how can the average aussie family survive?, page-69

Interesting forum and also interesting what different people class as a need. Like 60 bucks a week of internet and phone. That is like a month for us, two people with phones and broadband.

38 and never owned a TV in my life. watched it of course, but never actually bought one myself. Either the places I have lived in had them or I didn't watch it.

People complaining about the cost of dishwasher detergent? - dishwashers are definitely a want, Buy some detergent.

I realize kids are expensive but their attitudes to what they feel they are entitled to is based on conditioning, not on reality.

Growing up in scotland as part of the rural poor I was required to work before starting school (ages 41/2 - 8) so our family could survive. The money we earnt bought our christmas presents and school uniforms. Everyone where I lived did the same - Thatcher had seen to that for us.

As kids we had to get ourself to places - bike public transport, run or walk if we wanted to get there. I grew up in newcastle so as a ten year old playing football on the weekend I would have to ride to suburban grounds, play and ride back.

So yes, I absolutely agree that it is expensive in Australia - over taxed and under provided for by the govt, but saying you are a struggling family based on not being able to provide what you want, rather than what you need is a interesting analysis.

I currently work overseas and have been fortunate enough for the past ten years to live pretty much expense free as work supplies everything for me or the money to do it outrside my salary, but brothers and sisters with their many kids are still in australia juggling living on a significantly less amount of money than myself and my wife earn as expats. I seriously have a lot of respect for people who make the lifestyle choice to raise kids. It's expensive and difficult, but to say you are sturggling whilst still having modernity and creature comforts is a stretch.

R