to be present and enjoy the big day. I didn't want to get bogged down in the details. I couldn't care less whether each Champagne glass had a bow on it or even what color the decorations were; I just wanted to enjoy the occasion.

I also pre-selected the music. We'd been to several weddings where the music didn't work, either because the DJ was playing obscure artists that only the bride and groom liked, or old-school tunes like the Time Warp that don't really resonate with our generation.

So, I gave our DJ a list of all the songs we wanted him to play, in order. People were carving up the dancefloor straight after the main meal and didn't stop until the venue kicked us out. It was a blast.

Overall, having a smaller wedding worked well for us, as it meant that we were surrounded by our nearest and dearest — mainly family, and a few close friends. The people who were there were the ones who mattered to us, and because it was a smaller crowd, we could really mingle with our guests. Many told us afterward that it was one of their favorite weddings, and though we may be biased, we couldn't agree more.

• We wanted to go to our friends' three-day wedding, but leaving our kids was going to be tough.
• We decided to rent an apartment big enough that my parents could come with us.
• They watched the kids while we went to the wedding events, and we all had a great time.

Parenting during the early years can be tricky, especially when your little one wants you and only you. Your social life often gets put on the back burner, and I struggled with this when I became a mom.

Last year, my husband and I were invited to our friends' three-day wedding on the Gold Coast, Australia, where my folks are based. These particular friends know how to throw an epic party, so we really wanted to be there to celebrate with them. My husband and I were also desperately in need of a little kid-free adult time, where we could let loose and reconnect with our younger selves again.

However, our youngest daughter was still quite clingy with me. Our older two kids were 5 and 9 at the time, so we knew they would be fine if they had a three-day sleepover at my parents' house, but the 2-year-old wouldn't hear of it.

In the lead-up to the wedding, my husband and I deliberated about what to do. Hiring a babysitter around the clock was out of the question, and it was going to be hard for my mom and dad to have the three kids at their place, which was about a half-hour drive from the wedding. So, my husband came up with a plan.

My mom and dad came with us to watch the kids

"Why don't we pay for your mom and dad to stay around the corner from the wedding?" he asked one night over dinner. It sounded like a good idea to me, so I asked my folks if they would mind, and they said they'd love to. After all, who doesn't want a mini-break in an apartment on the beach (even with three little kids to entertain)?

We rented the most perfect three-bedroom apartment with enough room for all seven of us so my parents could stay and watch the kids while we went to the wedding events. It had views of the Gold Coast and the occasional migrating humpback whale cruising past. There was a playground close to our apartment, and it was a short walk to the local shops. Best of all, the hotel where the wedding guests were staying was a two-minute walk away.

When the big day arrived and we checked in, the kids were so excited about the setting, they barely registered it that night when it was time for my husband and me to slip out to attend the first wedding event — a cocktail party.

We got glammed up, enjoyed a few drinks, and then returned to the apartment to kiss the kids goodnight before continuing the festivities. It was perfect.

The next day was the day of the actual wedding. We spent the morning with the kids and my folks on the beach, then walked two minutes down the road to the bus stop, where transport was waiting to take us to a picturesque wedding venue in the next suburb.

It was the perfect arrangement, and we all had a good time

We had the most amazing time at the wedding and loved that we were still close enough to go back to the apartment in a taxi if the kids needed us. Luckily, they didn't — they were having too much fun with Nana and Pop.

The third day was a recovery day. We had a boozy brunch at a local surf club, and then that night, we headed back to the same venue where the welcome cocktail party was held for impromptu post-wedding drinks with our friends. We had a ball and crept into the apartment at 3 a.m. feeling like two naughty 20-somethings.

Overall, paying for a larger apartment so our parents could stay with us and babysit while we attended our friends' wedding worked amazingly well. It meant we had people we trusted watching our kids, and the kids felt safe being with their grandparents, so they didn't need us.

We all ended up having an incredible three days. Mom and Dad made memories with the kids, while my husband and I danced and frolicked and felt like we were in our 20s again.

• I didn't have many toys growing up, but I had a happy childhood.
• My parents took my son out for his birthday instead of getting him a toy, and he loved it.
• Now, all of my kids want experiences instead of toys, and I'm so glad.

Growing up, my parents never had much money. I was the youngest of four kids, and both my parents worked hard to support us.

As a little girl, I only ever had one teddy bear and very few toys. The teddy bear came everywhere with me. I think that because I didn't have a million different things to play with, I really treasured what I did have.

To be clear, I never felt like I missed out on anything as a child. In fact, my childhood was an extremely happy one, full of laughter, love, and wonderful memories, thanks to my mom and dad. They always valued experiences over material possessions, and I think that lesson held me in good stead as I grew older.

I wanted my kids to value experiences, but they quickly accumulated toys

When I first became a mother, I wanted to set the same example for my three kids. I wanted them to appreciate what they had and value experiences over "stuff." However, despite my best intentions when I first became a parent, things changed over time.

Year after year, they'd accumulate more and more toys at birthday parties and Christmas celebrations. But it wasn't just friends and family spoiling our kids. If I'm honest, my husband and I also got into the habit of trying to go bigger and better with each birthday that passed.

Now that our son is turning 10 and my daughters are 6 and 2, I'm embarrassed to say they have everything — or at least it feels that way. There are toyboxes laden with gadgets they never look at, unopened science sets and unbuilt Lego kits packed to the rafters in cupboards, mountain bikes and motorcycles, an Xbox, and a Nintendo. In all honesty, it makes me feel embarrassed just thinking about the materialism under our roof.

Recently, my mom asked me what to buy my son for his 10th birthday in May. "How about a new football?" she suggested, as he is a huge fan of the Australian Football League. "He has three, sorry Mom," I replied, feeling sheepish and deflated. "What about a new soccer ball, or a coin album?" He had all of those, too.

Finally, she made a winning suggestion. "It sounds like he has everything he needs, so how about Pop and I take him for a special day out?" she asked. I loved the idea.

My parents took my son out for his birthday and he loved it

So, when my folks visited us, they took my son and his friend on an all-day outing. They went bowling and had McDonald's; it was a massive treat for the boys, as we live in a small regional town in the country. They had to drive to the closest rural city, an hour away, which was all very exciting.

My son had the best day and kept raving about how much he enjoyed it. Afterward, he said he would rather have experiences than things for all of his birthdays moving forward. My 6-year-old daughter even piped up and said she would love an experience, too, for her birthday in December.

Research has shown that buying life experiences — like a meal out, a vacation, or going to the theater — rather than material possessions leads to greater happiness for both the consumer and those around them. I feel like my son's reaction is testament to that.

I've always preferred experiences over material possessions, and I'm so happy my kids have finally learned the value of making memories rather than accumulating stuff. Material possessions give you a quick hit, but they quickly lose their novelty. Meaningful experiences, on the other hand, create memories that last a lifetime and can be treasured and revisited in years to come.

• My husband and I have three kids, and in recent years, things have gotten more expensive.
• We've figured out ways to make our money stretch further for our family of five.
• I buy generic brands at the grocery store and we spend time outdoors for entertainment.

As a family of five, we have definitely felt the pinch in recent years. It feels like so many things are getting more expensive, including the cost of groceries, daycare, utility bills, insurance premiums, and more.

In order to make ends meet, we've had to make a few adjustments to our spending habits. Our lifestyle has definitely changed, but I wouldn't say that it's necessarily a bad thing. In fact, reining in our spending has meant that when we splurge on nice-to-haves, we appreciate them more.

Here are the tweaks we've made that have worked for us.

I meal plan and buy generic brand groceries

I try to meal plan as much as possible in such a way where we're using up all the ingredients we buy. For example, if I buy sour cream for a Mexican dish, I use the rest up up in a dessert as well, rather than letting it go bad.

I don't let anything go to waste at home. If vegetables are starting to wilt or go soft, I throw them in a soup or stew. If meat is about to turn bad, I freeze it and use it later in the month.

I've always been a thrifty shopper, but I am even more budget-conscious nowadays. I buy the generic brands and check what's cheapest according to the unit price at the grocery store. Sometimes, I'll buy in bulk if it means saving money per unit and it's something we'll use up eventually.

We also eat what's in season or on special. If blueberries are $8 a basket and apples are $2 a pound, apples it is.

We rarely eat out at restaurants

When we only had one child, my husband and I used to love eating out. We ate out once or twice a week, but now that we're a family of five, it's just too expensive.

We probably only eat out at a restaurant once every few months now. Often, we'll make it a date night and leave the kids at home, so that my husband and I can enjoy the outing in peace (and it's also cheaper that way).

Funnily enough, I don't miss going out to restaurants at all. Not only are we saving money, but we're also eating more wholesome, home-cooked food. When we do eat out, it feels like a real treat, too.

We cut back on subscriptions and spend our free time outside or with friends

Three years ago, we moved to Bright in regional Victoria, Australia. Living in the country, we had to get better at making our own fun and discovered that free entertainment is actually a joy.

Nowadays, most of our weekends are jam-packed with picnics and nature walks, bike rides and dinners at friends' houses, or friends coming over to ours. We also invest in quality "toys" that will last the distance and provide entertainment in years to come. For example, all of us have mountain bikes that we ride most weeks.

One of my favorite hobbies is reading, and to save money, I've started using the library rather than buying books. Libraries are such a great resource, even in a small town like ours.

We've also cut back on subscriptions we don't need, like streaming services.

I swap clothes with friends or buy secondhand

I used to love buying nice clothes, but my priorities have shifted. When I do buy something, I love buying secondhand. It's a great way to find quality clothing (sometimes even designer brands) for a fraction of the usual cost.

My friends and I lend each other clothes for special occasions in order to save money, and I also hosted a swap party with a bunch of my friends recently. Everyone brought clothes, jewellery, perfumes, and books they no longer wanted, and went home with a bag of goodies at the end of the night. It was a great way to reduce, reuse, and recycle.

Budgeting has been key, and every little bit adds up

Overall, adjusting our spending habits has helped us stay afloat during what has been a challenging time financially for many families. Having a clear understanding of where our money is going has been crucial, and has allowed us to identify areas to save. It's easy to forget that every little bit adds up, but it definitely does!

• I always wanted to be a journalist even though I knew it was a tough industry.
• I landed a full-time job right after graduating from college.
• Having work experience and realistic expectations helped.

Ever since I was a little girl, I wanted to be a print journalist. In high school, a few teachers tried to steer me in a different direction because getting a job in the media was so difficult even then, but I was determined to make it happen.

I studied for a double degree in journalism and business management and graduated in 2007. Despite the naysayers, I immediately landed a full-time cadetship job at a newspaper. I believe three things got me over the line.

I did as much work experience as possible

When I wasn't at university, I did as much work experience as I could. While my friends were busy enjoying their time off school by going to the beach or the movies, I was cutting my teeth in a newsroom. My degree required a minimum of one internship, but I wanted to do extras.

I often found it super intimidating and felt out of my depth, but I gained real-world experience that proved to be invaluable. Doing work experience meant that by the time I graduated and was out there looking for a job, I already had my byline published in multiple publications and a portfolio of work to show prospective employers.

In my one and only job interview, the chief of staff wasn't interested in my university grades. In fact, I don't think he even asked about them. He wanted to see examples of my published work. The work experience I'd done definitely paid off.

I persevered

Where I lived on the Gold Coast in Australia, there was only one daily newspaper, the Gold Coast Bulletin, and I was desperate to work for them.

Back then, there was a scholarship program that high school seniors could apply for. It was a four-year program alternating work and study, with a guaranteed position as a newspaper journalist upon completion. Successful candidates could study for their Bachelor of Journalism at Bond University and work as a paid cadet journalist at the Gold Coast Bulletin on a semester-on, semester-off basis. I applied, but I missed out.

Even though I was extremely disappointed, I didn't let it discourage me. They say that there are many pathways to the same destination, and it's so true. I went to university for four years, then reapplied for a job with the Gold Coast Bulletin in 2007.

When I called and asked the chief of staff if they had any work available, he said they didn't. I dropped off my résumé and portfolio anyway with reception. Later that afternoon, he called me back and said to come for an interview.

The chief of staff gave me a chance and offered me a position on the copy desk, which basically involved answering phones and writing about kids' sporting achievements. It opened a door, and I was grateful that my perseverance paid off.

I was realistic about having to work my way up

Though the copy desk wasn't exactly where I wanted to be, the newsroom was, and I knew that I had to start somewhere.

I'd also conceded that if I didn't land a job at the Gold Coast, I was willing to move elsewhere to get started in a career in journalism. I think that being flexible and having realistic expectations about working your way up to where you want to be is really important as a graduate.

I ended up working at the Gold Coast Bulletin for three years, then traveling and working odd jobs while overseas. I returned to a newsroom as a print journalist in Melbourne in 2014, and then in 2015, I started my own copywriting business. Nowadays, I work from home and write freelance parenting, travel, and lifestyle articles for a range of publications. I still love my work.

I always tell my kids to reach for the stars and follow their dreams, even if they seem difficult to achieve. I did, and I never looked back.

• I used to try to find activities to do with all three of my children but found it exhausting.
• Then, I started doing one-on-one outings with them and found we connected better.
• While we still spend time together as a family, taking them out individually is important.

For a long time, I used to try doing everything with my three children together. We'd all go to the movies or for a walk outside. The truth is, it was often a disaster. My children range in age from two to nine, so their needs are vastly different. They also have different ideas about what constitutes "fun." I found it exhausting, and it was never really enjoyable for any of us.

A friend who used to be our neighbor inspired me to take a different approach. I'd see her going out one-on-one with her son or doing things alone with just her and her daughter.

One day, I asked her about it, and she said she made a habit of spending special time with each child on their own doing the things they loved. She said she didn't expect all three of her kids to enjoy the same activities, and she felt it was important to recognize their individual interests and hobbies. It was a lightbulb moment; her words made so much sense to me.

Taking my kids out one-on-one helped us connect

So, after years of trying to make everyone enjoy the same outings, I decided to divide and conquer with my husband and occasionally take each kid out alone. When I did, it made a world of difference to our relationships.

Nowadays, I go on dates with my 6-year-old daughter to see films her brother may not enjoy, like "Snow White." Then we'll have a snack together and talk about the fashion on screen or the love story. I know that my 9-year-old son would cringe listening to our girly chats, but this way, he doesn't have to.

When it's time for a mother-son date, my older son and I will play pickleball or go on a two-hour hike into the wilderness and chat. Sometimes, we stop and skim rocks together or investigate some weird-looking bug. Often, on these long walks, my son opens up and talks about issues at school or asks me questions about things he doesn't understand. I'm so grateful for the open dialogue with him and the chance to provide advice and reassurance.

My younger daughter loves to go to the library with me, and we'll often stop for a hot beverage afterward or play in the playground. As the third child, she has to tag along with the older kids a lot, and I think she may often feel overlooked. When it's just her and me, I know she loves being the center of attention and really benefits from the quality time together.

Our one-on-one time is important, but we still spend time as a family

I've realized that spending one-on-one time with each child is so important, as it allows us to connect on a deeper level. I feel less stressed than when I have all three kids out and about myself and can give the child I'm with my full attention.

It's also helped minimize sibling rivalry between the kids and helps ensure that everyone's needs are being met. In the past, my kids would act more frequently to get my attention. Since the one-on-one dates started, that's happening less and less.

Of course, we still spend time together as a family of five. Usually, on Sundays, we'll do a family bike ride or go for a picnic. But we've made sure to prioritize these one-on-one activities. Spending time alone with each child has been a game changer. It has enriched our family dynamics and made our household a happier one.

• Laura Wallace, 42, grew up in a family of 10.
• She says she and her siblings all had their own responsibilities around the house.
• She also believes there are pros and cons to having a big family.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Laura Wallace, a 42-year-old from Melbourne, Australia. It has been edited for length and clarity.

As one of eight kids, growing up in a bigger family came with plenty of positives, but there were some challenges, too. Now that I'm a mom myself, I think my upbringing has definitely influenced the way I parent.

My mom grew up in a family with three kids, and her siblings were considerably older than she was. She always felt like she was alone, which is why she wanted lots of children herself. I was her third child.

My siblings and I all had our responsibilities at home

Our household was always chaotic, but it was well-run. I grew up in Traralgon, in regional Victoria, Australia. During my earlier years, we lived in a three-bedroom house, but when my mom had twins (the fifth and sixth youngest kids in my family), we moved to a seven-bedroom house.

Mom did a lot of delegating. We all had jobs we were responsible for. We weren't allowed to go out after school because we had to come home and tidy. We always used to complain because she liked everything perfectly clean, like a model home. It was nothing like my house now. I'm still rebelling.

Being child number three, I had a fair amount of responsibility from an early age. I remember looking after my younger siblings and helping out from when I was about 7. We also started cooking dinner quite early. I was probably 11 when I started making dinner for the family.

Because we were a bigger family, getting around town was interesting. Mom and Dad drove us around in a Nissan Urvan, a light commercial van designed for fleet use. It was white and had a green and pink squiggle along the side, so you always knew we were coming.

Once, I remember when Dad showed up at high school in a new blue van with blacked-out windows. We were out the front of the school and heard this "brrrrrrrrr" noise. It was Dad, and he was waving. He'd gone to beep for us, and the horn got stuck. We were so embarrassed we pretended like we didn't know him and walked home. Meanwhile, he had to drive the whole way home with the horn on. It makes me laugh now just thinking about it.

There are pros and cons to having a bigger family

When you grow up in a bigger family, there is always someone around. That's kind of a positive and a negative, I guess. We never really got time to ourselves, but it was also nice in some ways. I still like that now — always having family around and having someone to talk to.

My siblings and I shared a lot of friends, too.

Financially, it was challenging for Mom and Dad. They both had to work. Dad was a boilermaker, and Mom had odd jobs. For a long time, she was a security guard. They didn't have money for extra-curricular activities like sports. I also had to start contributing financially to the household when I reached 15 and got a job.

Because we had to always help around the house, I often felt like we had to grow up early, especially the older kids. I still find that now, with my three youngest siblings, I'm like their mom in some ways. They'll come to me for advice.

Mom and Dad split after my youngest sibling was born. Then, in 2006, Mom died of lung cancer. I was only 23, and I had to organize the funeral with my siblings, which was hard. In some ways, though, it actually brought my siblings and me closer together. Prior to that, we never said, "I love you." It was always assumed, but we just didn't say it.

I want my kids to be independent, too

Now that I'm a mom myself, I have high expectations of my two girls. I was cooking dinner at the age of 11, and my youngest daughter does the same (though she's only cooking for four people rather than 10). They've been making their own school lunches since they were in second grade and putting away their own laundry. I haven't babied them. I want them to be independent.

I don't look back on my childhood and think of it as a horrible time. I enjoyed growing up with a big family and still love the memories we made together.

• When I was younger, I associated turning 40 with all sorts of negative things.
• I thought my 40s would be all about menopause, financial stress, and personal issues.
• As my 40th birthday nears, my perspective has completely changed, and I'm actually excited.

I used to think that 40 was old. My mom had me when she was 36, so some of my earliest memories of her were when she was in her 40s. She would talk about things like "hot flashes" and "heavy periods," and most days, she'd need an afternoon rest. From the outskirts, being a woman in her 40s didn't seem overly fun.

As I worked my way through my 30s, I started to dread the big 4-0. I imagined myself reaching that mid-life milestone and wanting to hide from it. It was a period I associated with menopause, mortgages, having to navigate marriage issues, ailing parents, and financial stresses.

But now, as I approach the milestone, I don't actually feel that way at all. I'll be turning 40 in May, and after years of dreading it, I've had a change of heart. I've realized that I'm quite happy with my life path at this point in time.

I loved my 20s and 30s, but I'm ready for what's next

Looking back, my 20s were an absolute blast. They were full of travel and adventures — and a few misadventures, too. But there was also a lot of uncertainty and second-guessing. I didn't really know who I was or where life would take me.

My 30s changed all of that. I married my partner of eight years, started a family, grew a business, and bought a family home. These were all major life goals for me that I ticked off, and that gave me a tremendous feeling of contentment and peace.

Now that my next decade is dawning, I feel so excited about the next chapter. Sure, there may be things to navigate, like menopause and marriage woes or unexpected health struggles, but there's a lot to look forward to, too.

I've learned so much about myself

At (almost) 40, I have more balance in my life than those earlier versions of myself. I work four days a week and try to keep it to school hours so that I can spend more time with my children and not miss those precious years when they actually want to be with me. I also acknowledge that while I love spending time with my family and friends, I need a lot of alone time to recharge.

I'm doing more of what feeds my soul and brings me joy, without feeling guilty about it. Sometimes, that means crawling into bed at 9 p.m. and getting a solid nine hours' sleep. Other times, it means neglecting the housework and going for a two-hour hike with my 9-year-old son or singing "U Can't Touch This" at the top of my lungs as I do the running man in our living room, much to my kids' horror.

I'm also healthier at almost 40 than I was at 20 or 30. I exercise more consistently, eat better, and focus on my mental and physical well-being. I've learned my limits with alcohol, and I know that I have to decide between a couple of glasses of wine and a good night's sleep at this point in my life. It kind of sucks, but I've made peace with that.

Above all else, I feel like I've accepted myself for who I am. When I was younger, I was so caught up in what other people thought of me that I changed my behavior and appearance to fit in. These days, I'm more comfortable in my own skin, wrinkles and all. I'm also better at speaking my truth, which, being a people-pleaser, has always been a challenge for me.

One of my best friends is 96 years old, and he's so young at heart. He sucks the marrow out of life and always has a project in the works, whether it's writing a book or flying in a Cessna (a small aircraft). He's taught me so much about aging and about life. Most importantly, he's shown me that your attitude makes all the difference to your perception of reality, and that age really is just a number.

So, here's to turning 40. I plan to make the most of the next chapter of my life. To grow and embrace new experiences and pursue my passions. At 40, I don't see myself as being over the hill. I'm standing smack bang on it and enjoying the views, baby!

• My husband and I decided to relocate from Melbourne to Bright, Australia, three years ago.
• We own our home in Melbourne and decided not to sell it.
• Renting it out to tenants and finding a rental in Bright offers us flexibility.

Three years ago, my family moved from Melbourne to Bright, Australia. We'd lived in Melbourne for eight years and were ready for a change.

One night in October 2021, my husband put an idea on the table. He asked if I wanted to turn over a new leaf and move to Bright, where his family was based. We'd already vacationed there plenty of times, and I'd enjoyed it, so I said, "Sure, let's do it." Soon, we were planning our escape from Melbourne.

We decided not to sell our home in Melbourne when we moved

We'd been living in the home we'd bought together for four years, and though we were ready to leave Melbourne, I had reservations about selling. We also didn't want to buy in Bright because I didn't know whether I'd enjoy living in such a small town. I suggested we spend a year there and then reassess after that.

The first major hurdle we faced was finding a place to live. Though small, Bright is a popular tourist destination known for its wineries, hiking, and gold rush history. It's surrounded by beautiful mountains and is a short drive from Mount Hotham, a popular ski resort. Rental properties in the area are in short supply, but we were lucky enough to find accommodation at a friend's place while they were overseas for the year. We relocated at the end of January 2022 and rented out our home in Melbourne to tenants.

Our family quickly fell in love with the slower pace of country life. Later that year, in August, we welcomed our third child to the family.

Renting in Bright means we have more flexibility

As a growing family, we needed our own space, so in January 2023, we moved into a simple three-bedroom house conveniently close to town. Then, last October, we found our current rental home — a beautiful three-bedroom, two-bath property in a green, family-friendly part of Bright.

My favorite thing about the property is the big back garden. Birds love it, too, and pink galahs and crimson rosellas visit every day. There are three small vegetable plots where we grow tomatoes and strawberries, and my children spend hours outdoors in nature.

Financially, renting where we want to live and owning a property elsewhere has been a good decision. Our rent each week is less than our weekly mortgage repayment (which is pretty much covered by the tenants), so we are essentially saving money.

Renting also means we can move freely and live where we can't afford to buy. Bright is much more expensive than Melbourne, and the median house price is over $1 million. We get to live here while paying off our mortgage in Melbourne, and that's a big drawcard.

We might not rent forever, but it works for us for now

Sometimes, my husband feels guilty about the kids not having a "proper" family home. They've never owned a pet because it's easier to get a rental property without one, and that makes me sad. Our son is 9 years old, and he's lived in six different houses, which is not ideal. But I try to think of it as a positive — it certainly keeps life interesting!

While my husband and I don't want to rent forever, for the time being, it's working well for us. When the market in Melbourne picks up, we may decide to sell our property there and buy one in Bright. But renting has definitely given us options.

• Frank Noble, 86, retired from his demanding job in forestry in Australia when he was in his 50s.
• He said having hobbies, taking on part-time work, and traveling have helped him feel fulfilled.
• He also attributes his successful early retirement to having financial stability and no mortgage.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Frank Noble, an 86-year-old retiree and avid gardener from Porepunkah, Australia. It has been edited for length and clarity.

At 86, I've now been retired for roughly the same amount of time as I have worked. Looking back, I wouldn't change a thing, and I still would've chosen to retire early.

After high school, I decided to pursue a career in forestry. I went on to work for the Forest Commission and was in charge of assessing pine plantations in many parts of Victoria, Australia.

At the pinnacle of my career, I managed a team of up to 250 people, including four assistant regional managers who were exceptionally good at what they did.

I didn't find my job stressful, but it was complex. I loved interacting with staff, but I always thought I'd retire early because the job was extremely demanding.

Eventually, the Premier (what we call the heads of the state governments in Australia) offered incentives for senior staff to retire.

The year I turned 55 in 1993, I accepted one of its packages.

Hobbies, part-time work, and travel helped me adjust to a slower pace of living

At first, I felt a bit depressed after retiring due to the changed pace of life. Suddenly, I went from having a very busy work schedule each day and a lot of responsibility to a slower, quieter life with little stress.

So, during my first year of retirement, I spent a lot of time taking care of the 5-acre block of land I owned in Tyers, a rural town in central Gippsland.

I enjoyed the responsibility. That, plus feeling uncomfortable not having a job, led me to start a garden maintenance and lawn-mowing business.

Working part-time during retirement helped with my mental health, and I did so for about two years.

At the same time, my wife and I spent much of the winter going on road trips and camping in the Outback. We saw most parts of Australia and took several overseas trips to North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia.

Later, I sold my land in Tyers and relocated with my wife to be near her family in Porepunkah, a town in northeast Victoria. We were able to buy our new home in cash, so we wouldn't have a mortgage.

Once there, I started my own vegetable garden, which gave me a great sense of purpose. I began going to the gym a few times a week and leaned into hobbies like golf, where I challenged myself to get my handicap down.

My financial situation made retirement comfortable — but having interests has made it pleasant

One of the big reasons I was able to retire so early and successfully was through having adequate financial resources.

I was fortunate to have some private investments on top of my superannuation (pension) when I retired. Plus, we own our land.

Retiring with a mortgage could've made life terribly difficult. It also would've given us less freedom to travel and take on hobbies or choose whether to continue working.

There's no doubt that having adequate financial resources is important. However, so is having interests and hobbies to pursue.

At 86, I still walk 18 holes, chop all my own wood for the winter, and go to the gym three times a week. For me, gardening, golf and travel have been (and are still) an important part of my sense of fulfillment in retirement.

• Michael Townsend and his wife had their daughter Georgie when he was 44 and she was 40.
• He says there are both benefits and challenges to being an older dad.
• He has less energy than he used to, but the couple is more financially secure than they once were.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Michael Townsend, a 50-year-old dad from the Gold Coast, Australia. It has been edited for length and clarity.

I grew up in a big family with three sisters, and we were all very close. I always wanted to have kids of my own one day, but I only met my partner quite late in life, so it took a little longer than I'd expected.

In 2011, I met Asha on a dating app. After chatting for a few weeks, we met up and hit it off straight away.

I'll never forget our first date. We'd agreed to have coffee and I'd asked my sister's boyfriend to call at a certain time to give me an out if I needed to escape. But it turned out to be the best date I'd ever had.

When he rang, I said, "Sorry, mate, I won't be able to make it this afternoon. Chat to you later." Our date stretched from early afternoon to evening, and it ended with us walking along the beach at sunset and sharing our first kiss.

By that point, we were both in our 30s, and I think we knew we had found something special, so we didn't mess around. We saw each other all the time, and after three months of dating, we moved in together.

We talked about kids early in our relationship

The conversation about kids came up pretty quickly. I definitely wanted them, but Asha had accepted that kids might not be on the cards for her because she hadn't found the right person and she was getting older. After chatting about it, we decided to try and see what happened.

We tried naturally at first, but unfortunately, Asha had a few miscarriages. So, we decided to give IVF a shot. We did five rounds of IVF over the span of a couple of years. It was a long, grueling process, especially for Asha.

After three years of trying with no luck, we decided to make a change. We quit our jobs — I was working in a high-pressure engineering job and Asha had a pet-sitting business — bought a caravan and hit the road.

After two-and-a-half months on the road, we conceived a baby at Uluru caravan park in the Northern Territory in Australia. A few weeks later, we were at Mataranka Hot Springs when Asha stepped out of the caravan holding a pregnancy test with two lines confirming the news. We both wept because we'd been trying for so long.

Georgie was born when I was 44 and Asha was 40

Our daughter was born in April 2019. I was 44 at the time, and Asha was 40. We called her Georgina — Georgie for short.

To finally have a baby to love was incredible, but it definitely was an adjustment. I'd had 44 years of being selfish, after all. But pretty soon, you get to a point where you just love this little person so much that you'd do anything for them. Sacrificing an outing with friends, a trip to the gym, or a full night's sleep was totally worth it.

Almost six years later, Georgie is my little sidekick. We do so much together. We swim in our pool every day and play a lot of interactive games. I take her to school on an electric scooter, and she's learning how to ride her bike without training wheels. Asha loves doing arts and crafts with her at home. It's a fun age.

There are pros and cons to being older parents

The biggest challenge in terms of having a child later in life is probably trying to keep up with her. My energy levels are not what they once were, and I went back to engineering after traveling, which can be stressful and hard to do while looking after a 6-year-old girl.

But there are a lot of perks, too. Being older parents, Asha and I are pretty financially secure, which is a relief. Georgie keeps us active, too. She brings energy to the house and to our relationship.

As an older parent, I think you're happier to make sacrifices because you've already experienced so much in life. I've always loved international travel, for example, but I don't feel like I need to do that right now.

Overall, I'd say my favorite thing about being a dad is spending time with Georgie and watching her grow. I like the hugs and kisses and protecting her, and I also enjoy seeing her take on some of my mannerisms. The other day, I randomly said, "Boomshakalaka," and she spent the rest of the day walking around saying the same word. It was hilarious.

My message to other parents considering having a child later in life is to go for it. I think we did the right thing in waiting, but we were both ready for it when it eventually happened. My only regret about leaving it late is that, while we feel blessed to have one, I would have loved to have two kids so that Georgie could have a sibling.

• My mom put money into an investment property, and later gave me the original money and the profit.
• At 23, I used it as a deposit for a home. I loved getting a head start in the real estate market.
• I want my kids to get the same financial head start I did.

I bought my first property in 2009, when I was 23. It was a cute two-bedroom townhouse in a complex on the Gold Coast, in Australia, where I'm originally from.

My circumstances were a bit unusual. As a little girl, I'd almost died after being prescribed a medication that caused me to have a seizure and stop breathing. My mom took legal action and won $20,000 in damages, which she put toward buying an investment property (co-owned by my parents and myself).

When I turned 23, she paid me the original $20,000 plus the profit, which worked out to $40,000 in total. I was able to use it as the deposit for a home. I was the first of my friends to enter the real estate market, and it felt incredible to get a foot up on the property ladder so young.

I had to save to cover the costs, but I still traveled

At the time, I was working full-time as a newspaper journalist, but it wasn't paid very well. I think the most important lesson I learned from buying a property at an early age was how to save and budget, even on a meager income.

I knew that I had to cover the mortgage, water, council rates, electricity, and insurance on the property, so I made sure I set enough money aside each week to do all of those things before I splurged on nice-to-haves. When my friends were buying designer dresses or flashy cars, I told myself that I was working toward building something more important for my future.

Having said that, I still did what I wanted to do, for the most part. When I was 25, I rented out the property and took off overseas for three years. I spent part of that time living in Canada and London, and traveled around North and South America, then Europe and Africa.

Again, my friends were gobsmacked that I could afford to live and travel abroad and still own a property back home in Australia, but I'd learned good savings habits. I worked three hospitality jobs at times in order to reach my earning goals, avoided eating out, and shopped secondhand for clothes. While living in Canada, my partner (who eventually became my husband) and I moved in together, and that helped cut costs.

I'll admit that it wasn't all smooth sailing — there were definitely stressful moments. Once, when I was just about to leave my base in Canada and embark on a three-month trip around South America, my real estate agent emailed to say my tenant had trashed the property.

He had burned cigarette holes in the furniture and caused damage to the walls. I was so stressed about finding new tenants, but the tenant's deposit paid for a lot of the damage, and I had a savings buffer that covered the mortgage repayments while the property was unoccupied. It all worked out in the end.

My partner and I found a fixer-upper for our family, and I sold my first house

When my partner and I eventually returned to Australia, got married, and had our son, we wanted to buy a family home. In 2017, we found a great fixer-upper with a lot of potential in an up-and-coming part of Melbourne called Seaford. The property was about a mile and a half from the beach and close to parks and amenities. It was perfect.

I ended up selling my Gold Coast townhouse, which had appreciated in value by that point, and put the money toward the deposit for our family home. Having that head-start in the property market proved to be an invaluable stepping stone for us, and I am so grateful to my parents, particularly my Mom, for making it happen.

I want my kids to have the same opportunities I did

Now that I have three kids, I'm trying to ensure they have the best chance possible of getting started in real estate from a young age. I recently read a report looking at the disparity of property investment between men and women in Australia, and it made me even more resolute to give my daughters (and, of course, our son) the same head-start that I had.

Two years ago, my kids inherited some money from a close family friend. The money is in a high-interest savings account, and my husband and I contribute to it monthly via direct debit.

I'm also speaking to a financial planner about the best way to invest my kids' inheritance on their behalf and I've explained these options to my older children. My 9-year-old son wants to build a share portfolio, while the 6-year-old thinks her nest egg could finance an impressive Barbie collection. She still doesn't quite understand the concept of saving or wealth-building, but we'll get there.

• I'm a frequent traveler who's taken hundreds of flights in my life, but one stands out as the best.
• I saw Mount Everest during my 50-minute flight from Kathmandu, Nepal, to Paro, Bhutan.
• The snowcapped Himalayas took my breath away — I've never seen such an incredible view in my life.

I've been lucky enough to travel to more than 50 countries in my lifetime and have taken hundreds of flights around the globe.

Some flights are definitely more memorable than others, but by far, the most spectacular one I've ever been on was from Kathmandu, Nepal, to Paro, Bhutan, in May.

It wasn't the amount of legroom or the gourmet meals on the menu that blew my mind — it was the scenery out the window.

Specifically, passengers on board that particular route have the chance to see one of the seven natural wonders of the world, Mount Everest, in all of its glory from above.

At first, I was a bit nervous about our flight to Bhutan

Last year, I finally convinced a few of my girlfriends to join me on an eight-night trip to Bhutan, a small country in the Himalayas between China and India.

To get to Bhutan, we flew with the national air carrier Drukair, also called Royal Bhutan Airlines, from Nepal's capital to Paro.

The flight was less than an hour, but I was nervous as we boarded.

Paro International Airport is nestled in Paro Valley, surrounded by the Himalayan Mountains.

The topography makes the area notoriously tricky for even skilled pilots to navigate, and very few are even qualified to take off or land at the small airport.

Because of these factors, operations at Paro International Airport are limited to daylight hours and when there is clear visibility. Luckily, the weather seemed perfectly clear on the day we took off.

As we flew, I saw nothing but clear skies and mountain views

Shortly into the 50-minute flight, the airline hostesses served us refreshments and I felt myself relax. Soon, the captain told passengers to look out the windows on the left side of the plane.

There, towering above the clouds, were the most stunning views of the snowcapped Himalayas, with Mount Everest standing tall above the rest.

The beautiful view literally made me squeal like a child who had just discovered candy for the first time. Seeing the world's tallest mountain from above felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

I recommend this flight, even if just for the views

When we touched down at Paro International Airport shortly after, I was still buzzing. Fortunately, our plane's landing proved to be smooth and uneventful.

My friends and I also had an amazing time in Bhutan. We got to visit awe-inspiring religious sites, watch epic archery shows, embark on thrilling outdoor hikes, and much more.

If you're ever visiting Nepal, I'd highly recommend taking a detour to Bhutan, even if it's just to experience the views from this flight.

For as long as I live, I'll never forget the pure magic of seeing such famous mountains from above.

• A few years ago, my husband started working away from home for three days each month.
• At first, I was nervous about solo-parenting our three kids.
• However, they behaved even better while he was gone, and I loved the time alone.

Three years ago, our family of five moved from Melbourne, Australia, to the small town of Bright in regional Victoria. It was a massive upheaval, and there were a lot of adjustments. For one, my husband had to start working away from home for three days once a month.

Every four weeks, he'd drive four hours to Melbourne to take care of business at his original remedial massage and myotherapy clinic. The rest of the time, he'd treat patients at his clinic in Bright.

I wasn't sure how I'd deal with parenting by myself

Initially, I was anxious about how I'd cope with three kids alone while still working, paying bills, and taking care of everything at home. My husband and I had lived together for 15 years, since I was 25 and he was 29. That was pretty much all I knew.

I remember the first time he left, he asked my mother-in-law and sister-in-law to check in on me regularly. They'd pop by to help feed the kids or to do homework with them. I knew they were also secretly making sure that I wasn't feeling lonely or overwhelmed.

However, much to my surprise, I quickly realized that I loved those three nights alone. Suddenly, I could eat a boiled egg for dinner guilt-free without feeling any pressure to make a decent meal for my husband. I could watch a romantic comedy or whatever mind-numbing crap I wanted on Netflix or read my book with our bedroom light on until midnight. I could generally have some downtime from our relationship.

My kids behave well when he's gone

Whereas I'd worried that the kids would misbehave without my husband to lay down the law (he tends to be the disciplinarian), it was actually the opposite. They were better behaved when I was solo parenting. Funnily enough, my husband said it was the same for him when I'd occasionally go away for work. Maybe they knew that mom or dad was working hard to do all the jobs alone, so they took it easy on us.

On a personal level, being forced to solo-parent was good for me in many ways because I proved to myself that I could do it. It was the confidence boost I needed. It also turned out to be the best thing for our marriage.

Having space from one another sometimes is good for us

When we got married in 2015, my mom gave us some good advice: she said it's important to always have space in our togetherness, and I think she was right. She and my dad have always been free spirits — traveling by themselves at various points in their lives and having their own separate hobbies and interests.

For my husband and me, having space from one another does wonders for our relationship. I adore my husband and love spending time with him, but having those few nights to myself each month keeps things fresh and our relationship alive. Whenever he gets home on a Saturday morning, the kids and I miss him, and it's like the distance has made the heart grow fonder.

Recently, my husband started discussing what the next chapter of his work life may look like. One option is to sell his business in Melbourne and simplify things so that he only has one clinic in Bright. When he floated the idea, part of me thought, "But what about my boiled egg dinners and rom-com nights? Does that mean we'll be together 365 nights of the year again?" Of course, I'll support him with whatever he decides to do.

Some couples can spend every waking moment together and keep the spark alive. For us, a little bit of downtime from each other makes us appreciate what we do have even more. And there's nothing wrong with that.

• I lived in Banff, Canada, throughout my 20s. I loved the North American town and would move back.
• The people I encountered were so kind, and I loved experiencing the changing seasons.
• Banff had beautiful wildlife, and Canada had great cuisine that I still think about.

When I was 25, my friend asked me if I wanted to move to Banff, Canada. Without giving it much thought, I jumped at the opportunity.

Within a few months, I quit my job at a daily newspaper in Australia, sold most of my worldly possessions, and boarded an airplane for Calgary, Alberta.

My friend had lined us up with an agency that sorted out all the visa paperwork and organized a job in Banff, so it was a really smooth transition.

I'll never forget sitting on a bus driving from Calgary to Banff and seeing the Rockies for the first time. That was the start of one of the most magical periods of my life.

There's nothing like watching the changing seasons hit beaches and mountains

One of the many things about Canada I first fell in love with was its changing seasons.

Coming from the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia, I had never really experienced proper seasons before. The Gold Coast typically averages about 300 days of sunny weather a year.

When we arrived in Banff, it was fall. There was something so striking about the golden and orange hues of the autumn leaves set against the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains.

As the days grew shorter and colder, Banff became a winter wonderland. The first time my friend and I saw snow falling, we ran outside, laughing and dancing in the snow like two little girls.

For someone who'd grown up on a beach in a sub-tropical climate, that was pretty special.

Experiencing holidays North American-style was a blast

As Halloween approached, I realized what else I'd been missing in Australia.

When I was a child, we would go trick-or-treating in our street, but none of the houses would be decorated and we'd be lucky to come across a neighbor who actually had candy to share.

In contrast, Halloween was incredible in Banff. There were costume parties, bonfires in the park, jack-o'-lanterns on people's lawns, and spooky decorations adorning most buildings.

For Thanksgiving, my Canadian friends made me a traditional Canadian pumpkin pie — something I'd never tried before. Throughout the season, locals showed me that North American hospitality I'd heard so much about.

Christmastime also felt extra special celebrated against a snowy backdrop, and we experienced some of the most festive decorations we'd ever seen in Canada.

I miss so much of the food

During my time in Canada, I also fell in love with the food.

I've traveled to many places but, in my opinion, North America seems to do food better than everybody else. The serving sizes tend to be big and the flavors strong and tasty.

One of my favorite things to eat in Canada was the local favorite, poutine — fries with cheese curds and brown gravy. It proved to be the perfect après-ski treat after a day of shredding the ski hills around Banff.

There are so many other foods I miss, such as Nanaimo bars (made with wafers, nuts, and coconut crumbs) and fluffy pancakes with pure Canadian maple syrup.

I'd also love to once again have fresh BeaverTails (a fried-dough treat) and the mighty Caesar (a zesty tomato-clam-juice cocktail with vodka).

I still think about Banff, and I'd move back in a heartbeat

After living in Canada, my partner and I moved to London and then to various parts of Australia, but we never felt that same magic.

We miss Banff's incredible mountains, beaches, forests, and wildlife that often took our breath away. Above all else, we miss the people in Canada the most. We met some of the kindest, most caring souls you could imagine there — people who instantly felt like family.

If I had my time again, I would've spent longer in Canada before moving on after a year and a half. Even now, more than a decade later, I'd say goodbye to our home in Bright, Australia, and move back to Banff in a second.

On all of my travels to more than 50 countries, I've never found another place quite like it, and it will always have a special place in my heart.

• Linda Townsend, 76, is a mom of four from the Gold Coast of Australia.
• She says that though many people dread the teenage years, that's when she was the happiest.
• She and her kids had plenty of fun together, and she enjoyed helping them in school.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Linda Townsend, a 76-year-old mom of four from the Gold Coast, Australia. It has been edited for length and clarity.

Many parents dread the adolescent years when children tend to become moody and aloof as they go through puberty. But for me, my kids' teenage years were the happiest of my life because we had so much fun together.

I became a mom at 23 and had three children — a girl, a boy, and another girl — all within five years before having my fourth child, another girl, at 36. When the three older ones were teenagers, we never had much money because my husband was out of work a lot, but we always had a good time.

My kids and I had plenty of fun together

We've had a lot of parties over the years. There were milestone birthdays to celebrate and dress-up parties galore. All of our kids' friends and their parents would come. We'd dance until the wee hours and have a ball.

I used to have a lot of spontaneous fun with my kids. Sometimes, I'd take my three girls to the local lake, and we'd skinny dip. At certain times of the year, there was this bioluminescence in the water. If we shook our hands, all of these green luminous stars would shimmer and glow. We'd hold hands in the moonlight and float under the stars, talking about our plans and dreams. It was magical.

By the time my youngest became a teenager, we were in a better place financially, and I did a lot of traveling with my daughters. When the youngest was 14 and my older girls were 22 and 26, we roadtripped around Mexico and California while my husband and son stayed home. The following year, when my youngest was 15 and my second youngest was 23, the three of us traveled through the Middle East together. I loved the fun and the adventures we shared.

I helped them through school and hard times, too

Although my kids were my best friends, I also knew they needed guidance and discipline. As a parent, you're there to teach them boundaries and manners. I loved helping them choose school subjects and getting them on the right academic path for their university degrees.

Being able to learn with them and being involved in their education was a highlight for me. When my youngest did French immersion, I taught her French grammar (which my mother taught me). I would sit in the bedroom with her, and we would translate her homework into English and then back into French. I believe that parent involvement is critical to a child's advancement.

If my kids were ever moody, I understood that it was mostly hormonal and just tried to give them privacy. They'd lock themselves away in their rooms and listen to their music. When the time was right, I'd talk to them, listen to their problems and fears, and do what I could to make sure they were happy. If they confessed to doing something wrong at school, I'd guide them to do the right thing.

It was hard when they moved out, but we're still connected

When the four kids left, I struggled with empty nest syndrome, especially when my youngest moved from where we live in Australia to Canada in 2010. I was heartbroken, but you have to let them fly. My kids were such a big part of my life. They were my reason for existence, and for a long time, I struggled to find purpose in other things, but eventually, I did.

These days, I have seven grandkids, and I enjoy spending time with them, as well as with my friends and my husband. I still need that contact with my children. You never let go of them in your heart. The love is always there. The connection between the mother and child is very strong, and for me, my kids were my best friends and the light of my life.

• Shawn Robertson's parents lived with him, his wife, and their kids for many years.
• He says there were plenty of benefits to living together, though there were challenges, too.
• There wasn't much privacy, but his parents got to spend time with their grandkids.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Shawn Robertson, a 55-year-old from Tsawwassen, British Columbia. It has been edited for length and clarity.

When my folks were still alive, they lived with us for many years. Multigenerational living had many perks, but it also had challenges.

I grew up in Tsawwassen, British Columbia, and lived in the same house my entire life. Around the time my wife Cori and I got engaged, both of my parents started experiencing health issues.

They told us they would have to sell the house and move into a graduated care facility for older people, but Cori and I agreed they should stay in the house for as long as possible. We believed it would be better for them health-wise. We also knew that if we didn't stay close to them when we started having kids, they wouldn't see their grandkids very often, as we'd likely end up settling in another part of Canada.

So right after we got married, Cori moved in, too, and we started taking care of Mom and Dad. Our house is a double-story building with five bedrooms and a den, so there was plenty of room for all of us.

There were plenty of benefits to living with my mom and dad

Mom and Dad shifted from the upstairs to the downstairs. It was easier for them not to have to walk up and down the stairs to get to their bedroom. Over the years, multigenerational living has had many positive aspects. When we welcomed our three sons and daughter, it meant that they spent plenty of quality time with our kids.

My folks were homebodies, so they didn't mind watching our kids or our pets. If we were running down to our trailer at Mt Baker and we asked them to watch the dogs for the weekend, it was never a problem. If we wanted to go out for dinner and leave the four kids with them, they never once said no.

I know some grandparents feel like they're taken advantage of in that regard, but my parents never felt that way. Their philosophy was the more time they had with the grandkids, the better. The kids kept them feeling young for as long as possible. Another benefit was that my parents never felt lonely.

My dad died in 2004 when the kids were still quite young, but my mom was a big part of their childhood. She was always present, and being right downstairs, my kids could spend time with her whenever they wanted. I think some of their fondest memories were of watching dog shows together and having tea with her, or playing outside while she watched on.

Some aspects of our situation were challenging, too

There were some challenges to multigenerational living, too. My parents never meddled in our affairs, but they did know all of our business as the house is very open. On occasion, they would let their opinions be known, even when they weren't asked for.

As the kids grew older and became teenagers, the lack of boundaries became more challenging. Sometimes, they'd be rushing in the morning to get to school, and Mom would ask them for help with something. They wouldn't want to tell her no, and it usually wasn't anything too big, but when you're on a time crunch and you're a teenager, everything seems like a hassle.

There were also budgetary impacts associated with multi-generational living. We bought food for my parents and never asked to be reimbursed. I also did renovations on the house. I figure we probably incurred about $75,000 in personal debt over the years.

In 2012, Mom slid off the side of the bed and was taken to hospital. She was diagnosed with double pneumonia and wasn't supposed to last the night, but ended up living for another three years.

That was the beginning of the end, though, and her health continued to decline. When we could no longer care for her, we decided it would be best for her to live in a care facility, where she lived for three years before she died in 2015.

Cori and I have always said given our time again, we'd make the same choice to live with my mom and dad. The kids had a better relationship with my folks as a result, and the benefits definitely outweighed the negatives in my mind.

But my advice to others who want to try multigenerational living is to have separate accommodation on-site, like a granny flat, with its own entrance. The lack of privacy can strain even the best of families. I'd also recommend both parties set some ground rooms from the outset.

• After visiting over 50 countries around the world, a few places truly stood out.
• Some of my favorite major cities include New York City and London.
• I loved experiencing otherworldly beauty in Salar De Uyuni in Bolivia and Machu Picchu in Peru.

Ever since I was a little girl, I've had a bucket list of places I've wanted to visit. I've always worked hard and saved hard in order to travel to the places that captured my attention.

Although travel opinions are subjective, and the places that I find bucket list-worthy might not ring true for others, there are certain locations I haven't been able to stop thinking about.

Whether it's the cultural richness they offer or the natural beauty they display, certain destinations just have that wow factor.

Here are seven incredible places around the world that I think everyone should visit at least once.

Visiting Salar De Uyuni in Bolivia is a unique experience.

Located in southwest Bolivia, Salar de Uyuni is the world's largest salt flat. The 10,582-square-kilometer (4,086-square-mile) area is covered in white salt, rock formations, and islands studded with cacti.

The rainy season from roughly December to April is a popular time to visit, as the rainwater creates a mirror effect on the salt flat.

However, during the dry season from May to November, visitors can see crystalized salt patterns and drive across the white, otherworldly landscape to places that aren't accessible during the rainy season.

We visited in March and experienced the mirror effect, which was breathtaking. If you enjoy photography, you'll love letting your imagination run wild, taking crazy perspective photos set against the endless horizon.

Machu Picchu, Peru, is breathtaking in person.

In my opinion, Machu Picchu should be on everyone's bucket list. The 15th-century archaeological site can be accessed by train, bus, or a multi-day trek along the Inca Trail.

My husband and I took a four-day tour that included hiking, mountain biking, and zip lining. On the final morning, we woke up early and hiked from Aguas Calientes up to the ruins, which took about two hours.

As the fog cleared, we finally understood what all the hype was about. In the end, the view was worth the height-induced anxiety.

There's nothing quite like seeing New York City for the first time.

When we lived in Canada, my husband and I took an overnight bus from Montreal to New York City and spent four days enjoying the highlights.

We went ice skating in Central Park, checked out the Statue of Liberty, and saw the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting. It was magical.

There's so much to do in London.

With its rich history and abundance of activities, London is undoubtedly a city that's worth visiting.

For history buffs, I recommend checking out Tower of London, St. Paul's Cathedral, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and Westminster Abbey.

Artsy types can enjoy museums like The National Gallery of Art and Tate Modern museums, and for nature lovers, you can't beat Hyde Park or Hampstead Heath on a warm, sunny day.

Cappadocia, Turkey, is otherworldly.

Located in central Turkey, Cappadocia is a place that has to be seen to be believed.

This unique district is known for its otherworldly landscape, comprised of cone-shaped rock formations known as "fairy chimneys." Over millions of years, erosion carved these surreal spires out of soft volcanic rock.

You can stay in a fairy chimney or cave hotel by night, and by day, take a scenic hot-air balloon ride to appreciate the landscape from above.

Italy's Amalfi Coast is a picture-perfect destination.

Italy's Amalfi Coast is undoubtedly one of the most stunning, picture-perfect coastlines I've ever seen.

The highlight for me was Positano, which has pastel-colored buildings lining the hillside by the sea.

The Pyramids of Giza are truly incredible.

My mom took me to Egypt when I was 15 years old, and I remember being blown away by the Pyramids of Giza. I couldn't believe these incredible structures were built thousands of years ago.

During the day, we rode camels around the pyramids, and at night, we watched the Sound and Light Show to learn about ancient Egypt and the construction of the pyramids.

• Philip Townsend, 80, is from the Gold Coast of Australia and has a lifelong group of friends.
• He recently reconnected with those friends for his birthday.
• They reminisced about their friendships, and he says their connections have enriched his life.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Philip Townsend, an 80-year-old from the Gold Coast, Australia. It has been edited for length and clarity.

When I was in my 20s, I made a group of friends while living overseas. They proved to be lifelong mates, and the memories we share mean so much to me.

I grew up in Tasmania, Australia, and at 21, I boarded a ship called the P&O Oriana alone, headed for Canada. That was the start of an amazing adventure.

On the ship, I met a guy named Kevin. He was two years older than me and really amiable. He was a gentle giant, and I found him easy to talk to. We'd go down to the lounge area and have drinks until 3 a.m.

Martin, who also became one of my best friends, was traveling on the ship, too. He was a rogue and spent most of the journey playing cards with the crew.

As the ship pulled into Vancouver, snow covered the mountains, and I was so excited to be there. Martin and I were drinking together on deck chairs, and we ended up getting off the ship together.

We ended up living together

We found a temporary place to stay in a hotel near the wharf, then ended up getting an apartment in a five-story high-rise in the west end. We didn't particularly like the place, but it was a roof over our heads.

One night, we went to a houseboat party, and I met a guy who said he was moving out of a property on Prospect Drive in North Vancouver. It proved to be one of those serendipitous moments in life. I proposed the idea to Martin, and he said, "Let's do it." Kevin ended up moving in with us, too.

It was a double-story weatherboard house on a nine-acre property with a little creek running through it. You'd go over the bridge and then up to the pool house. There was a swimming pool with diving boards and a tennis court. That's where we had all the parties. It was a great setup.

Soon after, I got a job with a car dealership, and one night, this guy walked in. He had an Australian accent and sideburns and was a colorful character. His name was David. He said he'd arrived a few months earlier, so I invited him to a party in North Vancouver, and he fell in love with the place. He moved in immediately.

That's how Martin, Kevin, David, and I met and started living together. It was the happiest time of my life. I was young, free, and felt bulletproof.

Our group started traveling together, and the adventures continued

In 1970, after three years in Canada, we headed to South America on the adventure of a lifetime. Kevin didn't go, but Martin, David, me, and another Canadian we knew spent almost a year traveling together in a van.

After South America, we all went back to Canada for a while and then moved on to Europe. Dave and I bought an Austin A60 and called it "The Black Beast," and we road-tripped around Europe with Kevin and another Australian.

At Oktoberfest, another traveler invited us to Calpe (now Calp) — a small fishing village on Spain's Mediterranean coast. It was a magical time of parties and picnics, day trips to nearby towns, and wine-tasting excursions to local vineyards. While there, I met my future wife.

On the day we were leaving Calpe, one of our American buddies took a photo of Kevin, myself, and David. More than five decades later, we recreated that photo on my 80th birthday.

After the European adventure, Kevin and David headed back to Australia, while I went to London and eventually followed the young woman I'd met in Calpe to what is now called Zimbabwe, where she was from.

As life continued we saw each other less, but we remained close

After we were married and had children, I didn't see my mates from Canada for some years. Once you have a family, things change. We all settled in different parts of Australia, which also makes it hard.

The first major get-together of the Prospect Drive group was in 2004. I flew to Canada, and we skied, enjoyed après skis, and chewed the fat. In 2018, Martin was unwell, and David, Kevin and I flew to Busselton in Western Australia for a week to lift his spirits.

Then, for my 80th birthday in January 2025, Kevin, David, and Martin all flew to the Gold Coast to celebrate with me. I felt really humbled to have them there. There was a lot of reminiscing, and it was always the same old yarns, but we never seemed to get sick of it because it was a revival of a time that meant a lot to us.

Having lifelong friendships has absolutely enriched my life. There's a deep connection to the past and so many shared memories. Those mates are more than just friends — they're family.

• Shawn Robertson, 55, is a recent retiree who worked in the postal service in Canada.
• Robertson says it was hard to get used to retirement at first, but he loves the slower pace of life.
• Since retiring, he's traveled more often with his wife and reconnected with old friends.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Shawn Robertson, a 55-year-old retiree from Tsawwassen, Canada. It has been edited for length and clarity.

Last year, I retired at 55 from my job as a postman after 34 and a half years. I know I'm still in the honeymoon phase, but I'm really enjoying retirement so far.

In March 1990, when I was 20 years old, I decided to join the postal service. My dad had retired by then, but he had previously worked in upper management with Canada Post. I've always thought more long-term, so I wanted something with a good pension and benefits.

I loved my job with the postal service

The official title of my position was "letter carrier." On a typical day, I'd start at 7 a.m., then have about one-and-a-half to two hours to process and organize the mail. After that, I'd leave the station and deliver mail for about six hours before coming back.

It was a pretty simple job, it was just physically demanding. After you finished your delivery, you'd be able to go home, and sometime, I'd finish quite early in the day.

I think the best thing about being a postman was that you're out in nature all day exercising. Every day, I would walk around 15,000 steps just at work, often somewhere between six to seven and a half miles.

I also liked the social aspect of it. I got to know a lot of my customers, and I'd call a lot of them friends. When you think about it, I got a decent wage to exercise and socialize. It was a really good gig.

I had so much fun being a postman, but the last six months were the hardest. I saw the business model changing, and I decided it was time to move on. I'd also paid as much into my pension as I could, so it made sense financially to retire.

May 31 was my last delivery day, and when I came in, there were a few gifts and cards waiting for me. My colleagues had a small goodbye party with a cake and a couple of speeches. But I wasn't officially retired until September 19.

It took time to get used to being retired, but I'm glad I did it

Initially, it felt weird to be retired. It was actually a little on the scary side, because though my wife makes decent money, I'd been the main breadwinner for many years. I had to adjust to getting my pension once a month, whereas when I was working, I was paid every two weeks. Adjusting to the difference in timing took time to get used to.

But now that it's been several months, my apprehensions are over, and I've relaxed into it.

We've traveled a lot in just the few months since I retired, though we likely won't keep up this pace, and have been to Germany, St Louis, Nashville, and Australia already. In between the travel, I've been having lunches with other retired friends from work who I haven't seen for a while. It's been great.

I have zero stress in my life, and what's really nice is that I can see my granddaughter whenever I want. Our kids live close by, and there's a lot of joy in knowing that within a few minutes, you can be at each other's house.

I haven't really gotten into hobbies yet because I haven't had time, but I think the next phase will be about hiking in nature, growing stuff in the garden, and working the land. I also have two side gigs doing landscaping and property maintenance from time to time. It's a really good stage of life to be entering.

I don't have any regrets about retiring early. I've put in my time. I think sometimes you have to know when to go. Going into retirement, you also need to find something you enjoy doing, whether it's a sport joining a walking club, tinkering in the shed, or having a project to keep you busy. I never see myself as bored. I can always find something to do.