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I am budget conscious but would like to make more savings. Please share your best tips for saving on food and grocery bills.


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  • My biggest tip is to plan your week of meals and try to use as many similar ingredients as possible throughout the week. What veggies can be used in multiple meals. Buy more of one meat to make a few meals. It reduces cost and waste.


  • I find I spend less by shopping online. I like the click and collect method. That way I don’t impulse buy and I also choose lots of the specials.


  • Meal plan! Make as much from scratch as possible. Bulk buy where you can ( but only if you will actually use it all) Know your prices and sale cycles and buy when things are on special if you can.
    If you tend to go over budget at the supermarket, try online shopping as you can see exactly what you are spending before you spend it. Buy in season fruit and vege are they are cheaper and shop at markets if you can.


  • I collect shopping points (everyday rewards and flybuys), it’s amazing how quickly they add up – I end up with a free shop or two a year.
    I also only online shop so I can control my trolley and head the half price specials first and plan my meals from there.


  • Definitely make a weekly meal plan, and write your shopping list (and stick to it!). I found I saved money when doing a weekly, rather than daily shop.


  • Increase the number of Vegetarian meals you eat as a family. This made a huge difference to our budget.


  • I like to use click and collect as well. I always challenge myself to keep grocery prices down, so do the following: eat seasonal (and grow veges), only buy meat that is on special, make dinner that includes something I can take for lunch the next day eg vege bake, or lasagna. Buy supermarket brands. Get books out of the library about budget cooking.


  • Looking at supermarket catalogs to see if my items are reduced and buying in bulk on specials.


  • I agree with everyone else, planning your meals will save you money because you don’t end up buying things you won’t use..
    But for me the biggest savings have come from eat less of certain things. We only eat meat about twice a week, not every night. Instead eating things like bean curries, lentil stews, or pumpkin targine.
    Cutting back on meat, cheese, and other products that quickly rack up your grocery bill will really help save money.
    I personally feel a lot better on this type of diet, as well. Although, I understand it wouldn’t be for everyone.


  • I tend to buy from the markets or direct farm delivery services. Court, clean, prep raw food and put into containers. Freeze leftovers for future use as my family tends to not want to eat the sam emerald more than once a week but will happily eat it in a week’s time. The most important thing for me is to not impulse buy and have a meal plan related to the grocery list too.


  • Cook seasonal and look for bargains – then prep and freeze.


  • I buy in bulk things we use a lot and tha have a long shelf life. I also stock up on things when they’re on special


  • Buying in bulk from a wholesaler and dividing up into smaller portions and freezing. When products are on special stock up.
    Do a weekly menu based off your current pantry/freezer items and do one big shop accordingly. Try and buy cheaper cuts of meat to bring that cost down


  • Buy in bulk or at least larger size packets of staples, and COOK from scratch. Eating at home is one of the best ways to save.


  • Plan a shopping list, and if it works for you shop online! Then you’re not walking past things and going “oh actually I could get that”. I also try to stock up on quick and easy staples so that those nights here everything is running late you can just pull out something simple and not resort to take out.


  • Plan ahead
    Meal plan for the week
    Shop the 1/2 price section for items you might be needing in the near future
    Shop in your pantry first – check what you can use before buying more


  • I hate to say it but I have saved so much money with Hello Fresh, it’s saved me time and food wastage! Also I sometimes go to stores when I know they will be marking items down like bread, milk etc! I have always bought bread half price and milk marked down. (My family Goes through it fast enough to drink in within the expiry).
    Also my other tip would be to plan ahead! Look at what’s on special for the week and plan meals!


  • I always write a list and stick to. Stock up on things I regularly use when they’re on special and buy in bulk.


  • Lately I’ve been using coles click and collect. In the last month I have managed to receive a total of $50 off my food bill as they have had special deals most weeks to get $10 or $20 off each food shop.
    On top of that I also look to buy the products on special and always save a lot more on my bills too.


  • I like to cook in bulk and them separate into cheap take away containers and freeze the meals.


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