travelchic Posted August 11, 2013 Report Share Posted August 11, 2013 Hi all. Ok, so I know it is more expensive to shop in Perth if you compare to the UK and I know you can't really compare it because the wages are different. Well I have just come across my receipt for this weeks shop at Asda and was about to throw it in the bin when I thought, I know, I'll do an online shop with Coles and see how this compares to to my receipt. Now, this weeks shop was only small as there is only 2 of us and I did a bigger shop last week but I don't buy things unless I need them, even if they are on offer. This weeks shop was a grand total of £29.95. I tried to shop on Coles website for things that I considered to be of the same standard ie I bought a tub of asda vanilla ice cream for £1. I put a tub (same size) of vanilla (coles) ice cream in the basket etc etc. So, this weeks shop would have cost me $86.53. Now, I know for a fact that I could quite easily reduce this bill by tweaking. My shopping contained a pack of 6 muller corner yoghurt (my son loves them) which was £2 in asda. To buy the same amount in Perth I had to buy 6 separate ones (different make but same type of yoghurt) at a cost of $15.60. But my son doesn't just like those types of yogurts, he likes them all. Therefore, I would easily reduce my bill by buying a couple of big pots instead. Just a few small changes would make a difference. We are not looking to buy all 'British' brands and are happy to try all new foods. So to see if this was really comparable I decided to divide the cost of shopping by my hourly rate at work. To buy my Uk food shopping cost me the equivalent of 2.3 hours work. To buy my shopping in Perth would cost me the equivalent of 2.5 hour work. That's without tweaking. I don't think it's all that bad. I can manage with that. What does everyone else think. Debs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weedolly Posted August 11, 2013 Report Share Posted August 11, 2013 Apart from Rent and booze which am not really bothered about anyway I really don't find Perth anymore expensive, for example pasta in Coles $1, how much cheaper do people want. Buy toiletries when the offers are on, quite often Coles do the washing powder I use half price so I buy six, lasts months. Shopping is only as expensive as you make it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelchic Posted August 11, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2013 I don't really drink booze either. That doesn't mean I never drink because I do sometimes. However, because I've never got any money, if I wanna go out I usually offer to drive. Then friends who jump in m car usually keep me topped up with soft drinks. Plus I don't need it. I have a good time with or without. Without I don't get the big hangover the next day lol. The only thing I absolutely cannot live without is Internet. That's it. Internet. Easily pleased or what. Debs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jodipodi Posted August 11, 2013 Report Share Posted August 11, 2013 Never seen anyone compare it with hours worked...I like that it makes sense, like people say I agree that shopping can totally be as cheap or as expensive as you choose, I could easily spend about 20 quid more than Id like to if I bought lots of branded stuff or maybe if I didnt continue to bulk buy. I choose smartprice over mcvities for the kids biscuits and I used to buy stuff like Bold and Lenor, I tend to buy whatever is cheapest per wash now...I look for price per unit now when before Id just look and think hmmm looks more for the price when maybe it was unfounded brainwashing lol. Was plenty cheapy options when we had a reccie, we were in SA but still Coles Woolys etc. Think the more children I have added to my little family, the more savvy Ive gotten. I do love a REAL bar of galaxy though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelchic Posted August 11, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2013 I look at price per unit too. I try to make thing from scratch too but I do a bit of convenience in too for the odd day that I'm home from work later than expected. I freeze a lot too. As there is only the 2of us and one of us it little, I have always got pre-made food in there and as long as I am organised, we eat ok on a budget. I know the first shop will be expensive as I'll have nothing but after that we should be good. Debs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jodipodi Posted August 11, 2013 Report Share Posted August 11, 2013 You cant get away from convenience when youve got work or kids, its hard to anyway isnt it. Freezing is great, I hate waste..think its cos Im a cheapskate aaaahahaha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelchic Posted August 11, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2013 Ha ha. You should check out the http://www.perthpoms.com/forum/money-finance/10973-money-saving-ideas.html loads of ideas on there for saving money. Run out of ideas now lol. I seem to save some money then something crops up. My cat got run over a couple of weeks ago. That cost a fortune as you can imagine. My son was 18 in June. Every time I save a bit I have to spend a bit. Such as life eh. Debs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fifi69 Posted August 11, 2013 Report Share Posted August 11, 2013 I really like the way you think TC. As has been said before grocery shopping can be as expensive or as cheap as you make it. There is always specials on offer to stock up on. Mince at the mo is $5 a kilo and chicken breasts are $5 off in Coles, so while I've had a larger initial outlay I've know got a well stocked fridge and can set to work making plenty of meals to freeze. Coles is only one place, get yourself round Woolies, IGA, spud shed, Tony Ales they've also got there offers on and that's even before you start on your local butchers, fruit n veg, oriental shops. funny that you mention yogurt though, I've yet to come across a decently priced multi pack ie as in own brand cheaper like you can pick up in Asda etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonandsarah Posted August 12, 2013 Report Share Posted August 12, 2013 I used to Shop in tescos in the UK but now shop in coles in Perth I however get my meat fruit and veg at Drovers. Ive stocked the cupboard up with things on offer and buy WA grown and coles own brands Ive also learnt to buy meat in bulk works out cheaper. My husband decided to check out prices in the UK and did a comparison on tescos and we are spending less here meat is so much cheaper you have to learn to shop in season here which I don't mind fruit and veg can be cheaper here depending if its in season ok if its not its bloody expensive so I don't buy it. Not to mention fruit and veg here is about 4 times the size as uk stuff and so much more tastey makes me feel like a child again eating tomatoes straight from my granddads grean house. I cook most things from scratch so don't buy ready meals. Here I can afford to put treats in our trolley. I can honest say I don't find it that expensive tescos came up more expensive and my husband is earning 4 times more here than in the uk so yeah we are better off even without me working at the moment. sarah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
odies Posted August 12, 2013 Report Share Posted August 12, 2013 when looking about ,prices do not seem to bad in woolworths or coles, it's just choice I find to be the worst when there is so much in the uk and I would love a m&s and waitrose when I get there. You do get use to the difference in taste after a while and then I have to come back to the uk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StraighttothePoint Posted August 12, 2013 Report Share Posted August 12, 2013 As long as we all keep our hands in our pockets when going up and down the isles in Coles then the checkout costs are low My wife is a check out chick in Coles and she says the ones that moan the most are 1. Not Australians and 2. Those whose trolley(s) are packed to the gunnels and their bills are $300 / $400 per shop. Says it all really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelchic Posted August 12, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2013 I only use one of those half trolleys. Don't buy much to be fair so I don't think it will make that much difference to us. Debs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StraighttothePoint Posted August 12, 2013 Report Share Posted August 12, 2013 I am Scottish I use a basket Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou8670 Posted August 12, 2013 Report Share Posted August 12, 2013 Always look to the top and bottom shelves...not what's in your eye line and look for the cheapest per kg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyandJo Posted August 13, 2013 Report Share Posted August 13, 2013 I love to stand and look at the British Food on offer in the supermarkets, it always makes me smile -$6 for Tunnocks chocie bars!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
portlaunay Posted August 13, 2013 Report Share Posted August 13, 2013 Spices are cheap at the Asian supermarkets too. Every time I go I can't believe how little a huge bag of Star Anise is so I buy some. We have jars of the stuff but one in a cup of tea is lovely. 8 salmon fillets were going to cost $85 in Sealanes at the weekend but there's a family on Carrington street that have a fish shop in their garage and it was $50 there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest9824 Posted August 13, 2013 Report Share Posted August 13, 2013 Spices are cheap at the Asian supermarkets too. Every time I go I can't believe how little a huge bag of Star Anise is so I buy some. We have jars of the stuff but one in a cup of tea is lovely. 8 salmon fillets were going to cost $85 in Sealanes at the weekend but there's a family on Carrington street that have a fish shop in their garage and it was $50 there. ...sounds a bit fishy to me that Porty!!!!....., no? .....I wont give up my day job....oh, havent got one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
portlaunay Posted August 13, 2013 Report Share Posted August 13, 2013 It does sound a bit dodgy doesn't it. "Ere, darlin, wanna buy some cheap fish?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest9824 Posted August 13, 2013 Report Share Posted August 13, 2013 It does sound a bit dodgy doesn't it. "Ere, darlin, wanna buy some cheap fish?" ...yeah, 'meet me round the back of my garage, I'll show you me fillets!!!...Dodgy geezer!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taylors4 Posted August 13, 2013 Report Share Posted August 13, 2013 Well TC, we've been here about 2.5 months now and to be honest its swings and roundabouts. I normally shop in Wollies, IGA and love Spudshed (but am picky what I buy). I tend to do as I did in the UK, when its on offer bulk buy, freeze where I can, buy the stuff that's in season and I don't think its that bad. The odd thing is expensive, yogurts etc, you do have to be careful what you put in the trolley. We have always watched our pennies and I am more aware of waste here than I ever was in the UK. Another thing is that I seem to think people shop more every couple of days here apposed to doing a huge weekly/monthly shop - I have found this helps with budget and waste. What I would say is that people who haven't lived in the UK for a while are the ones who are winging about the cost of everything. As you know only too well, in recent years the wages have either gone down or been frozen and the price of food/fuel/heating etc has gone through the roof in the UK. Obviously housing is a biggie as it is bloody expensive here, but I can't see anywhere else where its a lot more expensive. Big W is great for household stuff, I was walking around there today thinking this is probably cheaper than in the UK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candygirl Posted August 14, 2013 Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 TC - you know you are my kinda Gal. I must admit, I have not thought about working out the hourly rates etc, good idea A bag of pasta over there is cheaper there than here in Spain. Mince and chicken are also cheaper there at the mo and of course Beef is a lot lot cheaper as I won't buy Spanish cuts and only go to the Brit butcher and have to pay a premium. As has been said, I think it is a case of shopping around and shopping wisely. I think I will get caught out for the first couple of shops, but have prepared for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou8670 Posted August 14, 2013 Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 Can you bulk buy from any of the stores? We're in Jersey and we shop with a local farm here who supply all of the local restaurants. We can order online and they deliver too. We often order 3kg of pasta, 3kg flour, 1kg goats cheese etc and herbs and spices are £2.50 for 400g. We used to pay £130-150 a week with the Coop over 3 years ago and now we pay less than £130 and the 3 kids are twice the size they were then and eating 3x as much! Love bulk buying! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancslass Posted August 24, 2013 Report Share Posted August 24, 2013 Hi all. Ok, so I know it is more expensive to shop in Perth if you compare to the UK and I know you can't really compare it because the wages are different. Well I have just come across my receipt for this weeks shop at Asda and was about to throw it in the bin when I thought, I know, I'll do an online shop with Coles and see how this compares to to my receipt. Now, this weeks shop was only small as there is only 2 of us and I did a bigger shop last week but I don't buy things unless I need them, even if they are on offer. This weeks shop was a grand total of £29.95. I tried to shop on Coles website for things that I considered to be of the same standard ie I bought a tub of asda vanilla ice cream for £1. I put a tub (same size) of vanilla (coles) ice cream in the basket etc etc. So, this weeks shop would have cost me $86.53. Now, I know for a fact that I could quite easily reduce this bill by tweaking. My shopping contained a pack of 6 muller corner yoghurt (my son loves them) which was £2 in asda. To buy the same amount in Perth I had to buy 6 separate ones (different make but same type of yoghurt) at a cost of $15.60. But my son doesn't just like those types of yogurts, he likes them all. Therefore, I would easily reduce my bill by buying a couple of big pots instead. Just a few small changes would make a difference. We are not looking to buy all 'British' brands and are happy to try all new foods. So to see if this was really comparable I decided to divide the cost of shopping by my hourly rate at work. To buy my Uk food shopping cost me the equivalent of 2.3 hours work. To buy my shopping in Perth would cost me the equivalent of 2.5 hour work. That's without tweaking. I don't think it's all that bad. I can manage with that. What does everyone else think. Debs It's not really the food shopping that is the problem, shopping around, farmers markets, bulk buying etc. seems to keep costs down here. I find meat quite reasonable to be honest and we tend to cook much more and freeze leftovers. It is all the other costs that make Perth expensive and I read the other week it is now more expensive to live here than Sydney. Now if you factor in rent or a mortgage and compare the costs with hourly wages you will see a huge cost difference. More and more doctors surgery's are now charging $70 to see the doctor, you do get a little back on medicare but there are loads of people not going to the doctors now because of the cost and if you get referred to a specialist then they are at least $150+ a time on top of scan costs, biopsies etc. Health care is very, very expensive and you have to pay for kids prescriptions! Car tax is around $600 per year, we just had our electric bill for 64 days and it was $475. If you don't have private health insurance with hospital cover you get taxed anyway at the end of the year so that's another $300 a month for the cover, that's a family policy though. We have kids and have to pay for items on a booklist at the start of the school year which is around $300 each child more at high school with all the text books they need. Not trying to put you off but we really do struggle with all that you don't budget for and don't think our kids would ever stand a chance of owning a home here until they hit 40! They wouldn't earn enough to borrow the amount needed to buy something here. Petrol is cheap though, but you need to drive so much more to get anywhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goat Posted August 25, 2013 Report Share Posted August 25, 2013 It's not really the food shopping that is the problem, shopping around, farmers markets, bulk buying etc. seems to keep costs down here. I find meat quite reasonable to be honest and we tend to cook much more and freeze leftovers. It is all the other costs that make Perth expensive and I read the other week it is now more expensive to live here than Sydney. Now if you factor in rent or a mortgage and compare the costs with hourly wages you will see a huge cost difference. More and more doctors surgery's are now charging $70 to see the doctor, you do get a little back on medicare but there are loads of people not going to the doctors now because of the cost and if you get referred to a specialist then they are at least $150+ a time on top of scan costs, biopsies etc. Health care is very, very expensive and you have to pay for kids prescriptions! Car tax is around $600 per year, we just had our electric bill for 64 days and it was $475. If you don't have private health insurance with hospital cover you get taxed anyway at the end of the year so that's another $300 a month for the cover, that's a family policy though. We have kids and have to pay for items on a booklist at the start of the school year which is around $300 each child more at high school with all the text books they need. Not trying to put you off but we really do struggle with all that you don't budget for and don't think our kids would ever stand a chance of owning a home here until they hit 40! They wouldn't earn enough to borrow the amount needed to buy something here. Petrol is cheap though, but you need to drive so much more to get anywhere. You only pau the medicare levy if you earn 168k as a couple family , as for the electric 475 bucks , there's only 2 of us but ours is 160 max Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonandsarah Posted August 26, 2013 Report Share Posted August 26, 2013 We've recently had our first house hold bills in - for a very large house, with 3 of us gas and electric both worked out at $14 per week and my water bill was $14.80 for for from 27th May - 15th August. Ok we only have air con no heating but when it was cold we were using a heater for our daughter but not spending anywhere near $475 for just electric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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