Section for people with financial difficulties?

Turkeyman · ‎30-12-2014

Often I would like to seek assistance with the problems associated with having too many bills, no money and trying to get by in life with this problem. I'm sure I am not the only person struggling financially due to work problems or health issues and was wondering if you could set up a forum that deals with the struggles of being broke and not coping with lack of money? I know there are places like CARE financial services and charities, but these folks don't want to talk about the emotional side of things, only the options [or lack of options] available and it'd be good to vent with others who understand the hardships.

white knight · ‎18-01-2015

Hi Zoomah,

I love cooking and my my wife loves me cooking also.

I make sausage rolls, with often left overs or if not, with grated carrots, mashed zucchini, etc. we started our vegie garden with wooden boxes on the verandah with selected vegies and fruit like strawberries, zucchini, tommies etc. Some pumpkins grow anywhere then you'll have pumpkin soup.

I cook pumpkin lassagna. Just substitute pasta sheets with thinly cut pumpkin- very nice. Tomatoes in large pots- nothing like home grown tommies.

As for saving money, few years ago we figured out that drinks were costing too much when we went out. We now run our car 12 volt fridge where ever we go, with bulk cans of drink from the supermaket, soon pays for the fridge. Cold water also and water for the dog. room for butter etc.But we live in the country so its more of a necessity.

megan120 · ‎19-01-2015

I am a struggling university student that is being supported by my parents. However, it isn't enough to get by especially as I am trying to get healthy by doing personal training. I have to admit this is mostly due to the comments that my parents make about my weight. This has resulted in my living on less than $100 each week and having to regularly choose between bills and food.

I really don't know what to do as due to the depression i struggle to apply for jobs and when i do, I am not successful due to my lack of experience. I am at this point where I just don't know whether any of it is worth it. I can't get a job, am struggling financially, never seem to do the right thing, and am overwhelmed by my depression.

Turkeyman · ‎21-01-2015

I hear you loud and clear about the healthy food being expensive and to think the government is thinking to add GST to that as well. A normal home cooked meal for our family of five, say meat and some kind of vegetables with gravy or sauce [be it stir fry or just a roast etc.], will often work out well in excess of $15 for the meat, $4 for the vegies, a few dollars for the sauce and then the rice if it is an Asian meal, adds another few dollars. You add the labor of cooking it, electricity for the hotplates and very soon the meal has cost in excess of $25-30. A meal from a take-away chicken shop can be had for less than a twenty and also satisfies the whole bunch. We have found however that a certain few major fast food outlets have now ended up costing over $50 to feed our family and we will never eat there again as it seems their prices have multiplied.

Fresh fruit and vegetables are expensive and even shopping at the fresh food markets has proven to be no better. It is cheaper to buy them from Aldi [Sorry for name dropping if it isn't allowed, moderator's feel free to substitute this word for something else if need be]. Lately we've noticed the local big supermarket having a "buy a bag for $3" sale where stuff that is almost spoiled is going cheap. You have to be there at the right time though, not easy for everyone.Also, if you have Sunday markets nearby or Trash and Treasure, they often have cheap vegetables and fruits too.

Carrots, potatoes and oranges seem to be the cheapest fresh food I've found but not sure about their health value. Things like apples and most other fruits, green salads and tomatoes are frustratingly dear and I wish someone could do something about it to help us stay healthy. Then you also have the added problem of food going off when you bulk buy because it doesn't get eaten quickly enough.

Chicken Maryland is a cheap meal I've found, $4.99/kilo, so for 5 large lumps of chicken legs you pay only around $8, feeding five easily. Some seasoning and 45 minutes in the oven...beautiful. Frozen pizza at $3 each, with a little extra cheese, sauce or bacon and in 10 minutes you are well and truly satisfied [I can't eat a whole one by myself and end up with smoko leftovers].