The Price to Live
Is it just me or is the cost of living rising out of control?
Remembering back my Mother told me that “when I was a kid we could by half a pie, half a pastie and a can of drink for 50c” (that was 40 years ago). Things were a little more expensive when I was a kid (20 years ago), but a lot cheaper than what my kids are currently paying!
So many things are now becoming more disposable (DVD players, washing machines, TVs, stereos) as we seem to replace them more often – so why are they more expensive? Gone are the days of a washing machine or a TV lasting 30 years! My parents still have the same TV that we had when we were kids and no word of a lie – it still works!
I found an article a few years ago, which broke down what things cost per litre. I can’t find it, but I would be interested to know what the change has been in the last few years.
I recently brought shampoo and conditioner on special for $7 ea. Each bottle is only 250ml which equals $28 each per litre or a staggering $56 per litre for both shampoo and conditioner. Whilst washing my hair with this “bottled gold” I started to wonder more about the price to live / litre.
Some Common Items (approx) $ / Litre
- Shampoo/conditioner: $56.00
- Milk: $1.22
- Fuel: $1.30
- Coffee Dare: $7.00
- Fresh Juice: $3.00
- Beer: $16.00
- Coke cans (supermarket): $2.00
- Coke cans (pubs/cafes): $14.00
Breaking expenses down monthly here are our monthly expenses – note: we are a family of 5 living in the country (2 adults, 1 primary school, 1 preschool, 1 baby):
Bathroom $ / Month
- 1 month supply of shampoo/conditioner: $56.00
- 1 month other bathroom items: $40.00
Mortgages / Loans
- House Mortgage: $1,000.00
- Loan: $200.00
Utilities / Month
- Council Rates: $100.00
- Water Rates: $25.00
- Electricity: $150.00
- Telephone (landline): $40.00
- Telephone (VOIP): $30.00
- Telephone (mobile): $80.00
- Internet: $80.00
Shopping / Month
- Groceries (food only): $1,000.00
- Groceries (cleaning products): $50.00
- Groceries (for baby): $80.00
Takeaway Food
- Meals / Drinks: $100.00
School Related / Month
- Fees (Preschool): $200.00
- Lunch Orders: $30.00
Vehicles / Month
- Rego/Insurance (2 cars): $100.00
- Fuel: $90.00
That is an approximate of $3,500 worth of living every month! And I didn’t even include incidentals like medical, chemist, newspapers, shoes, makeup, clothing, Pay TV, house or car repair, wheels or tyres, holidays, entertainment or fun!
We live in the bush, so our mortgage is nowhere near what our city cousins are paying – but our city cousins get other things cheaper like food, clothing etc because there is more competition.
Staggering isn’t it?
So whether you like it or not you have to budget (or get a second job)! I get my budget advice from Budget Bitch Pty Ltd and her main advice is “do you need it”? Looking at the list above, most things we need but we could trim the fat a little. Some advice that I have picked up from Budget Bitch in the last few months;
- Do you need it?
- Look for cheaper alternatives (that still do the job).
- Don’t buy expensive gym equipment when you can hire it.
- Trade services! Bartering is back!
Budget Bitch Pty Ltd Website
Some things that I have adapted over the years;
- I pay small amounts per week of bills such as electricity so when the bill comes it is paid in full!
- I shop every day and try and keep my daily bill under $30 (food is much fresher).
- I turn everything off at the power point (especially plasma TV).
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