Category: Shopping

Be Careful of Genetic Testing and The High Cost of Groceries Down Under!

20/5/2024

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A terrible sense of foreboding, as the cost of living crisis begins to bite!

4/6/2023

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There is most definitely a feeling of unease, right across Australia, at the moment. Traditionally, this country doesn't suffer from recessions in the same way a nation like the UK does, but this time, things feel decidedly different. Australia has a wealth of natural resources, the extraction of which, has helped cushion past recessions. Unlike the UK this has helped us weather previous downturns, but today this country is feeling the effects of a prolonged period of stagnation, high inflation and high interest rates. Like everyone else, Darrell and I are beginning to feel the pinch.

I have spoken much about the high cost of living in Australia and there seems to be no let up, with prices spiralling out of control. When I arrived on these shores, nearly nine months ago, we were paying about $150.00 a week on food. Today, after our weekly shopping trip to Coles, my supermarket of choice, we spent $305.00; this is a huge increase and something that isn't sustainable long term!

Both Darrell and I are particularly canny with money these days, it really is a case of having to be. So far, despite the constant mortgage rate rises, we have managed to more or less double our mortgage payments, and my hope was, we would pay the mortgage off within twelve years. However, interest rates are rising each month, and I am not sure for how much longer, I can continue to increase payments at such an exorbitant rate. With all our bills, insurances, house renovations and savings, we are looking at monthly outgoings of around $8000.00, which isn't small. Thinking short term, things will have to change, and we, like everyone else, will have to make cuts in our budget. Rather than waiting for things to take a turn for the worst, we are doing what is necessary now and hopefully preparing for what comes next!

I work in an industry that is likely to suffer first as any recession takes hold. Selling luxury goods, I am mindful of what could happen going forward, and I am trying to do what I can to protect us. As a person who suffers with anxiety, I am apprehensive about the future, and not sure whether I will be in the same job, six months from today. This is a source of great consternation for me, as I plan for our future in Australia. The long term plans I have are still there, but the reality is, I have put them on the back burner for now.

Working in retail, I am aware of people's spending habits and have seen a distinct drop in the money they are parting with. Everyone I speak to has concerns about the cost of living and are not afraid to speak their minds. Australians are very vocal compared to those in the UK; as a person who loves to listen, I am discovering that not everything is well in my home town. After only a short period living in Australia, I am fully aware of the difficulties on the horizon. Taking soundings from the locals has been a great way for me to prepare for the future here in Perth. In the past I was never keen on taking advice, today I am happy too, especially from people who know just what is about to happen.

As we move from the autumn into winter, there really is a cold chill in the air. The black clouds are circling over Western Australia, as recession looms large. If I am perfectly honest, I am concerned for the future and what lays ahead, but like so much that has happened in my life, I have no control over the outcome. Living at my Aunts in the UK I was sheltered from the worst life could throw my way; in Perth, saddled with a mortgage, and all the responsibility that comes with it, I am very much at the centre of the storm. I am conscious of my current circumstances and fully aware of what I need to do, in order to survive. The difference this time, is the lack of help from the state should I need it and the small network of friends, compared to those in the UK.

Darrell and I are very much on our own now, and that suits us perfectly. It has always been us two against the World, even more so in Australia. Today I remain positive in the face of adversity and nothing is too much to overcome. Thankfully I am a realist and can foresee the future, as I've been here before, for that reason I have been able to consider the difficulties ahead. Darrell and I are far more fortunate than most; our bills remain low, we don't live on the poverty line, and above all we don't live in Britain. Foodbanks, cold banks, utility bills out of control, strikes and discontent just do not happen here.

The cathartic nature of writing allows me to see the raw reality in front of me and keeps me grounded when deciding my next move. Reading over blog entries offers a unique insight into my current thinking and solutions to complications that have happened in the past and may crop up tomorrow. Now is the time to batten down the hatches, cut costs, and dream of future endeavours when times are good once again!

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The Curious Clapped Out Car Con!

18/3/2023

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This week, we finally got the internet installed at the villa; yes, it really has taken this long. To be honest, I am still hot spotting off my phone, because the connection is bloody terrible. I had been warned just how bad NBN broadband is here in Australia, but I didn't actually know that for sure, until we had a live connection (When it works) - it's bad, very bad! It reminds me of the internet in the UK back in the mid-nineties, and it is unlikely to get any better. Australia is a large country, so connecting every corner of this continent is just not going to happen anytime soon. This is one of my pet hates as I settle in to my new life, and it is one of many that continue to niggle me as I get to know this country inside out!

On Wednesday, Darrell finally took possession of his car, after nearly a week of ongoing repairs, from the garage where he purchased it. I hadn't actually seen the vehicle up to this point, and I wasn't sure just how much $5300 would buy you in Western Australia, but I don't mind telling you, I was gobsmacked at the state of it. In Britain, this car would have been scrapped; it really just isn't fit for purpose.

The Honda Accord is about twenty years old; it is covered in dents, dings and scratches and looks extremely worn out. It has over 250,000 kilometres on the clock and the paint is peeling all over the car. This isn't unusual for Australia, since the sun is so intense and obliterates everything in its wake, but it was still a shock, seeing just what you can buy for the money.

Darrell had also asked for different things to be fixed by the car yard who sold him the vehicle, so when he took possession, he expected it to be drivable; nothing could be further from the truth.

The steering was defective, the central locking faulty, and you are unable to see out the front passenger window. As if that wasn't bad enough, the passenger door can not be opened at all, making the car unroadworthy and dangerous. According to Darrell, there are also many other faults; like me, he is as angry as hell that this piece of rubbish was being sold in the first place.

The car market in Australia, like the housing market, is in a mess, and all because of COVID. With fewer cars being imported over the last few years due to the pandemic, people bought second hand cars, pushing prices upwards. This has left a large amount of 'clapped out' vehicles at the bottom of the market available for sale, that would have otherwise been scrapped. Unscrupulous car salesmen are selling them at highly inflated prices to desperate people, who need a car, and just can't get one anywhere else; Darrell just happened to be one of those unsuspecting people, and he was taken for a complete fool.

Luckily he hasn't signed a contract, but we are both unsure of his rights, since there is very little protection in Western Australia for someone who has bought a 'wreck!' Currently, his bank is trying to retrieve the money and if that fails, he will lodge a complaint with the WA Consumer Complaints Department, who will investigate the matter further.

I have my doubts that anything will get done, and worst case scenario we could lose the money and car. There are so many things about this country that makes my blood boil, and the protection of consumer rights is one of them. Both Darrell and I can ill afford to lose that kind of money, especially after everything we have paid for recently, and I have said he will not be buying a second hand car again. If we do recover any of the cash, it will be used as a deposit on a new car. With car values increasing, I feel sure this is the only course of action we can take. Cars at the bottom of the market are just too risky.

This seems to be a common problem across the country at the moment. Complaints have gone up by 730% over five years in WA alone, and it is important, anyone considering buying a vehicle, thinks carefully before parting with their hard-earned money. Knee-jerk reactions from desperate people are likely to end in tears, as we know to our cost

Only time will tell whether we get our money back, and I am still flabbergasted that a so-called first world country treats its citizens this way. There needs to be more protection in place to help people who have lost thousands of pounds to underhand, crooked car salesmen; until then people need to vote with their feet, literally, and walk or get public transport. I don't have a problem with walking, and nor should anyone else. It will take a long time to break the car culture in Australia, but if anything will, it's the state of the used car market. Mark my words, if we lose a single dollar over this, I will take them to court; I won't stop until we have every cent returned!

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Settling into Expat life, in Gran Alacant!

5/1/2023

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Walking down Heart Attack Hill!

We had a house full of furniture and two cats to bring from the UK, to our new home in Gran Alacant. The easiest option for us, was for Jamie and me to fly from Southampton Airport and for Darrell and close friend Dale to drive from Britain, down through France, into Spain and onto the Costa Blanca; two days in a van with me, Darrell and the cats, was likely to end in bloodshed otherwise.

This was a journey that took Dale and Darrell several days to complete. In France, halfway through the journey, they stopped at a cat friendly hotel and rested as long as they could, before completing the journey. When they arrived, it was a frantic few days of unpacking, before Darrell dropped off the van in Alicante, and we could finally start to live our lives, far away from the troubles of the past.

Sitting in the tiny lounge, surrounded by boxes, slightly shivering on a cold February day, I remember how happy I was to finally be away from Britain. Our last few months there were not the best, and Spain was just the new start all of us needed. None of us knew the area at all, so once Dale had left for the UK, the three of us began to explore our new home of Gran Alacant.

The 'Rehab,' or 'Recovery train,' (recovering from life in The UK) was our first venture into this quiet urbanisation. This miniature train, on wheels, would circumnavigate Gran Alacant several times a day, and we could hop on and off as and when we liked. After a particularly wobbly walk down Heart Attack Hill, to Molly Malone's Irish Pub, the first pub we visited in GA and one of our favourite haunts, We caught the train, just outside the bar and travelled the short distance to the Centro Commercial. This modern town had everything you could need, including several supermarkets, Mercadona and Lidl, the obligatory tobacconist, where I would by my Mojito flavoured cigarettes at 4.35€ a packet, half the price they were in the UK, and of course plenty of bars and restaurants.

Barloko, as it was named then, was situated at the top of the main shopping centre and during our first few weeks we went there several times. We hadn't yet found our own neighbourhood local, Sierra Mar, which was actually hidden away in a small gated community, down the bottom of a rather steep incline, a few minutes from our house in Calle Canarias.

At Barloko, or Roger's bar as we liked to call it, we met many of the locals at this popular venue and of course the amazing Roger himself, who was always a friendly face, even when things weren't going our way. He would often sit and chat with us, explain a bit about Gran Alacant and help us find our way around. Roger is one of those characters you just can't forget, and it was always lovely to see him.

We also spent a lot of time in Alicante itself, just a forty-five-minute bus journey away. This cultured city, full to bursting with architectural wonders, a beautiful castle and our favourite part, the marina, was just what we needed to get over the UK. It was a World away from the drudgery of Britain and even in winter, we could sit in our preferred venue of choice, 'Soho Mar,' just passing the time of day, forgetting our worries and feeling every bit like we were on holiday.

Of course, we weren't on vacation, we were there to start a new life in the sun and by the beginning of March, it was time to start building a future, and looking for work in Gran Alacant.

Out of the three of us, I was the first person to find a job in GA, at 'The Easy Horse Care' Charity shop in Plaza Mayor, at the bottom of Heart Attack Hill, a fifteen-minute walk from Carabassi. I worked several days a week and was paid a small wage to keep me going while I looked for something more permanent. The charity did what it said on the tin, rescuing horses and donkeys in the local area; this magnificent shop, consisting of furniture on one level and clothing above, was my first real foray into the neighbourhood of Gran Alacant. At first, I was a bit dubious about taking on the position, after my bad experience working for a charity in the UK, but my reluctance soon passed, as I made friends, worked hard and began to integrate into a community that welcomed me with open arms.

The Charity shop opened my eyes to the well established Expat community, and it wasn't long before I began to venture out more and more. Sierra Mar, was a short walk from my house on the hill, so I wandered down to this friendly square whenever I had the chance. It wasn't long before 'Zest,' a newly opened bar, became my second home. Lee and Brett were the perfect hosts and always welcoming, as were Steve and Paul behind the bar. Along with Aunty Pam, who cooked the best comfort food and was always free for a hug or two, they soon became akin to family in Spain; these were familiar faces in an unfamiliar World. When confronted with a new beginning, it is important to find your niche, somewhere to feel relaxed and at home and for me at least, Zest was it.

It wasn't long before I got to know the locals and when Darrell was called away to Australia, a few months after we arrived, these were the people that got me through. Darrell's Mother was diagnosed with cancer in 2016, and although we didn't know it then, our time would be cut short in Spain because of her illness. With Darrell travelling back and forth to Perth, I made the best of a bad situation. Settling into life in Gran Alacant was the most important factor, in me staying there for as long as I did. Had it not been for my Mother in law's illness, in all probability we would still be there now.

Of course, part of settling into a new neighbourhood is establishing lasting friendships. Luckily I met long term friends Andy and Katie, who lived just around the corner from me and then there was Paul and Michelle, who were instrumental in making me feel a part of their lives, especially when Darrell wasn't there. It is true to say I went into myself a lot more and became very withdrawn at times, but when you see your dream ebbing away, it is all you can do to cope with the changing landscape.

Gran Alacant was an easy place to settle down, it had everything I ever wanted and more - people I cared about, a community of like-minded individuals, helpful friends and local residents, and the perfect location on the Costa Blanca that worked for us. It wasn't in the throng of Benidorm, it offered a more relaxed place to live, but with a busy social scene that came into its own, especially at night, making you feel you were actually somewhere bigger. With so many nationalities living in one place, it was the best choice for us, and I am so glad we lived there, even if it was for only a few years. The memories I made, and the friends I still have today, are a tribute to the place I was honoured to call home, and a fitting homage to the Expat community who looked out for me, in a way nobody had done before!

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If something seems too good to be true, it probably is!

16/11/2022

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I had an early start yesterday, getting the train to Fremantle to hand in a CV for a job in this historic town. The hour-long journey, stopping at every station, and believe me there are a lot of stations, isn't really something I wanted to do every morning, so in many respects I was glad things turned out the way they did.

On handing in the relevant paperwork, I was asked to do a test, which should have taken about an hour. Looking at it, I was dumbstruck, this wasn't the job I was applying for, this was an A level paper, and I was not in the slightest bit interested.

I want a job that pays the bills and gives me as much time to explore Australia as possible; this test was a warning, that it was a position best avoided. So I politely made my excuses and left, practically running down the road and back into the centre of Freo. To be honest, I don't care what they thought. I was looking for a job in retail, a front facing customer service role, and this was not it; it would not have suited me at all. Still, we live and learn. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is, so next time I'll be careful where I apply!

Despite a disappointing end to the morning, I made the most of the rest of the day, sitting in the 31 degree heat, quietly passing the time with a cup of ginger and lemon tea and an ice-cold glass of water, badly needed in the scorching temperatures.

I do love Fremantle as a place to visit, but I really don't think I would want to travel in to work there every day, let alone live there. Fremantle really is just a tourist destination. There are small boutique shops, all overpriced, and expensive cafés and restaurants. Yesterday, I fell out of love with the place and left hurriedly, taking the train to Perth for a spot of lunch!

I went into the Belgian Beer Café as usual to grab a pint, after walking up Murray street to get Darrell a couple of vapes for $50.00 (£28.47,) from the tobacconists. Apparently there is no nicotine in the vapes he buys, it is illegal, and I believe from what Darrell said, they use a substitute chemical instead. It does however seem to work for him, and he hasn't touched cigarettes since he has been back!

Now I have personally never vaped in my life, but it does feel rather odd, that you can sell cigarettes, but you can sell nicotine vapes.

After listening to a recent debate on Australian television, it appears the Government believe there is more research to be done on any harmful effects, before they even consider legalising it. This of course won't stop people like Darrell from smoking them, and prohibition only drives the practice underground, which is happening in states across the country.

The new summer menu is out at the Belgian Beer Café, so there was no Roast Beef Baguette, but Fish and chips instead. Usually at home in Britain I would have Cod, but here it's something totally different, Barramundi and Chips, which actually tasted lovely. It had a much stronger taste than the British equivalent and a considerably firmer texture than Cod; This was a meal I thoroughly enjoyed.

From Murray Street, I spent a few hours looking around the city, and ended up at The Shoe for a final pint of Carlton and a train ride home. With Darrell working, I've been getting to know Perth as best I can. Luckily it has a fantastic, cheap, transport system that works remarkably well. I quite enjoy spending time to myself, travelling around this city. After all, if everything goes right, I won't be doing it for much longer!

Now I know it's not Marmite, but after seeing this Vegemite and cheese ready cooked chicken in Coles on the way home, it got me thinking what I could do with Marmite instead. Like most people, I use the black stuff a lot in my cooking. Whether adding it to sauces and gravy, or putting it on roast potatoes before cooking, I use it all the time.

Vegemite is a big thing over here, there are a lot of 'spin off' products that have Vegemite in the ingredients, and although I don't personally like it, it is easy to see why. Marmite could do far better. I've messaged Julio on the chicken counter at Tesco to get lubing the chooks up with the black stuff, it tastes bloody lovely, Vegemite or not.

Also this morning on 'Sunrise,' the Ozzy version of 'Good Morning Britain,' they had a feature on ice cream, in particular Vegemite Ice cream. Now that is something I'd like to try. I have tried similar products in the UK, especially the Marmite chocolate, which I enjoyed, and I used to spread Marmite on Chocolate biscuits myself as a child, but I'm not too sure about the ice cream. Nevertheless, if I see it, I will certainly give it a go!

For now, adios amigos, have a wonderful day!

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Ending The Week on a Positive Note!

13/11/2022

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Focused on Health and Fitness

Like always, I have done my best to keep busy this week. I really am not used to doing nothing, and need to keep myself occupied. Blogging is my preferred choice to stay active, in mind at least, but I have to get out and about as often as possible. I do walk over 10,000 steps per day, and I am enjoying a very active life here in Perth, more than at anytime in my life!

With distances that much bigger in Australia, I find myself walking much further than ever before, as a result my blood pressure has gone down even further, than it was in the UK, and this morning it was a healthy 111/72. When I look back to Spain and when I was first prescribed high blood pressure tablets in 2017, I have come along way. Back then, my blood pressure was 148/95 and rising. I have done a lot of work to bring these levels down, without cutting out everything I used to enjoy. More movement, less sedentary and a desire to succeed, has all contributed to an uplift in my wellbeing and general sense of happiness!

I can't stress how important it is for me to stay healthy right now. I have a lot of medical examinations to come over the next twelve months, so I do have the time to get in shape. My weight is a stable 75 kg, down from 98 kg when I started my diet programme in October last year. This is an amazing achievement, but I have put on 3 kg since I started my travels in September. I hope to get back down to 72 kg as soon as possible; this is what I consider to be my optimal weight and a figure I don't want to go above!

Health wise, I am feeling better than ever; many of the issues I had in the UK, seem to have disappeared in Australia. I don't have the aches and pains I had; maybe the odd twinge now and again, but nothing more. Also, despite the cost of food, I am actually eating even more healthy here than ever before. A combination of careful shopping, buying seasonal vegetables and fruit as well as having the time to go from shop to shop, to get the best deals, has allowed me to not only buy better, but also keep fit in the process. Presently I am feeling top of the World, lets just hope that continues, as my new Bridging Visa kicks in!

Durty Nelly's

Rather like Zest, when we lived in Spain, Durty Nelly's is gradually becoming our favourite bar of choice when we are in Perth, the food is fantastic! Wednesday is steak day and at a cost of $18.00 (£10.22) for sirloin and $25.00 (£14.19) for fillet steak, it really is a bargain not to be missed.

After a walk around the city, looking at the Christmas decorations that are now being installed, we stopped off at the Belgian Beer Café for a pint of Stella, the only place I have seen my favourite tipple being sold. Like a couple of old alcoholics, we were one of the first patrons in the bar and settled down in the distinctly colonial feel restaurant, for a breather and a chat. The setting is relaxed, comfy and extremely homely; reason enough to return alone, especially with the weather looking rather overcast.

From there, we made our way around the city, looking for a present for Darrell's Birthday on 26 November. Being 50 isn't your everyday occasion, so I wanted to get him something special, sadly to no avail.

We spent a good hour looking for all things Japanese, which Darrell currently loves, but the shop we were seeking out was closed until 17 November, which was a bit of a disappointment. Nevertheless, it gave us a chance to chat about the future, as we do when we are out together and discuss the remote possibility of buying a house in Perth.

Now I say remote, because the reality is, we have only just moved back to Australia and with Darrell only a few weeks into his new job, it does seem unlikely that it will happen anytime soon. On Friday, however, we have an appointment at The Commonwealth Bank to discuss a new joint bank account; it will give us the opportunity to mention our plans and see what response we get. I don't hold out much hope, but let's wait and see.

Shopping - Price Watch

As you would expect from a supermarket employee, I am constantly monitoring prices here in Perth. Apart from anything else, it is essential that Darrell and I keep a close eye on our finances, especially right now as we save for a mortgage.

Shopping every day, not only gives me time to walk my 10,000 steps, but it also allows me to get to know the local area and more importantly, keep close scrutiny on supermarket prices. Alternating between Coles and Woolworths, I go from one to the other each day, getting the cheapest products.

Personally, I think I do very well and have really become a canny shopper. As someone who is watching the cents, I am always struck by the price of some items that you can get for a fraction of the price back home in the UK. A prime example of this is Quality Street. So Far I have seen this good old-fashioned British Christmas staple as cheap at $15.00 (£8.51) a box to an astonishing $30.00 (£17.02) a box.

Now, I quite understand this is an imported product and not native to Australia, but it really is a constant shock to see how madly expensive these chocolates are. I have no idea if this was always the case, since I haven't lived here for many years, but a combination of inflation, the cost of living crisis, and import duties, has seen what I can only describe as the biggest fluctuation in price in WA. If Quality Street was a barometer of how bad things are economically, I can safely say we are living through unprecedented times!

Armistice Day

On the 11 November, Australia commemorated Armistice Day like everyone else. I didn't realise they did so in the same manner as we do in the UK, probably because I haven't seen anyone selling them in the street. After a quick google search, I discovered that Woolies sold the poppies, and I immediately took a walk to Midland gate and bought a pin for $10.00. They were kept behind the customer service counter, and there wasn't a charity tin in sight.

I paid the young lady using a debit card and even got reward points; a rather different process to that followed back home, but I was just glad to be able to do my bit for service men and women in Australia. I have always been grateful for the sacrifices they made, so I could lead the life I do today. Those who fought deserve our gratitude, and thanks for all they did. I await the ceremony from the cenotaph in London on Sunday, 7pm Australian time, when the new King, Charles III, takes the salute. Whether I am in Australia or not, it is a connection to my heritage back home that I will continue to participate in, wherever I am!

Hilary's boatyard

On Friday, Darrell and I took a road trip to Hilary's boatyard or Marina, along the coast near Sorrento beach.

This is another one of those places I have apparently been to before, according to Darrell, although I have no recollection of the occasion.

Hilary's is a rather pleasant, up market destination, full of shops, restaurants and expensive yachts. A few years ago I would have been delighted to spend a few hours window shopping, but as I have got older, I really don't have the same level of attachment to these sorts of places. In the end, they are just overpriced shopping centres, and I really don't have the money to waste at the moment. We are saving every penny we have for a deposit on a house and a very expensive partner visa.

However, it was pleasant sitting in the sun with a pint or in Darrell's case a milkshake, dodging feral seagulls and enjoying the fantastic views. It would be a wonderful if expensive place to live on the surface, but as Darrell said, 'it has no soul.' The expensive multimillion-pound houses along the coast look out of this World, but would I really want to live in such a place? Well maybe... But on my budget, we'll never know!

The Crown

This week, I have also managed to watch the entire new series of 'The Crown!' This is the only show I have ever binge-watched on Netflix and has become something of a tradition for me. I literally can't wait for the next series to come out each time and watch it with gusto.

This series was not a good as I would have hoped. I did find it slower than the last four season's and the subject matter a little obscure. There was however one saving grace, Elizabeth Debicki playing Princess Diana, What an extraordinary actress she is. At times, you just couldn't tell her from the real Princess, and it was just like watching Diana on the television set all those years ago.

According to The Queen herself, the 1990s was a particularly difficult decade for the Royal Family, but in reality, this wasn't portrayed as such, and I was left feeling a little cheated. The series concentrated on trivialities, rather than events of national importance; if I am honest, it all felt rather over done and unrealistic. In the end it was a bit of an anti climax, and I was just left wanting more. Instead, I will have to wait for another year, for the last and final series 6 to be broadcast.

Dare to Dream

With my days and weeks merging into one and becoming more and more frustrated at the lack of progress, it was heart-warming to have some positive news this week. After opening a new joint bank account with The Commonwealth Bank on Friday, Darrell and I had time for a brief chat with the financial advisor dealing with our case. We wanted to know about the remote possibility of getting a mortgage sooner rather than later. She duly took some details from us and said Rob, the Mortgage advisor, would ring on Sunday.

Rob actually phoned me on Friday evening, when I gave him a few brief details about our situation. In my head, I was thinking the worst, but was actually pleasantly surprised by his reply.

He said everything was doable, and I shouldn't worry so much. I explained we wanted to borrow a minimum of $200,000, a figure he wasn't phased about, and in typical ozzy tones repeated the phrase 'no dramas' again and again. It does seem on the surface at least we can borrow what we need, to buy a house rather than be a part of the ridiculous renting circus that exists here. A fifteen-year mortgage, with a 25% deposit at an interest rate of 4.79% should cost us about $1500 (£851.21) a month. This figure does seem awfully high at first glance, but it is actually cheaper than renting, and I have to keep telling myself it is only over 15 years.

After speaking with Rob this morning, I have been reassured about the much simpler process of buying a house in Perth. Both Darrell and I will only need to provide a single payslip, and we are then all good to go. The process is far less invasive than the UK, and we can also borrow far more than I thought. He felt he would be able to get us a twenty-year mortgage, which would make me 71 when I finished paying. Once again, he put my mind at rest and said I could repay the balance as quick as I like.

With fees low and completion times quick, it looks like we could have our own home early next year. This is wonderful news and gives us both hope for the future. This week has certainly turned out to be positive in every respect, let's hope everything else now falls into place!

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Flies, Midgies and Trollies!

8/11/2022

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I was out bright and early this morning, trying to avoid the flies and midges that tend to plague my every walk. The latter in the morning I leave it before setting off, the worse it tends to be. I am well-used to getting up early, so an 8 am stroll is fine. In fact, I am enjoying all this walking around the local neighbourhood. It is allowing me the time to get to know the place and find my way around. Of course, I wouldn't want to do it for too long, like everybody, I need to work, and the sooner that happens the better.

Now it's time for a moan... I am shocked by the amount of shopping trollies left lying in the streets of Perth, all over the place, wherever you walk. Don't get me wrong, you do find this back home in the UK as well, but it is nothing like you have here. There never seems to be any trolley collectors about, in any of the supermarkets, and the only time I have seen a one, is when large vans go around, loading shopping carts on the back. Just stick bloody coin slots on them, that'll stop people leaving them lying around, because they are too damn lazy to take them back. This really is a pet hate of mine, and really just shows people's lack of care and anti-social behaviour. Australia is such a beautiful place, why blight the suburbs with supermarket trollies?

Just a short one today... Rant over!

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Shopping Down Under - Adjusting to Expat Life!

6/11/2022

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When I moved to Spain in 2016, I would often talk about shopping, the different costs of supermarket food and how to live and cook cheaply. Back then I had very little money to live on and every Euro mattered. Money isn't so much of an issue today, but I'm not working as yet, so still have to be mindful of the money I am spending each week in order to survive.

As you would expect, I am budgeting our money carefully and doing accounts every day, just to make sure I don't overspend. I have accounted for a grocery budget of $250.00 a week, which at today's exchange rate of $1.76 to £1.00, works out at approximately £142.00 a week. This may sound a lot for two people, but when one considers the cost of food and other essential items, it really doesn't go far at all.

Since October last year I have been on a 'keep fit, get healthy' diet and I have to eat certain food. I have had to adjust my habits to take account of where I am living, and have had to change what I buy slightly. I can purchase more or less everything I did in the UK, but because of the cost, I have had to find alternatives.

One of the items I bought in the UK was Fibre one cake bars, to supplement the fibre in my diet. These would usually cost me about £1.25 when they were on special offer, half the usual £2.50. The normal price for them here in $6.50 (£3.70) and I always buy them when they are discounted to $5.00 (£2.84), more than the usual price in the UK. This is an item I will always buy, because I need it as part of my healthy regime, but I constantly shudder at the difference in price.

The diet meals in Australia are far superior to those in the UK. The taste, texture and contents are streets above what you get in Britain and at a cost of $5.00 (£2.84) a meal, they are on par with prices back home. Once again, I always wait until they are on offer, at $4.00 (£2.27). I have become a very canny shopper in Australia; it really is a case of having to be. With the cost of living crisis looming large and prices astronomically high in Perth, I am having to spend a lot of time researching prices and products and visiting different supermarkets, just like a proper housewife.

I shop in either Coles or Woolworths, both are great in their own way, but like most people I do have a preference. I would rather shop at Coles if I am honest; it is slightly cheaper in price and has a much larger range of products on offer. Darrell says Woolies is more like Marks and Spencer in the UK and does have prices to match. Interestingly, each supermarket alternates their offers weekly. What's on offer in one isn't in the other and vice versa, until the following week when they swap around. I spend my days walking from one end of Midland Gate to the other, just to get the best deals; it's a bloody good job I have time on my hands!

Just to complicate things even further, I never buy fruit and vegetables in the supermarket, it is just too expensive. Next door to most of the larger grocers you will find a 'WA Grocers Fresh,' basically a large green grocer, selling everything you can possibly imagine and more. The huge variety of stuff is like nothing you see in the UK. The sheer variety is mind-boggling, most of which I have never heard of before. The best part, however, is the prices, they are dramatically cheaper. Yesterday Coles was selling bananas for $3.00 (£1.76) a kilo, whereas WA Growers Fresh were selling them for $1.99 (£1.13) a kilo. It is only a small difference in price, but when you add your shopping bill up at the end of the week, it does make a huge difference.

Like all British supermarkets, Woolies, Coles and all the others also have loyalty card schemes, although as I have discovered, they aren't as generous with the points as my beloved 'Tesco Clubcard' in the UK. In fact, 500 points would get you five pounds in the UK, here, it will only get you half that.

The biggest difference is the number of shops that take these membership cards. Flybuys, run by Coles can also be taken in Kmart for example and a number of other establishments. Equally, Woolies rewards are also taken by Big W, BWS, Quantas and many other organisations. This makes the scope for collecting points much bigger.

Another surprise is the many other different clubcards in circulation. As a seasoned charity shop shopper, I love to visit them regularly wherever I am, and yesterday I bought a couple of items from 'Salvo's' in Midland. Immediately, the little old lady behind the till asked me for my loyalty card. A little confused, not knowing if I had heard her right, I asked her to repeat what she just said, and low and behold, they also have their own scheme. It doesn't matter where you go, everyone has a reward card. The number of cards I can add to my 'Google wallet' in Australia is beyond belief; I have literally lost count. I'm guessing that there is a much more competitive market here, unlike the UK, and keeping customers happy and engaged is important.

It feels on the surface, at least, that this part of Australia isn't suffering from an economic downturn. I recall walking through the high street in Portsmouth before I left, and thinking how sad this place was. Many of the well known shops were closed and boarded up, and there was very little in the way of choice. Not only Portsmouth, but everywhere the length and breadth of Britain was suffering from difficult times, whereas Australia is still booming.

Many of the well known brands I remember from the mid-nineties, when I last visited Australia are still there, The large department stores like Myer and of course all the supermarkets. There are also many other new retailers on offer. As you walk through Midland Gate, indeed any of the large shopping Malls, they are full to bursting with customers and choice, lots and lots of choice. There is an impressive number of smaller independent shops and a lot of speciality outlets as well. From sushi, to baked goods and homewares to general stores like BigW, Target and Kmart, the equivalent of which, doesn't exist in Britain, there is such a massive variety, you are literally spoilt for choice.

I would imagine that Western Australia is sheltered from the worst of the economic battles, the rest of the World is fighting. One has to remember the wealth of natural resources Australia has - from gold and precious stones, to coal and iron ore. The money this brings in to WA is huge. I was listening to the news only this morning, and they were discussing the average wage in Australia, being $1700 a week, that's over £50,000 per year, compared to the UK's £36,000 a year. So you can see there is a much higher level of disposable income down under and boy do they know how to spend. The checkouts are ringing to the sound of cash in a way Britain can only dream about; long may it last.

... And finally, it is good to see many of the products I love in the UK are on sale here in Australia. Although $28.00 (£15.90) for a single box of Quality Street, when you can buy two boxes in Britain for £7.00 is a little too rich, even for me; I'll stick to something a bit cheaper, thanks!

As well as British products like Marmite, Cadbury's Chocolate and Tins of Heinz, there are also many other home-grown ones that I have adopted as my own. My favourite guilty pleasure is Cherry Ripe, which I have every day, only a small fun size bar, but I have become somewhat addicted again, as I was back in 1997. It is a real shame we didn't get it in the UK and many of the other chocolate bars they have here; a far wider selection than we have back home. The chocolate does taste different however, less milky, more oily, probably because of the hot climate; British chocolate would just melt in the heat.

As a British Expat, it is easy settling into Australian life, more so than in Spain. That obviously has a lot to do with our common heritage, but it is also to do with the familiarity, everywhere you look. In many respects it does feel like being in the UK, a hotter, more sanitised version perhaps, but I do feel rather at home. The shops cater for my needs, in a way no other country where I have lived in the past has, and I have no problem navigating my way around. There are a few oddities, like calling the bedding/linen department in a store, the 'Manchester' section, and referring to a duvet as a doona, but otherwise it is very similar to life in the UK and for that I am grateful. I really don't want to have to start learning a new language at my time of life.

My shopping habits have changed dramatically, as you would expect. I do have to be careful about my spending habits, but I have relatively quickly adapted to my environment. I am well aware of the spiralling costs and the different alternatives, and I'm sure in another few weeks I will be shopping as I did in Spain - frugally, perceptive and shrewd. This is how I got by in Gran Alacant; the knowledge I learnt there will help me succeed today. It's time to reconnect with my prudent, thrifty self and make Australia work for me!

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Getting Healthy!

22/8/2019

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Keeping fit and trying to lose weight, has always been an activity, I have had difficulty with. I have spent my whole life dieting in one way or another, so it is natural I have reached another crossroads in my life, where I need to do something to get healthy once again. To be honest, I did consider another strict calorie controlled diet, but soon realised it wouldn't work. Why wont it work? Well I have tried that approach many times before and I have always failed somewhere down the line, usually just a few days into it!

This time I wanted to do something different and really start to eat healthier, without restricting myself too much. As an all or nothing person, I have never chosen the middle ground; extremes are my forte. During the times when I did rigorously eat an uncompromising diet, it felt like a prison sentence and I soon got fed up with the austere nature of what I was doing. All I did was crave the things I liked and eat the things I didn't. This was a sure fire way to fail and it wasn't long before I got fed up with the whole palaver and just continued down a self destructive path of binge eating, even in secret.

So today I am cutting down, choosing healthier alternatives and most importantly reducing the size of the meals I eat. On top of this sensible eating plan, I have also decided to reduce the carbohydrates in my diet dramatically, but not altogether. If I stop eating carbs completely, I will crave them all the more and surely fail at the first hurdle. Buying food that is lower in carbohydrates is a good start for me; low carb bread as well as fresh fruit and vegetables and more salads should help me lose weight. Yesterday I also made some Cauliflower Rice, by blending the vegetable up into grain size pieces and quickly frying it in olive oil; served with Chili, it tasted delicious. It worked surprisingly well, despite my initial apprehension and didn't taste of cauliflower at all.

So it's back to healthy eating for me, not a bad thing when one considers the amount of walking I do a day and the cigarettes I no longer smoke. It is about time I took charge of my own destiny, and as I drift towards my fiftieth year, I am fully aware of what I need to do in order to live a longer, healthier life. My body no longer feels and acts like the twenty year old, who used to drink, smoke and party hard; today it is in need of an MOT and an overhaul, accepting what it can and can't do. Realising ones age and changing ones lifestyle is an important part of maintaining the perfect balance between body and mind. My mind is as healthy as it has ever been, my body, well, just needs work...Could do better as they say. Hopefully this time, I will succeed where I have failed in the past!

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Supermarkets!

29/11/2018

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Ah, supermarket shopping, the bane of my life, it is the one part of the week I hate. Usually my Aunt Trisha undertakes the weekly trip to procure supplies, but today I was persuaded to go into town with her and my Cousin Rachel. Trisha and Rachel had to buy some Christmas cards and since I had a day off, I towed along. The weather wasn't great and it was pretty miserable outside, but spending time with family is good, rain or shine.

As you would expect, my favourite supermarket is Tesco; I work there, how could I say anything different. In all seriousness, I actually enjoy walking around the isles in this Fratton store and find the whole encounter far more enjoyable than many other retail experiences. In the past I would rush into a superstore, grab what I needed and run out, equally as fast. To be honest, having an Aunt who does the shopping is a bonus. It allows me to avoid those gleaming, inviting shelves and keeps my money firmly in my pocket. Going back ten years, I spent far more than I needed to. If I look back to 2006, I could spend a hundred and fifty pounds a week on food shopping and probably a lot more if I am truthful, so I am glad I am not doing the same today. It is easily done here; the variety and amount of goods on offer is huge and I am easily led!

Spain really changed my shopping habits; the supermarkets there were terrible. The service was the worst in the World, one would queue for half an hour just to join another queue to pay for ones shopping and the staff were rude and unapproachable. Equally the choice on offer was horrendous and as a couple we would have to cook everything from scratch; there were no short cuts.

I did become very self sufficient when I lived in Gran Alacant; living frugally, I spent no more than 20€ a week on groceries. What I did buy, lasted me a long time and I was able to make more than one meal with only a small amount of food; my days of living like a King were well and truly over and I had to learn a whole new way of life. If anything Spain taught me how to survive in a very unforgiving climate, so returning to Britain has been a breath of fresh air and reintroduced me back to civilization. I am jesting of course, Spain is as civilized as the UK, it just does things very differently.

When we got to the checkout today, there were no bags for our shopping and we had to use flimsy plastic carriers to take our purchases home, one bag splitting as soon as we left the car park, spilling shopping everywhere. This annoyed me, as you would expect and I vowed never to shop in ASDA again. Of course I will, but it just underlines why I shop at a particular outlet in the first place. It's not just about how much things cost, it's about the service you get and the attention you receive when you actually pay your bill. As a checkout operator, I am well versed in how to address members of the public. I have always worked in a retail environment so always treat customers how I would like to be treated. It really doesn't take a lot of energy to be polite and I am absolutely passionate about giving the best service I can, as I believe others should also!

So from an experience at the checkouts today I have rambled on about shopping long enough. This is what I love about blogging.....Sometimes it's the strangest situation that triggers a memory or gives one the motivation to write about a particular subject. Working in the retail sector gives me an valuable insight into the workings of a busy, supermarket, so when things go wrong while I am out shopping, I become more critical than I normally would. Running out of carrier bags is not the end of the World, but it is rather infuriating for the customer; I am proud to say it has never happened where I work and I hope it never happens again where I shop!