Cost of living: The items Victorians are slashing from their shopping lists

Victorians have opened up on the items and luxuries they are starting to go without as the cost of living continues to surge.

Fruit and vegetable prices have soared in supermarkets across Australia due to the impact of inflation and the weather. File picture.

Everyday Victorians are dining out less, buying fewer clothes and trying to avoid using too much petrol on car trips as the cost of living continues to bite.

Leader and Geelong Advertiser reporters hit the streets this week to ask locals from Burwood to Ballarat, and outer suburbs of Geelong including Lara and Corio, about the things they have slashed from their shopping lists.

The rising cost of groceries, particularly fresh fruit and vegetables, has seen many make adjustments to their weekly budgets.

But the costs of power and petrol, also hit with massive hikes, has also started to burn a hole in some readers’ pockets.

See if you can spot anyone you know, and let us know the things you’re cutting back on the most and where you’d most like to see some cost of living relief in the comments section.

Adam Hahs, Ballarat

Ballarat psychologist Adam Hahs.

Ballarat psychologist Adam Hahs said many of his clients were having difficulty with rising costs.

“There is more struggling going on, it’s more noticeable,” he said.

“A lot of my clients are [struggling]. It’s tricky times. It worries me.

“I’ve got kids who are teenagers. This is not a better Australia now in my opinion. I think it’s actually gone backwards because of things like cost of living, housing, and rent problems, and homelessness.”

Lorraine Richardson, Lara

Lara’s Lorraine Richardson. Picture: Alan Barber

Lara resident Lorraine Richardson has been impact by the increasing cost of living.

“I’m buying less fruit and veg and less clothing, I’m just buying what I need,” Ms Richardson said.

Holly Richmond, Corio

Corio’s Holly Richmond. Picture: Alan Barber

Corio resident Holly Richmond is making sacrifices as the cost of living rises.

“I’m going out for dinner less and treating myself less,” she said.

“Also I’m budgeting a bit more.”

Khaled Allouch, Geelong

Geelong’s Khaled Allouch. Picture: Alan Barber

Khaled Allouch of Geelong had noticed that prices are on the rise.

“Everything is going up,” he said.

“I’m not really going without anything but I’m spending more and buying less.”

Lorrae Whitehead, Wodonga

Wodonga’s Lorrae Whitehead. Picture: Alan Barber

Lorrae Whitehead from Wodonga is aware of rising costs but says it hasn’t been impacting her directly.

“Not anything in particular, it would be different if I had kids, I’m just buying for myself and

my husband,” she said.

Mara Castillo, Flemington

Mara Castillo from Flemington says many of her peers are concerned about rising costs, and adjusting their budgets accordingly.

“I think it‘s smart to be careful with your money right now. Food, petrol, electricity – it’s all costing more,” she said.

“I‘m definitely trying to spend less on things like eating out, new clothes and driving. Almost everyone I know is thinking about their budget.”

David Isaacson, Burwood

“I would say I probably haven’t given up but have had second thoughts about how often we would buy things.

“I would say some expensive items like fish and red meat would be less frequent.

“It’s just about adjusting and trying to have more vegetarian meals and thinking more carefully and planning things more carefully.”

Arthur Bacolas, Warranwood

“I’m working full time and so is my wife, so we’re OK at the moment.

“But if that situation changes, which it has for a lot of people, we might be in trouble.

“We have to watch everything … I think everyone has to do it … groceries and petrol are more expensive, fruit and veggies are out of control.

“We’re not going out for dinner as much as we would like, but I’d prefer to save the cash for a rainy day anyway.”

Anna Jacobs, Cranbourne.

Voices of Victoria - Anna Jacobs, Cranbourne on the cost of living, image: supplied

“We watch everything when it gets tough, I rarely go grocery shopping without a specific list as it is.

“In the past, the first things we cut down on when it was really difficult was red meat.

“For my husband and I, it’s not as difficult anymore, but for our young adult kids we do worry about them.

“We are very fortunate that we are able to help them out when they need it, especially now that things are getting much more expensive.