The Kaye family's Christmas bonus from the Federal Government is sensational news, mum Janine says.
"It is fabulous because I think everyone is really going to struggle this Christmas because of the cost of petrol and everything being so much more expensive," the married mother of two said.
"We are certainly not on struggle street at the moment, but our life is harder."
Yesterday Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Treasurer Wayne Swan announced a $3.9 billion support package for low-to-middle income Australian families. Eligible families will receive a $1000 one-off, tax-free payment for each child in their care by December 19.
The payout will go to almost two million families, including those who receive Family Tax Benefit A, and those who have dependent children who receive Youth Allowance, Abstudy or a benefit from the Veterans Children's Education Scheme payment.
Although Mrs Kaye's husband, Brad, works as a manager at the steelworks, she stopped working full-time when her children, Lucy, 4, and Jack, 3, were born, which meant the family were already conscious of their budget.
Eighteen months ago, Mrs Kaye embarked on a business venture as a wedding photographer, which required a lot of driving between homes and wedding locations.
The cost of petrol has been biting into hip pockets, but the Figtree family's finances have not yet been affected by the global credit crunch.
"The crisis has just made us more conscious and we are actually worried about what is going to happen, rather than the situation we are in right now," Mrs Kaye said. "It will be nice to know we have a little bit extra that we didn't plan on."
The Kayes certainly won't be rushing out to spend their cash at the nearest toy shop or electronics store. The money, Mrs Kaye said, would be used towards their mortgage and for Lucy's new school uniform.
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