Many of life’s heaviest burdens are the ones we can’t see, as the constant cycle of remembering, planning, organising and caring quietly shapes each day.

The “mental load” has been getting a lot of airtime in some circles recently. 

What is it exactly?

Here’s one definition from a psychologist that came via a friend:

“The mental load is the invisible, ongoing physical, cognitive, emotional energy and effort required to manage daily life, a household and a career. And it goes beyond the physical completion of tasks because it includes the ongoing mental checking of remembering, anticipating, planning, organising so many parts of life, like groceries, bills, appointments, childcare. And it can often involve emotional work of monitoring and maintaining relationships as well as managing emotional states of your nearest and dearest. That seems to create sometimes the biggest load – the constant checking of, is everyone around me okay?

The mental load is traditionally framed in reference to mothers. But I would actually expand the definition. For example, when people move out of home, they might move in with flatmates, and there’s the question of who does what? What if they don’t take out the garbage or share their load of caring for the apartment? Another example is when the first baby enters a family. This can be a big transition for couples. And so the question is, how does this load get managed between the parents? And then there’s the other example of elderly parents. How do adult siblings navigate, who does what, when and how?” – Larissa, psychologist

The past 3 months for me have been particularly challenging. When asked, I will usually respond with we are just about coping, or that I’m still alive. It is hard to admit to anyone, even myself that I am finding it nearly impossible to physically staying awake long enough to:

• Work
• Manage my children’s school and daycare needs
• Maintain the house
• Keep my social battery charged
• Show up for agreed commitments
• Show up for extracurriculars at work that I cared about

In fact I’ve had to make some difficult choices as my capacity reached overload levels.

Four things have been helpful as I navigate this mental load:

1. Moving some tasks from manual to automatic

For me, clarity of values and priorities is the most important element of managing mental load. This is because once I am clear on what is most important, the mental load of worrying about whether I am doing enough or doing the right thing is removed entirely.

For instance, in order to serve my family well emotionally and spiritually, the house has to function. This means that while the living room does not need to be perfectly tidy every single day, the daily grind of things like laundry and packing children’s lunches are not negotiable. I find when things are put on the list of “cannot be dropped” they contribute less to my mental load because they happen automatically.

2. Adopting a minimum standard of care

Practically, I personally find the concept of “minimum standard of care” really helpful with managing my own mental load. Taken from Eve Rodsky’s book Fair Play and being similar in concept to workplace project delivery agile concept known as “Definition of Done” (I work as a Project Manager!), the minimum standard of care (MSC) is an agreed acceptable finish line for routine activities.

This can help reduce the worry (“What if my son is annoyed and hungry because lunch wasn’t what he wanted??”) and the blame (“If only he had packed the dishwasher the way I wanted…”). This is because it helps to shrink the misalignment between expectations and reality. It is about figuring out and agreeing (within each household) what “finished” looks like for a specific task and that no further explanations are needed or taking up valuable mental space.

If I ask my kindergartener to get dressed for school, he knows that he has to find a shirt, pants, jumper, socks and shoes. This means just saying “time to get dressed” is enough, and I don’t need to spend more effort mentally thinking about whether what he is putting on will be appropriate.

3. From Compulsion to Conviction

Once the MSC has a baseline, it is easier to work out how much extra “capacity” is available for the next most important things. This is where things that are non-urgent but still important have a place. Things like spending energy planning the next team event taking into consideration logistics, preferences of those attending, and helping the new person not feel excluded.

I can set aside specific capacity to do these things with conviction rather than compulsion because prioritising things consciously means I do not have FOMO (fear of missing out) for the things that were not able to be accomplished.

4. Following a person not a plan

A friend reminded me of this recently – followers of Jesus follow a person, and not a plan.

I find this such a good reminder because I’m big on planning (as I mentioned previously, I work as a Project Manager!) This means so much of how I approach life is driven by my desire to be seen as in control and competent. The pressure I put on myself is adding to my own mental load.

Jesus says: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” [Matthew 11:28-30]

I can come to Jesus and ask him to carry my burdens. He will be good to me.

It doesn’t mean I throw all planning out the window. I still plan, but try to hold my plans a bit more lightly, leaning into Jesus the burden carrier. When I can do that, I find I am less anxious and more adaptable.

Reflection questions

1. Where are you feeling the mental load at the moment?
2. What helps to fuel your mental load?
3. What could you change in terms of your approach to the mental load?
4. What will help make a difference?

Article supplied with thanks to Third Space.

Feature image: Via Canva.com

There’s something about the shift in season that makes starting fresh feel possible again. What if we applied that same instinct to our minds?

Spring has a way of making us want to open the windows, clear out the wardrobe, and finally deal with that drawer we’ve been avoiding.

Just like our homes accumulate clutter, so do our thoughts, emotions, and habits. Old worries pile up. Resentments sit in a corner collecting dust. Commitments we no longer want linger because we’re not sure how to let them go. A seasonal “spring clean” can be a helpful way to notice what’s been building up and decide what to do about it.

What is “mental clutter”?

It’s not always obvious when our minds need decluttering, because unlike a messy cupboard, this clutter is invisible. A few common forms include:

• Cognitive clutter: the same worry looping on repeat, or thinking in extremes (“I always mess this up”)
• Emotional clutter: feelings that never quite got processed, like a disagreement you’re still carrying weeks later
• Relational clutter: connections or obligations that leave you drained. rather than supported
• Behavioural clutter: habits or routines that made sense once, but no longer fit where you are now

A Simple Way to Sort Through It

Unlike decluttering your house, think of this less as “getting rid of” and more as sorting through. The idea is to notice what’s there, and be more intentional about what you carry forward.

If you want to try this for yourself, a simple three-column exercise can help:

Keep: thoughts, habits, or relationships that still serve you
Reassess: things you’re unsure about, that might need more thought or a conversation
Let go/loosen: things you’re ready to release, even if imperfectly or gradually

You don’t need to solve everything in one sitting. Even naming which category something falls into can bring a surprising amount of clarity and direction.

Reflection Questions

• What’s one thought I keep returning to that isn’t actually helping me?
• Is there a relationship or commitment that feels more obligation than choice right now?
• What’s a small habit I could adjust to match who I am this season, not last year?
• What have I been carrying that I haven’t had the chance to properly put down?

When It’s More Than a Spring Clean

Sometimes this kind of reflection surfaces things that feel bigger than a personal project such as old grief, long-held shame, patterns that seem to repeat no matter what you try. That’s a completely normal thing to discover, and it’s exactly what therapy is for. A season change can be a lovely nudge to reflect, but some clutter needs a second set of hands to sort through properly, so working with a professional can make good sense.

Article supplied with thanks to The Centre for Effective Living.

About the Author: Monica Jacob is a psychologist who seeks to collaboratively help her clients lead more meaningful, enriched lives. She has worked with mood disorders, anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, and adjustment difficulties.

Feature image: Via Canva.com

Five considerations to help calculate a real retirement number based on your actual life.

Start With Your Actual Expenses

Generic retirement targets, like a single round number everyone should aim for, ignore the fact that every family’s expenses look different. Start by listing what you actually spend now, then adjust for what will change in retirement, such as no longer having a mortgage or no longer commuting to work.

Account for Healthcare Costs Early

Healthcare is one of the most commonly underestimated retirement expenses. Costs tend to rise as people age, and this is an area where planning too little causes real strain later. Research realistic healthcare costs for your country and situation well before you retire, not after.

Factor In Giving and Ministry Plans

If generosity and giving are part of your life now, they are worth planning for in retirement too, rather than assuming giving will simply continue at whatever level is left over. Building giving into your retirement number, rather than treating it as an afterthought, keeps it a priority.

Simple Steps to Calculate Your Retirement Number

List your expected annual expenses in retirement. Multiply that number by the number of years you expect to be retired, adjusting for inflation over time. Compare that total against what you are currently on track to have saved, including retirement accounts and other assets, to see the actual gap.

Common Mistakes That Delay Retirement Readiness

Waiting too long to start saving is the most common mistake, since time and compounding growth matter more than almost any other factor. Underestimating healthcare costs, carrying high interest debt into retirement, and not adjusting the plan as life changes are the other frequent mistakes that push retirement further out of reach.

Article supplied with thanks to Wealth with Purpose.

About the Author: Alex is a licensed financial planner and the founder of Wealth with Purpose a Stewardship Ministry that helps Christians handle their money God’s way.

Feature image: Canva

The benefits of getting back to basics and focusing on what truly matters.

Our lives have become so busy and full of clutter that people often feel overwhelmed despite trying many complicated solutions and self-help fads.​ Adrian Munro from Richmind WA sees a simpler path to well-being.

Marriage and Family First

Adrian views relationships as concentric circles, with his wife and kids at the very centre. These closest relationships deserve the bulk of available time and energy outside of work. He and his wife are both reading books to focus on a flourishing marriage, while he also reads about parenting boys to be more deliberate and proactive.​

Friendships Take Intention

Beyond immediate family, friendships and community connections matter for emotional health. Lives can become busy on autopilot, leading to social isolation despite surface-level activity or online contacts. Being deliberate about real, face-to-face connections helps build the flourishing relationships everyone needs.​

Choosing Who Shapes Your Life

The outer circles include extended family, community friends, and more distant work acquaintances. Sometimes busyness with outer circles crowds out time for those closest in. Many people also carry fractured relationships in inner circles, but Adrian empathises with that pain while noting pathways back are often possible.​

Keep Learning, Keep Growing

Adrian invests in being the best husband and father he can be, knowing strong marriage and family ties will feel most meaningful later in life. Becoming so busy that priorities get skewed happens easily when saying yes to every catch-up. Proactive steps like reading and planning keep those key relationships healthy.​

Factors like financial stress, technology and busyness add clutter that harms wellbeing.

Takeaway: Back to Basics

Adrian’s challenge is to find ways to declutter time, money, technology and relationships. Ask yourself:

• Who are the friends and family lifting me up?
• Where can I invest more time and attention?
• What is one small way I can be a better spouse, parent, relative or friend?

Simple, timeless principles like prioritising family, slowing down, and building community lead to lives that truly flourish.

Article supplied with thanks to Sonshine.

Feature image: Canva

5 keys to growing – or rebuilding – your self-worth

A healthy sense of self-worth requires us to understand our inherent value. We can build up our self worth with practices such as gratitude, self care, and resisting comparison. These are the key takeaways discussed with founding board member of RUOK?  Graeme Cowan, psychologist Collett Smart, and disability parenting advocate Hannah Gair.

If your sense of self-worth has been damaged, the good news is that it can be rebuilt, through some simple daily practices.

This is the big take-home about how we can best understand our self-worth:

1 – Treat Yourself As You Would Treat a Friend

Having self-worth is not about being self-absorbed, selfish or narcissistic, says Graeme. It’s “believing in your inherent value, and knowing that you’re ‘okay’, regardless of your achievements.”

It’s also about compassion: “Talking to ourselves how we talk to a friend if they’re going through similar circumstances”, or, as Collett Smart adds, “Seeing yourself in the way that someone who deeply loves you would see you.”

2 – Practise Self-Care

Graeme, who has written a number of books on mental heath and delivered hundreds of keynote addresses, says a damaged self-worth can be rebuilt, starting with self care.

“Self care isn’t selfish,” says Graeme. “If we don’t have fuel in our own tank, we can’t help other people. [Self care is] doing things which are good for our physical health, like good exercise, good sleep, intimacy; our emotional health; and our prosperity, which is what I call ‘career wellbeing’, where we have a sense of purpose.”

3 – Choose Gratitude

All three panelists include gratitude as one way of showing our self-worth. Research shows that gratitude creates healthy new pathways in the brain.

“Writing down three things each day you’re grateful for could have a sustained impact and benefit to our self worth,” says Graeme.

Hannah Gair, host of the StrongHERside podcast for mothers of children with disabilities, says gratitude can particularly help those whose sense of identity has been buried by life’s challenges.

4 – Focus on Strengths, Not Failures

A focus on failure will quickly erode how you feel about yourself. Instead, build your sense of worth by focusing on your strengths says Hannah.

“We all have failures,” says Collett. “I think it’s about looking at, what are the strengths that I’ve been given, that I can use to bring joy into my life, and others. Often, when we build others up, or we give to communities, that’s actually when we see our own self worth improve.”

 5 – Resist Comparison

Hannah’s strong advice is to “stop the comparison game.”

“When we are practicing comparison, we’re telling ourselves that we aren’t enough,” she says. “Replace it with the truth to say, in fact, we actually are enough.”

Article supplied with thanks to Helping Hands TV.

About the Author: Helping Hands is an Australian produced TV program that airs on 9GEM, Channel 9 and 9NOW, and showcases people and organisations who make the world a better place.

Feature image: Canva

For many Australians right now, financial pressure is hard to ignore.

Rising interest rates, increasing living costs, and economic uncertainty are weighing heavily on households across the country. If you’ve been feeling the squeeze, you’re certainly not alone.

Finance expert Alex Cook explores these growing challenges. As a former stockbroker, financial planner, and founder of Wealth With Purpose, Alex brings both practical experience and a strong Christian perspective to conversations around money.

His message is clear: God cares about how we handle our finances, and His Word offers wisdom that is both relevant and reliable, even in difficult seasons.

Here are seven biblical money principles to help you manage money wisely and navigate financial pressure with faith and clarity.

1. Start With God’s Wisdom

When financial pressure builds, it’s easy to make decisions quickly or react out of fear. Instead, Alex encourages us to look to the Bible as our guide.

‘There is enormous depth of wisdom in Scripture about how we handle our money.’

With over 2,000 verses addressing wealth, possessions, and stewardship, the Bible reveals that God hasn’t left us without direction.

Instead of rushing ahead or acting impulsively, take a moment to pause and ask God for wisdom. He sees beyond the present moment and can guide you with clarity and peace.

2. Debt Is a Warning Sign, Not Just a Tool

Debt is part of modern life, especially during the cost-of-living crisis many Australians are facing, but Scripture handles it with care.

Alex points to the biblical principle that ‘the borrower is slave to the lender.’ That doesn’t mean debt is always wrong, but it does highlight the risk it carries.

With interest rate having been raised by the RBA on Tuesday to 4.35%, now may be a good time to reflect honestly on your financial situation and begin taking steps, however small, toward greater financial freedom.

3. Freedom Often Begins with Small Steps

Alex shared the story of a woman who had lived with credit card debt for nearly 25 years.

Over time, she made small but consistent changes. She stopped adding to her debt and worked at paying it down. Eventually, she walked into the bank and closed her accounts, free from a burden she had carried for decades.

As she left, she sensed God reminding her that she was no longer bound by it.

Stories like this remind us that transformation doesn’t usually happen all at once, but it does happen.

4. Build Margin Before You Need It

You may not know what’s around the corner, and financial pressure can often come without warning.

That’s why Alex encouraged listeners to build some financial margin wherever possible. Even a small amount set aside can make a significant difference when unexpected expenses arise.

Starting somewhere can reduce stress and help you avoid relying on credit during difficult moments.

5. Credit Cards Can Quietly Trap You

Credit cards offer convenience, but they can also create distance between spending and reality.

It’s easy to spend more when the impact isn’t felt immediately. Over time, those small decisions can build into something much harder to manage.

If you can, simplify your approach. Using your own money rather than relying on credit can help you stay grounded and make more intentional choices.

6. Shift Your Mindset to Stewardship

Developing a stewardship mindset helps us manage our finances with wisdom and purpose. When we begin to understand that everything we have belongs to God, our perspective changes.

‘We’ve got to remind ourselves: this is not ours,’ Alex says. ‘It’s actually God’s money.’

We are not owners but stewards, entrusted with what He has given us.

‘When we adopt that mindset, it becomes quite different in how we handle our money.’

Instead of asking what we want, we begin to ask how God would have us use what we’ve been given.

That simple change often brings both direction and peace.

7. God Can Make a Way, Even Now

No matter what financial situation you may be facing, no situation is beyond God’s reach.

During the conversation, one woman’s story stood out. Raising children on her own while carrying significant debt, she faced overwhelming pressure. Yet over time, she saw God provide in unexpected ways. Debts were reduced, needs were met, and she eventually experienced financial freedom.

While we take practical steps, God is still at work behind the scenes. He can open doors, change circumstances, and provide in ways we might not expect.

Finding Peace in the Pressure

Financial stress can touch every area of life. It can affect your thoughts, your relationships, and your sense of security.

But we are not left to face it alone.

God offers wisdom when we feel unsure.
He offers peace when we feel overwhelmed.
And He offers hope when the future feels uncertain.

When we root ourselves in biblical money principles, we begin to learn how to manage our money wisely, handle financial pressure, and trust God in every season.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed right now, start with one step. Seek His wisdom. Make one faithful decision. And trust that even in this season, God is still your provider.

Article supplied with thanks to Vision – a non-profit, follower-funded Christian media ministry taking God’s Word to every corner of Australia and beyond through broadcast, online and print media.

Feature image: Canva

Is the never-ending desire for perfection stealing your peace?

Perfectionism. It sounds like a good thing, right? Striving for the best, paying attention to every little detail, wanting things to be just so. But for anyone caught in the trap of perfectionism, you know it’s not as polished as it seems. The pressure to be perfect can feel relentless, leaving you stuck in a cycle of stress, self-criticism, and never quite feeling “good enough.” So how does perfectionism start, why does it continue, and what can you do to break free?

What Drives Perfectionism?

At its core, perfectionism isn’t really about being perfect. It’s about fear: fear of failure, fear of judgment, fear of not measuring up. Most perfectionists are driven by a deep need to avoid mistakes and rejection. It’s not just about getting things right; it’s about the fear of getting things wrong.

Perfectionism often begins with certain beliefs about your self-worth. Maybe growing up, you received praise for doing things perfectly or criticism when you didn’t. This can create a mindset where your value feels tied to your achievements or how flawless your performance is. Over time, this belief becomes ingrained: I am only good enough if I am perfect.

Perfectionism is often fuelled by the belief that your worth depends on what you do, how you look, or how others perceive you.

How Does Perfectionism Start?

Perfectionism can take root early in life. It often stems from a combination of personality traits, family dynamics, and societal pressures. For some, it starts with high expectations placed on them by parents, teachers, or coaches. You might have been rewarded for success and subtly (or not so subtly) criticised for failure. Over time, the message you receive is clear: mistakes are bad, and only perfection is acceptable.

For others, perfectionism can be a response to feeling out of control. If life feels unpredictable or chaotic, controlling your achievements or environment might feel like a way to regain some sense of stability. Perfectionism becomes the armour you wear to protect yourself from the discomfort of uncertainty.

Perfectionism often begins as a coping strategy, something that promises control and validation in an unpredictable world.

How Perfectionism Keeps Going

Once perfectionism takes hold, it has a sneaky way of perpetuating itself. The more you strive for perfection, the more you fear failure, and the more pressure you put on yourself to avoid it. And because perfection is an impossible standard, you inevitably fall short. This leads to frustration, self-doubt, and an even greater drive to do better next time. The cycle just keeps going.

This is what we call the “perfectionism trap.” Even when you achieve your goals, it doesn’t feel good enough. You might constantly raise the bar, tell yourself you could’ve done better, or fear that others will notice your flaws. Perfectionism is a relentless critic that’s never satisfied.

Perfectionism creates a cycle of fear, effort, and disappointment, a treadmill that never lets you stop running.

The Cost of Perfectionism

Perfectionism might seem like a harmless drive for excellence, but over time, it can come at a huge cost. Emotionally, it can lead to anxiety, depression, and burnout. You might feel constantly stressed or overwhelmed, always trying to keep up with impossible expectations.

Physically, perfectionism can lead to exhaustion. The pressure to constantly perform at your best takes a toll on your energy and well-being. Perfectionists often sacrifice sleep, relaxation, and time with loved ones in the pursuit of “getting it right.”

Socially, perfectionism can isolate you. When you’re fixated on being perfect, it’s hard to let your guard down or show vulnerability. Relationships can suffer because you’re afraid to be seen as anything less than flawless.

Breaking Free from Perfectionism

The good news? You don’t have to stay stuck in the perfectionism cycle. There are ways to loosen its grip and find a healthier, more balanced way to live.

1. Challenge Your Beliefs:

Start by questioning the idea that your worth is tied to your achievements. What would happen if you made a mistake? Would the world fall apart? Probably not. Practice giving yourself permission to be imperfect.

“Perfectionism thrives on the belief that mistakes are unacceptable, but mistakes are how we grow. They’re not a reflection of your worth.”

2. Embrace “Good Enough”:

Let go of the need for everything to be perfect. Sometimes “good enough” really is enough. Perfectionists often spend hours tweaking and refining things that are already fine. Learn to recognise when you’ve done a solid job and move on.

3. Practise Self-Compassion:

Be kind to yourself. When you catch yourself slipping into perfectionist thinking, pause and ask yourself, Would I speak to a friend this way? Chances are, you wouldn’t. Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding you would offer to someone else.

4. Set Realistic Goals:

Perfectionists tend to set goals that are way too high, leading to disappointment when they’re not met. Instead, set goals that are challenging but achievable. Break big tasks into smaller, manageable steps and celebrate progress, not just the end result.

5. Accept Uncertainty:

One of the biggest drivers of perfectionism is the fear of not being in control. But life is full of uncertainty, and trying to control everything will only add to your stress. Learn to tolerate the unknown and trust that you can handle whatever comes your way.

Perfectionism might promise success and control, but in reality, it often brings stress, frustration, and isolation. Breaking free from the perfectionism cycle isn’t about lowering your standards, it’s about recognising that you are enough, flaws and all. By embracing imperfection, you can find more joy, peace, and fulfilment in your life.

So next time you find yourself chasing perfection, take a step back. Ask yourself: Is this about doing my best, or am I trying to prove something to myself or others? Then give yourself permission to be human, because, honestly, that’s all anyone really expects from you.

Article supplied with thanks to Sabrina Peters.

About the Author: Sabrina is a pastor and a psychologist who is dedicated to helping people experience wholeness and growth. Passionate about building healthy families, she spends her days raising kids, supporting clients, and creating resources that inspire freedom and hope.

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Is multi-generational living Australia’s new normal?

The traditional linear path of moving out, renting, and eventually buying a home is undergoing a shift. With Australia’s population projected to reach 30 million by 2030, housing supply is failing to keep pace with demand. The national target of building 1.2 million new homes over the next five years is already facing a forecasted shortfall of 262,000 dwellings by June 2029.

This supply-demand squeeze, paired with elevated lending rates, has made traditional home ownership feel increasingly out of reach. Today, 65% of Australians agree that the traditional pathway to owning a home is broken for the next generation.

To put this shift into perspective, the median house price in Sydney now stands at 16.7 times average annual earnings, a staggering leap from 1981 when it was just 5 times annual earnings. Similar pressures are playing out in Melbourne (10.1 times), Brisbane (11.3 times), and Perth (11 times). In response, Australians are thinking creatively about how they live, leading to a significant cultural and demographic shift: the rise of the multi-generational household.

Delayed Independence

As the property market becomes less accessible, young Australians are adjusting their timelines for independence. Data highlights a clear trend of young adults living with their parents for longer. In 2006, 60% of 19-year-olds lived at home. By 2021, this figure climbed to 70%.

Challenged with high levels of student debt and a highly competitive housing market, many young people are delaying traditional markers of adulthood. Others who had previously moved out are returning to the family nest during their peak earning and family-forming years to pool resources and accelerate their savings for a housing deposit.

Cultural Diversity Driving Openness

Multi-generational living, defined as three or more generations residing under one roof or on the same property, is becoming a mainstream alternative rather than a last resort. Almost three in five Australians (57%) state they are open to or would welcome living in a multi-generational home with their family.

This living arrangement is already deeply woven into the Australian social fabric. Nearly half of the population has first-hand experience with it: 12% currently live in a multi-generational home, and 32% have done so in the past.

Cultural backgrounds play a significant role in this openness. Australians who speak a language other than English at home are significantly more likely to have lived in a multi-generational household (71%compared to 39% of English-only speakers). As Australia continues to grow in cultural diversity, the appetite for shared family living is expected to rise.

Space vs. Boundaries

While Australians are increasingly open to the concept of shared living, they are highly protective of their personal space. When forced to choose, a decisive 73% of Australians would prefer to live in a smaller apartment with total privacy rather than a larger, higher-quality home shared with multiple generations where privacy is compromised.

This desire for autonomy is consistent across the lifespan, with Gen Z (81%) and Baby Boomers (79%) placing the highest value on independence. Consequently, Australians identify the following as the primary hurdles of under-one-roof living:

• Lack of privacy
• Lifestyle clashes
• Disagreements over household rules
• Elevated noise levels

Financial Relief and Deeper Connection

Despite the challenges, the practical and social benefits of multi-generational living are compelling. In a economic climate where 77 % say they are highly concerned about the cost of living.

Top Benefits of Multi-Generational Living:

• Shared living costs
• Support for older family members
• Stronger family relationships
• Combating loneliness
• Childcare assistance

Beyond the immediate financial relief and the ability for younger generations to save for a deposit, this trend intersects with Australia’s rapidly ageing population. With the number of Australians aged 65 and over set to increase in the coming decades, multi-generational homes offer a practical alternative to aged care. This is particularly relevant for Gen X, who often find themselves managing the care of both their children and their ageing Baby Boomer parents.

Furthermore, at a time when society is navigating a broader loneliness epidemic, half of the population views shared living as an opportunity to foster stronger family bonds and build meaningful everyday connections.

Article supplied with thanks to McCrindle.

About the Author: McCrindle are a team of researchers and communications specialists who discover insights, and tell the story of Australians – what we do, and who we are.

Feature image: Canva

Tiny habit changes that grow your savings without you even feeling it.

Do you dream of saving for your future or even simply for a new washing machine? For many Australians, the costs of everyday living are only just covered by weekly income and saving anything at all feels out of reach.

If this story is familiar and you have nothing left after you’ve paid the rent, bought groceries and paid for electricity and internet, then it might be time to check out Micro-Saving.

In the same way that you don’t get fit by running a marathon first and training for it later, or doing an exam before you’ve studied, the best budget savings are made when you’ve grown your habit muscles around the small stuff.

Making small changes to your spending and lifestyle habits can have an outsized effect. This is what Micro-Saving is all about; the tiny changes that you don’t even feel day to day but get you on track to building up the balance in your savings account. Happening automatically, these changes are so small that they won’t impact on your lifestyle, but through consistency your savings will grow and the much-dreamed-of washing machine will be within reach.

Try these 8 Micro-Saving changes and watch the cents add up.

1. Visit the Supermarket Less Regularly

If meal planning is beyond you and you find yourself running to the supermarket multiple times a week, be aware that on every trip you will spend more than planned. By reducing the number of trips you take, you’ll also miss all those impulse buys. To really make it work, write down a list and only buy what’s on it.

2. Review Your Streaming Services and Subscriptions

Have you fallen for the ‘one month free’ and now have more streaming services than there are hours in a week? You could go cold turkey and go back to free to air TV or simply decide which ones you don’t need right now. The shows will still be there for your viewing pleasure later, so mix it up and subscribe to one at a time.

The same is true for the other fitness, music and news apps you’re paying for. Take an hour to look through your bank statement and work out which subscriptions you aren’t using and turn them off.

3. Miss a Coffee Run Once a Week

You don’t need to give them all up, but by missing one coffee a week you’ll be able to add $5 to your savings. Miss two and that goes up to $10 of savings each week. That’s an extra $500 saved in one year.

4. Set up a Savings Account with Automatic Deposits

When you’re building a habit, you only need to start small. Deposit $2 each week and when you’re ready, make it $5. You’ll be encouraged as your balance grows and you probably won’t even feel the impact of what you’re missing out on. Making the whole process automatic eliminates any risk that you won’t stick with it.

5. Do You Need to Drive Every Time, or All the Way?

The next time you’re heading out and about, consider the best way to get to where you’re going. With easy-to-use online trip planners, you can not only work out the best route on public transport, but even the cheapest. It might take you an extra ten minutes, but you can always fit in some reading along the way. At peak hour, it might even be faster to catch the train or walk an extra block or two.

Consider take turns carpooling with friends, split the cost and you’ll all be saving.

6. Try a No Spend Challenge in One Area of Your Life

Start small in one area of your life, before aiming big. Commit to a no-spend on food weekend and eat only from what you have in the fridge and pantry.

From there you can try a week with no spending on entertainment, or a month with no spending on clothing. Make the experiment fun and you never know what new ways of doing things you’ll discover.

7. Rent, Borrow or Head to the Library

Consider whether you need to buy or could instead borrow what you need. Hire a steam cleaner and breathe new life into your old couches, or borrow a leaf blower from your neighbour and offer to help clean up their driveway too.

Your local library is another brilliant resource, and it offers far more than books these days. From cake tins and jigsaw puzzles to e-books, games, and even podcast kits, your local library has become a hub of resources and fun for the whole family. You’ll probably only need the number 2 cake tin a couple of times in your life, so why buy when you can borrow?

8. Round up your Transactions

This is where the magic really happens. Set up a round up facility with your bank and watch your savings grow. Every time you make a purchase, the charge is rounded up to the nearest dollar and the round up amount is deposited into a separate savings account. Pay $4.50 for a coffee, $5 comes out of your account, and $0.50 is transferred to your savings. You don’t miss out on your everyday joys, and you actively save at the same time.

The Small Wins Really Do Count

Or in this case, the small savings make all the difference. By starting small, you won’t feel the impact in the same way you do when trying to slash your budget.
Small wins will build momentum and belief, creating space for bigger changes and challenges.

Micro-Saving won’t get you to Europe tomorrow, but by the end of a year, you might just have that new washing machine and stronger saving muscles for the future.

Article supplied with thanks to Hope Media.

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Is debt sinful? Does the Bible allow borrowing in certain situations? 

Christians often ask what the Bible says about borrowing money and debt. 

Is debt sinful? 
Is borrowing always wrong? 
Or does the Bible allow borrowing in certain situations? 

The first thing to understand is that the Bible never says that debt itself is sinful. Having debt, including a home loan, is common in modern life. Scripture does not say that simply having debt is wrong. 

However, the reasons people go into debt can sometimes be sinful. For example, borrowing money to keep up with others or to maintain a lifestyle that cannot realistically be afforded can lead to poor financial decisions. 

The motivation behind financial decisions matters. 

What Does the Bible Say About Borrowing?

A key passage about borrowing comes from the book of Proverbs. 

Proverbs 22:7 says: “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower becomes the slave of the lender.” 

This proverb highlights a biblical principle about debt. 

While borrowing is not described as sinful, Scripture shows that debt can create financial bondage. 

The Biblical Warning About Debt

God is concerned that His people do not become enslaved to the systems of the world.

Debt can gradually grow beyond what a person can manage. Spending on larger houses, cars, and lifestyle purchases can accumulate into significant debt and create difficult financial situations.

Debt limits freedom.

Large financial obligations begin to control financial choices.

How Debt Can Limit Generosity

Excessive debt can reduce a person’s ability to live generously.

When financial commitments are overwhelming, it becomes harder to give, support ministry work, or help people in need.

When someone is drowning in debt, most financial resources go toward repayments instead of advancing God’s kingdom or serving others.

For this reason, the Bible encourages wisdom and caution when borrowing.

A Biblical Principle to Remember

The warning in Proverbs should be taken seriously.

Borrowing money may not be sinful, but allowing debt to grow until it creates financial bondage can cause serious consequences.

Approaching borrowing carefully helps protect financial freedom and the ability to give generously.

Final Thoughts 

The Bible does not say that borrowing money is sinful. However, Scripture warns about the dangers of debt and how it can restrict financial freedom. 

Applying biblical wisdom to borrowing decisions helps believers pursue faithful stewardship, financial freedom, and generosity. 

Article supplied with thanks to Wealth with Purpose.

About the Author: Alex is a licensed financial planner and the founder of Wealth with Purpose a Stewardship Ministry that helps Christians handle their money God’s way.

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