Jobless woman can't "make ends meet" with $666 cheque from Centrelink
An unemployed woman has taken to Facebook to ask for budgeting advice, sharing a snapshot of how she spends her fortnightly $666 cheque from Centrelink.
“Is there any other agencies that help people make ends meet after leaving a job?” she asked.
“I have a budget of $840 a fortnight but get $666 a fortnight from Centrelink. It would only be till I got a job (my budget doesn’t include buying luxury items its essentially the basics for survival). I would be needing another $100-$200 a fortnight.
“Obviously smokes have to go but it’s still not enough – where else could I save?”
The woman also shared a screenshot of her fortnightly budget, admitting she spends $65 each fortnight on cigarettes.
However, the majority of commenters offered some helpful advice, news.com.au reports.
“My hubby quit smoking cigarettes one year ago, now vapes,” one woman shared, suggesting the woman switch from smokes to e-cigarettes. “He saves hundreds a month.”
Another suggested she buy and make her cat food in bulk, writing, “$2 for big tin of tuna, add rice and frozen veg. There may even be a cheap recipe for homemade cat biscuits.”
One commenter also sympathised with the woman over her high rent. “Wow! Rent prices are so cruel! I commend you for trying to sort out your budget! Good for you!”
Tell us in the comments below, do you think it’s fair for the woman to be complaining about her welfare amount? Or can you see where she’s coming from?