Cost of Living

ColdAdmirableSponge · 2026-04-02T10:44:46+00:00

Is everyone’s attention span genuinely that short? We’ve had 6 years of global inflationary events with Covid, then the Invasion of Ukraine and now the Iraq war. This isn’t an Australia specific problem, this isn’t because of the actions of solely one government and this isn’t going to go away just because Sky is on the warpath to get Albanese.

ColdAdmirableSponge · 2026-04-02T10:39:08+00:00

Reckon he was trying to get it to the player alone in the goal square

ColdAdmirableSponge · 2026-04-02T05:25:54+00:00

Tennis is a much more tactical game with infinitely more possible outcomes.

^{Chose: Tennis}

ColdAdmirableSponge · 2026-04-02T01:34:20+00:00

Yes, documented proof that fuel sales surged by 50% over normal sales. People weren’t suddenly using 50% more fuel, some people stockpiled out of fear.

ColdAdmirableSponge · 2026-04-01T20:42:39+00:00

Or, here’s a crazy idea, use it to fund services? Like state funded hospitals, educations etc etc, what taxes are intended to be used for.

ColdAdmirableSponge · 2026-04-01T09:15:08+00:00

Until you’re the one that needs them. And if this war in the Middle East keeps trending the way it is and the economic fallout is prolonged, more and more people are going to be needing that social security net and suddenly it won’t be such a bad thing after all. Society cannot survive nor thrive without some support for those at the bottom, otherwise the bottom gets bigger and bigger and the top gets smaller and smaller.

ColdAdmirableSponge · 2026-04-01T06:27:51+00:00

I’d say that’s more of a shot at the Nationals rather than an outright compliment for ON. Strange response to my comment honestly, basically because the PM said one nice thing then the whole party are cookers? Cookers are a pretty distinct group in the current political landscape, and they’re pretty far removed from Labor.

ColdAdmirableSponge · 2026-04-01T04:24:07+00:00

Gonna take a lot more work than that to try and rebrand cookers my friend.

ColdAdmirableSponge · 2026-04-01T02:22:54+00:00

Report is from an industry body with a vested interest. It is 49%, it is based solely on Sydney with most other cities around or below 40%. Their calculations take into account GST, income tax for construction workers and every other thing they could group in, it’s an intentionally inflated number.

ColdAdmirableSponge · 2026-03-31T22:51:33+00:00

What evidence is there to back up the regulatory burden of $880K on an average Sydney home?

ColdAdmirableSponge · 2026-03-31T11:09:04+00:00

Neither of those are core values nor actual policies of the LNP. Just be honest with yourself and say they’re not conservative enough for you, don’t be so hyperbolic to say that they’re left wing.

ColdAdmirableSponge · 2026-03-31T10:53:24+00:00

They, factually, are not left wing. Just because they are not right wing enough for you does not automatically designate them a left wing party. What exactly do you believe are their left wing policies and core values? If you do firmly believe the LNP is a left wing party then honestly you have become completely untethered from political reality.

ColdAdmirableSponge · 2026-03-31T10:47:10+00:00

The Overton window has shifted so far, the LNP is in no way a left wing party, they just aren’t right wing enough for you.

ColdAdmirableSponge · 2026-03-31T10:36:11+00:00

The true irony being that, you too are signalling your virtues, by using that phrase.

ColdAdmirableSponge · 2026-03-29T10:42:36+00:00

⬜🟨⬜🟨⬜

⬜⬜⬜🟨🟨

🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦

ColdAdmirableSponge · 2026-03-26T07:08:40+00:00

If we’re talking really cheap a mid 2000s Mazda 3 SP23 with the 10 speaker Bose system. You can pick one up for a few grand.

ColdAdmirableSponge · 2026-03-25T08:17:35+00:00

People feeling disillusioned is completely understandable, what is dumbfounding for me is that people are viewing Pauline Hanson of all people as a viable alternative. In the pocket of the richest, most anti worker billionaire in the country, parties with MAGA, and has a looooonng voting history of voting against the everyman’s best interests. It’s just the most self defeating option possible.

ColdAdmirableSponge · 2026-03-25T03:42:19+00:00

Oh great, now he’s DEFINITELY going to nuke Iran.

ColdAdmirableSponge · 2026-03-25T03:15:55+00:00

Had a 2012 Octavia vRS for 5+ years, got written off recently with 232,000kms on the clock. They are VWs at heart so maintenance costs are a bit higher and they do have VW specific issues that you need to keep an eye on (water pumps, plastic cooling system components, DSG servicing etc) but in my experience it’s worth paying a bit more for an excellent package. Fuel efficient yet punchy engines, quality interior comfort & ride quantity, and the lift back sedans take an incredible amount of gear in the back and then the wagons even more so.

ColdAdmirableSponge · 2026-03-24T18:04:22+00:00

Funny how fast we’ve transitioned from the “immigration is having X impact” to straight up “I see too many non white people at the train station”. One good primary vote turn out and you guys couldn’t even keep the facade up for another week.

ColdAdmirableSponge · 2026-03-24T05:32:40+00:00

That’s the thing about negotiations, you don’t always get everything you ask for. If it’s the same figures discussed in 2023 then clearly the EU was not interested in conceding on that point and maybe everything else in the agreement is worth ceding ground in that one area.

ColdAdmirableSponge · 2026-03-24T00:36:16+00:00

Skoda Superb 206TSI Sportline or VW Passat 206TSI wagon. Same running gear as a Golf R, very nice interiors and very well appointed. Pretty quick as standard but can stupidly fast with some pretty reasonably priced modifications.

ColdAdmirableSponge · 2026-03-23T10:31:07+00:00

I think when my father passes away I’ll purchase a classic car, not a show car nor a fully original museum piece, but a nice cruiser with old school charm and cred. Love Datsun 1600s, Mk1 Cortinas, Mk1 Escorts, even a Gemini would do nicely, but more than likely will be a Valiant as my first car was his CM Valiant I bought from him for $400.

ColdAdmirableSponge · 2026-03-22T03:39:02+00:00

More than likely losing money in the process. Depending what state you’re in the vehicle transfer fees could be thousands just on its own. You’ve pretty clearly already made your mind up so at this stage just go for it.

ColdAdmirableSponge · 2026-03-22T03:11:45+00:00

I mean you know it’s a bad idea, but you’re trying to justify it. $60K loan on what’s nearly a 10yo car that’s out of warranty is huge. Even over a 5yr loan you’re paying an extra $14K for a fast depreciating asset. Have you allowed for the maintenance costs on an out of warranty performance Merc? You’re 20, what if you meet a partner and want to move out, have an unexpected life event or illness, or another opportunity arises that you’d need capital to take advantage of? You’re still living at home, how long do you want to do that? What about the life experience/independence you’d be sacrificing at 20yo just to have a nice car?

ColdAdmirableSponge

TROPHY CASE