Comparing a Decade-Old Grocery Receipt to Today's Prices: The Shocking Reality of Rising Costs

As we grapple with the ever-rising cost of living, many of us yearn for a simpler way of life.

But when one Australian mum found an old Woolworths receipt from over a decade ago, it wasn't just the nostalgia that gave her a jolt.



The woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, stumbled upon the 'vintage' docket in the pocket of a jacket she hadn't worn since 2011.

She was initially shocked at the 'price of meat' before realising she had been reading the word wrong, and it was 'about the same price' as what she currently pays today.

But it was when other details on the docket were compared to like-for-like items available at supermarkets today that really revealed the price increases over the past 12 years.


photo-29.jpg
After discovering a 2011 Woolworths receipt, a mum was surprised when comparing grocery prices from a decade ago to those of today. Credit: TikTok/@iknowtegan/Woolworths.



However, some shoppers noticed that certain items had significantly increased in price and decreased in size over the past 12 years — a phenomenon known as ‘shrinkflation’.

Baby formula is the first item on the bill, and it, unfortunately, comes as no surprise that each can is now 100 grams smaller than when the docket was first printed.

'A weekly essential for some parents would blow my budget these days,' the mum wrote.



Chocolate is another everyday luxury that has gone up in price.

'Cadbury is now 180 grams and $5.50,' one woman commented.

The weekly purchase of avocados was still 'about the same', but other fresh produce, like capsicums and hass avocado, had gone up in price.

And as for the case of the meat prices not changing too much, it must be noted that back in 2011, the cost of lamb experienced a significant surge, surpassing that of beef for the very first time.



Alarming forecasts predicted it would reach $100 per kilo by 2012.

However, in 2023, the price of lamb dropped due to an increase in supply, which could explain why the cost of lamb cutlets isn't vastly different.

Upon conducting a thorough comparison of her 2011 purchases to similar products available today, she discovered that the overall cost of the items had increased by just over 39 per cent.

The groceries, which had initially cost $49.58, now amount to $73.83 in total.


A Comparison of Grocery Prices Between 2011 and Today.jpg
The difference in prices between 2011 and 2023. Credit: Seniors Discount Club.



Key Takeaways
  • An Australian mum found an old Woolworths receipt from over a decade ago and compared prices to current ones.
  • Some items, like baby formula and chocolate, have significantly increased in price and decreased in size over the past 12 years.
  • The price of meat has not changed significantly since 2011 due to fluctuations in supply and demand.
  • The overall cost of the items on the old receipt increased by just over 39 per cent, with the groceries that initially cost $49.58 now totalling $73.83.



There you have it, folks! This eye-opening discovery serves as a vital reminder for all of us: be mindful of where our hard-earned money is going and always compare prices to make sure we’re getting the best value for our purchases.

To provide more perspective, you might also want to read this article where we shared how one shopper discovered the price differences between goods sold in 1992 and 2023.

Have any of you ever discovered any old receipts or other objects that have surprised you? Tell us all about it in the comments below! We'd love to hear your stories.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Liag and Granny*Deb
Sponsored
I agree with increasing luxury items and reducing staples; however supermarkets (and all other stores) will increase staples but pay their suppliers almost the same price or a pittance for the raw materials because the supermarket giants know we have to eat 'something'. They keep increasing the cost of food and filling their own pockets.
Is there justification in increasing a product by 20-30% and selling thousands of that item at the inflated price? It is not as though only half a dozen items are being sold - it is thousands, rather millions, of each item across all their stores nationwide. By doing this they increase their profits by 20-30% (actually more because "size does matter"!! ) but they decrease those items in size to try and hoodwink us into thinking we're buying the same quantity and saying 'raw materials have increased or import costs and delays have become more costly'. Rubbish - we are not stupid.
 
I have wonder why new mums use baby formula? I really don't remember it being around when my kids were babies. And as for toddler formula, wake up parents, feed your children properly and you don't have to substitute for bizarrely priced canned stuff
 
As we grapple with the ever-rising cost of living, many of us yearn for a simpler way of life.

But when one Australian mum found an old Woolworths receipt from over a decade ago, it wasn't just the nostalgia that gave her a jolt.



The woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, stumbled upon the 'vintage' docket in the pocket of a jacket she hadn't worn since 2011.

She was initially shocked at the 'price of meat' before realising she had been reading the word wrong, and it was 'about the same price' as what she currently pays today.

But it was when other details on the docket were compared to like-for-like items available at supermarkets today that really revealed the price increases over the past 12 years.


View attachment 17691
After discovering a 2011 Woolworths receipt, a mum was surprised when comparing grocery prices from a decade ago to those of today. Credit: TikTok/@iknowtegan/Woolworths.



However, some shoppers noticed that certain items had significantly increased in price and decreased in size over the past 12 years — a phenomenon known as ‘shrinkflation’.

Baby formula is the first item on the bill, and it, unfortunately, comes as no surprise that each can is now 100 grams smaller than when the docket was first printed.

'A weekly essential for some parents would blow my budget these days,' the mum wrote.



Chocolate is another everyday luxury that has gone up in price.

'Cadbury is now 180 grams and $5.50,' one woman commented.

The weekly purchase of avocados was still 'about the same', but other fresh produce, like capsicums and hass avocado, had gone up in price.

And as for the case of the meat prices not changing too much, it must be noted that back in 2011, the cost of lamb experienced a significant surge, surpassing that of beef for the very first time.



Alarming forecasts predicted it would reach $100 per kilo by 2012.

However, in 2023, the price of lamb dropped due to an increase in supply, which could explain why the cost of lamb cutlets isn't vastly different.

Upon conducting a thorough comparison of her 2011 purchases to similar products available today, she discovered that the overall cost of the items had increased by just over 39 per cent.

The groceries, which had initially cost $49.58, now amount to $73.83 in total.


View attachment 17690
The difference in prices between 2011 and 2023. Credit: Seniors Discount Club.



Key Takeaways

  • An Australian mum found an old Woolworths receipt from over a decade ago and compared prices to current ones.
  • Some items, like baby formula and chocolate, have significantly increased in price and decreased in size over the past 12 years.
  • The price of meat has not changed significantly since 2011 due to fluctuations in supply and demand.
  • The overall cost of the items on the old receipt increased by just over 39 per cent, with the groceries that initially cost $49.58 now totalling $73.83.



There you have it, folks! This eye-opening discovery serves as a vital reminder for all of us: be mindful of where our hard-earned money is going and always compare prices to make sure we’re getting the best value for our purchases.

To provide more perspective, you might also want to read this article where we shared how one shopper discovered the price differences between goods sold in 1992 and 2023.

Have any of you ever discovered any old receipts or other objects that have surprised you? Tell us all about it in the comments below! We'd love to hear your stories.
The cost of living has indeed gone up, but, wages have too. We have to remember that we are paying other workers wages when we pay for goods and services.
 
  • Wow
Reactions: Jarred Santos
I agree with increasing luxury items and reducing staples; however supermarkets (and all other stores) will increase staples but pay their suppliers almost the same price or a pittance for the raw materials because the supermarket giants know we have to eat 'something'. They keep increasing the cost of food and filling their own pockets.
Is there justification in increasing a product by 20-30% and selling thousands of that item at the inflated price? It is not as though only half a dozen items are being sold - it is thousands, rather millions, of each item across all their stores nationwide. By doing this they increase their profits by 20-30% (actually more because "size does matter"!! ) but they decrease those items in size to try and hoodwink us into thinking we're buying the same quantity and saying 'raw materials have increased or import costs and delays have become more costly'. Rubbish - we are not stupid.
Yet we still have to eat, therefore we are forced to pay exorbitant prices
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jarred Santos

Join the conversation

News, deals, games, and bargains for Aussies over 60. From everyday expenses like groceries and eating out, to electronics, fashion and travel, the club is all about helping you make your money go further.

Seniors Discount Club

The SDC searches for the best deals, discounts, and bargains for Aussies over 60. From everyday expenses like groceries and eating out, to electronics, fashion and travel, the club is all about helping you make your money go further.
  1. New members
  2. Jokes & fun
  3. Photography
  4. Nostalgia / Yesterday's Australia
  5. Food and Lifestyle
  6. Money Saving Hacks
  7. Offtopic / Everything else
  • We believe that retirement should be a time to relax and enjoy life, not worry about money. That's why we're here to help our members make the most of their retirement years. If you're over 60 and looking for ways to save money, connect with others, and have a laugh, we’d love to have you aboard.
  • Advertise with us

User Menu

Enjoyed Reading our Story?

  • Share this forum to your loved ones.
Change Weather Postcode×
Change Petrol Postcode×