Aussie mum and TikToker earning $140,000 says her family of three had to ‘desperately’ cut corners to survive

An Aussie mum has divided social media after claiming her family of three ‘desperately’ needed to cut corners to survive on $140,000 a year.

In a recent post captioned ‘controversial opinion’ TikToker Lou @thatmoneymum told followers she felt $140,000 was “not a high income in the current Australian economy” and went on to offer her budgeting tips.

Lou opened the TikTok by saying, “It feels embarrassing to admit that six months ago on $140,000 a year, my husband and I were losing money” chalking up their overspending to the cost of living creeping up on them.

“We desperately needed to make a change for the sake of our family.”

She then shared her top tips for saving money, the first being the ability to distinguish wants versus needs.

“The first thing is differentiating between wants and needs,” she stated.

“Our generation has honestly been conditioned to buy as soon as that want arises.”

Using an example, Lou said she wanted double-walled coffee cups but forced herself to wait until she could find them in an op shop because purchasing them was not a household necessity.

Her “biggest” piece of advice to followers was to track spending.

“This changed the game... this helped us realise where we were overspending and we realised food was a massive problem area for us.”

Lou said she used an auto-calculating spreadsheet and began meal planning and auditing her fridge to ensure no food went to waste.

She then made major changes to her grocery shopping habits.

“We shop at our local market and Aldi and Coles and Woolworths only if we’re desperate.

“The prices at Coles and Woolies are literally out of control. Washing powder at the Reject Shop is the same price that Woolworths has it at half off in terms of retail.”

But Lou’s initial revelation was met with mixed reactions online.

“$140k not enough? What the bloody hell?!,” one user commented.

“Good on ya for changing the way you spend, I have no idea how people who earn over 100k a year struggle, I earn 75k ... and still save,” another wrote.

“Yeah but how much debt are you in. Cuz $140k is a lot though. And if you’re struggling on that clearly your lifestyle is too expensive,” a third probed.

Others praised Lou’s transparency, sharing their own financial concerns.

“Great post. Gen X here, I think we spoilt your generation with instant rewards to make up for what we didn’t have. Great job changing your mindset,” one user said.

“We are about the same as you income-wise, with 3 kids and private school and we have $0 left for savings any more,” another added.

“$220k, barely keeping the roof over our heads. Bills stacking up,” a third revealed.