About The Author

Welcome to a Retirement Space That I hope you find to be thoughtful, practical and personal.  I’m Dave (Mintonna) and I hope you find ‘Mintonna Reviews – Better Living 70+’ to be a dedicated space for both retirees and pre-retirees.

I share my insights and personal reflections to help you build a retirement that’s not only secure and safe, but also meaningful and rewarding.  My philosophy centers on proactive, future-focused planning.  In a nutshell, that involves looking ahead and taking charge of our financial, physical and social well-being before age-related challenges make things more difficult to manage.

Creating a Safer, More Comfortable Home.

A significant portion of my content is dedicated to helping you with some ideas to create a home that’s both secure and accessible.

I talk about conducting regular safety assessments to catch hazards like fall risks, electrical problems, or poor lighting, before they become emergencies.

I strongly advocate for professional home safety evaluations because even experienced homeowners can overlook hidden dangers.

Other practical improvements I discuss include:

·         High-security and smart locks to reinforce entryways

·         Mobility upgrades like offset hinges to widen doorways for mobility scooters as well as ‘scooter friendly’ and ergonomic furniture layouts.

·         Senior-friendly room designs, including kitchens with pull-out shelves and height-adjustable counters, and bedrooms with high-quality supportive mattresses (like Spinaleze or Sleeping Duck).

·         Bathroom safety aids such as bath benches, shower chairs, and toilet frames.

Financial Planning That Adapts With You.

In my view, financial resilience is essential to a stress-free retirement and you’ll find that I tend to discuss:

·         The need for early and ongoing financial planning and getting help from specialists in this field.

·         The need for people to fully understand their income streams like the Age Pension, superannuation and personal savings.

·         Budgeting wisely, especially for those on a tight budget, bulk meal prepping and trimming unnecessary expenses can go a long way.

·         For me, financial planning isn’t just about today—it’s a long-term process that evolves with life’s changes.

Staying Healthy Inside and Out.

I don’t think I would be alone in saying that, “Health is at the heart of retirement independence.”

I share both personal struggles (like staying on top of balanced nutrition!) and practical strategies:

·         Regular physical activities: From walking, swimming, yoga and Tai Chi—to maintain strength and mobility.

·         Staying hydrated and prioritizing regular medical checkups.

·         Supporting mental well-being through hobbies, volunteering and socializing to combat loneliness.

·         For those with mobility challenges, I review practical aids like rollator walkers, scooters, lift chairs, and ergonomic tools that make daily life easier.

Adventure, Travel & Making the Most of Your Time.

I believe retirement is a time to explore. I share travel thoughts for:

·         Motorhome and caravan adventures, including bus conversions.

·         Family-friendly camping, with large, future-ready tents for multigenerational trips.

·         Destination guides and packing tips tailored to Australian landscapes.  For my way of thinking, exploration isn’t just about getting away, it’s about creating lifelong memories and embracing learning at every stage of life.

Building a Strong Social Life.

Loneliness can creep in during retirement, but it doesn’t have to be a major issue in my opinion.  As such, I discuss a few ways to stay socially connected through:

·         Clubs, community events and volunteer work.

·         New hobbies like painting, gardening, needlework and lawn bowls

·         As someone that enjoys having birds as pets, I also talk about the joys of bird companionship, canaries, budgies, and African Greys can bring surprising emotional support and daily joy.

Staying Safe from Scams and Natural Disasters.

Today’s scams are more sophisticated than ever.

I encourage a cautious, informed mindset and share my thoughts on spotting:

·         Phishing attempts and unsolicited offers

·         Fraudulent investment pitches

·         I also recommend safety practices beyond the digital world, like protecting your home from natural disasters and keeping insurance up to date.

Affordable, Efficient Home Improvement.

Simple upgrades can boost both comfort and sustainability. I offer my thoughts on:

·         Decluttering and reorganizing for easier mobility

·         Using low-maintenance materials and LED lighting to cut energy costs

·         Teaching the grandkids useful life skills, from basic car maintenance to safe driving, effectively turning some of your spare time into a multigenerational learning sessions.

Planning Ahead: My Retirement Philosophy

Ask ten people what retirement means, and you’ll get ten answers.

That’s why I emphasize preparation over reaction. I recommend thinking as far out into the future as you can manage, long enough to anticipate changes and implement them before they’re urgent at a time where it’s more difficult to deal with.

From home layouts to financial strategies, future-proofing means maintaining autonomy and grace as we age.

In Closing:

When you weigh it all up, retirement isn’t a finish line, it’s an invitation to live on your own terms, with clarity, comfort and connection.

My hope is that Mintonna Reviews becomes more than just a resource, it becomes a companion in your journey, offering not just tips, but encouragement, not just information, but inspiration.

Whether you’re here for a practical solution or a quiet moment of reflection, I’m glad we’ve crossed paths.

Let’s keep building a retirement that truly fits who you are and who you’re still becoming.