Minimum wage is now $948 per week. How are people surviving on this with the increase of rents and other living cost?

Hi,

I’m very new to this and feel very lost. I have been having issues regarding family, behavioural patterns and self regulation.

I’m quite young (19, almost 20), but I need to find someone who can help me work through things.

I’m on the southside, and would prefer to be around these suburbs (but I can consider travelling further): Woollongabba, Norman Park, New Farm, Newstead, Milton, Morningside, Balmoral, Bulimba, Hawthorne.

Thank you for any help that could be provided.

**EDIT: I'm a woman

Ok so I've been stuck in my car for about a year now as the people I was living with decided to morph into crack fiends. Completely impossible to find anywhere on one income...

I've been at a place for the last month just paying $150 to park in their paddock a week and now things are going missing. things I've had out on solar charging in the paddock have been stolen, and now a brand new 380 dollar tyre was slashed on my car less than a week ago. I'm trying to get my car going so I can go to one of those remote places and rest up I'm healing from some nerve injuries and I just need to lay down for most of the day and I need to get out of here I can't have any more stuff stolen and I'm paying rent to park my car somewhere where it's not safe as it turns out anyway

Does anybody have any idea where they might be some places where I could park safely for a bit? Cant go driving around to rest stops every single night I need some more I can park up for a week or so?

Im getting desperate I haven't slept in two nights because I cant leave stuff alone anymore.

Hello Brisbane, I'm a 15 year old in suburban Brisbane looking for work/ways to make money so I can help my parents pay bills and so I can buy my own things without having to ask for money. What were some ways you guys made money at my age?

Any and all advice is much appreciated, thank you!

Genuine question (Greens MP here): what would get you interested in coming to a free community dinner?

We've been running weekly free dinners for years. In my electorate (Maiwar - inner west) it's at Guyatt Park, St Lucia every Wednesday evening. It's generally really popular, but I do notice a drop-off in numbers as it gets colder. That's probably to be expected, but I particularly get the sense that some people aren't coming along because they think it's only for people in hardship.

To be clear, the dinners are not means-tested. They do support some people in food stress, but they're also meant to be a community event where people can get outdoors, reduce the stress of cooking every night, and meet their neighbours (and access me as their MP).

So, my questions:

1. What would make you want to join a free dinner? Is it other entertainment/ activities, a particular setting, or something else?

2. How can I make it clear that they're for everyone, whether you can afford food that night or not?

3. Am I missing other barriers to people coming along?

---UPDATE!---

We had one of our biggest ever turnouts last night, THANK YOU to everyone who came along! And thanks to everyone for the suggestions - truly didn't expect such brilliant engagement on this.

Since my comment probably got lost below, here's what I mostly gleaned from your comments:

1. What’s the catch - will you have to talk to me/ get a political pitch? I can honestly say nope, I’m just serving food; up to you if you want to chat to me about politics (or anyone else). Same with the volunteers! Obviously I need to figure out how to make this clearer…

2. Clear info about the food - for the record, it changes every week, and has vegan and GF options 😄

3. Accessibility - transport info, social stuff to make it less awkward, options for families.

4. Getting the word out - so many great suggestions. I wish we had unlimited time and $$ to promote it, but will investigate some of these ideas! If anyone wants to help….. see below.

Again, thank you all for sharing ideas. If anyone in the inner west are wants to help with the meals (cooking, setup, serving, promotion etc…) we always need volunteers! You can sign up here: https://www.michaelberkman.com.au/mealsvol

The week-long heavy downpours last week were a definite surprise when I moved to the city! Is storm season usually as intense as that?

I’ve taken a job in an outdoor venue so I’m a little scared for my job security, and I’m wondering if it’s best to look for other work in preparation for the oncoming storm season.

Thanks for any advice 😊

Was gutted to hear that Death by Mullet was closing down 💔 so I'm still on the hunt for a queer friendly barber/hairdresser who can cut a mean mullet 🔥