We have discussed the factors leading to the the present cost-of-living crisis in Australia, from mass immigration, to an insane energy policy, to acceptance of Green nonsense. But how is all this impacting upon people out here at the street level? Worse than we could imagine. I recall my folks talking about life in the Great Depression, growing up as kids. Everyone was dirt poor; if lucky you have bread and beef dripping for school lunch. Often pants made from hessian bags. People needed to have the skill to make things, often from scraps. But unlike today there was a safe homogeneous population and machete attacks via home invaders was unheard of. People were poor but happy, but today are becoming poor, and unhappy. With the gender war and breakdown of male/female relationships, and high divorce rates, the bare comforts that people had in the past of a partner have evaporated, at last for many, with 50 percent of marriages and de facto relationships breaking down: https://swanfamilylawyers.com.au/blog/2021/7/why-divorce-rates-are-increasing-in-australia/.
As reported below, people are moving back to fragile lifestyles, picking up discarded items such as furniture, seeking out free food and anything else going. People lucky enough to own their own home are foregoing house and contents insurance with recent astronomical rises, saving thousands per year, and simply taking the same risk the insurance company takes. It is tough times indeed. And while there may no longer be much time for entertainment, a better preoccupation is to become a freedom loving political activist and do something about all these problems. This is far better than being a passive punching bag.
"More and more Australians figuring out new ways to meet their financial needs, according to new research by comparison website Finder.
A survey found that 11 per cent of respondents were picking up furniture left on the side of the road, while seven per cent were relying on free food or meal services.
Using free public Wi-Fi instead of home internet (seven per cent), taking toilet paper from restaurants (seven per cent), and dog bags from parks (six per cent) filled out the top five measures people were using to make ends meet.
Other lengths included pocketing condiments from restaurants (six per cent), snapping off broccoli stalks at the shops (six per cent) and ordering meals out off the kids menu (five per cent).
Finder personal finance expert Sarah Megginson said three years into the cost of living crisis, Australians were finding it tougher than ever.
"Traditional cost-cutting measures are no longer enough, so many are turning to support programs or doing things they'd never normally do to scrape by," she said.
"Budgets are tight and desperate times call for desperate measures."
Finder data shows 78 per cent of Australians were stressed with their current financial situation, with 22 per cent admitting they're "extremely stressed".
Megginson said there were easy steps people could take to lessen the pressure on their household budget.
"Aussies can potentially save thousands per year from switching household bills, which could take a lot of pressure off," she said.
"Some fast wins in areas like mobile phone and car insurance costs will quickly add up for struggling households."