Saving money on groceries is a common goal for many people, especially in times of rising food prices and economic uncertainty. But how can you do it without compromising on quality, nutrition and taste? Here are 10 tips to help you shop smarter and save more.
- Plan your meals and make a list. This is one of the most effective ways to avoid impulse buying and food waste. By knowing what you need and sticking to your list, you can save time and money at the store. You can also use online resources to find recipes and meal plans that suit your budget and preferences¹².
- Compare prices and shop around. Different stores may have different prices for the same products, so it pays to do some research and compare. You can use online tools or apps to check prices, specials and discounts before you go shopping. You can also look at the unit price of products, which shows how much they cost per kilogram, litre or serve.
- Buy in bulk and freeze. Buying in bulk can save you money if you have the storage space and can use the food before it expires. You can buy meat, bread, cheese, fruits and vegetables in large quantities and freeze them for later use. You can also cook large batches of meals and freeze them for busy nights or lunches.
- Buy seasonal and local produce. Fruits and vegetables that are in season are usually cheaper, fresher and tastier than those that are imported or grown out of season. You can also support local farmers and businesses by buying from farmers’ markets, roadside stalls or community-supported agriculture schemes.
- Buy generic or store brands. Brand name products are often more expensive than generic or store brands, but they may not be any better in quality or taste. You can save money by choosing cheaper alternatives for staples like milk, eggs, flour, sugar, pasta, rice and canned goods.
- Use coupons and loyalty programs. Coupons can help you save money on specific products or categories of products, but only if you use them wisely. Don’t buy something just because you have a coupon for it, unless you really need it or want it. Also, check the expiry date and terms and conditions of the coupon before using it. Loyalty programs can also offer discounts, rewards or cashback for frequent shoppers, so sign up for the ones that suit your needs and preferences.
- Avoid convenience foods and snacks. Pre-packaged, processed and ready-made foods are usually more expensive and less healthy than homemade ones. You can save money by making your own meals, snacks, sauces, dressings, dips, soups and desserts from scratch using basic ingredients. You can also make your own coffee, tea, juice or smoothies instead of buying them from cafes or vending machines.
- Eat less meat and more plant-based foods. Meat is one of the most expensive items in the grocery store, so reducing your meat consumption can save you money and benefit your health and the environment. You can replace some or all of the meat in your meals with plant-based proteins like beans, lentils, tofu, nuts, seeds and eggs. You can also try meatless Mondays or vegetarian days to vary your diet and discover new dishes.
- Use leftovers creatively. Don’t throw away food that you don’t finish or that is close to its expiry date. You can use leftovers to make new meals by adding some fresh ingredients or spices, or by transforming them into salads, sandwiches, wraps, pies, pizzas or soups. You can also freeze leftovers for later use or take them to work or school for lunch.
- Grow your own food. If you have a backyard, balcony or windowsill, you can grow your own herbs, fruits and vegetables for a fraction of the cost of buying them from the store. You can also enjoy the freshness, flavour and satisfaction of harvesting your own produce. You don’t need a lot of space or equipment to start a garden; you can use pots, containers, jars or even old shoes to grow plants from seeds or cuttings.
By following these tips, you can save money on groceries without sacrificing quality, nutrition or taste. You can also have fun experimenting with new recipes, ingredients and cuisines while improving your cooking skills and health.
Storing food properly is a good way to avoid waste and save money. Here are some general tips on how to store food safely and correctly
- Plan your meals and make a list of what you need before you go shopping. This will help you avoid buying too much food or food that you don’t need.
- Check the use-by dates and best before dates on food products and follow the manufacturer’s storage instructions. Use-by dates indicate when food is no longer safe to eat, while best before dates indicate when food may lose some quality or freshness. Don’t eat food that is past its use-by date, and don’t buy food that is close to its use-by date unless you are sure you will use it soon.
- Store food in suitable, covered containers or packaging to protect it from contamination and spoilage. Reseal opened containers or transfer to resealable containers. Label and date any decanted items and include the expiry date.
- Store raw food like meat, seafood, eggs and dairy products separately from cooked or ready-to-eat food to avoid cross-contamination. Store raw food on lower shelves or in separate drawers in the fridge, and use separate utensils and cutting boards for raw and cooked food.
- Store potentially hazardous food at 5°C or colder or at 60°C or hotter to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. Potentially hazardous food is food that needs temperature control to keep it safe, such as meat, seafood, dairy, eggs, cooked rice and pasta, prepared salads and sandwiches. Use a thermometer to check the temperature of your fridge, freezer and hot food.
- Cool hot food as quickly as possible and store it in the fridge as soon as steam stops rising from it. Don’t leave hot food out of the fridge for more than two hours, and don’t put hot food in the fridge as it can raise the temperature of the fridge and affect other foods.
- Freeze food that you won’t use within a few days and make sure your freezer is set to -15°C or lower. Don’t refreeze thawed food, and thaw frozen food in the fridge or microwave, not on the bench. Use frozen food within three to six months, depending on the type of food.
- Use leftovers within three to four days and reheat them until steaming hot before eating. Don’t reheat leftovers more than once, and discard any leftovers that smell or look bad.
- Avoid convenience foods and snacks that are usually more expensive and less healthy than homemade ones. Make your own meals, snacks, sauces, dressings, dips, soups and desserts from scratch using basic ingredients. You can also make your own coffee, tea, juice or smoothies instead of buying them from cafes or vending machines.
- Grow your own herbs, fruits and vegetables if you have space and time. You can use pots, containers, jars or even old shoes to grow plants from seeds or cuttings. You can enjoy the freshness, flavour and satisfaction of harvesting your own produce..
there are many grocery apps and websites that can help you plan your meals, compare prices, find deals, and order online.
- Frugl Grocery: This is an app that lets you compare prices, create and share lists, and set your dietary and allergen preferences. You can find savings on thousands of products every week across grocery retailers across Australia. You can also scan barcodes and filter products by price per unit.
-Man of Many: This is a website that lists 21 best online grocery shopping services in Australia, including Coles, Woolworths, Uber Eats, MILKRUN, Produce Drop, Dinnerly, Voly, HelloFresh, MarleySpoon, DoorDash, IGA Online, Harris Farm, Amazon, eBay, Catch, Delish Deliveries, Golden Grocery, Ooooby, Naked Foods, iPantry, and Dinner Sorted. You can find out the delivery cost, delivery area, and best features of each service. - Reader’s Digest: This is a website that lists 13 best grocery shopping apps to download in 2023. Some of the apps are Flipp, Grocery Pal, Mealime, Out of Milk, AnyList, Ibotta, Shopkick, Grocery iQ, Favado, Coupons.com App, SavingStar App, Checkout 51 App, and BerryCart App. You can learn how each app can help you save money and time on groceries.
- BestApp.com: This is a website that reviews the best grocery list apps of 2023. The top pick is Mealime, which offers everything users need to plan meals, learn new recipes, and easily put together organized grocery lists. Other apps are AnyList, Out of Milk Shopping List App & To-Do List App (Free), Bring! Shopping List & Recipes (Free), Grocery Shopping List – Listonic (Free), Our Groceries Shopping List (Free), and Buy Me a Pie! Grocery List (Free).
- The Droid Guy: This is a website that reviews the best grocery store price comparison apps in 2023. The top pick is Instacart, which works with a variety of big-name retailers like Whole Foods and Costco. Other apps are Basket Savings (Free), Grocery King Shopping List (Free), Grocery Pal (Free), ShopSavvy Barcode & QR Scanner (Free), ScanLife Barcode & QR Reader (Free), and Price Cruncher Price Compare (Free)
Some of the extreme ways to save money on food are:
- Eating once a day: This is a form of intermittent fasting, where you eat only one meal per day and fast for the rest of the time. Some people claim that this can help them lose weight, improve their health and save money on food. However, this may not be suitable for everyone, as it can cause hunger, fatigue, mood swings and nutrient deficiencies. It is advisable to consult a doctor before trying this method⁶ .
- No Food Waste: This is a movement that aims to reduce food waste by rescuing surplus food from restaurants, caterers, supermarkets and other sources and redistributing it to people who need it. You can join this movement by using apps like GoMkt, which allows you to buy unsold food at discounted prices from local businesses³. You can also donate your excess food or volunteer with organisations that collect and distribute food waste .
Foraging for edible plants/ Hunting food for yourself -deer and pigs /Fishing/raising rabbits
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