Yes it is getting hard but I still see so many people eating out at Cafes and restaurants and they say people dont have money

Unfortunately this is a very complex issue. We can hope there’ll be some attention to it in the Budget.

Without change at a government level we’re limited to making changes and budgeting and trying to get by. If you need help reach out for it Ask Izzy can help put you in touch with local support services

yep certainly feeling it too. Really trying to make budget meals and pick up meat and dairy when they are discounted. Even freezing milk if I have bought it close to use by date.

Some tips which may help relief some financial stress, take what resonates and leave what doesn’t

1. Make sure you are signed up with and using all the rewards programs offered by shops you purchase from such as Flybuys for Coles, Target, Kmart, Bunnings and Everyday Rewards for Woolworths, Big W and Ampol. These can stack up quick to give money off when least expected, always a lovely suprise. Be sure to activate bonus point offers in the apps.
2. Check out the local help with food in your area by searching online ‘food support in *where you live*’ you can find lots of places that sell bags of full fruit and veg for only $2, some places give out stuff free to those in need or vouchers.
3. Keep all your plastic bottles, glass bottles and cans for return and earn – 10c each. Stack them and take them in bulk to get vouchers for Woolies that you just scan with your groceries before clicking on a payment method and it takes off the money. Now you might need to fill a few bags at a time to make it worth it (I’d recommend at minimum 4-5 bags to get around $10-$15 back) but the more the better
4. Stop buying unnecessary products that are full of chemicals anyways, this might seem a bit harsh to some, but we really buy so many products we don’t need – simply because we saw them advertised! And the more we use them, the more we tend to need them. I’m talking about products like deoderant (switched to a natural one for a few months, then went totally without and I actually stopped needing it completely.. this happens to most who try it), mouthwash, fabric softener, air fresheners sprays and plug-ins etc.
5. Unplug electronics when not in use.
6. If you find yourself scraping for grocery money sometimes, consider Purkle surveys. Yes it can take a while sometimes to build up to the minimum $20 voucher but it can be so worth it when times are tough. I have redeemed almost $600 worth of vouchers from Purkle. The more surveys you do, they more they will send you. Even if you don’t qualify for one you still get 20c for trying to quality unlike other survey platforms.
7. Always search for coupon codes when purchasing items online Eg. google *Store you want to purchase from name* coupon code, just do a quick check it’s so simple and sometimes you can grab some amazing discounts on clothing and much more
8. Download the Cashrewards browser plug-in. Get cash back on purchases from tons of websites. I have been using this for many years.
9. Consider purchasing from Op shops. Can get some things for kids at great prices to entertain them like at my local cancer charity op shop all books are only $1 each, Dvds are $2 each.
10. Sign up to product testing sites to get products for free like food, beauty products, toiletries, cleaning products and more. Home tester club regularly lists new products you can apply for,
11. Enter some online competitions, you gotta be in it to win it! I love competitions I have won tons of items over the years everything from hair straighteners to popcorn makers, clothing, gift cards, baby products, makeup, skincare, adult products, cases of drinks, books, expensive cookware and more. When you can’t afford to spoil yourself, winning a prize is such an amazing feeling!

I now get scared to go out grocery shopping as I know I will come home broke as everything goes up every week which is now out of control and the big Supermarket Giants are loving this I guess

I’m kinda over inflation.
I work and some days I wonder why I even bother.
I’m working solely to pay for inflated groceries ????

I don’t know how to answer your questions I wish I did my family and I were discussing we no longer even get to buy the food we like but the food we can stretch the most and taking your kid to the movies is the familes entertainment budget for the month. I wish we could have communities like Mennonites Amish etc where we could live communally to take advantage of group purchases of land building own homes community gardens lack of Brand name emphasis and social media but I want one that isn’t based in religion and doesn’t dictate personal choices like clothing etc just love the idea of everyone contributing what they are best at and enjoy for benifet if a community and actually producing majority of foods clothes usedet

It is crazy how much everything has gone up. I have been seeing a lot of good being done through social media groups. Where people are able to ask for what they need and other people have given. I joined a local ‘free’ group and it’s amazingly beautiful how generous everyone is.

I agree. I have a newborn and alot of new mums I have met will be going back to work before bubs is 6 months due to the cost of living. So unfair time is cut short with babt

It is high. Try sitting down and working out a budget based on your current income, and see if you can find ways to bring down your current costs.

This is the time to stick to a strict budget and luxuries do have to be sidelined. The unfortunate outcome is many small businesses will not get customers due to lack of money due to the cost of basics and less surplus money for any luxuries.

I have definitely found it a lot harder lately. Having only 1 income for myself and my daughter with a mortgage is a struggle. I try to look for every possible bargain i can find and have now really sat down and looked at what i am spending my money on and need to get more savoy with my spending. I agree with some of the other comments, the government needs to look at the big supermarkets closely, they price everything so high and yet they take most of the profits and don’t give back to the farmers etc. In WA we are suffering at the moment as shelves are bear and the price of things is so high. I have never paid more than $3 for deodorant and at the moment I am paying over $6 which is double. Every dollar counts. It can be quite stressful wondering if your bills are going to be higher and if you will be able to afford everything at the time. The government really needs to look at the cost of living etc and try and crack down on companies taking big profits from people.

Housing, health, food, and travel costs have risen the fastest so far in 2024. Climate change, corporate profiteering, and global supply chain issues have each driven up the cost of living in Australia.

It’s hard for so many. I think the big grocery stores need looking at, especially in what they arr paying the farmers. It’s a little scary with all services costing more. We all just have to budget and do without luxuries. Many generations have been through this before, The worry is that the prices never seem to go back down.