Single mother of two Alysia Sheppard isn’t too proud to admit she’s struggling. The Sydney woman buys her clothes at op shops and collects furniture from council pick-up days. She fills her car up in $20 instalments to stretch her budget further.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today “I’m only ever one paycheque away from living in my car — that’s the way I feel,” she told 7NEWS. And two days after the interview with 7NEWS, Alysia happened to lose her job. She doesn’t know what the future holds now.
7NEWS has spoken to a range of Australians in a special five-part series that examines some of the most difficult issues confronting the nation. On Tuesday night we examined the cost-of-living crisis. The economy is currently showing low unemployment, falling inflation and rising wages — but the Australians we have spoken to aren’t feeling it.
“My life is a constant fight, a battle to keep my head above water, and to keep a roof above our heads,” says Alysia. Her grocery shopping choices now favour more processed and frozen foods — fresh fruit and veg and meat is getting too expensive. And the first thing to be cut when the weeks get tight is health expenses.
“I have private health insurance, but I don’t go to the dentist in case there’s a gap,” she says. “My 18-year-old son needs his wisdom teeth out, but I can’t afford it.” She hasn’t yet started using the services of food charities — but thousands have.
On a Tuesday morning.