Voices Of Victoria: How the cost of living increases are impacting you

With interest rates set to rise — again — tomorrow, we asked Victorians how they were cutting back to make ends meet.

Victorians have spoken out about the rising cost of living and how it has changed their spending habits in the first edition of Leader’s ‘Voices of Victoria.

Some are doing fine, others have a massive petrol bill, and one has been forced to give up fresh meat for $4 frozen meals.

Leader has launched ‘Voices Of Victoria’, a weekly profile asking everyday people in our communities how the burning issues are impacting them.

This week, we’ve chatted to shoppers from Mornington to Mildura to ask how the notable rise in the cost of living has changed their spending habits, and the things they’ve cut back on.

See if someone you know is featured, and let us know if you’re feeling the pinch and the things impacting you the most as well.

Gladstone Park’s Cathy Harrison, with Mornington couple Margaret and Henry Grossbard with dog Coco Chanel talk about how the cost of living has changed their spending habits. Picture: Lucy Callander

Cathy Harrison, Gladstone Park

“It’s not a big problem for me. I imagine how hard it would be for younger people, especially those who rent and live week to week. I keep an eye out for bargains and when something is on special that I use all the time I buy up. But luckily I’m not in a position where I have to say ‘Oh I can’t buy that this week”.

Margaret Grossbard, Mornington

“We keep track of the prices of common grocery items and shop around. When we’re planning a shop we look online at Coles and Woolies to see what’s on special. But we’ve always been careful with money and worked hard before retiring.”

Henry Grossbard, Mornington

“We make a list before we go shopping and we stick to it. That way you’re not tempted and don’t buy things you don’t need. I think it’s harder for younger people, especially those who have to travel for work. The petrol prices are so high and are only going to get worse.”

Voices of Victoria: Retiree Judy Bottrell of West Heidelberg at Heidelberg Woolworths. Picture: Kirra Grimes

Judy Bottrell, Heidelberg West

“Well you have to think twice about what you buy because everything you notice, like tomatoes are $12 a kilo or something, so that’s unbelievable.

”We have to watch what we buy. I’m probably buying a little bit less or you know, not buying as many tomatoes, say only buy two instead of a kilo to make do, stretch things further.

“I’ve noticed prices going up just in the last couple of weeks I think, since they’ve been talking about it on TV.

“We often shop at Aldi, which is a bit cheaper anyhow, but I look at the specials at different places. I’m definitely looking out for the specials more!”

Voices of Victoria: Chadstone’s Sandra Baxter.

Sandra Baxter, Chadstone

“The rising cost of living hasn’t changed my spending habits. I just spend normally.

“It hasn’t had too much of an impact on me so far. (I haven’t noticed my grocery bill) go up, as I’m by myself.

“I probably haven’t been impacted as badly because I’m on my own.”

Sandra Goddard, Ballarat

“I’ve noticed the price of food going up, I’m a pensioner and I’ve gone into a retirement village now.

“I’ve been sort of just buying those $4 meals that are frozen to save me buying meat that costs me a lot.”

Voices of Victoria: Cranbourne’s Ingrid Verdonck. Picture: Gemma Scerri

Ingrid Verdonck – Cranbourne

“I am being much more careful about where I spend my money, and trying to save on what I can.

“I now work six days here, and on Sundays I go to my other job.

“Before we were able to manage with me working five or so days, but it’s getting too expensive now.”

Voices Of Victoria: Phillip Island resident Nick Carlson. Picture: supplied.

Nick Carlson, Cowes

“We have two incomes and a manageable mortgage so we are lucky, but we are starting to think more about how we spend our money.

“We think twice about going out to dinner and now stay at home and cook because it’s going to be a hell of a lot cheaper.

“Fuel is huge as well, especially living in a regional town. I drive 45km to work and 45km back and a tank is now costing me $130, twice a week.

“We’re thinking twice about using the heater, the other day I put a jumper on instead of the heater because when it’s on you can see the dollar signs flying out the window.

“The biggest thing it has changed is our thought process, we think about what we need and what we don’t need.”

Supplied Editorial Voices of Victoria: Paula Heywood, Mildura. Picture: Supplied.

Paula Heywood, Mildura

“Meat! Meat it is just so expensive nowadays. We can’t really afford to be splurging on it.”

Paula also can’t remember the last time she went to the shops and picked up something nice for herself “just because”.

“I can’t really just go out and buy things just for fun now. It is only the essentials.”

Supplied Editorial Jamie Bakaj, 30, Craigieburn

Jamie Bakaj, Craigieburn

“It has got a little bit tighter, and I’m trying to cut back on fuel, it’s a big one.

“I’ve also noticed fruit and vegetables has definitely gone up.

“I’ve cut back going out on weekends and I’m going out less with mates … instead we visit each other’s houses.

“I’d love to see more done to ease it (cost of living), but how it can be done remains a mystery.”