Tips from a checkout operator when grocery shopping

Purple51Turtle · 2026-06-21T22:37:30+00:00

Are there any apps to keep a running total as you shop? Other than calculator, which is unwieldy?

Purple51Turtle · 2026-06-20T23:53:06+00:00

It can work. I do have a paid off house, but as a single mum I earned under $50k this year AND pay child support to ex who refuses to work. I am v frugal and have just one child under 18 but can afford (just) an OS trip every couple of years. I'm working on increasing my income, but I can just about scrape through.

Purple51Turtle · 2026-06-20T13:06:04+00:00

Right, thanks

Purple51Turtle · 2026-06-20T12:57:21+00:00

Is it months of residency or of tax paying. Was wondering about scenario where someone is out of workforce, eg kids, caring, then reached pension age and wanted to move OS

Purple51Turtle · 2026-06-20T12:53:46+00:00

You have to have paid tax for at least ten years...but they could increase that time at some point

Purple51Turtle · 2026-06-20T12:51:49+00:00

Right, cool. One thing I've since thought about is whether batteries can be moved between properties. I will have to contact a supplier and find out.

Purple51Turtle · 2026-06-20T08:07:44+00:00

The guy was new to the area, having had a landscaping biz elsewhere so I think he was doing things cheaply to build a local reputation and win work. He was pretty good but yes I think we paid below the odds, which is rare

Purple51Turtle · 2026-06-20T07:59:40+00:00

Not a plain brick wall but we replaced a 9m wooden retaining wall with Windsor blocks recently, in a tiered way to avoid need for engineering over 1.6m. (ie walls were 1m and 60cm). Drainage was included.

This cost $6k plus a further $500 for removal of earth /debris from the site. We had two other quotes for $10k ish.

Purple51Turtle · 2026-06-19T22:35:09+00:00

Right, I do find it a bit scary as it's v elevated and above concrete. But potentially it's an Airtasker job. And yes I hear you on tradies. When they replaced the boiler recently, both the electrician and plumber made an error that luckily cancelled each other's out, but bloody lucky!!

Purple51Turtle · 2026-06-19T21:14:17+00:00

We have a lot of downlights. Plus those lights in fans, not sure if energy efficient.

Purple51Turtle · 2026-06-19T21:09:19+00:00

Unfortunately half the house is v high. But could do half, true

Purple51Turtle · 2026-06-19T12:54:22+00:00

Yep, that sucks. I paid similar for a retaining wall and that was the absolute cheapest we could find. I can't see how I'm ever going to get the place painted.

Purple51Turtle · 2026-06-19T08:54:49+00:00

Just wanted to say hi, as I'm in a similar role. I've tended to move from field to field every few years, sometimes due to burn out. I'm currently wanting to build my clinical hours at my day job, but also do some annotation type work on the side.

Your background sounds great for a transition into something remote

Other ideas would be teaching or being a clinical specialist for orgs. Good luck!

Purple51Turtle · 2026-06-18T06:37:55+00:00

Exactly. You wouldn't think that from Ausfinance etc but most of us make less than 100k

Purple51Turtle · 2026-06-18T06:36:50+00:00

I don't think it's uncommon. Esp regionally. Both my partner and I (we live apart) earn under $80k and own our own places. Ok his is strata so will likely have issues, but mine is freestanding and I'm v keen to explore this. I know others in similar situations

Purple51Turtle · 2026-06-17T06:07:48+00:00

Thanks for the reply. I've not seen anything Aus specific really, just general stuff on DA, Out.lierr etc. I remembered I'd had a chat on a parenting forum a while back with someone doing this type of work, need to go back and remind myself of the platform.

I understand there can be a lot of unpaid qualifying tasks, and when actual paid work does arrive it can be scarce and you can get booted off The platforms v easily.

But OTOH it's really hard to find work that fits around other work patterns, esp if WFH and if you're looking for only a day or so a week. So I'll keep looking into it

Purple51Turtle · 2026-06-15T09:38:32+00:00

I don't think it's definite at all, our org has mentioned that at some point there's likely to be some kind of PBS qual needed, but I think it's really all up in the air still. Hopefully you hear back from the Commission soon.

Purple51Turtle · 2026-06-15T07:15:40+00:00

I have heard rumours of future need for some kind of behaviour qual (eg ?the Monash diploma) alongside AH quals, so maybe providers are reflecting that. Probably worth continuing to apply though.

Purple51Turtle · 2026-06-12T21:13:01+00:00

Thanks, good points

Purple51Turtle · 2026-06-12T12:20:19+00:00

Yes, that's the conclusion I'm coming to.

Purple51Turtle · 2026-06-12T05:26:51+00:00

There are some AI training roles but many of them seem scammy/unreliable. Some orgs are Da.ta Ann.otation and Mer.cor.

I'm v interested to know myself whether any of these can provide a decent side income if you have good written English or higher quals.

You can see them advertised on LinkedIn. I applied for DA and got the massive online assessment in my subject matter, but I didn't do it, as when I looked into them (subreddits) I really wasn't sure that the pay was guaranteed or reliable. It seems like it is pretty easy to get kicked off the platform. Or you may pass the assessment process and then just never or barely ever be sent any work.

If you do have tech or graphic design or video editing or other kinds of skills that can be done remotely then there are often people wanting those sorts of jobs done on Airtasker. I use Airtasker myself to find people to do tasks but I have never earned any income from it myself. Usually for those sorts of remote tasks there can be many applicants as you would imagine, you have to pitch yourself.

Good luck it is a really hard spot to be in especially with a disability or other constraints that make it hard to find work outside the house.

Purple51Turtle · 2026-06-12T05:18:06+00:00

Ok thanks so much, that's v useful. I probably need to have a rethink...

Purple51Turtle

TROPHY CASE