JoolsB

Thought this might help someone moving out to Melly. We are a couple with 2 x dogs and so far our outgoings per month are working out as follows:

Home Loan (80K) 650
Groceries 900
Home Insurance 90
Car Insurance (Holden Barina) 50
Dog Insurance 70
Council Rates 80
Phone/B'band (excl call charges) 80
Foxtel (2 x boxes-full package) 120
Gym (2 x membership) 110
Going Out 350
Petrol 100

Total 2600

Not sure what water, gas and elec will be as no bills yet but maybe a couple of hundred on top of this..plus any phone calls tho I try to Skype everyone if I can.

Also our home loan was no docs so a bit higher interest rate than the (already high) norm.

Jools

Buzzy--Bee

That is a seriously high grocery cost Jools I reckon! But a seriously low home loan!!!

Thanks for posting that - I'm sure peeps still in the UK will find it useful.

Buzzy

JoolsB

Hi Buzzy

Oh dear what do you reckon we should be getting by on grocery cost wise then? That amount includes toiletries, cleaning products, dog food and alcohol plus I am gluten intolerant so have to buy some special bits just for me too which hikes things up a bit I guess..

Buzzy--Bee

OK well obviously the Gluten thing may well make a difference, and I wasn't including alchohol. I reckon we spend $150-$180 a week for 2 adults and 2 kids on groceries.

Buzzy

Geelong Gent

Jools there are plenty of places to shop at too keep that $900 bill down under $500.

JoolsB

All suggestions gratefully received! We are in Bonbeach and usually drive up to the Westfield in Cheltenham or Safeway Patterson Lakes.

The Crow

When we arrived two years' ago, I spent around $200 a week - I now spend around $240 - not sure if that's inflation or the fact that the girls are now 4 & 6 rather than 2 & 4. I shop at various places for different items to try and keep the cost down - I can even bake now

The Crow

Safeway, Patterson Lakes - that takes me back (we used to rent in Aspendale Gardens). The fruit and veg market on the strip in Chelsea is really good value for money. There is also a big fruit & veg place in Seaford - but wasn't quite as cheap as Chelsea. I also get a couple of things from Aldi (I like their mince, their feta is the same, but cheaper than Safeway and their fruit/veg is good value when on offer). There is also an NQR in Mordialloc, which is great value - although close to use-by dates - some well-know brands there).

JoolsB

I dont know what it is about the strip in Chelsea but it really depresses me I always feel really homesick after I've been down there for some reason...

Geelong Gent

We are just down the road in Seaford.

Try Aldi in Carrum Melways reference page 97, D8.

There is a fresh produce market on hartnett Drive near the indoor sports centre (Klauer street end) Mel reference page 99, H7.

For meat there is a place forget the name but its right next to Mitre 10 on the Cranbourne Frankston road. Its not in the Karingal shopping centre but actually right next to the mitre10. Melways reference page 103, C5.

Markets in Boxhill and Springvale are also worth exploring but you really need to know what your looking for. Definitely check them out.

Our meat/fish bill dropped from $800 per month to under $200 (wife was going every day to our local coles and getting ripped off big time).

Hope that helps a little

JoolsB

Wow thats a brilliant saving!-so it's obviously a case of shopping around rather than just buying all from one supermarket. Thanks for those recommendations. I'm sure I'll be a dab hand soon-it's just a little harder when you don't know you're way around too well.

Buzzy--Bee

Jools, on the Nepean Highway on the corner of White Street in Parkdale there is a meat, fish and fruit and veg shop which is very good and far cheaper than the supermarkets. Its the big green shop on your right as you're heading from home down to Cheltenham Westfield!

Buzzy

JoolsB

Cheers Buzzy will check it out this weekend

Buzzy--Bee

Might see you there! Look out for the English check-out girl, she's from Norfolk and has been here since just before Christmas.

Buzzy

Geelong Gent

trust you mate to be checking out the checkout