Aussies weigh in on which items they can't live without despite price hikes
- Replies 26
It's no secret that the cost of living has been on the rise in recent months. And while many of us have had to tighten our belts and make some tough choices when it comes to spending, there's no denying that there are some things that we just can't seem to give up...
Take, for example, iced coffee. Despite cafes increasing the prices of the "revered" beverage, we here at SDC still can't get enough of this cool, delicious drink. After all, most of us need our daily dose of caffeine to function, right?
Having said that, it is not surprising that shoppers have taken to social media to discuss the items that will always be a staple in their grocery lists.
In a popular Facebook group, a Victorian woman, who professed her commitment to brand-name butter, asked other group members about which items they would continue to purchase even if their finances became more constrained due to rising living costs.
"With rising grocery prices and the cost of living, what is one thing you WON'T compromise on?" the woman wrote in her post.
"I will never eat margarine instead of butter. It has to be Western Star butter."
Credit: Getty Images/AAP
While many group members agreed that they couldn't live without butter, not all of them had the same brand devotion.
One user replied: "Yeah, same. I don't care about the brand but it must be butter."
"Yuck to margarine–agreed!" one woman said, claiming that she regularly purchases organic butter from ALDI.
Several users said that they will continue to prioritise fresh produce despite dramatic price increases brought on by recent floods and cold snaps.
One comment read: "We will continue to buy fresh fruit and vegetables. I know it's just as good nutritionally, but frozen just doesn't taste the same."
"I have one child who will only eat iceberg lettuce and carrots. I wrap it in newspaper and it lasts longer," one woman said, claiming that she will never quit purchasing the vegetable regardless of how expensive it becomes.
A third chimed in: "I'm going to keep buying watermelon, it's my favourite fruit and although it's expensive as an individual item, you eat it across the week so it's worth it."
One mum said she spends a "considerable amount" of money on fruits, such as berries, bananas, and apples, noting that they are some of her daughter's favourites.
"And now that my son is starting solids I'm also buying more fresh veggies. Hate the frozen stuff," she added.
Credit: Getty Images
Another popular item that many can't seem to give up purchasing is Australian meat. (For obvious reasons: we produce some of the highest grade meats in the world.)
One user wrote: "I refuse to buy the imported stuff."
"Nothing but Porterhouse or Eye Fillet," another said.
A third added: "Definitely no Devon, it's fresh ham only."
Meanwhile, others are prioritising hygiene products such as toilet paper and tissues, saying that they will never cheap out on these sanitary essentials.
One comment read: "I need proper loo paper.”
"As an allergic rhinitis sufferer it has to be Kleenex tissues for me or I end up with sandpaper nose!" another said. (We definitely agree!)
As evidenced in this thread, it’s not surprising that a lot of shoppers are keeping quality essentials at the top of their shopping lists.
However, we find it a bit alarming that even if most items mentioned are “essentials”, a lot of people have pointed out that purchasing their favourite items is an act of indulgence. This just shows that with the rising costs of living, everything seems to be out of reach when you don’t have enough funds.
What are your thoughts on this? Better yet, do you mind sharing what grocery items will always be a staple in your shopping lists?
Take, for example, iced coffee. Despite cafes increasing the prices of the "revered" beverage, we here at SDC still can't get enough of this cool, delicious drink. After all, most of us need our daily dose of caffeine to function, right?
Having said that, it is not surprising that shoppers have taken to social media to discuss the items that will always be a staple in their grocery lists.
In a popular Facebook group, a Victorian woman, who professed her commitment to brand-name butter, asked other group members about which items they would continue to purchase even if their finances became more constrained due to rising living costs.
"With rising grocery prices and the cost of living, what is one thing you WON'T compromise on?" the woman wrote in her post.
"I will never eat margarine instead of butter. It has to be Western Star butter."
Credit: Getty Images/AAP
While many group members agreed that they couldn't live without butter, not all of them had the same brand devotion.
One user replied: "Yeah, same. I don't care about the brand but it must be butter."
"Yuck to margarine–agreed!" one woman said, claiming that she regularly purchases organic butter from ALDI.
Several users said that they will continue to prioritise fresh produce despite dramatic price increases brought on by recent floods and cold snaps.
One comment read: "We will continue to buy fresh fruit and vegetables. I know it's just as good nutritionally, but frozen just doesn't taste the same."
"I have one child who will only eat iceberg lettuce and carrots. I wrap it in newspaper and it lasts longer," one woman said, claiming that she will never quit purchasing the vegetable regardless of how expensive it becomes.
A third chimed in: "I'm going to keep buying watermelon, it's my favourite fruit and although it's expensive as an individual item, you eat it across the week so it's worth it."
One mum said she spends a "considerable amount" of money on fruits, such as berries, bananas, and apples, noting that they are some of her daughter's favourites.
"And now that my son is starting solids I'm also buying more fresh veggies. Hate the frozen stuff," she added.
Credit: Getty Images
Another popular item that many can't seem to give up purchasing is Australian meat. (For obvious reasons: we produce some of the highest grade meats in the world.)
One user wrote: "I refuse to buy the imported stuff."
"Nothing but Porterhouse or Eye Fillet," another said.
A third added: "Definitely no Devon, it's fresh ham only."
Meanwhile, others are prioritising hygiene products such as toilet paper and tissues, saying that they will never cheap out on these sanitary essentials.
One comment read: "I need proper loo paper.”
"As an allergic rhinitis sufferer it has to be Kleenex tissues for me or I end up with sandpaper nose!" another said. (We definitely agree!)
As evidenced in this thread, it’s not surprising that a lot of shoppers are keeping quality essentials at the top of their shopping lists.
However, we find it a bit alarming that even if most items mentioned are “essentials”, a lot of people have pointed out that purchasing their favourite items is an act of indulgence. This just shows that with the rising costs of living, everything seems to be out of reach when you don’t have enough funds.
What are your thoughts on this? Better yet, do you mind sharing what grocery items will always be a staple in your shopping lists?
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and was pleasantly surprised how good it was
