Sydney, Sept 22: From changing a tyre to negotiating a better deal, millions of Australians admit they’re stumbling through adulthood. New research from Finder reveals that two in three Australians – an estimated 14.1 million people – struggle with basic “adult tasks.”
Investing in shares topped the list of challenges, with 35 per cent saying they have no idea how to get started. Everyday responsibilities also leave many at a loss: 31 per cent can’t change a tyre, 23 per cent can’t check a fuse box, and 21 per cent don’t know how to negotiate financial products like home loans. Even routine chores prove daunting, with 11 per cent confessing they don’t know how to use a dishwasher or washing machine.
Generational gaps are evident: thirty seven per cent of Gen Z say they don’t know how to change a tyre, compared to just 20 per cent of Baby Boomers.
Financial literacy also lags, with 14 per cent admitting they don’t know how to save money and 11 per cent unable to create a budget.
Finder’s personal finance expert Sarah Megginson called the findings “alarming,” warning that inexperience in handling life’s essentials could have serious consequences. She urged Australians to prioritise teaching and learning practical skills like budgeting, cleaning, and household maintenance, noting that the best way to learn is often to dive in and try.
While adulting doesn’t come with a manual, the message is clear: mastering life’s basics can prevent bigger struggles down the track.
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