Full-time worker, 26, takes on a ‘second job’ amid economic crisis
A full-time Aussie worker has revealed she can no longer afford to live on her salary and needs a second job just to “survive”.
A full-time Sydney worker says she has “no choice” but to take on a second job just to survive the rising cost of living crisis.
Bree McGregor, 26, earns a “decent wage” working a government job, but she says the escalating price of basic necessities has left her stuck in a cycle of “living paycheck to paycheck”.
Speaking to news.com.au, the young Sydneysider said this year has been a “massive struggle financially”.
“The wages aren’t keeping up with the rising price of absolutely everything,” Ms McGregor told news.com.au.
“I’ve been struggling to pay off debt and save at the same time, so I barely have enough to cover myself for more than a few weeks.”
Full-time worker, Bree McGregor, says she needs a ‘second job’ just to ‘survive’. Picture: Instagram/bree_mcgregor
The 26-year-old says she’s had to cut back on healthcare, personal care and socialising. Picture: Instagram/bree_mcgregor
MORE: Common $14k habit killing Aussie dream
She explained that any savings she manages to scrape together are quickly wiped out by unexpected expenses.
“Sometimes the money goes towards a big bill or an emergency, which leaves me constantly living paycheck to paycheck,” she said.
“It’s honestly pretty embarrassing at my age to not be further in life, but with everything going up, I’m stuck in a cycle of constantly stressing about whether I’ll have enough money if something comes up.”
Her frustrations struck a chord online after she posted a viral TikTok video, which has racked up nearly 400,000 views, posing the question: “How am I supposed to survive?”
In the clip, Ms McGregor broke down her weekly expenses, explaining that even on a full-time wage, she has very little left at the end of the week.
“I’m single, I don’t have a partner to split costs with me. My rent is $450 a week, and then obviously there’s gas, which I just spent $180 filling up my car,” she told her followers.
“I just spent another $200 on food because I actually need to eat meat and not just veggies.”
She went on to explain she spends a further $100 on bills and around $60 on subscriptions.
“I don’t earn bad money, but I literally can’t even afford to live on what I’m on … I would have to get a second job.”
Her struggle reflects a growing national crisis, with the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data revealing nearly one million Aussies are now working multiple jobs just to stay afloat.
The burden is falling disproportionately on women, with 7.1 per cent of employed women now holding more than one job, compared to 5.8 per cent of men.
The full-time worker says she spends nearly $1000 a week just to ‘survive’. Picture: Instagram/bree_mcgregor
While hundreds flocked to the comments section to share similar struggles, the 26-year-old was also met with criticism from some who accused her of poor budgeting and suggested she cut down on her grocery and housing costs.
“$200 a week on just food for ONE person – this is a cost of choices crisis,” one person claimed.
“$450 for rent is crazy, move into a share house and rent a room for less than $300,” another suggested.
However, many others were quick to defend Ms McGregor, arguing that full-time workers shouldn’t have to live on the bare minimum.
“People talking about how she’s spending ‘too much’ and not at what’s actually causing the huge rise in prices is part of the problem,” one supporter fired back.
Another agreed: “We shouldn’t need to cut back on basic necessities. We should all be able to live comfortably, not pinching every penny because of the ‘rising cost of living’.”
Health now an ‘unjustifiable cost’
The young Aussie worker says the pressure to cut back has forced her to compromise on her health, wellbeing, and social life.
Even visiting a health specialist or going to the dentist has become an expense she “can no longer spare”.
“I try to stretch personal care items as far as possible, and I don’t go out if I can avoid it to save fuel,” she explained.
“My social life is at an all time low as I’m either working a second job, or I cannot justify spending money to hang out with friends.”
The young Aussie says her social life is at an ‘all time low’ due to financial pressures. Picture: Instagram/bree_mcgregor
On top of that she says she had to “cancel her gym membership” because she couldn’t afford it, which ended up taking a huge toll on her mental health.
“I can’t even spare money to get my freezer seal fixed, so I just tape it shut because I’m stressed about spending.”
Millions pushed to ‘breaking point’
The 26-year-old stressed that she is far from the only one being forced to make tough choices between basic essentials.
“I don’t know a single person who isn’t struggling or stressed about the state of the country,” Ms McGregor shared.
“I know a fair few family members and friends who are in the same boat, facing the same stress. All they can do is survive and hope nothing comes up.”
Young Aussie says the government needs to ‘do more’ to support those doing it tough. Picture: iStock
Frustrated by the situation, she’s calling on the government to “do more” to help everyday Aussies.
“Housing isn’t affordable, and we’re taxed on absolutely everything. Food is through the roof expensive, and we’re being told to spend smarter even though we’re one of the highest-taxed countries in the world.
“It’s gotten to a point where everyone is angry and getting done over.
“I feel like we’ve all been told to toughen up but I really don’t know how much longer everyone will tolerate it.”
Source: news.com.au
