[April Bradford]

Have Your Say: Rising Cost of Living in Australia​

​

Members, it's a topic that's hard to avoid. We're reminded every time we go to the supermarket, receive our electricity bill or car insurance renewal. It''s expensive to simply live!

I'm interested in sharing your stories in an article to help tell Australian pollies what it's really like to be a senior in Australia in 2024.

If you have a story or example to share, I'd love to hear from you in the comments below.

It doesn't all have to be negative so if you have found a way to save money or an example of a community coming together, I'd love to hear that too!

 

[Carmeny]

It is difficult being a senior. If you only have the pension to live on you really do have to make choices. The pension is not enough for people to survive on. I pay $1783 per month on rent, the pension is $2400 per month. Once you deduct gas, electricity and other expenses there is not much left over. I have cancelled my insurances for contents, car and health as I couldn't afford them. Grocery shopping is done once a month and if I run out, I do without. I worked and paid my taxes all my life, yet the government still pays more and gives the younger generation pay rises. It is upsetting to think that seniors of this country are being treated so shamefully.

 

[Col@45]

Look after the Seniors who have worked hard all their life and paid taxes instead of giving money to people who are capable of working but would rather go surfing etc. This generation is lazy (not all) and expects everyone else to work so they can get their Dole money. Pensioners are struggling these days and it's not right.

 

[starrysnan]

We came from a generation that learned to make do if money was tight. We didn't expect to get married and instantly buy a 3 bedroom home, a new car and travel the world with our 2.5 children. I'm sure we would all like more money but we are resourceful and always come through somehow. Being unemployed was not something we even considered when we were young. Jobs were more plentiful but we also took work where we could - it may not have been our number one choice but was a stepping stone along the career path. Its sad that being older and retired our opinions are not always acknowledged.

 

[Lizzie1149]

I am a senior. I have learned a lot in the last 15 years about food choices, risks with various illnesses and also vaccinations. We are fortunate as we own our home. This being said it is still difficult to save any money for holidays or special events. We live in rural area and are hoping to move back closer to the city soon. We have found living here has not given us the enjoyment we hoped for. Hubby had a stroke and although still fine as far as cognition goes he struggles to walk and has difficulties with fine motor skills. Not much help here and what there is pretty much unsatisfactory as far as doing a good job is concerned. We have no family or close friends here and have to go 60 km to a larger regional town for extra services or more variety for shopping. I dread to think how we would cope if we stayed and I was unable to drive. We had bought here with the idea it would be the ideal holiday destination for family and friends but between the stroke and covid that all fell over. After covid I have found there is a real divide with people and many don't want to interact and make friends especially if you have a disability. If you are renting it is worse. It's a pity the positions are only interested in what they can gain from being in power and not with how to really help the people they are supposed to serve. We send millions overseas and also spend that on renewables etc and yet they won't even look at helping people live comfortably. I don't fear things but I don't think my grandchildren will have a better life than we had. I think we may be the last of the "free and easy" generations and it will only go down hill from here

 

[Clancieblue]

Being a senior is more concerning than money and payments. It's about the lack of consideration in health care. My husband was treated like he was of no concern because he was older, he was placed into aged care ward in hospital and basically left to suffer the consequence of his age. I had to be outspoken and jump up and down demanding tests and xray's be conducted to assist him. Lucky, I did as issues were found that were treatable. I watched as many older people in public hospital had food trays placed in front of them who could not assist themselves. Staff removing trays that had not even been touched as patient unable to open packaging. Showers and personal hygiene not attended as staff to busy or overworked.
The lack of respect for seniors in this country is everywhere , look on the public transport system and see how may younger people will offer their seat . How many at a checkout will offer them to be served first as they are older and may not be able to stand as long.
I could go on and on, but I am sure you get the gist of my frustration.

 

[Rob44]

We are the generation that accepted all the crap that Tory politicians in Australia, New Zealand and the UK have thrown at us since Margaret Thatcher raised her ugly pompous voice as Minister for Education and later Prime Minister of the UK. She despised "socialism" i.e the welfare State that was paid for by higher taxes and also the British National Insurance Scheme that provided an excellent National Health System, the "dole" and the Old Age Pension.

She despised everything that brought hope to society: public education paid for by the State from kindergarten to the university degree and including a cost-of living grant for university students, efficient public transport, free school milk to schoolkids to prevent rickets, subdidised dental care, efficient nationalised industries such as British Steel, the Electricity Generating Board and the Coal Board, and yes (get this those of you being ripped off paying rent), Public Housing. That was a programme instituted by Sir Clement Attlee's post-WW2 British Labour Government which built 1 million houses between 1945-51 and was continued by assorted governments until Thatcher came to power when she started the great asset-stripping of the British public.

We had our chance and too many of us voted Tory; "greed is good" and "there is no such thing as society". Pomgolians might remember; and Australians and Kiwis allowed the same to happen in the antipodes. We voted into power total garbage, feral, Tory politicians and kept doing so repeatedly; after all, we live in democracies, don't we?

 

[kevinwoodtufftyke52@gmail]

The only way pollies can understand the difficulties that most pensioners are experiencing is for them to live as pensioners live and understand those difficulties.

 

[Glenys R]

Being a senior is difficult. I live a way out in the country. I do not drive, have no family, no job, no pension, no super. and am not in perfect health by a long way. My motto is make the most of the situation in which you find yourself but there are times when I wish my deceased husband would come and get me! On the plus side I am old but at least I got to old age - better to be over the hill than under it!!

 

[DorahyCJ]

I maybe 80 years of age, but I don't go along with labels like "a senior" so I live in 2024 like any other Australian; I face obstacles and opportunities as an individual and regularly voice my opinion on a local current affairs radio show. I shop, I eat properly, I keep fit, I am aware of my limitations, I continue to learn and enjoy the internet. Importantly I am writing the story of my life so my grandkids will know what my life was like. Cheers everyone, including all you poor old buggers.

 

[Sissy Katz]

I’m one of the lucky seniors living on the Northern Beaches where there are places to enjoy without spending a penny
BUT the lack of funds in a very expensive world causes stress and deprivation
I’m alone so I feel for those who have to afford a family.
My family are all self sufficient so I can enjoy their company in cafes for coffees and lunches
As I say I’m a lucky grandma!!

 

[Lizzie1149]

Being a senior is more concerning than money and payments. It's about the lack of consideration in health care. My husband was treated like he was of no concern because he was older, he was placed into aged care ward in hospital and basically left to suffer the consequence of his age. I had to be outspoken and jump up and down demanding tests and xray's be conducted to assist him. Lucky, I did as issues were found that were treatable. I watched as many older people in public hospital had food trays placed in front of them who could not assist themselves. Staff removing trays that had not even been touched as patient unable to open packaging. Showers and personal hygiene not attended as staff to busy or overworked.
The lack of respect for seniors in this country is everywhere , look on the public transport system and see how may younger people will offer their seat . How many at a checkout will offer them to be served first as they are older and may not be able to stand as long.
I could go on and on, but I am sure you get the gist of my frustration.

Yep I hear you. So far we have had reasonably good experiences with hospitals. Hubby had a stroke and spent 7 weeks in hospital. I had to do a rant re food as he is diabetic but we follow mostly low carb. All they offered was the usual crap and when it said he was diabetic all they could change was butter to margarine. I said no, he agreed. He got eggs for breakfast after that. Still nowhere near satisfactory. Was glad when he came home. He wasn't getting anywhere near the protein he needed to get well. Doctors are worse. They only push pills not real fixes

 

[VicRaws]

It is really hard being a senior in 2024, by the time we pay our mortgage do grocery shopping and pay all the bills every fortnight there is nothing left over to do anything else, so going out for dinner at the club is out of the question but at least we have a roof over our heads and food in our bellies, it is a lot more than so people have so I do feel blessed.

 

[kbwise]

I live from the aged pension cheque to pension cheque and I don't lead a bad life. However, I am very lucky to be in a unit owned by a charity so my rent is low. I don't know how I would be if I had to pay more rent. Destitute, I would say! Unfortunately though, I have no money behind me should something go wrong. For instance I had to recently fix my car for $2,500. Impossible. I had to borrow money from my kids and get an advance on my pension, which then places more hardship on me. I pay no insurances, health care, curb going out, shop for clothes at the Salvos, one visit a year to the hairdressers, no fancy food (like steak). I don't know how much more I can do with getting my costs down. It is not for the faint hearted to be a single female pensioner in today's climate.

 

[Ronloby]

The only way pollies can understand the difficulties that most pensioners are experiencing is for them to live as pensioners live and understand those difficulties.

But they would not take the challenge because they would be scared. They have no idea of our situation.

 

[Fredbear]

My husband and I are now both closer to 70 than 60 and have always looked after our own needs. Paid our own way, privately educated our two children and never asked for a cent from anyone. We are quiet achievers who have Sacrificed for the benefit of family, hubby sacrificed home life to work away so we could have a comfortable life. Now as we have used up all our savings and need to apply for a pension we realise just how difficult dealing with government online applications and setting up id to use them. We have maintained some level of digital knowledge and feel lost in the system, most definitely appreciate how hard it is for us oldies. Our Son lost his rental in the rush for landlords to sell up in this realestate nightmare, so we have given up our house for his family and we are getting out of dodge…Bali here we come, cheap food, cheap everything to make life worth living. Some say there is too much corruption there, we say, at least it’s out in the open. Here we get the wool pulled over our eyes and only find out the truth a decade later on 60 Minutes LOL off we go.

 

[Nana Zorak]

As a really old person I still remember the second world war like it was yesterday. I feel that we have lost the spirit that kept us going during the war. I have been in Australia since April 1965 when my first husband moved us here for our sons sake to give him a better start in life. He has had a varied life, but his time in our forces netted him friends that he keeps in touch with after all this time. I have also enjoyed my time here & have had a good life with a few hiccups along the way. But I don't dwell on them I am unable to socialize as I can't afford it. I was born in 1937 & have out lived all the others from my parents sides of the family. As I now rent it is definitely getting harder to afford to do anything but pay the rent & the bills having lost 2 houses in 2 divorces from my exes greed

 

[Barbara V]

I don't have a problem,I belong to a senior group that has outings once a month and other activities if required.I am a artist so still paint,garden still but getting more difficult ,go out once a week with friends shopping.I still drive but living rural no public transport ,so if I can no longer drive as have to get licence yearly now it will definitely change my circumstances . The shire provide a bus but only between certain hours and 4 days a week and you have to book. All inall I'm okay

 

[Reet]

The government should do what used to happen many years ago in England. Only pay the dole for the number of weeks you have worked. In other words, if you worked for six weeks you are entitled to six weeks on the dole. If you have worked for six months you are entitled to six months on the dole, but remember this does not mean you cannot take a job in the meantime.This would force the dole-bludgers to take on a job that they presently think is below them. That is the problem with youngsters at the moment, they only want the jobs they think will suit them and will not work at anything less. They don't seem to realise that by taking any job offered they will get a reputation for wanting to work and may then get their ideal job in the future.

 

[mOiOz]

It is difficult being a senior. If you only have the pension to live on you really do have to make choices. The pension is not enough for people to survive on. I pay $1783 per month on rent, the pension is $2400 per month. Once you deduct gas, electricity and other expenses there is not much left over. I have cancelled my insurances for contents, car and health as I couldn't afford them. Grocery shopping is done once a month and if I run out, I do without. I worked and paid my taxes all my life, yet the government still pays more and gives the younger generation pay rises. It is upsetting to think that seniors of this country are being treated so shamefully.

TRUE...