Thread: Fighting the rising cost of groceries

I love this thread, I thought I was being stingey knocking back a few family outings to pay for parts and tools.

I feel a whole lot better knowing there are bastards out there forcing their families to eat second grade meat so they can hoon around in a huge thristy V8/TD fourby

I think some, dobbo in particular, seem to think i started this thread because i cant afford to live or something and that rather than cut back on other luxuries i would rather skimp on shopping for my family. Which as usual is way off the mark. I started the thread because even the smallest shop these days where you seem to get bugger all costs over $50. So i post a thread to see what people do to save a few bucks here and there and make the most out of the shopping dollar. I dont need to cut back on pay tv or not have diff locks or what ever, my family eats fine. I was just curious to see what people did and after this thread i can do alot more to save a few more bucks so my family can have a few other luxuries, like a nice holiday at the end of the year or what ever.

So instead of turning a very contructive thread into one of personal attacks lets move on shall we can hear some more great ideas.

I remember on guiness world records ages ago they had a guy that lived on like $50 a week or maybe even less. He would buy everything in bulk, he would buy 4 ply toilet paper and separate the plies so he had 4 rolls from one (no im not joking) plus numerous other stuff to save a buck.

now i wouldnt go to these extremes cause i think thats a helluva lot of work to do to save a few cents on toilet paper, but with some resourcefulness you can save some money and still serve good meals up to your family.

mine is simple Ace

as the price of everyday living goes up so does my prices

Hahaha Hiline, I wish I could do that, I envy you!

But seriously, good thread ACE. It is only my partner and I and I know when we go to the shops it can cost a small fortune. It is always good to see what others do so one can change their own behaviour with shopping when the budget is tighter then we would like it to be.

But some times I find to save a few bucks just is not worth the effort whether it be because of space limitations, or initial outlay or the effort that goes in to doing the task.

I'm not scrounging for every dollar by any means nor do I go without but as you say it is nice to be able to go for that extra trip that you wouldn't of been able to afford or would of felt guilty for doing so if the effort is minimal.

To save a few bucks I tend to make my own bread and pasta and I grow a lot of veggies but seasons are a bugger in the mountains. Just as a note if you want to grow veggies and if you like beans plant some with some wire for them to grow up (about 5ft high). They take no effort to maintain except for picking and they have a good growing season and by the end of the time your ready not to eat another until the next year. four plants would probably stock a family of 4 every 2-3 days. I guess these are things I enjoy doing too so it doesn't bother me at all. But 7 bucks for a kilo of beans when my plants make that every 2 days.... what a rip off.

Xavier

Xavier

With us at the moment (wife just went back to work 2 days aweek) what I do is look at all the junk mail that comes in and see whats on special.

I like buying in bulk when ever I can especially for LL Milk and washing powder

Our fortnightly shop is around $200 but if somethings cheap I will buy alot of it and store it

Last time I bought washing powder it was $1.75/K so I bought 20 of them and so it has lasted us 6 months


Adam

Originally Posted by hiline

mine is simple Ace

as the price of everyday living goes up so does my prices

I wish it were that simple, the thing i hate most about teaching is the lack of opportunity for overtime or control over prices i charge (which i dont) and what not.

I know of a bloke who goes into production with his neighbours and the local butcher, all neighbours are on properties. One raises pork, one lambs the other beef. All have equal shares with any costs. I think it went two animals for the households, one for the butcher so three animals are in production at all times.

My better half is now living in Victoria (Dimboola / Horsham) and I will be moving there soon. One of the things she has commented on is how cheap food is down there. If you want to feel like you are saving money on groceries, live in Alice Springs for a while, then move away!