Tauranga budget advisors say the introduction of GST at the beginning of October is having a minimal impact on consumers in the region.
The number of people visiting the Tauranga Budget Advisory Service at the Historic Village has not increased since October 1.
Tauranga Budget Advisory Service manager, Marjorie Spicer, says people have adjusted well.
'When prices go up, we have to squeeze it into our budgets.”
She says the tax cuts and benefit increases have helped off-set GST rises for lower income earners.
She says the number of people seeking budgeting advice since July is similar to the same period last year.
Marjorie says that while GST is not having a big impact, people in the community are still struggling.
'They are still facing high power bills, job shortages and other complications.”
3 comments
Posted on 18-10-2010 13:19 | By SpeakUp
Just started to write a comment but now I wonder if Marjorie lives on the same planet.
Planet Away With Fairies
Posted on 18-10-2010 15:27 | By tabatha
SpeakUp I agree with you hence my heading "Away With Fairies" being the planet she is on. Two supers coming in and both are eroded even though increases made.
Not of this world
Posted on 19-10-2010 10:39 | By Writerman
I totally agree with both the previous comments. You have to wonder how helpful someone so out of touch with (a) reality and (b) the way things work could be of any help to those with financial problems. How she could arrive at the conclusion she did based on a lack of extra foot traffic shows just how little she inderstands her subject. Anyone knows that it takes a little while for the effects of price increases to be felt. You won't have loads of worried people turning up a week after the increases - give them a month or more and then the increases will really bite. Remember many of those seeking help aren't that well organised with their finances (largely because they have so little to work with) and are unlikely to have analysed the situation and planned a precautionary visit before the main kicks in.
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