How to Survive on a Low Income

This time of year there is a rise in families breaking up, people having to go on Centrelink, job cuts or if you're casual, a surge in work for Christmas for some occupations and a heap of unpaid days off for others. Resulting in many people having to survive on a low income or suddenly finding themselves on Centrelink.

I'm not going to specify what a low income is exactly because it can be relative depending on where you live, your personal circumstances and so on.

I had a low income when I was a teenage apprentice living on my own, or a single mother relying on Centrelink, or when I lost 70% of my income at the start of 2020 and we were locked down overseas. However, I have also had what is deemed a high income and had extremely high expenses such as legal fees when fighting for custody ($40,000 in a matter of months), so my income did not feel high at all.

With the current state of things, more people are struggling to live on what they might previously have deemed a decent income but now is low as it doesn't cover the basics.

Here are some articles and tips to help with low incomes:

Firstly, check if you are eligible for any help from Centrelink, you can do this with their rate estimator.

If you have any sort of pension, health or seniors cards, check you are getting all the rebates and other discounts.

Next, search through all these free money offers/vouchers/bonuses, including state specific ones to see what you might be eligible for and apply.

Review your budget with a full financial review (check out mine here) or create one and use these tips to stick to it.

Apply these 24 ways to easily save more in 2024.

Check out 31 ways to make and save $200 or more.

Consider these tips to upgrade your life without spending a fortune.

For tips to reduce the cost of beauty, read this.

​17 tips to reduce the cost of electricity​

And if you are looking to buy a home, check out this article with tips to increase your borrowing power along with this one to make your home pay for itself.

How to Survive on Centrelink

All of the above tips are useful for those living on Centrelink, however, I have even more articles focused on Centrelink specifically.

​In this link, you can find all the articles and tips about Centrelink and low incomes including how to afford medical care, how to afford schooling etc.

One of the big things I think is important if you have to survive on Centrelink is ensuring you are getting everything you are entitled to, not just financially. Being on Centrelink can entitle you to free courses, education, clothing for interviews, access to healthcare and other things for free or heavily discounted.

Be sure to use the rate estimator and go over everything thoroughly. Often you won't be told everything that might be available to help you and you need to search for yourself.

Years ago, when I left an abusive marriage and became a single mother, I was surprised to find out I had access to some free counselling, fitness classes, a session with a naturopath, legal advice/help filling in forms and more though my womens health centre.

When helping a friend navigate Centrelink recently, there was even more available in her area and through various charities. It is worth it to ask, research and apply for anything you can to help you save money.

How to Increase Your Income/Ways to Make Money

If you are able to make more money, it can ease a lot of pressure. Here are a few articles to help:

​24 ways to make $25hr or more in 2024​

​43 ways for single mums to make money​

​How to make money with Airtasker​

​23 ways to make money on the side in 2023​

​What to do to make money when you're totally broke​

Or find heaps of articles with different ways to make money here.

You might also want to read about how to double your income and these 9 ways to increase your by from Aspiring Millionaire.

What I Am Reading

Health and healing is the focus for the next few months for us, as well as building our transport business in Vanuatu while we are here and a few other projects.

As such, Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity by Peter Attia is on my list this week. I want to live a long, healthy life so I can be there for all my children and any children they might have.

One of the books that helped us immensely with our transport business and that helped me become a partner in other businesses is Million Dollar Weekend: The Surprisingly Simple Way to Launch a 7-Figure Business in 48 Hours. It sounded too simplified and while the title isn't completely accurate, the tips in it are valuable.

The Thrifty Issue Community

For more and to connect with others check out The Thrifty Issue Facebook group, Facebook page, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter.​