freebo

I'm buying suits, shoes and casual clothing, Mrs also buying clothes and bedding - looks cheaper and in many cases better quality!

bcworld

$1.5595...happy shopping!

Wendy

Mostly gadgets etc. Nothing major, as I didn't get chance to do much shopping because of getting stuck in the damn snow!! Kinda ruined my plans plus everywhere was so busy when I did go that I didn't get so much done in one time.

Going round the Trafford Centre I was really shocked at the prices in most of their clothes shops. Probably not comparing like for like though as I'm quite happy to shop at Target or Crossroads for my stuff here. There it seemed like they were all more expensive shops like Top Shop etc

I did see the most gorgeous jumper, but it was 40 quid! and I wouldn't even pay $40 for a jumper

Amazulu

I found electrical stuff, electronics, games, gadgets to be pretty much the same, if not cheaper here. CDs and DVDs are cheaper in the UK. I guess clothes are cheaper there but I buy clothes once a year and then it is usually in places like Singapore or KL which are cheaper than the UK and Australia. Books are cheaper in the UK as we know, but unless they are on special, they are cheaper on The Book Depository, Amazon etc.

ABCDiamond

Something is happening on that front, the last few I have looked at have been cheaper in Australia

Amazulu

You might get the odd few, but generally books are much more expensive here - especially for anything that is not mainstream.

My wife's university books:
Australian author
Australian publisher
Printed in Australia
20% cheaper on Book Depository

Don_Angel

Probably right there, I always shop in Kmart for clothes here and find them comparable with Primark in the UK for price to quality ratio, which is pretty good. My wife always seems to find great deals for clothes in Temp and Valleygirl in the city, I am often amazed what she can pick for less then $20

ABCDiamond

I have actually always found the same, but this last week or two has been a bit odd.

I also got some University books and Australian school list books from UK earlier in the year, saving a fortune, expected to do the same the other week, but no... I even told my daughter we would buy from UK, but in the end, they were cheaper here. All very odd, especially with the FX rate.

brendarover

I can in all honesty see a Sterling crisis looming. Anyone looking to emigrate to Australia from the UK, looking to change over anything north of £10k must be mad. At 2.5 to 1 Australia is not too cheap, at 1.5 to 1 its totally expensive, if it carry's on like this maybe parity this time next year?

paulry

I know, it's heartbreaking exchanging at these rates

eugene43

You are so RIGHT those going must be desperate or number blind. Wait a few years & you all will be laughing not crying.

freebo

Now it looks like the UK govt is falling apart , doubt that will be good for the pound but in these crazy times who knows. I'll be sending a few grand back to pay for our trip, it's getting cheaper by the day.

Actually after only 7 months in Sydney I can't believe how cheap many things seem in the uk, except fuel of course.

Basil Brush

[/QUOTE] I'll be sending a few grand back to pay for our trip, it's getting cheaper by the day.[/QUOTE]

Hi Freebo - how does that work, paying for the flights from Aus to UK in GBP? How do I book to depart from Aus but pay in GBP? Please could you advise? If I can save a few dollars that would be great!!

Cheers,
BB

Centurion

And sunshine. Thats quite expensive. Usually a few quid for the flight on holiday when the grey depressive weather finally has you near suicidal.

paulry

Better to be getting on with making our dreams reality and occasionally lamenting the dire £ -> $ situation while earning Aussie dollars (and I'll be earning them reall soon ) than sitting in the UK feeling smug but trapped by your pounds and with your life on hold.