Groceries might seem like a pretty essential part of our weekly budget, but that doesn’t mean we can’t make some serious cuts to our spending. According to MoneySmart, Australian households spent an average of $70,000 on everyday expenses in 2012, adding up to an incredible $642 billion across the nation.
With expenses that large, we’d all like to save some extra change where we can. To get you started, we have rounded up ten top tips for saving at the supermarket.
By Michelle Balogh, Money Maven.
1. Banish the bad apple: Mould spreads quickly, so be sure to throw out spoiled fruit as soon as you notice it. If one piece of fruit or vegetable is a dud it can cause the rest of your goodies to spoil sooner.
2. Educate yourself: You have to know how much an item should cost to know if it’s a bargain. Read labels and remember how much you’ve paid for your favourite products in the past so that you can be sure that you’re shopping at the best stores.
Another great way to be a savvy spender is to know the life span of the produce you buy. There’s no point buying veggies for dinner later in the week if they only last 2 days. Each type of fruit or vegetable has its own unique timeline, so shop accordingly.
3. Make a list and stick to it: Shopping with a clear guideline is the simplest way to reduce excess spending and naughty impulse buys.
4. Don’t buy one get one free: These kinds of sales often result in shoppers buying items that they don’t really need. Unless you really need the product, don’t be seduced by flashy discount signs.
5. Location, location, bargain: The top and bottom shelves are where you’ll find the cheapest products – supermarkets want to have the bigger income-earners front and centre.
6. Don’t make the cut: Fruit and vegetables last longer when kept whole, so don’t cut them up until you need them. Whilst it’s easy to make a big salad on the weekend and eat it for the rest of the week, your salad will spoil faster than the produce would have done if you’d cut it up day by day.
7. Never shop hungry: This is a pretty well known trick, but it is just as true as it is clichéd. The hungry shopper can’t help but splurge to satisfy their cravings so fill right up before you leave the house.
8. Join a co-op: Fruit and vegetable co-ops exist all over Australia and allow households to pay a set amount per week and take turns doing a large shop at local markets. Because co-op shoppers are buying for several families at a time they are able to get great discounts on buying in bulk and usually bring back a large haul of fresh and varied produce for members to share. Get to know your neighbours or team up with family friends to make the most of your weekly budget.
9. Start cooking, good looking: If you’re fruit and veggies are beginning to look a little sad don’t jump in the car and head to the shops. Instead, access your inner masterchef and turn veggies into freezable stir-fries or soups and transform ageing fruits into cakes and winter warmer tarts.
10. A sneaky tip: According to the Australian Retailers Association code of practice, if an item scans wrong you get it free. Keep an eye on your receipt and speak up!