"Everyday" costs in NZ
#16
Re: "Everyday" costs in NZ
Sorry for not being precise. I meant "OK" in comparison to what you are likely to earn in NZ.
Last edited by Assanah; Aug 14th 2012 at 11:22 pm.
#17
Re: "Everyday" costs in NZ
By and large I want to avoid the argument of "you can't get PG Tips out here and the equivalent brand costs more and tastes rancid".
I'm not bothered about that. I love a good food shop and in any case, my food needs are fairly simple, I make most stuff from scratch. My family and I are (supposedly) boring and don't eat a great deal of bread, sugary food, cereal, dairy, saving the naughty but nice stuff for meals out. I'm more likely to bake than I am to buy confectionary.
I often hear the observation that food, in particular is more expensive in NZ. When I've visited, we're pretty much always staying with friends and family and always go on shopping trips to chip in and get some additional bits and pieces. I can honestly say that I never thought it was more expensive.
So where does this oft quoted view come from?
And if anyone does find it more expensive are these costs outweighed by other day to day/month to month expenses, such as; The NZ version of council tax, water rates, energy bills, petrol, home insurance, medical care, car insurance, the NZ version of an MOT, Sky TV ... anything else you might consider as a regular cost?
Once weighed up, is it possible that in fact the "cost of living" in NZ is in fact negligible to the UK.
Also, are those specialist fruit and veg stores better for getting fresh produce over the supermarkets?
Go to a farm shop or grow your own if you want to ensure seasonal and fresh.
You'll get bananas & tomatoes all year round. You will simply pay more for them if you choose to & can afford to.
I'm looking for your experience of actual cost, i.e. NOT relative to earning potential, etc, as all of the costs I mention don't take in to account earnings.
If you want figurative costs then maybe start a budget thread although these don't often work well as those with dosh tend to keep their financials close to their chests.It is those on budgets that are more likely to spill the beans & lentils.
#18
Re: "Everyday" costs in NZ
Thanks Bev, very helpful.
By the 'specialist store' I mean like Fruit World, if anyone has come across that shop.
As for the budget thread, good idea, which in turn has given me another idea.
Next time I do a Tesco home delivery shop, I'll fire the same shopping list into an equivalent NZ supermarket website and compare that way.
I've been doing a lot of comparing of prices outside of the general stuff. I'm a big cyclist and with a bit of luck, will be able to commute by bike . Anyway, I'm getting the impression that it might be worth me buying another bike in UK before I leave and shipping it over. A decent bike seems to be 10 to 20% more expensive in NZ.
By the 'specialist store' I mean like Fruit World, if anyone has come across that shop.
As for the budget thread, good idea, which in turn has given me another idea.
Next time I do a Tesco home delivery shop, I'll fire the same shopping list into an equivalent NZ supermarket website and compare that way.
I've been doing a lot of comparing of prices outside of the general stuff. I'm a big cyclist and with a bit of luck, will be able to commute by bike . Anyway, I'm getting the impression that it might be worth me buying another bike in UK before I leave and shipping it over. A decent bike seems to be 10 to 20% more expensive in NZ.
#19
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2012
Location: Rothbury. Northumbeland
Posts: 37
Re: "Everyday" costs in NZ
This could be another Topic - friends who do the Triathlon said be
very careful when out cycling as other road users are not bike
friendly.
very careful when out cycling as other road users are not bike
friendly.
#20
Re: "Everyday" costs in NZ
Hello,
And if anyone does find it more expensive are these costs outweighed by other day to day/month to month expenses, such as; The NZ version of council tax, water rates, energy bills, petrol, home insurance, medical care, car insurance, the NZ version of an MOT, Sky TV ... anything else you might consider as a regular cost?
T
And if anyone does find it more expensive are these costs outweighed by other day to day/month to month expenses, such as; The NZ version of council tax, water rates, energy bills, petrol, home insurance, medical care, car insurance, the NZ version of an MOT, Sky TV ... anything else you might consider as a regular cost?
T
Our rent in NZ is extremely high (that is Auckland), Internet is very expensive and capped, mobile costs are similar to the one in Germany, electricity is expensive especially in the winter because we live in a shed with no insulation and no build-in heating system. Public transport in Auckland is bad and expensive - in Berlin I paid €77 a month for public transport (not the cheapest option, you can get for €60 if you buy for a whole year), on the weekends another person can ride with you for free, NYC monthly ticket costs $104 and Auckland $250. Well, did I say that public transport in Berlin and NYC is quite good and Auckland's not?? I never owned a car in Germany or the US, but now we one two, one per person.
Also, prices fluctuate a lot in NZ which makes comparison and budgeting difficult.
#22
Re: "Everyday" costs in NZ
We menu plan and shop fortnightly, stocking up on fresh stuff weekly from the veg shop. This saves us a hell of a lot compared with popping out often. Also the veg garden will come into its own soon and my dear little hens earn their keep
#23
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2012
Location: St Albans, Christchurch
Posts: 586
Re: "Everyday" costs in NZ
Lets hope you don't like buffalo mozzerella cheese. $12 at the supermarket for something that used to cost about 90p. I must learn how to make it or something similar
#24
Account Closed
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 755
Re: "Everyday" costs in NZ
Right, the version of an MOT I think is about $60 but lasts for only 6 months
For me to get my car licensed on the road, I think it was around $237, cheaper than the $390 I thought I'd pay
Water rates and council rates I don't know as I don't own a property. I think you only pay those if you own the place, I would presume that the rent we pay will add up to include the council rates.
Sky varies from $45 to $91 (if you want everything). Actually no it'll be about $120 if you want everything as there's some channels you have to pay $10 a month for. Certainly wouldn't recommend Soho, Mialto and the Rugby Channel. I don't mind paying the $91 as it still works out cheaper than what we used to pay for sky back in England, not forgetting to include the farcial tv license.
I don't even want to mention energy bills. Experience a freezing cold July and then wait to see your bill. Literally have gone on a major overhall of the electrics in the house to try and lower the bill for August. We're with Contact Energy who apparently were supposed to be the cheapest when I did a comparison, least it's not Meridian (don't start me on them *angry face*)
Be prepared to never understand why food is so expensive especially lamb. Whenever there's an offer on the wine (under $8 a bottle), a huge stock up happens. I do not recommend Pak n Save as they stopped me from purchasing 8 bottles of Oyster Bay when it was on offer, despite the wine being different types.
We currently pay around $100 a month for our phone and internet but that's mainly so that we can have free calls back home. I call my nan an awful lot since she fell seriously ill when she found out I was leaving the country. If only she had a computer and knew how to work skype
One the positive side, I'm paying $900 for my yearly golf membership which is 50% cheaper than the membership I was paying at the course I was a member of back in England.
For me to get my car licensed on the road, I think it was around $237, cheaper than the $390 I thought I'd pay
Water rates and council rates I don't know as I don't own a property. I think you only pay those if you own the place, I would presume that the rent we pay will add up to include the council rates.
Sky varies from $45 to $91 (if you want everything). Actually no it'll be about $120 if you want everything as there's some channels you have to pay $10 a month for. Certainly wouldn't recommend Soho, Mialto and the Rugby Channel. I don't mind paying the $91 as it still works out cheaper than what we used to pay for sky back in England, not forgetting to include the farcial tv license.
I don't even want to mention energy bills. Experience a freezing cold July and then wait to see your bill. Literally have gone on a major overhall of the electrics in the house to try and lower the bill for August. We're with Contact Energy who apparently were supposed to be the cheapest when I did a comparison, least it's not Meridian (don't start me on them *angry face*)
Be prepared to never understand why food is so expensive especially lamb. Whenever there's an offer on the wine (under $8 a bottle), a huge stock up happens. I do not recommend Pak n Save as they stopped me from purchasing 8 bottles of Oyster Bay when it was on offer, despite the wine being different types.
We currently pay around $100 a month for our phone and internet but that's mainly so that we can have free calls back home. I call my nan an awful lot since she fell seriously ill when she found out I was leaving the country. If only she had a computer and knew how to work skype
One the positive side, I'm paying $900 for my yearly golf membership which is 50% cheaper than the membership I was paying at the course I was a member of back in England.
#25
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 906
Re: "Everyday" costs in NZ
Kaz
#26
Re: "Everyday" costs in NZ
I don't even want to mention energy bills. Experience a freezing cold July and then wait to see your bill. Literally have gone on a major overhall of the electrics in the house to try and lower the bill for August. We're with Contact Energy who apparently were supposed to be the cheapest when I did a comparison, least it's not Meridian (don't start me on them *angry face*)
It's all swings and roundabouts.
#27
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: bottom of the world
Posts: 4,533
Re: "Everyday" costs in NZ
fruit and veg are seasonal here so prices vary though out the year, I have seen cucumber up to $6 each
and currently tomatoes are about $13 a kilo,
Nescafe is $7.50 for 100g.
Car wof (mot) is $45 and isn't anywhere as strict as the uk.
Sky TV inc movies and sport is $93.
Petrol is currently $2.12 a litre.
I'm going shopping for a few bits in a couple mins so will pm you my receipt
and currently tomatoes are about $13 a kilo,
Nescafe is $7.50 for 100g.
Car wof (mot) is $45 and isn't anywhere as strict as the uk.
Sky TV inc movies and sport is $93.
Petrol is currently $2.12 a litre.
I'm going shopping for a few bits in a couple mins so will pm you my receipt
#28
Re: "Everyday" costs in NZ
Blimey that's expensive - I just bought some truss tomatoes for $8.99 kg and I thought that was pricey. Illustrates how variable it is I guess.
Last edited by jmh; Aug 15th 2012 at 5:57 am.