[joanne]

Hi
I ve been here for 4 months now, and Ive more or less got my head around where to shop/what to buy whilst on a budget. I must admit that when I first got here I was shocked at some of the prices in the supermarkets.
The main thing to remember about NZ is that it is NOT the UK (obvious I know, but it needs to be said sometimes) and things are done differently here.
Back in the Uk you could go to Asda/Morrisons and know that all the prices would be reasonable and they didnt vary much from week to week - NOT SO here. You need to keep an eye out for the 'specials' and stock up on them. Prices vary enormously here ...
eg Bananas can range from 89 c/kg to 1.99/kg and beef steak mince can vary between 4.99/kg and 8/kg. Fish on 'special' can be bought at 10/kg or you can pay up to 25/kg. So as you can see, its really important to spot the bargains :)

We shop at Pak n Save (like Aldi/Netto) once a month and stock up on non perishables.
I check in the paper to see what specials the Mad Butcher has on each week and we stock up on those (Chris passes the shop on his way home from work).
All my fruit n veg I buy at the Farm Shops ( I buy onions and potatoes in bulk and I only buy whats in season), the rest (which isnt much) I get from New World or Woolworths.
The Bulk Buy shops are also great value - they sell a great range of spice which you buy loose (FAR cheaper than the little supermarket jars) they also sell stuff like fabric conditioner, jam, nappies etc.
Household items, gardening supplies, stationary etc I go to the Warehouse for these types of items. They also sell clothes that are reasonable quality. There are also second hand clothes shops (or "pre-loved" as they are called over here) The one I went to recently is called Save Mart. It was a huge place, really well set out and the clothes were in reasonable condition. It depends on how you feel about 2nd hand clothes - I was looking for kids clothes as the kids are outdoors alot more over here and they are really heavy on their clothes. But I actually bought a pair on near new Timberland walking boots for myself! (9 dollars).

Garage sales are really popular here, I love looking around them. They are listed in the local papers. Some people have them when they are moving overseas and they sell 'everything.'



Our average shopping bill is around 140/week (2 adults 2 kids 1 dog) But this is an AVERAGE - if its a Pac n Save week than we may spend 220 that week and then only 80 the following week.

So... Top Tips when on a budget....

Buy "specials"
Bulk Buy
Buy 'in season'
Buy things at 'end of season sales'

Hope this helps.

[Singel]

Our average shopping bill is around 140/week (2 adults 2 kids 1 dog) But this is an AVERAGE - if its a Pac n Save week than we may spend 220 that week and then only 80 the following week.

So... Top Tips when on a budget....

Buy "specials"
Bulk Buy
Buy 'in season'
Buy things at 'end of season sales'

Wow Joanne, that is a very good budget. For us, 2 adults, we are spending $150 per week.
Thanks for the tips :nice1

[jubjub]

Another thing is to get a foodtown/Woolworths onecard, even if you dont go in there much, its handy to have and can save you $3-4 off a good bottle of wine, bringing it into the cheapo category, so you get a nice treat... for a good price.

Its so annoying to see the special ofers for card holders only, and not have the card!

http://www.onecardonline.co.nz/food_for_thought/cardpromotions.asp

[marcia]

Thanks for the advice.

One of our 'things to do' in January, on our reccy trip, is a 'pretend' weekly shop, just to see how much it would be. So it's good to know some of your handy tips in advance! :D

[StevieD]

I like the sound of that, a "pretend" weekly shop!! :) Think I'll just go and buy a pretend winning lottery ticket, a pretend BMW and pretend all expenses paid trip to Florida......
Joking apart, that is a really good idea. Would you base it on your average weekly shop in this country? That would make sense to me.

Steve

[tigerlily]

Try going vegitarian for some of the week- that helped my grocery bill here at home.

I had to after reading Diet For a New America. It will get you to eat less meat after the first chapter alone!

[Avalon]

For those with access - try Moore Wilsons (one in welly city - one in Masterton and Im sure theres another one somewhere).

Its not exactly "cheap" in the same way that P&S can be - but its cash and carry. You need a card (but its free - a small mercy in this country). They sell really good food but at business prices (check though 0 some prices are Ex Gst).

Where moore wilsons wins is that you can Alchol in bulk and much cheaper than the supermarkets - and also most other foods come in bulk catering packs too. (Im a fan of Biersticks 0 rather than pay 5.95 for 150g, its $4 for 150g, or 16 for 1kg!)

They also sell electrical, storage, crockery and even toys (Picked up Monopoly NZ for $34 - as it happens The warehouse have it for £33 but ho hum!)

You can make some big savings - so its worth checking out how it compares for your partiucular items. It may not win for everyone but its a good way to get "foodie" type stuff without breaking the piggybank. (Well, perhaps denting it a bit in our case.)

[katandbob]

mmm Monepoly......we have the Simpsons version and the original, is it worth bringing them?

[baboonworld]

At New World and some others i heard you get Fly Buys - my Dad has been to Oz loads of times on his airmiles!

[jubjub]

Yup New World do flybuys, so do lots of other places, Its amazing how often we get asked for our flybuys card.

http://www.flybuys.co.nz/

[Smiler]

Oooooh Sal

Thanks for tips on flybuys and woolies card, have applied online now.

I've seen a Moore Wilsons in Welly but can't remember where. Must have been on one of Gary's 'I know where we are now' trips. Will look it up and make a trip. I'm taking and collecting G to and from work until our car/bikes arrive so it's going to be easy enough to coincide shopping trips in town with that. :clap

Just wish they were open 24/7 and then I could go on my midnight wake up trips!!

Deborah

[Carol]

There's one in the city centre and also one in Porirua. Have shopped in the Porirua one before but didnt really find it any cheaper.

I regularly spend $300 a week for 2 s and 3 kids..............
usually at Woolworths and I never (normally) buy anything unless it is on special!) I just buy the brand that is on special that particular week - there is usually one.
That however includes everything from wine to cosmetics to bananas to minced beef.

My love affair with Pak and Save went out the window long ago. I detest the place.


We've just had reward vouchers sent to us from Woolworths - I got a $50 one and Kenny got a $15. I reckon that would cover our savings at the dreaded P and S.

[shagen]

Our current weekly expediture on food and groceries is in the region of NZ$150 (inclusive of weekly takeaways). I do my shopping for veggies at the Porirua veggie markets on Saturday mornings. As for groceries and meat, I get them from Woolworths, where I usually get stuff either on Super Saver prices or discounted prices on their Onecard member's price. These offers has very much reduced our weekly expediture since we arrived 5 months ago:raebanana . I usually buy stuff that I normally use when it is on offer and store them for later use. I have noticed that some items are on discounted prices almost every other week, while some only come on once every two month:yes . So some planning ahead on our requirements does come in handy;) .

[jocalla]

I have really got the shopping sussed now!!

When we first arrived I was probably spending in the region of $250 - $300 per week for 2 adults, 2 kids. But I gradually learned to shop wisely (because I have to :roll )

My shopping bill this week was $97 and that was including a bottle fancy shampoo I wanted. But I get the basics, absolutely NO rubbish. Mainly just meat and veg. On the negative side, I get sooooooooooo fed up having to constantly budget. On the positive, we are eating better than we ever have before................BUT I HATE IT!!!! I want microwave meals for a pound in tesco's full of lots of rubbish :wah can't afford microwave meals here.......... but I know..............thats a good thing :p

Joanne