It’s so easy to spend loads of money on your weekly grocery shop. Even if you go in with an idea of what you want, impulse buys, tempting displays, new products are all there to entice you to spend more. However, resist the temptation to spend up big at the grocery store. Here are our favourite ways to save money on groceries.
- Create a two-week meal plan so you can plan what to purchase for different meals to save money, time and food wastage.
- Shop online if you can to make sure you’re not shopping impulse buys. If you don’t want to pay the delivery fee, choose the click and collect option.
- Make a shopping list before you go to the supermarket to avoid buying what you don’t need.
- Sign up for a grocery rewards program like Woolworths Everyday Rewards or Coles Flybuys and then redeem the points for cash off your grocery bill.
- Don’t go shopping when you’re hungry or else you’ll end up buying more.
- Check the supermarket circulars and department store catalogues for specials. (If you have an Entertainment Book and shop at Woolworths, purchase a Woolworths Wish eGift card for 5% off. Automatically saves you 5% at Woolworths, Big W, Dan Murphys and Caltex Woolworths garages. Entertainment Book also offers 10% off David Jones eGift cards as well.)
- Check unit prices when you’re purchasing items. Sometimes buying a 2kg version is more expensive than two 1kg packets.
- Buy home brands instead of brand name items to save money or visit Aldi for low prices.
- Learn when the supermarket does its markdowns on packaged meat, fish and produce and visit then. Often you can score big discounts on products near to their expiry date.
- Shop strategically. Do you notice that your favourite products go on sale every couple of months? Grocery stores sometimes have sales cycles where certain things go on sale at a regular time. Stock up on when they’re on sale so that you don’t have to pay full price and make a note of when they go on sale to see if you can discover trends.
- If you can purchase the imperfect fruit and veggies for big savings. Woolworths has their Odd Bunch while Harris Farm offers imperfect produce as well.
- If you have a Costco membership, head there and buy in bulk. It’s especially great for non-perishables which you can throw in a cupboard and use as you need to (canned goods, laundry detergent, toilet paper) But make sure that you’re actually buying what you need. So easy to spend more than you planned in Costco!
- Shop in season fruits and veggies. It can end up saving you lots of money.
- Always check your grocery bill before you leave. Print out a docket when you do your grocery shopping and review it to make sure that you’re being charged the right price. If you haven’t, go back and get a refund. Scanning Code of Practice for Woolworths, Coles and Aldi entitles customers to receive an item free of charge if the scanned price of an item is greater than the shelf price displayed. Exceptions under the Code are products with a shelf price greater than $50, as well as tobacco and liquor products.
- Buy fresh fruit and veggies in bulk and split with a friend or two.
- Visit farmers markets and buy produce near to closing time. They might be more likely to discount price.
- Buy non-perishables in bulk when they’re on sale. E.g. canned food, toilet paper, laundry detergent, etc
- Grow your own herbs and vegetables. Even if you’re not a major green thumb, they’re easy to grow and save you purchasing herbs or veggies.
Want more tips on saving money? Check out our article How to Easily Save Money – 101 Tips to Save on Family Expenses.
Started in late 2012 by a local mum, Newy with Kids has grown into a thriving go-to family guide for the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & Hunter region. Parents visit the Newy with Kids website to find things to do with babies, kids and teens. Whether it’s local attractions, upcoming events, kids eat free, school holiday activities or birthday party ideas, Newy with Kids is the best website for local parents to find local kid-friendly activities and information 24/7.