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Back to school financial support for Aussie families by 9 News
Back-to-School Financial Support QLD/ACT/VIC/SA/NT/WA $317/ $750/ $225/ $100/ $200/ $350 @ 9news
save50 on 15/12/2022 - 18:32
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Life never goes as planned, next year will be a pain for many.
Hard to disagree after watching six pram owners fight over two pram spaces on a bus that was already 15+ minutes late today. Life may not go as planned, but you can try to plan for most obvious eventualities.
I don't think many of us predicted the prices of food rising so quickly (I don't remember any other time in my 35 years where it's been like this). I also didn't see covid happening or Russia invading Ukraine (all have increased costs and driven the economy into the ground)
Fair. But whilst you may not have seen these things specifically there's always been the idea to prepare for the worst. Fail to properly prepare etc etc. Historically, the world has gone through waves of upward swings and downward. I'm a bit young but my in laws say interest rates were once 17%?
It's been pretty….obvious for at least the past ten years things weren't going to well and to try and save where you can.
It doesn't matter if the parents were right or wrong in their choice - kids did not choose and should not suffer. You can't punish the parents by punishing the kids, that is just wrong. However kids get into the world they deserve a decent life.
Nobody was talking about punishment?
It's a shame everyone in this situation is suffering. And as I said I don't have a solution, but nobody once mentioned punishment?@lette: You are saying that parents should not get help for their kids because they need to suffer the consequences of their poor choice to have kids. The parents are not the ones that suffer through that, it's the kids.
If you aren't saying that, then the parents' decision to have kids has nothing to do with anything and you wouldn't have mentioned it.
@Quantumcat: I never said they shouldn't get help? I said what OfficerBarbrady is saying is correct albiet harsh. You don't plan a huge expense if you cannot afford it. Regardless of what it is.
@lette: Some Human (ironic name choice)'s comment is saying that they shouldn't get support for their kids because they chose to have them and it is the parents' fault if the kids miss out on basic school supplies, and you're agreeing with them.
@Quantumcat: Nobody said that. They said that you shouldn't have kids if you can't afford them. Nobody has ever mentioned anything in the way you are portraying it. At least not in this comment thread.
@lette: What was the intention of the comment then, in a thread about financial help with school supplies? Try to read even scratch-deep into their comment.
@Quantumcat: Perhaps ask OfficerBarbrady. I am not them. But if I were to infer….perhaps it's just dismay that we need to support children's basic necessities because of some,not all, adults poor choices and it's an unfortunate necessity we all accept but don't like. Perhaps it's just dismay,not outrage and calling for punishing.
Lord knows I am dismayed at the current situation. Where myself, a woman of 33 on 6 figures has no chance of being financially able to have a child in my birthing years.
@Quantumcat: what OfficerBarbrady said could be interpreted as an advice for those who consider having babies.
his word is a little harsh but true, to quote what you said "kids did not choose and should not suffer" which I completely agree with,
some of the (bad) parents choose to bring their kids into the world without preparation at first which will inevitably make their kid suffer.
@Quantumcat: Oh I just realised you were quoting another user literally named some human. I don't gree with their harshness. We help people all the time with their mistakes. Look at smoking,drugs,obesity etc. So of course we would help struggling parents. Doesn't mean it doesn't suck though.
Yes and no. If you can't afford kids when you're trying, then you should really consider what you're getting into. 10 years later and you get laid off from work - you can't control that. To each their own mate.
Fair. But after ten years you would think that there would be a six month buffer of cash to stave off being laid off. Heck, there should have been a buffer before conception even.
I get it. Life happens. Even to those without kids. But OfficerBarbrady just said the truth, albiet harshly.
6 months may be possible in your position, but around half of Australians are living month to month. It's disheartening to see how many people here (and in general) seem unaware of how life can be much harder for others, frequently for reasons that are absolutely not in their control, e.g. rent costs, fuel costs, health issues, unemployment.
@banana365: Oh I don't have that much buffer. Maybe half that. Which is one of many reasons I wouldn't have kids.
@banana365: Then that sounds like half of Australians could use a financial education.
If you looked at their expenses, you'd likely find hundreds of dollars of frivolous purchases and blatant wastes of money. I've worked with several people in my time who are broke before pay day, but always seem to have enough for the latest iPhone / car / wardrobe. They eat take away for 70% of meals etc. They always say "oh but it's only xx dollars a month.
Add up all the things you're only paying xx dollars on per month and that's their whole wage gone.@Some Human: I am very much guilty of this in my previous years and it's much of the reason why I am behind the eight ball now financially and have had to make tough choices like "don't have kids" or "buy a smaller house" etc.
@lette: Same here. Spent my early 20s blowing 2/3 of my pay on junk and the rest on bills and living expenses. Wondered why I only had 5k in the bank. One day my bro said "do you really need all that sh**?" and then I watched the story of stuff and I realised where I was going wrong. So in my mid 20s I started saving and boy can you save easy when you're not making ridiculous purchases.
I have happily been living a relatively frugal lifestyle ever since.
@Some Human: Financial education in this country (and many others) is woeful. Little, if anything, is taught in schools beyond "this is how interest works". There's a lot of reliance placed upon parents passing on what they've learned, but it's likely they haven't learned good practices themselves.
Too many people learn how to manage finances only after they've got themselves into a bad situation.
@banana365: I don't think lack of financial education is the core of the issue nowadays, but rather the need to fit in, be cool, have things right now and prioritising joy at this moment instead of a good balance of now and future. Yolo and Fomo.
There is incentive for people to have more babies. Our reproduction rate is below a sustainable population. If the rate doesn't increase and stabilise we could see the extinction of the human race. The only thing slowing the reduction in people is less developed countries where there is less education / safe sex practices. But that hasn't stopped us from reaching peak child already. There won't be anymore children on the planet than there is right now. Google peak child. Plenty of news about it.
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Peak-Child-Population-gr…
Unfortunately true. But…just "having more babies" doesn't solve that problem, it just moves it. And frankly, if you can't afford children then you shouldn't have them. As stated. It's the only reason I'd never entertain the idea. I just landed my first job on 6 figures. Even take home it's only 1400 odd a week. That is not enough to sustain a family. So. I go without. Simples.
Edited to say: I don't have the answer. I don't pretend to. I just don't get all the OfficerBarbrady hate when they're just stating the truth. Albiet harshly.
True although I think it's about adjusting your lifestyle. I had my kid when I was a graduate on 60k a year and wife was a part time courier driver. So our combined income was less than 100k a year. Probably around 80k back then. We barely saw each other with the cross over in work hours. We didn't do holidays (just stayed local), didn't eat out or go out drinking, took left overs into work etc. Although that was roughly 10 years ago. It'd probably be a bit different now with the crazy inflation over the past year!!
@Name: I somewhat agree with you. My parents went from housing trust to really wealthy while I was ages 4-12 roughly. My other siblings were younger so didn't notice as much, but you do notice the general change when finances ease. My parents were happier, calmer, had more time for us. I remember complaining Luke at school had this Pokemon card deck nobody could beat. One Wednesday dad came home with it and told me to "beat that little ****".
I do remember my little sister being embarrassed once because she didn't have the right sneakers? It was a whole thing apparently. She was a popular kid so I can see the social reasoning there I guess.
Whilst reducing what you consume and buy to have kids is a good idea, it can adversely impact the kid. I don't know. It's a hard one.
Haha yeah I like how officer barbrady hasn't commented since leaving you to cop it all.
@Name: Haha true. Doesn't bother me to be honest. I have a lot of mates who are struggling and this particular issue bothers me. There's just not enough education? I don't know.
Thank god, we don't need more people.
Also, that is complete tripe, they can't possibly predict what could happen in the future. Everyone could go out and have 10 babies each tomrrow.
Not true - they can work at age 14 and pay for themselves…
Liberal voter or progressive? I can't tell.
Either way you need immigrants or kids to prop up this ponzi scheme we have going.
What is this article. Impossible to find the details
It's Click bait!
Channel 9 Money program cashing in on list of State Government & charity programs for families with school children.
Conditions apply.Better to do a search by your State
Many of these provisions are for low income families. As we know, all Ozbargainers are on $500k a year.
The WA one in particular refers to the "Secondary Assistance Scheme"
The Secondary Assistance Scheme is available to parents/guardians with children enrolled in secondary schooling who hold an eligible concession card. The Secondary Assistance Scheme comprises of an Education Program Allowance which is paid to the school and a Clothing Allowance that is paid to the parent.
For public schools, the Educational Program Allowance (EPA) of $235 for students in Years 7 to 10 will be paid to the school and will be applied towards the voluntary contribution. Any balance will be applied against charges or as negotiated with the parent/guardian. For students in Years 11 to 12 the EPA will be applied to cover charges in the first instance.
This isn't a bargain, nor is it from 9 "news".
It's a state government thing. And their site is horrible. Do not recommend.Better to search for assistance in your State, for those in need
e.g. QLD - provides links & details of programs.Check Centrelink assistance etc
And charities like The Smith Family & Good Shepherd for loans & assistance for needy
Typical channel 9 with limited info. I googled the qld one and as far as I can tell it's an existing policy that has the typical eligibility restrictions that mean only the disadvantaged high school students are eligible.
Yeah not a bargain or a deal - more of a community service announcement (and mostly just click-bait for Channel 9). Agree with the first comment on this post.
What a joke??!??!!
Most intelligent people know that giving/handing out money is terrible for the whole economy at this point in time.
Probably a bit off topic but personally I feel we should only give support/welfare to people for a set number of children (maybe 2) after that its up to the parent to pay for the costs.
I just feel like if you can't support a child you shouldn't be having one, let alone multiple. I would like to see less support given to parents who have a heap of kids and more money being spent on better education on the costs and requirements of being a parent.
I'm all for giving assistance but too many parents rely on the government for handouts.
Great idea, let the kids suffer for the stupidity of the parents.
I see your point, but I also see Pug’s point.
I highly doubt irresponsible parents are gonna fully pass on/utilize government assistance for their children. Kids are gonna suffer nonetheless once that money’s all used up in booze, drugs, gambling or dumb purchases etc.Then something needs to be done to prevent that to begin with.
Means tested. Once again my hard earned money is being given away by the government.
Taxes are used to fund initiatives that are in the Australian interest. Why wouldn't investing in children and leaders of tomorrow be in the Australian interest?
Yeah, fair call. I actually read it wrong when i was half asleep this morning! Thought it was about power rebates for some reason! Surprised i wasn't fully flamed for my comment!
There was a post from Rivers today. So all effort is going into negging them.
Service NSW is offering $150 per child or school age regardless of income to use at selected retailers for back to school supplies.
https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/back-to-school-vouchers?gclid…
OfficerBarbrady on 15/12/2022 - 18:39 Comment score below threshold.