[EssentialBludger]

I'm looking to cut down my grocery bill. I spend about $220pw which for one adult, 2 kids and a cat is a bit ridiculous. Although that does include all cleaning products and nappies and wipes etc.

I've tried stopping all prepacaged food and doing more baking, homebrand everything, bicarb and vinegar for cleaning and more fresh fruits and veg instead of junk but I still can't get it under $200pw.

Meat is a big killer so I'm trying lots of new vego dishes too.


What's your best money saving tips at the supermarket?

[2CuteCookies]

"ALDI" is my money saving tip.

Not sure where you are located or if this is an option, but I save sooooooo much if I can get the majority of my groceries at Aldi, then I just stock up on bulk meats from the butcher each month.

[EssentialBludger]

No aldi in WA unfortunately!

[packysmum]

I spend $220 per week with 2 adults and 3 kids. That includes everything. I'm a big fan of ordering groceries online and getting it delivered. You can see exactly what you are spending and cull down at the end if you have gone over budget. I also meal plan for the fortnight and do an online shop once a fortnight so I save on delivery fees. I also have a few cheap eat nights throughout the fortnight. Also I buy cheaper cuts of meat or buy in bulk. The cheap cuts are good for slow cooking.

[mnsr621]

Meal Plan with whats on special, I also go to at least 2 supermarkets to get their best specials. We also use a lot of cheaper meats, sausages, mince, chicken, and lots of BBQ stuff now the weather is warming up.

[emlis22]

rats, I was going to suggest Aldi too.

I would suggest looking at what you're buying food wise. As in what meals are you cooking. Like PP, I do 'cheap' nights, where it's sausages and vegetables, pasta with vegetables (seriously, pasta is like $1, veggies, tin toms, maybe some bacon), a risotto with chicken breast, peas, and onion. The trick to this is to PLAN, and write a LIST>

[robot sm]

Definitely a list, and I try to never cook a dinner that only goes for one night - I always make something that we can have as leftovers the next day.

[amabanana]

I buy in bulk if it saves money. You need money for the initial outlay but it saves in the end. I love Costco and Aldi but that isn't much help to you.
Check out your local butcher/grocer and ask your friends and family where they shop for discounts. Buy at a market if that is an option. Shop at times when they are marking down. I know what days our Coles and Safeway mark down their meat and I go and get stuff up to 70% off. Cook and freeze, eat that night or freeze straight away.
Meal plan. Keep some cheap options on the plan like spag bog with lots of vegies in it, pasta dishes, rissoles and steam veg, slow cook with cheap cuts to make them tender, learn how to cook some vegetarian meals or things like impossible pie. There are quite a few threads on here about how to save money on your groceries so I won't repeat too much. I recommend you search and read through them as there are some great suggestions.
Good luck!

[KarenBubMachine]

Do you have a Spud Shed nearby? Or another growers market that have cheap fruit and veggies. I try to run out/run low on all my f & v then do one massive shop at spud shed, I probably save $30 per shop.

Buy the cheaper breads and milk, generic brands for basics.

Get to know a good price for things so that your not bamboozled by advertising - for example 50c per roll is NOT a good special price for toilet paper, 33c per roll is. When you see it at 33 c per roll, buy 20 of them. Its not like your going to stop using toilet paper.

Sit down with all your supermarket junk mail and compare prices, Coles might be saying San Remo pasta, now $1.25, thats a $1.80 saving! But then IGA might have them out for $1.

Online shopping is also good, as pp has mentioned as your not impulse buying, you buy what you need and thats it.

[casime]

Stay away from the supermarkets as much as possible is my big tip. I buy directly from local suppliers or farmers markets for most of my produce and meat supplies. Buy in bulk where possible. Only buy what is in season as it's cheaper.

Also, if you have friends who would like to save some money, you could work together. Some people I know have a mini co-op going where one person goes to the fruit market and buys boxes of fruits and veges. Things like boxes of tomatoes for $3, etc. They then divide it up and pay their share. They do save heaps of money that way.