We’re so poor we’ve got six streaming services and Uber Eats only once a week

September 27, 2026 — 7:30pm

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Between mortgage repayments, daycare fees, groceries, kids’ swimming lessons (and weekly Happy Meals to bribe them to go), times are tough financially for young families. I know this first-hand. Not to mention my daughter’s personal squishy syndicate, which would put a kingpin to shame.

A friend and I recently marvelled at how “just ducking to the shops” for staples like bread, yoghurt, milk, eggs, butter – which once upon a time would cost us about $30 – now, somehow, in 2026, hovers criminally around $70.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, we’re not imagining the financial strain; groceries remain one of the biggest drivers of inflation. Yet, scrolling through our bank statement one night, I wondered whether we were actually struggling financially, or whether our discretionary spending had gotten out of control. Were our subscriptions to Netflix, Disney , Binge, Amazon Prime, Apple TV........

© Brisbane Times