The Australian Bureau of Statistics have stated that grocery prices are up 6.1% over the last 12 months. If you’re like me, you would have noticed this at the check-out with prices spiralling upwards at a outrageous rate. Now, I’m a strong believer that the dollars are better in your pocket than theirs, so if you’re looking for some money-saving ideas, you’re in the right place. We’ve made a list of 12 easy tips that you can implement now and start saving today.
1. Meal plan:
Get the family together and make a list of the meals you all want to eat this week. Maybe everyone will get 1 or 2 choices. Not only will they be happy to get their favourite meals, but you won’t have to constantly come up with ideas of what to cook.
2. Make a list:
Once you have you list of meals, go through the pantry and check what ingredients you do and don’t have, then make a list of what you need. You can do it the old fashioned way with pen and paper or be like a millennial and use an app on your phone.
3. Shop online:
Not only is online shopping a game changer if you’re busy, but it also helps reduce impulse buying because you’re not lured by the products strategically placed at the end of the aisle or the chocolate options at the checkout.
4. Don’t shop hungry:
Make sure to eat before you go. If you’re hungry everything will look so much more appetising. Shopping when you’re hungry hinders your decision making process, increases your purchase of snack foods and results in higher bills at the checkout.
5. Buy seasonal:
Not only is in season fruit and veg cheaper, it also tastes better. If you’re not sure what is in season or what to do with it, check out those free supermarket magazines. These are great for meal ideas using in-season produce.
6. Look for price reductions:
These can be found in home-brand products, “ugly fruit” that doesn’t look as round and polished, end of day reductions or weekly specials. Shopping at the end of the day is a great way to get mark downs on fresh products.
7. Buy frozen:
Frozen products are often snap frozen as soon as its harvested, locking in the nutritional value. These are nutritionally just as good, if not better, than their fresh counterparts and considerably lighter on the hip pocket.
8. Cook & freeze leftovers:
Leftovers are great for lunch the next day or for refashioning for another dinner. Think outside the box. Leftover roast lamb is great with a can of tomatoes and pasta, left over chicken makes good sandwiches or wraps, leftover veg can go in a pie or on a pizza.
9. Make the most of a bargain:
When you’re favourite extra virgin olive oil is on special, stock up. Same goes for shelf stable condiments, frozen goods, toilet paper and cleaning products. Even fresh fruits, veggies, milk, bread, butter and eggs can be frozen for future use if you have the freezer space.
10. Compare prices:
Check prices of similar products both between stores and between product sizes. Surprisingly, larger packets and buying in bulk is not always cheaper. You may find that the 250ml mayonnaise is cheaper per serve than the 500ml mayonnaise, particularly if the smaller size is on sale this week.
11. Try meatless Monday:
Swapping out meat for cheaper vegetarian alternatives like tofu, eggs or legumes once or twice a week will save dollars. If you’re not into completely vegetarian, try reducing the meat part of the mela and bulking it out with legumes instead. This increases variety and is great for your gut microbiome too.
12. Replace other fibre supplements with Kfibre:
If you’re using a different fibre supplement switch to Kfibre. Kfibre packs a lot into a small serve! Not only is it the only complex fibre supplement on the market with proven benefits to gut health, the smaller serve size in comparison to other fibre supplements make it cheaper per serve.
Final thoughts
Despite the skyrocketing cost of food, there are still strategies to reduce your grocery bill. If you have any more tips, please share them below.
By Joanna Baker (APD | RN)
Click the link below to replay Joanna’s Facebook Live where she talked about Budget Saving tips for Healthy Eating:
https://www.facebook.com/Kfibre/videos/503598731724897
To download a recipe book featuring budget friendly recipes click here:
https://kfibre.com/healthy-food-guide
