Weekly costs for a family of 4?
Jan 22nd 2013, 4:30 am
#31
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2008
Location: Brisvegas
Posts: 5,461
Re: Weekly costs for a family of 4?
Fish is incredibly expensive here in my view. We cut salmon steaks in half because of the cost of them. The best way we have of reducing cost is what everyone else down this road has discovered - buy in bulk, cook large meals and freeze them for later use. Eating less meat helps as well, even here where it's cheaper. I stopped drinking a couple of years ago and that saved an absolute pile - never worked it out but must be around $3000 saved.
One thing I will add about inflation in prices is that some people submit and build up debt to continue their lifestyle, and others simply cut what they spend and consume less so the shops don't get the extra cash. I'm in the latter.
One thing I will add about inflation in prices is that some people submit and build up debt to continue their lifestyle, and others simply cut what they spend and consume less so the shops don't get the extra cash. I'm in the latter.
Jan 22nd 2013, 5:27 am
#32
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 790
Re: Weekly costs for a family of 4?
You may be entitled to family assistance and help with your rent depending on your circumstances?
Jan 22nd 2013, 5:33 am
#33
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: Canada->WA->Melbourne
Posts: 1,612
Re: Weekly costs for a family of 4?
Yeah, that might be worth checking into as well. I'm not sure if temp visas have access to it, but we were PR, and when we first arrived, we were entitled to rent assistance and the Child Tax benefit. Not a lot by any means, but every bit helps, right?
Jan 22nd 2013, 5:58 am
#34
Still alive
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 28,994
Re: Weekly costs for a family of 4?
The people saying they only spend 30 cents per week on food don't live in Perth. They have no idea how much more expensive things are here than in the eastern states - and before anyone has a go, I travel to Adelaide (where surprisingly I shop for food) on a regular basis. As a matter of fact, I was there just 2 weeks ago!
Jan 22nd 2013, 7:41 am
#35
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2008
Location: Brisvegas
Posts: 5,461
Re: Weekly costs for a family of 4?
He's a citizen and his wife would be coming on a spouse visa. I would think they would be entitled to rent assist, etc.
The people saying they only spend 30 cents per week on food don't live in Perth. They have no idea how much more expensive things are here than in the eastern states - and before anyone has a go, I travel to Adelaide (where surprisingly I shop for food) on a regular basis. As a matter of fact, I was there just 2 weeks ago!
The people saying they only spend 30 cents per week on food don't live in Perth. They have no idea how much more expensive things are here than in the eastern states - and before anyone has a go, I travel to Adelaide (where surprisingly I shop for food) on a regular basis. As a matter of fact, I was there just 2 weeks ago!
Jan 22nd 2013, 10:51 am
#36
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Meadowbank, Sydney
Posts: 287
Re: Weekly costs for a family of 4?
I've been here now over 15 months with my wife although we have no kids to feed. Our weekly shop has yet to exceed $150 except for when my family wrre here and i bought us all 400gram scotch fillet steaks.
Jan 23rd 2013, 10:06 am
#37
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,991
Re: Weekly costs for a family of 4?
I shop once a fortnight on pay day to feed 3 adults (including my son who eats for 2!!) My food bill is never above $300 for the fortnight and we eat healthily (most of the time 
) Admittedly I buy the cheaper cuts of meat and very little of the goodies but it is possible. During the fortnight I usually only have to top up on bread and milk. We plan meals for the fortnight and then make a shopping list from that - it's frustrating at times not to be able to just chuck anything we like into the trolley but hey ho that's life 
) Admittedly I buy the cheaper cuts of meat and very little of the goodies but it is possible. During the fortnight I usually only have to top up on bread and milk. We plan meals for the fortnight and then make a shopping list from that - it's frustrating at times not to be able to just chuck anything we like into the trolley but hey ho that's life
Jan 23rd 2013, 10:36 am
#38
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 401
Re: Weekly costs for a family of 4?
Hi OP,
We managed on $400 a month for two adults and two cats for a few months when only I was working. That included basic toiletries etc and I don't think we ate badly at all, still had meat and veg and fruit and cheese. To be honest, we probably could have done it for less, although that would have impacted the quality of our diet. We were in Melbourne and had the benefit of Queen Vic market so we may well have been able to get things cheaper than in Perth, I wouldn't know. I would think $200 per week is fine for a while, if you know you will eventually have another income, and can up your food spend then. You won't be eating fillet every night, but you should be able to eat!
We managed on $400 a month for two adults and two cats for a few months when only I was working. That included basic toiletries etc and I don't think we ate badly at all, still had meat and veg and fruit and cheese. To be honest, we probably could have done it for less, although that would have impacted the quality of our diet. We were in Melbourne and had the benefit of Queen Vic market so we may well have been able to get things cheaper than in Perth, I wouldn't know. I would think $200 per week is fine for a while, if you know you will eventually have another income, and can up your food spend then. You won't be eating fillet every night, but you should be able to eat!
Jan 24th 2013, 6:35 am
#39
Living the dream in WA
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 315
Re: Weekly costs for a family of 4?
Hi OP,
We managed on $400 a month for two adults and two cats for a few months when only I was working. That included basic toiletries etc and I don't think we ate badly at all, still had meat and veg and fruit and cheese. To be honest, we probably could have done it for less, although that would have impacted the quality of our diet. We were in Melbourne and had the benefit of Queen Vic market so we may well have been able to get things cheaper than in Perth, I wouldn't know. I would think $200 per week is fine for a while, if you know you will eventually have another income, and can up your food spend then. You won't be eating fillet every night, but you should be able to eat!
We managed on $400 a month for two adults and two cats for a few months when only I was working. That included basic toiletries etc and I don't think we ate badly at all, still had meat and veg and fruit and cheese. To be honest, we probably could have done it for less, although that would have impacted the quality of our diet. We were in Melbourne and had the benefit of Queen Vic market so we may well have been able to get things cheaper than in Perth, I wouldn't know. I would think $200 per week is fine for a while, if you know you will eventually have another income, and can up your food spend then. You won't be eating fillet every night, but you should be able to eat!
