Connect with people who understand what you are going through, seek advice and surround yourself with support. We're free, anonymous, and professionally moderated 24/7.
Unknown userMember
I would like to move out of home next year, but I'm just doing a budget up and I couldn't possibly afford it.
I'm in the red by $100 a week.
The jobs I am looking at pay net $45k a year. How in the world do I live on that with a MI?
Why must MI cost so much?!? With therapy my yearly costs would come to over 20k/year.
What am I doing wrong?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
How does everyone else afford to live?
In response to: Moving out of home
Unknown userMember
Hey @Former-Member 🙂 I approved the larger one when it came through but for some reason it obviously isn't showing up for other members! If you would like to try again, I'm more than happy to re-approve and let you know when I do it, so we can check if it comes through, or see whether there's maybe a technical issues? No worries if not!
In response to: Re: Moving out of home
Unknown userMember
In response to: Re: Moving out of home
Phoenix_RisingSenior Contributor
@Former-Member I think you need to compensate @Former-Member for the fact that the picture hasn't appeared yet. I reckon about $45000 should be sufficient! 
In response to: Re: Moving out of home
Unknown userMember
@Former-Member @Phoenix_Rising approved! Can you see it now?
In response to: Re: Moving out of home
Phoenix_RisingSenior Contributor
@Former-Member Yep, I can see it! Now @Former-Member will just have to play some elevator music or something while I compare it to the excel spreadsheet that I happen to have re. my budget. 
In response to: Re: Moving out of home
TheVorticonSenior Contributor
In response to: Re: Moving out of home
Phoenix_RisingSenior Contributor
@Former-Member I don't think you are doing anything "wrong" at all. The cost of your therapist and medication is huge!!!!! There is no way I could ever afford to see a therapist for that fee. To be honest, I wouldn't even want to because I would feel so resentful and depressed about the cost, that it would be counterproductive for me. I really don't understand how any therapist can justify charging that sort of money.
My health insurance is only $650 per year because I only have extras cover (i.e. not hospital cover). My phone and internet is the same as yours. My electricity is much higher than you've estimated, but my food bill is much lower.
So...all in all, nope I can't see that you are doing anything "wrong". Living is expensive! I guess it comes down to choosing what's most important. For example, I know that some people might consider it inappropriate that I spend so much on my violin lessons when I am so poor. However, I get so much out of each lesson and this is something that has super helped me to keep on keeping on during this awful year. So yeah, for me, this is money well spent.
In response to: Re: Moving out of home
Phoenix_RisingSenior Contributor
Can you see the picture yet @TheVorticon? Are you on a phone? I've noticed that sometimes pictures never appear on my phone.
In response to: Re: Moving out of home
Unknown userMember
In response to: Re: Moving out of home
Phoenix_RisingSenior Contributor
@Former-Member I am super sleepy, but I will return to this conversation tomorrow. 
Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.
Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.
You’ll soon be able to use one secure login to access all SANE services.
For added security, members are now required to log in with their email address and password - member names are no longer supported for logging in.
If you had a Forums account before 19 May 2026 and haven’t set up your new login yet, you'll be prompted to set up your new secure login when you sign-in.
Fields marked * are required
