Shall we have a local Cost of Living moan?

[Dustyblue]

Having read some of the UK threads, I'm wondering how different it is or isn't here.

Our big increases are the usual I guess:

Food- I did a $200 Woollies shop yesterday, more a fill-the-pantry and freezer shop than fresh stuff. I unpacked it and thought "Is that it? That's all I have?"

Car Insurance- cost went up 20% and car was devalued by several thousand. Surely this will hit critical mass at some point and the insurance will be worth more than the car?

Council rates: Up 30%.

There's more.... what are yours?

Did you get an electricity rebate? I was very glad when it came in, it covered one month’s bill. Who’s your supplier? Is there a choice where you are? I found GloBird the cheapest here.

Royal Canin and Hill’s are price gouging, I swear. I spend so much time looking for cheaper sources for the cats’ food.

Oh gosh I’m sorry so many people are feeling this way! I started reading and was like yes absolutely I hear you then realised it was from back in feb. We budget what should be a generous amount monthly for food and petrol (family of 5) but every month we run out and have to eke it out the last few days, I’m so over it.

So true @Codlingmoths - I'm just so glad I live in a village where the main meal is provided as part of the deal, it's made shopping a hell of a lot cheaper (that and having an Aldi available). And I only have to grocery shop for two humans!

Just back to electricity- remember the govt saying there'd be a $500 'Power Savings Bonus' for those who qualify, etc? But it was to be different state to state, and done in 2 phases and so on?

I put in for my $250 rebate a while ago, got it (spent it) and then received a surprise in the post today! I use Red Energy (rural Vic) and pay monthly, to keep on top of it.

This month's bill says:
DUE DATE: NIL
TOTAL DUE: NIL

I was hell confused. But the fine print revealed this sentence:

"Vic Aus Gov Bill Relief" $125 CREDIT

So... that must mean I've been credited half of the other half of the $500 rebate, thus the govt still owes me another $125 on my next electricity bill. I think?

Other Victorians should check their bills for this one!

Its to cover the whole year year, NSW govt is paying the $125 every quarter (we get $500 here).

Found this on the Victoria govt site - second payment of $125 is due in Feb next year.

Mum got her last bill (which is tiny, she's only in her unit to sleep) covered too, and has credit enough to cover probably two or three more!

I am with AGL and they said today the energy rebate should be paid soon. I'm in a regional area. I agree about the price gouging for Royal Canin and Hills - both of which my poor elderly dog needs!

I'm on a pension but live in affordable housing which takes 30$ of my pension in rent. It leaves very little to live on - by the time I pay insurance for car/contents, dog food, internet access etc - I am down to coins only by the second week, as are most of my neighbours who are also on pensions.

The local Vinnies is flat out, they said pensioners and people in private rents are having a terrible time - I had to go there recently and they had three offices full of people needing help, and were trying to assist other people on chairs outside there were so many waiting for assistance!

I mean that to read 30 percent of my pension in rent!

Imagine if we had rents that were only $30!

PS off topic, didja know we can at last edit posts?

Anyone here in private rental? If so, how are you coping?

How are people with mortgages managing?

We’re in a private rental. DW and I are both on pensions (Carers ans DSP) and we manage by having the oldest two still living at home. DS is training in childcare and DD works part time and is a full time student. None of us can afford to live apart so we’re 4 adults (25-47) sharing a house.

There are no affordable rents near us- everything went crazy m’as during covid as were 1.5 north of Sydney straight up the motorway. People left the city and moved here and it’s a better quality of life and you get more for your money. A small unit locally is 48% of mine and DWs income per week.

I think that's the way it's going to be for a long time now @MaitlandGirl, multi generational living so it's affordable.

We've just bought a new house with the idea being DC will be still living with us way into their 20s (maybe 30s 👀). So it had to be big enough, and central for Uni and work.

We've moved from a compact 3 bed to a 4 bed + study and a couple of living areas. Extremely nervous what our electricity and gas bills will be.

Only good thing about buying now is that we've budgeted with the higher interest rates, as I don't expect them to go down anytime soon.

The country is in such a bad way at the moment. It's not been like this since early 90s recession and so many people of my age don't even know what it's like to go through a recession.

@MaitlandGirl Cheers for that. It all helps hey?