This week's top reads

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Picture this: You’re at a high-end restaurant (white tablecloth and all), waiting for a steak knife and a crack of pepper before diving into the fattest, juiciest rib-eye money can buy – and it’s for free.

Enter the mystery shopper. It’s a real gig that pays you to eat, shop, and stay in hotels, although it will require you to channel your inner Nancy Drew, Donnie Brasco and Charlie Brown (detailed, covert and unwaveringly dependable).

The war continues to rattle us here in Australia in different ways, from Uber price hikes on non-EV trips to shifting property prices. ANZ now expects property prices will drop in Sydney and Melbourne through to the end of the year, but a warning for Brisbane and Perth buyers: these markets are defying gravity, with $50k+ gains expected on median house prices despite RBA hikes.

And to round out the week, we’ve uncovered some hard-hitting research. The most popular way to cut your toastie is… drum roll please…

Triangles!

Of course, if you’re skipping the juicy steak for a Friday-night fakeaway, feel free to skip the knife entirely and just tuck in.

Mystery-shopping might not pay all the bills but for some, it can be life-changing. Find out how it works.

Your premium could be rising faster than expected. Some Aussies are seeing hikes well above the official rate — but switching could unlock real savings.

OnePass is throwing a six-month membership party, and everyone’s invited for free. Sign up by May 14 and you’ll snag free delivery with no minimum spend at retail heavyweights like Kmart, Bunnings and Officeworks, plus 365 day returns and 5x flybuys points. In a surprise twist, existing monthly subscribers will see an automatic six-month payment pause, while annual members get a $20 discount on their next renewal (finally, loyalty does pay). A word of warning: don't let free shipping lure you into a shopping spree for things you’ll never use, and mark your calendar, because after six months the fun shifts to a $40 annual fee.

Want to scratch that Friday night takeaway itch without blowing the budget? Domino’s is offering 50 per cent off large traditional and premium pizzas until this Sunday (18 April), which could take some of the sting out of a weekend splurge. Just remember, no matter what the hack, set a limit before you order and stick to it. A deal is only a win if it fits your budget. Alternatively, hit up our frozen pizza award page for a bit of fakeaway inspo – Aldi pizza-eating lovers will tell you it’s the ultimate Friday night budget buster. 

Ikea has made major changes to its legendary returns policy, cutting the window for Aussie shoppers to decide if that flatpack bookshelf actually sparks joy. Its previous 365-day return promise now only applies to unopened items. If you’ve already broken the seal or wrestled that flat-pack into a half-finished masterpiece, the stakes are higher. Under the new Test & Try policy, you’ve only got 60 days to change your mind, and you’ll receive store credit rather than a refund. It’s a major wake-up call for the buy now, build later crowd; if you aren’t sure if those curtains match the rug, you’d better decide before the 60-day timer runs out, or you’ll be stuck with your impulse buy for good.