Comments on: The Cost of Living in Australia: Groceries http://www.bobinoz.com/blog/2021/the-cost-of-living-in-australia-groceries/ What it's Really Like Living in Australia Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:07:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Chris http://www.bobinoz.com/blog/2021/the-cost-of-living-in-australia-groceries/#comment-4248 Chris Thu, 17 Nov 2011 23:18:07 +0000 http://www.bobinoz.com/blog/?p=2021#comment-4248 Shawn after living in the U.K on and off for 8 years, I too was so shocked when I came back to Melbourne and spent $40 on about 5 items, in my head I was still spending pounds and could not believe how far the dollar didn't seem to go anymore. But after getting back to work (as an electrician) and seeing I was now earning around $35 an hour compared to £12.50 it soon became clear you can not compare the living costs on just a straight swap. I realise this is 2 years after your post, I only just read this and now the dollar gets you around 65p so things have changed again, but I am very interested in what expat English think of our living costs, it seems to have sky rocketed here, but then again I remember taking 20 quid into Sainsbury's in 2005 and coming out with two full baskets, you certainly can't do that anymore, so prices have gone up over there too, but my wage didn't. Shawn after living in the U.K on and off for 8 years, I too was so shocked when I came back to Melbourne and spent $40 on about 5 items, in my head I was still spending pounds and could not believe how far the dollar didn’t seem to go anymore. But after getting back to work (as an electrician) and seeing I was now earning around $35 an hour compared to £12.50 it soon became clear you can not compare the living costs on just a straight swap.

I realise this is 2 years after your post, I only just read this and now the dollar gets you around 65p so things have changed again, but I am very interested in what expat English think of our living costs, it seems to have sky rocketed here, but then again I remember taking 20 quid into Sainsbury’s in 2005 and coming out with two full baskets, you certainly can’t do that anymore, so prices have gone up over there too, but my wage didn’t.

]]> By: Tracy http://www.bobinoz.com/blog/2021/the-cost-of-living-in-australia-groceries/#comment-4042 Tracy Sat, 22 Oct 2011 10:25:47 +0000 http://www.bobinoz.com/blog/?p=2021#comment-4042 Just moved to Oz from Canada... trying to eat healthfully on meager blogging wages... it's tough times!!! It seems like my grocery bills are almost twice as much per week than it was back home! And that's not even organic food or anything :/ That's shopping at Coles. However, my boyfriend, who now works as a casual at Coles makes $22 an hour.... starting wage. Which is outrageous(ly awesome) to me.... the same thing back home would earn probably 11 at the most. So even though food is more expensive here compared to Canada, at least they get paid decently here! But yeah.... the point is - it kind of sucks buying groceries in Oz when you are just a struggling blogger without a work visa. Just moved to Oz from Canada… trying to eat healthfully on meager blogging wages… it’s tough times!!! It seems like my grocery bills are almost twice as much per week than it was back home! And that’s not even organic food or anything :/ That’s shopping at Coles.

However, my boyfriend, who now works as a casual at Coles makes $22 an hour…. starting wage. Which is outrageous(ly awesome) to me…. the same thing back home would earn probably 11 at the most. So even though food is more expensive here compared to Canada, at least they get paid decently here!

But yeah…. the point is – it kind of sucks buying groceries in Oz when you are just a struggling blogger without a work visa.

]]> By: retry http://www.bobinoz.com/blog/2021/the-cost-of-living-in-australia-groceries/#comment-2831 retry Tue, 24 May 2011 02:01:55 +0000 http://www.bobinoz.com/blog/?p=2021#comment-2831 interesting, diesel is cheaper here right now...by about 20 cents a gallon. But diesel is really rare in the US now due to a stigma about air pollution from the 80s. I'm not even sure you can buy a new diesel passenger car anymore. Just went to ALDI today in fact. Carried a whole watermelon home about 800 meters. Read a thing in the news about how unemployed can't afford gas to go job seeking right now. They tried to make me feel sympathy for a girl that had to walk a whole 1.6km to a job interview. I think I walked 5km today just around the hood taking care of usual errands. It's a pleasure when the weather is good. Americans are mental. interesting, diesel is cheaper here right now…by about 20 cents a gallon. But diesel is really rare in the US now due to a stigma about air pollution from the 80s. I’m not even sure you can buy a new diesel passenger car anymore.

Just went to ALDI today in fact. Carried a whole watermelon home about 800 meters. Read a thing in the news about how unemployed can’t afford gas to go job seeking right now. They tried to make me feel sympathy for a girl that had to walk a whole 1.6km to a job interview. I think I walked 5km today just around the hood taking care of usual errands. It’s a pleasure when the weather is good. Americans are mental.

]]> By: COL B. http://www.bobinoz.com/blog/2021/the-cost-of-living-in-australia-groceries/#comment-2821 COL B. Mon, 23 May 2011 09:17:48 +0000 http://www.bobinoz.com/blog/?p=2021#comment-2821 Retry- well, I drive a four cylinder vehicle and only ever go out shopping once a fortnight. I stock up well. I thank Bob for giving you the fuel tank costs here in Oz, he pretty well summed it up for you on our behalf. And hey, diesel fuel may cost more than unleaded fuel but it goes much further distance-wise. Retry- well, I drive a four cylinder vehicle and only ever go out shopping once a fortnight. I stock up well. I thank Bob for giving you the fuel tank costs here in Oz, he pretty well summed it up for you on our behalf. And hey, diesel fuel may cost more than unleaded fuel but it goes much further distance-wise.

]]> By: BobinOz http://www.bobinoz.com/blog/2021/the-cost-of-living-in-australia-groceries/#comment-2815 BobinOz Mon, 23 May 2011 08:10:35 +0000 http://www.bobinoz.com/blog/?p=2021#comment-2815 Hi Col B and retry My wife tends to have a once weekly trip over to our nearest Aldi supermarket, she always comes back with a big bag of goodies including my green tea. But I do have to confess, I'm one of those that thought that Aldi was a bit behind when it comes to quality. Mind you, I've been very happy with the four glass bathroom shelves I bought from them which cost just $20 each compared with $70 that Bunnings wanted. I've never seen a Trader Joe's here, and hopefully one will show up soon. I have been to one in America, so I know that they are pretty good. Retry, petrol here is currently hovering between $1.40 and $1.50 per litre, so that's over six dollars a gallon. So you're still getting your petrol cheaper than us. Col B, you have given such a fantastic reference to Aldi's foods, I think my mouth started to water when you were talking about those hotdogs, that I'm going to ask Mrs BobinOz to buy at least two big bags of goodies next time she goes. By the way, our nearest Aldi store is about 20 km away I would think, but we did hear a rumour that one might get built in our suburb. But that was before the floods. Anyway, thank you both for making me look at Aldi in a different light. Hi Col B and retry

My wife tends to have a once weekly trip over to our nearest Aldi supermarket, she always comes back with a big bag of goodies including my green tea. But I do have to confess, I’m one of those that thought that Aldi was a bit behind when it comes to quality.

Mind you, I’ve been very happy with the four glass bathroom shelves I bought from them which cost just $20 each compared with $70 that Bunnings wanted.

I’ve never seen a Trader Joe’s here, and hopefully one will show up soon. I have been to one in America, so I know that they are pretty good. Retry, petrol here is currently hovering between $1.40 and $1.50 per litre, so that’s over six dollars a gallon. So you’re still getting your petrol cheaper than us.

Col B, you have given such a fantastic reference to Aldi’s foods, I think my mouth started to water when you were talking about those hotdogs, that I’m going to ask Mrs BobinOz to buy at least two big bags of goodies next time she goes. By the way, our nearest Aldi store is about 20 km away I would think, but we did hear a rumour that one might get built in our suburb.

But that was before the floods.

Anyway, thank you both for making me look at Aldi in a different light.

]]> By: retry http://www.bobinoz.com/blog/2021/the-cost-of-living-in-australia-groceries/#comment-2809 retry Sun, 22 May 2011 04:31:03 +0000 http://www.bobinoz.com/blog/?p=2021#comment-2809 Word. If ALDI can do it, these other stores can too. It just goes to show how much they gouge us. Interesting to hear that the same pattern holds in both Oz and the US. 38km away? Wow man, you must burn a lot of gas to get around. Once the weather is good, I can walk to ALDI, TJ's and coventional grocery stores. They're all within 800 meters. Now I wonder what you guys pay for gas. It's up to $4.70 a gallon (roughly 4 liters) here in Chicago, but that's some of the highest prices in the country. You know us americans expect our gas cheap. Word.

If ALDI can do it, these other stores can too. It just goes to show how much they gouge us. Interesting to hear that the same pattern holds in both Oz and the US. 38km away? Wow man, you must burn a lot of gas to get around. Once the weather is good, I can walk to ALDI, TJ’s and coventional grocery stores. They’re all within 800 meters. Now I wonder what you guys pay for gas. It’s up to $4.70 a gallon (roughly 4 liters) here in Chicago, but that’s some of the highest prices in the country. You know us americans expect our gas cheap.

]]> By: COL B. http://www.bobinoz.com/blog/2021/the-cost-of-living-in-australia-groceries/#comment-2808 COL B. Sun, 22 May 2011 01:28:46 +0000 http://www.bobinoz.com/blog/?p=2021#comment-2808 As far as I know about Trader Joe's in my country, yes there is. I only go to two separate Aldi Stores the same distances from my home at Elmore which is a small town on the high riverbank side of the Campaspe River in the state of Victoria The two Aldis are thirty-eight kilometres away north & south of here. Both have Trader Joes in the stores but not so yuppie's prices, in fact Trader Joes here at the two stores (at Bendigo and Echuca) are very competitive for cheap but good quality stuff. There are Trader Joes in Melbourne and in Sydney that I've heard of but there are are Aldis all over the Eastern Seaboard of Oz. It is the fastest growing supermarket chain here at the moment. I don't mind the lack of checkouts where usually only one checkout is functioning (Two on busy days) but they do move quickly. You see, the less workers means less wages which keeps prices down!. Mmmm.... those tasty party pies are the yummiest I've ever tasted, it's actually makes me cringe over my plate so defensively so nobody can snatch one! The American style Hot-Dogs has a clean snap to it and tasty too, not mushy like well known brands. And I can't get over the best Blueberry Muffins Ive ever tasted either! in fact I hide them from my sisters because they love them & go through a dozen of them in one sitting!. Even the price of those 1-litre cartons of long-life milk are a steal! It was'nt just prices that I choose Aldi for, it's for taste, and, interesting this is, the chain banned dangerous food additive colouring from its entire food range. Yes, you guessed it, organic. Most of the foodstuff are Australian made with some German treats as well. Aldi's are heroes, I say to hell with Coles, Woolworths or Safeways all of which are known for unwrapping and turning over their chemical- filled meats when it's a day old and rewrap them and then put them back for sale again. I might sound like a critic, but hey!, would I wanna b#llsh@t to anyone? I know four supervisers from these stores who, after a few drinks, mate, they actually tell me they're shoddy and hate their jobs! As far as I know about Trader Joe’s in my country, yes there is. I only go to two separate Aldi Stores the same distances from my home at Elmore which is a small town on the high riverbank side of the Campaspe River in the state of Victoria The two Aldis are thirty-eight kilometres away north & south of here. Both have Trader Joes in the stores but not so yuppie’s prices, in fact Trader Joes here at the two stores (at Bendigo and Echuca) are very competitive for cheap but good quality stuff. There are Trader Joes in Melbourne and in Sydney that I’ve heard of but there are are Aldis all over the Eastern Seaboard of Oz. It is the fastest growing supermarket chain here at the moment. I don’t mind the lack of checkouts where usually only one checkout is functioning (Two on busy days) but they do move quickly. You see, the less workers means less wages which keeps prices down!. Mmmm…. those tasty party pies are the yummiest I’ve ever tasted, it’s actually makes me cringe over my plate so defensively so nobody can snatch one! The American style Hot-Dogs has a clean snap to it and tasty too, not mushy like well known brands. And I can’t get over the best Blueberry Muffins Ive ever tasted either! in fact I hide them from my sisters because they love them & go through a dozen of them in one sitting!. Even the price of those 1-litre cartons of long-life milk are a steal! It was’nt just prices that I choose Aldi for, it’s for taste, and, interesting this is, the chain banned dangerous food additive colouring from its entire food range. Yes, you guessed it, organic. Most of the foodstuff are Australian made with some German treats as well. Aldi’s are heroes, I say to hell with Coles, Woolworths or Safeways all of which are known for unwrapping and turning over their chemical- filled meats when it’s a day old and rewrap them and then put them back for sale again. I might sound like a critic, but hey!, would I wanna b#llsh@t to anyone? I know four supervisers from these stores who, after a few drinks, mate, they actually tell me they’re shoddy and hate their jobs!

]]> By: retry http://www.bobinoz.com/blog/2021/the-cost-of-living-in-australia-groceries/#comment-2803 retry Fri, 20 May 2011 17:00:18 +0000 http://www.bobinoz.com/blog/?p=2021#comment-2803 I agree with the ALDI assessment. Although I live in the USA (Chicago now Bob), but ALDI is full of quality products. I'd characterize it exactly the same way as Col B did. Essentially everything we can get at ALDI we get there. A lot of my friends don't shop there because they perceive the place as cheap and poor. They're judging the book by its cover when they should be judging by its superbly tasty german chocolates. We also have Trader Joe's here whose parent company ALDI shares. Do you have TJ's in Oz? It's essentially ALDI for yuppies yet still competitively priced. We've dealt with a lot of grocery inflation here of late due to the increase in oil and corn -- both major staples to food production. On top of this, the USD continues to weaken against all the other major foreign currencies. The AUD is doing very well. It is now STRONGER than the USD for the first time ever. You've also gained well against the GBP. Way to go Oz. I agree with the ALDI assessment. Although I live in the USA (Chicago now Bob), but ALDI is full of quality products. I’d characterize it exactly the same way as Col B did. Essentially everything we can get at ALDI we get there. A lot of my friends don’t shop there because they perceive the place as cheap and poor. They’re judging the book by its cover when they should be judging by its superbly tasty german chocolates.

We also have Trader Joe’s here whose parent company ALDI shares. Do you have TJ’s in Oz? It’s essentially ALDI for yuppies yet still competitively priced.

We’ve dealt with a lot of grocery inflation here of late due to the increase in oil and corn — both major staples to food production. On top of this, the USD continues to weaken against all the other major foreign currencies. The AUD is doing very well. It is now STRONGER than the USD for the first time ever. You’ve also gained well against the GBP. Way to go Oz.

]]> By: Col B http://www.bobinoz.com/blog/2021/the-cost-of-living-in-australia-groceries/#comment-2797 Col B Fri, 20 May 2011 14:44:20 +0000 http://www.bobinoz.com/blog/?p=2021#comment-2797 Shopping is what I do myself. In Oz, I find that the ALDI Supermarket chain are way much cheaper than one thinks for quality food and non-food items (and its aisle of Hardware, Electrical etc - compare ALDI v BIG W) than any other Supermarket chains here (and i've shopped at them all). Shopping at Aldi's makes Coles, Safeway or Woolworths seem like corner shop prices. On quality, for example, say, Aldi's Washing powder (or in its liquid form) Brands which were the only ones that won hands down in all categories with five stars each and also five stars overall based on quality, stain removal effectiveness, feel of fabrics, price etc etc on the TV Program 'A Current Affair' which compared Aldi's Brands with just about every other major Washing Brands on the market in Coles and Woolworths (which were given lesser stars in all categories and lesser overall). Even the biggest selling Brand - Omo - fared very poorly in all categories and nowhere near top overall. It proves that the most often advertised products are not the best in anything. Now that's interesting!. Shopping is what I do myself. In Oz, I find that the ALDI Supermarket chain are way much cheaper than one thinks for quality food and non-food items (and its aisle of Hardware, Electrical etc – compare ALDI v BIG W) than any other Supermarket chains here (and i’ve shopped at them all). Shopping at Aldi’s makes Coles, Safeway or Woolworths seem like corner shop prices. On quality, for example, say, Aldi’s Washing powder (or in its liquid form) Brands which were the only ones that won hands down in all categories with five stars each and also five stars overall based on quality, stain removal effectiveness, feel of fabrics, price etc etc on the TV Program ‘A Current Affair’ which compared Aldi’s Brands with just about every other major Washing Brands on the market in Coles and Woolworths (which were given lesser stars in all categories and lesser overall). Even the biggest selling Brand – Omo – fared very poorly in all categories and nowhere near top overall. It proves that the most often advertised products are not the best in anything. Now that’s interesting!.

]]> By: BobinOz http://www.bobinoz.com/blog/2021/the-cost-of-living-in-australia-groceries/#comment-1872 BobinOz Sun, 16 Jan 2011 15:30:25 +0000 http://www.bobinoz.com/blog/?p=2021#comment-1872 Unfortunately, thanks to the floods, I think shopping is going to get a whole lot more expensive for all Australians. As for shopping in store, wish I could, but our local Coles will probably be shut for at least two months. It needs a bit of a cleanup. Thanks for the comment. Unfortunately, thanks to the floods, I think shopping is going to get a whole lot more expensive for all Australians.

As for shopping in store, wish I could, but our local Coles will probably be shut for at least two months. It needs a bit of a cleanup.

Thanks for the comment.

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