Insane grocery bill! What in the world? | ExpatWoman.com
 

Insane grocery bill! What in the world?

231
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 March 2011 - 10:59

Went to Spinneys yesterday. Bought:
1. Taco Shells
2. Can of refried beans
3. Cheese (3 kinds, prepackaged and not pricey)
4. Bread (wholemeal small)
5. Nappies x 2 small packs (one swimmes and one pull up)
6. Small bottle of cooling oil (local brand of sunflower oil... 500 mL)
7. Baby cereal
8. Baby snack
9. Pizza base
10. Pepperoni topping

my bill was AED 235! Are you serious? Or am I delusional in thinking it was too high.

876
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EW GURU
Latest post on 18 March 2011 - 15:48
Oh great, this is how we will end up with Spinneys prices in the market. Of course you haggle, and you can get the price down a lot, especially at 5 pm when they want to clear their stock.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 March 2011 - 15:44
It's open 24/7, 7 days a week. You can haggle, but they don't put the prices down more than 2-3 dhs. Be warned, you have to buy in bulk.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 March 2011 - 15:43
It's open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can haggle, but they don't put the prices down more than 2-3 dhs. Be warned, you have to buy in bulk. <em>edited by tahm563 on 18/03/2011</em>
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 March 2011 - 13:14
sorry one more ? do you haggle for prices at AlAwir market or prices are fixed? tia
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 March 2011 - 13:04
anybody knows if Fruit & Veg market in AlAwir is open on Fridays? timings? thanks
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EW GURU
Latest post on 18 March 2011 - 11:41
Apricot, I shop in Union Co-op all the time and have never seen Pakistani red carrots, only Australian carrots, whereabouts are they? Is the Al Ain beef you buy from the fresh meat counter or frozen, never seen that either! TIA. :) <em>edited by Saltire on 18/03/2011</em>
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 18 March 2011 - 10:51
My strategy is to buy nearly all fruit n veg from the Farmers Market at Dubai Mall. The strawberries (non-organic from Egypt, Dhs 5/punnet and organic from Al Ain, Dhs 10/punnet) are fab, as are the mulberries, grapefruit, oranges. I buy enough for the week on Friday mornings. I stock up on apples, blueberries, small bananas, baby food bits and brown basmati rice, low fat UHT milk cartons, Arabic pita breads, chocolate at Organics every 3rd saturday (20% off).The rest of the stuff (potatoes, onions, garlic, ginger, lemon, lime, Pakistani red carrots) bought at Union Co-op. Union Co-op has better prices on trash bags and toilet cleaner than C4. I tried (frozen) poultry from Organics but found that it released A LOT of water when cooked, not sure why. Now I buy Perdix or Al Islami frozen chicken parts. I buy red meat from Union Co-op Safa Park (I'm very fussy about how meat tastes and I like the Al Ain beef). Also like the lamb stew meat from Organics. We buy meat for "special occasions" from Park n Shop. I go to C4 once a month, mainly to get C4 nappies, C4 brand basmati rice (10 kg bag), but also any advertised special deals, baking stuff, special cheeses/ chocolate/ C4 brand jam. Both Choithrams and Spinneys are walking distance from my home but I go there with a strict list! Bread, Al Watania eggs, ice cream (Choithrams), cereal boxes from the "reduced to clear" shelf. Where is the Farmers Market at the Dubai Mall please Apricot - it sounds fab! Also, what days is it on? <em>edited by BrownEyedGirl on 18/03/2011</em>
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 March 2011 - 09:15
I used to spend thousands on grocery before because I had a choitram walking distance. Since I moved and since mum moved to Dubai, she taught me some very good techniques to save money. Honestly, our grocery is 2000/month excluding petrol. We are a family of 4 and we eat very well. This is what I do now: - Get weekly shopping from fruit and vegetable market Al Awir (not the Deira one) - get meat from a small butchery in Deira (excellent beef and fresh chicken) - Get my bi-monthly grocery(cereal, cleaning products, dry food, noodles, rice, flour etc) from hyperpanda/C4. I get fresh milk and bread from a local store. That's it. Before I used to spend 6000+ from Choitram for a family of 3. I am so grateful now that I don't have a choitram walking distance.
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 17 March 2011 - 23:46
My strategy is to buy nearly all fruit n veg from the Farmers Market at Dubai Mall. The strawberries (non-organic from Egypt, Dhs 5/punnet and organic from Al Ain, Dhs 10/punnet) are fab, as are the mulberries, grapefruit, oranges. I buy enough for the week on Friday mornings. I stock up on apples, blueberries, small bananas, baby food bits and brown basmati rice, low fat UHT milk cartons, Arabic pita breads, chocolate at Organics every 3rd saturday (20% off).The rest of the stuff (potatoes, onions, garlic, ginger, lemon, lime, Pakistani red carrots) bought at Union Co-op. Union Co-op has better prices on trash bags and toilet cleaner than C4. I tried (frozen) poultry from Organics but found that it released A LOT of water when cooked, not sure why. Now I buy Perdix or Al Islami frozen chicken parts. I buy red meat from Union Co-op Safa Park (I'm very fussy about how meat tastes and I like the Al Ain beef). Also like the lamb stew meat from Organics. We buy meat for "special occasions" from Park n Shop. I go to C4 once a month, mainly to get C4 nappies, C4 brand basmati rice (10 kg bag), but also any advertised special deals, baking stuff, special cheeses/ chocolate/ C4 brand jam. Both Choithrams and Spinneys are walking distance from my home but I go there with a strict list! Bread, Al Watania eggs, ice cream (Choithrams), cereal boxes from the "reduced to clear" shelf.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 March 2011 - 19:54
by the way its 20% off at the organic place this weekend.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 17 March 2011 - 16:02
And what about all the Coke brands ? + 50% since January 1st, I was shocked, cans are now 1.5 aed instead of 1, with the coke drinkers at home, bills keep rising ! It's unbelievable that they could indeed increase 50% in 1 shot. but they have been 1 AED forever! a can of coke in the UK is about a pound? or more??! about 7 aed! I agree with you, but it's not because it was cheap for a long time that it's normal to increase 50% in 1 day. It's also much cheaper because the storage facilities / customs are much cheaper and that there is 0 tax on it. It is obviously normal that price increases when the economy is rising but not normal to change a price 50% from 1 day to the next. By that Logic potatoes or spices are also much cheaper than in Europe and since a long time, so if they increase 50% tomorrow you would think it's normal ? since coke came here in the eighties there was an agreement, which recently expired, to charge no more than one dirham.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 17 March 2011 - 15:58
Coke Pepsi etc have always been sold at a "loss" here - it is all about market share and visibility. Times are just a bit tougher now even for the big boys!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 March 2011 - 12:10
And what about all the Coke brands ? + 50% since January 1st, I was shocked, cans are now 1.5 aed instead of 1, with the coke drinkers at home, bills keep rising ! It's unbelievable that they could indeed increase 50% in 1 shot. but they have been 1 AED forever! a can of coke in the UK is about a pound? or more??! about 7 aed! I agree with you, but it's not because it was cheap for a long time that it's normal to increase 50% in 1 day. It's also much cheaper because the storage facilities / customs are much cheaper and that there is 0 tax on it. It is obviously normal that price increases when the economy is rising but not normal to change a price 50% from 1 day to the next. By that Logic potatoes or spices are also much cheaper than in Europe and since a long time, so if they increase 50% tomorrow you would think it's normal ?
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EW GURU
Latest post on 17 March 2011 - 11:48
Most cans in the typical corner shop are between 50-70p for a can. The only places I paid a pound or more were in train stations or airports or major tourist destinations. Coke has always been exceedingly cheap in the UAE. It's much cheaper here than in the US as well. As for eating local produce, I have to say that quite a lot of it has a funny and even bitter aftertaste. I stopped buying local broccoli because it always had a bitter aftertaste, compared to the relatively clean and sweet flavors of Spanish broccoli. And what about all the Coke brands ? + 50% since January 1st, I was shocked, cans are now 1.5 aed instead of 1, with the coke drinkers at home, bills keep rising ! It's unbelievable that they could indeed increase 50% in 1 shot. but they have been 1 AED forever! a can of coke in the UK is about a pound? or more??! about 7 aed!
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 17 March 2011 - 11:42
Amy, I've only ever eaten raw cucumbers, to the best of my knowledge. How do you use them cooked, please?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 March 2011 - 11:26
And what about all the Coke brands ? + 50% since January 1st, I was shocked, cans are now 1.5 aed instead of 1, with the coke drinkers at home, bills keep rising ! It's unbelievable that they could indeed increase 50% in 1 shot.
231
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 March 2011 - 11:12
Wow. This is a great discussion. I wonder if the supermarkets here have HUGE margins or goods actually cost that much considering they are shipped in from other countries? One of my friends is a local food distributors, I think I will ask him how this works (re pricing at the wholesale and retail level for supermarkets). I wonder if prices are being inflated at the retail level or/and the distributor levels.
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 16 March 2011 - 23:32
I have noticed a massive price increase over the last 2.5 years, most of my shopping is at Spinneys ( Like it even thou expensive) no wage increase, its getting tough, but what can we do. All I can say is if all us expats left, and I mean all of us, the shops would got bust!!!!!!!! wouldnt they.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 March 2011 - 23:27
Agree with long - Fish and vegetable market in Deira is the best in Dubai, the problem is that is too far (I live in the Marina) Strongly disagree with Pomegranate: Aubergines, brocoli, pepers, bananas, lettuce, tomatoes, zuchini, eegs, yogurt, milk, water, etc. are locally produced (UAE or Oman), cheap and good. My main problem is that Spinneys and Waitrose do not sell local products, they sell peppers from Holland that are more than 10 times more expensive!!!!! That is crazy. Not to mention the carbon footprint of bringing tomatoes from Holland by plane... The small bananas from Oman I bought once at Lulu were the best bananas I have ever eaten in my life. Brocoli from Abu Dhabi is one of my favourites. Local yogurt is very good. I do not know if Lulu is the cheaper, but you only need to see the people who buys there in comparison with Spinneys...
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 March 2011 - 20:56
Hi, If you want the cheapest and freshest veg then shop at Deira fruit and vegetable market. The veg is outstanding and cheap. The fruit is not that much cheaper than spinneys etc (it's not local so comes from same place supermarkets get it) but is much fresher. Try it, you won't be disappointed. And it's part of the fish market too, which is also good.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 16 March 2011 - 20:33
Interesting and yes do all products in Europe or USA have the same standards ? I do not think so . Companies produce different items to different specifications and we consumers would be mistaken to think every item we buy in a European country is manufactured to the same level and ingredients and the same goes for U S A/ North /South America oe other regions. I don't think it really possible to compare prices in Dubai with around the world? When comparing prices, you compare like for like and the quality of produce/items here is like chalk and cheese compared to the western world. Yes (some items) in Europe, USA, UK, Australia etc may be more expensive than Dubai, but look at the quality of produce, meat, milk, bread you get with your shopping in these countries, compared to the stuff here! The Colgate toothpaste sold here is made in KSA. Sorry but I won't buy it - the regulations for food manufacture here is too hazy for my liking. So many times I've checked out pre-packaged food items (from UAE) and the "E" ingredients are things I've never heard of. Even washing powder, yes, it's cheaper here than home but then it doesn't seem to work! And there was the stories a few months ago regarding the local produce that was watered with sewage waste. Hormones in the milk. You can keep your weekly shop down to a minimum if you really try, no doubt about that, but if you opt for mainly regional goods, but you get what you pay for, look at the quality (or lack of) you are actually buying and taking into your home. If you stick to all imported stuff, then yes, your grocery bill will be insane. There is just no way to win ;) edited by Pomegranate on 16/03/2011
867
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EW GURU
Latest post on 16 March 2011 - 20:21
I don't think it really possible to compare prices in Dubai with around the world? When comparing prices, you compare like for like and the quality of produce/items here is like chalk and cheese compared to the western world. Yes (some items) in Europe, USA, UK, Australia etc may be more expensive than Dubai, but look at the quality of produce, meat, milk, bread you get with your shopping in these countries, compared to the stuff here! The Colgate toothpaste sold here is made in KSA. Sorry but I won't buy it - the regulations for food manufacture here is too hazy for my liking. So many times I've checked out pre-packaged food items (from UAE) and the "E" ingredients are things I've never heard of. Even washing powder, yes, it's cheaper here than home but then it doesn't seem to work! And there was the stories a few months ago regarding the local produce that was watered with sewage waste. Hormones in the milk. I've heard that Marmum milk is the only "safe" option - but even the fact that there has been a discussion on it makes me worried. You can keep your weekly shop down to a minimum if you really try, no doubt about that, but if you opt for mainly regional goods, but you get what you pay for, look at the quality (or lack of) you are actually buying and taking into your home. If you stick to all imported stuff, then yes, your grocery bill will be insane. There is just no way to win ;) edited by Pomegranate on 16/03/2011 <em>edited by Pomegranate on 16/03/2011</em>
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EW GURU
Latest post on 16 March 2011 - 20:09
Yes like Many I compare prices but is not easy to keep it up as constantly changing but i do not necessarily find LU LU cheapest , yes for some products but think it can be a misconception. One really needs to keep going around the stores and keeping and eye on prices and remembering as we all forget or think we remember correctly as the years go on but may be mistaken. How many pepole actually check their receipts after they purchase and spot errors ? and then actually get the refund ?
Anonymous (not verified)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 March 2011 - 18:05
i seldom compared price from here or there. just go to supermarket in turn, like going different malls for shopping in turn for a change. the supermarket, almaya, closest to where i live is the one i go often. i found some things it sells a little bit dearer than C4, but consideration of traffic, and C4 has no pork partition, i still prefer Almaya and i feel convinience goes first, price goes second. as to quality, u always get what you paid. however, my driving instructor, who has been in dubai for 16 years, told me, LULU is the cheapest supermarket here.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 March 2011 - 17:58
We decided to cut back on eating out and are now cooking a lot from scratch rather than buying the ready sauces... I now spend roughly 1000dhs on the first of the month bulk buying our toiletries, cat litter,food,dog food and treats, washing powder... Then roughly 750 each week on food alone...That is for 2 adults, 1 toddler, 2 cats and a dog.... We went to Germany last summer and I was shocked how expensive everything was. Much more than when I still lived there. For a can of coke in a chippy it was 3euros...and chips and sausage was no less than 5.50euros and a mc donalds meal set us back 7euros.... But supermarkets were about the same as here I would say-maybe slightly cheaper as we have Aldi and Liddle...Oh how I miss it...And lots of pork at reasonable prices...And fresh strawberries.... Roll on July....
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EW GURU
Latest post on 16 March 2011 - 17:55
Interesting! How long is the season here? Also, what's the maximum amount of time you can leave them to soak if the weather turns bad after the pots are dropped? edited by Sanddy_Dogg on 16/03/2011 Nov-Mar is best time. we drop them at 5pm and pull them up the next day between 6-8am. Sometimes just a load of blue crabs, othertimes we get lucky. If they are small they get released...or if they squeek.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 16 March 2011 - 17:51
So I was a bit bored, and read this thread and out of curiosity did a quick online shop for the items listed, since I don't know what they were exactly this is approximate however if you were to buy these items in: Tescos (UK): you would pay 25 pounds Woolworths (Australia): 69 dollars Netgrocer (US): 63.50 US dollars So basically the UK is a lot cheaper, australia more expensive and the US about the same! Interesting comparison!!! Do you fancy doing a quick comparison with the Swiss Coop?! Will do it now! OK, much to the family's amusement, I've logged into my Swiss Co-op on line shopping account and put in kcinthecity's list, as close as I can get to like for like, though I'm not sure about the packs of nappies and I can't find pepperoni topping so I replaced it with salami. It comes to a grand total of CHF 85.75, which I'm not surprised to find is over AED100 more than the original list. <em>edited by simpleasabc on 16/03/2011</em>
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 16 March 2011 - 17:44
Spinneys is expensive, I only go there to top up on a few things. I do the big shops at LuLu or Carrefore - sooooo much cheaper.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 16 March 2011 - 17:43
the price of berries etc in spinneys/waitrose is ridiculous. i've seen punnets of strawberries in spinneys for 38 AED..... while there are boxes in C4 and Union Co-op for 5... (maybe depending on season) :\: even things like the little bags of carrots, some supermarkets have them for 5/6 and others are 11/12! Strawberries from the States and Holland are expensive everywhere but the punnets from Eygypt are always very reasonably priced, even in Spinneys (when they're available)! Yes but lets be honest - they are sh!t - hard, tasteless, grown with sewage water :\:
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 16 March 2011 - 17:41
Oh no, Trader Joe's quite cheap. Whole Foods is expensive (Whole Foods Whole Paycheck). I would love to have a TJ here. Trader Joe's is really expensive in the USA, so can you imagine how much it'd be here? edited by AnonDubai on 16/03/2011 really, my daughter(she is in usa) and me have been comparing prices back and forth...and some of the stuff is way cheaper at the wholefoods, and not to mention that organic stuff was cheaper than regular stuff sold here.Particularly fruit.
 
 

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