Cost of living burns returning Australian expat as he asks how people survive trends now
The precarious tightrope many are walking just to survive amid out-of-control inflation has been laid bare in a social media thread responding to a returning expat's shock at the prices in Australia.
Reddit user jiggjuggj0gg's post has generated 1600 replies with many confiding their own struggle to make ends meet or how runaway costs have forced them to abandon life goals.
'I’ve just come back to Aus after three years thanks to the pandemic,' the post reads.
A returning expats shock at the high prices in Australia, such as $10 beers during 'happy hour', led him to ask how people are surviving (pictured stock image)
An astonished expat Reddit user everything seemed double the price in Australia it was before Covid
'Everything is about double the price. Some things are just laughably, outrageously expensive.
'I saw a round of mini golf for $40. Happy hour beers are $10 ($15+ otherwise). And don’t get me started on accommodation.
'I know wages are fairly high here but… not that high?
'How on earth are you guys surviving out here? I was planning on staying a year or so but I genuinely don’t know if I can afford it.'
Many of the responses were brutally honest.
'How on earth are you guys surviving out here? A great many of us aren't,' one Reddit user said.
'Yes. I mean, if anyone walks through the CBD it’s quite obvious,' another replied.
Some were prompted to tell similar horror stories of mind-boggling prices.
'I took my two daughters bowling the other day and it cost me over $100 for the three of us to play 2 games, a drink each and chips,' one commenter said.
Some admitted they were talking a tightrope of survival.
'I’m doing okay, but what used to cost about $40 per week in groceries now costs about $120,' another replied.
'My insurance has increased 40% in 2 years. Rent 55%. I’ve cut ALL discretionary spending, even though I work full-time and make decent money. I won’t even treat myself to a drink at the servo anymore. It’s kind of like, what’s the point. I sit at home 99% of my free time.'
'It’s getting tough,' another replied.
A number of Reddit users came forward with helpful household hints on how to live frugally
'Our weekly grocery shop came to $320 last week and my partner cried in the car on the way home. If I couldn’t work extra overtime when I needed I don’t know what we would do. '
There was some debate over whether it was economically better to be single or in a couple, with a number admitting they couldn't afford to date or have a social life.
'I stay home, stay single, stay hungry and it mostly works,' one reply read.
'The only way I can afford a roof over my head right now is because I’m in a couple,' another said.
Some people admitted that they were forsaking the 'great Australian dream' of homeownership because they thought it was financially out of their reach
One person admitted they had been forced to return to a situation of domestic violence
