# 13 Tricks To Save On Grocery Shopping – As Much As 50%!!!

- Link: https://stayathomemum.com.au/work-money/money/13-tricks-to-save-on-grocery-shopping/
- Published: 2020-03-23T20:00:03+11:00
- Author: Michaella Tasker

## _I’m certain all mums know the answer to this. DON’T TAKE YOUR KIDS WITH YOU. I don’t now, but when I did, this is how it played out._

> Fruit and veg section. Three bananas eating along the way to aisle 1, three organic
> fruit pouches sip, to aisle 2. Cornflakes, Rice Bubbles and Berry Bites for breakfast(
> who needs three cereals, kids apparently). Aisle four, ‘I’m hungry can we have
> a muesli bar?’ And so on until we reach the checkout and it was $280.

Does it need to be that much? No! If I didn’t take my kids, I suspect it would be
closer to $180, which is pretty frugal for a family of five.

If you’re finding yourself with not much money at the end of the week, some changes
need to be made and saving money without cramping your lifestyle might prove a bit
difficult. Instead of making big sacrifices try starting small like your food bill
and see how a little can add up to big savings.

> Here are [13 tips that will lower your grocery bill](https://stayathomemum.com.au/shopping/50-dollar-per-week-shop/50-week-grocery-shop/)—
> maybe as much as 50 percent!

## **1. Leave kids at home**

It’s no surprise the first way to cut your food bill is not to take the kids. For
obvious reasons, they eat along the way, want everything to go in the trolley and
stamp and stomp their feet until they get it, and we give it to them so they don’t
make a scene. Everything from snacks, sweets, drinks, cereals, toys and whatever
else is at eye level for our hungry little people. Best off leaving them at home
with dad/grandma and grandpa/babysitter/neighbour if at all possible!

 [via gifer.com](https://gifer.com/en/Ssnh)

## **2. Hungry? Steer clear of the grocery store**

Like the kids, you will eat your way around or who knows what you’ll put in your
trolley. Take the time to have a coffee and muffin before you go in. See it as me
time and you’ll be less likely to buy junk food and processed meals.

 [via tenor.com](https://tenor.com/view/eating-out-food-coma-full-gif-12536479)

## **3. Make a list**

I love lists. I love making lists of all the lists I have to make, and food shopping
is no exception. Going to the grocery store without one and you’re bound to forget
something or get something you don’t need. Always check your fridge and cupboard
and even sit down and plan a week’s worth of meals and ingredients you need. This
will save you money at the shops and pop-ins during the week to get extra supplies.

[⌊12 tricks to save on grocery shopping | stay at home mum⌉⌊12 tricks to save on
grocery shopping | stay at home mum⌉[

[via tenor.com](https://tenor.com/view/full-stuffed-day-after-thanksgiving-after-thanksgiving-abu-gif-12944518)

## **4. Leftovers**

Great thing about home cooking more often than not there is always leftovers. Spaghetti
bolognese and chicken or beef casseroles are great dishes to heat up and have the
next day. Flavours really gel well together over night in the fridge and somehow
leftovers always seem to taste better the next day.

 

## **5. Find out ahead what you already have**

Before you even make a list have a look at what’s in the cupboard. Chances are you’ll
find lots of hidden food treasures to make a few meals. Cupboards get bogged down
with all sorts of tin food, sauces and jars. I bet there are a few meals waiting
to be cooked, just add meat or veg. Each item that you already have is something
you won’t have to buy.

## **6. Grow your own**

Nothing tastes better than food you’ve grown. If you don’t have a garden, you can
invest in a raised garden bed, which can fit most porches, verandas even a unit 
balcony. If you’re quite a shovel head in the garden, you can either start your 
garden from seed or pay a little more for small established plants. Good food to
grow all year round is lettuce, kale, tomatoes, chillies, lemon, pumpkin and onions.
It’s also a great opportunity to get the kids off the iPad and into the garden teaching
them about healthy eating and nutrition.

[⌊12 tricks to save on grocery shopping | stay at home mum⌉⌊12 tricks to save on
grocery shopping | stay at home mum⌉[

[via tenor.com](https://tenor.com/view/to-the-kitchen-ill-be-at-the-fridge-gif-10400605)

## **7. Swap organic produce for conventional**

Buying organic fruit, veg and meat is awesome when you can afford it, but if it’s
time to go on a budget, it’s time to go with conventional produce. If you’re concerned
with pesticides, washing all your produce with salty water will remove any contact
pesticide residue.

## **8. Store brands**

There is no shame in buying store brands, they may not have fancy labelling, but
they have the same nutritional value – and will shave loads of your food bill. So
what is the difference? Just the packaging. When you buy a brand name, you are paying
for the company’s marketing campaign. Most foods come off the factory line exactly
the same and are simply packaged into different containers, one generic and one 
name brand. This is called private labelling. So get down with the home brand and
you will save a lot of money.

## **9. WHATEVER HAPPENS: Stick to your budget!**

Try and stick to a budget. This might take you a couple of weeks to establish a 
food budget, but once you reach an average, you need to stick to it. If you have
no boundaries, you will cruise down each aisle overspending like there is no tomorrow.

[[

via gfycat.com

## **10. Shop around**

All because you have shopped at the same supermarket for years and you know your
way around like your own house, you might think there couldn’t possibly be anything
cheaper out there. There is! Try other supermarkets, see their specials and compare
prices. You might also save a lot shopping at discount stores.

## **11. Meal Planning**

At Stay At Home Mum, we use this very simple and straightforward trick — meal planning.
Before heading out to grocery shop, find out what’s in the fridge (See item #5),
check on the expiry dates and plan on which of those needs to be cooked first. Plan
meals that are simple and easy and those that will work around the goods already
found in the fridge. We waste money on food we don’t get to eat — whatever you throw
in the bin, it is costing you money! Here’s a [meal planning guide for beginners](https://stayathomemum.com.au/shopping/50-dollar-per-week-shop/50-week-grocery-shop/)
that you might find helpful.

## **12. Buy from your local suppliers**

Not only is it cheaper, but the meat, fruit and veggies are usually fresher than
those in the supermarkets!!

[[

via rebloggy.com

## **13. Do your grocery shop online!**

I find online grocery shopping really handy – it’s great for those times when you
are too sick to leave the house, your kids are sick, or if you just don’t feel like
dealing with people. It can also be cheaper as you aren’t tempted by the naughty
little specials and knick-knacks around the supermarket that you are convinced at
the time you need, but realise when you get home that you really don’t! Grocery 
shopping online really does make you think about exact quantities of what you need,
and it tallies as you go, so you know exactly how much you’re spending. The supermarkets
will often have online only specials which can save you money.

Some major supermarkets (like Woolies and Coles) have websites and/or apps where
you can order your groceries (while you’re drinking wine and wearing your PJ’s!)
and you can select a time that they can either deliver it all to your door (if you
are in a delivery area) or “click and collect” (which means you still have to go
into the supermarket, but they have it all ready and waiting for you when you get
there!). The only drawback is that sometimes you do have to pay a delivery fee, 
but the supermarkets try to keep that cost down as much as they can.

## _How do you save on grocery shopping? How is it working so far?󠀁[⌊Grocery shopping tips to save up to 50 on your bills Discover effective strategies for budget frie⌉ ](https://i0.wp.com/stayathomemum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/13-Tricks-To-Save-On-Grocery-Shopping.jpg?quality=89&ssl=1)󠁿_

 

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 Michaella Tasker

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