SaffanZimbo Posted April 26, 2013 Report Share Posted April 26, 2013 Having just returned from our reccie, I have finally got around to updating my grocery prices spreadsheet which is attached (I hope.... had a bit of trouble as it wouldn't attach my excel worksheet so had to pdf it!). For anyone who is interested I can send on the excel worksheet (boring I know!). Honestly - yes, I found the food prices shocking when comparing using the £ exchange rate of 1.4 BUT as those living in Perth will tell you salaries are much higher than the UK so taken in context they are affordable. I shopped mostly at Coles and Woolworths and appreciate that their prices are higher than if I had shopped around but I was in unfamiliar territory so stuck to the shops in the area we stayed. Hopefully by the time we move Aldi and Costco will have opened in Perth to give the big supermarkets more competition! NOTE: One thing which did shock me was that our host bought a Dyson DC39 Animal whilst we were staying with her and she paid $796. The same Dyson in the UK is £271.99 in Tesco!!!! I will be investing in a new Dyson before we move! UK vs Australia grocery prices - 26 April 2013.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lyels1 Posted April 26, 2013 Report Share Posted April 26, 2013 Great post very much appreciated. Prices are not that bad in comparison to pay but some electrically can be major expensive. Still getting conflicting stories of what electrically you can take and not take. I personally want to take everything to keep moving cheaper whats everyone's thoughts.? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
portlaunay Posted April 26, 2013 Report Share Posted April 26, 2013 I gotta say that I don't find the grocery shopping that much more than the UK. In fact, I'd say the prices here are more realistic. I never shopped in supermarkets in the UK and I think the prices they charge are ridiculously cheap and I question their ethics. Here I buy from similar places to when we were in London; farmers markets, local butchers or direct from source, that way I know I'm paying a fair price, supporting those who put in all the hard work and the stuff isn't being airfreighted halfway around the globe. The only thing I can't justify the cost of is cheese. There are some great cheesemakers here, particularly in Tassie but it's so expensive, it's become a lovely treat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fifi69 Posted April 26, 2013 Report Share Posted April 26, 2013 In a way it's a good thing that you only shopped at Coles and Woolies, because you can base any outgoings on that but you will find when you move here you can shop a lot cheaper, although it may become a time over money thing, as in its a lot easier to shop under one roof if you are both working full time. you will find it varies so much from shop to shop, daft things like its actually cheaper for us to buy our bread for the local petrol station or servo as its called here. Also lots of bulk buying places, which initial outlay is more but in the long run works out cheaper. The chemists here can be a good bet too, as is the locally owned Chinese/Asian shop for the likes of rice and spices. Make friends with your local butcher too, much better quality than the supermarkets. Unlike the UK, farmers markers are good value for fruit and veg. as I say not everybody has the time or the inclination to go to different shops for different things, but if you do you will reap the benefits in your pocket, but its also a great way of supporting and getting to know your local community Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted April 26, 2013 Report Share Posted April 26, 2013 Re what to bring: We brought washing machine and tumble dryer and smaller electrical items with us Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StraighttothePoint Posted April 26, 2013 Report Share Posted April 26, 2013 (edited) Prices are not that bad in comparison to pay True if you are earning an ok wage but completely off the mark if you are here on low income, a mid range pay or have a large family. Aussies are really suffering as are many incomers who have misread the situation or have failed to do their homework. How do I know? My wife is a check out chick at Clarkson, the heartland of the Brits here in the northern corridor, and the home to many dinky die true blue Aussies. Everyday she is being told stories of hardship from all sorts of folk. Many whom she says seem to have over extended themselves on arrival. The majority of folk appear to be tightening their belts, looking for ways to reduce their grocery bills in order to cut back and all because they cannot seem to see anything get better soon. Sound familiar? My wife says that the trend seems to be, for many, that they are robbing Peter to pay Paul and that shopping trolleys are much less full than you would expect based on what the customers are saying re their family size and circumstance. Bear in mind checkout chicks are like bar staff and are told everything Edited April 27, 2013 by StraighttothePoint Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaz60 Posted April 26, 2013 Report Share Posted April 26, 2013 hello I just wanted to ask witch plugs you need iver in oz does the washingmashine works over in oz ? don't know of we should take anything with as are this items very expensive in perth we don't know and where do you got the adapter for the electricals ?in perth or in the uk ?thanks kaz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Give me a break! Posted April 27, 2013 Report Share Posted April 27, 2013 Have a look at http://www.appliancesonline.com.au/?gclid=CKqg1PDI6bYCFQdcpQod72wAZA we got all our white goods from there with free delivery we ordered it all when at our holiday rental. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verystormy Posted April 27, 2013 Report Share Posted April 27, 2013 hello I just wanted to ask witch plugs you need iver in oz does the washingmashine works over in oz ? don't know of we should take anything with as are this items very expensive in perth we don't know and where do you got the adapter for the electricals ?in perth or in the uk ?thanks kaz Adapters are available in lots of places including supermarkets. Alternativly you can just replace the plugs with Oz ones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verystormy Posted April 27, 2013 Report Share Posted April 27, 2013 Great post very much appreciated. Prices are not that bad in comparison to pay but some electrically can be major expensive. Still getting conflicting stories of what electrically you can take and not take. I personally want to take everything to keep moving cheaper whats everyone's thoughts.? You will be surprised. Lots of people do not get a big pay rise when they move to Oz. My pay is actually less because of tax reasons. As for electricals you can bring anything. You just need a plug adaptor or replace the plugs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaz60 Posted April 27, 2013 Report Share Posted April 27, 2013 thanks evertone that was helpful kaz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonandsarah Posted April 28, 2013 Report Share Posted April 28, 2013 Did my first one yesterday didn't find it too bad at all looked for local brands and avoide branded stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
funkft Posted June 3, 2013 Report Share Posted June 3, 2013 I see that the steaks work out cheaper in Oz - That all i need to know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest9824 Posted June 11, 2013 Report Share Posted June 11, 2013 I use a place in Midland called Avon Valley Butchers, they are very reasonable and you can get a fillet of beef and cut it into steaks yourself, works out alot cheaper than the supermarkets. pea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nic964 Posted June 11, 2013 Report Share Posted June 11, 2013 Ref shopping, then I echo others comments. We don't buy much processed food (ready meals etc) and cook from scratch, and its more economic that way. Also find a decent market (great one in Freemantle) and you get fruit and veg at lower prices. When fruit in season then its very cheap, so have a freezer and you can save loads. ON white good we brought everything accross and its fine. We brought a load of adaptors on ebay before we came over, and then grandually replaced the UK plugs with Aus plugs when we got here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lozzachino Posted June 11, 2013 Report Share Posted June 11, 2013 We have been shopping at drovers in wanneroo for meat and fruit and veg. I spend around $20 a week on fruit and veg and the quality is great as its mostly from WA so fresh fresh fresh. They have great offers too. Meat is prob around $50 for up to two weeks worth, bearing in mind we eat sometimes veggie meals, not loads but one or two a week. Then we have been shopping at woolworths as its close by, spending 80 to 100 a week in there on everything else, milk, bread, tins, frozen, cereal, toiletries, cleaning stuff, etc etc. our budget when we came out was 150 a week for a family of 2 adults and 1 toddler. We seem to be managing on around that so i am quite happy with meeting our budget. We arent scrimping either, buying some treats too, and some is branded and some is woolworths own brand. If you go for all the 'value' stuff it would be cheaper. All about what you are used to, or are prepared to spend or not spend as the case may be! watching the new masterchef series they said the avg family spends $204 a week on groceries and $33 on take away! If that helps anyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
portlaunay Posted June 11, 2013 Report Share Posted June 11, 2013 watching the new masterchef series they said the avg family spends $204 a week on groceries and $33 on take away! If that helps anyone. Clearly that wasn't WA. Where can you get a takeaway for $33? (Okay, I do understand the term 'average') We had a curry take away from the very, very excellent Mother India in Freo the other day and it was $89! (2 adults with the kids sharing) We just don't budget and I dread to think how much we spend on food in winter. Summer we grow almost all of the veggies and herbs we need but it aint free. The soil here is so devoid of nutrition that you have to add loads of it back. A good compost heap, a mate who's a livestock vet (with access to tons of poo), and a worm farm help but that takes time to come good. We cooked roast turkey the other week ($80 for a 6kg bird), and it fed 4 adults and two kids and then produced so many other meals it worked out at amazing value. The one bird produced 10L of good stock. I'd love to get into harvesting the ocean but I haven't a clue how to fish and without my own boat it's uneconomical to pay for a trip just to fill the freezer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
portlaunay Posted June 11, 2013 Report Share Posted June 11, 2013 Meant to say if you want fantastic veggies and some lovely home produced sauces and chutneys then head to South Freo Growers market on Lefroy Street on Sunday mornings and track down the wonderful Grace and her husband Albert. They have a farm called Pickering Brook (I think), in the hills and are such lovely people, producing some great veggies. The market itself is small but has a good range and you can take the dog and sit and eat brekkie. The coffee is good and when the winter sun comes up over the hill it's lovely. Kids play in the grass and there's a lovely atmosphere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t1bs Posted June 25, 2013 Report Share Posted June 25, 2013 Beyond the usual suspects for groceries (Coles, Woolworths) there is the 'Spud Shed' near us in Jandikot. Open 24 hrs 7 days, it can have some unusual grocery selections but is great for getting large cuts or that late night "oh no!' items. Generally cheap prices. I think the fruit & vegetables can be good and bad so check the quality and freshness. Personally I think the cost of basic staples are too expensive even taking into account the exchange rate and pay rates. A friend I have met has a subscription web service he's setting up to notify of any supermarket specials that are out for the week. Its in its infancy at the moment but it could be a good service. http://salesaver.com.au Also "Bisto Gravy Mix" is available at Spearwood IGA on Rockingham road. Its the imported from UK version and is cheap! As for the plugs we purchased a few australian plugs from bunnings and just converted the electrical cords of all our household electrical items as they use the same voltage and no problems yet. Even the TV is working great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thesteels Posted June 25, 2013 Report Share Posted June 25, 2013 Fab and very helpful post, where abouts are you moving to in Perth? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t1bs Posted June 28, 2013 Report Share Posted June 28, 2013 (edited) hello I just wanted to ask witch plugs you need iver in oz does the washingmashine works over in oz ? don't know of we should take anything with as are this items very expensive in perth we don't know and where do you got the adapter for the electricals ?in perth or in the uk ?thanks kaz The adapters you get anywhere you just need one of those travel adapters, just get the cheap UK to OZ, so they are a bit slimmer. The plugs you can get from Bunnings, Masters or any hardware store. You just need to cut your old plug off and then reconnect into the empty OZ plug. The power output here is the same as the UK. so washing machines etc, including our TV all work fine. If you concerned about anything, we were concerned about chopping the plugs on our laptop cords etc due to warranty so we brought some 6 outlet powerboards with overload/surge protection and just changed the powerboards plug (where it plugs into the wall) with an OZ plug. All work great! Edited June 28, 2013 by t1bs typo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveJ Posted January 19, 2014 Report Share Posted January 19, 2014 The spreadsheet seems really useful. I'm assuming that Coles/woolworths are quite expensive. Some of the uk prices seem a bit high also such as 1.6kg chicken for £7.50 I think we usually only pay £5 for 1.5kg from tesco. Does anyone have any pricings for the cheaper places etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philpom Posted January 20, 2014 Report Share Posted January 20, 2014 The spreadsheet seems really useful. I'm assuming that Coles/woolworths are quite expensive. Some of the uk prices seem a bit high also such as 1.6kg chicken for £7.50 I think we usually only pay £5 for 1.5kg from tesco. Does anyone have any pricings for the cheaper places etc. Well if you take todays exchange rate, then the price differences don't look as scary as when the spreadsheet was done in April last year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou8670 Posted January 20, 2014 Report Share Posted January 20, 2014 Well if you take todays exchange rate, then the price differences don't look as scary as when the spreadsheet was done in April last year. Which is why it's probably better to use an 'exchange rate' based on UK to Aussie salary after tax and housing costs. That way you can really see whether things will be more expensive for your particular circumstances. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StraighttothePoint Posted January 20, 2014 Report Share Posted January 20, 2014 (edited) The spreadsheet seems really useful. I'm assuming that Coles/woolworths are quite expensive. Some of the uk prices seem a bit high also such as 1.6kg chicken for £7.50 I think we usually only pay £5 for 1.5kg from tesco. Does anyone have any pricings for the cheaper places etc. Reckon folk are best not to compare individual prices. If you use that spreadsheet I sent you. Stick in a weekly shop figure, based on your family size, as part of an overall budget otherwise you will probably just go round in cirlces and concentrate on too much detail. Appreciate the individual cost differences can be interesting but they are only a small part of the overall jigsaw and considering how many thousands you are preparing to spend in getting here, getting set up and starting off then the price of a pound of butter is neither here nor there to be honest. Shops here are Coles, Woolies and IGA in the main and they are all more or less the same in terms of pricing with some things cheaper each week at the different store. One thing is for sure unless you are going to be earning shed loads over here then everything can / seem to be expensive Edited January 20, 2014 by StraighttothePoint Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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