Caught on Camera: See how one Costco customer took money-pinching to new heights!
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While we all aim to save money when shopping for groceries, especially with the rising cost of living, there are times when some among us get a bit more inventive than standard bargain hunting.
Mix in a bit of boldness, and you've got the recipe for a sensation that captures attention.
Recently, one frugal lady found herself in the cyberspace spotlight, and her innovative, if not mildly shocking, money-stretching tactics have divided Australians.
The memorable event took place at Costco North Lakes in Queensland, a store renowned for providing freebies like the complimentary chopped brown onion at the food court, which is typically a favourite topping for hotdogs.
This day, however, saw the free onions disappear into not one but two soft drink cups held by an older woman, an act that has raised a fair number of eyebrows, both online and in-store.
While the woman's 'onion operation' was initially met with disbelief on a community Facebook page, it has quickly garnered nationwide attention and a range of responses on social media.
In the video, we see the woman standing at the onion dispenser, filling up her cups, and then walking away—only to return a little later to repeat the exercise, as the Facebook post reported.
The woman was approached by staff after filling up cups of free onions. She left initially but returned ten minutes later to repeat the same action.
The post also alleged that she had ‘plenty of cups in her bag’, implying that she filled up more than two cups.
It's caused quite a stir, prompting a thought-provoking debate: is this frugality madness or genius?
Responses have ranged from disgust to admiration: 'That is just disgusting, now I know why there’s never any onions,' some exclaimed.
Others defended the woman, attributing her actions to her age or possible financial constraints. Then some seemed to tip their hats to her, hailing her as a thrifty guru.
One commented, ‘Leave her alone. She’s elderly and maybe can’t afford much. She’s obviously paid for the cups as they don’t give them away.’
Another said, ‘That’s actually smart.’
Whether disapproving or admiring, one can't deny the desperation that rising prices and financial strains have imposed on people.
The cost of living experienced a growth of 0.8 per cent in the June quarter, with a yearly rise of 6 per cent, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
Although it was the lowest increase since September 2021, the impact remains significant.
Last October, Tasmania witnessed a substantial 30 per cent surge in supermarket shoplifting.
Tasmania Police Inspector Nathan Johnston attributed the increase to the rising cost of living and homelessness, which were contributing factors.
In March, it was reported that store theft in NSW rose by 23.7 per cent from 2021 to 2022.
Additionally, Queensland recorded the highest-ever monthly rate of theft in January.
Yet, it's not all doom and gloom. Rather than resort to drastic measures, there are plenty of legitimate strategies to extend the longevity of your groceries—such as proper storage to prevent spoilage, smart meal planning, and batch cooking.
Amidst the overwhelming cost of living pressures, it's increasingly vital to champion smart, responsible, and respectful savings behaviour.
This whole saga begs the question, where do we draw the line between frugality and theft?
That's something we'd love to hear your opinions on—drop your thoughts and experiences of thrifty measures gone overboard in the comments section!
Mix in a bit of boldness, and you've got the recipe for a sensation that captures attention.
Recently, one frugal lady found herself in the cyberspace spotlight, and her innovative, if not mildly shocking, money-stretching tactics have divided Australians.
At numerous Costco stores, the food court offers free onions as one of the available toppings for hotdogs. Source: Unsplash
The memorable event took place at Costco North Lakes in Queensland, a store renowned for providing freebies like the complimentary chopped brown onion at the food court, which is typically a favourite topping for hotdogs.
This day, however, saw the free onions disappear into not one but two soft drink cups held by an older woman, an act that has raised a fair number of eyebrows, both online and in-store.
While the woman's 'onion operation' was initially met with disbelief on a community Facebook page, it has quickly garnered nationwide attention and a range of responses on social media.
In the video, we see the woman standing at the onion dispenser, filling up her cups, and then walking away—only to return a little later to repeat the exercise, as the Facebook post reported.
The woman was approached by staff after filling up cups of free onions. She left initially but returned ten minutes later to repeat the same action.
A video captured a woman filling up cups with free onions at Costco in North Lakes, Queensland. Source: Tiktok/@zampe16
The post also alleged that she had ‘plenty of cups in her bag’, implying that she filled up more than two cups.
It's caused quite a stir, prompting a thought-provoking debate: is this frugality madness or genius?
Responses have ranged from disgust to admiration: 'That is just disgusting, now I know why there’s never any onions,' some exclaimed.
Others defended the woman, attributing her actions to her age or possible financial constraints. Then some seemed to tip their hats to her, hailing her as a thrifty guru.
One commented, ‘Leave her alone. She’s elderly and maybe can’t afford much. She’s obviously paid for the cups as they don’t give them away.’
Another said, ‘That’s actually smart.’
Watch the video here:
Whether disapproving or admiring, one can't deny the desperation that rising prices and financial strains have imposed on people.
The cost of living experienced a growth of 0.8 per cent in the June quarter, with a yearly rise of 6 per cent, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
Although it was the lowest increase since September 2021, the impact remains significant.
Last October, Tasmania witnessed a substantial 30 per cent surge in supermarket shoplifting.
Tasmania Police Inspector Nathan Johnston attributed the increase to the rising cost of living and homelessness, which were contributing factors.
In March, it was reported that store theft in NSW rose by 23.7 per cent from 2021 to 2022.
Additionally, Queensland recorded the highest-ever monthly rate of theft in January.
Yet, it's not all doom and gloom. Rather than resort to drastic measures, there are plenty of legitimate strategies to extend the longevity of your groceries—such as proper storage to prevent spoilage, smart meal planning, and batch cooking.
Amidst the overwhelming cost of living pressures, it's increasingly vital to champion smart, responsible, and respectful savings behaviour.
This whole saga begs the question, where do we draw the line between frugality and theft?
That's something we'd love to hear your opinions on—drop your thoughts and experiences of thrifty measures gone overboard in the comments section!
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