MEGA is sweeping across the country. The Adelaide membership is growing every day with new groups and sessions springing up across Adelaide.
MEGA provides all mothers, grandmothers and mothers to be, of all backgrounds with access to free and low cost exercise options. All MEGA events are facilitated by volunteer mums who are just as keen as you to encourage others to get out and about and into a healthier lifestyle.
"As mothers we often feel we need to prioritise everything else before our own health, finding little time to invest back in ourselves. In addition, many women navigate motherhood in isolation, having little family or community support."
MEGA aims to ensure that no mother is isolated from the community and that every woman is empowered to look after their health and wellbeing. Providing very low-cost fitness and wellbeing training options, and sponsored memberships for women facing hardship.
Most activities are free or low cost (under $10) and a weekly schedule can be obtained by signing up to the closed facebook page. The Adelaide chapter of the group has regular events in Elizabeth Park, Glenelg, Wyn Vale, Windsor Gardens, Surrey Downs, Hackham West, Christies Beach, Para Hills, Mawson Lakes, Clearview and most recently in Hahndorf. Activities and sessions range from Boxing, X-Training, Dance and General Fitness to Yoga. All sessions are child friendly (unless advertised) and are encouraging the next generation into a healthy living lifestyle.
MEGA is a community free from judgement or negativity, helping every woman to feel good about themselves and providing a sisterhood of support. Find out more about MEGA on Affordable SA.
Hopefully this group can develop more regional activities across South Australia and greater ties with community centres especially in isolated areas outside of Adelaide. If you're intested in becoming a volunteer or are a community organiser that may be able to provide support please contact Claire or Candita at adelaide@megamums.com.au
The Australian Securities Investments Commission ASIC is currently promoting a warning to consumers about debt solutions companies that claim they can fix a poor credit rating or providing debt advice that can leave many financially worse off. Consumers should be aware these companies often fail to fix credit and debt issues, and the associated high costs for the service can leave people struggling with even more debt.
Debt management firms can sometimes use high-pressure sales techniques or do not properly explain the costs and fees associated with the service. For some of these companies a simple credit check or a bad credit listing is just a foot in the door to charging you extra fees or ongoing interest charges.
You may have received an incorrect default listing on your credit report that may prevent you from obtaining a loan. Rather than paying one of these companies there are ways of correcting this by using a free service rather than a costly expense that may not resolve the issue. Consumers are entitled to obtain one free copy of their credit report each year from a credit-reporting agency.
Debt consolidation is also a much-discussed topic regarding financial debt strategies raised by such companies. This can sometimes be a good solution but in consolidating your debt you may find yourself pressured into a higher interest loan or one that runs for a lot longer period meaning that you are paying more over time.
People lured into using these services do not realise that many of these types of services are available for free and most financial hardship issues can be negotiated through government sponsored agencies such as the National Debt Helpline and the free Financial Counselling available to people facing financial hardship. There may even be other solutions regarding special concessions or payments that can help bring your level of debt under control and there is emergency relief which can provide food, fuel vouchers or assistance with basic necessities.
Financial counselling can offer independent and confidential financial advice to improve your financial situation in a variety of ways.
People experiencing debt problems can seek free help and guidance from financial counsellors and the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 or go to ndh.org.au. South Australians can ring the Affordable SA Helpline on 1800 025 359 to assist in identifying the best service to meet your individual needs. If that is financial counselling they can make an appointment with a counsellor closest to you or provide a referral to another useful service.
For more information and guidance on credit repair, free financial counselling services, and managing debt, visit ASIC’s MoneySmart website.
For those in rural areas the Department of Agriculture runs a Rural Financial Counselling Service to support primary producers, fishermen and small rural businesses that are suffering financial hardship, for further details call 1800 686 175.
You don't know what you don't know. There are many services that may be able to help you make ends meet. Now finding all these services is easy and free with Affordable SA.
For South Australians needing advice or assistance with managing the cost of living or budgeting. The Helpline provides information, advice and referrals to appropriate services such as financial counselling, case work, advocacy or community education.
The Helpline Service is available from Monday to Thursdays between the hours of 9.30am and 8pm and Fridays 9.30am and 4.30pm (except Public Holidays).
Get in the know and take control with Affordable SA. Its a Helpline, Website and App empowering you with the services that you need to stay in control.
Call today on 1800 025 539, download the affordable app, its free!
Or visit affordablesa.com.au
Its a free and confidential service.
The Salvation Army has released its National Economic Social Impact Survey and it tells a story of extreme housing stress with many "going without" and struggling to meet the high cost of living expenses.
Single parents and couples with children experienced the lowest standard of living and the biggest gap below the poverty line. After paying accommodation expenses respondents were left with only $21 per day to live on with Newstart Allowance recipients $17 per day. Income support payments have not increased to match the rising cost of living expenses such as utility bills, education, childcare fees and housing costs. Cost of living expenses are becoming unmanageable and many people in stress desperately rely on support services.
"Food vouchers and parcels really helped relieve the high pressure... I would have starved without assistance."
"I've just struggled, struggled, and struggled...To the point where, yes, I've been to dark places."
"The bills keep getting higher and my income hasn't increased...things feel impossible"
67% of children experienced severe deprivation. Parents can not afford items relating to access and participation in social activities, education and technology for their children.
A large portion of individuals and families who accessed Emergency Relief support services experienced
Financial hardship due to limited economic resources and multiple barriers to employment.
Food insecurity, outstanding debt and increased cost of living expenses.
Housing stress, inadequate housing conditions and transience.
Reduced participation and access to opportunities for individuals and families.
Multiple daily challenges and social disconnectedness.
To find services that may help with Cost of Living expenses and to access assistance including free financial counselling download the Affordable SA App or go to the website or ring the Affordable SA Helpline 1800 025 539 to be directed to a service or concession that may assist your scenario or situation.
Earlier this month Foodbank held a Pop Up Market at Elizabeth Downs. Affordable SA spoke to FoodbankSA CEO Greg Pattinson about what they do and what's in store for them in the future.
From Pop Up Markets and new local Foodbank Hubs locations to plans for a mobile regional pantry, Greg spills the beans.
The Affordable SA Team will be participating at one of the work stations for the Amazing Wellbeing Race being held around Adelaide this afternoon.
"Each participant or group of participants will be allocated to a team. Together you will be racing around the city. During your adventure you and your team mates will need to out-smart and out-race the competition across a predetermined route that will see you stopping at numerous stations. Each station is manned by folks from a different local organisation. They will share with you their wellbeing related work and how they can be of support to you. Plus, they will give your team a fun challenge which you will have to complete successfully to receive the clue that will guide you to your next race stop".
Cost of living pressures getting to you?
You don't know what you don't know. There are many services that may be able to help you through debt or your money and cost of living problems. If you don't know what independent assistance is available to help you then you may fall even further behind and into long term debt and financial hardship. Now finding all these services is easy and free with Affordable SA.
Get in the know and take control with Affordable SA. Its a Helpline, Website and App empowering you with the services that you need to stay in control.
Call today on 1800 025 539, download the affordable app, its free!
Or visit affordablesa.com.au
Its a free, independent and confidential service.
Every year Anglicare Australia tests if it is possible for people on low incomes to rent a home in the private market and whether each property is affordable and suitable for people on low incomes.
This year Anglicare surveyed over 67,000 rental listings across Australia for a snapshot of our rental market that revealing a chronic shortage of affordable rentals across Australia. It comes as no surprise that the market is failing millions of Australians as rents rise much faster than peoples incomes and sending more and more people into financial hardship.
Port Adelaide were real winners in the eyes of families doing it tough in Murray Bridge.
Food Bank organised a Pop Up free food market at the racing club in Murray Bridge last Wednesday for those struggling to make ends meet. Food Bank gathers food from supermarkets and outlets for distribution to needy people. Port Adelaide FC is one of Food Bank's charity partners and made a firm commitment to help out. On the day over 300 locals were able to help themselves to what they needed from a large range of food, from fresh produce to tinned goods as well as enjoying a bite to eat at the BBQ.
Players, managers and port staff worked alongside Food Bank volunteers from the morning set up all through to the pack up at the very end of the day. Handing out food, carrying groceries to cars and pretty much doing everything they could to make people feel that they mattered.
It has to be said that sometimes celebrities and organisations use such events as promotional opportunities to improve the perception of their team brand. Stepping in and helping only when the cameras are rolling or there is an interview on offer. But not this team. Nothing was too much trouble for The Power as everyone in a port uniform showed their true colours in supporting the needy in the region with a huge personal best, good grace and humility.
Thanks to Food Bank and well done to Port Adelaide FC. Their commitment in supporting this event showed true team spirit and meaningful benefit for families dealing with recent events such as the Thomas Foods Fire that has impacted on the local community. This event coming on the back of record making donations from the supporters of the club directly to Food Bank.
There are several agencies that support the local community of Murray Bridge and surrounds each week with community lunches, emergency relief and fresh produce markets several times a year, similar but not quite as big as the Food Bank Pop Up last week. See the Affordable SA App for more food distribution activities and helpful services in this region.