62% of Australians more stressed about their finances this year

As cost-of-living crisis deepens, Salvos Christmas Appeal is more important than ever

The Salvation Army has launched its annual Christmas Appeal, aiming to raise $25 million to support Australians in need as the cost-of-living crisis continues to pinch.

This year’s appeal coincides with new research by the Salvos, which found over 12.8 million Australians (62%) are more stressed about their finances this year compared to 52% at the same time last year.*

Australians will be going into debt to pay for Christmas, with 31% seeking to use a credit card to pay for Christmas expenses (up from 18% last year) and 15% relying on buy-now, pay-later options (up from 7.6%). This is on the back of over 8.9 million Australians (43%) saying they feel pressure to spend more than they can afford this Christmas.

“Our research has shown that people are really struggling this year, meaning Christmas will make things even tougher,” said Andrew Hill from The Salvation Army. “We are anticipating that more people will seek support from us.

“People are at breaking point – and it hurts.”

Andrew said the survey also found that for those who do reach out to a charity this Christmas, almost half (48.9%) will be doing so for the first time. This means that supporting the Salvos’ Christmas Appeal is more important than ever.

Further, almost a quarter of Australians (23%) will struggle to afford enough food to eat this Christmas, 34% will find paying utilities challenging and 30% will struggle to pay their rent or mortgage repayments.

During the Christmas period last year, thanks to the generosity of the Australian public, The Salvation Army nationally:

• Distributed tens of thousands of food hampers to those struggling to make ends meet
• Received over 250,000 gifts and toys for families who might otherwise have gone without
• Provided over 132,000 meals
• Provided more than 66,000 bed nights for families in need of accommodation during the festive season.**

“We know it’s tough for so many people right now, but we also know that when the chips are down, Australians band together and help people in need,” said Andrew. “So please, if you are able, consider donating to The Salvation Army’s Christmas Appeal and help us ensure nobody struggles alone this Christmas.”

To donate to The Salvation Army’s Christmas Appeal, or if you need support from the Salvos, please visit salvationarmy.org.au or call 13 SALVOS (13 72 58). Donations can also be made at any Salvos Store.

*A Pureprofile survey for The Salvation Army surveyed 2,005 people in a nationally representative sample size and this has been extrapolated to reflect the general Australian population. Extrapolated numbers are based on the estimated Australian population aged 18 and older, 20,716,533, based on ABS data as seen here – https://www.ibisworld.com/au/bed/population-aged-18-older/15015/#:~:text=Recent%20Trends%20%E2%80%93%20Population%20Aged%2018,23%2C%20to%20reach%2020%2C716%2C533%20people

**The Salvation Army, Christmas Data Summary Report, July/August 2023

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