Discounts for oldies in Hallett's new guide

There are some perks to being over fifty, says UCT's Marilyn Hallett.

Her book, You've Earned It!, is a guide to discounts and benefits for those among us who've lived more than five decades.

It was a trip abroad that introduced the 55-year old staffer in Human Resources to benefits on offer to pensioners in the UK and Europe.

Hallett thought nothing further about the discounts at the time. But on her return to South Africa she picked up a brochure at her local bank detailing the benefits that institution offered to the over-55s.

Only thing is, you have to apply for them. "And this got me thinking - how do you apply for something you don't know about?"

In her book, Hallett has done all the hard work for us.

Carefully researched, her guide opens the way to a host of discounted services and products from over 400 South African businesses, from locksmiths and optometrists to legal advice and fusion cookery lessons (it's never too late), to financial advice and painting classes (ditto). And discount vino.

"For years, I've said that one of my main goals in life is to have a book published. This is not quite the book I had in mind, but then life does throw you into interesting situations."