Australia's cost of living crisis shows no signs of abating, leaving many low-income families struggling to make ends meet. A recent survey by The Smith Family found that nearly half of lower-income families are worried about affording basic school items such as shoes.
For Laura, a single mother of four, budgeting is a daily struggle. She often has to choose between buying food or paying the electricity bill on time. "Some weeks we're good, some weeks we're down and I have to go into the community and ask for vouchers," she says, highlighting the unpredictability of her finances.
The cost of living has increased dramatically since the pandemic, with prices rising continuously year after year. Laura's children are not immune to this trend, as their parents struggle to afford even basic necessities like school shoes. "It's crazy, and it's getting crazier… everything is going up and up and up," she says, exasperated.
The survey found that more than half of lower-income families believe their children will miss out on essential digital devices because they cannot afford them. Four in 10 parents also worry that their children will not be able to participate in extracurricular activities or receive necessary uniforms due to financial constraints.
For many low-income families, the psychological impact of these pressures is just as significant as the financial one. Parents like Laura feel a tremendous burden, knowing that they are not providing the best possible education and opportunities for their children.
The Smith Family's CEO, Doug Taylor, highlights the importance of closing the digital divide to ensure all students have equal access to technology at home. However, he also emphasizes the need to expand access to out-of-school activities, which are becoming increasingly valuable in keeping students engaged and on track academically.
For families like Laura's, the struggle to make ends meet is a daily reality. While The Smith Family provides essential support through its laptop program, many families still face significant financial challenges. As prices continue to rise, it remains to be seen how low-income families will adapt and cope with the growing costs of living in Australia.
For Laura, a single mother of four, budgeting is a daily struggle. She often has to choose between buying food or paying the electricity bill on time. "Some weeks we're good, some weeks we're down and I have to go into the community and ask for vouchers," she says, highlighting the unpredictability of her finances.
The cost of living has increased dramatically since the pandemic, with prices rising continuously year after year. Laura's children are not immune to this trend, as their parents struggle to afford even basic necessities like school shoes. "It's crazy, and it's getting crazier… everything is going up and up and up," she says, exasperated.
The survey found that more than half of lower-income families believe their children will miss out on essential digital devices because they cannot afford them. Four in 10 parents also worry that their children will not be able to participate in extracurricular activities or receive necessary uniforms due to financial constraints.
For many low-income families, the psychological impact of these pressures is just as significant as the financial one. Parents like Laura feel a tremendous burden, knowing that they are not providing the best possible education and opportunities for their children.
The Smith Family's CEO, Doug Taylor, highlights the importance of closing the digital divide to ensure all students have equal access to technology at home. However, he also emphasizes the need to expand access to out-of-school activities, which are becoming increasingly valuable in keeping students engaged and on track academically.
For families like Laura's, the struggle to make ends meet is a daily reality. While The Smith Family provides essential support through its laptop program, many families still face significant financial challenges. As prices continue to rise, it remains to be seen how low-income families will adapt and cope with the growing costs of living in Australia.
and its not just about money its also about the stress and anxiety that comes with it i think we need to do more to support low-income families and make sure they have access to the resources they need especially when it comes to technology and extracurricular activities
. It's crazy that shoes are even a worry for some families... what about basic stuff like food? It's not just about the money, it's about the stress and anxiety of not knowing if you'll make ends meet each month. I wish governments could find more ways to support these families, maybe like free school meals or subsidies for basic items 
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... I feel bad 'cause I'm not struggling financially, so I just wonder how she copes with all this stress... does anyone know if there are any charities or programs helping families like hers out?
I feel so bad for people like Laura... it's just not fair that they have to choose between paying bills or buying food for their kids. And those school shoes? Forget about it 
my little cousins would freak out if they had to walk around without new kicks, but what choice does Laura have?! 
The more I think about it, the more I want to shout "what's wrong with Australia?"... like, how can a country with so many resources and opportunities still be struggling with basic needs? 
And those extra costs on top of the pandemic stuff? no wonder low-income families are feeling the squeeze 
. It's heartbreaking to think that many children will miss out on digital devices or extracurricular activities due to financial constraints 
. The psychological toll of this struggle is just as significant, weighing heavily on parents who feel they're not providing the best possible education and opportunities for their children 
. We need to acknowledge the importance of closing the digital divide and expanding access to out-of-school activities to support these families in any way we can 
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That would be so sad for those kids. We need to do something to help families like Laura's, like maybe more support from schools or community centers... I don't know, but we gotta do something! 
and its gettin worse every year 
like how are they supposed 2 keep up w/ school shoes, uniforms, extracurriculars, laptops & everything else?! 
. Maybe if we can get those low-income families into programs that can give them a hand up, we can start seein some real change.
and it's affecting her kids too 
they can't get shoes 
or digital devices 
because they're too expensive 
but it's not enough 
many families still struggle 
The digital divide is a big issue 
we need to close it so all students have equal access to tech at home 
they keep students engaged and on track academically 
. It's crazy that basic school items like shoes are becoming a worry for lower-income families. And it's not just about the money - the psychological impact of not being able to provide the best for their kids is huge 
.
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