DAILY household expenses and bills are not what's killing our finances, write David and Libby Koch.
"Cost of living pressures" has become a common catchcry of the election campaign from both sides of politics. While gas, electricity and childcare costs have risen steeply, there are other costs that have fallen and the consumer price index is historically low.
In the past year, the cost of food has risen just 1.1 per cent, petrol is down 3 per cent but wages are up 3.1 per cent.
It makes us wonder whether "cost of lifestyle pressures" are just as damaging to the household budget and accentuating the overall financial pressure.
"While energy and childcare costs have risen, car prices are at their most affordable since the 1970s, as are airline tickets. Costs of electronic items such as TVs, sound systems and gadgets have never been cheaper."
"But look at what you spend your money on now and compare it with years ago. That's where the financial pressure is coming from.
Telecommunication costs are a lot higher, with increased usage and data downloads from smartphones, tablets and high-speed internet.
Are you amazed at the number of cafes popping up in building foyers and street corners? That's because we don't use the instant coffee in the staff kitchen anymore.
While general retail sales have been flat for a couple of years, one of the few growth areas has been takeaway food as we buy more family meals per week rather than cook our own meals.
Then there are trends such as destination weddings, record overseas travel and vanity health procedures.
Maybe the financial pressure we're experiencing is coming from maintaining unrealistic lifestyle expectations, rather than the increasing costs from the essentials of life."
I always make my own lunches and drink the boss's coffee 
I used to go out for coffee every day and my daughter told me how much I spend each year so the kids gave me a great coffee machine for my birthday last year 
The one area I rarely indulge in is take away food. What I do is treat myself constantly on new appliances to make cooking easier.
My latest was a rice box which makes the best rice. I can't waste money on take away food when I can cook and enjoy doing it.
Take away food is not a cheap option so I think they are spot on.
@donnashuggy wrote:I used to go out for coffee every day and my daughter told me how much I spend each year so the kids gave me a great coffee machine for my birthday last year
The one area I rarely indulge in is take away food. What I do is treat myself constantly on new appliances to make cooking easier.
My latest was a rice box which makes the best rice. I can't waste money on take away food when I can cook and enjoy doing it.
Take away food is not a cheap option so I think they are spot on.
I am always amazed at cooks who cant cook rice without some 'rice' cooking gadget. All it takes is any old saucepan on the stovetop and water.
@icyfroth wrote:I always do mine in the microwave rice cooker 1 cup rice to 1.5 cups water add a teaspoon of powdered stock and it comes out nice and fluffy in 7 minutes.
We hardly ever get takeaway.
Hiya icy 
I do mine in the microwave too but my ratio is 1 cup rice to 2 cups water on 80% for 14 minutes.
Not sure about the stock powder, might be a bit much salt for me.
The rice box has a lot of extra features, I can basically cook meals in it.
@donnashuggy wrote:The rice box has a lot of extra features, I can basically cook meals in it.
sounds pretty cool
