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-   -   The cost of things (https://britishexpats.com/forum/barbie-92/cost-things-654830/)

Ozwanderer Feb 14th 2010 6:35 pm

Re: The cost of things
 

Originally Posted by creepycrawley (Post 8342547)
Lots of stuff is very expensive in Australia - just quietly.

It's almost like a dirty secret in Australia that people try to hush-up, lest it might damage Australia's golden reputation for cheapness.

Try to avoid the mistake of thinking that EVERYTHING is more expensive in the UK. Because it actually isn't.

Lot's of cheap stuff too [ made anywhere! ]
But Pauline did good chips and meanwhile the Sport'n Rec club is cheap enough, $3.20 stubbies and $5 in for winner takes all at Poker.

You can even wear your thongs or Crocs to save on socks and feet might get dirty but they're easy to wash with a free stroll along the beach.
The heating is dirt cheap too when you do not need it and that's about always.
Goes for Aircon too.

Minimal cooking costs as well for it's either just throw something on the barbie or wrap in foil for the fire pit.

BadgeIsBack Feb 14th 2010 9:10 pm

Re: The cost of things
 

Originally Posted by creepycrawley (Post 8342547)
Lots of stuff is very expensive in Australia - just quietly.

It's almost like a dirty secret in Australia that people try to hush-up, lest it might damage Australia's golden reputation for cheapness.

Try to avoid the mistake of thinking that EVERYTHING is more expensive in the UK. Because it actually isn't.

I don't think many people do think everything is cheaper, nor is it a secret. :p The reputation would be long dead.

It depends anyhow. I find many things cheaper, others more expensive.

odyssey Feb 14th 2010 10:52 pm

Re: The cost of things
 
I dont find anything cheaper except mangos and avocados. And I buy lots every week just to enjoy that.

Swimming lessons = $15
Gymnastics = $20
Riding = $35
Speech therapy x 1 = $40
Piano = $30

Its just nuts but what do you do.

For ABC to say people dont notice - I notice!!! bloody overactive ovaries :eek:

Alfresco Feb 14th 2010 11:46 pm

Re: The cost of things
 

Originally Posted by odyssey (Post 8343536)
I dont find anything cheaper except mangos and avocados. And I buy lots every week just to enjoy that.

Swimming lessons = $15
Gymnastics = $20
Riding = $35
Speech therapy x 1 = $40
Piano = $30

Its just nuts but what do you do.

For ABC to say people dont notice - I notice!!! bloody overactive ovaries :eek:

How much are avos there, and are they big?

odyssey Feb 14th 2010 11:52 pm

Re: The cost of things
 
they are a bit more at the moment but in season they are about $2 I think. And they are big, small, round - all different varieties. All wonderfully ripe, some nutty, some creamy.


I never liked them but now I think I am getting an addiction. I just planted some trees at the bottom of my garden and am going to plant some in the nature strip too as I am running out of room!

Vash the Stampede Feb 15th 2010 12:04 am

Re: The cost of things
 
A lot of things are much more expensive in Australia. Some things are cheaper.

Swings and roundabouts.

ABCDiamond Feb 15th 2010 12:05 am

Re: The cost of things
 

Originally Posted by odyssey (Post 8343536)
For ABC to say people dont notice - I notice!!! bloody overactive ovaries :eek:

But have you noticed that wages have also kept up with general costs, overall ?

And I did say "Maybe people don't really notice, as it is swings and roundabouts ?"

scottishcelts Feb 15th 2010 12:07 am

Re: The cost of things
 

Originally Posted by ABCDiamond (Post 8343712)
But have you noticed that wages have also kept up with general costs, overall ?

And I did say "Maybe people don't really notice, as it is swings and roundabouts ?"

My hubby's wages are much better here than the UK, although the cost of living here is outrageous :eek:

odyssey Feb 15th 2010 12:11 am

Re: The cost of things
 
For me its a bit different being self employed. My wages havent kept up with anything - havent changed really from being depressingly low :)

I think I have noticed the increase in pricing quite dramatically. Also having young children, getting older, there are more costs that were not around before.

when I go to look at contracts, the hourly rates are the same as when I arrived. I have to say that every migrant I talk to, except some really postive ones on here - struggle with the pricing and the value for money. Universally they say they are financially worse off.

I am not in the anti Australia brigade but the reason this topic has been done to death is lots of people struggle to get used to their new country's pricing and costs.

ABCDiamond Feb 15th 2010 12:26 am

Re: The cost of things
 

Originally Posted by odyssey (Post 8343724)
I think I have noticed the increase in pricing quite dramatically. Also having young children, getting older, there are more costs that were not around before.

You are not wrong there :rofl:


Originally Posted by odyssey (Post 8343724)
lots of people struggle to get used to their new country's pricing and costs.

I suppose I have been here long enough to know where to buy best these days :thumbup:
But I also recall my wife finding the UK to be expensive, when she came over, even though I didn't think it was. But she was new to the UK, and had to find her way around.

Vash the Stampede Feb 15th 2010 1:29 am

Re: The cost of things
 

Originally Posted by odyssey (Post 8343724)
For me its a bit different being self employed. My wages havent kept up with anything - havent changed really from being depressingly low :)

I think I have noticed the increase in pricing quite dramatically. Also having young children, getting older, there are more costs that were not around before.

when I go to look at contracts, the hourly rates are the same as when I arrived. I have to say that every migrant I talk to, except some really postive ones on here - struggle with the pricing and the value for money. Universally they say they are financially worse off.

I am not in the anti Australia brigade but the reason this topic has been done to death is lots of people struggle to get used to their new country's pricing and costs.

We're an exception; our financial situation has improved dramatically. My wife and I both used to work in the UK; now I'm the only one who needs to work (my Australian job pays about 60% more than my UK one did).

BadgeIsBack Feb 15th 2010 6:28 am

Re: The cost of things
 

Originally Posted by spartacus (Post 8342505)
Custard pies don't come cheap . . .

Nor is the high tensile wire of the sort that walkers and trapeze artists use....

My wife has not worked in 6 years. It's unlikely that would have been the case in the UK - for us. Cheap property and high income growth has worked for us. It means we don't notice day to day costs but I know groceries are punitive. I find most of the sports are good value for money.

dgjamison Feb 15th 2010 7:11 am

Re: The cost of things
 

Originally Posted by creepycrawley (Post 8342949)
Most sensible older Australians agree that Australia is vastly less affordable than it once was. Housing used to be dirt cheap compared to the UK. Not really all that easy for first time home buyers here anymore.

People who came here having sold a property in the UK 10 or 15 years ago are in no position to judge because, financially, they got it easy back then.

Hi we went to australia in 1971, married there in 1972, we bought a block of land(a corner lot) 7 miles out of adelaide, for $1,750, we were going to get a house built (I still have the drawings all these years later) I can't remember the exact price, but I think it was round $13,000 to have it built, the mortage repayments $13 per month.!!!!!! Wish I had gone ahead and had it built, maybe I would have stayed in OZ, was only 19 years old at the time and really homesick for my parents and family, so returned home, big mistake. It is a lovely country, enjoy !!!!!:thumbup:

spartacus Feb 15th 2010 8:09 am

Re: The cost of things
 

Originally Posted by BadgeIsBack (Post 8344449)
Nor is the high tensile wire of the sort that walkers and trapeze artists use....

My wife has not worked in 6 years. It's unlikely that would have been the case in the UK - for us. Cheap property and high income growth has worked for us. It means we don't notice day to day costs but I know groceries are punitive. I find most of the sports are good value for money.

. . . as the result of a circus accident? A sequined g-string can do a surprising amount of damage when snagged on a high-bar . . .

ABCDiamond Feb 15th 2010 8:39 am

Re: The cost of things
 

Originally Posted by Alfresco (Post 8343676)
How much are avos there, and are they big?

3 Hass Avocados for $2 at our local fruit shop.


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