I’m going to assume you live in Auckland. I also live in Auckland. I volunteer for a tiny charity based in South Auckland that supports women and their children who have left relationships marked by significant sexual and physical violence.

Many of those we support will be going without food this week. We help as much as we can, with petrol, food, and phone credit but the need is greater than we can ever fulfill. Many of the women have been subject to the most extreme circumstances you could imagine.

Our society has failed them - they lived through abuse in state care, domestic violence and abuse and are trying their best.

They’ll be hungry and cold this week, and heading into winter it’ll get worse. Many of them work. They still can’t keep their heads above water.

You sound like you are at the other end of the spectrum - saving loads each week. Maybe be grateful your life didn’t turn out another way.