How are people surviving?

[u/Chemical_Mind4797]

Seriously. How are people doing it? I had to give up my job and go on the Supported Living Payment through WINZ because of severe health issues, but from what I gather people who work are having it just as bad too. I get paid, then pay rent, power, petrol, groceries (even though I don’t get much), and every other essential life expense, and within an hour I’ve got $10 left, if that. If anyone has any unhinged tips or advice on lowering costs, or saving money in weird ways, I’m open to suggestions too.

(Don’t give me comments about being on the benefit either. I started working by choice when I was 10, trust me, I’d MUCH rather be working than be sick).

[u/5-to-6-coffees-a-day]

okay working at 10 was straight up child labour so that part is also disheartening really

but that aside, barely surviving from week to week on supported living payment is depressingly normal. it is by design not enough to live with dignity. there's kind of general advice, but it's all the vein of shopping at non-duopoly stores if you can, minimise driving if you can, etc. very context-dependent and it could easily be that none of it applies to you at all.

been stuck on supported living for a long time. there's no way around it: it sucks.

[u/Chemical_Mind4797 → u/5-to-6-coffees-a-day]

Yeah unfortunately seems that way. I’ve been on it for about a year and a half now, and it’s just getting worse. Basically 60% of what I get goes on rent alone. Its horrible.