If you don’t know what is ALDI store is, you are not alone. Most new comers only been to Coles or Woolworths.

ALDI is a low-cost supermarket store where they cut down majority of overhead expenses, and you only pay for the cheapest price on everything you buy.

The fundamentals of ALDI are: keeping the operation simple, keeping costs down and offering everyday low prices. Overheads like complimentary plastic bags, celebrity endorsements, in-store staff in every aisle and marketing gimmicks.

On top of that, ALDI sell all their products straight from cartons and encourage customers to reuse shopping bags.

Everything in ALDI is faster, cheaper and smarter. Your first stop will be an experience. Here are a few tips to make your first trip easier.

TIP #1: Price Shock

Be prepare to shock yourself with the ridiculously cheaper price. A loaf of bread only 99cents. Average every item is $1 cheaper.

TIP #2: Unfamiliar Brands

ALDI buy bulk to negotiate huge discounts from the manufacturers. They then package the items with their own brands. This means a lot of products may seem foreign but they are in fact from the same companies you have been buying from for years.

TIP #3: Comes In Boxes

Usually the boxes are stacked together, and became a shelf of its own. You can choose to buy one item, or whole boxes.

TIP #4: Know What to Buy

ALDI stock mainstream products. People save a lot of money by buying their everyday goods there, such as tissue and cleaning liquid, and then going to their usual supermarket for their specific brands of dietary food, gourmet products and so on.

TIP #5: No Plastic Bags

ALDI plastic bags cost 15c each, so it is more economical (and environmentally sound) to recycle your own bags, or use boxes. ALDI encourages customers to use the empty boxes collected in the store.

TIP #6: Bring $2 Coin

ALDI requires a $2.00 deposit on your trolley. Checkout staff will provide change, but having your own on hand will
save you time.

TIP #7: Speedy Checkout

ALDI checkout counter is super fast, so beware! Let staff know this is your first visit and they will help if required.

TIP #8: Payment Methods

ALDI accept cash, EFTPOS and credit cards. Be aware that credit card transactions will be hit with a 1% levy.

I accidentally found this website while I was looking for resources for this topic, SavingsGuide.com.au. This website focuses on providing consumer the smart way to spend money. The contents are awesome. Here’s a guide they write specifically for ALDI. Save Money on Groceries

Brisbane Student Guide need to work harder to provide readers better contents too :)

ALDI Stores: How to Make Your First Time Visit Easier is a post from: http://www.brisbanestudentguide.com

Brisbane Market is one of my all time favorite market in Brisbane. This market offer different sorts of item throughout the week. One caught my attention is the largest wholesale market for fruits and vegetables called “Brisbane Produce Market”.

One thing I like about this wholesale market is that they open for public access. Three days a week. You can get vegetables and fruits few times cheaper than major supermarket, such as Coles and Woolworths.

How cheap?

It’s ridiculously cheap. A mango usually cost $3-$4 each at supermarket. At Brisbane Market, you can easily get a mango for $1.00. I bought 12 honeydew for only $8.00. How awesome is that? Immediately upon reaching home, I blend 2 honeydew into fruit juice, no sugar added ;)

Here’s some photo I took.

Operating time

Three days a week. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Each session only lasts for 2-3 hours. 9:30am to 11:30am if I am not mistaken. Prior that, public are not allowed, the market only open to restaurant owner and such.

Entrance fee

You won’t be able to reach this market with public transport (not that I am aware of), It’s not advisable to take public transport, you don’t want to carry huge boxes around ;)

I strongly suggest you drive here, and pay $5 for entrance fee. There are plenty of car park inside the car park. You can choose to park your car outside the market, not sure if you need to pay for entrance though.

What to bring

It’ll be awesome if you can bring a small trolley, save you lots of unnecessary troubles. No worries if you can’t get trolley, bring a few more friends to help carry those heavy boxes. One box of honeydew weighs around 10kg. And remind them not to lift weighs at gym beforehand..

Bring sunscreen. Apply sunscreen beforehand if you prefer. The market is partly exposed to the sun, but it’s a good practise nonetheless to apply sunscreen because Australia is one of the country with highest UV rate.

The price

Usually the price are written on the floor with chalk.

According to official website, “Its wholesalers compete with each other in one location, each trying to get the best price for the produce they sell. Prices change on a daily basis, influenced by supply and demand, with factors such as size and quality also playing a part.” That indirectly gave the hint that prices are negotiable.

My advice

Share the goods with friends. What I mean is, it is almost impossible to consume the whole box of vegetable by yourself. Even if you can, it is not good practice for balance diet (too much good stuff is not good). I suggest you to share with friends, invite them for a barter system.

For example,

Daniel – a box of brocolli

Jimmy – a box of carrot

Jerry – a box of mango

Sean – a box of snow peas

Annie – a box of apple

Five of them exchange goods with each other, and they get a balance goods! Remember, the more the merrier!

Official website

Brisbane Produce Market – Some interesting facts included in the website. Have a read if you are interested, its optional though.

Address

385 Sherwood Rd

Rocklea QLD 4106

(07) 3379 1062

Practical Tips and Guide for Brisbane Produce Market, Rocklea is a post from: http://www.brisbanestudentguide.com

Yuen’s Market (???) is one of the biggest Chinese retail store at Brisbane. Every single Chinese must have stepped in their store at least once. They provide huge variety of food ingredient to choose from, either spices or pre-packed food, mostly imported from overseas. You can easily find imported items from Malaysia, Japan, Taiwan, China and neighbouring countries.

There are three branches I am aware of. Below are their exact address and locations

Address

Cnr Mc Cullogh & Mains Rd, Sunnybank

155 Wickham St, Fortitude Valley

917 Beaudesert Rd, Coopers Plains

If you are a student, I strongly advice you to visit their smaller branch at Fortitude Valley. The items are limited compare to main branch. However, students can get a special 5% discount at this branch. Probably there are additional terms and condition which I am not aware of. 5% student discount is for sure. Shine ‘em your almighty student card to get the discount.

Official website: http://www.yuensmarket.com.au/

Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=159292260322

Any question would you like to ask?

Yuen’s Market The Chinese Grocery Store is a post from: http://www.brisbanestudentguide.com

Source: Flickr

Before Shopping

1. Check your cupboards and refrigerator to see what you already have. Don’t spend money on things you don’t need. Differentiate “want” and “need”.
2. Use a shopping list, stick to plan. Plan your spending to avoid impulse buys.
3. Prepare your menu advance few days, work around what you already have.
4. Pay attention to items which are on sale, some items are not perishable such as toilet tissue paper, you can consider buying more during sales, and store the item for future use.
5. Go to Brisbane Market, buy vegetables in boxes and share with friends. You cannot finish whole box of broccoli by yourself. Plan with friends, for example, Jimmy buy one box tomato, Anna buy one box broccoli, Jensen buy one box of cabbage. Three of them divide the price and vegetables. Everyone is a winner.
6. Shop for items BEFORE you run out of them. If you run out of an item you’ll have to pay whatever the store is charging that week.
7. Larger stores generally offer cheaper price because they can leverage on economy of scale. Little retail stores may charge slightly expensive.
8. Don’t shop for groceries on an empty stomach

During Shopping

1. Stick to what’s on your shopping list.
2. Ask staff to help you rather than wasting time looking for items or better deals.
3. Buy whole chicken. If you want only breasts, save the dark quarters, freezing for later use. Buying breasts alone is very expensive.
4. Stick to home brands. Quality are assured. Branded tuna and home brand tuna makes no difference, it’s only a tuna after all. Most stores will refund your money if you are not satisfied.
5. Most bargains are found on the higher and lower shelves. Most expensive brands are at eye level (to get your attention).
6. Watch for unadvertised specials.
7. Shop for items that you use regularly at all times. If you run out, you will have to pay whatever the supermarket may be charging when you need it.
8. Stockpile, Stockpile, Stockpile! If a product you use is on sale, buy as much as you can afford and store to last you until the next sale. This is a BIG money saver!
9. Buy in bulk when the unit price is less. Larger sizes do not always mean lower prices.
10. Buy fresh meats which are on sale, you can keep meats in freezer up to three months.
11. Just because an item has the word “SALE” on it, doesn’t mean you are getting it for a lower than normal price. Know your prices. This is one way that a price book can help you.
12. Pretty packaging costs you money. You are not only paying for the product, but for the packaging (and advertising) as well.
13. Buy and use in season vegetables and fruit.
14. Convenience foods are more expensive, you are trading money for time.
15. Always check the day old bread basket, and the reduced merchandise cart. Coles and Woolworth sell bread and chicken at cheaper rate after 5pm (usually).

After Shopping

1. Always return a product that is spoiled.
2. Send off for rebates to get items free, or nearly free!
3. Create a “shopping pool”. Agree with family and friends to shop sales for each other.

26 Ways To Cut Your Grocery Bills is a post from: http://www.brisbanestudentguide.com

Are you confuse with some new banking terms when you arrived Australia?

Terms like EFTPOS, Bpay and Online Banking. Probably you are confused about the difference between debit card and credit card too.

Let me explain to you

There are three main ways to manage your cash at Australia.

Debit card

Debit card is similar to credit card. The only difference is, debit card only allows using until certain amount that’s available in your bank account.

The main advantage of debit card is it allows me to make purchases online, such as order pizza, get a Paypal account for eBay, recharge phone credits online, and many more. It is a great alternative to credit card, as not everyone has access to credit cards due to bank requirement of income.

Debit card is not available to everyone, though. The condition of applying debit card is to have certain amount of money in your bank for past few months. Credit history is also important. I am not sure about the details. You can ask for your bank about eligibility.

EFTPOS

This is a card most students has. Banks usually will offer students a debit card if you put your savings in the bank. Usually also known as EFTPOS (read as F•Pos).

How this card works?

This card replaces cash. You swipe card and press pin number when you make purchases. Simple!

This service is widely available in Australia and usually students will own one. If your card is stolen, the thieves have no direct access to your card due to the requirement of pin number.

Internet online banking

This service is only available recent years, and I strongly encourage you to apply online banking account, as soon as possible! Why?

Online banking has saved me heaps of time! I repeat – heaps of time!

I am able to pay my rent through transactions saving time from going to agent’s office every week.

Bank Statements (the history of banking transactions – how much money you received, how much you spent) are usually mailed to me every month, but since they started charging A$2.20 for each transaction printed, I choose to use eStatement. eStatement works the same as normal bank statement, except it is showed on internet. This helps reduce usage of paper.

With online banking, you can also pay money to friends through easily. How? You only need these details

1) Full name
2) BSB
3) Account number
4) Amount.

Example,

Name: Daniel Wong
BSB: 014272
Account Number: 490826393
Amount: A$ 2,000,000.00

(disclaimer: not my real banking details)

How to pay with Bpay?

You can also pay your bills online. Electric bills, telephone bills, internet bills… These services usually come with a BPay logo. You can spot this logo easily.

Login to online account. Go to “Pay Bills” and type the numbers. Simple.

I hope this short article covers your basic understanding of the mentioned points. Please forward this article to friends or family who you think may need it.

Drop your questions in your comment box, I’ll try my best to answer.

Potential Services – Sponsored links

Guide to Understanding EFTPOS, Bpay, Online Banking, Debit Card and Credit Card is a post from: http://www.brisbanestudentguide.com

Source: Flickr

As a student in Australia, most of you have “released” from the financial control from parents (congratulation!) It is now your responsibility to control your own cash flow. In this article, I am showing you tips about how to control your money flow as well as some safety option.

There are many ways to manage your cash flow. One of the safest ways to carry your money is not to bring cash. You have safer option such as debit card. You can bring your money in small amount, though.

What exactly do I mean?

Here are examples. Imagine two scenarios.

Normal Students

You love cash. What you normally do is bring a lot of cash. You pay for food in cash, buy magazine in cash, buy groceries in cash. What happened then?

You have extra coins. What will you do with the coins? You throw it around.

In most scenarios, you surprise to see coins in your laundry, floor or beside your table.

Besides that, you need to go ATM machine when you run out of cash. Troublesome.

Smarter Students

You bring cash, and a debit card.

You pay food, magazine, and groceries with EFTPOS (explaind here), use public transport with Translink card. Pay your rent with debit card instead of weekly money orders.

This method works best because you won’t get extra coins.

You only pay cash when there are no EFTPOS services available (happens in Chinese restaurants). And lower chances of money getting lost /accidentally dropped/ being mugged.

Plus, you can track how much you spend through bank transaction details. Rather than asking “Hmm, where’s all my money? I don’t remember spending that much”

Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? ;)

A Smarter Way To Manage Your Cash Money is a post from: http://www.brisbanestudentguide.com

The West End Markets are held every Saturday (rain, hail or shine!) from 6am – 2pm at the beautiful Davies Park, which sits alongside the Brisbane River. Soak up the atmosphere as you wander in the shade of the enormous fig trees and take in the sounds of local buskers and the enticing aromas of fresh coffee and flowers.

Source: Brisbanetimes

What do the market offer?

Besides selling fresh produce like vegetables and fruits, there are also stalls selling red meat, sea food, arts and crafts and many others. To top that off, there are stalls selling ready to eat, takeaway snacks.

How much do I have to pay?

Free entry.

Where is the location

West End Markets
Davies Park, Corner of Montague Rd and Jane St, West End.
Brisbane.

How to get there via public transport?

From the City
1) 199 @ Stop 36 @ Adelaide Street, it takes about 15minutes to get there.
2) Get off right before the junction when you see Mick’s nuts.
3) Walk along the same road until you reach the end. The markets is right behind a row office buildings.
(Tip: Just follow the crowd. Most people who get on and get off the 199 will be heading in the same direction, to the market)

How cheap is cheap?

Basically, fruits and vegetables which are “in season” are the cheapest. For example, this post is written on September, the seasoned food are:
1) Strawberries, you can get a crate of 300 for a mere $6.
2) Smoke salmon. $8 for 100g from Coles. $8 for 500g from the markets.

Source: Flickr

What are the “Must try/buy”?

1) Langos. A traditional Hungarian dish. Made out of flour, deep fried and topped with sour cream, cheese and sauce of your choice. Price: $6.
2) Lepene. Also a traditional Hungarian dish. Available in Mushroom and cheese, Spinach and Cheese or Mushroom+Bacon+Spinach and cheese. It is then pressed and toasted on a hot top. Price: $7-$8.
3) The Best No bull pie. For the Vegetarians. There is the typical onions, peas, tomatoes, gravy like sauce inside. Price: To-be-confirmed

Author tips:

Go at about 12pm, that’s the time when the vendors starts reducing prices. You will be able to grab some really good stuff at a bargained price.

West End Market is a post from: http://www.brisbanestudentguide.com

When I arrived here, I have a girlfriend back at home town. I spend a lot on phone calls. Often those calls are only few minutes and I don’t think it matters until the bill arrives. It sky rocketed and that is the last bill I paid (and most expensive). I started to search for alternative ways to call back. Calling back on landline (Telstra) or Optus (mobile) is not a efficient way to spend your money. Today, I will share a few tips on saving money on phone calls.

Calling cards

You can save huge amount of money by purchasing calling cards. These rates are incredibly low compare to normal landlines and I encourage you to use this service often. You can buy these calling cards in lots of places around Brisbane. I always get mine from Sunnybank. Different calling cards company offer different rates. Depending on which country you wanted to call.

Tips: Some company offer off-peak rates. Last time I only use my calling card at off-peak and I am able to get 8000 minutes talk time for AUD$50 calling card credit. I talk to sleep every night since then, hehe.

Skype

This is my second favourite too. Back then Skype was not available, so I used calling cards. By using Skype, you can call for free between Skype users. I advice you to setup Skype in parent’s computer (if they are not tech savvy) and teach them to only “receive call”.

On top of that, you are able to call back to landlines with a small amount of money. You go to Skype website and buy some credits. Trust me, this application rocks! I can even send sms with this application.

Skype Official Website here.

Online MSN messenger

If your parents or friends have Windows Live Messenger (MSN), you are able to call them up directly. Similar services available on most communication software nowadays. Such as Google Talk.

VOIP

TPG, iiNet and several other internet service providers now provides VOIP service. I am aware of the service but I do not have experience with this. All I know is, you make phone calls through internet. If your line is not good, you will have “lag” between conversations.

Feel free to drop comments and share your tips! I would love to know other alternatives to save money on phone calls.

How To Save Money On Phone Calls is a post from: http://www.brisbanestudentguide.com

Do not let the major supermarket to be your single source of groceries! There are many more groceries shops around you, and some of the item they offered are slightly less than Coles or Woolworths.

One of the supermarket worth mentioning is Aldi.

Aldi is short for “ALbrecht DIscount”, is a discount supermarket chain based in Germany. These are a few of ALDI stores around Brisbane Area.

What grocery item is cheaper than Coles and Woolworths?

From my personal experience. I think the snacks, biscuits and food items are cheaper than Coles. Besides that, I have to chance to taste other country’s snacks. Staying in Brisbane for so many years, I became bored with the choices they offer. Aldi provides alternatives for your taste buds.

Other than that, daily goods are cheaper than Coles and Woolworths too! Such as dish washers (that came up first in my mind actually) and JUICES! Ah ha!! The juices are cheapest! AUD1.50 to AUD2 for a big bottle of juice!

Hold back your shopping splurge

Do not go berserk and buy many unnecessary thing because it is cheap! Watch for you wallet! However there are certain items are slightly expensive than Coles and Woolworths. Be cautious! I used to buy everything I see it’s cheap and regret later on. Don’t go “all out” when I say Aldi is good place to save money. Only certain items are cheaper! (cheaper by significantly).

They offer some deals online too. Check out their latest catalogues here.

Here are the address for Aldi Supermarkets. These are only three of the branches, many more branches around Brisbane if you search in Google.
Address:

Aldi – Lutwyche
543 Lutwyche Road
Centro Lutwyche
Lutwyche

Map & Store Details

Aldi – Chermside
638 Gympie Road
Chermside

Map & Store Details

Aldi – Carindale
Cnr Creek & Old Cleveland Road
Westfield Carindale
Carindale

Map & Store Details

Here’s my tips on how to read maps.

Spend Less At Aldi Supermarket is a post from: http://www.brisbanestudentguide.com

This is a little trick I wanted to share with you guys. I have been using this trick for years now, and I know there are friends who doesn’t practice this habit. This will cost them a lot of money!

Purchasing pizza online with coupon!

Yes you heard it right. You can actually save a few dollars by entering codes! And good thing about these codes, they are available online, and free!

Where can I find the vouchers?
Easy. Type “domino online voucher” into Google search and you will find heaps of great deals. There are many sites that offer these online coupons for free. Amazing isn’t it? You will have to determine which coupon suits you then. Every coupon is different and you can all sorts of offer. Pick the one that suits you the most. Mostly, I will choose the deal that gives biggest discount. And I usually able to pick it up.

Where do I key in the vouchers?
Go to http://www.dominos.com.au/ and key in your name, address, phone number etc etc. Choose your choice of pizza.

Find this:

Then, key in the following coupons here.

And there you have it! You got a better deal! The coupons are often better than deals given by Dominos. I don’t know why but it always happen.

Tips: Try look for multiple sources and enter different deals. You might get some surprise! e.g. Free coke, garlic bread etc. Do not only rely on single source of online vouchers :)

Tips 2: Tuesday is cheap pizza day. This applies to Dominoes and Eagleboys pizza as well.

How To Save Money On Pizza is a post from: http://www.brisbanestudentguide.com