It may well depend on what kind of gym you go to, but regardless, we suspect everyone will conjure up a similar image when we ask you to imagine the typical ‘gym junkie’ or a bodybuilder you suspect to be on some form of performance-enhancing drug.

They’re going to have muscles the size of watermelons, singlets that barely cover their bursting bodies and if they’ve skipped leg day (which most probably will) will look so out of proportion they could be compared to a Picasso painting.

We’d wager that much of the gym-going public will automatically assume someone with exceptionally large muscles will be taking steroids, it’s certainly a belief we’ve had. And a quick look on Reddit proves we’re not alone. Amid the sea of various threads all posing the same question, we’ve picked out this comment to back up our hypothesis.

“Extreme vascularity is usually a pretty strong sign someone is taking certain kinds of steroids. It’s not 100% but the amount of work and maintenance required to achieve that look naturally is basically like having a second job.”

But are they actually taking steroids, or have they just dedicated their entire lives to lifting weights and guzzling egg yolks, all in the name of what they perceive to be the ‘perfect’ figure.

To find out if there’s more than meets the muscular eye, we reached out to Modex, creators of an eponymous natural performance, endurance and recovery sports supplement, to get the full low down and to ask if you can, in fact, tell if someone is using steroids or not.

We asked them to compare images of everyone’s favourite German gym-bro Jo Lindner…

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Jo Lindner (@joesthetics) on Mar 26, 2020 at 9:48am PDT

…and an image of super-fit human Ross Edgley, who many people consider to be on some form of drug. We’re not claiming either to be taking steroids of any kind, but there is a clear difference in body composition.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Ross Edgley (@rossedgley) on May 1, 2020 at 3:59am PDT

The short answer from Modex was a, frankly surprising, “no”.

“You can’t tell if someone is taking steroids just by looking at them, innocent until proven guilty, right?”

So that’s our theory about popping veins being an obvious sign debunked. Is there actually any way of telling then?

“The only way to truly know [if someone is taking steroids] is if they take a blood test.” We’re not sure how that conversation will go down in the gym, but don’t ask, don’t get.

“If they are found to be using performance-enhancing drugs, ask them what other changes have occurred to their body that they know of. This may be a long list depending on the individual.”

What do those changes include? Modex didn’t tell us, so it’s back to Reddit. “There are tell-tale side effects like HGH gut, acne (sudden acne on someone who hasn’t had it before), moobs etc.” There are other potential side-effects that no man should want to endure.

However, some other Reddit users claim these aren’t the clearest signs, “The thing is, I don’t use, I don’t even seriously lift, and I can have acne myself, and “man-tits” that would qualify for light gyno.”

“…for me this is what is a better signs [sic]: extreme progress over a very short period of time; guys who stay very muscular at very low body fat for a very long period of time, or worse progress while shredded; guys who develop features that are clearly unnatural, such as over-developed delts, the lats also, sometimes the way the biceps, pecs, triceps are also.”

Modex argues that someone could get their body into a similar condition without the use of steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs,

“If they’re not using steroids, ask them what they have done to get their body into the condition it’s in. This will likely involve a strict diet and a considered choice of supplement(s).”

“Regardless of which route taken, you would need to be training just as hard to get the result you are aiming for, it’s just that one has a much longer list of warnings.”

Online personal trainer Sam Wood agrees, telling us “some guys just have amazing genetics.”

“Even if you do take them, it still comes down to hard work. I know a few guys who you’d think would be on them but actually just train a hell of a lot.”

You learn something new, right?

Read Next

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The post Steroid Myths You Probably Still Believe appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Every man should have, nay, needs, a pair of minimal leather sneakers in his footwear collection. Normally here at DMARGE, we'd tell you to go for brands such as Common Projects, Grenson and Oliver Cabell. You probably wouldn't expect us to think of Clarks, but the British-based shoe manufacturer ha...

↬ Click here to view the full article/gallery on D'Marge

 

The post Score 40% Off These Surprisingly Handsome Clarks Men’s Leather Sneakers appeared first on DMARGE.

Michael Strahan is a beefy guy who likes even beefy cars. The ex-New York Giants player and current co-host of Good Morning America is well-known for having a penchant for pricey performance autos: his spectacular car collection contains everything from vintage Mustangs to AMG darlings and even a Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe.But the man has a particular soft spot for Porsches. It’s not hard to see why: there’s just something about the Stuttgart marque that speaks to people on a primal level. Their sporting heritage, unparalleled design, respect for tradition paired with a subtle quirkiness and spirited character is just unlike any other manufacturer.The retired American football player-come-breakfast show host was snapped stepping out of a bright yellow 1995 Porsche 993 Carrera RS Clubsport in New York.

Being that the Clubsport was never sold in the US, Strahan must have recently taken advantage of the 25-year-rule when it comes to privately importing vintage cars to bring this beauty over. It wouldn’t have been cheap too – we’re talking upwards of half a million USD to snag one of these bad boys.Stepping out in a casual combination of polo shirt and shorts, paired with some lairy Nike Air Max 90 ‘Jungle Camos’, Strahan’s style perfectly reflects his whip: refined, somewhat traditional, contrasted with bucketloads of modern panache.There’s also something fitting about a yellow Porsche, particularly for such a sporty model like this one. It complements the aggressively 90’s aesthetic of the car perfectly, too.A lightweight version of the Carrera, the RS Clubsport has a naturally aspirated 3.8L SOHC flat-six that put out 300ps (221kW / 296hp) back in the day. It was a highly race-focused model with a highly fettled engine that also had a short shifter; larger, cross-drilled, ventilated brakes; limited slip diff; welded rollcage; a huge fixed rear wing and body kit; and a whole suite of weight-saving measures.

It’s a real track-focused car with few creature comforts and a whole lot of presence. Many Porsche aficionados (including us here at DMARGE) consider the 993, the last of the air-cooled 911s, to be the purest expression of the 911 experience and one of the finest Porsches ever made.In short? This RS Clubsport is one of the finest examples of the finest Porsche ever. We applaud Strahan’s taste.

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The post Michael Strahan’s Porsche 911 Stops New York City appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

It’s 2020 and we still haven’t figured out how dating works properly. You’d think that in this age of sexual enlightenment and candour, there’d be a formula for actually landing a catch.Sadly there’s been little progress since the sexual revolution in the 1960s in regards to modern relationships. Our society has made it easier than ever before in human history to pursue multiple sexual partners, but it’s as challenging as ever to settle down.Myriad factors can help explain this: challenging economic conditions, attitudes around casual sex, the double-edged sword of modern technology, the historic decline of religious adherence…But let’s get back to the topic at hand. There’s still endless debate on what the ‘right way’ to date is, and there’s so much conflicting advice out there.One of the most persistent adages is the myth that you shouldn’t f*ck on the first date.Triple J’s relationship program The Hook Up explored this myth by examining the popular Netflix reality series, Too Hot To Handle.If you haven’t seen the show, it’s similar to other reality TV shows like Bachelor in Paradise, Love Island or even Adam Looking For Eve in that they drop a whole bunch of botoxed, sex-crazed influencers on an island and watch them doink.Except Too Hot To Handle has a much more unique gimmick: the contestants aren’t allowed to kiss, have sex, or even masturbate.

 

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A post shared by Too Hot To Handle (@toohottohandlenetflix) on Apr 21, 2020 at 8:02am PDT

Any time the horny holidaymakers were caught canoodling, they lost some prize money. It didn’t stop most of the contestants from getting a little… uh, hands-on. But at the close of the show, they all agreed that the ‘experiment’ helped them learn more about developing meaningful bonds.Obviously a situation like Too Hot To Handle is worlds away from a more everyday ‘should I sleep with this person on the first date’ situation but there are still some lessons we can learn.There’s still a lot of stigma and uncertainty about how long you should wait before sleeping with someone. Conventional wisdom would say that you should hold off jumping into bed with someone until well past the first date if you’re looking for a meaningful, long-term relationship. But let’s interrogate that for a second.There’s a weird double standard in heterosexual relationships where many men will push to have sex on the first date, but are at the same time generally uninterested in pursuing something serious with women who do so. The implicit understanding is that a girl who ‘puts out’ on the first date isn’t ‘wife material.’It’s a tired, hypocritical thing we’re conditioned to believe that might have been more relevant before the contraceptive pill was developed but has little merit in today’s society.

 

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A post shared by CHANTELLE OTTEN (@chantelle_otten_sexologist) on May 26, 2020 at 7:28pm PDT

The Hook Up consulted sexologist Chantelle Otten (you might also know her as Dylan Alcott’s partner), who said the key is good communication. Sleeping with someone on the first date doesn’t have to consign the chances of developing a meaningful relationship to the dustbin as long as you’re transparent and upfront about your feelings and expectations, she relates.“Having a relationship conversation which is not ‘*the* relationship conversation’ is a good thing to do prior to the date or on the first date, so just seeing what the other person is there for,” Otten explains.Having the conversation is important. There’s nothing wrong with just wanting to have sex (hot take: sex is great!) or having a casual thing – as long as you’re clear about that and don’t lead anyone on.There’s also nothing wrong with f*cking on the first date as a precursor to a long, meaningful relationship. It’s not a zero-sum game. In fact, it’s arguably a good thing to do, Otten says.

“I think it’s really good to try out what your erotic life is going to be like with someone because if the sex is good, your body is going to feel good and it’s going to produce those bonding hormones and the happiness hormones. You also don’t want to go into a relationship where you have a really great connection but the eroticism isn’t going to be quite what you need to meet your needs.”

can’t believe I just have to keep dating until someone likes me back or I die

— Brandy Jensen (@BrandyLJensen) December 2, 2018

If they’re sh*t in bed, you don’t want to plough right into a long-term relationship with them. Don’t get it twisted: sometimes when you’re really into someone, the first time you’re intimate with them can be awkward and a bit of a let-down, so don’t write someone off entirely just because the first time wasn’t amazing.But if you’re just not really doing it for each other, it’s better to find out sooner rather than later.Look, if you’re not having much success finding meaningful connections, maybe consider not putting out on the first date. Like the contestants on Too Hot To Handle, you could potentially be attracting a better class of partner by being choosier with who you sleep with.But don’t get suckered into the old myth that f*cking on the first date will ruin your chances of building a relationship with someone, because it’s just not true.

Read Next

• Sure-Fire Tips For Scoring That Elusive Second Date
• Woman’s Brutal Dating Advice Could Be The Key To Scoring Better Matches

The post Sex On First Date Myth Most Singles Still Believe appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

The following article has not been sponsored by any parties. The author, Luke Laretive, is our resident expert.

The pandemic whacked Australia’s economy harder than 2001 hit American airport security. But while Australia’s hospitality and travel industries continue to be devastated by border closures and lockdowns, the ASX, buoyed by a miraculous NASDAQ bounce back, has rallied harder than a supercar.

Now, three years after COVID-19 caused an en masse BASE jump, the ASX is once again navigating troubled waters after an unlikely, tech-driven post-pandemic boom.

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Suffice to say, you don’t want to be throwing money away right now. So rather than trust your mate’s brother’s cousin (or your Uber driver who assures you ‘there’s still momentum’), DMARGE, each month throughout 2023, will be bringing you the top three ASX stock picks of Luke Laretive, CEO of Seneca Financial Solutions – and his analysis on each one.

This article is of a general nature only and does not consider your objectives, financial situation or needs.

You should consider the appropriateness of the information in light of your objectives, financial situation and needs before acting on it and obtain copies of any relevant disclosure documents. Seneca Financial Solutions does not warrant the accuracy or reliability of the information in this report.

Luke Laretive, Seneca Financial Solutions, its Directors and its associated entities may have or had interests in companies mentioned. They may have or have had a relationship with or may provide or has provided investment banking, capital markets and/or other financial services to those companies mentioned. 

Luke provides clients with a weekly note, which you can access here.

January 2023

Credit Corp (CCP) $19.65 per share, $1.3bn market cap

Trading on a PE of 14x, below its 5-year average of 17x and on a dividend yield of 3.70%, Credit Corp looks likely to outperform. At AGM in October, management maintained profit guidance and upgraded their guidance for Net Ledger Purchases.  To explain a bit, CCP buys debt ledgers at a discount to their face value and then recovers those debts. 

Its earnings are a function of the availability of overdue debts, the price they pay and the amount they can recover. In November, competitors from the US (Encore Capital and PRA Group) reported strong collections and commented on the positive trends in the leading indicators for debt ledger supply, a bullish signal for the year ahead.  Importantly, returns (recoveries as a percentage of debts purchased) for both Encore and PRA remained consistent in the key US market. 

In short: I think CCP can asymmetrically benefit from rising PDL supply, with recent offshoring and a track record for reliable cost management through the cycle.  We think restoring historical margins and an easier operating environment result in a re-rate.

GQG Partners (GQG) $1.50 per share, $4.4bn market cap

GQG is a global fund manager who through solid investment performance, well-priced products and a strong distribution capability been able to consistently increase funds under management.  Net inflows of US$0.8bn in Q3 was an impressive effort, particularly when markets fell almost 10% during that period. 

GQG is trading on a forecast dividend yield of 8.5% and a PE of 11x, which is significantly below peers, particularly those with a track record for positive net inflows.

In short:  GQG remains well positioned and leveraged to upside in global markets, specifically emerging markets, relative to peers. 

IRESS (IRE) $9.63 per share, $1.7bn market cap

I’ll admit that IRESS is a bit of a basket case, but new management appear to have taken their bath and rebased expectations last year.  While FY24 consensus is on the high side in our view, IRE is a defensive earner with a dominant market position in a highly attractive industry segment.  Your broker uses IRESS, so does your financial planner (XPLAN) and competitors continue to fall by the wayside (see ASX-listed small cap Bravura Solutions, BVS). The opportunity for this business, if it ever gets its act together, is very large.

In short: On 23x earnings, its trading below its 5yr average PE and on a dividend yield of over 5%.  You’ll get the first of those payments towards the back end of Feb.

December 2022

Dexus (DXS) $8.04

Dexus has over $44bn in property assets under management including $18bn owned by the company.  They invest in office and industrial assets and are developing some of the largest projects around Australia (i.e., Atlassian Centre in Sydney, 80 Collins Street in Melbourne, 240 St. Georges Terrace in Perth.)  Dexus is conservatively geared with only modest exposure to rising funding costs (relative to peers).  The stock is trading at a 45% discount to book value which implies a c.30% decline in office asset values.  These marks seem overly harsh, and completely ignore the value of the group’s funds management business.  The stock trades on 12x PE vs a median 15x over the past 10 years and is forecast to pay a 6.47% dividend yield over the next 12 months.

In short: The headwinds are widely known, but in this case, overstated.

Lifestyle Communities (LIC) $19.11

LIC is a high quality, structurally supported business.  As the population ages, they build housing communities for downsizers and retirees around Victoria.  Settlements appear to be slowing (probably as you’d expect), but the timing of projects should rectify the issue in the second half.  Weakening residential property prices will likely limit exceptional performance, but an experienced management team, well-funded balance sheet and a strong brand should stand the company in good stead until the cycle turns.  15x FY24 EV/EBITDA seems cheap given we expect earnings to almost triple between 2021 and 2024.

In short: You don’t get to buy great businesses, at cheap prices, when they are firing on all cylinders.  Get it while it’s on sale!

Goodman Group (GMG) $18.73

You probably won’t believe me, but Goodman Group reported rental growth at their Q1 update and guided to 11% earnings growth.   The business is STILL growing assets under management at over 26% yoy and generating an exceptional return on equity (ROE%).  This level of profitability is unsustainable, but the share price is down c.30% from its recent high and now trading under 19x earnings, which we think is much too cheap for a business riding the e-commerce explosion (19% of all retail sales expected to be online by 2027, 8.4% pa, according to GroupM research.)

In short: The best growth business in the sector. 

November 2022

Elders (ELD) $13.00, $2bn market cap

Reports FY22 results on 14 November and we expect a strong set of numbers, towards the upper end of the 30-40% EBIT (earnings before interest and tax) growth guidance.  We think the share price performance will be driven by any outlook or guidance for FY23, where we believe market expectations are too conservative (flattish growth on a record FY22 result).  Management are targeting 5-10% growth through the cycle and have a 20% return requirement for bolt-on acquisitions, a key part of the strategy and investment thesis.  Elders are in a near-dominant market position, with a strong brand and disciplined track record for navigating a highly fragmented sector.

In short:  We see value on under 14x PE with favourable agricultural conditions and a range of sustainable growth opportunities to still explore.

Collins Foods (CKF) $9.40, $1.1bn market cap

The operator of KFC, Taco Bell and Sizzler reports 1H net profit at the end of November.  We acknowledge the inflationary pressures on key cost inputs (food, wages) and the customers (rising interest rates, cost of living) are of concern, we see fast casual dining and takeaway are net winners in a post-COVID lockdown environment.  KFC’s strong brand and differentiated market position have historically held the business in good stead through challenging economic environments, the balance sheet remains unencumbered and market expectations are low in our view (0% forecast growth) given history of 10% pa growth and demonstrated ability to pass on costs through price rises.  

In short:  We think we are getting paid fairly compensated for the short-term inflation-related risk at 9x EV/EBITDA and 25% upside to our valuation.

Credit Corp (CCP)  $18.58, $1.2bn market cap

The seasoned and well-regarded management team are outperforming the markets expectations.  At the recent AGM, the company upgraded their purchased debt ledger (PDL) purchase guidance (a key driver of earnings) and demonstrated improving and impressive operational productivity.  Market conditions are improving for CCP, and the company is poised to grow US market share materially over the coming years. 

In short: a high-quality business, operating in an improving environment, trading at near 10-year low valuations.

October 2022

AUB Group (AUB) $20.28 per share, $2bn market cap

AUB is an insurance broking business, and while note very sexy, AUB has been a steady performer, generating over 15%pa returns for shareholders since 2007 on 15% pa sales growth and 9% pa profit growth.  Insurance premiums are rising rapidly and are one of the few beneficiaries of a rising interest rate and high inflation economic environment, take AUB’s much larger US-based counterpart, Arthur J Gallaher (US: AJG) for example, who recently reported high single digit growth.  AUB is priced for no growth at c. 6x EV/EBITDA vs long-term average of 11x. 

In short:  High quality, defensive earner trading at a low-quality cyclical stock valuation.

Elders (ELD) $12.41 per share, $2bn market cap

After reaching highs of over $15 per share on the back of exceptional agricultural commodity prices, Elders has sold off as investors try and anticipate peak earnings.  Our channel checks inform us that exceptional profitability in the agricultural economy may continue for longer than expected. The high rainfall experienced across most of Australia should assist with above average crop yields, as well as livestock production, this is all good news for Elders who were already guiding to profit growth of 30-40% this year.  Excess free cash flow could be deployed to accretive acquisitions in line with the company’s stated strategy.

In short:  goldilocks conditions for farmers = goldilocks conditions for Elders

Uvre Limited (UVA)  $0.14 per share, $4.4m market cap

We like the uranium sector and think Utah-focused uranium explorer Uvre Limited has exceptional leverage to its upcoming maiden assay results, expected mid-to-late October.

From a $4.4m market cap, it wouldn’t take much success with the drill bit for the share price to double and with visible, shallow uranium/vanadium mineralisation already reported in 5 holes, as well as elevated gamma radiation levels, the None Such Prospect could deliver, sooner rather than later, for shareholders. 

In short: Speculative, but well managed and as likely as anything else at this market cap.

September 2022

Mineral Resources (MIN) $61.00 per share, $11.5bn market cap

MinRes is expanding production and setting up for a decade-long free cash flow bonanza. Lithium earnings start to really kick next year and should see group EBITDA more than double from FY22’s $1.024bn to c. $2.3bn in FY23.  Despite the undemanding valuation of c. 5x EBITDA, we continue to see value in the eventual spin-out of the lithium/spodumene and mining services businesses (which, while barely spoken about continues to perform ahead of expectations.)

In short: The cheapest lithium producer on the ASX.

Galileo Mining (GAL) $1.12 per share, $220m market cap

Galileo’s Callisto discovery has potentially opened an entire new platinum group elements (PGE) district near Norseman in Western Australia.  GAL is about one quarter of the way through a 2,000m diamond drilling campaign, funded by a recent $20m placement at $1.20 per share.  The company have already reported to the ASX significant mineralised zones and while we won’t know grades until the cores go to the lab (4 weeks or so usually), these “massive sulphides” are typically easy to mine and very high grade.  We see significant scope for resource upgrade on the back of this recent work by what consider a top-tier management team.  

In short:  Resource-expansion drilling should add value for shareholders over the next 3 months.

Heramed (HMD) $0.145 per share, $30m market cap

Heramed developed and distribute a software and medical device which remotely monitors foetal vital signs in pregnant women. The company raised $4m at 13c just last week, positioning itself for the ‘commercialisation phase’ after a period of successful trials and pilots, with the likes of Sheba Medical Center in Israel, Joondalup Health in Perth and the Mayo Clinic in the US.

In short: From this market cap, it wouldn’t take much news for the share price to double.

July 2022

Collins Foods (CKF) $10.00 per share, $1.1bn market cap

Collins Foods operate the KFC restaurant chain in Australia, The Netherlands, and Germany, as well the emerging Taco Bell brand of stores here in Australia.

Investors have incorrectly assumed that falling consumer demand would see declining sales, while rising food and labour costs was negatively impact margins.

The stock had fallen 60% on the back of these assumptions, before rallying on the FY22 results, which saw 31 new stores, EBITDA growth of over 14% and improving profit margins across the European stores – a key pillar of future growth.

In short: High quality, consumer facing business that is less cyclical and more defensive than the average investor appreciates. 

ARB Corporation (ARB) $28.50 per share, $2.3bn market cap

ARB is down 60% from its highs as investors believe the pandemic-induced, 4-wheel-drive-mania is over, sales growth has peaked and rising raw materials and labour costs are certain to erode margins. 

However, ARB has an exceptional track record for managing costs, having invested early and ahead of the curve in offshore manufacturing capability.  Their strong brand loyalty, bedded in a culture of R&D, means they do not face the same price sensitivity as many of their competitors.

In short:  We think ARB is a long-term outperformer that’s been erroneously thrown out as a low-quality COVID winner in decline.

Credit Corp (CCP) $20.00 per share, $1.4bn market cap

Credit has a very simple business model.  They buy debt ledgers and recover the money. The stock is down c. 60% from its highs on concerns around cost inflation, debt ledger availability and recovery rates as consumers become more and more distressed both here and in the US.  

I’m not dismissing those concerns, however, it’s our view that is CCP continuing to expand geographically and continuing to find margin as a result of that scale through investment in offshoring, analytics and technology. 

In short: CCP should continue to deliver 16-18% ROE, low gearing, and strong long-term growth as its always done for many years.  Beauty is now, you’ve got a rare opportunity to buy at heavily discounted prices.

June 2022

All figures in Australian dollars (1 AUD = 0.72 USD at time of publishing)

GQG Partners (GQG)  $1.58, $4.6bn market cap

GQG is a leading fund manager with over $90bn USD under management, a strong performance track record and competitive fees.  GQG, unlike many of their peers globally, generate 95%+ of its revenue from stable management fees and it’s because of this stability and scale, GQG has been able to rapidly expand profit margins, now over 80%.  This is rare air for an ASX-listed company in any sector.  

In short: Trading on a c. 8.0% dividend yield, current pricing offers an attractive long-term entry point.

Amcor (AMC) $18.41, $14bn market cap

Amcor is the global leader in packaging, their customers are the multinational fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies that populate the supermarket shelves around the world.  Amcor, like many other industrial companies, are facing a range of challenges as a result of the current macroeconomic environment. 

Rising raw materials and commodity prices, labour shortages and freight costs all impact Amcor’s cost base.  Unlike many of their industrial peers, Amcor’s market position allows the company to pass on price rises to customers, protecting their margins, free cash flow and dividends (which have grown at 8.5% CAGR since 2003).

In short:  A high quality, defensive company offering reliable mid-single digit growth and a c. 3.8% dividend yield.

Australian Finance Group (AFG) $1.91, $515m market cap

AFG is Australia’s #1 mortgage aggregator, and over the past 7 or 8 years has taken dividends from 6cps in 2015 to 17cps in 2022.  Yet, here we are today, buying the stock at 2018-prices and on a pretty much all-time high dividend yield of 8.80%.  We think concerns about rising compliance costs and commission rate pressure is consistent across the financial services industry and perhaps, overplayed. 

In fact, our view is there is adequate evidence to support the idea that AFG can grow margins over time, as higher margin products are seeing faster volume growth than legacy, lower-margin white label products.  

In short: A reliable dividend payer at an attractive price, with significant potential for a re-rate if they can continue to transition to these higher margin products.  

Australian Share Trading FAQs

The post 3 Best ASX Shares To Buy In January 2023 appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

What would you shirk to live in Paradise? An intimate friend circle? A lively office culture? Your parents? Instagram?Whether or not you personally would consider it, cheap flights, the current lack of overseas travel options and a work from home renaissance are all reasons why many Big City Hubbers are considering a mid-life sea change with fresh eyes (and in many cases pulling the trigger).

Byron Bay blues… @danieljkiritsis A shift in environment can alter the state of your creativity.

I’m feeling in the flow since moving here and am excited to create and share more https://t.co/fCn5WHa7sY pic.twitter.com/tabLCjP43m— Byron Bay (@byronbay) May 13, 2020

Byron-adjacent town Mullumbimby’s recent record-breaking spate of outlandish property sales suggests it’s not all hot air, either.As The Australian Financial Review reported yesterday, “The once-affordable hippie town of Mullumbimby in northern NSW has recorded a flurry of $2 million-plus sales for the first time ever, as demand for ‘lifestyle properties’ in the hills behind Byron Bay skyrockets.”Though these places are being bought by celebrities, tech entrepreneurs and cashed-up retirees, it wouldn’t be surprising if more ‘everyday’ young professionals started eying up Byron’s surrounding hinterland with hungry eyes.

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A post shared by Clare | Take Me To Australia (@takemetoaustralia) on Jun 22, 2020 at 2:04pm PDT

To see if this idea held water, DMARGE got in touch with a travel expert – Cameron Holland. A regular commentator on travel, consumer trends, business growth and innovation, Cameron is also the CEO of e-commerce business Luxury Escapes.Though he doesn’t have a crystal ball, Cameron told DMARGE exclusively, “Byron Bay has always been one of our top NSW destinations and with Aussies limited to traveling domestically right now it’s performing really well.”“It’s still early days to see whether that translates to a longer-term sea change with people relocating there but with everyone hanging out for some time away post-iso we may see them considering a broader life change.”Adding to this, Cameron also said this year will see more bums on sand: “A beach stay is also top of the list for many Australians (particularly those who might have been planning a European getaway over winter) so we can expect heading to domestic beach destinations like Byron Bay will be a lot more attractive to Australians this year.”Another factor we put to Cameron is boredom: could this be what sparks Sydney’s cashed-up Yuppies (say) to move and start the remote business of their dreams?“While I can’t speculate on the property market, we have certainly seen that despite the current economic state Australians are still booking travel and spending money on lifestyle purchases,” Cameron relates.

“8 in 10 Aussies say taking a holiday is still in their budget for 2020, so perhaps their trip could lead to a bigger choice if they fall in love with a domestic destination they may have never visited before.”

More broadly, Luxury Escapes have surveyed close to 3000 Australians on how they will be traveling post-pandemic, finding that more than 86% of Aussies they asked are “just as likely or more likely” to travel in 2020.Oh, and to those that fall in love and decide to move, here at DMARGE we thought we’d give you a chance to avoid being cast as a ‘rude Sydneysider’ before you’ve even put your togs on at Tallows.

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A post shared by Lucy Alexander (@lucealexander) on Jan 9, 2020 at 12:56pm PST

Courtesy of Byronbay.com, here it is – read and learn: “You can pick the new residents because they rave about how wonderful it is to walk down Jonson Street and say hello to so many people they know; because they’re more interested in finding out how you make your money than who you sleep with.”Another giveaway? “They’ve just rented a post office box for two months and announced smugly: ‘Yeah, I’m a local.'”But it’s not just newcomers who need to watch themselves. Byronbay.com, in the same article, also points out: “You can grow quite cocooned and self-satisfied living in the Byron Bubble.”

“I discovered [this] one year when I drove to Hervey Bay to join some friends on a week-long whale-watching expedition. Traveling up with a Byron acquaintance and her small son, we stopped for a tea break at a roadhouse outside Bundaberg.”

“After the tea, we walked back to my old Corona, parked in the vast bitumen car park. As we drew alongside my car, we saw a big, bearded man who looked as if he customarily ate four cows for breakfast, standing with his hands on his substantial hips, inspecting the stickers on the rear window. One of these said: ‘The goddess is alive. Magic is afoot.'”“‘Which wunna-yous’d be the goddess?’ he challenged in a surly voice, a real ton-of-fun kind of guy. Before we had a chance to reply, he turned his back, folded his massive frame into his Queensland-registered, mud-spattered ute and roared off.”In other words: paradise – maybe even a revelation – awaits. Just don’t post a sticker on your car bragging about it (or don’t be surprised when it provokes dickheads).

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The post Byron Bay Bubble Could See An Influx Of Sydneysiders appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

All good things must come to an end. In this case, it’s the removal of Alaska’s Into The Wild icon – a rusty bus which has sat 25 miles off of Parks’ Highway, on The Stampede Trail, for 60 years.Made famous by the 1996 best selling book Into The Wild (which was later adapted into a movie), the abandoned bus is where 24-year-old backpacker Virginian Christopher McCandless stayed for 100 days in 1992 until his death.West of the Teklanika River, the bus has drawn visitors – many following in McCandless’ footsteps – over the years, sparking several more deaths and rescues. The area, on the boundary of Denali National Park and Preserve, is treacherous.To reach the bus one must endure wilderness conditions and cross the fast-moving Teklanika River. In light of this danger (and the bus’ insatiable pull), local officials have long called for its removal.“It’s a little bittersweet, honestly,” said Denali Borough Mayor Clay Walker. “We know it’s the right thing to do for public safety, yet at the same time I watched it go down the Stampede Road, it does feel like a piece of your history moving on.”As for the removal: the bus was airlifted out and placed onto the back of an Alaska Department of Transportation flatbed truck, as part of a coordinated effort between the Alaska Department of Natural Resources and the Alaska Army National Guard.

 

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A post shared by Cheddar (@cheddar) on Jun 19, 2020 at 10:03am PDT

The bus will remain in storage at a secure location, and the state is considering options for its permanent placement (it may be displayed somewhere people can visit it safely).Though this goes against the philosophy of many of those interested in seeing the bus in the first place, officials would point to the recent spate of incidents unprepared (or unlucky) travelers have caused.

 

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A post shared by VANLIFE|TRAVEL COUPLE (@nomadarte) on Jun 22, 2020 at 11:31am PDT

As Traveller reports, “Between 2009 and 2017, there were 15 bus-related search and rescue operations by the state, according to the natural resources department.”‘“Most recently, a 26-year-old Brazilian man was rescued from the area in April after running out of food and becoming trapped when ice over the Teklanika River melted and the rushing waters swelled. Five Italian tourists were rescued in February,” (Traveller).

“In 2019, a 24-year-old woman from Belarus died as she struggled to cross the river after spending two nights at the bus.”

“It has long been a perilous attraction,” local Borough Mayor Clay Walker said of the bus.

 

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Mike and I trekked into the MAGIC BUS in 2007 during the movie release. #magicbus #magicbus142 #magicbusexperience #intothewild #intothewildbus #chrismccandless #alexandersupertramp #johnkrakauer @johnkrakauer @chrismccandless1992 #alaskan #alaskanadventures #hikingintothewild #expatlife #alaskalife #uniquelyalaskan #uniquelyalaskanexperience #intothewildmovie #intothewildbook @carinemccandless @krakauernotwriting

A post shared by Jonathon Lynn Goodwin (@expatriotstory) on Jun 19, 2020 at 8:12am PDT

Though Mount Denali has also caused deaths over the years (and, likewise, more people have been endangered by brown bears and frozen lakes than this bus), we’d say the Into The Wild bus was Alaska’s most perilous ‘in one place’ tourist attraction of the last 60 years.The 1940s-era bus – Fairbanks city bus 142 – was dragged to the spot by Yutan Construction as shelter for employees during a pioneer road construction project, then left to rot when the project was completed in 1961.Hopefully it ends up resting in peace, not pieces…

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The post ‘Into The Wild’ Bus Removed After 60 Years appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

When you think of Europe you think of Old World excess. Tasteful architecture, freshly baked croissants, the soothing sound of your third gin and tonic. You get the picture. But if you take your beer glasses off for a second, you might also notice there are a lot of unfinished construction projects, particularly outside of the main tourist areas.From Greece to Spain, the problem is widespread. It is also widely acknowledged as being a result of poor government planning and the crisis of 2008 (which it took most European countries a lot longer to dig themselves out of than, say, Australia).That’s generally.Today, however, the topic of discussion is a Greek airport which, has been abandoned for some more specific reasons.That airport is Hellenikon, and it is now a jungle of trash, broken glass, discarded record books, faded tourism posters (T.J Ekleberg eat your heart out) and torn maps.To top it off, outside the crumbling walls, a small fleet of Boeing aircraft, including a 747-200, a 737 and a 727, sit rusting.As CNN Travel recently reported, Eleftherios Venizelos was not always Greece’s main landing pad. And as international travel tentatively resumes, and as Venizelos roars back to life, “a few kilometers to the west, another airport will remain eerily quiet – as it has for much of the last 20 years.”

“Located on the southern Athenian coast on a site roughly three times the size of Monaco, Hellenikon – which translates to ‘the Greek’ – was for decades the only international airport in Athens.”

Hellenikon, the abandoned airport complex, was originally built in the late 1930s – when Greek aviation was still in its infancy. Then, during World War II, the site was used by Nazi Germany’s Luftwaffe and became a target of Allied air raids.After the war, Hellenikon became Athens’ main hub for commercial air travel. This involved significant reconstruction, including bigger runways and a new control tower and terminal halls.“With Greece’s tourism industry rapidly expanding, Hellenikon served as the gateway for millions of people arriving from all corners of the globe to explore the country’s archaeological marvels and sun-baked beaches,” CNN Travel reports.Why did it shut down? Unfortunately, Hellenikon was unable to serve Greece’s skyrocketing tourism needs, and was shut down on March the 30th, 2001, to make way for a more cutting edge facility.

 

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The travesty is, although some parts of the disused complex were repurposed into venues for the Olympics, years of neglect followed and the 1,530-acre site – once envisaged as a metropolitan park – was “left to decay amid disagreements over its redevelopment and Greece’s descent into economic chaos in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis,” (CNN Travel).In 2014 there was a glint of hope as investors signed a €915 million ($1 billion) deal to turn Hellenikon into one of Europe’s largest coastal resorts, filled with luxury hotels and apartments, as well as shopping malls, a park and a casino and entertainment complex.The lust didn’t last, however, and things once again turned bleak: efforts to jump-start the project have repeatedly stalled amid political opposition and bureaucratic paper shuffling.“More than four years ago, at the height of Europe’s refugee crisis, the sprawling site became an informal settlement sheltering thousands of refugees living in harrowing conditions, its abandoned terminals and Olympic facilities filled by a sea of tents,” CNN Travel reports.That said, “Over the past year, Greece’s conservative government has pledged to speed up regulatory procedures so that the long-delayed redevelopment project can get off the ground, and some preliminary work is expected to commence in the coming weeks,” CNN Travel reported at the start of this month.But, particularly with the major drop in tourist revenue that Greece is experiencing due to The Virus, don’t hold your breath on it being finished any time soon.

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The post Hellenikon Airport Left To Rot appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

You wouldn’t think someone as successful, wild and outspoken as Irish MMA fighter and boxer Conor McGregor would back down from a fight, but maybe you’d be mistaken.‘The Notorious’, famous for his trash-talking and aggressive fighting style, is also notorious for having announced his retirement multiple times, and then reneged on his retirement to get back into the ring.The big man seems to have retired for real as of 2020… And it seems as if he’s retired from the business of keeping up his grooming habits during The Pandemic, too.Normally impeccably groomed and a very snappy dresser, the 31-year-old UFC legend’s latest Instagram post show that he’s thrown in the towel a bit during lockdown, chilling in a hoodie and revealing an unkempt mop and untrimmed beard.

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A post shared by Conor McGregor Official (@thenotoriousmma) on Jun 22, 2020 at 1:39pm PDT

McGregor isn’t the only celeb who’s let grooming habits fall by the wayside during 2020’s quarantine… Here’s some other men who’ve given up the grooming fight.

Sergio Ramos

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Vitamina D

A post shared by Sergio Ramos (@sergioramos) on Jun 8, 2020 at 12:13pm PDT

The Real Madrid dynamo’s gone a bit troppo with his beard – although looking at the ratings of TV shows like Bachelor in Paradise (sorry, just puked in my mouth a little) maybe a Cast Away-esque beard like his might actually do well with the ladies.RELATED: Sergio Ramos’ New Look Shows The Struggle Of Grooming Your Own Beard In Iso

Martin Freeman

Known for his performances in The Hobbit, The Office and Sherlock, the 48-year-old English actor was spotted in London recently sporting a salt-and-pepper-y quarantine beard. Not a bad look if you ask me.

LeBron James

“Gotta do what we gotta do.” @KingJames gives an update while being quarantined. pic.twitter.com/IuOsqvmrQp

— ESPN (@espn) March 18, 2020

King James has often sported a bit of face fungus, but his current situation is more unruly than he’d like. Still stuck in lockdown, the normally fastidious LA Lakers forward probably isn’t getting enough beard attention as he’d like.

Chris Hemsworth

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A post shared by Chris Hemsworth (@chrishemsworth) on Apr 3, 2020 at 5:51pm PDT

Famous for playing Thor, a Marvel hero with a truly godly beard (see what I did there?), Chris Hemsworth‘s actually done the opposite of what many celebs have done and pared back his beard.RELATED: Chris Hemsworth’s ‘Lockdown Beard’ A Sign Of Australia’s Changing Attitude To Grooming

Liam Gallagher

Already known as a pretty prickly sort of guy, the ex-Oasis frontman is barely recognisable right now with a huge, sage-like beard and long mustache. Wonderwall? More like wondrous wall of facial hair…As restrictions ease around Australia and the world (sorry America, you might have to stay locked down just a little longer), we might see the departure of these lockdown looks.Time will tell if our favourite celebs take up the fight again and showdown with the razor.

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The post Conor McGregor’s Beard Is A Thing Of Beauty appeared first on DMARGE Australia.