Home loans and other forms of finance seem to be getting harder to access, with lenders pointing towards a responsible lending code based on increased documentation and minimised risk. According to non-prime lenders and finance brokers who specialise in debt consolidation, loan applications are often rejected if the borrower has a history of payday loans, which are often seen as a sign of financial problems.

The New Zealand housing market is feeling the blues, with house sales falling and prices dropping in Auckland and other key markets. After years of unrestrained growth fuelled by demand, the number of homes being sold around the country is on a steep decline. Wider economic conditions and difficulty getting finance are both affecting the numbers, with Auckland sales down almost 20 percent over the year and national figures down by more than 10 percent.

Whether we like it or not, ritualised activities are an important part of our lives, from our morning cup of coffee through to our daily commute and favourite television show. Depending on who you ask, the routine activities which help to define our lives are either an important psychological safety net or an overbearing source of confinement. The truth, like most things in life, is that routine can either be healthy or unhealthy depending on frequency and context.

Whether it's more access to processed food or an increasingly sedentary lifestyle, many countries around the world have seen a rise in obesity levels over the last few decades. While diet is often promoted as the best way to lose weight, a new study from the University of Colorado Anschutz Health and Wellness Center (AHWC) suggests exercise is a more critical factor for healthy weight maintenance.

Having a midlife crisis used to mean buying a red sports car or making rash and impulsive decisions. While you can still see lots of 50 year old men with dyed hair on the back of brand new Harley Davidsons, the 21st century midlife crisis is just as likely to be defined by renewed athleticism and an extreme approach to personal fitness. From the rise of Ironman events and extreme marathons through to the growth of the personal fitness industry, let's take a look at what it means to be middle aged in 2019.