What can you do to bring down the expenses of food and groceries in Australia?

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Blitzkrieg

markets they are really good for fruit and vegatables for other stuff just buy home brand

mmdjaajl

bin-diving works free that way(but look good at what you get

tentofield

Grow your own vegies. I have a great range of vegies at home and never buy them. Freeze or bottle any excess. Run a few chooks for eggs.

Ted T

It's not really something that can be left to governments without them interfering in the legitimate running of a business, but it is something we can do by not buying things that are obviously overpriced. It doesn't take much to realise that some of the supermarkets are not only paying producers a pittance for their produce but adding enormous margins to their retail price. This can be overcome by shopping around and using places like Aldi and even farm gate stalls if you get around at the weekends.
Apples are a great example as the supermarkets charge anything up to $5 a kilo and you can get a bag of 4 or 5 kilos for that at the growers.
Profit margins are what influence prices. If you are mug enough to buy it at an inflated price then they will just keep on selling it at that. Wake up Australia.

Live_For_Today

Grow your own vegetables or go to the markets as they are much cheaper.

professorkdub

I have to agree with everyone and say go to the markets. Depends where you live I guess, but i get seafood and veggies at the markets for about 1/2 of what coles charged me.
Also things like pasta sauces are ridiculously overpriced, make your own, and freeze it for future use etc.

Marie Q

home brand is cheaper

Grains_of_Wrath

It's not just governments that can keep it down, but everyone can help! Here's a couple of ideas that I've come up with:

1. Shoplifters bring prices up, so don't do it! Also, try not to damage the stock while you're in store. The less waste, the higher the prices. You can do your bit by complying with the checkout operator when they ask to check your bag. They don't think you're dishonest and they do it to everyone with a bag, so please be nice!

2. Support local small business! Although their prices are often bigger, that's because they don't have the same logistics system as the big guys, and they're charging as low as they can. A good way to do this is to shop at your big supermarket once a week and then when you need the odd item, go to your local small grocery store. Statistics show that Woolies and Coles have prices lower when there's a strong but small, independent competitor. Don't let Coles and Woolies run them out of town!
This includes all kinds of things, not just groceries. Get medicines from your local pharmacy, meat from your butcher, and produce from your local market (The quality is usually way better too!). Again, use the Woolies or Coles once per week rule, then go to the others.

3. Supermarkets often put the cheaper brands out of eye sight, and the expensive ones in eye sight. Look around for a cheaper brand, they're often just as good as well! And look out for "specials", sometimes it's only a saving of 5c! Other times it can be over 50% off! And be wary that the most attractive packaging isn't always the cheapest or best brand!
Basically, just think while you shop and you can't lose!

4. Make some kind of list either on paper or in your head and try not to stray from it. You'll find it a lot easier to stick to your list if you shop on a full stomach.
Never shop on an empty stomach!

Okay, I hope that can cut your grocery bill, and keep your local shops keep afloat at the same time! It sure works for me!

But Why??

yep, increase the population to 100 million, then we'll have a choice of half a dozen large chains instead of just Coles and Woolworths who have around 90 % of the market.

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