With the ever-increasing cost of groceries burning a major hole in your pocket, here’s how to save more without losing your mind.
If the sight of your shopper docket at the supermarket checkout makes you want to run to the alcohol section to soothe your sorrows, you’re not alone.
A survey of 1,000 Aussies conducted on behalf of budgeting and debt specialists Fox Symes, finds that half of all Australians (52 per cent) are forced to use credit cards to pay for everyday costs including groceries because they simply don’t have enough cash available. Alarmingly, 2.9 million Aussies have to do this frequently.
Fox Symes director Deborah Southon says with flat wages and rising costs, now is the time to get smart about things that are in your control.
“Cutting back on the amount you spend on grocery items is always something you can improve on,” she says.
“Plus you should analyse whether you really need as much food and stuff as you think you do. Budget well and look for any way possible to cut expenses.”
Ease your pain at the cash register with these tips:
1. Prepare and do a regular stock take
To get your budget on track, observe how much your family eats and only buy and cook the consumable amount. While leftovers are good occasionally, don’t have uneaten stuff after every meal. Once a week get creative and make a stew or soup out of odds and ends. And look through your pantry and freezer regularly and use whatever’s in there within a few months.
2. Shop at the end of the day
So doing a big shop at night after a long day at work might sound like a particularly cruel form of torture. However, that’s when you’re most likely to encounter discounts.
Top Comments
"The money-saving grocery shopping hacks that savvy women swear by"
Because grocery shopping is women's work, right? No savvy men swearing by these hacks...?
Write a list! I have no idea how people shop without one. When I didn’t, I would come home with a trolley full of food, but only about two actual meals. And I’d have forgotten the loo paper. Also shopping at Aldi has made a huge difference for us. We save at least $50 a week compared to when we shopped just at Woolies. (Hot tip - Aldi 40% Choc Chip cookies are every bit as good as the Arnotts ones, but cheaper!)
Totally agree re the list, by using that I only go to aisles that I need to rather than wandering, and buying extras I don’t really need! Meal planning is a great saver too.
Unfortunately we don’t have Aldi in Tasmania but I’ve found many of the own brand items at Woolworths and Coles are just as good, or at times, better than the name brand.