At the bitter end of a hard day or a long week, it can feel like you spend most of your life at work. While the standard work week in Australia and New Zealand is 38-40 hours, this figure varies widely around the world. From as little as 35 hours in many parts of Europe to more than 100 hours in some labour camps, full-time work is definitely a relative term. Let's look at working hours around the world based on annual and full-time data, including many nations that defy the traditional 9-5.

Ethical investing is on the rise across New Zealand, as people look to fuel social and environmentally friendly projects. Also known as responsible or sustainable investing, ethical investing presents households and businesses with a range of fantastic opportunities. Over the last decade, ethical investing has moved away from the fringes to become the primary focus of many portfolios. Millennials and retired baby boomers are leading the charge, and KiwiSaver is definitely an option.

Physical pain is an unpleasant, natural, and unavoidable part of life. Whether you fall off your bike or prick your finger on a needle, pain sensations are produced when receptors are activated and send electrical signals to the brain. While pain is normally fleeting and designed to shock the body into action, chronic pain is a reality for millions of people around the world. Medical researchers are learning more about chronic pain all the time, with new treatments developed for this pervasive and distressing condition.

The New Zealand property market continues to rise, but the slope is falling as heat leaves the market. While residential prices were up across much of the country in the latest figures, the long-term trend is looking more subdued than ever. Most homeowners expect house prices and interest rates to keep rising in 2022, but leading economists are a little less optimistic.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has been a strange time, with lockdown isolation, social distancing, and sheer boredom frustrating many. All over the world, frequent and extended lockdowns have changed how we live on a fundamental basis. From remote working and schooling arrangements to the development of weird new habits, spending more time at home has altered how we interact with the world around us. Let's take a look at strange lockdown habits and how to break them as life slowly gets back to normal.

The New Zealand property market has finally entered a cooling phase, at least for now. While house prices are still on the rise in many places, they have been growing at a slower pace over what is now a sustained period. The 16 major urban centres monitored by Quotable Value (QV) all recorded a reduction in quarterly growth in July, and for many of them, it was three months in a row of measured decline. While low interest rates and reduced supply levels will keep prices strong for a while, the slope is starting to even out as the market runs out of steam.

There are few events in the world that capture the real spirit of sport more than the Paralympics. Run by the International Paralympic Committee and growing in strength all the time, these unique games feature 28 sports and 72 events across their summer and winter editions. Open to athletes with physical disabilities or intellectual impairments, the 2020/2021 edition of the summer games is set to take place in Tokyo, Japan.

With state lockdowns rolling forward for many Australians, frustrated parents are looking for fun activities and novel ways to entertain their children. Along with homeschooling and daily exercise, there are many other ways to keep your kids busy. Science experiments can be lots of fun for children and parents alike, with these highly engaging and easy-to-follow activities helping kids to marvel and learn more about the world around them.

As much of the world, including Australia, deals with the possibility of negative interest rates, borrowers in New Zealand are being asked different questions. With New Zealand managing to escape most of the impacts of COVID-19, at least for now, interest rates could rise faster than expected. The economy is improving, the property market is slowing, and delayed rule changes requiring banks to hold more capital will put renewed pressure on decision makers. Whether you're a potential new buyer or an existing homeowner, the choice between fixed and variable rates could get a little more confusing.   

With repeated or prolonged lockdowns common across much of Australia, healthy coping mechanisms are absolutely critical. During periods of isolation, it's crucial to look after your mental health and support the people you care about. While extended family dinners and fun-filled social events may not be possible right now, there are other ways to protect your mental well-being. From physical activity to meditation, from video calls to professional assistance, looking after your mental health is more important than ever before.