Cost of living crisis: Shopper left frustrated after buying just eight items for $45 from Aldi

As the cost of living crisis continues, a shopper was left feeling frustrated after spending $45 on just eight products at Aldi. 

The customer couldn’t help but ask ‘what’s happening to Australia?’ and shared a photo of the small haul to a popular Facebook group. 

The eight items included bananas, lamb chops, cat food, almond milk, organic quinoa, chocolate, chickpeas and garbage bags that were listed on the ‘Special Buys’ deal.

Aldi is known for its cheap prices, which is why the customer was surprised by the few amount of items purchased.

However, others quickly pointed out the inclusion of both almond milk and organic quinoa, which are both usually more expensive compared to alternative products, would’ve used most of the budget. 

A customer spent $45 at Aldi and only picked up eight products (pictured). But others quickly pointed out the haul would’ve been larger if alternatives to almond milk and organic quinoa were  bought instead 

‘Organic and almond milk won’t help,’ one wrote, another added: ‘And it’s Aldi, it would be more in IGA or Harris Farm.’

A third said: ‘We were just commenting on how much our Woolies bills had increased.’ 

‘Working people are being priced out of their lives. I’m thankful every day that debt is a distant memory,’ another added. 

Customers have noticed the price of food and goods at all major supermarkets have increased. 

The cost of food and drink rose by 16.7 per cent in January, only a fraction down on the 16.8 per cent recorded in December and well above the overall inflation figure of 10.1 per cent, the Office for National Statistics said.

Many essentials have rocketed in price, pushing up household grocery bills.

The price of low-fat milk has risen by more than 45 per cent, olive oil by 44 per cent, cheese by over 30 per cent and eggs by 20 per cent.

Grocery retailers say rising prices are a major cause for concern, with Co-Op Food boss Matt Hood describing inflation as ‘the thing that keeps us up at night’.

How to save money at the supermarket amid cost of living crisis 

According to data from the ABS, Australians spent $11.4 billion at the supermarket in November 2022 – equivalent to about $520 per person. In comparison, April 2021 saw total grocery spending of $10.2 billion, or $464 per person. The current figure is rapidly rising as cost of living skyrockets.

1. Shop at night

2. Buy in bulk

3. Buy frozen or tinned

4. Find a co-op or farmer’s market

5. Go to specialty stores as they are closer with suppliers, typically

6. Choose imperfect foods

7. Buy store brands

8. Buy based on the season 

9. Cut back on meat 

10. Avoid specialty ingredients

11. If you don’t like it, return it

12.  Get discounted supermarket gift cards

It follows after another customer spent $78.80 worth of groceries at Woolworths. 

The grocery haul included two bottles of sparkling water, a block of sliced cheese, mince, cordial, eggs, a bag of rocket, raspberry cordial, burger sauce, bread buns and a packet of wraps.

Many Aussies were outraged over how little shoppers get by paying almost $80 for groceries right now.

‘Cheese is so expensive at the moment. It must be laced with gold or something,’ one said.

A second wrote that ‘Shopping just makes me sad these days. I do a lot of standing, looking at aisles and then walking away as everything is just too expensive.

Others recommended that people change where they shop. ‘Go Aldi. Prices have increased, but nowhere near Woolies & Coles prices,’ advised one.

It follows after another customer spent $78.80 worth of groceries at Woolworths (pictured)

It follows after another customer spent $78.80 worth of groceries at Woolworths (pictured)  

‘500g of beef mince is about six bucks at Aldi, less than half the price of Coles and Woolworths.’

Another said: ‘Last week, I ordered $200 worth of groceries, and I definitely didn’t get that many things. Worse still, I’m on a fixed income and can’t save any money. Most of it is being used up per fortnight.’

A third said: ‘I genuinely feel like I’m getting robbed every time I shop at Woollies or Coles, but it’s just not feasible for most people to go to the markets a couple of times a week or buy from four different shops, especially those who work big hours.’

The surging price of groceries comes as Woolworths recently posted a 25 per cent profit increase, while Coles recorded an 11 per cent rise in the six months to end-December.

Chief executive Brad Banducci noted consumers were switching to cheaper private label groceries and canned food and eating out less often as they dealt with soaring interest rates and pressure on household budgets.

Woman on Centrelink with a budget of $50 a week reveals her very sad $100 grocery haul as prices surge 

An unemployed woman’s grocery haul captured the pain felt by thousands of households amid Australia’s cost of living crisis.

The woman, who relies on fortnightly Centrelink payments, took to Twitter to share the 39 items she bought at chain supermarket Coles for $100.

She spent the most on pantry, freezer items, fresh vegetables, and toiletries – the bulk of which were Coles homebrand items.

Included in the haul were frozen meat pies, tampons, $2 shampoo, long-life milk, a bag of sweet potatoes and Coles brand frozen fish fillets.

‘I thought I’d share what my shopping looks like. This is for a fortnight,’ she wrote.

‘People who believe jobseekers are out here living the life are wrong. This fortnight is script fortnight.’

The woman, who relies on fortnightly Centrelink payments, took to Twitter to share the 39 items she bought at chain supermarket Coles for $100 (pictured are some of the items)

The woman, who relies on fortnightly Centrelink payments, took to Twitter to share the 39 items she bought at chain supermarket Coles for $100 (pictured are some of the items)

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