Society & Culture

How do you cope with the rising cost of living?

Society & Culture

Posted by: Elizabeth 31231703

4th Jun 2022 06:36pm

Effective strategies to cut down cost on groceries shopping, electricity, food, rent and etc?

Comments 30

Julie31637237
  • 5th Aug 2022 10:45pm

I always view all supermarket catalogues online before shopping to see who has items I regularly buy on special. All supermarkets have half price specials so this can save heaps. Also look instore for the discounted section or for discounted stickers on products. To avoid electricity bill shock pay a little each week then when it comes in it can either be paid in full or you owe little remaining. If your rent is too high in the cities, move to the country. Rentals can be half the price.

Magus
  • 5th Aug 2022 05:13pm

Exhisting on the Age Pension is difficult and I prioritise the following First is the mortgage, Second is fuel because I live in the country and Third are the necessary bills ie rates, power, water, communications...
Margaret Kelly
Hopetoun WA

frame
  • 5th Aug 2022 02:57pm

Cook at home, menu plan - wasted food is wasted money!
Review my spending every fortnight - if my grocery bill is going up, I need to add more money to that category and reduce something else, eg takeaway.

RogerMao
  • 3rd Aug 2022 12:07pm

Making more $

Terrip
  • 2nd Aug 2022 09:04pm

Only buy what I absolutely need + will last/stretch further in terms of groceries

Janet Rachel
  • 1st Aug 2022 04:21pm

Use less power, and reduce my food shopping to almost nil.

harry31626210
  • 29th Jul 2022 02:03pm

What should have been done was for America to spend only as much as it takes in federal taxes, and we should have stopped giving our industries away to foreign countries and importing millions of entry-level workers from other countries to take our citizens’ jobs. We are succeeding at bringing America down to the economic level of the rest of the world.

Ziah
  • 28th Jul 2022 07:16pm

Skip more meals.
Eat a little less at each meal.
No snacks.
No treats.
Make my medications (particularly insulin) stretch a few more days.
Don't turn the heat on at all. We use clothes, blankets, socks etc.
Only turn the air-con on when the heat is unbearable in summer. Keep blinds/curtains closed until the sun goes down/sea breeze comes in.
Don't use the car except for emergencies.
Don't get anything delivered unless it's free delivery.
Don't replace anything if it can be fixed/repaired or mended for less than the cost of a new one.
I'm learning how to sew and pull apart old, worn out clothes and cannibalise fabric from several damaged items into one with a new pattern.
Grow some fresh produce if possible. Even a small pot can hold a lettuce. An old milk carton can hold a couple of carrots. Lots of containers can be repurposed to grow things, even on a small balcony or terrace. I have a few pots with some veg we like - lettuce, carrots, parsnip, broad beans, cherry tomatoes, and I have dwarf lemon and lime in pots doing great.
Don't use a dryer. (I don't even own one). Use hangers in doorways, over shower rails and airing racks.
Cook from scratch, don't buy packets, bake your own everything.

Ken31584400
  • 28th Jul 2022 04:38pm

Complete online shopping using all special offers available - only go to store to buy essentials /veg/fruit/meat. Also purchase gift ideas when on special/clearance and keep in a cupboard ready for future gift giving

opunake
  • 28th Jul 2022 02:58pm

buy what fruit and vegies that are in season as they are cheaper

Tc101
  • 24th Jul 2022 10:10am

For grocery shopping, I always check the weekly catalogue before making any purchases. Often meals are determined based on what is on sale. I also make sure I'm signed up to their rewards programs because some of the larger companies offer free vouchers after you've accumulated a certain amount of spending.

Sunny Daze
  • 19th Jul 2022 05:08pm

Buy seasonal and on sale, grow your own fruit and veg, meal plan and budget. Invest time in shopping around for the best deals, too

gramonaghan
  • 15th Jul 2022 02:59pm

My wife and I are finding the costs of rising grocery prices, and the shortage both grocery items, and vegetables hard.

no name
  • 14th Jul 2022 10:15pm

Sometimes adding herbs to your basic recipes can cheer up your meals! I grow spring onions, celery and mushrooms from 'scraps'. So, when you cut the base off a celery, suspend it over water until roots grow then plant it in the garden or a pot. That way I can cut two stalks for a casserole ( or whatever ). After about six months of regenerating after each time I remove a stalk it becomes a bit bitter, so I start again. Look online for How To s for growing food from kitchen scraps!

theleap
  • 14th Jul 2022 08:52pm

The local fruit and veg shops usually sell fresher and cheaper produce than most supermarkets.

Zanyt
  • 14th Jul 2022 07:56pm

I shop around for the cheapest price I can get from the supermarkets and greengrocers in my area. We have also started growing our own fruit and vegetables at home. From our fruit trees last season we froze enough stewed fruit to last until nearly the next season, so I do not have to buy tinned fruit to have on my breakfast. When everyone was talking about how lettuce was $9 I was ok as we had them in the garden. I plan my meals every week so there is no waste. I have been getting my grandchildren to make presents for people instead of buying them something and I have been amazed at what they have made.

Caitlin32211737
  • 14th Jul 2022 06:23pm

I know the idea of setting a budget can be daunting but it really helps guide the needs vs wants it’s important not to be too strict on yourself as then your more likely to splurge.
Shopping around it’s a great way to find deals and tracking items that often have sales and will be able to keep in the pantry or have a long use by. Shop with a purpose, what meals are you going to make this week how can you make sure you don’t throw out half of the food after it was gone bad.
I love gift giving and find that if I find gifts as I see them and when on sale I save money even if sometimes the gift is purchased almost a year in advance.

Reginald
  • 7th Aug 2022 11:28am
I know the idea of setting a budget can be daunting but it really helps guide the needs vs wants it’s important not to be too strict on yourself as then your more likely to splurge.
Shopping...

Caitlin of all the comments made here you are the only one to say make a budget. Making a budget is a priority and everyone should start out with a budget. Other people have made comments how to save money, therefore after you have set your budget you can then find ideas to trim your expenses.

Rissbee
  • 14th Jul 2022 10:11am

I compare the price of groceries as much as possible. Home brand is usually just as good as brand names but cheaper. Buy meat on special when possible but that’s a rarity and having the money to be able to stock up when you find it isn’t always possible.
Work cheap meals into your week. I mean beans on toast kind of cheap. Meal plan and shop accordingly. Don’t buy anything not on your list (unless it’s obviously something you need and have forgotten, like TP etc).
Checking prices online beforehand is helpful.
Freeze meat when you get home, this avoids accidental waste if the use by date sneaks up on you. Just means you have to be organised and get the meat out in time to thaw.
Freeze as much that you’re not going to use as you can (there is a ‘can I freeze it’ page on instagram that helps with this) really avoids wasting so much and you get the most bang for your buck. You’d really be surprised at how much you can freeze and the page I mentioned goes through the best way to freeze and then thaw foods.
I guess the other things we try to do are save on electricity by using blankets instead of heating and making sure lights and appliances are off when we’re not using them. Shop second hand for clothes, books and toys. Sell items that are no longer being used. Do surveys when they come up on various sites. This one has been surprising, you get a few dollars for each study or even cents but it adds up. We’ve made about 75-100 this month alone doing that.
I try to find the cheapest petrol (cheap petrol?! What’s that!!??) or use the OTR app because you usually get a discount, even if it’s small it counts and there is the possibility that your tank will be free! (Probably very rare occurrence)
After all that though we are just making ends meet. It’s tough out there at the moment. I’m grateful to have a roof over my head, warmth and be able to afford food and necessities.

LokiAura
  • 14th Jul 2022 09:17am

I try to only buy certain grocery items when on special - sometimes you can find a pattern of when/how often an item will be on special and have a good idea of what the best promotion price is. I only have a choice of Coles and Foodworks to shop at where I live. Depending on the grocery item and the special price I will buy 2 of it so by the time what I have has run out it should be on special again. I use my slow cooker a fair bit to make bulk meals. I do surveys and when I'm out paying bills/grocery shopping I park in one spot and walk to where I need to go. I rent so can't control that part, I turn lights off when not in use and don't have electrical things on standby. I also recycle cans and bottles at the return and earn (NSW recycling scheme) - a friend gives me hers as well.

sweetis_sin
  • 13th Jul 2022 06:32pm

Shop when the markdowns are being done

sophawkins
  • 10th Jul 2022 07:59pm

Flybuys! The more you use it the more deals and freebies you will get :)

LokiAura
  • 14th Jul 2022 09:07am
Flybuys! The more you use it the more deals and freebies you will get :)

I've had some good Freebies from them :)

heeleen
  • 5th Jul 2022 09:56am

YOU cannot when living on a pension, as you are already living on the edge of povety and are already cutting down on every single little thing in your life, so how much more can you do. People say well you must have done something wrong in your life to end up living on a pension, I worked all my life, was married for 10 years and walked away from that train wreck with two children, $500 in my bank an old car and some furniture. The rest went on my husbands gambling debts, being a single mum I never thought once of landing on the government with my hand out like so many young ones today do. No I worked 3 jobs and because they were all casual or parttime my super never really went up, then hurting my back and off work for 3 years, I had no super paid into my fund, so when the time came to retire my super was not really worth bothering about.
I go without, I do not use heating, I use a blanket and lots of layering, I buy the cheapest cuts of meat and fruit and veges, movies and dining out are once or twice a year treats, we pack lunches up and go sit in the park or the beach, I have a tin and put all my change in it, when it is full I use to splurge on something I really need or want. Not much you can do about rent, it just keeps going up and up, maybe if you have a spare room you could rent it out, turn lights of when not in use , get rid of that second fridge or bar fridge, start growing some of your own vegetables, cut down on meat in your diet.
I know it all sounds so drastic and dramatic but you have to do what is necessary.

LokiAura
  • 14th Jul 2022 09:09am
YOU cannot when living on a pension, as you are already living on the edge of povety and are already cutting down on every single little thing in your life, so how much more can you do. People say...

It's really hard to deal with what you've dealt with as well as dealing with the increase in the cost of living but you've come out so strong and on your own 2 feet.

shezza79
  • 3rd Jul 2022 01:51pm

Try and find specials online at other stores

drummerschick
  • 28th Jun 2022 10:25am

I must admit that being a single pensioner at this time is a little scary particularly because I rent and I am fully expecting a rent rise next year when my lease becomes due for renewal. I don't have any way of changing that but in the meantime I am becoming much more aware of where I shop, Aldi being good for saving money and next in line Woolies. I try to buy home brand wherever possible and only buy what I need each week so I don't end up with a pantry of items which sit for a long time. I'm trying to be good with electricity and I always turn off lights and don't leave my appliances on standby. However, being winter I still use my a/c but run it at 18 degrees which is fine for me. Petrol is a killer so I'm using my car only when necessary. Doing surveys regularly earns me a bit of extra for groceries and that has been an absolute lifesaver.

Juliette31984417
  • 7th Aug 2022 08:26pm
I must admit that being a single pensioner at this time is a little scary particularly because I rent and I am fully expecting a rent rise next year when my lease becomes due for renewal. I don't...

Agree doing surveys gets you very welcome pin money, but the opportunities for earning are somewhat hindered by the amount of surveys that you start but which do not progress as they are either full or looking for a different demographic. As things keep getting tougher, even more people will turn to surveys to make sure that they can stretch their income a little further.

heeleen
  • 14th Jul 2022 12:32pm
I agree about doing surveys - it has helped me so much :)

So many people out there struggling at the moment. You can cut corners until the cows come home, but in the end everything but yur pension and salary keep going up and up.
The politicians do not care one iota, they sit there in their big chairs taking all the lurks and perks they can and keep giving themselves bigger and bigger wage increases.

LokiAura
  • 14th Jul 2022 09:13am
I must admit that being a single pensioner at this time is a little scary particularly because I rent and I am fully expecting a rent rise next year when my lease becomes due for renewal. I don't...

I agree about doing surveys - it has helped me so much :)

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