Readers response: What have you had to cut out of your life to cope with cost of living pressures?
As the cost of living continues to rise, many people have had to cut things out of their day to day spending to cope with the financial struggles.
We asked our readers what they have had to cut out of their budgets to cope with cost of living pressures, and the response was overwhelming. Here's what they said.
Wendy Oliver - We don’t eat out often at all… I spend too much in the supermarket.
Christine Brooks - I've cut out steak, good nutritional foods, TV streaming, entertainment, haircuts, new clothes, pets, pool cleaning, and more.
Kerrie Dare - I limit steak meals. I've stopped my haircuts to every 4 months. Internet is getting chopped. I can only afford exercise classes twice a week. I don't eat as much fruit as I used too. I only buy groceries when on special. One bottle of wine per fortnight. One slice of sourdough in the morning, which means the loaf lasts a week. I turn on my washing machine around every 10 days & I have quick showers. No eating out or take away. Maybe one cup of coffee per week with a friend. Movies once every 6 weeks as a social group. No concerts or clubs. I drive only locally, so a tank of petrol lasts 1 month. No weekends away.
Jane Dawes - No coffees, beauty treatments, hairdresser, eating out, takeouts etc. The trouble is not affording to spend on certain items has a flow on effect for businesses. Everyone is suffering.
Lois E. Fisk - Going out to eat or see movies in the cinema or live plays or new clothes. I shop at the least expensive grocery stores as much as possible, and good cuts of meat rarely happen.
Janice Stenning - Don't go to the hairdressers as often and don't buy as many clothes.
Debra Dugar - Thinking about dropping my extras cover of my insurance. By the time I pay for it, I can't afford the gap you have to pay.
Robyn Lee - Living in my own house. I now live with my family.
Rhondda Hughes - Well, petrol is expensive so I have to really think if I can afford to visit anyone. I can’t eat meat much and even vegetables can be expensive. We have three chickens so they give us eggs but good quality eggs and healthy chickens require money too. Fortunately I live in Perth so, in comparison to other states, it isn’t as cold however the cost of heating is a significant consideration and therefore I just tend to go to bed.