Mum outraged over price hike of go-to kids snack

"Even budget food isn't budget anymore!" shares one mother about her favourite lazy meal. 

Can we get a price check on instant noodles? Chances are they've doubled from the week before. Actually, they have according to one mum who recently shared that her kids' cup of noodles has been "attacked" by a price hike. 

With food prices shooting through the roof, a cheap and convenient alternative is the most viable option. So, it is unsurprising to see instant ramen sales skyrocketing and almost becoming a staple.

But what happens when the budget alternative is no longer budget-friendly? 

A recent post in the Mums on a Budget group created a stir when a mum shared that the price of her Fantastic Noodles had increased by 60 cents in a week! 

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A mother took to her FB group, horrified at the price hike of her kids favourite snack. Source: FB group

Not the noodles!

"I legit paid $1.90 for these last week, this week $2.50. Even the budget food isn't budget anymore!"

"So bad. I remember yearssss ago they were like 95 cents each," one member admits to her age. 

Other members of the group were quick to jump in with alternatives but also to share what other kids' snack faves had gone up in price. 

"I only paid about $1.85 for these a couple of weeks ago and now they are $2.40, my kids love these it’s getting ridiculous," said one budget-conscious mum. 

"Don't get me started on Up&Go...my God.. I can't afford that anymore..." confesses another. 

According to the World Instant Noodles Association, 2022 saw a record consumption of 121.2 billion servings of instant noodles worldwide.

Sadly, not even instant noodles could outrun the cost of living crisis. In Japan, major noodle manufacturers have had to increase prices by about 10 per cent in 2022 and again in 2023, responding to the rising costs of ingredients and packaging.

More families shared what they have taken off their regular shopping lists; from frozen veggies, which often help bring down the food shop, to sliced cheese. Nothing is free from price gouging. 

"Yeah, $4.50 for the $2 frozen veg, and it’s all the stalks/stems!!! And my stepkids hate that part. It’s ridiculous! My stepson will live off plastic cheese, we call it, and yet it’s becoming too expensive to buy," shares another mother. 

"Aldi brand went up in price too it was $7 for a 6 pack now it's $8.90 I think," a member tells the group. 

"Yep, even the 6-pack singles used to be $1.50, now $2+ over it!" shares another. 

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Time for budget-mum-math

So what are families to do as prices of basic budget items continue to rise? 

Other members of the group were quick to share current specials at mainstream supermarkets. When the budget-staples are going up it's time to get creative. Enter budget-mum-math. 

"Try looking at the fruit & veg shops for better prices, our local f&v yesterday we got a 10pk migoreng noodles for $5.95 whereas a 5pk at Coles is $3.95. Vittoria coffee at our local F&V is $6.99 whereas Coles sells exactly the same item for $12.50!!" said one savvy shopper. 

"Just get a 5 pack of noodles. You can seep them in a bowl. These aren’t budget items anymore, unfortunately!" another mum said. 

Lastly, from one instant noodle aficionado, "I get the 5 packs of noodles for $2. I know cups are convenient but what I used to do in high school is take a thermal cup with hot water in it and a pack of noodles. When I was ready I would add the noodles and they would cook in the cup and then I would eat them."

The cost of living seems to have spread like a pandemic. While there is currently nothing unlawful with prices in the supermarket aisles, it's very clear something needs to be done. And fast. 

At the time of publication, Woolworths, Coles and IGA were all selling the Fantastic Chicken Noodles for $2.50.

Originally published as Mum outraged over price hike of go-to kids snack