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Money Matters

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Australian 50, 100, 20, 10 and 5 dollar notes

Since 2020, COVID and the cost of natural disasters including the worst fires and floods in living memory, have all had a massive and long lasting impact on our economy. IDEAS have put together a series of articles to help you to manage your money in these challenging times.

As interest rates, electricity bills and cost of living all continue to increase, Australians are facing an ever-worsening cost of living crisis. According to ACOSS, The federal government must step in to ease cost of living pressure after the number of people struggling to pay their energy bills has soared. 

This series aims to point people to services and supports and to help people live within their means with cost-cutting measures during this time of financial crisis. 

Financial help and ways to save money

Income Support Payments and concessions

Budget-friendly recipes

IDEAS does information so you can do life. 

Available Resources

Pavlova dessert that has cream and mixed berries on top, sitting on a plate with a serving knife on the left. No-Fail Pavlova Dessert
A caramel coloured slice with two layers and crumbled pistachio in the icing. Ginger Crunch
a mug filled with fudgy chocolate cakea Chocolate mug cake / microwave self-saucing pudding
A pile of golden savoury muffins wrapped in white paper. Savoury lunchbox muffin
Squares of caramel coloured fudge with sea salt flakes. Salted caramel fudge
A slice of coffee cake rest on a board, a fork is cutting into the cake. A white cup is in the background. No-fuss coffee cake
lamb shanks in a pot with sprigs of rosemary Lamb shanks
A black bowl containing a orange coloured soup, with diced red apple and thyme as a garnish. Sweet Potato Spicy Soup
Brown, chewy, fudge-like brownie, cut into squares in the pan. Banana Brownies
A bright green plate, with golden cooked fish, some garnish, a lime wedge and tartare sauce. Easy pan-fried fish
A bowl of rice pudding, with a dark patch on the skin top. ON a bamboo board with a spoon and checked serviette. Rice Pudding for One
A white bowl with beff, potato, onion in a curry sauce and garnished with coriander. Massaman Curry
A table set with a pie dish, cutlery, crockery and a nutmeg, bayleaf and peppercorns. The pie is golden with vegetables showing through some slits, it is garnished with herbs such as thyme. Chicken Pie
A blue bowl with a brown edge sits on a timber table. Beside it is a spoon. In the bowl is broth, celery, chicken, carrot and onion. A bowl of Chicken soup. Easy Chicken Soup
A top down photo of a bowl of curry, with sweet potato, carrot, cauliflower, peas and beans. Slow Cooker Vegetable Curry
A slice of pale yellow pie dusted with white icing sugar and with lime zest on top. Easy as Pie
A miniature shopping trolley filled with packages. Shopping bags lay next to it. ADHD and money management
Cookies and a glass of milk laid on a cooling tray. 5-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
A group of 4 Christmas Baubles balanced together. 12 tips to curb Christmas spending
A glass with yellow toned trifle in an individual serve. Amber’s sensory-friendly Christmas trifle
rosemary cake with sprigs of romsemary and slices of lemon Rosemary Remembrance Cake
A wooden tray with multicoloured rice within. A childs hand is playing in the tray. There are toys and tools around the tray. A recipe for sensory play
A bluberry muffin drizzled with white icing and two strawberries, all on a plate. Blueberry Muffins
Two chia puddings, one with mango smoothie and mint, the other with berry smoothie and blueberry. Chia Breakfast or Pudding
A creamy style spaghetti on a plate. Parsley garnishes the dish Spring vegetables with spaghetti
passionfruit slice on a white flat lay with passionfruit in right hand corner Passionfruit Slice Recipe
A person is holding a wooden spoon above a A white bowl with boiled rice and Japanese curry of vegetables and meat. Japanese Curry Rice
Clear glasses with a pale green panna cotta dessert, are topped with strawberries and white chocolate shavings. Matcha Panna Cotta
Matcha (Green) Tea Cake Matcha (Green) Tea Cake
A dish of sukiyaki simmers and cooks. In the pot are strips of beef, shitake mushrooms, greens, enoki mushrooms, tofu and broth. Sukiyaki
A pancake stack on a plate with apricot jam drizzled and peaches. Packed pancakes
Some plain biscuits stacked on a blue plate, a teacup is in the background. Basic Biscuit Recipe
A quiche is cut in half with small mini quiches behind it. Quick Mini Quiches
Cooked chicken wings served on a plate. To the side are chopsticks and some condiment bowls. Marinated Chicken Wings
two options with one selected and a mouse pointer arrow DSP or Jobseeker – which is right for me?
a put together puzzle with one piece missing. Under the piece missing is a part of an Australian note. Pros and Cons: Disability Support Pension vs. Aged Pension
A man with assistive technology is using a laptop. Disability Support Pension
a cast iron skillet filled with crumble. applies, cinamon sticks and star anise arranged around it. Comforting Crumble
A tray of hot cross buns, milk, blueberries, and butter. Hot Cross Bun and Butter Pudding
An image of a glass mug with lemon drink. Lemon, honey and comb, and a honey drizzler. Hot Lemon Drink
The text Insurance and Floods placed on top of an aerial image of a flooded property 5 Top Tips for Insurance: Flood Damage
An image of a person in a light grey winter jumper. In one hand they hold a speckled bowl, inside the bowl is porridge, topped with raspberries, blueberries and almonds. In the other hand they hold a silver spoon over the bowl. Please porridge hot
An image of bliss balls stacked on a black plate. They are coated in coconut. A blue floral tablecloth and some flowers are on the right of the photo Basic Bliss Balls
A printed piece of paper with the heading Meal Planning
A range of healthy snacks. Banana, apple, youghurt, blueberries, honey, nuts, crackers, veggie sticks, hummus, rice cakes Hunger Games: After-school snack ideas
Waitress wearing a mask outside a cafe Dine and Discover NSW
An image of a pantry shelf. Items like beans, nuts, lentils, rice, and pasta are stored in glass jars. Pantry Recipes
A concept photo of mushroom stroganoff, a dish with mushrooms and pasta, aongside is a knife and spoon. Around the bowl are mushrooms, basil, herbs and paprika. Vegan Mushroom Stroganoff
An image of a young man sitting on a park bench. He wears sunglasses, is holding a cane, and beside him is a guide dog. Service Dog Treats
A toddler with disability is sitting in a high chair and feeding himself spaghetti. His cheeks are covered in food and his mouth is open wide to put a spoonful in. Recipes with Mince
A photograph of a young male with prosthetic leg. He is standing in a kitchen, chopping food. In front of him is a blender to make a smoothie with. Budget Cooking Tips with Vegetables
mint green rotary phone on a desk Debt Helpline
Australian bank notes, a calculator, magnifying glass and pen No Interest Loans
blueberry smoothies Blend It Up! Freshly made fruit and vegetable juice and smoothie options
Lemons in a white bowl 3 cheap and cheerful recipes with lemons
Image of a womans hands, holding a whisk, mixing a batter in a bowl. Nanna Smith’s Tomato Fritters
Two mugs of hot chocolate, two spoons and a napkin with pieces of chocolate in the background Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate
Fresh and chopped up cauliflower in a ladle and on a 5 delicious ways with cauliflower
symbols for job searching and resume writing Mutual Obligations explained
Australian currency including notes and coins Robodebt rollback
Anzac biscuits with vintage typewritten recipe Anzac Bikkies
The image in black and white, is of a woman, who covers her face with her hands. Concept photo of family violence. Bullying, Abuse, Domestic and Family violence, how and where to get help and support.
An ice-cream Christmas Pudding, on a plate with chocolate drizzles over the top. Christmas decorations are in the background. Ice-cream Christmas Pudding
shortbread stars tied with red and white string Nanna's Christmas Shortbread
A display of cut slices of rocky road made from white chocolate. It has marshmallows and cherries and nuts. White Christmas Rocky Road
bowl of pasta sauce Slow Cooker Surprise Pasta Sauce
Sweet Potato and Black Bean Shepherd's Pie Sweet Potato and Black Bean Shepherd's Pie