Aussies Turn to Extreme Measures as Grocery Bills Soar

Millions of Australians are struggling to make ends meet as soaring grocery bills push households into desperate measures. Research from Finder found that 14% of Aussies, around 3 million people, have eaten expired food in a bid to cut costs.

This is just one of the alarming signs of the cost-of-living crisis, with inflation largely staying outside the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) 2-3% target band over the last five years. Governor Michele Bullock warned that inflation is not expected to settle back into this range until 2028.

Average weekly grocery bills have skyrocketed to $206, according to July data from Finder's consumer sentiment tracker. To make ends meet, many Australians are resorting to extreme measures, with 4% admitting they've deliberately scanned items as cheaper products at self-serve checkouts and 2% saying they had even stolen food.

Finder personal finance expert Sarah Megginson said the results indicate serious financial hardship for families. 'When people are eating expired food or resorting to theft to feed themselves, it's a sign the cost-of-living crisis is pushing some households into genuine financial hardship,' she said.