Sunday, December 22, 2024

What your $29-$44 tax cut will get you in groceries on July 1

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The average worker will take home an extra $29 a week while the lowest paid workers will pocket an extra $44 when tax cuts kick in on July 1.

While most Aussies say they plan to bank the extra cash, I decided to take that money to my local supermarkets to see how far it would go when it comes to buying some of the most popular grocery items.

I’ve been struggling to keep up with feeding my family of four, which includes three children, each of whom has different dietary requirements such as food allergies and intolerances.

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“I’ve been struggling to keep up with feeding my family of four, which includes three children.” (Supplied/9honey)

Recent increases in grocery prices and other cost-of-living pressures have made this even more difficult. So I am hoping to stretch this new money as far as it can go.

Some of the most commonly purchased grocery items in Australia are dry pasta, rice, bananas, chicken (breast), milk, eggs, sliced bread, potatoes, bacon, butter, juice, yoghurt, fruit and beef mince.

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jo abi consumer reporter for 9honey supermarket sleuths
“Recent increases in grocery prices and other cost-of-living pressures have made this even more difficult.” (Supplied/9honey)

For this week’s Supermarket Sleuths, with a focus on these items and each supermarket catalogue in hand, I figured out how much extra the average Aussie will be able to buy with this extra cash.

Coles

jo abi 9honey consumer reporter supermarket sleuths
“I figured out how much extra the average Aussie will be able to buy with this extra cash.” (Supplied/9honey)

There were plenty of specials on at Coles, and for $29 I was able to purchase eight products: chicken mince, ham, bread, juice, some English muffins for breakfast, broccolini, pears and a Turkish Delight, because I needed a treat.

The chicken mince and broccolini will make for a delicious dinner of rissoles and maybe some rice and broccolini, which I fry in a little oil before adding garlic and a splash of soy sauce.

jo abi supermarket sleuths tax cuts groceries
There were plenty of specials on at Coles and for $29. (Graphic: Polly Hanning)

For with an extra $15, bringing my tax cut up to $44 per week, I was able to add four extra products.

These included some onions, which I can fry up for chicken burgers using the chicken mince. I was also able to get some extra fruit, apples and kiwi fruit and some yoghurts for my daughter’s school lunchbox.

Woolworths

jo abi 9honey consumer reporter supermarket sleuths
My trip to Woolies produced similar results. (Supplied/9honey)

At Woolies, I was also able to purchase eight products for $29: chicken drumsticks instead of chicken mince, broccolini, which they also had on special, some mandarins, ham, crumpets instead of English Muffins, tuna, a bag of salad mix and some Tim Tams because, once again, Mama needs a treat.

And I was able to add another four products as well with that extra $15: potatoes, apples, rice and chicken stock.

jo abi supermarket sleuths tax cuts groceries
The extra $15 allowed me to buy extra fruit and veg and pantry staples. (Graphic: Polly Hanning)

I am thinking I can make a casserole with the drumsticks and chicken stock with a side of rice.

In my household we actually eat rice as a snack too, so I always keep some in the fridge which we heat up as we go, sometimes adding a little butter and salt.

Aldi

jo abi 9honey consumer reporter supermarket sleuths
Aldi produced the best result. (Supplied/9honey)

At Aldi, my $29 stretched to nine products, one extra than at Coles and Woolies.

I was able to purchase hamburger buns, beef patties, tomatoes, lettuce, apples, green beans, potatoes, mandarins and yoghurt pouches.

So, burgers for dinner it is!

jo abi supermarket sleuths tax cuts groceries
Burgers it is! (Graphic: Polly Hanning)

With a $44 tax cut, I added four extra products: juice, rice, eggs and blueberry muffins.

While grocery prices are high at the moment, by grabbing the catalogues and focusing on the weekly specials I was able to make the most of my tax cut dollars at all three supermarkets.

tax cuts supermarket groceries
‘I’ve been struggling to keep up with feeding my family-of-four.’ (Supplied/Coles)

While I love looking at the physical catalogues and flicking through them, you can also access them each week via the app Shopfully and this is a great way to plan your weekly shop taking advantage of these specials.

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