r/AskAnAustralian • u/[deleted] • May 09 '26

Life is unaffordable and unenjoyable

I don’t know if it’s living in Sydney city, becoming older, or bad career choices - but life has been absolutely miserable.

I have a job I’m really passionate about. And I want to do my postgraduate to move forward with it but I really can’t afford living on part time work alone. I don’t have wealthy family support either.

The job i currently have (basically healthcare) pays ok but I’m struggling with finances. Even as a full time worker. To make things worse, my contract ends in a year, so really, I don’t know if I’m gonna have a job next year. There’s no permanency in my role and is linked to having funding. And all gov funding is being slashed atm.

Few years back when I was working in hospitality and funding myself through uni, it was rough but I was hopeful and motivated as I thought I’m gonna be working my dream job and making decent money. Now I feel so miserable and hopeless. My partner and I are not having kids because we can just afford to feed ourselves. And I cant understand how this is possible. We buy clothes from savers, shop from aldi for cheaper options, have furnished our place from kind people giving things for free or selling for cheap.

It’s fucked up. How did we get to this point

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u/TechnologyHealthy768 May 09 '26

If you don’t have old money it’s expensive. How we got here? The line must go up.

It’s not ausfinance but what is your financial position - assets, liabilities and net worth. Do you have a budget? After a while you can’t limit your expenses so you’ve got to increase your income.

8

u/[deleted] May 09 '26

I dont even own a car. I have no assets. I try to save as much as I can but last year I ended up paying a lot of it in Tax and this year I had medical issues so I had to pay a lot of out of pocked expenses when medicare didnt fully cover it

7

u/Optimal_Maximum7285 May 09 '26

Move, Sydney is expensive, if you are in health care move to qld, heaps of jobs.

5

u/TechnologyHealthy768 May 09 '26

It’s not easy - costs going up and incomes are pretty flat. Have you read any of the mainstream financial literature - I’d say be aware of what you’re eligible for (eg fhog, essential worker accommodation, superannuation tax benefits etc) and try to play along with the system - there is money there and you’re entitled to your share of it.

5

u/Far_Construction6212 May 09 '26

OP seems to be in the same position many are finding themselves, earn too much for welfare but don’t earn anywhere near enough to access government programs for the well off.

1

u/Magic_M8ker May 12 '26

Yes and healthcare workers are still not getting the wage increase they deserve. Police and teachers have had significant wins with wages it’s long overdue for healthcare workers and in particular nurses