Groceries Price Increases by 40%, what cut backs do you have to do?

Siasia on 28/02/2022 - 18:46

How do you survive when almost everything in Supermarkets increases by 20-40%

I am referring to every day essentials like food, toilet paper, laundry detergent, etc

What cut backs do you have to do?

Buy no brand name
Eat cheaper food like 50 cents instant noodle instead of eating 🍕
Stopping kids music lesson
No more kids sport lesson
Stopping kids dance lesson
Sell car and buy old car or use public transport
Move kids from private school to public school
Quit smoking and drinking
Canceling streaming service like foxtel

Feel free to add more

Food & Grocery

Comments

  • orangetrain on 28/02/2022 - 18:49
    +49

    Stop shopping at the duopoly. Small shops have been much cheaper these days

    • BewareOfThe Dog on 01/03/2022 - 09:48
      +4

      Or shop at Aldi, even if its 20-30 mins away.

      • techlead on 01/03/2022 - 10:48
        +30

        You need to factor in fuel costs for that. Fuel is not cheap these days.

        • frewer on 02/03/2022 - 10:01

          Nope fuel will be very expensive for sometimes … https://www.tradingview.com/x/jN5ic611/. $125-$135 is on the table

          • techlead on 02/03/2022 - 15:50

            @frewer: Maybe even more if US sanctions Russian oil. They've yet to do that.

            • frewer on 02/03/2022 - 23:55

              @techlead: Idk, they already 'did' in a way … now they just need to kill Putin. Put their puppet President in place, use USD ( which is 1USD = ~100-150RUB ) $$$ to 'rebuild' the country. Make what you will here is the number https://www.tradingview.com/x/Shv162Ji/, https://www.tradingview.com/x/4fCXuyUH/

              • Pancaku on 03/03/2022 - 14:23

                @frewer: And then Russia becomes the 51st State. God Bless America.

              • techlead on 08/03/2022 - 20:51
                +1

                @frewer: The US will unilaterally sanction Russia oil, Europe is not onboard.

                • rektrading on 08/03/2022 - 23:28

                  @techlead: Biden is hellbent on rekt Americans.

                  • techlead on 10/03/2022 - 10:39

                    @rektrading: The US isn't too hurt with the sanctions, its Europe who would be hurting the most.

                    • rektrading on 10/03/2022 - 10:42

                      @techlead:

                      California gas prices are out of control. The whole state is controlled by Democrats.

                      Stop voting for these people. https://t.co/ivsneasFNB

                      • techlead on 10/03/2022 - 10:53

                        @rektrading: I reckon the Dems will lose the mid terms badly. Have you seen the "Complain about high fuel prices" starter pack meme? Quite funny, its usually people with their huge pick up truck with huge fuel guzzling engines complaining about fuel prices.

      • HeWhoKnows on 01/03/2022 - 13:33
        +9

        Aldi is just no-name house brand stuff.
        No different to buying Coles or Woolworths house brands
        Much the same price.

        The only difference is that their "fresh foods" are not so fresh.
        Much of what you see in the fridges has much less expiry time than in Coles and Woollies so beware buying fresh foods in Aldi because they are not so fresh

        ALWAYS CHECK THE USE BY DATES IN ALDI - VERY IMPORTANT!

        So remember that Aldi have very poor logistics systems both at warehouse level and at store level
        They do not mark down items near their use by date (except meats) hence out of date items are often overlooked in store

        EG I recently purchased a pasta salad that was 4 days past its use by date - not uncommon and a serious problem!

        • GG57 on 01/03/2022 - 14:07
          +10

          EG I recently purchased a pasta salad that was 4 days past its use by date

          Didn't you check the use-by date? I do that in all supermarkets.

          • HeWhoKnows on 06/03/2022 - 14:16

            @GG57: In that instance I didnt. Silly me!
            But you shouldn't have to.
            And I wasn't aware that Aldi doesn't mark down products nearing their use-by date.
            Now I check very carefully before buying.
            Once bitten twice shy

            But yes, I usually always check
            Thats why I'm aware of the short use-by dates problem with Aldi

        • Series4Episode10 on 01/03/2022 - 14:30
          +14

          Wrong, I did comparisons when I lived in Sydney and shopped at Aldi, I often when staying at work could only buy from Woolworths as they were the only close shop, back then Aldi's quality was superior, man I miss aldi! Woolworths 1kg frozen mixed vegies was like charf compared to Aldi's and most of Aldi's stuff is superior to home brand at Woolworths or Coles!

          When I hear "Oh I don't shop at Aldi" I hear "I'm a stuck up (profanity) who thinks he/she is better than the rest!"

          • 42 on 01/03/2022 - 20:47
            +7

            @Series4Episode10: Its not always about lower prices otherwise Colesworth would be out of business. If they had self checkout, I'd probably shop more there. The lineup and checkout process at aldi is "bad different"

          • Ulysses31 on 01/03/2022 - 21:41
            +2

            @Series4Episode10: There’s irony is your judgement.

            I want to like Aldi, I really do. Abroad, my village had ALDI, LIDL, and an equiv to a Ritchie’s/IGA. But I’m always missing what I want, the stores are overly simplified & yet still a mess at times. And waiting for a register can suck.

            There’s lot’s of reasons why people have their preference. “Why not have both” seems fair

          • [Deactivated] on 02/03/2022 - 00:30
            +1

            @Series4Episode10: I've more or less had the opposite experience. I've been a handful of times but nothing's ever been better than the equivalent at Coles and/or Woolies. For example, their 'greek' feta tastes more like Danish to me and my friends agreed. Their egg pasta is worse than what I get at Coles as well. Stock there is also terrible, you have the one cheap option for liquid stock. My aunty who works at a farm says Aldi has the worst quality control, with Coles being first and Woolies being second. At the end of the day, the marginally cheaper prices at Also wasn't worth the drive, the opening hours, queing in line, and lack of selection, especially the more premium products at Woolies/Coles.

        • infinite on 01/03/2022 - 15:40
          -2

          Most of Colesworth's "fresh" fruit & veg is crap that's been in deep-freeze for months while it came in from overseas. Even the "fresh" baked bread & roll lines is imported frozen dough from the opposite end of the world just tossed into their ovens.

          Aldi source all fresh produce locally or from interstate when there's no local supply due to growing conditions at certain times of the year. Bread products are all sourced the same way, too.

          You can also go one better than Aldi and just purchase all your meat and veg/fruit from green grocers or local Asian grocers. The pretty much only stock what can be supplied locally.

          • tomfool on 02/03/2022 - 13:39
            +7

            @infinite: Proof of this. I have bees to the Woolies distro in SEQ most of their fresh produce comes into the distribution centre early in the morning and is then packaged to go out to store the same day. Bananas are kept in special cold storage and pulled out for ripening when required. Turn over is huge in these distribution centres there is not area to store stuff for months their business model does not work that way.

            Maybe they are buying from produce suppliers that keep stuff in cold storage but they don't do it themselves and most others are buying from the same produce suppliers.

          • w37hsyea on 02/03/2022 - 18:06
            +1

            @infinite: Such a moron. I know for a fact that it isn't true. I've been on the farms.
            Hate people that lie like you.

        • terrys on 01/03/2022 - 16:24
          +9

          "Aldi is just no-name house brand stuff."

          The "just" in your statement is negated by just one example - West Country Cheddar made by Wyke.

          Such a simple and elementary mistake renders your advice worthless.

          • tomfool on 03/03/2022 - 22:06

            @terrys: Sure Aldi have some branded stuff but the vast majority of what the sell is inhouse branded, of similar quality to the other supers home brand items. I would guess that the majority of home branded items are out of the same places just slightly variances and modified packaging. Are they better? Well that to everyone's tastes I have found some decent stuff at Aldi but also a lot of items that i don't like. Just recently i thought I would give then "kettle" style chips a go, the packet is still 3/4 full and i cant offload them on the kids. Cheese wise they have some great stuff. Meat is blah in my opinion.

        • BumbaT on 02/03/2022 - 14:54
          +2

          You made all of this up and none of this is verifiable. They all share the same suppliers and manufacturers with only slight variations in formulations for various food products for cost and or quality reasons.

          As for logistics in fresh food storage and sales. Again this is largely dependent on climate and seasonal variations will apply that affects the whole grocery ecosystem and not just a singular chain.

          As for your pasta anecdote. That is a singular isolated case which exists in all chains.

          If you are a smart shopper you shop at all three dependant ding on what you need and at the same time supporting local grocers for other products.

        • greatlamp on 03/03/2022 - 06:44
          +1

          It seems like you local Aldi isn't that popular and run poorly. Aldi essentially runs a skeletal staff full time.
          I haven't had these concerns in busy stores, but I have seen these issues in some stores.

        • virhlpool on 04/03/2022 - 12:42
          +1

          EG I recently purchased a pasta salad that was 4 days past its use by date - not uncommon and a serious problem!

          No matter which store you find it but if you raise this concern to the store manager (and mention about repeated experience), it definitely helps. I have done it a few times in Woolies and Aldi and the managers removed the whole box of expired items from the shelves, thereby it helps other customers. I totally recommend doing it and pushing the manager to remove that stock from the shelves if they don't do it themselves. That's what will ensure that their staff check Best Before dates properly.

      • burns13 on 01/03/2022 - 23:35
        +1

        In my experience Aldo has been far less cheaper than it used to be.

        • beyondtool on 02/03/2022 - 00:27
          +2

          Perhaps, but Aldi is still consistently cheaper than Coles and Woolies. For example Aldi sell a kilo of beef mince for $11, that’s what Coles charge for 500grams!!

          • tomfool on 02/03/2022 - 13:52
            +4

            @beyondtool: Aldi 5 start mince on sale last catalogue 5 star 500g $9.49
            Coles 5 start mince normal price 500g $10.50
            Woolworths heart smart normal price 500g $10.50

            There are savings there but the 30,40,50% people talk of are nonsense. Factor in the CC fee, the lack of variety and or stock and the savings are no where near that.

            Aldo have good stuff, the cheeses etc are great. Fresh produce in my area is below the other 2 i just don't think they have the turnover, and I find the meat to be of a lesser quality.

          • BewareOfThe Dog on 03/03/2022 - 12:50

            @beyondtool: Steak hasn't risen much in price, unlike Colesworth.

            • tomfool on 03/03/2022 - 22:10

              @BewareOfThe Dog: I have been told this so I ventured in the other day and found the price not dissimilar. Nothing like the 20-50% savings that are often thrown around about Aldi.

          • virhlpool on 04/03/2022 - 12:46

            @beyondtool:

            Perhaps, but Aldi is still consistently cheaper than Coles and Woolies.

            The brand products, which regularly have 30% to 50% off sale in Coles and Woolies, are often cheaper during the sale week compared to the standard price in Aldi (which is never discounted). So if you can track the pricing cycle of such items, you end up using better products at a cheaper price vs Aldi.

    • orangetrain on 01/03/2022 - 10:05
      +3

      I guess people love paying a premium for the duopoly. What a controversial post with the votes -6, +6.

      • tomfool on 03/03/2022 - 22:15

        What do you count as a premium?

        Factor in cc fees, the cost of traveling to get the items they don't stock. I personally have not found anywhere near the purported savings that some say they get. I mean if you are all power to you but my buying habits don't seem to yield the same savings other claim to get. I have a Coles/Woolies/Adli all in the same location so perhaps that factors in.

    • HeWhoKnows on 01/03/2022 - 13:30
      +1

      But the government is telling us inflation is running at 3%.

      Either we, the public or the government have got it wrong.

      BTW Its been going on for many years, not just in Australia but in many countries overseas, especially USA

    • eek on 01/03/2022 - 14:47
      +3

      They're always 20% or more than the duopoly - unless you go around to individual butcher, green grocer, bakery, etc etc. If it's comparing an IGA to duopoly then it's almost always more expensive.

      • GG57 on 01/03/2022 - 15:32
        +3

        There is nothing wrong with going around to individual specialist stores.
        - Likelihood of cheaper products
        - Interact with others in your local community
        - Increased local employment
        - Increased likelihood of local businesses surviving
        - Local businesses likely to support local community events, teams, etc.

        And after that, drop into a supermarket for those few items that no-one else stocks (if they are on special that week).

      • ioseph on 02/03/2022 - 11:02

        Depending on where you live you could also go to your weekend market and pickup all your groceries cheaper

        • tomfool on 02/03/2022 - 13:55
          +4

          Always found the farmers markets in Brisbane to be a lot more expensive then local fruit shop and Coles/Woolies.

          • ioseph on 02/03/2022 - 14:25

            @tomfool: Which ones? Rocklea or West end I find to be far cheaper for Fruit and Veg, but it comes down to what you're buying / what's in season too.

            • leiiv on 03/03/2022 - 21:37

              @ioseph: I go to west end market often and always find that most of the fruit and veg are not cheaper than Woolies/Coles/Aldi/Harris Farm. I check the price online when in the market and also check them at different stores on the same day!! Some may be cheaper at the market. Prices fluctuate a lot, and each week some produce are the cheapest at different store. For example, last week snow peas could be cheaper at the market, this week at Coles, etc. Definitely there is not a single place where you can pick ALL your grocery cheaper.

            • tomfool on 03/03/2022 - 21:58

              @ioseph: have not been for a while but city ones, not sure of they are even there anymore, the ones near downy park and I might have tried west end. Just found them hit and miss and similar pricing. Fresh and quality wise I don't think I have found better then the fruit and veg place at indro, its a little pricey but quality wise its the best I have found/

        • virhlpool on 04/03/2022 - 12:53
          +1

          I disagree. Farmers markets/ weekend markets sell most goods at premium and at more expensive price compared to the supermarkes. They are not the bargain markets as the names sound like. Plus, they are few and far between.

    • leiiv on 04/03/2022 - 00:22
      +1

      Small shops have been much cheaper these days

      Can you show me some proves of your statement there? I find it false so far for general things of everyday needs.
      Especially the half price weekly specials, combined with discounted gift cards and other loyalty discounts, you can't really find elsewhere cheaper with the exception of Amazon.

      Moreover, it is just not an option for some people. Not everyone has car and only the duopoly have the wide coverage, close to most population centres.

      • virhlpool on 04/03/2022 - 12:58

        100% agree. Can't think of any small shops (barring a very few produce shops in some corners of the city) to be cheaper even compared to the standard prices at supermarkets, let alone the sale prices during promotions. Look at Harris Farm, IGA, Asian shops, other corner shops, etc. Not really sure which 'small shops' OP is referring to!

  • contrafibularities on 28/02/2022 - 18:50
    +57

    Stop making OzB impulse buys.

  • bobbieb on 28/02/2022 - 18:52
    +3

    If it came to having to cut back… I'd mostly likely compromise on quantity over quality.

    Maybe drop a few expendable, luxury items, but otherwise just cut back on portion sizes, etc.

    • plmko on 28/02/2022 - 21:31
      +9

      How do you cut back on toilet paper portion size?

      • Hardlyworkin on 28/02/2022 - 22:41
        +21

        Get a smaller a$$

      • baker bob on 28/02/2022 - 23:07
        +6

        I never use toilet paper when I travel Asia or middle east, hose or bucket mate, it's very nice.

        • virhlpool on 04/03/2022 - 13:06

          And cleaner, ay!

      • Brian McGee on 01/03/2022 - 07:51
        +10

        use both sides

        • zombie hunter on 01/03/2022 - 18:02
          +1

          re use after turning them inside out then wash them

      • smartazz104 on 01/03/2022 - 10:36
        +2

        Switch to a liquid diet.

      • locknuts on 01/03/2022 - 13:23
        +6

        Get 3 ply and split into 3 single plys.

      • Seaeagles on 01/03/2022 - 13:27
        +1

        Use the 1 sheet method.

        https://youtu.be/Ved0qqWZPX4

      • King Tightarse on 01/03/2022 - 14:46
        +2

        Standard Indian method: wipe with palm of your hand + water bottle.
        No toilet paper required

        • Black Brown Blue on 02/03/2022 - 23:31

          That's fading out. Nowadays its bidet jet spray. $60-100 at bunning. No hand touching required. Once you use this, can never go back to wiping.

          • mrjayviper on 03/03/2022 - 15:16

            @Black Brown Blue: how do you clean your ass properly? imagining it, it's like washing your hands but you're not rubbing them together to get it really clean. it seems you're just rinsing your hands.

            • King Tightarse on 03/03/2022 - 17:53
              +1

              @mrjayviper: Yes, like a water pistol aimed at the ass. Unclear how it gets the embedded chunks out.
              Anyway that's fine at home, if you have that device but you may be out and nature calls when nature calls..

            • Black Brown Blue on 04/03/2022 - 12:34

              @mrjayviper: High pressured water does the job

          • 2esc on 06/03/2022 - 09:41
            +1

            @Black Brown Blue: They are not in widespread use because they are not perfect. The pressure is not strong enough then your dripping. Poo is dripping off you as it didn't do a very good job and you pull up your pants and get poo all over them. Mates a plumber and his installed and removed a lot over the years says you need both options depending on the bowel movement that day. But generally toilet paper is the better option.

      • Yamai on 01/03/2022 - 23:08
        +6

        Only shit at work

        • quikchip on 04/03/2022 - 05:52

          And then take toilet paper from work.

      • buckster on 03/03/2022 - 07:54

        Eat less sh*t less

      • casho on 03/03/2022 - 09:06

        Can you spare a square?

    • rektrading on 01/03/2022 - 09:10
      +9

      Get a bidet that doesn't sleep.

  • boomramada on 28/02/2022 - 18:53
    +39

    I see your problem, no need to punish your self with no brand names or 2 min noodles

    Move kids from private school to public school

    That would cut down shit tons of money.

    • Gradesbrah on 01/03/2022 - 23:45
      -2

      Possibly cut down shit tons of life options too.

      I say this as a kid from a rough school in south west Sydney who is now a doctor. My wife went to a top end Sydney school. Her friends are professionals, mine a prisoners. I personally prefer public as it feels familiar but I acknowledge the difference in backgrounds most in at uni have.

      Most, not all.

      • Kill Joy on 02/03/2022 - 09:11
        +10

        Causation vs correlation.

        People who can afford private school often also (by correlation) will have more money to spend on high quality foods, services, entertainment, tutors. They will also be less likely to have formed poor financial and health habits such as alcoholism, smoking, and gambling - which flows on to their kids not making these same mistakes.

        Giving up everything you have to put kids through private school is not smart IMHO. I'd think tutors, fresh fruit/veg, and social outings for bonding are much more valuable causations then simply attending a private school - though I'm sure it does have some impact.

        • boomramada on 02/03/2022 - 16:29
          +1

          Don't get me wrong, some public schools are shit as well, it's all dependent on the location.

        • Gradesbrah on 02/03/2022 - 18:09
          +1

          Buying your child association and positive role models that are otherwise not common in the area is my argument for private school consideration. It does not buy success, just a space that professional success is acknowledged and even respected. I remember one kid in our year who was teased because his mum was going to uni while he and his brother were at high school. Needless to say the guy went on to be very successful, the people doing the teasing have not.

          • Kill Joy on 02/03/2022 - 19:41
            +3

            @Gradesbrah: I think we agree - there are definitely positive impacts of private school as I mentioned. However I was just calling out that there are a tonne of factors that go into being a successful individual, so I wouldn't compromise on other more important things to put my kid through private school. You and I are both examples.

            That all being said, I can spot someone in my profession that went to a public school a mile away - they are often the most charismatic, down to earth and successful in the room. Make of that what you will.

            • Gradesbrah on 02/03/2022 - 19:58
              +1

              @Kill Joy: Oh yes, I do think many think paying for private school is all that is needed where the biggest gains in life are free and at home. Work ethic, respect for others, considerate, self determination.

  • Eeples on 28/02/2022 - 18:56
    +5

    Omg think of the kids!!!!

    Hyperbole much?

  • cloudy on 28/02/2022 - 19:03
    +6

    How do you survive when almost everything in Supermarkets increases by 20-40%

    Shop the non 20-40% increase products. Yes, lots of products have inflated, I have noticed too. But many also have not, or by much much less than that. I’d say in on average my grocery bill has inflated around 3-5%.

    • LSGH on 01/03/2022 - 16:48
      +4

      Not sure where the OP is claiming some things are up 40%

      • Yamai on 01/03/2022 - 23:09

        Probably buying on the set standard 100% always on special for 50% off the next week ‘sales’

    • 2esc on 06/03/2022 - 10:05

      Yes totally agree I have no idea where they are getting 20 to 40 % increases. There are a couple of items on my shop that have increased by 10% others have not moved at all. I have noticed some are not on special as often as usual.

      I think it comes down to how people shop and not comparing prices or when they buy. I buy more of my items when they are on special and look at the per 100gram comparison (personal preference country of origin does influence as well). I do shop mostly at woolworths due to location but when I am going past one of the others I will stock up on the items I know are cheaper (resist temptation buying).

      Farmers markets are fresher but prices should be a bit cheaper if they are cutting out the middle man. But having said that most people selling at farmers markets are not the large scale producers with lower overheads that sell to the supermarkets.

  • Benoffie on 28/02/2022 - 19:04
    +9

    Pack your own lunch, make slow cook meals and freeze them, buy frozen veg, shop at Asian grocer or market garden, take advantage of community food swaps

  • Puglife on 28/02/2022 - 19:10
    +3

    Cut back on all my overseas travel…oh wait! We all already have! Problem solved!

    Seriously though, we have had two years of uncertainty and most travel/restaurants/events closed or cancelled for long periods. I would like to believe most people have saved plenty of money in these times so a 10%-20% increase in groceries shouldn't have much of an effect in the short term. But if not…I would rather cut back on unnecessary luxuries, rather than buy inferior quality food.

    • netjock on 28/02/2022 - 23:46
      +6

      I would like to believe most people have saved plenty of money in these times so a 10%-20% increase in groceries shouldn't have much of an effect in the short term

      Not if you bought a second hand car that is more expensive than a new one during lock down.

      • virhlpool on 05/03/2022 - 15:40

        Not if you bought a second hand car that is more expensive than a new one during lock down.

        This, and also not if you had to buy furniture/ electronics during this time which had absolutely no bargain and the prices have been still increasing.

    • Ultimate Gattai on 01/03/2022 - 14:13

      For a short period of time the increase might not be a huge problem, most people did save money or pay down debt during the earlier stages of Covid, but I doubt most people could easily withstand it long term, especially with everything else increasing too.

    • Tleyx on 01/03/2022 - 14:25
      -1

      You could always leave in the last two years you can just get a job offer overseas. Easy as

    • greatlamp on 03/03/2022 - 06:49

      Most people… maybe

      I would say close to 50% of the population wouldn't care, but the other half is very concerned.

  • djones145 on 28/02/2022 - 19:12
    +5

    how's ur lifestyle and diet

    that kidney could get u some good $$$$

    • 900dollaridoos on 01/03/2022 - 18:49

      Noones organs are worth anything now that they're all surviving off homebrand food

  • Stopback on 28/02/2022 - 19:24

    No coffee every day or eating out as much

  • M8y on 28/02/2022 - 19:31
    +17

    Cut back on the rack and molly :(

  • onetwothreefour on 28/02/2022 - 19:32

    I had to stop eating smashed avo on toast for breakfast every day, I don't know how I will survive.

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