Aussies in share houses resort to extreme budgeting measures just to make ends meet
- Replies 6
In these tough times, more and more of us are feeling the pinch when it comes to our day-to-day expenses.
Everywhere we turn, it feels like something else is going up in price – whether it's petrol for the car, groceries at the supermarket, or rent for our homes. It can be a real struggle just to make ends meet!
Of course, this financial pressure doesn't just affect us as individuals; it also takes its toll on our relationships. In fact, a recent study found that almost half of Australians believe inflation has the power to negatively impact their closest personal ties.
This is particularly true for Aussies who live in share houses with friends or strangers. With everyone feeling the squeeze, tensions tend to run high, and household harmony can quickly go out the window!
Some Aussies who share their home with other people spoke about their experiences of living in a tense household environment due to rising costs. Here's what they had to say:
Alexandra Martin (28) from Sydney said basic food items that were once shared without a second thought are now being counted and measured so that no one runs out unexpectedly.
The 'uncomfortable' truth, she said, is that people are now keeping careful tabs on each other's food stocks by measuring and counting things like eggs and milk that were once freely shared.
Also, almost no one cooks a meal for the whole household anymore, and people pay a lot more attention to how long they spend in the shower or in the room with the air conditioner on.
What's mine is mine, and what's yours is yours, she explained, referring to the rule she and her housemates now follow.
Taylor (28) from Sydney said dinners that were previously made for the house as a gesture of goodwill are now added to the house bills so that everyone can pitch in financially.
She also mentioned how proactive she and her housemates have become in terms of conserving resources at home. 'There'll be a text in the group chat if heaters or lights are left on,' she said, adding that there is also a noticeable tension in their house whenever the topic of the conversation turns to bills or anything related to money.
Josh (30) from Bondi said he and his housemates have cut down on socialising together outside of their home because they simply can't afford it anymore.
'Inflation has for sure taken a lot of the fun out of shared living,' he said, adding that they have also cut back on their spontaneous shopping sprees and they now opt to purchase their groceries at larger supermarkets once a week.
Revolut, a financial software used by many households to track and divide expenses, commissioned research that indicated nearly half of Australians feel inflation has the capacity to harm their relationships.
A whopping 92 per cent of them were worried about their financial security in the face of the rising cost of living, but more than a third admitted they wouldn't feel comfortable asking for a raise.
Matt Baxby, Revolut Australia's CEO, said the research findings were reflected in the increase in people who were downloading the company's app to help manage their money and expenses.
The app, which offers budget trackers, 'saving vaults' and features to split bills, has seen a 65 per cent increase in downloads year-on-year – and it doesn't look like that trend is slowing down any time soon!
Members, if you're finding yourself in a similar position to Alexandra and the other Aussies interviewed for this article, then we recommend you seek financial advice as soon as possible.
Speak to your bank or a financial advisor about creating a budget and ways you can cut back on your spending. There are also a number of free financial counselling services available across Australia, so please don't hesitate to reach out for help if you're struggling.
Calling the National Debt Helpline at 1800 007 007 is the quickest and most convenient way to get connected with a financial counsellor in your state or territory.
We hope these tips help you to ease the financial pressure you may be feeling. Remember, you're not alone in this – we're all in it together!
Everywhere we turn, it feels like something else is going up in price – whether it's petrol for the car, groceries at the supermarket, or rent for our homes. It can be a real struggle just to make ends meet!
Of course, this financial pressure doesn't just affect us as individuals; it also takes its toll on our relationships. In fact, a recent study found that almost half of Australians believe inflation has the power to negatively impact their closest personal ties.
This is particularly true for Aussies who live in share houses with friends or strangers. With everyone feeling the squeeze, tensions tend to run high, and household harmony can quickly go out the window!
Aussies who live in share houses are resorting to extreme budgeting measures just to make ends meet. Credit: Pexels/Nicola Barts.
Some Aussies who share their home with other people spoke about their experiences of living in a tense household environment due to rising costs. Here's what they had to say:
Alexandra Martin (28) from Sydney said basic food items that were once shared without a second thought are now being counted and measured so that no one runs out unexpectedly.
The 'uncomfortable' truth, she said, is that people are now keeping careful tabs on each other's food stocks by measuring and counting things like eggs and milk that were once freely shared.
Also, almost no one cooks a meal for the whole household anymore, and people pay a lot more attention to how long they spend in the shower or in the room with the air conditioner on.
What's mine is mine, and what's yours is yours, she explained, referring to the rule she and her housemates now follow.
Taylor (28) from Sydney said dinners that were previously made for the house as a gesture of goodwill are now added to the house bills so that everyone can pitch in financially.
She also mentioned how proactive she and her housemates have become in terms of conserving resources at home. 'There'll be a text in the group chat if heaters or lights are left on,' she said, adding that there is also a noticeable tension in their house whenever the topic of the conversation turns to bills or anything related to money.
Josh (30) from Bondi said he and his housemates have cut down on socialising together outside of their home because they simply can't afford it anymore.
'Inflation has for sure taken a lot of the fun out of shared living,' he said, adding that they have also cut back on their spontaneous shopping sprees and they now opt to purchase their groceries at larger supermarkets once a week.
Rising inflation makes it hard for Australians to save money. Credit: Pexels/Skitterphoto.
Revolut, a financial software used by many households to track and divide expenses, commissioned research that indicated nearly half of Australians feel inflation has the capacity to harm their relationships.
A whopping 92 per cent of them were worried about their financial security in the face of the rising cost of living, but more than a third admitted they wouldn't feel comfortable asking for a raise.
Matt Baxby, Revolut Australia's CEO, said the research findings were reflected in the increase in people who were downloading the company's app to help manage their money and expenses.
The app, which offers budget trackers, 'saving vaults' and features to split bills, has seen a 65 per cent increase in downloads year-on-year – and it doesn't look like that trend is slowing down any time soon!
Members, if you're finding yourself in a similar position to Alexandra and the other Aussies interviewed for this article, then we recommend you seek financial advice as soon as possible.
Speak to your bank or a financial advisor about creating a budget and ways you can cut back on your spending. There are also a number of free financial counselling services available across Australia, so please don't hesitate to reach out for help if you're struggling.
Calling the National Debt Helpline at 1800 007 007 is the quickest and most convenient way to get connected with a financial counsellor in your state or territory.
We hope these tips help you to ease the financial pressure you may be feeling. Remember, you're not alone in this – we're all in it together!
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