For a lot of families, making a budget every week used to help them feel in control. It was a way to plan for groceries, petrol, rent and bills with some confidence. That surety is going away quickly. Many families are spending about $175 more a week on everyday things because of new cost pressures. This makes them rethink how they manage their money and whether weekly budgets still work.
Community advisers say that the rise isn’t caused by just one bill, but by a lot of bills coming due at the same time. As a result, people who used to be able to make ends meet each week are now having to do maths for months at a time just to keep up.
What is causing the $175 weekly rise?
It’s not just a theory; it’s showing up in bank statements.
Families are saying that their costs are going up because of:
- Payments for rent and mortgages
- Bills for gas and electricity
- Food and other important things for the home
- Gas and transportation
- Insurance and taxes from the council
When added together, these increases are making weekly costs go up by about $175 for many families with low or middle incomes.
A financial counsellor said, “People don’t notice it all at once.” It’s like dying a thousand small times.
Why weekly budgets aren’t working anymore
When prices were stable, weekly budgeting worked. Now, it’s harder to plan for the short term because prices change so often.
Some of the main issues are:
- Bills for utilities that change from month to month
- Prices of groceries change every week.
- Effects of interest rates hitting mid-cycle
- Irregular work hours that affect pay
Because of this, a lot of families are switching from real planning to survival budgeting every two weeks or once a month.
Who Is Under the Most Stress
A lot of people are affected, but some groups are under a lot of stress:
- Renters who have to deal with frequent rent increases
- People who have variable-rate mortgages
- Families with kids in school
- Households with only one income
- People who get money from the government or a job
A parent from Adelaide said, “By Thursday, the money for the week is already gone.” There isn’t a buffer anymore.
Stories from real Australian families
Emma and Josh, who live in rural New South Wales, said that their weekly grocery bill has gone up by more than $60.
Woolworths is under pressure again, and shoppers are reacting.
Emma said, “We didn’t change what we buy.” “The prices did.”
Ron, a retiree in Melbourne, said that budgeting now seems pointless. “I plan the week, and then a bill comes and blows it up.”
More and more people are having these kinds of experiences.
What the Government and Experts Are Saying
Instead of a single shock, economic analysts point to multiple cost pressures.
Officials from the Australian Bureau of Statistics say that even though inflation has gone down in some areas, basic living costs are still high, especially for housing, energy, and food.
Consumer advocates say this is why many people feel worse off even when inflation slows down.
Expert Opinion: Why $175 Is More Important Than It Seems
$175 more a week is equal to $700 a month
More than $9,000 a year
That amount is often more than any recent pay or benefit increases for families that are already struggling.
Experts say this gap is why people are using more credit and saving less, even though they used to be able to handle it.
How Families Are Changing
People aren’t quitting; they’re just changing their plans.
Some common changes are:
- Going from weekly to monthly budgeting
- Putting fixed bills ahead of flexible spending
- Cutting out all discretionary spending
- Using tools to compare insurance and utility rates
- Looking for concessions or arrangements for hardship
Some people are also making “buffer weeks” instead of balanced ones.
If your weekly budget isn’t working anymore, experts say:
- Keeping track of your expenses for a whole month
- Dividing costs into fixed and variable
- Checking if you qualify for discounts or rebates
- Getting in touch with lenders or providers early
- Looking for free financial advice if you need it
Changing how you budget isn’t a failure; it’s a response to reality.
