Weekly shopping advice PLEASE... the cost killing us!

pokerman



Joined: 18/03/2008
Posts: 52

Message Posted:
27/08/2008 16:31

Hi



My partner and i have been living here for almost 4 years and we are staggered by the rise in the cost of our weekly shopping bills, over the last year in particualr!



We have a young a son, a baby, two dogs and cats so we do have a few mouths to feed but we seem to be spending fortunes in the supermarkets and we never purchase imported brands. You seem to walk out of a supermarket here these days with 3 lightly filled bags containing essentials for 1 or 2 days and you are 40 quid worse off.



We live in Lapta and use the supermarkets in and around that area. Can anyone advise of the best shops to go (value for money)? Would we be much better off shopping in the South???



Any advice would be appreciated, thanks



Pokerman

rtddci


Joined: 29/12/2007
Posts: 842

Message Posted:
27/08/2008 18:07

We certainly noticed the price rises when we last visited. We cut down on restuarant meals and ate in more. The same re food prices is happening in the UK of course although luckily there is more competition amongst supermarkets i.e. Lidl v Tesco which helps re price cutting. Doesn't seem to be competition in NC.

airy____fairy


Joined: 14/06/2008
Posts: 813

Message Posted:
27/08/2008 18:34

Lemar and Starling are by far the best value supermarkets around - Astro is cheap too - if you can find anything you want it is all a bit of a muddle in there!!!

i buy bags from lemar of chicken parts - frozen - clearly labelled cat and dog food and boil these up with carrotts, potatoes and pasta ( i have 1 dog and 7 cats to feed), this is a very cheap way to keep them fed,( chicken parts 1.20 ytl per kilo- personally i prefer not to buy the heads though)hope of some help to you

happy shopping!!!!

Laptalocal


Joined: 28/02/2008
Posts: 99

Message Posted:
27/08/2008 18:38

I also have dogs, cats etc and I think it is cheaper to go south. A bag of dog food (Chappie for example) is about 60 ytl here, but is only 14 euros in Orphanides. It is similar for a lot of other items, plus there is more choice. The increases here seem to be in every area (food, elec and so on). For people on a fixed/limited income (ie a pension) it must be a struggle.

littlenige



Joined: 24/12/2006
Posts: 3594

Message Posted:
27/08/2008 18:38

pokerman use the army caninas fro such thigs as washing powder shower gel etc mixers are also cheaper there no kdv on things

Pipie


Joined: 05/01/2008
Posts: 5499

Message Posted:
27/08/2008 18:46

littlenige

could you give me directions to army caninas please ?

mickey rourke


Joined: 27/08/2008
Posts: 157

Message Posted:
27/08/2008 18:50

A sign of the times we will have to live with 'or starve'

littlenige



Joined: 24/12/2006
Posts: 3594

Message Posted:
27/08/2008 19:38

oops cantinas just after the green garden center going towards girne turn left have your turkish driving licence handy.

Pipie


Joined: 05/01/2008
Posts: 5499

Message Posted:
27/08/2008 20:08

So you have to produce a license to buy goods ?

wynyardman



Joined: 15/12/2007
Posts: 4580

Message Posted:
27/08/2008 20:23

pokerman,



Your anxieties come over load and clear.



You are right! There are many issues!!



Provided Talat and Christophias can find a solution,matters will become more regulated and



competition will increase.



It is people like you that deserve our support and understanding. Hold in there. Things WILL



get better! You are certainly in my thoughts!



wyn

keithcaley



Joined: 13/06/2008
Posts: 2521

Message Posted:
27/08/2008 21:16

Nigel,



re message 8, do enlighten us a little more - please?



Keith.

stubs


Joined: 01/07/2008
Posts: 641

Message Posted:
27/08/2008 22:24

pokerman



Many things are cheaper in the south than in the north and I dont mean just mean imported goods but locally produced goods. eg olive oil locally produced in the TRNC was 20ytl compared to €4 in Alphamega for locally produced olive oil in the south for the same size bottle.



Wynyardman



People have been posting what you have just said for years, nothing changes. If anything due to the foreign investment which has floated about the TRNC for the last 6 + years greed is more prominent than ever before by retailers, government taxes etc etc. People, like us, have been hanging in for years.

wynyardman



Joined: 15/12/2007
Posts: 4580

Message Posted:
27/08/2008 22:33

stubs,



I hear what you are saying. Hold in there. Your voice is being heard.



wyn

Pipie


Joined: 05/01/2008
Posts: 5499

Message Posted:
27/08/2008 22:40

I hate to say it but i think the South beckons me for shopping , i really do not want to shop there but if things are so much cheaper , what are we supose to do . On my last visit i shopped at my local butcher in Tatlisu , i purchased mince beef and lamb chops £20 WONT GO AGAIN .

CJtill


Joined: 02/05/2008
Posts: 836

Message Posted:
27/08/2008 22:52

If you want a free meal (snack really) in the evenings try the casinos. You cant use the same casino more than 4 or 5 times a year, but they provide free food for the punters in the form of a buffet. Just walk in at the busy times (so you dont stand out) and just help yourself, no questions asked.

One very important point.

Dont take any money with you.

Michael

Tiggy


Joined: 25/07/2007
Posts: 1994

Message Posted:
27/08/2008 23:29

What we need is a "Soup Kitchen" for ex-pats!



Spend less on the booze and you will have more for the shopping.

stubs


Joined: 01/07/2008
Posts: 641

Message Posted:
28/08/2008 00:18

Wyneyardman



i appreciate your comments however prices are never going to come down.



There is a government who do not want foreign investment unless its more than $100,000. However they only allow you to buy one donum of land so all that is left is a service industry in a country which at the end of the day produces very little and only has a population of circa 250,000. In a capitalist society the majority of industry is taken up by small business, ie sole traders. The government have driven these people underground who now do cash jobs, no fatura no taxes etc etc. A pretty vicous circle. What is ironic is that the same people used to slag the power cuts, lack of water, poor infrastructure however could not understand that they are also contributing to the causes.



Sorry for the rant buy I do have a bee in my bonnet about it. In the UK these people are called illegal immigrants.

wynyardman



Joined: 15/12/2007
Posts: 4580

Message Posted:
28/08/2008 00:21

Well said Stubbs and Pokerman. Good posting.



Your voice deserves to be heard!



wyn

rtddci


Joined: 29/12/2007
Posts: 842

Message Posted:
28/08/2008 00:46

I was told that non TC's could no longer shop at the army shops. Is that true?

Hilltop



Joined: 28/04/2008
Posts: 636

Message Posted:
28/08/2008 05:44

Lidl is opening stores in the South. The one at Paralimni is built and is being fitted out now.

The "Cash an Carry" shops are very good for UK sourced items.





Tiggy's comment re booze???

jacktheladett


Joined: 01/07/2008
Posts: 528

Message Posted:
28/08/2008 08:26

You need to weigh-up south shopping carefully. Take into account the 17 euros ins. + petrol, then the price margin of what you want to buy. Not everything is cheaper over there, washing powder and cleaning goods, tea bags, some cereals for instance.



So, it might cost you around £20 to get over there, you need to buying enough stuff to save that, and then some, for it to be worthwhile.



Unless you want a day out of course, to see how much choice you are missing out on!

dalartokat


Joined: 14/04/2008
Posts: 734

Message Posted:
28/08/2008 09:34

I was told that non TC's could no longer shop at the army shops. Is that true?



Rtddci, Non TC's have never meant to shop in the soldier shops, just that over years slightly turned a blind eye. I used to shop in the one behind "Oscars" years ago mainly for household(soap powder etc) and coffee You need to befriend a "mainland turk" !!!!



Always found Lefkosia cheaper to shop also, market for fruit and veg and couple of large supermarkets

pokerman



Joined: 18/03/2008
Posts: 52

Message Posted:
01/09/2008 12:54

Hi All,



Sorry for the delay in replying, been away from the internet for a few days!



Thank you all very much for all the advice, a big much appreciated.



Pokerman

littlenige



Joined: 24/12/2006
Posts: 3594

Message Posted:
01/09/2008 13:01

been to the army kantina this morning no problem at all. showed t/c driving licence to get past the guards.



not need at shop only for id passing security.

fire starter


Joined: 19/06/2008
Posts: 3401

Message Posted:
02/09/2008 00:16

it luck with the army shopping. hubby was refused at lefkosa but allowed in at dikmen.

Pogle


Joined: 28/08/2008
Posts: 1536

Message Posted:
03/09/2008 12:25

Likewise we have child and pets. We have decided to shop in the south for as much as we can including dairy products, meat and general groceries. Even with the diesel, insurance etc it is cheaper.



Some may suggest eat like the locals..... maybe possible in Turkey were produce is fresh,cheap, good quality and plentiful but not here.

joandjelly


Joined: 24/02/2008
Posts: 2953

Message Posted:
03/09/2008 13:03

Pogle



I'm surprised that you seem to be saying that produce here is not fresh, good quality or plentiful? I shop at Dolmaci in Alsancak and they grow most of their fruit/veg and it is (IMO) very fresh and good value. Likewise the Wednesday market where you have lots of local growers selling their wares.



Maybe I'm missing something but you can buy a chicken here for about 10ytl and it lasts two of us (with very healthy appetites) for 3 meals. Chicken livers are about 2ytl (will last at least 2 meals) and make a fantastic meal with rice and/or salad. 250g of beef mince (about 3ytl I think) will make a big bolognese especially if you add mushrooms and 500g of pasta is about 1.5ytl. Is this kind of food really too expensive?



Please don't take this the wrong way as I am genuinely interested.



Regards.



Jo

HAPPY FEET


Joined: 18/07/2008
Posts: 416

Message Posted:
03/09/2008 14:35

Try living in Central London !!!!!

cyprusairsoft



Joined: 22/06/2009
Posts: 2066

Message Posted:
30/08/2009 13:12

get some seeds grow some veg we do and its a big help spuds do well in pots so do toms and cucumbers just takes a little work

Pixie


Joined: 18/03/2009
Posts: 489

Message Posted:
30/08/2009 13:47

Hi



Could anyone post the locations of the army cantina's please?



I think the one in Ncosia doesnt allow civilians entry unless you have some sort of a membership. Firestarter mentioned one in Dikmen. Which cantina has the largest supply of goods?



Thanks

dizzycows


Joined: 12/05/2009
Posts: 2736

Message Posted:
30/08/2009 13:57

Hi pokerman, I find that the larger supermarkets are more expencive than the little shops. 'Hos Bes' was quite a lot cheaper for things and the supermarket on the back street of Lapta that all the locals shop in. Sorry cannot remember the name. Hos Bes is past the flippers going towards Tolgas on the left. They have never over charged me as yet, all the best. lol

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
30/08/2009 14:12

As far as I know Kantinas are 'off limits' for expats and any Turkish women wearing headscarves.

TimothyCadman


Joined: 13/12/2007
Posts: 1040

Message Posted:
30/08/2009 14:23

You'll have to become vegetarians like we did for the majority of the week. 5 out of our 7 main meals were vegetarian when we lived there because of the costs and that was 18 months ago. The 2 meat meals were chicken and/or lamb or beef mince dependant on the price per kilo.

Earlybird


Joined: 28/04/2009
Posts: 816

Message Posted:
30/08/2009 14:39

Starlings for one frequently have 'special offers' I tend to stock up on things that I would normally buy, eg at the mo small Ariel half price.

Pixie


Joined: 18/03/2009
Posts: 489

Message Posted:
30/08/2009 15:04

I have a T.C. id card so no problem,







If anyone would be so kind to post the locations of these cantina's- and to post which has the largest supply of goods?

yorgozlu



Joined: 16/06/2009
Posts: 4437

Message Posted:
30/08/2009 15:22

The army cantins have been closed to public fr 3-4 months now.You would need to have done you national service so that you can apply for a ID card that allows you in.

Alternaviely,if you know someone with one of those cards they can take 1 none card holder with them.

I used to do my shopping there and the difference was at least 1/3 cheaper then supermarkets.But now I can only do it if my brother(retired army service man)is with me.

Which is a shame.

Pixie


Joined: 18/03/2009
Posts: 489

Message Posted:
30/08/2009 15:40

we have a friend who applied for a card last december. apparantly you apply for these cards in december so you can shop at these places. When I read that the cantinas allow civilians to shop in Kyrenia without the card I thought perhaps that they only asked for this formality in Nicosia?

yorgozlu



Joined: 16/06/2009
Posts: 4437

Message Posted:
30/08/2009 15:52

Pixie,

The one in Kyrenia is not in military ground.But their prices arent as cheap as cantins,though cheaper than supermarkets.That one is open to public.



But there is also a rumour that they are going to open to public again.Lets hope so!

JohnW


Joined: 23/04/2009
Posts: 601

Message Posted:
30/08/2009 16:05

DOLMACI



I don't think that there is any doubt that Dolmaci in Alsancak is the answer. Try it, you will be pleasantly surprised.



Going East from Lapta, turn right just before the new Starling Supermarket. Go up that road for about 200 to 300 metres and about 100 mts before the T junction at the top you will see DOLMACI on your left.



It doesn't look like much of a place, don't be fooled, it is much bigger inside. Very friendly and good prices.



John Webster

Cyprus Solutions

mia100max


Joined: 19/03/2008
Posts: 404

Message Posted:
30/08/2009 21:04

I would like to know where 250g of minced beef for 3ytl is please?

I paid 7 ytl!!

Pogle


Joined: 28/08/2008
Posts: 1536

Message Posted:
30/08/2009 21:24

They must like you John, we stopped shopping there when we got tired of having our goods thrown down the checkout by surly staff and the prices increased. The veg also went right downhill.



We have an army card and use the shop in town near Rocks, prices are low but they have limited stock and you are sometimes limited to the quantity you buy. We use Starling for other stuff.



We thought we would be able to get more fresh fish here at a reasonable cost, not the case paid £36 for 5 Sea bream last week as we had guests. Must say it was fab though.

JohnW


Joined: 23/04/2009
Posts: 601

Message Posted:
30/08/2009 21:29

Must be worth giving it a try. You never know, you could just be the unlucky ones.

ataturk


Joined: 09/09/2008
Posts: 712

Message Posted:
30/08/2009 22:17

We used to shop on the south but found it was getting too expensive.



Last time we went we purchased frosted shreddies for 4.50 euros and when we came back we popped into lemar to find out that exactly the same product was 5.50 tl. We were shocked and found that washing powder, fairy liquid and other products was the same if not cheaper. Fish is about the same price and we normally go to hurdeniz.



With border insurance at 25 euros and the 100 km round trip its just not worth going to the greek side unless there is something you cant get here.



Ive found a really good diy store in Karakum thats cheaper for some stuff than homestore. Dont really see the point anymore of going over, in all honesty. In all honesty it has got a little cheaper for some items here and the greek side has got very expensive because of the euro.



Its a case of shopping around. We all have to tell each other where items are cheap. There is alot of competition now over this side with supermarkets.

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
30/08/2009 22:24

god makes us look cheap. mince at that price we pay 20 tl a kilo at our butcher turkish quater xxx

Coachie



Joined: 29/07/2008
Posts: 2135

Message Posted:
30/08/2009 22:28

Come back to the UK and if you cant live on your pension you can become one of the 4million scroungers that I keep being told are here.At least you wont starve..Thought every thing was hunky dory on the Paradise Isle.Careful they might start charging you for the sushine!!!!

Woodspeckie


Joined: 25/01/2009
Posts: 2263

Message Posted:
30/08/2009 22:37

It would cost you more than £500 for your holiday if they charged for the sunshine!!!

scruff


Joined: 15/07/2008
Posts: 1070

Message Posted:
31/08/2009 00:52

Re. Message 43.

You mentioned "Fairy Liquid" in North. Where did you find Fairy Liquid in the North.

Did you Washing up liquid?

Jeannie


Joined: 04/08/2009
Posts: 3283

Message Posted:
31/08/2009 02:18

Message 40 - this is because the original thread was from 2008 and someone dragged it up again. Hence the out of date information on being able to shop in forces cantins, etc.

joandjelly


Joined: 24/02/2008
Posts: 2953

Message Posted:
31/08/2009 09:48

My post about mince at 3YTL was 12 months ago when you could get a kilo for about 12YTL.

Coachie you keep going going on and on about living in the UK and I'm not really sure what it is you are trying to achieve. You made your point about 6 months ago so can you please give it a rest now.

twoexpats


Joined: 09/04/2009
Posts: 189

Message Posted:
31/08/2009 10:23

I note Coachie advised us on a different thread that he was off out for a meal yesterday, however it was to be burger and chips as that was all he could afford. I am not suggesting this is a reflection of Coachie's financial circumstances but more to do with the cost of eating out in UK these days.

Jeannie


Joined: 04/08/2009
Posts: 3283

Message Posted:
31/08/2009 12:07

I got the impression that Coachie's 'burger and chips' remark may have been tongue in cheek?



twoexpats - I do take your point about the cost of eating out in the UK - it can be extortionate!



J

janjin



Joined: 10/04/2008
Posts: 488

Message Posted:
31/08/2009 13:50

In response to the original posting, unfortunalty the cost of shopping in England has also gone through the roof.

i.e. a loaf of bread we used to buy at 3 for a £1.00 - todays price almost a £1.00 each.

The reason being flooding (2007) oil prices etc etc ...

burty1987


Joined: 21/07/2009
Posts: 79

Message Posted:
31/08/2009 14:02

The food prices in the UK have only in the last 3-6 months coming down.



The supermarkets give a false impression of food prices, this time last year the prices started coming down, not because food prices in general were but the supermarkets were absorbing the costs in price wars.



Loaf of break even now is £1.25 in Sainsbury's.



In the UK supermarkets have lots of competition and have driven down prices, in Cyprus, the supermarkets are more expensive than the smaller shops. There are plenty of roadside market stalls selling fruit and veg very cheaply. Obviously some choose to charge English people more.....Find the one's that dont!



Find local butchers who again don't insist on charging more, or take a local TC friend the first time.



I find Cyprus to be very cheap compared to the UK when cooking at home.

Portia


Joined: 02/07/2008
Posts: 31

Message Posted:
31/08/2009 21:15

i have returned from TRNC last week and found that shopping in the Uk is expensive. Bread, milk, just the bare necessities were priced quite high related to eg Tesco, sainsburys own brand of goods.



I did manage well in Cyprus as i did my shopping the the local Wednesday Pazar (at the back of Starling near the IS bank, off the main road to Alsancak before you get to Astro). Lefkosa has a Pazar on Sundays at ther Fuar not far from the Army base and is worth a visit.



I spent approzimately £6 there on freash fruit and veg which had lasted me a week. Tomatoes were 750kurus, Grapes 1.5ytl, Cucumber 1ytl all for a kilo in weight.



So i agree with Burty that cooking at home can be cheaper.

LaptaMike


Joined: 07/10/2009
Posts: 1679

Message Posted:
15/10/2009 22:35

Bektas were doing local bread for about 15p the other week. Really nice bread. Starling are doing a litre of red wine for just over a £, 2.75TL to be exact

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
15/10/2009 23:00

100% increase in annual expenditure on survival bills is outragous! I'll see you all Saturday morning at the Pia Bella Hotel for 'Mr' Talat's speech. If he decides not to understand nor speak English he will be lying! So what's new!



Richard

Coachie



Joined: 29/07/2008
Posts: 2135

Message Posted:
16/10/2009 13:54

if bread is that expensive in Sainsbury,s shop at Aldi/Lidl beautiful bread and crumpets for half the price and their fruit and veg are excellent and well priced as well.We have being shopping at both stores now for about 9 months and have absolutely no complaints about the quality of their products. Only draw back is that their range of products are a bit less than the bigger supermarkets beause their stores are not as large.You could probably get Aldi and Lidl into the Morrison store we have here...

Howmuchlonger


Joined: 08/11/2008
Posts: 61

Message Posted:
16/10/2009 14:26

Brinsley - "I'll see you all Saturday morning at the Pia Bella Hotel for 'Mr' Talat's speech" - what speech, could you elaborate please, I've seen nothing about this?



Thank you.

HML

Corbo



Joined: 13/09/2009
Posts: 627

Message Posted:
16/10/2009 16:06

The great lie at the moment or Spin..is how low inflation is..real inflation..ie-every day living costs are very high in the UK and in Nth Cyprus it seems. Water food and fuel will cause the next major wars.

NanaJan



Joined: 15/10/2009
Posts: 90

Message Posted:
16/10/2009 19:29

Have to start sharing more as they did in the war years in the UK according to what my parents used to tell us.



Make a point of going to each others homes at least once a week and sharing the cost of the meal or one bringing the meal one time and then the other and so cheaper for both.



Buy in bulk and share out the goods and therefore pay less.



Swop recipes and have a pot luck supper where everyone brings one item for the table ie pudding, snack, salad, bread etc



Make life more friendly and save at the same time.

flowerfairy


Joined: 17/09/2008
Posts: 1277

Message Posted:
16/10/2009 20:00

Today I bought:-

2 loaves, 1 sliced, 1 fresh uncut,

4 litres milk, mayonaisse,

helim cheese

cheese triangles

W/u liquid

orange juice

3 bottles wine

2 packs crisps

salad and veg

plus other bits and pieces



all for 84 tl



Well, I'm sorry, I think that's very good value for money.

AlexF065


Joined: 07/09/2009
Posts: 271

Message Posted:
17/10/2009 14:16

1 Donum of land is I believe 1/3 of a acre

I recall one of my aunts having a house with that much garden my cousin used to keep her horse on the back bit and they also used to grow all their own veg

so if we take the area that the horse was kept as the swimming pool area there is still quite a lump left over.

so Grow some of your own food to help keep the costs down or get communities together and grow together on all the differing gardens crops to share.

for those that perhaps can do much in the way of digging they could ensure the plants were watered?

all pay and equal amount for the seeds or plantlets and do an equal amout to ensure they grow and then share the produce out in a fair mannor

taraspring


Joined: 25/01/2009
Posts: 571

Message Posted:
17/10/2009 14:35

Plan for next year. This year I grew 2 lots of runner beans and 2 lots of peas in pots on my patio, which didnt take up a lot of space. For £4 I got crop after crop of both. Considering a handful of runner beans in morrisons was £1 a pack, and I must have had maybe 30+ handfuls from my two plants, I felt quite pleased with myself. I also grew peppers, chillies, tomatoes and cucumbers in the same way. Again, a plentiful supply of all. I have planted potatoes in the garden, and have already had about 10lbs with more to come. It does not take up much space or time to grow your own. Give it a go!

dizzycows


Joined: 12/05/2009
Posts: 2736

Message Posted:
17/10/2009 16:17

A very well done Taraspring, at least you have initiative, it does not take much to grow your own and its much nicer isnt it. Perhaps there should be a gardening tip thread, on how to grow your own and save money.,.....

Jachin



Joined: 05/02/2008
Posts: 99

Message Posted:
17/10/2009 17:16

taraspring



What monty do you sow your beans.



david

LostFound


Joined: 03/08/2009
Posts: 387

Message Posted:
18/10/2009 13:08

taraspring



Ive just brought some parsnip seeds back from the UK, as Ive never seen them in North Cyprus does it mean they are not going to grow?

taraspring


Joined: 25/01/2009
Posts: 571

Message Posted:
18/10/2009 13:51

Jachin - I live in the UK so it may be slightly different sewing times in TRNC. I usually sew mine in March.



I am told there are some gardening clubs over there, so you may get some more info from experienced farmers who grow their own from the clubs.

Good luck.

taraspring


Joined: 25/01/2009
Posts: 571

Message Posted:
18/10/2009 13:53

Lost and Found. I believe runner beans and potatoes are the easiest to grow. Never tried parsnips. Just put them in, you have nothing to lose really.



Good luck.



If anyone knows of the gardening clubs can they post the info on here, venue, day etc., so that all interested people can participate?

Thanks.

adagirl


Joined: 01/06/2009
Posts: 371

Message Posted:
18/10/2009 14:28

Parsnips are a cold weather crop, but if you plant them in december here you might be lucky!! Oh, lovely crispy, sweet and sticky roast parsnips....................... My mouth is watering!!!! I am experimenting with sugar-snap peas at the moment - so far so good, and I am sprouting the eyes on potatoes and will be planting a pineapple "top" later in the week!!

dizzycows


Joined: 12/05/2009
Posts: 2736

Message Posted:
18/10/2009 15:20

Surely it is easier to grow veg most of the year in Cyprus? at least if you are near the sea, no frost etc. If you look at the coast past Lapta, you can see veg being grown in small plots. Perhaps if you can visit these plots it will give you an idea on what/when to grow......