Budgeting when things are tight can be tough, but it can also be a great experience that teaches you a lot about saving money and living within your means.

That was the case for Jackie Meyers, a journalist who wrote about her experience in Australian Community Media as a new mum and a single-income family in the early 1990s, back when the recession was at its worst.

‘I had been married for just over two years and was a new mother when paid maternity leave was non-existent, so we were a single-income family,’ she wrote.

Her husband worked as a carpenter but was in a field where demand was low.

Ms Meyers continued: ‘The unemployment rate was 10.73 per cent, and interest rates on a home loan had hit an all-time high of more than 17 per cent.’

As a new mother in the 90s, when the recession peaked, budgeting was extremely hard for Jackie. Credit: Pexels/Monstera.

Unsurprisingly, this meant Jackie’s grocery budget had to be incredibly strict.

With a limit of only $100 per week for food, Jackie had to go above and beyond to squeeze some savings out of the small amount.

While her situation was dire, one piece of advice from her grandmother gave her hope. Her grandmother suggested she try and stretch her grocery shopping schedule to 8 days rather than 7.

As Jackie made cuts, she soon realised that this small change meant she eliminated a week’s worth of spending and saved herself $100.

The money-saving tip wasn’t just limited to groceries — Jackie also had to walk instead of driving to cut down on petrol.

Prices were soaring as high as 63 cents for a litre back then, so every penny saved was crucial.

Jackie recalled the money-saving tip that allowed her to effectively budget her family’s income: stretching her grocery shopping to 8 days instead of 7. Credit: Pexels/Kampus Production.

While her money-saving methods were a win, her situation was unfortunately quite common.

Jackie recalled: ‘I was not alone in the challenge to make ends meet and concerns for the future. It was a story that could be shared by most people I knew.’

‘To be honest, I pondered daily about whether or not the struggle would ever end.’

Looking back at it, she still sees it as a story of hope since her parents and her grandparents before them had faced and pushed through even more troubling times.

‘I reminded myself that my parents and grandparents had also struggled through challenging times - war, food rations, depression rather than a recession, and so much more,’ she reflected.

‘Their survival and the survival of so many others, in times of challenge throughout the ages, were beacons of hope.’

Now, in the current climate, with interest rates and home prices rising and the price of petrol above two dollars per litre, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed and helpless.

But Jackie’s message to us is one of determination. As someone who’s been there, Jackie urges us t to look to the future with impeccable.

She said: ‘It is not surprising that so many people struggle with anxiety.’

‘This message is not to undermine or trivialise the current financial struggles and concerns for so many people.’

‘Those struggles are real, and at times frightening.’

‘The request for support from charities is on the rise, and many people are without affordable accommodation.’

‘But my experiences from 1992, and the stoic attitudes of generations before me, are a constant reminder that anything is possible and hope and determination should never be lost.’

And, of course, with her budget still as strict as ever, Jackie still puts any leftover money after her grocery shop into a ‘rainy day account’.

Key Takeaways

• Jackie Meyers shares her experience of budgeting during the early 1990s recession as a single-income family.
• Her grandmother's advice helped her save money by stretching her grocery shopping schedule to 8 days instead of 7, eliminating a week's worth of spending.
• Jackie also walked instead of driving to cut down on petrol costs when prices were soaring.
• Reflecting on her experiences, Jackie urges people to have hope and determination despite financial struggles, drawing strength from previous generations' challenges and triumphs.

Money-saving is tough but if we stay determined, are wise with spending, and trust that whatever challenges life throws our way will end up okay, we can find a way to make it work.

Do you have any other money-saving tips to help others in a tight financial spot? Let us know in the comments!

 

[Suzanne rose]

Shop for 50 % off items eg shampoos, dishwashing liquid, detergent for clothes ect and stock up and then top up. This is where big savings are made .


Try to shop every 2 weeks instead of weekly or at least 10 days.

Don't shop on an empty stomach.

Meal plan ahead even make a dish that you can have 2 days later or freeze. Write a shopping list of what you need for meals

Freeze leftovers.

Try to limit days you go to the shop because guaranteed you will spend more than you want to

Don't over buy on fresh vegies n fruit and if you do then cook n freeze before they go off.

 

[MariaG]

Budgeting when things are tight can be tough, but it can also be a great experience that teaches you a lot about saving money and living within your means.

That was the case for Jackie Meyers, a journalist who wrote about her experience in Australian Community Media as a new mum and a single-income family in the early 1990s, back when the recession was at its worst.

‘I had been married for just over two years and was a new mother when paid maternity leave was non-existent, so we were a single-income family,’ she wrote.

Her husband worked as a carpenter but was in a field where demand was low.

Ms Meyers continued: ‘The unemployment rate was 10.73 per cent, and interest rates on a home loan had hit an all-time high of more than 17 per cent.’

As a new mother in the 90s, when the recession peaked, budgeting was extremely hard for Jackie. Credit: Pexels/Monstera.

Unsurprisingly, this meant Jackie’s grocery budget had to be incredibly strict.

With a limit of only $100 per week for food, Jackie had to go above and beyond to squeeze some savings out of the small amount.

While her situation was dire, one piece of advice from her grandmother gave her hope. Her grandmother suggested she try and stretch her grocery shopping schedule to 8 days rather than 7.

As Jackie made cuts, she soon realised that this small change meant she eliminated a week’s worth of spending and saved herself $100.

The money-saving tip wasn’t just limited to groceries — Jackie also had to walk instead of driving to cut down on petrol.

Prices were soaring as high as 63 cents for a litre back then, so every penny saved was crucial.

Jackie recalled the money-saving tip that allowed her to effectively budget her family’s income: stretching her grocery shopping to 8 days instead of 7. Credit: Pexels/Kampus Production.

While her money-saving methods were a win, her situation was unfortunately quite common.

Jackie recalled: ‘I was not alone in the challenge to make ends meet and concerns for the future. It was a story that could be shared by most people I knew.’

‘To be honest, I pondered daily about whether or not the struggle would ever end.’

Looking back at it, she still sees it as a story of hope since her parents and her grandparents before them had faced and pushed through even more troubling times.

‘I reminded myself that my parents and grandparents had also struggled through challenging times - war, food rations, depression rather than a recession, and so much more,’ she reflected.

‘Their survival and the survival of so many others, in times of challenge throughout the ages, were beacons of hope.’

Now, in the current climate, with interest rates and home prices rising and the price of petrol above two dollars per litre, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed and helpless.

But Jackie’s message to us is one of determination. As someone who’s been there, Jackie urges us t to look to the future with impeccable.

She said: ‘It is not surprising that so many people struggle with anxiety.’

‘This message is not to undermine or trivialise the current financial struggles and concerns for so many people.’

‘Those struggles are real, and at times frightening.’

‘The request for support from charities is on the rise, and many people are without affordable accommodation.’

‘But my experiences from 1992, and the stoic attitudes of generations before me, are a constant reminder that anything is possible and hope and determination should never be lost.’

And, of course, with her budget still as strict as ever, Jackie still puts any leftover money after her grocery shop into a ‘rainy day account’.

Key Takeaways

• Jackie Meyers shares her experience of budgeting during the early 1990s recession as a single-income family.
• Her grandmother's advice helped her save money by stretching her grocery shopping schedule to 8 days instead of 7, eliminating a week's worth of spending.
• Jackie also walked instead of driving to cut down on petrol costs when prices were soaring.
• Reflecting on her experiences, Jackie urges people to have hope and determination despite financial struggles, drawing strength from previous generations' challenges and triumphs.

Money-saving is tough but if we stay determined, are wise with spending, and trust that whatever challenges life throws our way will end up okay, we can find a way to make it work.

Do you have any other money-saving tips to help others in a tight financial spot? Let us know in the comments!

This takes me back.
Many years ago, I came to the realisation that there was no urgent need to do my grocery shopping every week.
So, I came up with a plan to change the day every week. Say, Monday was the day I went in week one, then week 2 it was Tuesday, week 3 Wednesday and so on. Ultimately, I just needed to keep an even closer check on my pantry/fridge levels and only buy stuff when I really had to. For as long as I can remember, I have never gone shopping without a list, and sticking to it. I always keep 1 spare of non-perishables in the pantry, so, never was a day we did not have a decent meal on the table.
The outcome of doing things this way was to reduce the number of days I went grocery shopping each year, thereby cutting down on the grocery bill.
Now, I don't need to do that because to old retirees don't need as much as a family of 4 used to, but the need to shop each week is no longer here.
We can all come us with ways to cut back if the thinking caps are put on.

 

[Penny4]

That takes me back too.
I recall milk being very expensive around that time. Being a one income household like that, my little boys needed it, so of course we bought milk for them. Some people bought powdered milk instead of fresh, to save money. It's never been that expensive ever since, thank goodness.
These days, I now buy fruit & veg a few times/week, so there's no wastage. I used to get up every Sunday @ 6am to buy fruit & veg at the local farmers markets. Not anymore, as It was too easy to purchase more than I needed.

 

[Defiant540]

That takes me back too.
I recall milk being very expensive around that time. Being a one income household like that, my little boys needed it, so of course we bought milk for them. Some people bought powdered milk instead of fresh, to save money. It's never been that expensive ever since, thank goodness.
These days, I now buy fruit & veg a few times/week, so there's no wastage. I used to get up every Sunday @ 6am to buy fruit & veg at the local farmers markets. Not anymore, as It was too easy to purchase more than I needed.

thereby your local fruit/veg misses out!