As the cost of living continues to rise, many people are finding it increasingly difficult to keep up with the prices of basic necessities, including food.

Inflation has well and truly hit the prices of many common grocery items, leaving shoppers with less bang for their buck. As a result, many Aussies have been forced to adjust their grocery budgets and be more strategic with their shopping lists.

In fact, it's not uncommon to see fewer items in grocery trolleys these days as people prioritise essentials and make tough choices about what to buy.

This trend has been further highlighted by a viral grocery haul, which outraged many shoppers around the country.

A photo of the purchase — which included only a handful of items, such as a block of cheese, mince, cordial, eggs, and a packet of wraps — has made the rounds on social media after it was revealed that it cost the shopper $78.

This alarming image reveals the harsh truth of Australia's cost of living crisis by illuminating how little consumers receive for their nearly $80 grocery bill at the moment. Credit: Reddit.

Many Aussies were shocked by the high price, given how little they were able to get for their money.

'Cheese is so expensive at the moment. It must be laced with gold or something. It definitely racked up your grocery bill,’ commented one shopper.

Many others pointed out how it’s increasingly difficult to make ends meet given that groceries now cost ‘an arm and a leg’.

One user shared: ‘Shopping just makes me sad these days. I do a lot of standing, looking at aisles and then walking away as everything is just too expensive.’

Others suggested that shoppers should make the switch and go to cheaper supermarkets such as ALDI.

'Go to ALDI. The prices have increased, but nowhere near the prices of Coles and Woolworths,' said one user comment.

'500g of beef mince is about six bucks at ALDI, less than half the price of Coles and Woolworths.'

Another shared: 'Last week, I ordered $200 worth of groceries, and I definitely didn't get that many things. Worse still, I'm on a fixed income and can't save any money. Most of it is being used up per fortnight.'

‘I genuinely feel like I'm getting robbed every time I shop at Woolies or Coles, but it's just not feasible for most people to go to the markets a couple of times a week or buy from four different shops, especially those who work big hours,’ a third added.

It's important to acknowledge that we have previously reported on stories about shoppers being outraged over a photo of an 'expensive' grocery haul.

However, what's concerning is that this recent photo seems to reflect the reality that most of us face — that over time, it appears we're buying fewer items while paying more for them.

This trend raises significant questions about the economic factors driving such a shift in consumer behaviour and warrants further investigation.

It's also worth noting that the recent price hike in grocery items is happening while Woolworths reported a 25 per cent increase in profit, and Coles recorded an 11 per cent increase in the last six months leading up to December.

This has lead many to wonder why the profits of these companies are rising while customers are getting less for their money.

Woolworths' CEO Brad Banducci observed that consumers were adjusting their shopping habits due to the impact of inflation on their household budgets, claiming that consumers were increasingly choosing cheaper private-label groceries.

He also added that there’s a shift towards the preference for canned foods and fewer people dining out.

Mr Banducci said: 'Inflation is continuing to affect how customers shop but the overall impact on our business at this stage remains modest.’

'Inflation is coming down but not as quickly as we would like. We remain very focused on ensuring that customers can get their money's worth through our various programs of price drops, low-price specials, personalised offers and range curation.'

Marion Kohler, the Reserve Bank of Australia's Head of Economic Analysis, is reassuring people that this inflation is temporary and will decrease soon.

However, it's uncertain how much relief this will bring to those struggling with higher prices.

Key Takeaways

• A picture of an average grocery haul for $78.80 went viral, exposing the brutal reality of Australia’s cost of living crisis.
• Many Aussies were outraged over how little they got for almost $80.
• The Reserve Bank of Australia has been hiking interest rates since May 2022 in response to soaring inflation.
• Woolworths said they understand the cost of living pressures and have a new Price Dropped program with thousands of weekly specials and Own Brand products at low prices.

Members, if you're finding it challenging to save money and struggling with the ever-increasing prices of your weekly grocery shop, please know that you're not alone.

To help you keep your pantry stocked with quality ingredients without breaking the bank, we've put together a few tips for supermarket shopping:

1. Look out for specials: Keep an eye on sales and consider buying items in bulk to save money.
2. Try your local independent grocer: Independent grocers often offer fresh produce and competitive prices.
3. Buy frozen and canned products: Frozen and canned produce can cost 50-75 per cent less than fresh options but are just as nutritious.
4. Don't shop when you're hungry: Shopping on an empty stomach usually leads to more impulse buys, so eat beforehand.

So what do you think, members? Have you recently noticed an increase in food prices here in Australia? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

 

[MindyMac]

We have just finished our pension day shopping. Today the bill was about twice the money it was last year. $254 compared to $146 in Nov 2022.

I keep records as well. I know exactly how much I spent, the date and the amount, plus the items and the prices for those items.

 

[Lesleymorris58]

As the cost of living continues to rise, many people are finding it increasingly difficult to keep up with the prices of basic necessities, including food.

Inflation has well and truly hit the prices of many common grocery items, leaving shoppers with less bang for their buck. As a result, many Aussies have been forced to adjust their grocery budgets and be more strategic with their shopping lists.

In fact, it's not uncommon to see fewer items in grocery trolleys these days as people prioritise essentials and make tough choices about what to buy.

This trend has been further highlighted by a viral grocery haul, which outraged many shoppers around the country.

A photo of the purchase — which included only a handful of items, such as a block of cheese, mince, cordial, eggs, and a packet of wraps — has made the rounds on social media after it was revealed that it cost the shopper $78.

This alarming image reveals the harsh truth of Australia's cost of living crisis by illuminating how little consumers receive for their nearly $80 grocery bill at the moment. Credit: Reddit.

Many Aussies were shocked by the high price, given how little they were able to get for their money.

'Cheese is so expensive at the moment. It must be laced with gold or something. It definitely racked up your grocery bill,’ commented one shopper.

Many others pointed out how it’s increasingly difficult to make ends meet given that groceries now cost ‘an arm and a leg’.

One user shared: ‘Shopping just makes me sad these days. I do a lot of standing, looking at aisles and then walking away as everything is just too expensive.’

Others suggested that shoppers should make the switch and go to cheaper supermarkets such as ALDI.

'Go to ALDI. The prices have increased, but nowhere near the prices of Coles and Woolworths,' said one user comment.

'500g of beef mince is about six bucks at ALDI, less than half the price of Coles and Woolworths.'

Another shared: 'Last week, I ordered $200 worth of groceries, and I definitely didn't get that many things. Worse still, I'm on a fixed income and can't save any money. Most of it is being used up per fortnight.'

‘I genuinely feel like I'm getting robbed every time I shop at Woolies or Coles, but it's just not feasible for most people to go to the markets a couple of times a week or buy from four different shops, especially those who work big hours,’ a third added.

It's important to acknowledge that we have previously reported on stories about shoppers being outraged over a photo of an 'expensive' grocery haul.

However, what's concerning is that this recent photo seems to reflect the reality that most of us face — that over time, it appears we're buying fewer items while paying more for them.

This trend raises significant questions about the economic factors driving such a shift in consumer behaviour and warrants further investigation.

It's also worth noting that the recent price hike in grocery items is happening while Woolworths reported a 25 per cent increase in profit, and Coles recorded an 11 per cent increase in the last six months leading up to December.

This has lead many to wonder why the profits of these companies are rising while customers are getting less for their money.

Woolworths' CEO Brad Banducci observed that consumers were adjusting their shopping habits due to the impact of inflation on their household budgets, claiming that consumers were increasingly choosing cheaper private-label groceries.

He also added that there’s a shift towards the preference for canned foods and fewer people dining out.

Mr Banducci said: 'Inflation is continuing to affect how customers shop but the overall impact on our business at this stage remains modest.’

'Inflation is coming down but not as quickly as we would like. We remain very focused on ensuring that customers can get their money's worth through our various programs of price drops, low-price specials, personalised offers and range curation.'

Marion Kohler, the Reserve Bank of Australia's Head of Economic Analysis, is reassuring people that this inflation is temporary and will decrease soon.

However, it's uncertain how much relief this will bring to those struggling with higher prices.

Key Takeaways

• A picture of an average grocery haul for $78.80 went viral, exposing the brutal reality of Australia’s cost of living crisis.
• Many Aussies were outraged over how little they got for almost $80.
• The Reserve Bank of Australia has been hiking interest rates since May 2022 in response to soaring inflation.
• Woolworths said they understand the cost of living pressures and have a new Price Dropped program with thousands of weekly specials and Own Brand products at low prices.

Members, if you're finding it challenging to save money and struggling with the ever-increasing prices of your weekly grocery shop, please know that you're not alone.

To help you keep your pantry stocked with quality ingredients without breaking the bank, we've put together a few tips for supermarket shopping:

1. Look out for specials: Keep an eye on sales and consider buying items in bulk to save money.
2. Try your local independent grocer: Independent grocers often offer fresh produce and competitive prices.
3. Buy frozen and canned products: Frozen and canned produce can cost 50-75 per cent less than fresh options but are just as nutritious.
4. Don't shop when you're hungry: Shopping on an empty stomach usually leads to more impulse buys, so eat beforehand.

So what do you think, members? Have you recently noticed an increase in food prices here in Australia? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

If it wasn’t for 3 of my daughters inviting me over every week for dinner I wouldn’t be able to afford anything groceries are just so expensive, I used to buy a ok of potato chips every fortnight, can’t do that now gone from $2:10 to a whopping $6:50 plus in 4months, it’s just ridiculous

 

[Loz.]

This person has to be the worse shopper ever. But the stores supply items like brioche because some people are willing to pay the price. For the amount of money, I could have done amazing purchases and several meals in that amount. It cost me about $25 and made 16 Bolognese ready-made meals and 9 meat patties ready with with carrot, onion, French onion soup, tomato paste... Not bad. With some spaghetti and bread toast for some hamburgers with patties, side salads add $2. + $10 for salads. total cost $25 + $2 + $11 = $37.00 for 24 meals = $1.52 a meal. Woollies had drumsticks on sale for $2.50 per kilo about 2.5 weeks ago. 6 kilos = $15.00 or a little over. I made several meals. All frozen in freezer.

I agree

 

[Loz.]

I definitely agree with Mindy Mac

 

[Babbie]

This person has to be the worse shopper ever. But the stores supply items like brioche because some people are willing to pay the price. For the amount of money, I could have done amazing purchases and several meals in that amount. It cost me about $25 and made 16 Bolognese ready-made meals and 9 meat patties ready with with carrot, onion, French onion soup, tomato paste... Not bad. With some spaghetti and bread toast for some hamburgers with patties, side salads add $2. + $10 for salads. total cost $25 + $2 + $11 = $37.00 for 24 meals = $1.52 a meal. Woollies had drumsticks on sale for $2.50 per kilo about 2.5 weeks ago. 6 kilos = $15.00 or a little over. I made several meals. All frozen in freezer.

I agree, you can always find a bargain, I actually enjoy it. I buy a lot of reduced goods, canned tuna is great and salads are always being tossed out on special. Will try the meat patties, sound good!