Originally Posted by The S's

well said, good to see realists view

$50k on food and elec?????

Originally Posted by Vash the Stampede

Yes, it was the one where I highlighted the breahtakingly obvious fact that:

(a) two people with no digital TV, no kids, no car loans, two very small mortgages (one of them on an investment property that currently pays for itself)

live much more cheaply than:

(b) a family with two kids at private school to the tune of $12,000+ a year, a tradie spending $8,000 a year on petrol, and (to quote jad n rich) "lots and lots of camping a weekend away; usually a cabin."

It's not exactly rocket science; just plain common sense, really. But thanks for taking an interest.

To the OP: Sandra's post is an excellent one. Take her advice and work out your current budget now, before you go Down Under.

Remember that many people have a high cost of living because they also have a high level of debt. They buy a big house and one or two new or near-new cars, then wonder where all the money's going each month.

Look at cranni's figures; she has a big house and more kids than jad n rich, but she manages fine on an income of $52,000. If she can do it, then so can you.

If you already live comfortably within your means, you should be fine. If you don't, this could be the impetus to change your spending habits and aim for a low-debt or debt-free lifestyle.

At the end of the day, most people determine their cost of living by the choices that they make. Living within your means may not be fashionable, and it sure won't keep you up with the Jonses - but it won't burn a hole in your credit card, and it will mean a much better lifestyle further down the track.

Originally Posted by jad n rich

That thread had untold people backing up my figures on just about everthing I said, you had absolutely no idea of current costs in 2006 and were wrong.

Your also getting pretty rude/personal suggesting people have high levels of debt (have none), new cars, (wrong), huge houses (lived then in the most unflash rental you could imagine). As for some extravagant lifestyle, camping and surfing hardly makes us high rollers on the monaco casino scene

You have now suggested a figure of $52,000 and several kids as a better example, well you have overlooked on that income a huge amount of family tax benefits would be paid on top of the income.

Some of your other tips are mental too, a builder using $8000 of petrol, again backed up by other tradesmen, what do you suggest they do, stick a ute and trailer load of tools, materials and equipment in a basket on a pushbike.

Thanks for your handy hints but they dont work

Originally Posted by The S's

We have 2 children, 8 and 3. I have a basic salary of $55k and we recieve $330 a fortnight from centrelink as well as $74 rent assistance.
It comes in very handy but I don't think you could call it a "huge amount".