'Welcome to the $20 Easter egg': Aussies pay more for less
Easter Bunny slugged by shrinkflation, motorists urged to save by switching to E10, and why now is the time to check the fine print on flights. Here are five things you may have missed this week.
Shrinkflation is hitting Easter eggs
Seen the cost of Easter eggs this year?
It's enough to send the Easter Bunny hopping mad.
Consumer group CHOICE says shrinkflation has hit Easter treats hard, with a range of Cadbury Easter eggs becoming smaller and more expensive over the past 12 months.
Despite falling wholesale cocoa prices, manufacturers like Cadbury have doubled-down on cutting the size of products while raising prices.
As one Reddit user said, "Welcome to the $20 Easter egg."
Back in 2024, Cadbury sold a 24-pack of Easter eggs for $12.50.
Today, you get just 20 eggs priced at a thumping $18.
CHOICE says hot cross buns have also fallen victim to shrinkflation, with smaller buns now on shelves without any reduction in price.
But maybe the Easter Bunny has had a word in the ear of the big supermarket chains.
At the time of writing, Cadbury Dairy Milk Hollow Easter Eggs 20 pack is currently on special at Woolies for $12, down from $18.
Coles has 15 hollow hunting eggs for $9.
Both come in at $3.53 per 100 grams.
Goes to show the value of shopping around. Use unit pricing to score the best value.
NRMA recommends E10 to cut fuel bills
Motoring group NRMA is encouraging motorists to embrace E10 fuel to save at the bowser.
NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury, says, "Every litre of E10 sold, which is produced domestically, is taking pressure off the supply chain.
"We should be encouraging people to reach for the E10 pump."
E10 can certainly be kinder on your wallet.
NRMA research reveals the average price of regular unleaded fuel in Sydney is $2.44 per litre, while E10 unleaded is about $2.27 per litre.
Drivers may be concerned that E10 (petrol blended with ethanol) could be damaging to their car or provide lower fuel efficiency.
The NRMA says the majority of modern cars running on unleaded petrol are compatible with E10.
The website of the NSW Government offers an online E10 compatibility check. Just enter your car's make, model and year.
It doesn't provide results for all cars.
If in doubt, follow the advice of your car's manufacturer. The details are usually noted inside the fuel flap.
Travellers should read airline fine print right now
Most of us rarely pore over the fine print when we buy airline tickets.
But now is the time to do so.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is monitoring Australia's airline industry in response to events unfolding in the Middle East.
The conflict has led to major disruptions, especially for flights to Europe, including airspace closures, flight cancellations and route diversions.
"The Middle East plays a critical role in global aviation, and we've already seen airline operations affected worldwide," says ACCC Commissioner Anna Brakey.
The ACCC warns that whether consumers are entitled to a refund or other compensation for flights disrupted by war in the Gulf will depend on "the individual circumstances of any booking or cancellation".
Consumer guarantees under Australian Consumer Law are unlikely to apply if an airline delays or cancels a flight due to the actions of a third party - like governments closing their airspace or implementing flight restrictions.
Long story short, whether or not you're entitled to a refund will depend on the terms and conditions of your booking.
Brakey adds, "We have been encouraging consumers with an upcoming international flight to contact their airline to understand their options."
NSW renters to get bond relief
Mid-2026 will see 'Smart Rental Bonds' kick off in NSW, potentially making it less expensive for the state's 2.3 million renters to move to a new home.
Smart Rental Bonds will allow tenants to digitally transfer their bond between properties for a fee of $25.
This means renters will no longer have to find thousands of dollars for the bond on a new place while waiting for the bond on their old home to be refunded.
With the average renter spending $4,000 each time they move, Smart Rental Bonds will make it easier to change addresses.
NSW Minister for Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong, says, "No one likes having to put forward thousands of dollars while waiting days, possibly weeks for their old bond to come back - that's money which renters need to set up their new home.
"Smart Rental Bonds is not only a win for renters, but a solution which won't disrupt how landlords and real estate agents conduct their business either."
Aussies turn to granny flats to boost income
The Aussie backyard is undergoing a makeover.
Data from NAB shows renovation loans jumped 21% last year, driven by homeowners planning to add a granny flat to their backyard to create space, boost income and unlock extra value from their property.
Searches for 'granny flat' are surging on property platforms as home owners look for ways to support family members, tap into a new source of income or plan for future needs.
NAB's Denton Pugh says, "People want their homes to work harder for them. With affordability still tough and rental demand rising, adding a secondary dwelling is becoming a smart, practical option."
Pugh adds that granny flats are "becoming a long term investment that strengthens the value of the property."
That may be so but a granny flat is still a substantial investment.
Disregarding council requirements, which can vary widely, a top-of-the range granny flat can set you back around $200,000 according to Hi Pages.
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