The Daily Cost of Living

Published on November 6, 2009 |

Christine Watson of Marquette Turner Luxury Homes writes:

Are you finding your daily basic living costs are getting more and more expensive? Is your back pocket being hit far more than ever?

Here’s some of the daily costs in Sydney, Australia – how do they compare to where you live?

The cost of the average family weekly shop continues to grow. To most, special treats are a thing of the past. The essentials such as bread, rice and sugar are continuing to rise. According to a recent survey, prices for most items in 2008 have increased substantially. The price of bread has increased from $3.67 to $3.71, rice $2.29 to $2.47 and sugar $2.18 to $2.42. And that luxury item – beer, has increased by $1.34 for 24 cans.

Recently, a newspaper headline stated “basic grocery items, including bread, butter and beer have shot up in price”. Not sure about basic items in your home, but beer is not included in my basic grocery items.

Apart from the ever increasing costs of food, the daily costs of getting to and from work have increased substantially. Public transport fares have gone up and you rarely get to your destination on time. Our road tolls are embarrassing. To cross our harbour bridge it now costs $4 (up 100%), and $3.50 during off peak time (up 50%). Our M2 motorway has increased from 98% from $2.50 to $4.95, our Eastern Distributor up 66% from $3 to $5, Commuters pay up to $100 per week and where they can, will drive miles out of their way to avoid these hefty tolls.

Our CPI has risen 36.5% in the past 10 years, but tolls on our motorways have gone up by between 52% and 100% between June 1999 and June 2009.

And then, once you arrive at your destination, car parking prices are an outrage. A daily rate to park a car in Sydney’s CBD can be anywhere from $45 to $75 for the privilege. In addition, motor vehicle registration, licensing fees and insurances have all increased at an alarming rate.

Christine Watson