Thursday 12 June 2014

Do YOU have the Budget Blues?

Well, here in Australia we have recently had both our Federal and State Budgets announced and the general consensus of opinion is that we will all have to tighten our belts whether we like it or not. Of course, many of us already live frugally but we are never too old to learn new ways to save money and I have come across some amazing stories of families surviving really hard financial times which are quite inspirational.






One of those inspirational stories can be found on The Prudent Homemaker. If you have never heard of this blog you are in for a real treat if you are interested in cutting costs. Read Brandy's story about how she coped with feeding her large family when there was no income for eight months. Also check out her series Eat for 40 cents a day. She is quite amazing.



Years ago I started reading the savings hints on Simple Savings and bought the $21 Challenge book written by Fiona Lippey and Jackie Gower. The book is now available on the Simple Savings website until the 14th June for only $5. It's a bit late to be telling you that if you are interested in buying it but there is still time if you are keen to read a good book about challenging yourself to only spend $21 for a week and use up what you have growing in your garden or what is in your pantry.

Another great website with lots of hints on saving money on electricity, food etc. is Frugal and Thriving. There is a helpful series called  How to Make Big Savings on Your Electricity Bill which is very timely for us here in Queensland who are facing a 13.6 per cent rise in electricity costs on the 1st July.

Down to Earth Forums


You can find lots of tutorials on how to make your own soap, cheese, cleaning products etc. on Rhonda's blog Down to Earth and if you would like to start growing your own vegetables she has many  hints on how to start up a garden including Sowing Seeds in Trays which is a good place to start if you are a beginner gardener.

Last but not least, you can share your saving tips as well as hear from other members about how they cut corners on the Down to Earth Simple Living Forums. It is encouraging to read about how some members have worked hard to pay off their mortgage by being very frugal but still enjoying life at the same time. Others have started their own gardens and share their successes and failures and there is always plenty of encouragement from those who have had the same experience.


Despite all the doom and gloom we are still very fortunate here in Australia where we have a standard of living that we often take for granted and which is just a dream for citizens of many poor nations. I am sure that we can all learn how to be resourceful and learn new skills if that is what is required for us to live within our budget. Fasten your seatbelts as it is going to be an exciting ride in the next few years! :-)


22 comments:

  1. Yes, it is getting rather depressing - wondering where it will all end? However, having learned several new skills (many of the things you talk about above), I now just can't get my head around what it would be like to manage a budget for a family who do none of the 'frugal' things, and live a fully material, commercial life. Would give me the willies!

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    1. It is a concern for families who haven't learnt how to budget etc. Barb. I guess they will have to learn in a hurry though :-)

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  2. I have already been finding it tough but the biggest blow for me with the budget is the increase in the pension age as I miss the cut-off by two years...working until 67 before qualifying for a pension is a kick in the teeth when you have been paying taxes since you were 15. I am also concerned about the electricity rise despite our solar panels. A very timely post Nanna Chel :)

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    1. Tanya, it will be hard to keep working in some jobs until one is 67 I must admit. Regarding the solar panels, after we put ours in we were over $300 in credit then there was an electricity price hike and most of our recent bills have only been in credit for about $50. With this latest hike and the winter weather coming on when we can't put off using the heater much longer, I think we will just about kiss the credit goodbye. The panels cost us over $8000 to put in so we were hoping we wouldn't get another electricity bill.

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  3. Thank you for sharing the links to the websites I will check them out later. I guess we are so blessed that we have the knowledge of simple living & no how to be frugal, I feel for the people who don't have this knowledge or skills. Compared to many countries we are still well off. The electricity is crazy & I don't have solar panels but turn every thing off all the wall when not in use our bill is still around 300 to 400 dollars a quarter & gas have gone up to around $300 as well. Its become very cold here & today I have 3 long sleeve tops on plus a cardigan to keep warm. Some of the things I have done to eases budget was sell the car that has saved be close to $4000 a year. I live within walking distance to shops & public transport, I'm using Ripe Near Me more & extended the size of the chook yard last weekend. Expanding the garden has been on my to do list & have more growing in pots as a cheaper option for now than raised beds. We are eating way less meat meals, I have cut out meat but cook it for the kids & making most foods from scratch. My biggest fears at the moment are the rising cost of electricity & school funding. Annabelle starts school next year & will be going to the small private Catholic school 5 minute walk from home with the budget cuts school fees will go through the roof & my 3 little ones will all be at school within the next 3 years. There just is not the jobs out there, unemployment is rising & working outside the home I would not be able to do all that I currently do to keep cost down. Its hard not to worry or get depressed you just do what you can do & cut cost where you can. All we can do is strengthen our skills in simple living

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    1. Sarah, I hope you and the little ones don't get too cold this winter. That is great that Ripe Near Me is working so well for you. I guess you will be getting a lot of citrus fruit soon as it is in season. Pity about the car but they are costly to maintain.

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    2. Nana Chel kids keeping very warm & cosy, I had sourced many wool blankets a few months ago & rugs for the floor that has made a big diffrence in keeping house warmer. I have been knitting for the kids since late summer so they have a good collection of warm woollies with hand-spun knits to be added soon. I had my 1st spinning lesson yesterday with the ladies at Elizabeth spinning & weavers guild

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    3. You have been busy, Sarah. I used to know a girl who did spinning when we were young and I had a go at it. It reminded me so trying to use the old treadle sewing machines :-)

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  4. Hi Chel,

    I have just finished reading "Do Less" by Rachel Jonat. I will have a review up on the blog tomorrow. It is a really worth while read offering some great insights in ways to minimize which frequently leads to needing less to live. She has some good suggestions for ways to tighten the belt in the money section. I also like the way Rachel talks about ways to change your mindset around having things and wanting things which leads to being able to live with less.

    About 4 years ago I was in terrible debt. With some support from my partner and with extreme frugal living I am now debt free. I am really proud of this. I was able to do this by living a minimal life in a simple way. Now I cannot imagine any other way to live.

    One of the things I notice is that we are not teaching younger generations to live with less. It is such an instant gratification type of society that when things like this budget hit us many can not cope. There is alot of keeping up with every one else and buying new and it makes me sad. Maybe there will be a time when people are forced to live in a more frugal manner and will learn to live with what they have and make do.

    Always a pleasure Chel :)

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    1. I hadn't hear of that book, Vicki. It sounds very informative. I have met a few young people living frugally but they are probably in the minority unfortunately. People my age who were born just after WW2 had parents who were used to living frugally, due to necessity of course, so it was just a way of life to live like that. Hopefully our young people won't have to learn by going through a time like that.

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    2. I agree about the keeping up with other people. It's strange--I can feel perfectly fine not keeping up with the Jones', but others will criticize me for not doing so, even though they know we live a frugal lifestyle.

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    3. Brandy, yes it is odd that people do that even when they know someone is as successful as yourself at living frugally. You are to be admired not criticised. Who are the Jones' anyway when it all boils down. :-)

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  5. I wish our Federal Government in the US would tighten their budgets! It's a free for all over here! :)

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    1. I totally agree - it is a little nerve wracking to think of the crash that I feel must be at the end of this profligate spending, We try to be frugal and hope we will be prepared to live with a lot less when that time comes.

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    2. Welcome to my blog, Joyful. It sounds like things aren't too good financially in the US either.

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    3. Kathy, are you back from visiting your new bub? I think there will be tough times ahead with everyone tightening their belts.

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  6. Great post as usual Nanna Chel. I am always on the hunt for any new frugal tips. The price of everything in South Australia has skyrocketed and it is going to be made even worse with the new budget. There are so many struggling people and families, it is so sad that it is coming to this in Australia...

    I am a long time member of Simple Savings and I use their book regularly. Another helpful site is Cheapskates.com.au and http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/ Cath Armstrong has a very helpful book out as well called Eat Well, Save More (feed four people for $80 a week). This book helps you slash your grocery bill, organise, maintain and improve your budget, menu planning, helpful shopping habits, meals and snack recipes.

    I have been looking for budget friendly recipe books in op shops etc, it is amazing what you find sometimes. I keep a list of frugal sites on my blog that I refer to all the time :)

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    1. Tania, I do get the Cheapskates newsletter but hadn't heard of the other site so will check it out. Thanks. I think the increased prices are pretty much a feature in all states of Australia now.

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  7. Hi Nanna Chel,
    Thanks for the useful links and information. Will check them out! I've always been frugal in my habits especially the times I lived in my own house on my own before I became an aged carer for parents. I really love the whole simple living movement as you can learn so much and everyone sharing information helps for being prepared when living is tight.
    -Shiralee.

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    1. I can imagine you would be very frugal, Shiralee. I hope you can make it to the soap making workshop.

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  8. living in the Uk we have been struggling for what seems forever ,some more than others but I didnt realise how difficult it is for you in Australia ,the only glimpses I have had that your living costs are higher for somethings is through a tv show that takes families out to Australia and New Zealand called Wanted down Under , its easy for us in a sometimes cold and wet UK that its better for you ,but I am mistaken . I know blogs like these are inspirational and encouraging so I wish all of you the very best and keep focussed xx

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  9. Yes, things are definitely quite grim for many people in NZ too in recent years. The price of so many things has soared out of all proportion. Ironically there's a certain section of the NZ population who think everything is cheap in Australia! It just shows that it's really hard to gauge how expensive it is to live somewhere without actually being there. I guess the good thing is that no matter where you are you can do pretty similar things to try and help yourself - grow your own food, preserve, use less meat etc. I'm so grateful we can do most of these, have an orchard, hens, a big garden etc - it makes a huge difference.

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