The rising cost of living is a concern for many Australians, but one parent's attempt to highlight the issue has sparked a wave of criticism and mockery online.

The parent, known as DunnyDoorBandit on social media, took to the platform to vent his frustration at the cost of his family’s recent Coles shopping trip, blaming Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's tax cuts for their financial woes.

However, the contents of their shopping trolley and his subsequent defence of their purchases have drawn more attention than their original complaint.

'$200 at Coles for this,' DunnyDoorBandit posted, alongside a photo of their shopping trolley.

'Yep, that tax cut is going to go a long way…to nowhere, also filled the car, $98.'

'Cheers, [Prime Minister Albanese], you liar.'

'We are now just wallets for governments & corporations to take from.'

A father posted a rant about his $200 grocery bill on social media. Image source: X/@DunnyDoorBandit.

The trolley, filled with items such as a 30-pack of Pepsi cans, several 600ml soft drink bottles, pot noodles, Coco Pops, chips, Nutella, steaks, and household items, including shampoo, quickly became the focus of the online community.

Many questioned the cost of the items, with some demanding to see an itemised receipt to prove the $200 total.

'You obviously woke up this morning and thought what could you be outraged at today because there’s zero chance that cost you anywhere near $200,' one commented.

'Show us the itemised receipt, very doubtful this cost $200,' another replied.

In response, DunnyDoorBandit shared a transaction screenshot showing the total came to $194.89 and provided a breakdown of the items, which also included shampoo and conditioner, cleaner, broccoli and cauliflower, bin bags, deodorant and personal items.

But instead of relenting, his doubters instead zeroed in on another detail.

One asked: 'Why do you eat like a first-year uni student?'

In response, he said that he had growing teenage boys 'who love to snack on things other than fresh [veggies] and fruits all the time'.

However, this did little to quell the criticism, with many pointing out the unhealthy nature of the food items and suggesting that better budgeting and shopping choices could have reduced the cost.

One user wrote: 'Why every time someone posts a picture of their trolley and blames our Prime Minister, it’s filled with stuff you don’t need for good healthy eating?'

Another added: 'You purchased nothing but junk food, I see why it cost you $200.’

‘I spent $175 on Thursday and got fruit and vegetables, three nights of meat, fish and chicken, half a kilo of prawns, six litres of milk, frozen peas and corn, wedges and spring rolls, one raisin loaf and two white.'

The father responded again, saying, 'That’s not the point, mate….twiggy sticks for a party used to be $10 three months ago, now $15.40. Why?’

‘The whole point is the fact that everything is on the rise with no end in sight and no control by those in power to do anything.‘

While the online mockery of DunnyDoorBandit's shopping choices may seem harsh, it does highlight a serious issue facing many Australians—the rising cost of living.

The annual inflation rate was 5.4 per cent in the September quarter, down from a peak of 7.8 per cent in December 2022.

Food prices have also increased by 4.8 per cent over the year.

Dairy and related products also saw a 10.2 per cent increase. Bread and cereal were up 9.7 per cent, meat and seafood rose 2.2 per cent, but fruit and vegetable prices fell 6.4 per cent compared to 12 months earlier.

It is understood that the latest inflation figures for the final quarter of 2023 will be released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Wednesday, January 31.

The average Aussie household also reportedly spent $182 on their weekly grocery shop in October 2023, according to comparison website Finder’s Consumer Sentiment Tracker.

Two in five (39 per cent) respondents also said their grocery shopping was causing them financial stress. That number doubled over the last three years, from 19 per cent in October 2020.

In the lead-up to Christmas, community food banks have also reported unprecedented demand from Aussies struggling to cope with the skyrocketing cost of living.

'We’re increasingly seeing mothers with babies and children and many of their partners work a full-time job, and they’re still unable to provide for their family,' Zuzana Droppa, OzHarvest’s Waterloo Market Manager, said.

'The price of everything is going up, and people are not being paid proportionally.'

Key Takeaways

• An angry parent blamed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for not providing sufficient tax cuts after a $200 Coles grocery shop that included mainly junk food and household items.
• Social media users criticised the parent's choice of items and suggested the need for better budgeting and shopping for healthier options.
• The parent defended their purchases, highlighting the rising prices of everyday items and expressing frustration over the perceived lack of control by the government.
• Amidst high inflation rates and increasing living costs, Australian households experience financial stress, with some choosing budget supermarkets for cheaper options, while food banks face unprecedented demand.

What are your thoughts on this story, dear members? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

 

[JKD]

If people checked the prices of items before they bought, they would have nothing to complain about. Change the way the way you shop - think then you wouldn't have to moan.

 

[HelenJo]

We all know that grocery and produce items are costing more and the end result at checkout is sometimes hard to take but if we are seriously determined to cut costs shop more wisely and have a week's menu worked out with a shopping list and ask yourself before putting extras in the trolley..."do I really need this"?

 

[ElizaKaye]

a 30-pack of Pepsi cans, several 600ml soft drink bottles, chips. When items are so expensive the items listed above are rubbish why why buy them and no good for your health.

 

[Margaret 9]

Gee, I must be a thrifty shopper then! I make a list of everything I need, BEFORE I go to the store and stick to that list, often NOT buying something if the price has gone up too much. I currently am lucky to have more than $30 a fortnight for shopping, I'm an Aged Pensioner, so there's no buying 'twiggy sticks' or any other 'luxury' item! My fortnightly shop usually consists of a small amount of fruit/veges, rolled oats, milk and bread! Again, nothing fancy!

 

[Iggydi]

If people don't shop the specials then the prices are ridiculous. Don't complain if you choose to buy these items.

 

[Lisa]

Seriously this man is a moron! The crap he has in his trolley is unbelievable then he makes the excuses about his teenage boys 'snacking' load of crap just excuses not to do a proper shop with healthy snacks, chicken would have been cheaper than the packets of steak, vegetables fruit and nuts cheaper than the ctn of Pepsi...this man has no idea

 

[Col@45]

Seriously this man is a moron! The crap he has in his trolley is unbelievable then he makes the excuses about his teenage boys 'snacking' load of crap just excuses not to do a proper shop with healthy snacks, chicken would have been cheaper than the packets of steak, vegetables fruit and nuts cheaper than the ctn of Pepsi...this man has no idea

All people have to do is stay away from the junk food aisle....it's not that hard !! You don't need that unhealthy stuff !! Especially Pepsi

 

[Annna]

Plan
A good way to tackle the shopping cart chore is to take some time before going to the shop.

Spending 30 minutes beforehand could save $$$. People can save by:

1. Deciding on what items you could cut out that you will replace with healthier items (including chips, soft drink, sweet biscuits, chocolate, ready made sauces loaded with sugar/salt etc);

2. Giving thought to what your meals will be in the coming week and making a note of ingredients that you'll need;

3. Checking fridge and pantry to write down what's missing;

4. Making a list and buying only those things.

Habit
The problem with some people is that they're in a routine (like having a regular shopping day/night and they automatically go shopping and buy repeat items from memory).

The Frustrated Shopper in this Article
The person who spent $194.89 on only items that have limited nutrition justified his purchases on being a parent of children who prefer junk food to food that would actually provide their bodies with the nutrition they need to function better.

With respect, that's a cop out.

Parents Have Jobs to do
Parents have many many duties when it comes to parenting. One of those is buying, cooking and providing food that will promote childrens' physical and mental health from day one through to teenage-hood and beyond even if the adult children stay at home.

Choices of the adult Parents
When parents don't buy junk food outside or stock it in the pantry, children don't eat it.

Reality
I'm not naive and accept that most children would likely help themselves to junk food in their teens, but a life of healthy eating prior to that would go a long way to not turn a curious teen into a junk food junky.

Parents
That again places the emphasis on parents.

Please don't say that it's so hard being a parent and that skimping on nutrition is the way to cope.

Feeding and teaching children about good food is not just important, it's vital.

If you're time poor, think of other things to cut out of your daily routine rather than putting good food down your children's throats.

If you can't cope, don't breed.

 

[Catherines]

Five minutes of fame for his stupidity! That says enough.

 

[Littleboy8]

Seriously this man is a moron! The crap he has in his trolley is unbelievable then he makes the excuses about his teenage boys 'snacking' load of crap just excuses not to do a proper shop with healthy snacks, chicken would have been cheaper than the packets of steak, vegetables fruit and nuts cheaper than the ctn of Pepsi...this man has no idea

Yeah where are the veggies,fruit,eggs, etc.

 

[Shane O'Neill]

The only thing worth eating is the steak that's junk food you need to go to Aldi prices are cheaper Pepsi max $28, shampoo, conditioner under $6 each, coco pops, get the Aldi brand mad in Spain taste's the same bigger box and cheaper than Kelloggs which you are paying for the name cornflakes the same cup noodles cheaper, chip's cheaper and never had a bad bit off meat from Aldi and guess what Australian product shop around and give the major supermarkets the arse and price's on the self aren't set by the government

 

[IAN3005]

If people checked the prices of items before they bought, they would have nothing to complain about. Change the way the way you shop - think then you wouldn't have to moan.

Don't complain.. don't shop at Coles or Woollies they are rip-off merchants... don't buy junk food.

 

[devildodger66666666666666]

Is amazing how RWNJ blame the present govt for the woes set up by the previous govt and the greed of big Business and multinationals

 

[NotNats]

Nope, that bill seem right to me - biggest money eater is the Pepsi Max as it can cost anywhere between $26.00 - $47.20 for a case of 30. And Coke Zero about the same. And remember if you buy a smaller case each can costs more. Remember not everyone is a HEALTH NUT or have the time to plan everything in their daily lives.

Plan
A good way to tackle the shopping cart chore is to take some time before going to the shop.

Spending 30 minutes beforehand could save $$$. People can save by:

1. Deciding on what items you could cut out that you will replace with healthier items (including chips, soft drink, sweet biscuits, chocolate, ready made sauces loaded with sugar/salt etc);

2. Giving thought to what your meals will be in the coming week and making a note of ingredients that you'll need;

3. Checking fridge and pantry to write down what's missing;

4. Making a list and buying only those things.

Habit
The problem with some people is that they're in a routine (like having a regular shopping day/night and they automatically go shopping and buy repeat items from memory).

The Frustrated Shopper in this Article
The person who spent $194.89 on only items that have limited nutrition justified his purchases on being a parent of children who prefer junk food to food that would actually provide their bodies with the nutrition they need to function better.

With respect, that's a cop out.

Parents Have Jobs to do
Parents have many many duties when it comes to parenting. One of those is buying, cooking and providing food that will promote childrens' physical and mental health from day one through to teenage-hood and beyond even if the adult children stay at home.

Choices of the adult Parents
When parents don't buy junk food outside or stock it in the pantry, children don't eat it.

Reality
I'm not naive and accept that most children would likely help themselves to junk food in their teens, but a life of healthy eating prior to that would go a long way to not turn a curious teen into a junk food junky.

Parents
That again places the emphasis on parents.

Please don't say that it's so hard being a parent and that skimping on nutrition is the way to cope.

Feeding and teaching children about good food is not just important, it's vital.

If you're time poor, think of other things to cut out of your daily routine rather than putting good food down your children's throats.

If you can't cope, don't breed.

That's a really NASTY comment at the end of your rant.

 

[featherfour]

Prime minister running around supermarkets, chucking expensive junk food into people's trolleys and increasing sticker prices with his trusty Sharpie I love it when people blame something as complex as this onto a single politician

 

[Kaio-Adams]

If food and everything else goes up why aren't payments go up too according to all the rise of rates, and everything else? That way people don't complain about the cost of their shopping..

 

[freedy50]

Firstly someone who has a user name of DunnyDoor shouldn't be taken seriously.

At least he bought Pepsi Max and not just 'fat' unhealthy coke.

 

[Lesle]

Shop somewhere else, somewhere where junk food is cheaper and so is personal hygiene products like the Reject Shop also cleaning products are cheaper there than the supermarkets If people would shop around they’d be amazed at how much money they’d save……….. just saying

 

[Leenie]

Is amazing how RWNJ blame the present govt for the woes set up by the previous govt and the greed of big Business and multinationals

All governments are the same parasites living off the gravy train, with no thought for the battler .