{"id":261,"date":"2023-05-01T12:01:57","date_gmt":"2023-05-01T02:01:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/studiokettle.com.au\/wip\/living-costs\/?page_id=261"},"modified":"2023-06-06T14:12:44","modified_gmt":"2023-06-06T04:12:44","slug":"everyday-expenses","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/studiokettle.com.au\/wip\/living-costs\/everyday-expenses\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting help with everyday expenses"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tools, resources, and tips to make your money go further.&nbsp; &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"LC_jump\">\n    <p class=\"LC_actions\">\n        <a class=\"LC_btn LC_fav\"><\/a><a class=\"LC_btn LC_read\"><\/a>\n    <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Today, the cost of living is very high, and many people\u2019s incomes have not kept up. For people with lower incomes, this means that everyday expenses are hard to afford even when spending wisely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A strict budget shouldn\u2019t stop you from having a healthy and fulfilling life, and with this in mind, we\u2019ve compiled some tools, resources, and tips to make your money go further.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"940\" height=\"940\" src=\"https:\/\/studiokettle.com.au\/wip\/living-costs\/wp-content\/uploads\/Everyday_Expenses_v003.png\" alt=\"Woman pushing the circles in an oversized newtons cradle. Each ball in the cradle has an icon of a coffee cup, medicine pill, a utility lightning bolt, a bus and a house. \" class=\"wp-image-32\" srcset=\"https:\/\/studiokettle.com.au\/wip\/living-costs\/wp-content\/uploads\/Everyday_Expenses_v003.png 940w, https:\/\/studiokettle.com.au\/wip\/living-costs\/wp-content\/uploads\/Everyday_Expenses_v003-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/studiokettle.com.au\/wip\/living-costs\/wp-content\/uploads\/Everyday_Expenses_v003-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/studiokettle.com.au\/wip\/living-costs\/wp-content\/uploads\/Everyday_Expenses_v003-768x768.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is the cost of living?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In financial terms, many of our daily expenses are labelled \u2018essential\u2019, like groceries. Other expenses are labelled \u2018discretionary\u2019, and these are \u2018non-essential\u2019 things \u2013&nbsp; the things we <em>want <\/em>rather than <em>need. <\/em>We can <em>choose <\/em>to have them, and whether to have them now or later. Each person values things differently, and everyone\u2019s situation is different, affecting what they want and need.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Taken together, these everyday things that we pay for are usually called \u2018the cost of living\u2019.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Paying the bills<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you are having trouble paying bills, there are options available to you that could help you reduce, postpone, or spread out payments. You can ask your providers for help with:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>payment extensions&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>payment plans&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>payment matching<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>concession information&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>financial counselling service referrals.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#x1f4cc; For more information on dealing with bills, <strong>see our <a href=\"https:\/\/studiokettle.com.au\/wip\/living-costs\/bills\/\">paying bills and negotiating<\/a> page<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Council rates<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you pay council rates and are in financial hardship, local councils can choose to defer or waive all or part of your unpaid rates. Most local councils have a hardship policy, which you should be able to find on their website.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Help dealing with service providers when you can&#8217;t pay the bill<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/ndh.org.au\/debt-problems\/electricity-gas-and-water-bills\/\"><strong>Talking to your providers<\/strong><\/a><\/td><td>general support from the National Debt Helpline for notifying your service providers that you\u2019re having trouble paying&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/consumeraction.org.au\/resources-and-toolkits\/?top-category=consumer\"><strong>Template letters<\/strong><\/a><\/td><td>pre-written letters from the Consumer Action Law Centre<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/ndh.org.au\/Debt-solutions\/Negotiate-payment-terms\/\"><strong>Negotiating payment terms<\/strong><\/a><\/td><td>pointers from the National Debt Helpline<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When contacting providers, it\u2019s wise to keep a record of when you called, who you spoke with, and what you discussed.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cheaper groceries and meals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even though food is an essential item, it\u2019s sometimes one of the first things people cut back on when doing it tough \u2013 mainly because it\u2019s also one of the few regular expenses people have some control over. An increasing number of people rely on charities for food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Getting help with food from Foodbank<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re struggling to afford food, you might want to get help from a Foodbank-supported service. Foodbank is Australia\u2019s largest food relief organisation, helping charities, schools, and individuals. You can find <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foodbank.org.au\/find-food\/\">food support services near you here.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tips for food shopping<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These tips might be useful to help make ends meet:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>look up and down<\/strong> \u2013 supermarkets display what they most want to sell where it&#8217;s easier to see on the shelves, but there might be a bargain on the top or bottom shelves<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>buy in bulk<\/strong> \u2013&nbsp;if you can, try to buy goods that you can store at home for a while in bulk, especially if they\u2019re on special<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>cook in bulk<\/strong> &#8211; if possible, freeze leftovers in lunch or dinner-size portions for another day<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>check for specials<\/strong> \u2013&nbsp;keep an eye out for items marked as \u2018specials\u2019, especially at the end of the day when fresh food tends to be reduced&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>shop in season<\/strong> \u2013 buy fruit and vegetables when they\u2019re in season and cheaper&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>plan ahead<\/strong> \u2013&nbsp;make a weekly meal plan and try to avoid costly food delivery apps.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where to find deals<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are many comparison websites and apps you can use to find the cheapest deals. These can be handy, but it\u2019s important to remember that they\u2019re not always comprehensive, and they often take advertising money to display certain products first.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If the site or app also allows you to buy directly or through a link, then it is probably designed to encourage you to spend more on your shop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Finding recipes for budget cooking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are many websites and apps that provide affordable recipe suggestions. Be mindful that these sites do vary in quality, and some can be unrealistic in what is actually affordable or easy to make.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One example is <a href=\"https:\/\/cookingonabootstrap.com\/\">Cooking on a Bootstrap<\/a>. It\u2019s a blog by UK-based author Jack Monroe, who has lived experience getting by on a tight budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Growing your own produce<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another idea is to grow your own produce. This isn\u2019t for everyone. It can be a lot of work, and you may not have the space or time. But it can be a very rewarding and fulfilling way of saving money. If you live in a community of people who also grow fruit and vegetables, you may even consider joining or creating a local group to exchange fresh produce, cooked meals, and recipe ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Clothing for less<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Historically, people had small wardrobes with a few outfits for different occasions and weather. These were usually sturdy garments that would be repaired once worn out.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Today, some clothing retailers produce a lot of low-quality clothes at little cost using poor labour conditions. The clothes often don\u2019t last long and need replacing regularly. This is what some people call \u2018fast fashion\u2019. While consumers are paying less for these items in the shorter term, the savings don\u2019t add up over the longer term.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Repair, recycle, reuse&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A concept to keep in mind with clothing and many other goods like furniture is to \u2018repair, recycle, reuse\u2019. This means making what we have last longer, and if we do need more clothing, to consider getting something second-hand to give it a new lease of life.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This not only reduces our expenses but also reduces the impact on the environment and avoids giving money to companies that operate with poor conditions for their workers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where to find second-hand stores<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/stores.bsl.org.au\/our-locations\">Brotherhood of St. Laurence<\/a>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/td><td>see our opportunity shops around Melbourne and Geelong<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/opshop.org\/\"><strong>OpShop.org<\/strong><\/a><\/td><td>find outlets by other organisations all around Australia&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/askizzy.org.au\/\"><strong>Ask Izzy<\/strong><\/a><\/td><td>search for cheap and free clothes by selecting \u2018everyday things\u2019 then \u2018clothing\u2019&nbsp;<br><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Support with school supplies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are many costs involved with sending children to school, like uniforms, bags, books, transport and camps or other special activities. Likewise, if you\u2019re supporting yourself as a student at university, TAFE, or in another vocational training course. There are financial supports and services that could be available to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#x1f4cc; To learn how to help ensure your children get the education they deserve without breaking the bank, <strong>see our <a href=\"https:\/\/studiokettle.com.au\/wip\/living-costs\/childcare-and-education-costs\/\">childcare and education costs<\/a> page<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#x1f4cc; To see how to pay for education while you\u2019re balancing other financial obligations, <strong>see our <a href=\"https:\/\/studiokettle.com.au\/wip\/living-costs\/paying-for-post-secondary-education\/\">paying for post-secondary education<\/a> page.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Entertainment on a budget<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We all need time for fun to keep ourselves healthy, and this is especially true for children. One of the most upsetting things about being in financial hardship is difficulty finding time and money for activities and entertainment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There\u2019s no shame in factoring fun into a budget, as what people define as \u2018essential\u2019 spending is up to them \u2013&nbsp;whether that\u2019s a subscription to a streaming service, a regular coffee with a friend, or fun weekend activities for the kids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Fun things to do on a budget<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td colspan=\"2\"><strong>\u2018Bring a plate\u2019 dinner party<\/strong><\/td><td colspan=\"3\">Host a dinner party and ask guests to bring a plate to share<\/td><\/tr><tr><td colspan=\"2\"><strong>Free streaming services<\/strong><\/td><td colspan=\"3\">Watch streaming platforms like ABC iView or SBS OnDemand instead of paid-subscription services<\/td><\/tr><tr><td colspan=\"2\"><strong>Libraries<\/strong><\/td><td colspan=\"3\">Look into travel options like local destinations without air travel, or carpooling (sharing lifts with others)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td colspan=\"2\"><strong>Local council events<\/strong><\/td><td colspan=\"3\">Search online for free events, fairs and other services<\/td><\/tr><tr><td colspan=\"2\"><strong>Museums and art galleries<\/strong><\/td><td colspan=\"3\">See what\u2019s to explore for free at museums or galleries and free events like film screenings<\/td><\/tr><tr><td colspan=\"2\"><strong>Sporting events<\/strong><\/td><td colspan=\"3\">Find out about free family opportunities like kids\u2019 days<\/td><\/tr><tr><td colspan=\"2\"><strong>Travel<\/strong><\/td><td colspan=\"3\">Look into travel options like local destinations without air travel, or car pooling (sharing lifts with others)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td colspan=\"2\"><strong>Picnics<\/strong><\/td><td colspan=\"3\">Have a picnic or BBQ at the beach, park, or your backyard<\/td><\/tr><tr><td colspan=\"2\"><strong>Movie night<\/strong><\/td><td colspan=\"3\">Go to the movies on discount days (usually Tuesdays)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td colspan=\"2\"><strong>Find more<\/strong><\/td><td colspan=\"3\">Visit <a href=\"https:\/\/askizzy.org.au\/\">Ask Izzy<\/a> and select \u2018something to do\u2019 to see what\u2019s near you<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tips for consumers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Shopping online&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The internet makes it very easy to buy goods and services. This can be a good thing, but it can also lead to overspending and potentially opens people up to online scams.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An essential part of smart money management is staying safe online and knowing what to do if something looks suspect.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>&#x1f4cc; See our <a href=\"https:\/\/studiokettle.com.au\/wip\/living-costs\/ways-of-paying\/\">ways of paying<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/studiokettle.com.au\/wip\/living-costs\/protect-yourself-online\/\">protect yourself online<\/a> pages<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Product rentals<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some household goods like TVs, fridges and other appliances can be rented instead of bought. While this might seem like a good idea when you can&#8217;t afford a fridge or other essential item, it&#8217;s important to consider a few things before you do so. Like, how much are you really paying?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What to think about\u00a0<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>if you rent the item long term, the arrangement can become very expensive, and will eventually cost more than buying the product. Work out what the whole cost would be and consider if you think it\u2019s still a good deal<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>there may be regular fees and charges \u2018hidden\u2019 in the fine print<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>you could go into debt or lose the item if you cannot afford the payments<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>a <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1iIi8OKoYB0T7IH1HWEAo7_LZXWVFQxRf\/edit#heading=h.32hioqz\">No Interest Loan<\/a> be better for your needs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where to find more information<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The National Debt Helpline has further information on <a href=\"https:\/\/ndh.org.au\/Debt-problems\/Product-rentals\/\">product rentals<\/a>, including what to do if you\u2019re already in such an arrangement and <a href=\"https:\/\/ndh.org.au\/Debt-problems\/Product-rentals\/Difficulty-repaying-a-product-rental-lease\/\">can\u2019t afford to pay<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Knowing your consumer rights<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For all purchases made in Australia, you are covered by Australian Consumer Law, which \u2018guarantees\u2019 the item is fit for purpose. These rights cover many aspects of buying and selling, but there are some key things to know:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>when businesses sell products or services they must stick to a set of basic rights<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>these basic rights are called consumer \u2018guarantees\u2019, which consumers automatically receive when they buy goods and services<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>consumer guarantees cannot be waived (taken away from you) in any way, even by a written contract<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>it is unlawful for businesses to mislead consumers about these rights.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where to find more information<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A full list of what is covered by consumer guarantees is on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.accc.gov.au\/consumers\/buying-products-and-services\/consumer-rights-and-guarantees\">ACCC website<\/a>, the Australian government regulator that enforces consumer rights according to consumer law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can also visit the industry watchdog <a href=\"https:\/\/www.choice.com.au\/shopping\/consumer-rights-and-advice\/your-rights\">CHOICE<\/a>, to learn more about your rights as a consumer in Australia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"470\" src=\"https:\/\/studiokettle.com.au\/wip\/living-costs\/wp-content\/uploads\/plans_goals.jpg\" alt=\"A person riding a paraglider made of australian dollar notes.\" class=\"wp-image-155\" srcset=\"https:\/\/studiokettle.com.au\/wip\/living-costs\/wp-content\/uploads\/plans_goals.jpg 900w, https:\/\/studiokettle.com.au\/wip\/living-costs\/wp-content\/uploads\/plans_goals-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/studiokettle.com.au\/wip\/living-costs\/wp-content\/uploads\/plans_goals-768x401.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Concessions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Concessions (or discounts) reduce the cost of utilities, housing, transport, health, legal costs, recreation, and other costs for people who are eligible to receive them. Concessions and eligibility requirements vary by state or territory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Australian Capital Territory<\/strong><\/td><td><a href=\"http:\/\/www.assistance.act.gov.au\/utilities\">Cost of living assistance<\/a>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>New South Wales<\/strong><\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.service.nsw.gov.au\/services\/concessions-rebates-and-assistance\">Concessions, rebates and assistance <\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Northern Territory<\/strong><\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/ntconcessions.nt.gov.au\/?q=members\/nt-concessions-scheme\">NT Concessions Scheme<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Queensland<\/strong><\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.qld.gov.au\/community\/cost-of-living-support\/concessions\">Concessions <\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>South Australia<\/strong><\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sa.gov.au\/topics\/care-and-support\/concessions\">Concessions<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Tasmania<\/strong><\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.concessions.tas.gov.au\/\">Tasmanian Government Concessions<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Victoria<\/strong><\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/services.dffh.vic.gov.au\/concessions-and-benefits\">Concessions and benefits<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Western Australia&nbsp;<\/strong><\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/concessions.communities.wa.gov.au\/Pages\/default.aspx\">Concessions<\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">No interest loans<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No Interest Loans (NILs) allow you to borrow money to buy essential goods or help you get back on your feet without having any of the crippling interest or high fees that come with other types of loans.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How does it work?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">NILs are typically offered for up to $2,000-$3,000 for rent or bond, essentials like fridges, washing machines, furniture, kitchenware, medical expenses, car repairs, education fees, and other goods and services you might need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are certain rules around who can apply for NILs. Generally, you must:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>have a Health Care Card, a Pensioner Concession Card (or an income less than $45,000 per year after tax)&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>have lived at your current address for more than three months&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>show that you can repay the loan.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Who provides NILs?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">NILs are a service offered by community organisations. You can find providers over at the <a href=\"https:\/\/goodshep.org.au\/services\/nils\/\">Good Shepherd website<\/a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Emergency fund savings account<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When budgeting and setting aside money for essentials, it might also be good to consider if you can set aside some extra money for any future emergencies.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While this is not always possible, especially if you are on a low or insecure income, any amount you can put aside could help you in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Visit <a href=\"https:\/\/moneysmart.gov.au\/saving\/save-for-an-emergency-fund\">Moneysmart<\/a> to learn more about setting up an emergency fund.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>&#x1f4cc; See our <a href=\"https:\/\/studiokettle.com.au\/wip\/living-costs\/keeping-track-with-a-budget\/\">keeping track with a budgeting <\/a>and <a href=\"https:\/\/studiokettle.com.au\/wip\/living-costs\/dealing-with-an-emergency\/\">dealing with an emergency<\/a> pages<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Financial crisis<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you are struggling with debt or unable to afford everyday expenses, you might be experiencing a financial crisis. If so, <strong>see our <a href=\"https:\/\/studiokettle.com.au\/wip\/living-costs\/financial-crisis\/\">financial crisis<\/a> page.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"LC_asterisks\">\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>This information was last updated on 5 June 2023.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>The links and resources in this article have been compiled and reviewed by the Brotherhood of St. Laurence. We aren\u2019t responsible for what you\u2019ll find at the links, though we do hope you find the information useful. See our <a href=\"http:\/\/link_disclosures\">disclaimer<\/a> if you\u2019d like to know more.\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"LC_asterisks\">\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Want to save this article as a PDF? <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/studiokettle.com.au\/wip\/living-costs\/how-to-save-a-pdf-of-a-web-page\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">See how to here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>&#x1f4cc; See more:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/studiokettle.com.au\/wip\/living-costs\/bills\/\"><strong>Paying bills and negotiating<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/studiokettle.com.au\/wip\/living-costs\/keeping-track-with-a-budget\/\"><strong>Keeping track with a budget<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/studiokettle.com.au\/wip\/living-costs\/ways-to-save-on-transport\/\"><strong>Ways to save on transport<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Tools, resources, and tips to make your money go further.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-261","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","category-article"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Getting help with everyday expenses - LIVING COSTS<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Tools, resources, and tips to make your money go further.\u00a0 \u00a0\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Getting help with everyday expenses - LIVING COSTS\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Tools, resources, and tips to make your money go further.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/studiokettle.com.au\/wip\/living-costs\/everyday-expenses\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"LIVING COSTS\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-06-06T04:12:44+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/studiokettle.com.au\/wip\/living-costs\/wp-content\/uploads\/LC_1200x630_FBeveryday-costs.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"630\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"Getting help with everyday expenses - LIVING COSTS\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:description\" content=\"Tools, resources, and tips to make your money go further. \u00a0\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:image\" content=\"https:\/\/studiokettle.com.au\/wip\/living-costs\/wp-content\/uploads\/LC_1024x512_TWeveryday-costs.png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"10 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/studiokettle.com.au\\\/wip\\\/living-costs\\\/everyday-expenses\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/studiokettle.com.au\\\/wip\\\/living-costs\\\/everyday-expenses\\\/\",\"name\":\"Getting help with everyday expenses - LIVING COSTS\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/studiokettle.com.au\\\/wip\\\/living-costs\\\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2023-05-01T02:01:57+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-06-06T04:12:44+00:00\",\"description\":\"Tools, resources, and tips to make your money go further.\u00a0 \u00a0\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/studiokettle.com.au\\\/wip\\\/living-costs\\\/everyday-expenses\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/studiokettle.com.au\\\/wip\\\/living-costs\\\/everyday-expenses\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/studiokettle.com.au\\\/wip\\\/living-costs\\\/everyday-expenses\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/studiokettle.com.au\\\/wip\\\/living-costs\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Getting help with everyday expenses\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/studiokettle.com.au\\\/wip\\\/living-costs\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/studiokettle.com.au\\\/wip\\\/living-costs\\\/\",\"name\":\"LIVING COSTS\",\"description\":\"Support for life&#039;s ups &amp; 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