'People are very desperate': Aussies resort to drastic measures amid cost-of-living crisis
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In the face of a relentless cost-of-living crisis, Australians are getting creative—and sometimes controversial—in their strategies to save money.
With budgets stretched thin, the line between frugality and fraudulence is becoming increasingly blurred for some.
Sports and comedy podcast Kick it Forward asked their audience about their money-saving tips.
Their responses ranged from harmless free food schemes to suspicious activities.
Starting with the clever hacks that won't land shoppers in hot water, Coles and Woolworths offer vouchers for a free roast chicken if they're out of stock.
This tip may need effort and timing, but it's a great way to snag free food that could last several meals.
Shoppers need to check the stores' policies and hours for this offer, and it is not available online.
There's a silver lining for Victoria renters if their landlords decide to sell the property they are living in.
Renters should be entitled to compensation for the inconvenience of inspections.
This compensation could vary from up to half a day's rent or $30, whichever is greater.
One Kick it Forward listener shared that they made around $450 by exercising this right.
Some Aussies admitted to pretending to be someone else to score discounts or freebies.
This included impersonating shopping centre employees for retail discounts.
Other comments pretend to be delivery drivers at fast food restaurants and walk away with an unpaid order.
While these schemes could save a few dollars, they could lead to legal trouble.
A commenter has been using a subscription trick involving bank cards with no funds to avoid paying for streaming services.
The rise in retail theft also became a prevalent issue.
Some Australians now view shoplifting as a 'badge of honour' to make ends meet.
Cases of supermarket theft led to several drastic security measures, such as cameras on checkout counters or GPS devices on fresh produce.
These measures also contribute to higher prices as stores recoup their losses.
Finder's personal finance expert Sarah Megginson spoke about the lengths some Aussies go to in order to shave dollars off their monthly expenses.
'People are very desperate, and they are driven to those measures,' Megginson stated.
'There's no part of our budget that is not being impacted at the moment, so people are literally looking at any opportunity they can to save.'
Watch a clip of the Kick it Forward podcast here:
Source: @thekickitforwardpodcast/TikTok
While it's understandable to want to save money wherever possible, illegal actions will always have consequences.
Not only could shoppers face legal repercussions, but these actions can also have a broader impact on the community and economy.
What do you think of some of these 'money-saving tips'? Share your experiences or budgeting tips in the comments section below.
With budgets stretched thin, the line between frugality and fraudulence is becoming increasingly blurred for some.
Sports and comedy podcast Kick it Forward asked their audience about their money-saving tips.
Their responses ranged from harmless free food schemes to suspicious activities.
Starting with the clever hacks that won't land shoppers in hot water, Coles and Woolworths offer vouchers for a free roast chicken if they're out of stock.
Aussies shared their ways of saving money on a podcast. Image Credit: Shutterstock/Andrzej Rostek
This tip may need effort and timing, but it's a great way to snag free food that could last several meals.
Shoppers need to check the stores' policies and hours for this offer, and it is not available online.
There's a silver lining for Victoria renters if their landlords decide to sell the property they are living in.
Renters should be entitled to compensation for the inconvenience of inspections.
This compensation could vary from up to half a day's rent or $30, whichever is greater.
One Kick it Forward listener shared that they made around $450 by exercising this right.
Some Aussies admitted to pretending to be someone else to score discounts or freebies.
This included impersonating shopping centre employees for retail discounts.
Other comments pretend to be delivery drivers at fast food restaurants and walk away with an unpaid order.
While these schemes could save a few dollars, they could lead to legal trouble.
A commenter has been using a subscription trick involving bank cards with no funds to avoid paying for streaming services.
The rise in retail theft also became a prevalent issue.
Some Australians now view shoplifting as a 'badge of honour' to make ends meet.
Cases of supermarket theft led to several drastic security measures, such as cameras on checkout counters or GPS devices on fresh produce.
These measures also contribute to higher prices as stores recoup their losses.
Finder's personal finance expert Sarah Megginson spoke about the lengths some Aussies go to in order to shave dollars off their monthly expenses.
'People are very desperate, and they are driven to those measures,' Megginson stated.
'There's no part of our budget that is not being impacted at the moment, so people are literally looking at any opportunity they can to save.'
Watch a clip of the Kick it Forward podcast here:
Source: @thekickitforwardpodcast/TikTok
While it's understandable to want to save money wherever possible, illegal actions will always have consequences.
Not only could shoppers face legal repercussions, but these actions can also have a broader impact on the community and economy.
