Desperate actions taken by Australians in order to cope with financial difficulties.

According to a recent study by comparison website Finder, it seems that more and more Australians are getting creative when it comes to managing their finances. In fact, the survey revealed that approximately 11% of the participants were collecting discarded furniture from the side of the road, while 7% were relying on free food and meal services.

But that's not all, as the research also found that people were resorting to alternative measures such as using free public WiFi instead of paying for home internet, taking toilet paper from restaurants, and even snagging dog bags from local parks. These methods made up the top five ways in which Australians were making ends meet in these tough economic times.

Other tactics included taking home condiments from restaurants, breaking off broccoli stalks at the grocery store, and ordering meals from the kids' menu when dining out. It's clear that people are willing to do whatever it takes to stretch their dollars a little further.

Finder's personal finance expert, Sarah Megginson, noted that after three years of struggling with the rising cost of living, Australians are feeling the pressure more than ever. She explained, "Traditional ways of cutting costs are no longer enough, so many are turning to support programs or taking unconventional measures to get by. Budgets are tight and desperate times call for desperate measures."

The data collected by Finder also revealed that a whopping 78% of Australians are feeling stressed about their current financial situation, with 22% admitting to being "extremely stressed." In light of these concerning statistics, Megginson offered some advice on how people can alleviate some of the pressure on their household budgets.

"Aussies can potentially save thousands of dollars per year simply by switching their household bills, which could make a significant difference," she suggested. "Small changes in areas like mobile phone and car insurance costs can quickly add up for families who are struggling financially."

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