Obseflections & Reflervations Pt II
Prompted by paserbyp's response to Pt I, I remembered the other thing that occurred to me...
I said to Long-Suffering Partner the other day, that my definition of being financially comfortable is that I could shop at 'specialty' shops (butchers, bakeries, fruit'n'vegetable stores, delicatessens etc...) without batting an eyelid at the higher prices for everything in them
Australia's supermarket duopoly is probably similar to any other country's - their bulk-buying power squeezes out other competitors & their bargaining power on utilities like rent, wages & water/electricity ensures that single shops can't hope to compete with them on prices, as the butcher/baker/candlestick maker has to pay full-whack on everything from rent to refurbishment & re-supply...
So would I like a grand mansion & a Lamborghini? Not really... a few acres in the country, with a 3-4 bedroom house on it will be just fine. And just a hardy 4WD truck thanks... okay, maybe a Ford Mustang too, for when I go to town... What I would like is as stated above, to do my shopping at the individual stores & see the profits go where they should - into & amongst the community that supplies & supports each other
I said to Long-Suffering Partner the other day, that my definition of being financially comfortable is that I could shop at 'specialty' shops (butchers, bakeries, fruit'n'vegetable stores, delicatessens etc...) without batting an eyelid at the higher prices for everything in them
Australia's supermarket duopoly is probably similar to any other country's - their bulk-buying power squeezes out other competitors & their bargaining power on utilities like rent, wages & water/electricity ensures that single shops can't hope to compete with them on prices, as the butcher/baker/candlestick maker has to pay full-whack on everything from rent to refurbishment & re-supply...
So would I like a grand mansion & a Lamborghini? Not really... a few acres in the country, with a 3-4 bedroom house on it will be just fine. And just a hardy 4WD truck thanks... okay, maybe a Ford Mustang too, for when I go to town... What I would like is as stated above, to do my shopping at the individual stores & see the profits go where they should - into & amongst the community that supplies & supports each other