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Money, money, money! Help us out with a new article?
Hey all, it's Yvette here - Content Manager here at ReachOut HQ. 
I was wondering if you guys could help us out with a new article that we're writing. It's all about living with financial stress and how much it can suck....and we'd love your perspective.
If anyone has a chance to take a read of these questions and answer some or all of them, we'd be SO grateful!!
If you live in a rural or remote area -- Do you think it's harder money-wise than for people in the city? Do you feel pressure to leave your hometown to study or find a better job?
Do you find it hard to earn enough money to do the things you want to do, e.g. going out, buy a phone, saving for a house?
What are your top tips for saving money and budgeting?
How do you go out or have fun when you’re low on money?
Thank you from everyone here at ReachOut!
Comments
If you live in a rural or remote area -- Do you think it's harder money-wise than for people in the city? Do you feel pressure to leave your hometown to study or find a better job?
I don't live in a rural or remote area, so I can't answer this one from experience - sorry!
Do you find it hard to earn enough money to do the things you want to do, e.g. going out, buy a phone, saving for a house?
Even as a young person who doesn't live in a rural/remote area, I often find myself having to choose between the things that I want to do, and the things that I need to do. e.g. when the phone bill and other things are due in the one week, I'll say no to going out to dinner or just generally going out with friends because of how much it'd cost. Those are the more immediate concerns, whereas things like buying a house seem more distant but equally unattainable (or at least, difficult to attain). In the weeks where there are a number of payments to be made, the money that would go towards saving for a house etc. goes to those payments instead. I hope that makes sense.
What are your top tips for saving money and budgeting?
There are a few things I do. e.g. Carry a full water bottle with you when you go out places, rather than buying a drink. It may seem like a small thing, but if a drink costs $3, and you bring a bottle with you 10 times, you've already saved $30.
Another would be to give yourself a weekly expenditure, incorporating the bills you have to pay etc. and try to spend on or under that amount. The more aware you are of how you're spending, the easier it will become to make changes where necessary.
This one may seem counterintuitive, but one thing I do is treat myself. Not to anything big or expensive. It might just be allowing myself to indulge in a hot chocolate at uni, in a fortnight where I'm able to do so. The act of rewarding myself can be a boost to my mood and bolster my determination to continue to spend wisely in future.
How do you go out or have fun when you’re low on money?
Go to the drive-ins or watch a movie on TV rather than going to the cinemas.
Have a picnic or go for a walk with friends - this has the benefits of company and exercise, without the expenditure of other activities.
Do some baking or cooking with the ingredients that are already in the house
If you can go out - take turns paying with your friends. For example, if I'm having a "poor week," my friend will pay for us when we go out, and I'll pay next time, when I'm financially able.
Go to somewhere like the library, where there are often free author events, workshops etc. and all the books/DVD's one could imagine!
Thank you so much for your response @letitgo So super-helpful.
I love the idea of treating yourself, such a great way to feel like life is not one big ol' money saving exercise!
If you live in a rural or remote area -- Do you think it's harder money-wise than for people in the city? Do you feel
pressure to leave your hometown to study or find a better job?
I live in a regional area and I would definitely say it's difficult financially as my area of study is an hour away and with no access to public transport I am constantly spending money on petrol. I think with our lack of access to different modes of transport, study or work services and even basic places that metropolitan areas have it becomes more of a financial burden. Recently I have felt the pressure to move out of this area due to work opportunities being so far from me. I think that study and work can already cause stressors in our life and adding issues such as travel and finances cause increase this stress more.
Do you find it hard to earn enough money to do the things you want to do, e.g. going out, buy a phone, saving for a house?
Yes for sure! I think that I constantly have to sacrifice spending money on going out or materialistic things as the money is going towards things that need to be paid within my house and outside factors. I think so many young people like myself aren't able to live the lifestyle they want at a young age such as socialising over a meal or drinks, travelling, buying things for themself e.g clothes. I think any money we get our hands on is really going towards survival these days, making sure we have food and making sure our bills are paid with little money left over.
What are your top tips for saving money and budgeting?
• Finding cheaper options when you go out, maybe a restaraunt that has decent priced meals, cinemas that have cheap movie tickets or just deals in general that may allow you to save a few dollars
• Budgeting when you get paid- estimating or writing down where your money will be allocated. E.g petrol, bills, food.
• If you can walk or get public transport then you may be able to save some money on driving for a few days
• When shopping write a list of what you plan on getting and maybe a budget you have set for yourself. Even try going to places that are having a sale or where you may be able to get that item for a lower price.
• If you are saving for a car, house, travel or something else try getting a jar and any lose coins or notes you have at the end of the week add to that jar. Or maybe allocate yourself to add $5 to the jar each week
How do you go out or have fun when you’re low on money?
I find cheaper options or sometimes do my research on what's happening near me. For example there might be a free event on that I can go to and then for lunch I might get myself a $5 lunch deal or share a pizza or fish and chips with a friend. You can still have fun as long as your doing something you are enjoy and are with people who you enjoy being around it doesn't really matter about the money. I know sometimes I go to parks or libraries with friends and look at new books or have a good chat in the sun.
pressure to leave your hometown to study or find a better job?
I live in a regional area and I would definitely say it's difficult financially as my area of study is an hour away and with no access to public transport I am constantly spending money on petrol. I think with our lack of access to different modes of transport, study or work services and even basic places that metropolitan areas have it becomes more of a financial burden. Recently I have felt the pressure to move out of this area due to work opportunities being so far from me. I think that study and work can already cause stressors in our life and adding issues such as travel and finances cause increase this stress more.
Do you find it hard to earn enough money to do the things you want to do, e.g. going out, buy a phone, saving for a house?
Yes for sure! I think that I constantly have to sacrifice spending money on going out or materialistic things as the money is going towards things that need to be paid within my house and outside factors. I think so many young people like myself aren't able to live the lifestyle they want at a young age such as socialising over a meal or drinks, travelling, buying things for themself e.g clothes. I think any money we get our hands on is really going towards survival these days, making sure we have food and making sure our bills are paid with little money left over.
What are your top tips for saving money and budgeting?
• Finding cheaper options when you go out, maybe a restaraunt that has decent priced meals, cinemas that have cheap movie tickets or just deals in general that may allow you to save a few dollars
• Budgeting when you get paid- estimating or writing down where your money will be allocated. E.g petrol, bills, food.
• If you can walk or get public transport then you may be able to save some money on driving for a few days
• When shopping write a list of what you plan on getting and maybe a budget you have set for yourself. Even try going to places that are having a sale or where you may be able to get that item for a lower price.
• If you are saving for a car, house, travel or something else try getting a jar and any lose coins or notes you have at the end of the week add to that jar. Or maybe allocate yourself to add $5 to the jar each week
How do you go out or have fun when you’re low on money?
I find cheaper options or sometimes do my research on what's happening near me. For example there might be a free event on that I can go to and then for lunch I might get myself a $5 lunch deal or share a pizza or fish and chips with a friend. You can still have fun as long as your doing something you are enjoy and are with people who you enjoy being around it doesn't really matter about the money. I know sometimes I go to parks or libraries with friends and look at new books or have a good chat in the sun.
Thanks @SpiderGirl18...this is so really super helpful to us to have your perspective. ..and chatting in the sun rocks!
If you live in a rural or remote area -- Do you think it's harder money-wise than for people in the city? Do you feel
pressure to leave your hometown to study or find a better job?
Certainly I would say that it is harder in the rural/remote areas mainly because more people are moving to the cities which means less money is being funded by different companies and business in those areas. However, I think that something to take into account is that, money is earned by the skill and effort put into everything, so I still do believe and have had family in rural areas who still make the money they need to live their good life. It really depends on your effort and skills, but I will agree that it can be harder for people at times because these areas aren't getting the attention they used to get.
I've lived in over 40 houses my whole life, so I've moved from rural to city and back again, I've noticed changes over many years that fewer jobs in the rural places, which is a pity because some of the best people come from rural places, they've lived a life of simple concept. There for sure is pressure on you trying to find a job, and it's not always easy, some people have a lack of transport or funds to even have that option to move closer and have limited funds for study in general.
pressure to leave your hometown to study or find a better job?
Certainly I would say that it is harder in the rural/remote areas mainly because more people are moving to the cities which means less money is being funded by different companies and business in those areas. However, I think that something to take into account is that, money is earned by the skill and effort put into everything, so I still do believe and have had family in rural areas who still make the money they need to live their good life. It really depends on your effort and skills, but I will agree that it can be harder for people at times because these areas aren't getting the attention they used to get.
I've lived in over 40 houses my whole life, so I've moved from rural to city and back again, I've noticed changes over many years that fewer jobs in the rural places, which is a pity because some of the best people come from rural places, they've lived a life of simple concept. There for sure is pressure on you trying to find a job, and it's not always easy, some people have a lack of transport or funds to even have that option to move closer and have limited funds for study in general.
Do you find it hard to earn enough money to do the things you want to do, e.g. going out, buy a phone, saving for a
house?
I think that money can be put into many pleasures of life, it can be hard to properly budget and save the money, I have had several experiences of this. I find myself seeing ads or deals online and in shops that interest me enough to want to bite and use that money. But I think that it is possible to earn enough to still have that social life and shopping lifestyle.
house?
I think that money can be put into many pleasures of life, it can be hard to properly budget and save the money, I have had several experiences of this. I find myself seeing ads or deals online and in shops that interest me enough to want to bite and use that money. But I think that it is possible to earn enough to still have that social life and shopping lifestyle.
What are your top tips for saving money and budgeting?
- Be eco. What do I mean by that? Well I mean use the resources and necessary arrangements. An example can be as simple as taking the bike to work, so you only have to take the bus one way. Or drinking water instead of buying a coffee. Simple yet important things like these can save you enough that soon enough you will realise what a difference it makes.
- Save with a friend or family member. It's always easier when you do it with another person, give each other motivation and make some goals. Work towards those goals and tick them off as you reach them.
- If you're wanting to go shopping, make a strict list, don't go beyond that list, try to avoid buying new clothes or products and tr to re-use the ones you have. Or if you desperately need new products or clothes try op shops or ask a friend or family member if they have anything.
- Be eco. What do I mean by that? Well I mean use the resources and necessary arrangements. An example can be as simple as taking the bike to work, so you only have to take the bus one way. Or drinking water instead of buying a coffee. Simple yet important things like these can save you enough that soon enough you will realise what a difference it makes.
- Save with a friend or family member. It's always easier when you do it with another person, give each other motivation and make some goals. Work towards those goals and tick them off as you reach them.
- If you're wanting to go shopping, make a strict list, don't go beyond that list, try to avoid buying new clothes or products and tr to re-use the ones you have. Or if you desperately need new products or clothes try op shops or ask a friend or family member if they have anything.
How do you go out or have fun when you’re low on money?
It can, and is possible. The simple answer to the question is that you can go out, just because you are a low on money does not mean you have to stop yourself from being in a social environment. Going out is all possible thanks to the eco money. Eco-money is money you're using to a realistic and easy way. By going out maybe every fortnight, by doing that it reduces the costs per week which let you save to enjoy yourself that little bit extra. You can choose to have the eco money, it's all about changing your mind to the save mode, save on the little things, breakfast, lunch, snacks, drinks. Become motivated to yourself and decide that you're going to save this week to make next week's Saturday night the best it can be.
It can, and is possible. The simple answer to the question is that you can go out, just because you are a low on money does not mean you have to stop yourself from being in a social environment. Going out is all possible thanks to the eco money. Eco-money is money you're using to a realistic and easy way. By going out maybe every fortnight, by doing that it reduces the costs per week which let you save to enjoy yourself that little bit extra. You can choose to have the eco money, it's all about changing your mind to the save mode, save on the little things, breakfast, lunch, snacks, drinks. Become motivated to yourself and decide that you're going to save this week to make next week's Saturday night the best it can be.
