Holidays, steaks off menu in Qld HOLIDAYS, movie tickets and porterhouse steaks will be off the menu for some Queenslanders when a larger-than-expected electricity price hike hits homes, experts predict. But research shows those on a tight budget will still fork out for little luxuries such as quality underwear or their favourite tipple. The average Queensland household's annual power bill will rise by $268 to reach almost $1500 when the new pricing scheme comes into effect on Monday. It's a 22.6 per cent increase, the largest since 2009. Consumer experts say many will experience "bill shock" and adjust their spending accordingly. "Consumers will start to look at cheaper cuts of meat and they'll probably shift from the big retailers to lower cost operators like Aldi or a meat bulk discounter," Dr Gary Mortimer from Queensland University of Technology's school of business told AAP. They may make a brand switch to lower-priced generic or private-label options. Marketing professor Dr Len Coote said people will try to use less electricity while cutting spending elsewhere. "They'll be less likely to go to a restaurant, less likely to go to Myer to buy that birthday present for someone," the University of Queensland academic said. People's income is not necessarily rising so people will reduce their consumption in other areas. However there are some things that certain groups will keep buying no matter what, according to Dr Mortimer. "You'll have a person who will only buy say a particular brand of hosiery, so they will go without a really good cut of meat and save that money because they don't want to buy a cheaper brand of hosiery," he said. And some people will go without maybe getting two morning coffees on the way to work so they can get a nice bottle of wine on the weekend. You will see consumers sacrifice some things that are considered necessary so they can still enjoy some little luxuries at the end of the week.