In 2017, Jane Bari and her husband Jonathon found themselves on the brink of financial disaster. They were just scraping by on a military pension and dwindling savings, with a mortgage to pay and only $100 to their name. They decided to take drastic action, making deep cuts to their budget and selling their large home in Drouin, Gippsland for a more affordable one.
Jane drew on the skills and resilience of her migrant Italian parents to get through the tough times. “I felt like we were really at rock bottom,” Jane said. “I just figured there’s got to be a better way.”
And find a better way they did. They swapped lawn for veggie patches and began baking their own bread, preserving and freezing vegetables. Now, Jane refers to herself as an ‘economic reality prepper’, living within their means and growing their own food.
In five years, the couple went from debt-ridden to debt-free. “We’re just happy because we are now living below our means rather than seeing bank accounts empty like it was before,” she said.
A National Seniors’ Survey revealed that 80 per cent of older Australians have been hit hard by increasing living costs, with many at risk of homelessness. Jane’s story may inspire others to take control of their finances and live sustainably.
As she puts it, “Don’t despair, don’t give up, face the situation and make a plan, because like the old adage goes — if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”
How do you manage increased cost of living costs? What’s something different you’re doing now to save a few bucks (or more) here and there?
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