Aussies share what they've had to stop buying: 'Price is ridiculous'
- Replies 13
It’s no secret how much of a toll the rise in the cost of living has taken on Australians in the last few years.
With prices on a seemingly unstoppable upward spiral, it’s getting tougher and tougher to make ends meet, and people across the country are getting creative with their budgeting.
From grapes to cheese, meat, and even perfume–shoppers are leaving various items off their grocery lists to cut expenses, considering the continued financial strain on their wallets.
Recently, an interesting discussion sparked on social media, where people revealed the items they could no longer afford to buy at the supermarket.
‘What are you not buying anymore because the price is too high?’ asked one woman drawing in hundreds of responses.
Many were keen to share their money-saving advice to assist others in getting better value, such as making their yogurt, diluting milk, and using only half the usual amount of toothpaste.
One of the most common replies came from those who said they no longer buy grapes or watermelon.
‘Grapes. $23 a kilo here. We love our grapes,’ one woman wrote, and another said: ‘Watermelon–price is ridiculous per kilo.’
Some noted that these two fruits have become more expensive due to being out of season. However, one mum was shocked by the sale price of an entire watermelon at a whopping $39.
Furthermore, others mentioned they were reducing their consumption of dairy products, including milk, cheese, and yoghurt.
‘Cottage cheese has become a vogue diet food and the price is up, same with yoghurt. I buy much less and I love both of these!’ one woman shared.
‘I only buy sausages occasionally when reduced. Goodness, so many things are sometimes foods here now.’
‘Normal cow's milk. Not worth it when the stuff gives me a belly ache. Just might as well buy lactose-free or almond milk for a little bit extra. Or even cheese, that's way too expensive,’ added a second.
However, some budget-conscious shoppers suggested buying cheese blocks and shredding them at home.
‘Bottled water. Was $6.30 a slab last week and is $9.50 this week,’ another pointed out.
‘Roast lamb, cans of dog food, dog biscuits, alcohol etc. Even going out for dinner and a few drinks is a rare luxury nowadays. And with Christmas coming up, try to get things when on special,’ a second chimed in.
‘Lamb shanks. Used to be a cheap family meal with leftovers, now I can't find a single shank for less than what the whole meal used to cost!’ a third said.
Some mentioned they’ve quit indulging in treats like ice cream, chips, and chocolate.
‘I’ve stopped buying snacks. Smith's chips and balsamic vinegar ones. Just no way anymore. NO takeaway. No fresh milk, I can get long life for $1.50 a litre,’ shared a mum.
‘Halloumi cheese, steaks, treats, ice creams. If half price I still have to think about it and often walk away. Haven't purchased beer and soft drinks from any store in many years,’ wrote someone else.
Shoppers are also giving up on items like salmon, perfume, frozen chips, paper towels, fresh flowers, books, steak, premade meals, and eggs.
‘Any takeaway of any kind, including coffee, drinks, even water. Want a coffee then wait until you get home and make it using instant coffee and treat full cream milk,’ one person answered.
‘McDonald's. Only go there for a Happy Meal for my son occasionally, and that's it as the meals have gone up too much,’ one mum expressed.
‘Dog grooming, have learnt to do it myself, not perfect but good enough to pass...Have saved a fortune over the last 18 months of doing it,’ added another.
‘I gave up colouring my hair. Now am I totally grey, said to everyone if you don’t like it, suck it up, sunshine!’ a third joked.
While others offered cost-saving tips. One woman, for instance, described how she’s using less toothpaste.
‘A dentist I saw years ago said toothpaste only needs to cover the width of a toothbrush, not the length,’ she explained.
One person also found a way to use less laundry liquid after a significant price increase.
‘Can't use powder, but I'm finding that using half the recommended amount of liquid is still leaving clothes coming out clean. So still buying it but reducing the amount/frequency of the purchase,’ one shopper advised.
‘Also works for dishwashing powder!’ someone added.
‘Stopped buying veggies and fruit from Woolies and now getting it from the local farmers market so much cheaper and lasts twice as long,’ a third responded
One budgeter started making their yoghurt, which is much cheaper than buying it at the supermarket.
‘I heat milk, cool, add starter, mix, wrap it up, and 12 hours later, I have delicious yoghurt,’ they explained.
Meanwhile, someone said they saved hundreds by shopping for essentials at discount stores.
‘I shop at Costco, the Reject Shop, ALDI, Best & Less, op shops and wholesalers for fresh food. I even started collecting all 5 and 10-cent bottles and cans and coupons,’ she commented.
‘I've halved the price of milk by watering down full fat to make semi-skimmed. I hardly buy any meat, cut out yoghurts, cakes gave up making them,’ another said.
‘Shop by price per kilo. Compare brands and specials this way, specials aren't necessarily special,’ a third suggested.
Members, what items have you stopped buying due to their high prices? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
With prices on a seemingly unstoppable upward spiral, it’s getting tougher and tougher to make ends meet, and people across the country are getting creative with their budgeting.
From grapes to cheese, meat, and even perfume–shoppers are leaving various items off their grocery lists to cut expenses, considering the continued financial strain on their wallets.
Recently, an interesting discussion sparked on social media, where people revealed the items they could no longer afford to buy at the supermarket.
‘What are you not buying anymore because the price is too high?’ asked one woman drawing in hundreds of responses.
Many were keen to share their money-saving advice to assist others in getting better value, such as making their yogurt, diluting milk, and using only half the usual amount of toothpaste.
Australians are adjusting their grocery lists due to the high cost of living, with many finding fruits such as grapes and watermelon too expensive to buy. Image source: Pixabay
One of the most common replies came from those who said they no longer buy grapes or watermelon.
‘Grapes. $23 a kilo here. We love our grapes,’ one woman wrote, and another said: ‘Watermelon–price is ridiculous per kilo.’
Some noted that these two fruits have become more expensive due to being out of season. However, one mum was shocked by the sale price of an entire watermelon at a whopping $39.
Furthermore, others mentioned they were reducing their consumption of dairy products, including milk, cheese, and yoghurt.
‘Cottage cheese has become a vogue diet food and the price is up, same with yoghurt. I buy much less and I love both of these!’ one woman shared.
‘I only buy sausages occasionally when reduced. Goodness, so many things are sometimes foods here now.’
‘Normal cow's milk. Not worth it when the stuff gives me a belly ache. Just might as well buy lactose-free or almond milk for a little bit extra. Or even cheese, that's way too expensive,’ added a second.
However, some budget-conscious shoppers suggested buying cheese blocks and shredding them at home.
‘Bottled water. Was $6.30 a slab last week and is $9.50 this week,’ another pointed out.
‘Roast lamb, cans of dog food, dog biscuits, alcohol etc. Even going out for dinner and a few drinks is a rare luxury nowadays. And with Christmas coming up, try to get things when on special,’ a second chimed in.
‘Lamb shanks. Used to be a cheap family meal with leftovers, now I can't find a single shank for less than what the whole meal used to cost!’ a third said.
Some mentioned they’ve quit indulging in treats like ice cream, chips, and chocolate.
‘I’ve stopped buying snacks. Smith's chips and balsamic vinegar ones. Just no way anymore. NO takeaway. No fresh milk, I can get long life for $1.50 a litre,’ shared a mum.
‘Halloumi cheese, steaks, treats, ice creams. If half price I still have to think about it and often walk away. Haven't purchased beer and soft drinks from any store in many years,’ wrote someone else.
Shoppers are also giving up on items like salmon, perfume, frozen chips, paper towels, fresh flowers, books, steak, premade meals, and eggs.
‘Any takeaway of any kind, including coffee, drinks, even water. Want a coffee then wait until you get home and make it using instant coffee and treat full cream milk,’ one person answered.
‘McDonald's. Only go there for a Happy Meal for my son occasionally, and that's it as the meals have gone up too much,’ one mum expressed.
Some shoppers have stopped buying meals from Maccas to save money.
Image source: Pixabay
Image source: Pixabay
‘Dog grooming, have learnt to do it myself, not perfect but good enough to pass...Have saved a fortune over the last 18 months of doing it,’ added another.
‘I gave up colouring my hair. Now am I totally grey, said to everyone if you don’t like it, suck it up, sunshine!’ a third joked.
While others offered cost-saving tips. One woman, for instance, described how she’s using less toothpaste.
‘A dentist I saw years ago said toothpaste only needs to cover the width of a toothbrush, not the length,’ she explained.
One person also found a way to use less laundry liquid after a significant price increase.
‘Can't use powder, but I'm finding that using half the recommended amount of liquid is still leaving clothes coming out clean. So still buying it but reducing the amount/frequency of the purchase,’ one shopper advised.
‘Also works for dishwashing powder!’ someone added.
‘Stopped buying veggies and fruit from Woolies and now getting it from the local farmers market so much cheaper and lasts twice as long,’ a third responded
One budgeter started making their yoghurt, which is much cheaper than buying it at the supermarket.
‘I heat milk, cool, add starter, mix, wrap it up, and 12 hours later, I have delicious yoghurt,’ they explained.
Meanwhile, someone said they saved hundreds by shopping for essentials at discount stores.
‘I shop at Costco, the Reject Shop, ALDI, Best & Less, op shops and wholesalers for fresh food. I even started collecting all 5 and 10-cent bottles and cans and coupons,’ she commented.
‘I've halved the price of milk by watering down full fat to make semi-skimmed. I hardly buy any meat, cut out yoghurts, cakes gave up making them,’ another said.
‘Shop by price per kilo. Compare brands and specials this way, specials aren't necessarily special,’ a third suggested.
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