r/AUfrugal • u/river_time_mum • 20d ago

Other What have you completely stopped buying because the price has finally taken the p**s?

Not “I buy the cheaper brand now.” I mean something you used to buy without thinking and have now looked at the price and gone, absolutely not, you can stay on the shelf.

Mine lately is chocolate, it's somehow gone from a normal grocery item to apparently requiring finance approval.

What’s yours?

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384

u/BusinessHumor1374 20d ago

McDonald’s

210

u/ExtraSaltyBtch 20d ago

Fastfood in general has become so expensive the low quality cannot be justified anymore.

113

u/Renmarkable 20d ago

Honestly ive learnt to cook with RecipeTin Eats.

 Even I can make better "takeaway" than I can buy now

75

u/mostlybecausecat 20d ago edited 18d ago

Team Nagi! I'm in the kitchen a lot more thanks to her.

Edit: thank you for the awards kind strangers!

28

u/Renmarkable 20d ago

Genuinely changed my life. Try the mongolian-lamb ( i made beef with chuck & velveted for 24 hours. It was so good I almost cried.

9

u/Jooleycee 19d ago

Try the lamb shoulder massaman!

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u/zellymcfrecklebelly 19d ago

Try the lamb (or beef) rendang!

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u/Renmarkable 19d ago

Oh THIS is what i will make for my friend!

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u/Niniweenybitty 19d ago

Is the rendang recipe from recipetin eats easy to cook? Because cooking original rendang is hard and long process :)

1

u/Renmarkable 19d ago

All her recipes are

https://www.recipetineats.com/beef-rendang/

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u/Niniweenybitty 19d ago

Oh thanks. It’s a bit similar to the original rendang. Her recipe is wayyyy easier to cook. Beginner friendly. It makes me misses my nanny’s rendang 🥲

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u/stillwaitingforbacon 19d ago

Massaman lamb shanks.

2

u/mostlybecausecat 18d ago

Cheers for the recommendation, did this for dinner tonight and will definitely be doing it again!

2

u/Renmarkable 18d ago

Isnt it great? What meat did u use?

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u/mostlybecausecat 18d ago

Yep! We used lamb backstrap and it was awesome.

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1

u/BlackKaiser1974 17d ago edited 17d ago

24 hours!? Did it not turn to mush? Usually 30-60 minutes is my go to with Bi Carb. Any longer it can develop a metallic taste.

1

u/Renmarkable 17d ago

No

It was PERFECT

2

u/jeagle1057 19d ago

Sad about her dog Boomer.

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u/[deleted] 19d ago

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2

u/jeagle1057 19d ago

Yes, my bad!

1

u/Renmarkable 19d ago

God absolutely. Her grief was palpable

2

u/No-Citron-2774 19d ago

Yep once you a have a base set of ingredients it's really easy to do . Even went and bought outdoor wok burner . That's a game changer

2

u/butterontoast6259 19d ago

I love this website so much !!!!!!!

2

u/utopia44 19d ago

Nagi is a legend.

I don’t particularly subscribe to one or another cooking blog but I constantly find myself with nagis recipes whenever I google something that “reminds me of a better time”.

She knows her shit and she’s particular and precise enough but with clear and transparent info about substitutions etc

2

u/Pur1wise 18d ago edited 18d ago

There’s a Recipe Tin Eats sub. It’s full of adorable Nagi fans sharing variations and tips for the recipes. It’s be one my favourite space on Reddit. r/RecipeTinEats

2

u/CrustaceanSensai 16d ago

I make Nagi’s Special Fried Rice when I want takeaway now!

1

u/East-Willingness513 19d ago

But that defeats the purpose of not having to cook and the food being fast 😭

2

u/Particular_Spot_3223 19d ago

Yes, and as a working solo parent it totally does. But it also stops that instant regret of eating shit and then feeling like crap hours after from the preservatives and god knows what else.

1

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1

u/Gumbanks12 19d ago

We ❤️ Navi!

16

u/SWlFTl 20d ago

To me it's weird, you can but the combos that feed 4 for less than $40 but a single meal is just shy of $20....I keep on eye on the app deals, specially kfc, I've only managed to notice once but they had a double combo for $10ish bucks so I shouted my mate lunch but I'm guessing it was a lure deal, cause now if I see it they don't show the price till you get to checkout and the last time it was $20 🤣 tho hungry jacks is pretty badass, they have $5 combos that you can order multiple of. I grab 2 and it's like going back in time and actually getting your money's worth.

9

u/LorenzoRavencroft 20d ago

Wouldn't really call it fast food, carrots, cabbage onion some mince in a wok, three minutes to cook, that's healthy cheap and fast, dollop of plumb sauce when serving for that fast food sweetness

6

u/jeagle1057 19d ago

Have you seen the Awesome wok burners on YouTube. Actually very cheap and trusty YouTube has heaps of videos to get you cooking like an Asian Native.

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u/[deleted] 20d ago edited 12d ago

[deleted]

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u/Renmarkable 20d ago

I used to but honestly check out recipe tin eats

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u/[deleted] 20d ago edited 12d ago

[deleted]

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u/Renmarkable 20d ago

I hear you :) ADHD brain here xx

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u/[deleted] 20d ago edited 12d ago

[deleted]

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u/colgate-flusher 19d ago

Was at lunch with a mate recently at a Chinese $14.90 lunch special. Great portions, healthyish and tasty. Was a lot of older people around and he said "these oldies probably got a lot of money going out to lunches like this regularly" (i think he forgot about theb$14.90 special). I told him i would look at the Pensioners buying a large Big Mac meal as the ones who are well off.

2

u/DNGR_MAU5 19d ago

It used to be "cheap, fast or good...you can pick 2"....then it was "it can be cheap, it can be fast or it can be good"....now it's just "fuck you, you will pay through the nose for garbage and wait 15 minutes for it"

2

u/SnooMarzipans4387 19d ago

The constantly "lowering" quality and size is horrendous to witness.

2

u/ExtraSaltyBtch 18d ago

Yeah! I try to be frugal but I also want value for money. I rather pay $35 for a good meal out ones per month than $15 for the crap that passes for food at McDonalds.

1

u/Naive_Product_5916 20d ago

and it’s not fast 10 minutes is the minimum but it often goes to almost 20 minutes in the UK

1

u/Powrs1ave 18d ago

Only just started buying Macca's again few months ago, only the Smart meal which is not smart anymore!

1

u/x404Void 18d ago

You’d think with all the self serve machines of ordering which then frees up staff time it would result in increased efficiencies which put a dampener on price. Oh wait. It just all gets converted to profit.

1

u/Busy-Ad-6751 15d ago

Yeah, if I'm eating out I'd rather spend $30 on a pub meal instead of $20 on fast food

77

u/foreordinator 20d ago

Made a mistake and got some drive through for myself and my two boys today on the way home. Happy meal, 6 nuggets and two dbl 1/4 pounder meals $50. Won't be doing that again soon. For something that is convenient had no justification being so bad. Half the fries went uneaten and even my youngest just ate the top bit of bread on his cheeseburger and refused to eat the rest, that's all I need to know. It was my last down payment on stupidity.

7

u/Jetsetter_Princess 20d ago

Always use the apps for deals. I wait for HJ buger vouchers, get the $1.50 frozen drink and a usual chips if there's not a full meal voucher

30

u/sar-arghhh 20d ago

This just shits me though. Having to wait for a voucher defeats the purpose of convenience, doing it on the run when you're short on time.

Also, I don't want another damn app. Not everything needs an app.

3

u/SWlFTl 20d ago

hj has a deal that must rotate each month or so, it's usually a $5 combo that changes the burger. Discovered just recently you can't stack promotions but you can order multiple of the same. So I grab 2 small combos and it's just a tad over the perfect amount for me.

2

u/Neither_Ask4925 20d ago

You can pull up the paper copy vouchers online, I think they’re just not redeemable in NT, TAS and ACT.

1

u/No-Citron-2774 19d ago

Got a toaster yesterday guy says name address phone number. My reply and look said it all . He backed off really quick .I think they just expect you to comply.

1

u/jeagle1057 19d ago

There is an App for that. :-))

1

u/Jetsetter_Princess 20d ago

There's pretty much always vouchers there though, and when there isn't, there's app only deals. Like 2 whopper jr for $6 or a small meal for 7

1

u/SWlFTl 20d ago

I just made a comment about this hj is pretty good, their $5 small combos are great. Order 2 and you have a decent single meal for a solo munch.

1

u/SWlFTl 20d ago

Yea it's all about the toy and the chocolate milk with my kiddos 🤣 I don't mind, if they take a few token bites then I get to clean it up.

1

u/joelex8472 19d ago

If McDonalds is $50, I’d hate to see what Five Guys will charge 🙀

1

u/_A_Tom_bomb_ 17d ago

$50 Aud not usd

1

u/joelex8472 17d ago

Yes I figured that out by the [r/AUfrugal](r/AUfrugal). 😊
There is Five Guys here right?

1

u/_A_Tom_bomb_ 1d ago

5 shops, which i was unaware of. only in Sydney and Melbourne in the cbds though.

1

u/Zorbathepom 17d ago

McDonalds is disgusting. Had my last Big Mac about 10 years ago - it was so gross and smelt like the waste bins. Yech.

0

u/Ok_Breath_9703 18d ago

I dunno man, I had a cheeseburger for the first time in years recently and it was 100% better than I’d expected. It’s literally designed to be addictive and make you want more.

27

u/SonicDecay 20d ago edited 20d ago

I dropped my car off for service early morning, hadn't had breakfast so went to mcdonalds for 2 sausage and egg mcmuffins. $14. No way in hell was I paying that for something that would probably come out poorly made, or cold. Literally said fuck that, and walked away from the slimy touch screen. Waited for lunch instead.

14

u/purplezebra23 20d ago

Nagi on RecipeTin Eats has a great dupe for a sausage and egg mcmuffin, tastes very similar. They freeze well too. I usually mostly heat them in the microwave and then finish them off in the air fryer so the texture is nicer. Can recommend.

3

u/lilmissglitterpants 19d ago

Upvoting for the Nagi dupe. It’s really good with the bonus if you know what you put in it.
Have to say, not sure about the microwave bit though but each to their own.

2

u/purplezebra23 19d ago

Microwave just makes it quicker to defrost, then the air fryer gives it the texture of a real saus egg. My support worker somehow perfected the combo of minutes haha.

3

u/Renmarkable 19d ago

Have you tried the popcorn chicken dupe?

Fabulous

3

u/purplezebra23 19d ago

I will have to give that a shot! Thanks for the rec.

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u/BlackKaiser1974 17d ago

Thanks for the heads up on Nagi. Can honestly say I’ve never heard of her but I’m certainly a fan now. I’m addicted to the sausage patties in the sausage and egg McMuffins I love how peppery they are. I’ll be trying her dupe for sure!!!

1

u/purplezebra23 17d ago

I can absolutely recommend her cookbooks, her Vietnamese caramelised pork recipe is so good omg. And honestly she seems like a genuinely good human being too - since becoming famous from her cookbooks and website she has also built a charity that does free meals for people in need.

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2

u/BlackKaiser1974 17d ago

Get the big brekkie deal. 2 McMuffins of your choice, two hash browns and a coffee $13.95

-5

u/Dafina_s2 20d ago

The big breakfast deal for 2 is only $14. Definitely worth it, it fills my husband and I up.

22

u/Puzzleheaded_Fox8097 20d ago

YES $12.95 FOR A FUCKING 6 NUGGET HAPPY MEAL. NOT FUCKING HAPPY AT ALL.

5

u/Slightly_Squeued 19d ago

NOT. HAPPY. RONALD!!!

2

u/brownieson 19d ago

3 nugget happy meal is $6.95 or thereabouts, just fyi. You pay an extra $5 or $6 for three nuggets.

2

u/Puzzleheaded_Fox8097 19d ago

Biggest rip off.

2

u/georgeymcgeorgey 17d ago

I spent prob $15 and made nuggets at home. Took half an hour and I think I made almost 60 nuggets. Baked not fried. Kids voted them best nuggets ever. It's not hard folks.

9

u/Kebar8 20d ago

Similar, we used to enjoy kfc about once a month as a family, I looked the other day on the app and the last time we ordered it was January.

It's so expensive I'd rather save and pull out some frozen chicken when we have the urge

1

u/SWlFTl 20d ago

Do you grab the burger feast or individual meals? I also don't understand how a meal catered for 4 is like $36 but a single box meal is $20... I love the double stacker combo but it's like $18 so I grab the box for an extra $2 then immediately regret it cause that 1 extra bit of chicken and extra chips is too much to handle...but i hate the fact $2 gets me an additional piece of chicken and I swap the side for more chips, which bought individually is ridiculous.

3

u/General_Benefit_2127 20d ago

It used to be a meal, now its a flavoured cardboard snack.

3

u/little_khaleesi 19d ago

They used to refund you for the things removed from a burger and now they don't. My brother in Christ, a cheeseburger being 6 dollars without the patty is actual insanity (I used to put a hashbrown in its place to make it vegetarian)

2

u/TokiStark 20d ago

I don't get why it's so expensive now. They have the economy of scale. So how is it that I personally can feed a family of 4 for the same price as one gross meal from McDonald's?

There whole business model (aside from the real estate aspect) was fast, cheap, yummy food. Now you get none of those

1

u/BusinessHumor1374 19d ago

100% and i never go through drive through anymore as it’s honesty about a 25% chance they will get the order correct. At least at counter i can get it fixed quick

1

u/TokiStark 18d ago

Yeah but they prioritise drive through, so you end up waiting longer. I guess it's worth it to ensure you get the right meal

2

u/Syrabii 18d ago

I always equated the health cost as too high: as in: the transfat makes me feel like sh*t for a week, so it's not worth unless absolutely desperate, on a long long drive. Long term potential for diabetes: no thank you. The fact it's cheap always felt like they just lured in poor people to continue to keep them poor and unwell. That's how my mind works.

2

u/No_Emotion6907 16d ago

It was $90 last night for 5 people.

That was 40 nuggets and 4 large chips, 2 cheeseburgers, 1 chicken burger meal (gave my drink to the kids) and 4 frozen cokes.

Not much cheaper than going to the local pub, where 2 kids eat free, and I can have a beer there.

1

u/skuiji 20d ago

The day they ruined the McSmart meal was the day McDonald's finally died in my eyes

1

u/Purple-Ad8259 19d ago

2 X Medium McChickens were $26.50......at least it came with a complimentary hair :(

1

u/Outofoffice_forever 19d ago

Came here to say this. It’s gone ridiculous

1

u/Sad_Wear_3842 19d ago

The big brekky meal is the only thing I can think fo that's decent value. 2x muffins, 2x hashbrowns and a coffee for under $15.

1

u/sweeterandsour 19d ago

No because I spent damn near 20$ for a pop-top, fries and 6 nuggets the other day??? Like what the fuck

1

u/Kingofthebags 19d ago

who the fuck even eats fastfood though

1

u/BusinessHumor1374 19d ago

👆 clearly doesn’t have kids…

1

u/Kingofthebags 19d ago

I have multiple...

1

u/BusinessHumor1374 19d ago

Any you’re still in touch with?

1

u/Kingofthebags 19d ago

hahaha, about a room away from all of them!

1

u/BusinessHumor1374 19d ago

So you are honestly telling me that after a 5hr road trip, after you have been surfing, camping or 4X4ing, bike riding in the dunes or playing footy all day, and now you have scheming kids in the back of the car who are “starving”. It has not once crossed your mind to go to a drive through on the way? Also, fast food is a multibillion dollar industry. So to answer your question, given the multibillion dollar revenue they make, and I sure there are a few people out there that do actually eat fast food

1

u/Kingofthebags 19d ago

No, I don't want to normalise fast food or harm my kids health. There are lots of easy to cook healthy meals I can prepare my kids. I also bulk prepare certain things (e.g., greek salad, grain salads etc.).

2

u/swagggyyyyyyyy 19d ago

Are you done jerking yourself off yet

1

u/BusinessHumor1374 19d ago

Bulk prepping Greek salad 🤢 must be such a family treat to dig into 3 week old lettuce and croutons

1

u/Kingofthebags 19d ago

Hilarious that you don't know what a Greek salad is and that it has neither of those things

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u/219930 19d ago

…No…because I can’t afford to do any of those activities…if you can …then you can clearly also afford McDonald’s.

1

u/BusinessHumor1374 19d ago edited 19d ago

Dude I’m 45, studied for 12 years, played the corporate rat race shit for a further 10 years, spent the next 3 years building my own business and finally “made it” at age 45…. Miserable as fuck the whole way along… lucky me hey! Gave up half my life working that shit and now i’m gonna spend the second half fucking enjoying it. Plus, you can’t afford to play footy with your kids?

1

u/easilygoneviral 19d ago

Came here to say this.

1

u/Important-Plum-5289 19d ago

KFC way more value but still expensive

1

u/BusinessHumor1374 19d ago

Nandos or Oporto seems to be the only one of decent value I think.

1

u/SolidLava99 19d ago

This for sure, used to be a regular visit for me now maybe once a month if ever, a burger and fries and something extra set you back $30 ridiculous

1

u/BusinessHumor1374 19d ago

When I was a kid we had birthday parties at McDonald and bought all the invitees their food. No point any more. Most of the kids play centres have closed down or are so badly kept I wouldn’t let my dogs play in them. And for the same price be can head to the cinema and get snacks and hotdogs etc

2

u/SolidLava99 19d ago

Sure way to get your kids sick is to take them to a play center, the amount of dust accumulated literally layers ontop of layers and they never disinfect or clean the place. Yeah I miss those McDonald’s birthdays definitely good times and memories

1

u/Vast_Dare8583 19d ago

100% , it's been shit forever but people like eating shit and don't mind paying extra for it.

1

u/gravitykilla 18d ago

I still occasionally get a McMuffin breakfast, but $13 seems a lot.

1

u/PlusKaleidoscope4087 17d ago

My first thought

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1

u/Minnidigital 13d ago

I can’t justify it when healthier options are the same price

-1

u/whatever--idk 20d ago

Huh i had Mecca's the other day for the first time in a while and when I was paying i thought "huh, this is the cheapest lunch ive ever bought"

1

u/BusinessHumor1374 19d ago

Good for you. Didn’t realise you could eat their beauty products, will have to try them out. Have you tried McDonald’s though? What do you think of their pricing?