Consumers Spend Less - Brand Name Products and Services to be hit hard

YES – We're spending less !

Household spending decreased after consecutive rises, according to recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Here's the off-set: - The figures show we're spending more for household goods. Not that we're buying more, it just costs more!

That means cut-backs are being made by the shopper – and bad news for companies.

In this opinion piece - No more Western Star Spreadable (Aldi has similar spreadable that's nearly $4 cheaper and tastes just as good).

McDonalds is witnessing a reduction in patronage, due to increased prices.

Atleast Hungry Jacks offers discounts on its “Shake and Win” and coupons.

We now buy fewer items from Coles and Woolies.

In my photo, you'll see a regular price of 30 Pack “Pepsi Max”. Compare that to $48 at Coles or Woolies.

At Aldi, some items are almost the same price, however, many other goods can be cheaper by $3.00 to $5.00 per item. That's a huge saving that Woolies and Coles need to hear, despite their weekly “Half Price” offerings. It just doesn't match.

Small pubs and food outlets are reporting fewer customers. Why would that be, do ya think?

Donuts\Doughnuts – (even the less expensive store brand) has become unaffordable. They are no longer a treat. Sadly, it's no surprise that proper stand alone doughnut stores are going bust.

Cheap Pizza? No such thing. The added costs have priced the usually cheap pizzas from Dominos and Pizza Hut OUT of the family plan for the most part.

Petrol – don't get me started!

But with a greater take up of Electric Vehicles, you'd think petroleum companies would offer an incentive with greater fuel discounts, to keep people using the fossil fuel dinosaur. - and yes, they can do it, they just won't.

Insurance Premiums have skyrocketed. Home Insurance was $900 a few years ago. Today, we've been asked to pay $4,000+ We get told it's the increased costs associated with under writers but only a few have had the heart to keep their prices to a respectable level, while others double or triple car insurance, while some home premiums jump up between $2,000 and $3,000 for homes. (many thanks to our home insurance who worked with us to get costs down).

My heart goes out to those doing it tough with the massive interest rates which, in turn, leads people to stop going out to fast food restaurants or enjoy the above mentioned treats! (see my earlier comments).

Bulk Billing has seen ups and downs. Some GP's do the right thing. Some services and tests now come with an out of pocket expense. Recently, I frustrated my doctor because I refused to pay the out of pocket cost, resulting in my doctor being unable to carry out a procedure.

We get told that inflation is heading downward – but, in general, prices have been unchanged or have actually increased.

Such a vicious circle. Our lucky country has been so unlucky in recent times and those behind the decision to increase costs need to start reducing those prices, otherwise some of the big brands will start looking at shutting down as they out-price themselves.