Good Morning!

I certainly know the drill, @Former-Member. I'm always mindful of an unexpected event surprising me. I try to be frugal so that I can afford necessary indulgences when they occur.

I have electricity in this unit but had always wanted gas. I love gas especially for cooking. The changeover must put a lot of people in financial difficulty.

Yes agreed @Historylover I get it. The green targets will involve a lot more than just converting to electricity. Houses will require new insulation upgrades, aircon, and possibly double glazed windows. I don't know much more but youre right many people won't be able to afford it. Saw a meeting being held somewhere in Melbourne about this very topic recently. Its what lies ahead

yes, its huge difference @Former-Member if was able to get few days work here and there would help

@Former-Member Oh my! That is the kind of horrible you can live without.

Good for you for choosing wisely 😊

@saturnzoon so good to see you back. hope you sleep well tonightxx

@TAB Yeah they were trying to get people off pensions when I was in around my mid thirties. So glad I was able to stay on it. The interviewer saw how sick I was. There were people there waiting to be assessed panicking that their pensions would be taken off them.

Its even harder to get on them. I remember when I was on sickness benefit hoping to be put on a DSP that I went into the commonwealth medical officers consulting room and sat in his chair by accident! I was that thrown that I did not know what I was doing lol This was after being locked up many times. (Been through the institutional system) I don't know what they were thinking. Anyway I laugh when I look back on it now.

Just back in from a walk. About to test blood sugars

sounds rough @Former-Member I wouldnt get it. maybe if it were 30 years ago not these days

I agree trying to stay on a budget I found impossible now, @Former-Member @Historylover @TAB I used to be really good with my budget and was able to save but like our friends here, I just can't do it anymore, food has just sky-rocketed and cost of living am only surviving one week at a time now.

My rent balls up from there end has just made it more harder, my savings are all gone now and I have had to cancel my all my insurance policy so I have that to pay for the other week rental which centrelink sent me a message letting me know how much I will now get after f/n payment goes out, this week was myself higher week but not anymore so not sure if I will have much left for food.

I have both gas and electricity and love my gas especially for stove it's cheaper, must be hard for having to change to all electricity, junction housing doesn't allow solar panels so if I had to go all electrical I'd hate to see how much it would be, I hope that if anyone has the solar panels the electricity will be a lot cheaper for yous.

I'm going to see a financial councilor after New Year see if they can help.

@Bunniekins @Glisten

friend on DSP years ago used to know what to do, would have vinnies come to house to interview her, got $200 from them, just go everywhere and get what you can @saturnzoon

@saturnzoon your story is very familiar and not uncommon. I have been thinking of you and am glad you mentioned your situation more fully. I was wondering how you were getting by as you are in a genuine situation of hardship.

Have you heard of Fare Share, Oz Harvest and Food Bank? They are massive organisations that are Australia-wide that provide free food. They supply free fruit and vegetables in addition to free pantry and chilled items.

They have large premises and refrigerated delivery trucks and even buses that come to your suburb. It has to be seen to be believed. They are not the old charities that once was but rather professional enterprises. There are also some that deliver to you if you have mobility issues and can't leave your home.

www.fairshare.net.au

www.ozharvest.org

www.foodbank.org.au

Please look them up, they are incredible ventures. They are the main standout organisations I know of. I have had to get food relief several times in my life in years gone by and I was very grateful. There are other smaller ones.

You could ring your local Citizens Advice Bureau for something more local if you want to look into that.

I hope you will be ok. Please check out the websites I gave you and get some food for christmas

I don't want you going without FOOD!