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How do you cut the cost of living?

The latest news from Cafestudy

Posted by: Caféstudy

7th May 2014 02:58pm

With the budget looming and the high chance that we will have less money than before, how will you cut your everyday spending?

We asked you what you thought, and received an interesting response. Instead of making outright cuts, you will look for cheaper ways of buying the same things. Modifying instead of changing your shopping habits and finding creative ways to keep the same lifestyle. In other words, smart shopping. In the words of Hartmut; “you do not have to cut out anything, only modify your actions to save.”

Examples of smart shopping and creative cutbacks given by you include obvious changes such as taking advantage of specials and buying in bulk, but also saving through less obvious ways, for example, Janine, who works out the best day and time to shop at supermarkets in order to take advantage of reduced prices at certain times. “Be aware of the cycle and you can really save,” she advises.

Other ideas include choosing to shop at Aldi, or shopping around at local shops or markets, and buying cheaper brands where possible. More specific advice from SStC - “meeting friends out for a coffee, have it at each other’s homes instead.” Shop around for things like car and home insurance. Continue to eat out once a week, but choose cheaper deals or weeknight offers instead. It is clear that you would prefer to spend more time and effort in achieving the same lifestyle and buying the same things, than make actual cuts.

Some of you clearly see a silver lining in the budget cloud and say you would turn a drop in income into an opportunity to reap health benefits, for example by stopping smoking or cutting down on alcohol. Margie declares “I intend to cut my intake of wine to save money. Also my health will probably benefit as well.” A few of you with adult children still at home talked about charging them rent and insisting they start contributing to household expenses.

In summary, according to you, being faced with the prospect of cutting your spending does not mean cutting anything out. It just means adapting to the circumstances and shopping smarter.

bettythrelfo
  • 15th Jul 2017 05:20pm

To be honest with me, I have found that by shopping around I can cut down on some of the items... I know when iga will put out some mark downs, I know where to look for coles and woolworths mark downs, and find this way I can on the whole, carefuly save a bit, with making sure I can use up what I buy. I notice that all the big shops do put out milk at reduced prices, and this is when I t will be just 2 litres, as I like fresh milk for coffee, made with all milk, and when I get it for one dollar for 2 litres at times, it is a good saving.. We then can have cereal as well, and I can make pancakes and make it go even further...I know the farmers need to be able to sell their milk, feed the animals, and survive themselves. saw last night that coles and woolworths are bringing down some prices of bread, but that a firm called Mias is only making 10 cents a loaf, and if they cut their price they will go out of business which is not fair. I checked the amount of slices in some loaves, and find that iga has a loaf for 99c. which has more slices than the 85c. loaf of coles, so it is worth it to pay the little extra for more bread in the loaf. I guess this is the only way we on pensions can survive. We dont use the heaters, but I make up hot water bags, and we use those for our legs when watching tv of a night. . we then can put our feet on them in bed after.


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