phonakins

When all you have is a hammer…

the unemployment will continue until morale improves

— Antipoverty Centre (@antipovertycentre.org) 2026-03-17T03:52:52.112Z

Obviously not an economist, but I can’t see how pushing up the amount people with home loans have to allocate to that, while petrol is also up, isn’t just gonna lead to a severe drop in spending. Food prices and prices on other goods are also still going to keep going up due to increased transport costs, and everyone’s going to suffer. And I feel like that’s gonna lead to recession in the precious little economy? But again, not an economist, just someone surviving the cost of living crisis with a hotch potch of strategies.

AbstractThis report examines how Australia's care infrastructures, encompassing welfare, housing, food, and community support systems, are fraying and increasingly failing to meet the basic needs of those on low- or no- income. Drawing on in-depth interviews with people reliant on JobSeeker and the Disability Support Pension as well as people seeking asylum without access to income support in Central Western Sydney, the report documents the labour-intensive and precarious work required to piece together fragmented supports amid a worsenining cost-of-living crisis. It also includes the perspectives of frontline support workers and reveals how inadequate income support, unaffordable housing, and overstretched community services compound hardship and erode wellbeing, leaving individuals and organisations "holding on by a thread." Yet, the findings also highlight the creativity and mutual care that sustain life in these conditions, but that sometimes put people at risk. The report concludes that meaningful reform requires raising income support to a liveable rate, addressing housing affordability and supply, and properly resourcing community organisations to shift from crisis management to supporting people to live flourishing lives. — Surviving in a Cost-of-Living Crisis: Australia’s Fraying Care Infrastructures

It was a 5-4 decision apparently.

Free breads and stuff from the foodbank — Free carbs from the food bank

My main cost of living strategy is living off free hot cross buns of varying flavours. Good thing I’m not diabetic, only fat. Apparently the free quiches I have stashed in the freezer were also good, and I used the Latina pasta I had in there for a good few months finally last night and it went down well too.

So, the RBA is choosing to add more people to the unemployment queue. Pawns in their little game of economics. Pawns that will suffer, but whether that continues to be quietly since they’re too busy surviving, remains to be seen.

https://bsky.app/profile/phonakins.com/post/3mh2axmwnk22n

“Indexation” day this Friday, I’ll be seeing $20.50 “extra” go into my account on pension days from later next month, but it won’t stay there long. Watched the Margaritaville ep of South Park again last night from 2009, and it’s feeling like it’s going to be relevant again soon.

Indexation is not an increase, especially if we’re looking at petrol and other hikes due to war

Indexation amounts were released last week, and I’ll personally be getting $10.25 more a week in my DSP and rent assistance. See all the details in the tables here.

Social Security Payment Parameters20 March 2026 indexation Rates Pension Rates Pension — Single — Resident Component (per fortnight) Previous Amount 20 Mar 2026 Increase Basic Rate $1,079.70 $1,100.30 $20.60 Pension Supplement $84.90 $86.50 $1.60 Energy Supplement $14.10 $14.10 - Typical Total Rate $1,178.70 $1,200.90 $22.20 Note: also includes illness separated, respite care or partner in gaol. Pension — Partnered (each) — Resident Component (per fortnight) Previous Amount 20 Mar 2026 Increase Basic Rate $813.90 $829.40 $15.50 Pension Supplement $64.00 $65.20 $1.20 Energy Supplement $10.60 $10.60 - Typical Total Rate $888.50 $905.20 $16.70 — Pensions from March 20

Commonwealth Rent AssistanceCommonwealth Rent Assistance — SSAct — Maximum rates Family situation (per fortnight) Previous Amount 20 Mar 2026 Increase Single $215.40 $219.40 $4.00 Single — Sharer $143.60 $146.27 $2.67 Partnered — Illness separated $215.40 $219.40 $4.00 Partnered — Temporarily separated $203.00 $206.80 $3.80 Couple $203.00 $206.80 $3.80 Commonwealth Rent Assistance — SSAct — Rent thresholds Family situation (per fortnight) Previous Amount 20 Mar 2026 Increase Single $152.00 $154.80 $2.80 Single — Sharer $152.00 $154.80 $2.80 Partnered — Illness separated $152.00 $154.80 $2.80 Partnered — Temporarily separated $152.00 $154.80 $2.80 Couple $246.20 $250.80 $4.60 — Rent assistance amounts from March 20

As always, they start accumulating from March 20, so no one sees the full increase pain into their account until at least April, and not til mid-April for some. Standard single JobSeeker is getting a $15.10 a fortnight “boost” (*voms*) as the gov and media love to call it. $7.55 a week isn’t exactly a powerup.

Jobseeker Payment RatesNote: some of the following rates may apply to Special Benefit recipients. JobSeeker Payment — Single — No dependent children Component (per fortnight) Previous Amount 20 Mar 2026 Increase Basic Rate $793.60 $808.70 $15.10 Energy Supplement $8.80 $8.80 - Typical Total Rate $802.40 $817.50 $15.10 JobSeeker Payment — Single — With dependent children Component (per fortnight) Previous Amount 20 Mar 2026 Increase Basic Rate $849.90 $866.00 $16.10 Energy Supplement $9.50 $9.50 - Typical Total Rate $859.40 $875.50 $16.10 JobSeeker Payment — Single — Principal carer of a dependent child Component (per fortnight) Previous Amount 20 Mar 2026 Increase Basic Rate $849.90 $866.00 $16.10 Energy Supplement $9.50 $9.50 - Pharmaceutical Allowance $7.00 $7.00 - Typical Total Rate $866.40 $882.50 $16.10 — Jobseeker rates from March 20

Of course, the ACCC had been “asked” to keep an eye on fuel prices, but that’s just about all they’ll do – watch. I can do that too. Which is why when taking the recycling this morning we went to the lil servo and garage at Mirabooka for fuel. I handed them the $50 note Dad had given me and the 5c coin from my Gudetama coin purse and topped it up.

They say we might see an interest rate rise because of the extra inflation of fuel costs and the impact that will have on food and transport costs. I’m sure that in itself will put brakes on already stretched waged-households spending, but sure throw an interest rate hike on top. Gotta play the numbers.

Nearly paid off the power bill, then it’s rego for the Corolla next month. Our household spending is certainly not all that wild. but as long as Maxi has food and treats we’re going fine.

It’s all about timing

In the featured image for this post you will see Maxi looking pleased with himself because he got to tag along for a 2km drive to the end of the road with his head hanging out the window, past the cows in paddocks and the construction for the new twin servos off the M1, to get petrol before the prices jumped on Tuesday with the news about conflict continuing in the Middle East. Obviously, Maxi didn’t care about the oil prices, but I was pleased to say I got $50 of fuel into my tank at $1.65 before it went up 25c overnight at that particular station. The ABC was reporting that households could see an extra $14 a week needing to go to petrol over the coming months, which to some isn’t much, to some a lot, and to me who’s still making 3 80+km round trips a week to see mum in hospital (she’s moved to the rehab hospital which is AWESOME) it matters that I was able to work it so I put petrol in Tuesday instead of tomorrow when my pension goes in.

Waiting on the indexation amounts to be published so I can redo my budget for the next 6 months. It’ll probably be about $20 more a fortnight overall between rent assistance and disability.

I got my first “weird hot cross buns” of the year yesterday at my bread collection – Carrot Cake Inspired ones from Aldi. I microwaved one for 15 seconds and it was awesome! Little bits of cream cheese icing inside and nice and soft and spiced.

Been perfecting my “getting a car park at the hospital” strats. Yesterday I let all the cars go off ahead of me and waited where I was since there was noone behind me needing to go. And I lucked out a Mum and her twin boys came out of the elevator and indicated they were going to their car just in front of me. Score! Sadly, I was charged the advertised parking price for pensioners of $6.80 for the day rather than the $5.60 they have been charging me. Swings and roundabouts I guess.

Mum’s been getting assessed and set up with physio, occupational therapy and speech pathology goals and activities to get her moving again. It’s exhausting for her but she’s hopefully going to make good gains. I’m still aiming to go in Monday, Wednesday and Fridays to see her and support however I can. Yesterday we got outside for a little walk around the grounds. It was super humid! No wonder there’s mould in so many of the local hospitals :/ Nothing is drying anywhere!

That said, I’m attempting to get the sheets and towels washed today, whether they dry or not is another story!

Love yas!

Wanna help me with petrol and parking costs or send some snacks?

4 weeks

Mum had her stroke four weeks ago yesterday.

It’s been up and down – for her and the rest of us. She should be moving to the rehab hospital today, if all goes according to plan, which is rarely does but hopefully this time. I think she’ll be happier and more optimistic there and hopefully that will help my father start looking ahead and the rest of us can start planning what the next steps are and what the new routine and reality is. Hopefully she will make great progress and be able to go home safely and with the rehab team’s help we can organise any care and supports she needs.

I feel like acute hospital hasn’t been a place for anyone to really think about that. Her blood pressure is under control, and hopefully they can ease back on some of the meds that are making her super tired. Everything looks harder in the chaos of the ward, and the up and down nature of it all.

She’s had some speech pathology while she’s been in – word finding, higher level stuff like longer instructions and problem solving. We were going a crossword yesterday. She’ll need to work on her writing – both thinking of the words and the physical writing. I’m making possible goals in my head heh. There’s a ways to go but yeah, she’ll be in the right place for that soon.

snack foods - generic wagon wheels, ccs - meat pie flavour., low carb snack bards, danishes, cheese and bacon rolls — Assorted snacks

Thank you to those who’ve sent me cash for petrol and parking! It really helps to not stress too much about whether I can fill the car or have my card accepted when leaving the hospital carpark! Love yas!

Corollin’ along

Spending a lot of time in my little Corolla at the moment. Mum had a second brain bleed on the weekend and so while a lot has settled back to a routine since then, we’re all a bit more on edge and really wanting things to keep steady and on the path to rehab for her. I’m taking today away from the hospital, stocked up on snacks and hope to be rested to head back in tomorrow (I will regardless, I just want the rest first – Maxi was nagging me to take my meds last night right on 9pm too and get to bed, so he knows it too).

Still super appreciating having Everyplate meals ready to cook when I get home – even if they did stuff me around with saying they replaced the parley for a meal with coriander but they’d really replaced the coriander for another meal with the parsley. Neither was a really suitable substitute and I got credits on my account but I don’t really have the brain power for that, so I made up my own substitution for the coriander using some chives I got a week ago in a free fruit and veg bag, and now I realise I DO have parsley, I’m glad I didn’t buy any and will make that meal tonight.

So yeah, trying to look after myself, keep mentally and physically well too so I can keep helping. Trying not to feel guilty about letting other things slide, or being away from the house more, or not being as available.

Mum’s waiting on a rehab bed, bed block is everywhere. The Rehab doctor from that hospital seemed to be estimating about an 8 week stay there once that happens and then hopefully home. In that time we’ll see what supports she needs to go home and hope that’s organisable and not too much of a fight… And what role I’ll play in that.

Even though the days are long at the hospital I feel better for being able to be there most days because I hate to say it there are days on the wards when patients don’t get all the care they need because they’re short staffed or just have the right amount for no emergencies or other contingencies and me being there means I can help with practical things like meals and helping mum with talking to all the allied health and doctors coming around. She was seen by a gaggle (legit term for them I swear) of final year speech students yesterday for her swallowing and higher language skills and I was trying not to remember how useless I felt on my hospital placements.

Send snax or energy drinks, gift cards or cold hard (electronic) cash if you wanna help me out at the moment, but if you’ve got my on Bluesky or Instagram, a heart on a post here and there goes a long way, because I’m feeling so out of touch with the online part of my life.