How to save money on your grocery bill

With the cost of living pressures reaching boiling point for many Aussie families, and increases not showing any signs of slowing down; being wiser with the way you shop for your groceries could make a big difference to the amount you spend and how much you could save every week on the essentials.

So, just how do families cut costs when all the groceries that have become necessities in many households start increasing? Here are a few tips that could help reign in the spending whilst still enjoying the things you’re used to when it comes to food and household essentials for the family home.

Shop later in the day

If you love to bargain shop, then switching your shopping hours to later in the day could have a big impact on what you pay for your food, particularly when it comes to fresh food. Fresh veggies, meat and pre-prepared snacks tend to have a shorter shelf life than pantry items, so they are usually cleared out towards the end of the day, making the hours before closure a great time to find a trove of bargains in the markdown section.

Buy what’s in season

As a general rule of thumb, buying fresh produce that is seasonal tends to be a lot cheaper than buying fruit and vegetables that need to be imported or grown under specific conditions. Plus, seasonal food is usually fresher and more flavoursome as the conditions where the food is grown are optimal.

Buy in bulk 

While things may appear more expensive when you buy in bulk, it can be a game changer when what you buy lasts twice as long. You could also split costs with family and friends and split up the bulky goods. A great place to shop for bulky goods is Costco, although reaping the rewards of bulk buying comes with an annual fee to consider.

Cut back on meat

With inflation taking a huge toll on the price of meat, making the switch to more vegetarian proteins could be a great way to help cut costs on your food bill. Protein replacements like legumes, vegetables and eggs are a great substitute and cost only a fraction of the price of fresh meat, so making the switch could be worth your while.

Make a shopping list

While this seems like a logical thing to do, so many people get caught out impulse buying when they hit the supermarket, so it could pay to shop for what you need using a shopping list. Checking your fridge and pantry for what items you actually need could help you avoid buying the items that aren’t essential for the week.

Shop around

Supermarkets love to compete with one another, so shopping around for great prices can lead to big savings, especially if you take advantage of things like catalogue specials or rewards-based discounts. Apps like frugl can help you compare prices between stores, so you can find cheaper products. This is especially handy if you’re after a particular brand that is a must in your family; shopping around could save you a small fortune throughout the year.

Switch brands

It’s easy to knock the dollars off of your shopping bill by switching to generic or supermarket owned brands. Things like pasta, flour, tinned foods and long-life milk can cost dramatically less, by simply making the switch, and you might be pleasantly surprised just how well the products compare in taste and quality to the more popular brands.

If you want to know where Australians love to shop, check out the Mozo People’s Choice Awards for Supermarkets and beat inflation at its own game, by shopping smarter for your groceries.