A group of young people in Geraldton are taking part in Penniless March to cut costs where they can, but for some, going penniless is not a choice.

Penniless March campaigner Callum Darch told the ABC that going penniless is a way to save money while also challenging one’s spending habits.

For Chloe Spence, 21, cutting costs is an everyday practice after moving from Geraldton to Perth to study.

On top of rent, car expenses, groceries and other bills, she doesn’t earn enough to afford non-essentials.

According to the 2023 Australian Youth Barometer report, 90 per cent of young Australians experienced financial difficulties last year.

Many seniors in the community also unofficially participate in the penniless campaign.

When Steve Sullivan was 18, he moved to Perth from New Zealand.

The money he earned playing and winning bets was enough to pay his rent.

As a pensioner, Mr Sullivan says the money he earns from the government is not enough.

“If I didn’t buy and re-sell things on eBay, we wouldn’t have a roof over our heads.”

He says he’s not the only one in the Harold Hawthorne Community Centre at Carlisle who is in the eBay re-selling business.

He sympathises with young people who aren’t able to experience the same luxuries he did when he was young.

During his youth, he says people were earning a lot more than they needed.

“It was easy to save money,” Mr Sullivan says.

“Even when I was paid only $27, at the end of the week I had $6 left.”

Unlike Mr Sullivan in his youth, Chloe Spence is unable to maintain any form of savings.

She tries to make up for her minimal work hours during the semester by working full-time during the breaks.

She sets aside her earnings to attempt to build up her savings but working less during the semester takes its toll.

“I try not to go into my savings but I have to.”