Arts & Humanities

Grocery habits

Arts & Humanities

Posted by: K13

6th Sep 2016 11:04am

My grocery habits are definitely changing. Groceries are expensive and having a large family of 7 people, we like to save where we can. I used to spend $400+ per week at coles or wolloies but one day I did my regular shop and it came to $445. I compared the receipt to a previous receipt and various items had gone up in price. The prices didn't go up by much but when you have 7 people, that is a lot of items and it all adds up - to $45 in my case!!!!

I switched to Aldi and get most of my shopping there. There are a few items I still go to coles and woolies for but not many. Our last grocery shop came to $325 - a $120 saving! Aldi are preferrable because the staff are happy to help if you have a question, the checkout process is more efficient and less waiting time plus the staff know how to pack bags properly.

I do not shop online because I like to browse in the store for specials. Also I find online shopping unreliable because often they forget to include to products or they short change you on products. I think if I was ill or unable to get to the shops I would use online shopping but while I'm able to, I will continue going to the store.

I've never really been loyal to one supermarket. If the majority of my shopping is on special at coles then I shop there. If the items are better prices at woolies then I shop there. I'm not going to pay full price unless I have to.

I have also started stocking up on non perishables when they are half price. We have plenty of storage space at home so stocking up works for us.

Every now and then I was purchasing meat, fruit and veges at coles/woolies but now I never do. I prefer to support the local independent stores and I find that the quality is so much better. I believe that supporting small business is important.

I don't like how the supermarkets have self service checkouts. Those checkouts put people out of jobs and they malfunction constantly. The supermarkets are saving a small fortune in wages by having us scan our own groceries but those savings are not passed on to us. We stand there and do all the work while they reap the savings. Supermarkets are getting so greedy and trying to take over every industry by offering insurance, mobile phone services etc. One day we will all look around and the greengrocer will be gone, the butcher will be broke, the deli will have shut its doors. Lets not allow supermarkets to close down our communities by removing the little stores who have been there for years.


Comments 3

T0teslegit
  • 15th Sep 2016 01:08pm

I have to admit I do most of my usual shopping at the big supermarkets, because they are so close to my house. However, I really am wanting to stop that and go to the local green grocer and butchers more. I find the quality at the local shops are always consistent and the service is much better. Its just my laziness that makes me more prone to the bigger markets :(
However, I so understand what you mean with the self serve. I only use them when i have less than 3 items but I see people with trolleys doing their shopping in those and it makes me wonder why. Apart from the obvious impact it has on workers, if you have a trolley full of shopping isnt it more convenient to have someone bag it and help you out ?

Hes
  • 9th Sep 2016 08:08pm

aldi does not pack your bags, you have to pack them yourself.yes its very cheap but some good products are just not available there. would never do all my shopping there

K13
  • 16th Sep 2016 01:17pm
aldi does not pack your bags, you have to pack them yourself.yes its very cheap but some good products are just not available there. would never do all my shopping there

Hi Hes,
At our local Aldi, they pack your loose fruit into bags for you. I brought 12 apples, 12 oranges and 6 lemons today and they packed them into the bag for me. I guess they don't want fruit rolling around all over the place.
Cheers

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