6 of the best hacks if you're looking to save on your grocery bill.

Once upon a time, I thought $500 was a lot of money. I’d work really hard, save it all up and treat myself to something special. Like a flight to Hawaii or an exact copy of Kate Middleton’s blue engagement announcement wrap dress.

Then a few years passed, I had kids, realised that navy blue is NOT my colour and I STILL think $500 is a lot of money. Except instead of spending it on flights and fashion, I’m spending it at the supermarket.

Every. Single. Week.

Just to feed our family of five, and that doesn’t even include meals out of home.

Our family unit. Image: Supplied. 

We’re not alone. Research shows that 71 per cent of us dread seeing the size of our grocery bill each time we shop. 42 per cent of people said they don't know how to reduce what they spend on food. 

But it’s not all bad news. There are plenty of clever ways to stretch a dollar further without sacrificing the quality of family meals. Here are six of the best money-saving hacks to help make feeding the family less stressful:

1. Swap out the takeaway for batch cooking. 

Don't roll your eyes at me. I know you've heard this one before, but there's a reason it tops every money-saving list: It works.

But if cutting out takeaway is such great advice, why do none of us stick to it?

Because it’s hard. That’s why.

That’s where batch cooking can help. It’s not complicated; just prepare batches of meals and freeze portions for later. This cuts down the cost per meal and means you have quick, homemade options on busy days and ready-made lunches to take to work. I love taking my lunch in; it removes all temptation to buy a sad salad from the kiosk downstairs when I inevitably get too busy and only have ten minutes between meetings to eat. 

If you're giving batch cooking a solid crack, think about investing in a Thermomix TM6. This smart, connected all-in-one kitchen appliance offers a realistic alternative to takeaways. It simplifies the process of batch cooking, making the most out of the entire ingredient and reducing waste. 

From butter chicken and lamb ragu to arancini balls and sticky date pudding, the TM6 can do it all. It's also more cost-effective in the long run and more convenient than a takeaway because you don’t have to drive to pick it up or wait for a (cold and soggy) delivery.

Image: Instagram/@kellyandherthermomix. 

If a Thermomix has always been on your wish list, there's good news: Zip, a leading digital financial services company that provides fair and seamless solutions to simplify how people pay, is offering 48 months interest-free financing for a limited time on the Thermomix TM6. With Zip, repayments are from just $14.71 per week, making it more accessible than ever.

And just to whip out a final bit of girl math, the Thermomix is actually saving me money beyond the grocery bill and takeouts because I don't need multiple kitchen gadgets and appliances anymore. Sell them all on Facebook marketplace and HELLLLOOO, I’m basically MAKING money right here.

2. Add veggie protein. 

Meat and poultry are among the most expensive items you can put in your shopping cart. My kids think you can only legally eat salmon at your grandparents' house because it’s too expensive for me to justify feeding it to them at home. 

Since spending every mealtime at my Boomer parents' house isn’t realistic, so I save costs by incorporating more veggie proteins into our meals. Beans, lentils, chickpeas and tofu are all excellent, cost-effective alternatives or additions. I combine chicken or beef with these lower-cost proteins to stretch the ingredients further without compromising on nutrition. 

3. Switch to home or no brand items. 

Home brand or no-name products are often just as good as their brand-name counterparts but much cheaper. Staples like rice, pasta, pretty much anything canned and even some snacks can be swapped without anyone in the family noticing the difference. 

Our school asked for no packaging in lunchboxes, so this was the perfect place to switch to no-brand at the same time. I've been trying things like sultanas, dried apricots, cheese sticks, biscuits and cereal bars. No complaints so far, but the savings add up quickly.

Ride or die home brand lunchbox swaps. Image: Supplied. 

4. Give in to meal planning.

Of course, this made the list. A social media favourite: Meal planning is one of the most effective ways to reduce waste and save money. 

Plan your meals for the whole week so you can create a shopping list of everything you need and make the most of buying in bulk. Those insanely huge packs of twenty chicken thighs, for example, are way more cost-effective than multiple smaller packs. There are so many good meal-planning recipes on Instagram and TikTok; you'll find ideas for any dietary requirement. 

Take it to the next level with a planner on your fridge so you can look forward to Taco Tuesday every week.

5. Grow your own herbs and veggies.

If you have a bit of space, or even just a sunny windowsill, make like Mamamia’s own "gardening person" Holly Wainwright and try to grow your own herbs and vegetables. There’s nothing worse than paying $6.50 when all you need is a handful of basil, only to watch the bunch slowly rot in your fridge for the next week.

Herbs like basil, parsley and mint are easy to grow, even if you kill your plants every three months like me, and cost less than $5 at Bunnings. 

If you're feeling more adventurous, the gardeners of social media have us covered with imaginative DIY gardening hacks to transform even the tiniest nooks into lush green sanctuaries — soon you could be just like Holly, thrilling your mates with talk about tomatoes.

6. Shop online, not in-store. 

I instantly save money if I avoid going into the supermarket. I have no willpower if I see what I deem to be a bargain, and everything from the lighting to the shelf placement is designed to make you buy more.

Reason 675 why you shouldn’t shop in store. Image: Supplied. 

That’s why shopping online has been so good for me. It removes temptation but also makes it way easier to compare prices between different brands to make sure I’m getting the best deal. All the supermarket apps have a 'filter by unit price' feature so you can compare like-for-like (per litre, per kilogram, per nappy, etc.). 

Sometimes, a larger pack may seem more expensive but actually has a lower unit price, so it’ll save money over a few weeks. Using the app also means I can keep an eye on my running total as I shop, making it easier to stick to the budget. 

Being on the app also makes it easier to remember to use my rewards programs. Most programs provide member-only discounts, special offers and even cashback on purchases. By sticking to one supermarket, I’ve quickly racked up points and converted them to vouchers… and EVERYONE knows that vouchers are free money, right?! 

What’s your best hack to save on groceries? Share in the comments below.

Shop Thermomix's TM6 using Zip’s 48 month interest-free offer, with repayments starting from just $14.71 per week.

T&Cs, eligibility criteria and exclusions apply. Offer period 9:00am AWST Tuesday July 9 — 11:59pm AWST Monday August 19, 2024. See here for full details. 

Feature Image: Supplied.