kissofthegypsy Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 OK, an argumentative thread title for which I apologise. The glamification of oz on programs like WDU and PDU create a world in peoples heads which simply doesnt exist. I have been on the other side watching these programs and notthing can prepare you for the actuality of arriving here and having to survive in a foreign country. All people see is the sun, the big house, the nice weather and forget about the reality of living, surviving, working, missing family, etc. This is supposed to be informative as I am mega happy here but the amount of people who come over with little investigation and leave with a Going Back to the UK register post is becoming more apparent. If you have an average life in the UK theres a good chance it will be worse in Australia (unless you are retired with a shed load of money) There is only one thing cheaper in Oz than it is in the UK and thats petrol although I can see partiy coming soon. Dont compare dollars back to pounds when you get here, you are not earning pounds any more. Renting is expensive although a majority of Aussies do it because house prices are so high. I can even see parity in rentals and mortgages soon - 1000 difference currently between our rent and our new mortgage on a 700k property. Exchange rate - enuff said, we managed to exchange at 2.12, my mate at 2.60. Dreams - It has turned out to be a dream move for us but we researched so much before we came we knew what to expect. Many people dont bother looking before they arrive and find thy dont like it and have to go back (so far two friends who managed 6 weeks here between them) Money cant buy you love but you need it to survive...if you are close to the bone finance wise in the UK, dont bother, there is no pot of gold (unless you drink them) and unlike England, Australia pay well for the skills they need, the average aussie wage is no more in comparison to the average english wage. Just be careful when you plan, rose tinted glasses do mist up that decision. Sean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mandisfam Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 If you have an average life in the UK theres a good chance it will be worse in Australia (unless you are retired with a shed load of money) Sean Hello, This is a bit of a sweeping statement, and little unfair to say life will be worse in Australia....you pay bills here, you pay bills there...everyone had different needs in life and each families cost of living reflects that, so its different for everyone. However, I do agree with you, people do need to research before going and make their own minds up based on their own research. Some good points raised. Thanks. Mandisfam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Ropey HOFF Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 Hi everyone, i think most people on PIO are thinking about going to Australia, for a number of different reasons and clearly some go thinking that they won't have to graft as hard as in the UK, but clearly work is work where ever you go. My reasons for wanting to go are mainly for the weather and outdoor lifestyle, this is my own personal thing. The family reason is that i am certain that it will offer a better future for my kids, people will say how can you be certain. Well, my answer to this is that in my family there are Police Officers, Nurses, Teachers, Solicitors and myself i am a Prison Officer, so there are a wide spectrum of professions and all of us are fed up to the back teeth of our standards and erosion of our jobs. The terms and conditions and pension rights are been cut to the bone and i don't want my kids to have to spend 45 years of their working lives being miserable in their jobs. Its just the same in Australia i here you say, well my wifes a Nurse and its definately alot better and the Australians way of youngsters growing into a trade they want and like seems to be a factor, which appears to be a thing of the past in the UK. I don't want to knock the UK it has given us a good life up to now and if the weather was alot better i don't think i personally would be wanting to emigrate. Never the less as an adult and a parent, sometime you have to make a tough judgement call and leaving family and friends in the UK and moving to the other side of the world is the hardest tough decision ever and those who do it deserve the upmost credit. We are tortured by this every day and we haven't made our minds up yet and how we come to this decision i just don't know. The cost of living in Australia is very similar to the UK, i have been in these discussions before and the research i have discovered is that somethings are cheaper and some dearer, but overall it is too close to call. To me the BIG difference is the lifestyle and the weather and i want some of it, because i am sick of the miserable UK winters. I know theres crime in Australia and theres drugs also, but there just seems to be a more positive vibe coming from this great country and currently it doesn't feel like this here in the UK. Some will love Australia and some won't, but thinking that you will be getting something for free and that life will be easy in the land down under, is far, far from the truth, unless you are one of the lucky ones. Best of luck to everyone where ever you may end up. JIM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MatandNic Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 Hi, Really nice post. Yes it's a generalistaion but it's important to be 'real'. Many will have to work just as hard (if not harder) and property prices in the cities are a joke. Many of the families I've seen in WDU are pretty average and although they pretty much still love the idea of Oz, I think all are a bit shocked about the cost of living. There's also a lot of UK bashing which usually gets rolled up into a political argument. On the up side, the best good reason for going that I've heard is this - when you've got time off the weather is more likely to be better than the UK! I reckon most of us want to go but struggle to justify it in a way that's likely to seem reasonable to those who don't want to go. It's all personal. M&N Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Que Sera Sera Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 I know what you mean in some respects about the reality check. I know I have watched many couples going around a house and saying "Oh its a bit small" and I think small, small they should see the matchbox Im renting here in the UK for a huge amount of money! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mandisfam Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 I know what you mean in some respects about the reality check. I know I have watched many couples going around a house and saying "Oh its a bit small" and I think small, small they should see the matchbox Im renting here in the UK for a huge amount of money! :laugh: O Cath could a written that myself, my oh goes mad, when he sees that on those programmes...they dont know what small is until you lived in small...ha! ha! But again its all down to personal opinion and choice....whats small to one isn't small another.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Letasha Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 Hi Sean/Everyone I know what you are saying but I feel u are preaching to the converted. Anyone who comes to this site is obviously doing their research already. I hate the term 'rose tinted specs' with a passion as I feel people wanting a better life for themselves and their family are being portrayed as dreamers when they are in most cases very intelligent and driven people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Lincslass Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 "OK, an argumentative thread title for which I apologise" - No not all, just your opinion and food for thought for everyone else. Thank you. But you got me thinking........ I love and loathe these programmes at the same time, they highlight the varying degree's of knowledge that each family arms themselves with for a move down under. As some of you have pointed out, one of the common sayings that really cracks me up is "oooh it's a bit small I was expecting bigger in Australia".... and yes my OH flips out too when he hears it. Yes well..some things are bigger..... spiders..snakes... the rock itself! I do wonder what it is that people are expecting down under, what are they basing their info on? Hear-say, TV shows...remember the camera makes things look bigger you know. What does become apparent everytime, and I know it can't be helped as that's what people have to go on... is ... "it's not like the UK is it?". No you are right it's not, because incase you hadn't noticed it's AUSTRALIA. Different country, different language ( yes English but different), different way of living, shopping, socialising, building houses...floor plans and yes they even have metal fencing. Usually when you move overseas you try hard to fit in with the new culture/lifestyle ....one hopes. It's hard...very hard especially if you have left behind a very close-knit family. Remember the community you are moving into will not open their arms to embrace you straight away (PIO- are the exception :-0) they have their friends and family already made. After all, how many of us have opened our arms, offered the newly arrived immigrant in the house 2 doors down to come join us for a beer in our UK house? Not many I'm sure. It's the same for a Brit leaving their home country and starting up new overseas, we have to make an effort, accept that everything WILL be different, it takes time and effort and knock backs will be plentiful. Start thinking in Australian, spend in dollars not pounds, shop local and live local with what's on offer. If you love Tesco's, M&S, Next, Cadbury's and the UK TV and not forgetting your non-open plan kitchen then don't move! Ok if you can cope using mail order then don't whinge and don't confess! lol The reason you moved/moving to Australia is not about these things, but starting a new life experience. Everyone has dreams but I think some dreams need a reality check before you embark on them just so you know what you are getting into. This whole emigrating thing is a costly business, both in $$$$, emotionally and physically. It can tear families apart or make them stronger, it's a tough journey in life. I always say keep an open mind and expect nothing and you will not be disappointed if things don't happen to be all they are craked up to be. On the other hand if all goes well ..... what a bonus and what a life you will enjoy. Good luck to all on this mammoth journey, if it works for you then wonderful and if it didn't well you tried and you shouldn't beat yourself up, you gave it a go. The very best to you all.......... LL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mandisfam Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 "OK, an argumentative thread title for which I apologise" - No not all, just your opinion and food for thought for everyone else. Thank you. But you got me thinking........ I love and loathe these programmes at the same time, they highlight the varying degree's of knowledge that each family arms themselves with for a move down under. As some of you have pointed out, one of the common sayings that really cracks me up is "oooh it's a bit small I was expecting bigger in Australia".... and yes my OH flips out too when he hears it. Yes well..some things are bigger..... spiders..snakes... the rock itself! I do wonder what it is that people are expecting down under, what are they basing their info on? Hear-say, TV shows...remember the camera makes things look bigger you know. What does become apparent everytime, and I know it can't be helped as that's what people have to go on... is ... "it's not like the UK is it?". No you are right it's not, because incase you hadn't noticed it's AUSTRALIA. Different country, different language ( yes English but different), different way of living, shopping, socialising, building houses...floor plans and yes they even have metal fencing. Usually when you move overseas you try hard to fit in with the new culture/lifestyle ....one hopes. It's hard...very hard especially if you have left behind a very close-knit family. Remember the community you are moving into will not open their arms to embrace you straight away (PIO- are the exception :-0) they have their friends and family already made. After all, how many of us have opened our arms, offered the newly arrived immigrant in the house 2 doors down to come join us for a beer in our UK house? Not many I'm sure. It's the same for a Brit leaving their home country and starting up new overseas, we have to make an effort, accept that everything WILL be different, it takes time and effort and knocks backs will be plentiful. Start thinking in Australian, spend in dollars not pounds, shop local and live local with what's on offer. If you love Tesco's, M&S, Next, Cadbury's and the UK TV and not forgetting your non-open plan kitchen then don't move! Ok if you can cope using mail order then don't whinge and don't confess! lol The reason you moved/moving to Australia is not about these things, but starting a new life experience. Everyone has dreams but I think some dreams need a reality check before you embark on them just so you know what you are getting into. This whole emigrating thing is a costly business, both in $$$$, emotionally and physically. It can tear families apart or make them stronger, it's a tough journey in life. I always say keep an open mind and expect nothing and you will not be disappointed if things don't happen to be all they are craked up to be. On the other hand if all goes well ..... what a bonus and what a life you will enjoy. Good luck to all on this mammoth journey, if it works for you then wonderful and if it didn't well you tried and you shouldn't beat yourself up, you gave it a go. The very best to you all.......... LL :notworthy::notworthy: well said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gemjay Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 A few truths about Australia in my experience after 6 years living here in Melbourne and Brisbane are the facts that it is simply a very Expensive place to live now the Housing situation is so expensive plus the stamp duty on property is way to high depending on which state you live in, utilities have gone up in Victoria 15% in the past 9 months, rates are getting close to the average council tax band A bill in the UK (only benefit there is when your renting you dont have to pay it), build quality of the houses in Australia is dreadfull due to single brick vaneer and poor glazing (get ready for noise as this is a major issue throughout Australia), taxes are way higher in Australia on many things such as cars (STAMP DUTY) and bank savings interest which is 31.5% for the average income in the UK its 20% for the Average wage, food is a joke no competition and is way higher than the UK from my experience, Clothing is expensive and poor quality, alcohol is very expensive here as well, the petrol is cheaper and eating out is resonable but it is still getting expensive, inflation in Australia is getting out of control so Interest Rates here are going up fast, you need to earn good money to survive comfortably and if your going to buy a house you will be buying in the middle of a property boom which is yet to burst, the Weather is the main benefit to Australia although the Summer can be pretty bad with the Humidity in places like Queensland, the culture is completely different to the UK and the lack of history and tall poppy syndrome are a real problem for many people trying to settle, the distances to travel to work are long and stessfull given the bad infrastruture in places throughout most capital cities in Australia (simply were not created to handle there current populations) good luck to all those making the move and be prepared for many ups and downs as its a long road and it does,nt get any easier for many people no matter how much money you have ITS WERE THE HEARTS AT THAT MATTERS:biggrin: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bray Family Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 Well we had an average life in england overdrawn every month no savings.Here in Oz we have never been overdrawn have brought whole rooms of new furniture paid cash for.Kids in private school.Hubby is doing the same job he did in the uk.Its good for some people so there is a pot of gold at the end of our rainbow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olly Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 Just a comment - even though rental prices are a bit ridiculous at the moment, to say the majority of Australians rent is not completely correct, we have one of the highest home ownership rates in the world. Albeit things are getting difficult for young couples wanting to buy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gemjay Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 Well we had an average life in england overdrawn every month no savings.Here in Oz we have never been overdrawn have brought whole rooms of new furniture paid cash for.Kids in private school.Hubby is doing the same job he did in the uk.Its good for some people so there is a pot of gold at the end of our rainbow. NO MATTER HOW MUCH MONEY YOU HAVE ITS WERE THE HEARTS AT THAT MATTERS GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR FUTURE:biggrin: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gemjay Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 Just a comment - even though rental prices are a bit ridiculous at the moment, to say the majority of Australians rent is not completely correct, we have one of the highest home ownership rates in the world. Albeit things are getting difficult for young couples wanting to buy. ALSO MANY AUSTRALIANS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF NEGATIVE GEARING (INVESTMENT PROPERTIES) WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE THE HENRY TAX REVIEW WHEN IT COMES OUT IN RELATION TO THIS:biggrin: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sykestykes Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 Some good points made here. I agree that research is important, especially in these financially uncertain times - but most people on PIO will be doing that already I would think. The main factors to consider IMHO are: 1. Try to secure a job before you get here, if you possibly can. We could not have managed if my OH (who is the skilled one) was out of work for any length of time. If you come without a job (and I accept that lots of people have to do that), make sure you have some savings to fall back on and tide you over the worst case scenario of supporting yourselves for an indeterminate time. We are by no means rich or big spenders and it was amazing how much we got through in the early weeks just with buying cars/rego for the cars/driving licences/essentials to keep us going until our shipping arrived etc etc. 2. I think most PIO'ers will see WDU for what it is...a bit of light entertainment with a smattering of useful info thrown in. The programme makers would have to make each programme about 4 hours long in order to accurately reflect the reality of making a life here and their main objective is to make the programme watchable to a wider audience. 3. No-one knows how they will react to living here day in day out unless they try it for themselves. Some will be awfully homesick and get through it (like me) some will dislike it and realise they prefer where they started off (Aldo) and some will stay because they have family here and can't go back to the UK (Quoll). The only way to see if it's for you is to come and give it a go!! Good luck to all still waiting Sue x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockola57 Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 As you say,it is expensive to live here.The cost of things in comparison to what most earn is exhorbitant,i dont know how or why the Aussies put up with it.Blatant rip off culture abounds,even worse than the UK.House prices are unreal for newbuild "cardboard boxes"with tin roofs knocked up in a couple of weeks or so.Also renting is bad,the landlords often supply inferior hovels you would expect only a tramp to live in in the UK.Then there is the big utility companies and their inept,expensive services.Still,in spite of all that,i aint goin back to the UK,cos the weathers better here,the people are friendlier in general,got a job that pays the bills(just),and it's only2 mins to the beach and to get away from the rat race. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kissofthegypsy Posted January 28, 2010 Author Share Posted January 28, 2010 Some excellent points in follow up and of course I cant speak for everyones situations (you know, another mans ****e is another mans sugar and all that). Over all its the best decision we ever made but before we emigrated we knew that: We would have to work just as hard if not harder over here We would miss family Homes are expensive (although it does depend where you want to live) It would get harder before it got easier We only came over with savings and are just about to get on the property ladder with a 600k mortgage for 25 years and we (I) am no spring chicken at 37. But we want to live by the water and live the dream so I am prepared to work hard for the next 15 years to pay the house off and hopefully purchase some investment properties for our future. If you downgrade your expectations then anything can be a bonus. We love it here and would love everyone to come over, but most of all you have to be happy and know what to expect. Sean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sykestykes Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 As you say,it is expensive to live here.The cost of things in comparison to what most earn is exhorbitant,i dont know how or why the Aussies put up with it.Blatant rip off culture abounds,even worse than the UK.House prices are unreal for newbuild "cardboard boxes"with tin roofs knocked up in a couple of weeks or so.Also renting is bad,the landlords often supply inferior hovels you would expect only a tramp to live in in the UK.Then there is the big utility companies and their inept,expensive services.Still,in spite of all that,i aint goin back to the UK,cos the weathers better here,the people are friendlier in general,got a job that pays the bills(just),and it's only2 mins to the beach and to get away from the rat race. I agree that there's not as much competition here in Australia between the big companies - it almost seems like they are in cohorts with each other regarding "special offers" and the like. When you start thinking that Tesco was actually quite reasonable towards its shoppers, you know that there's some serious reforms to be made! :laugh: And as for Telstra....*takes deep breath*:skeptical: Having said that, I think that healthy, genuine competition will start to kick in within the near future simply because the world is getting smaller all the time and everyone wants a bite of the cherry. Hopefully someone will provide better service for less money and make the likes of Telstra sit up and take notice!! :notworthy: Sue x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest30038 Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 Here I go again :rolleyes:...............location, location, location. Just a few thoughts off the top of my head. First up.............the continual statements re things being more expensive here. To guage that........what do you do? Compare the Aussie price with the UK price? If you do, then of course, at the current exchange rates it may possibly seem that way. Four yrs ago 38p bought a dollar, so in comparison, a $2 tin of Oz beans equated to 76p........if you had been buying beans in the Uk back then at 1 pound a tin, you would think Oz was cheaper. Currently a dollar costs 56p (approx) so comparison now would have you thinking that beans were cheaper in the uk as a conversion to sterling of that $2 tin of oz beans would have you thinking that the cost (if you are thinking in sterling) is 112 pence when you are only paying a quid back in the UK. It has been said so many times by so many members that it is fatal to continue to convert once you have arrived here...........it isn't that things are dearer (although some things are)..........it's the fact that the exchange rate is crap if you're coming here now..........3 yrs forward may paint an entirely different scenario, just as it does if you look 3 yrs back . Again, and I know I sound like a stuck record, shop wisely. I only shop for specials and fill the freezer. Yesterday I got 10 kilos of chicken breast for $55 which would normally cost 110. Today I will buy ten 8 packs of sorbent at $4 a pack, saving 20 bucks on the normal price..............boring.................but get my drift? It can be done........we've lived on one wage (and I'm tired of saying this) and lived comfortably the last few years simply because we shopped wisely and waited for the bargains........wait for that freezer........you may save 30% on it in a couple of weeks time. The "specials" and the fact that you can haggle a price are a Godsend. I have never paid more than 9 bucks a kilo for T Bone or fillet, and 6 bucks for rump! Cars..of course they're more expensive, both used and new, but you don't have to spend money every year to get 'em through an MOT, and their lifespan far outlives the Uk equivalent. Utilities, gas electric, much cheaper, although that is likely to change. Housing........a big bugbear, but again, don't compare to the UK. Houses here are built for Oz conditions and Aussies requirements........they simply wouldn't sell if they didn't suit. It's a level playing field when it comes to buying or selling, you generally have the same house (build wise) as everyone else on your estate...........the build may seem like crap compared to the bricks of the UK, but everyone is in the same boat re build so you are no worse off than your neighbour. After all......it's only a roof over your head when all is said and done, and to be honest, my house has withstood storms that have caused no damage at all, whereas a similar storm would have lifted the slates back in the UK and my garden shed would have been in someone's garden 3 doors down. The big mistake, if you're tight for loot, is to go for that dream and buy one too big. There are some lovely 3 bed cottages for less than 300000 in Brizzy. Do you need that office? Do you need 4 bedrooms? Do you need a formal lounge?........mine is used as a "relax room" housing fish tanks, so at least it gets some use, but many folk I know have rooms that they never use.........they just bought into that "big is beautiful" dream. A pool? do you need one if you live by the beach? maintenenance takes more money than you are likely to spend on your vehicle in a year. Likewise with your utilities. Do you need to do all that texting? do you need to spend so long in the shower? (It costs you leccie as well as water cost). Do you need to put that 2 kilo joint in a bloody big oven, when for 60 bucks you can buy a table top convector oven that will cook it in 2/3rds of the time. Do you need to wash the pots after every meal or can they wait till the washer or worktop is full? Do you need to sit in the car park with the engine running and air conditioning on? Do you need to wash that quarter load in your washing machine when you can wait for a full load? I could go on for ever, as I have done in the past :rolleyes: but in summary, I simply disagree with the oft bandied statement that Oz is more expensive. I live better here on one income than I did back in the UK on two, because I have learned to "count the cost" and buy wisely. having a few bob in your pocket doesn't really do many people favours because they tend not to shop wisely, as they don't find a need to. Try to think of shopping as a skill. Once you master it, then, and only then, can you start to live comfortably, if you aren't on a fantastic salary and even if you are, once learned, the skill can pay for your holiday each year. kev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olly Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 Great post itcouldbeworse, there are plenty of affordable homes if you don't want the massive McMansion, if you do that's your choice, but there is an opportunity to live more simply, it's up to the individual! I agree with everything you said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sykestykes Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 I agree with you especially on the shopping thing, Kev - I shop differently now to how I used to in the UK. I don't buy meat, fruit or veg at the supermarket any more. Yesterday, I spent $110 on meat at Meat City - a "super-butcher" style shop and my husband's favourite place in the whole world. lol!! :laugh: For that, I got 10 grain-fed yearling steaks , 14 standard yearling steaks, 3 MASSIVE steaks on the bone that were over an inch thick and apparently were delicious (I don't know cos I'm a veggie,lol), 4 packs of beef and garlic sausages, 5 huge pork chops, and 2 kilos of prime steak mince. On the way back I called into the fruit and veg stall which is again really cheap compared to the supermarkets and regularly has specials on such as pineapples or avocados for 9c each (yep, 9 cents!) I do all the rest of my shopping at the supmarket, unless I can get things anywhere else. Some things (such as meat) are hugely cheap compared to the UK and my hubby and kids think the quality is far superior too. I do think though that phone and internet providers still have a long way to go yet (we had a £20 per month contract with Tiscali for unlimited internet use with free local and international calls up to one hour in the UK which was fab). Coles and Woolies still have a monopoly on the food market, although Aldi is beginning to make inroads into that with a good quality, high standard range. Its swings and roundabouts, really. As time has gone by, we've learnt to shop smarter and it makes a big difference and as I say, I do think the other services will catch up eventually. Sue x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest30038 Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 4 packs of beef and garlic sausages, Sue x Now you're talking! :biglaugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sykestykes Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 Now you're talking! :biglaugh: LMAO, I knew The Sausage King of Bracken Ridge would pick upon that!! :laugh: Sue x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest31881 Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 I have to agree with Kev and Sue about prices. i do not find Australia expensive compared to the UK. If you convert $ to £ then it will seem expensive, but you are not spending £'s you are spending $ and you cannot compare the two because the exchange rate is so poor. I have said this before on forums and I truly believe it..... You have to learn to shop when you come to Australia, Yes you can go to a supermarket and buy everything in on go if you want to, then you will find it expensive. We shop at various places, once a month we go to Caboolture to the Meat City, spend $100 and buy more than enough meat for the month. On the way back we call in the Fruit Barns and buy our fresh fruit and veg again cheaper than the supermarkets. I shop for basics in Aldi and keep an eye on my local IGA for their weekly specials. If I am stuck for something them I will go to Woolworths but I will not do a full shop there as it is one big expensive shop. I do feel that some of the basics here seem expensive, Bread, flour and stuff. My Electricity bill for the last 3 months was $200, I don’t have air-con, I use a fan If I need it, (I know some areas air-con is essential), we are sensible with using electricity and water as I would have been in the UK :notworthy: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mel66 Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 Spot on ! absolutely right!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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