Could YOU do it??

I was reading a news article about John Key saying that people who had to resort to food parcels had made bad decisions to need to do so. I was curious, so I took the figures the article gave about the dole ($194pw) and accomodation supplement (I assumed max, $225pw), and calculated what someone in our situation (one baby) would get from WFF($88pw).

I doubt we'd get that much accomodation supplement (specially since we live in Hamilton, they'd surely give us less than someone in Auckland) - but I've assumed for the calculation that we could rent a house on whatever we got. Which leaves us $282 a week to live on.

I've come to the conclusion that we could do it, but it would be a real stretch.
$70 - food / gorcery stuff
$20 - petrol
$32 - car upkeep (this is our actual figure per week, allowing for tires, warrents, rego etc. Doesn't include third party)
$25 - phone/internet (you could trim this, I guess I don't NEED the internet)
$40 - power
$15 - clothing
$25 - baby (nappies etc)
That leaves $55 a week for Drs visits, dentist, extra baby stuff, any insurance you want, and the odd choccie bar. It would be a stretch!! I honestly don't think I blame anyone living on this much to have some weeks where they've already used the grocery money before the week starts, and need a hand.

Eta that it also makes some assumptions that aren't likely for someone in this situation. $25 a week is our actual 'baby' allocation in our budget - but I don't know if I could do that if I didn't use cloth nappies, and if you're on the dole you might well not have the $$ to outlay for them.

Edited by Hopes

only just

I like to think that i could, i lived on the $150 student allowence for three years out of which i payed $90 rent and $30 power/phone per week AND lived so far from uni i drove...left me $10 a week roughly for food and luxurys. Sucks when you need tampons/shampoo etc thats for sure!

My first step would be to lose the car as well, or run it as little as possible.

bowie wrote: I like to think that i could, i lived on the $150 student allowence for three years out of which i payed $90 rent and $30 power/phone per week AND lived so far from uni i drove...left me $10 a week roughly for food and luxurys. Sucks when you need tampons/shampoo etc thats for sure! My first step would be to lose the car as well, or run it as little as possible.

I don't think John Key factors in tampons pity.
I don't know how anyone can live of $10 a week

ok so i split our bills into weekly and without food it came to $176 - that wasnt running the car though and it included insurance, but that would be less without the car. that would leave me $106 a week for groceries and incidentals including clothes and school stuff - they seem to want money for sausage sizzles and stuff all the time.

luckily for me i wouldnt have to factor in tampons! reusable products for me here - and we dont do shampoo - except my husband. in fact i think the husband and the cats would be the biggest cost to me so i would probably have to leave my husband and get the DPB!

I think it could be done, obviously people do do it, but yes, it would mean being super careful.

I think $40 a week for power is pretty extravagant. We pay about $70 a month in summer and $120 a month in winter. And yeah, I would get rid of the landline, only use the car when essential etc.


Unfortunately it would be harder and harder the older the children get, with things like clothing, uniforms, school trips, stationary etc etc.


I take my hat off to those who do live on the DPB, it certainly can't be easy.

40 a power is excessive? wow ..our power bill is about 120 summer and 300 in winter:( and that is normal round here.. :( it's awful and ridiculous.. wow I couldn't live off that amount.. but then we definitely could budget better... mind you we get no accomodation supplement either but WFf for two kids..

If you have a welcome home loan are you even eligible for the accommodation supplement, seeing as you're paying a mortgage to a housing new zealand coorporation? So it would be pretty impossible in that case

While I don't agree with John Key most of the time....this time I do to an extent.
My DH lost his job 2 wks before our 4th baby arrived (last official day of work was the day she was born!) and we had to go on the dole. It was 16 weeks before he was employed again ( and we had to move cities to get a job). We survived, paid off our car, covered all our bills every month and ate well (budget, but well).
What many people don't realise is the basic dole amount is not all you get! If you have car payments and HP's they can be covered by the temporary additional support payment. You get WFF's and accommodation supplement. I was stunned (and relieved!!) to learn just how much we were going to receive each week. I can see how some choose to make the dole a life style but can't understand why you would want too......you are not rolling in cash, we had very little left over after all the necessary stuff was paid for.
Some, not all of the people using the food banks are there because of bad decisions yes......and some will be there because of an unexpected bill.....but you also get 500 dollars in food grants (we think it is every 6 months....can't remember) for just such a situation!
People need to learn real budgeting skills, good shopping skills and how to NOT waste money.

I have just changed power companies so am waiting for the first bill. Usually about $150-180 in summer & around $300+ in winter but we use heaters.