New stats reveal the Cost of Christmas many families face
When this information crossed my desk I gotta admit, I was shocked at the statistics. The Cost of Christmas this year is worse than I thought.
As we all know, the cost of living crisis is hitting hard across the country, and we feel it even more in South Australia with house prices now among the fastest growing in the nation, rentals out of reach and food costs that make no sense. Add another less than ideal harvest for many in regional SA, and suddenly the Cost of Christmas becomes something heavier than shopping lists, gift ideas and remembering to create the next mischief mission of the damn Elf on the Shelf.
The Salvation Army has recently put out new research, and the numbers are pretty shocking.
Twenty-one percent of Australians worry their kids will miss out on presents. More than one in ten fear their children will miss meals. Over four million adults will skip food themselves so they can afford Christmas. One in five will put off seeing a doctor.
And this stat is simply heartbreaking….More than a million people will avoid mentioning Christmas to their kids because they can’t afford it. Read that again.
Some other figures from the Salvos research show that
• 49 percent of Australians are worried about how they will pay for Christmas.
• 35 percent will rely on credit cards, and 16 percent will turn to buy-now-pay-later.
• 60 percent were hit hard by the cost of living this year.
• 11 percent skipped meals in the past 12 months.
• 25 percent will miss seeing family because they cannot cover the costs.
• 9 percent fear their kids will miss basic essentials.
Reading this certainly made me feel grateful for what I have. I don’t have to choose between a meal and a gift for my kids. Plenty of families do. Plenty will this month. And many will never say a word.
So this Christmas Season, if you are in a position to help, even in a small way, it makes a difference. Share a meal. Check in on someone who you know might be doing it tough. Offer support without making it awkward. After all, isn’t that the spirit of Christmas?
And if you want to back the people doing hands-on work, the Salvos Christmas Appeal helps families feeling the pinch every year. You can chip in at salvationarmy.org.au or at any Salvos Store.
If you or someone you know needs support, these services are there to help
• Salvation Army Assistance Line, 13 SALVOS
• Lifeline, 13 11 14
• Beyond Blue, 1300 22 4636
• Rural Financial Counselling Service, 1800 836 211
• National Debt Helpline, 1800 007 007
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