Tips on saving $$$ on groceries

I just went shopping again today and I HATE how much groceries cost. I do a general grocery shop each week-1.5 weeks and fruit and veg at a market and meat at the butcher.

We eat what I consider pretty standard food, and healthy too. There are only 3 people eating in the family at the moment - myself, DH and DD (2). DS is 5 months and will start soon.

I always sit down and plan the weeks meals (main meals) before I go.

Today I spent

$200 at the supermarket - including $50 on nappies
$50 on fruit and veg
$50 on meat.

I look for specials, check out catalogues, and buy things in bulk/multiples when on special.

How can I save money on the basics?
What meals do you plan for the week, that are healthy and cheap?
Do you have any favs that freeze well to use on those crazy days when you dont want to cook?

HI there
we have a family of 4 (all eating) and our groceries in total are $150 a week.

I have a lot of staples in the cupboard ie (flour, brown sugar, cornflour, condensed milk, etc - and will bake from scratch for sweet things).

I will also shop around for specials - buy meat in bulk - i find the supermarket cheaper than the butcher although i wouldnt say it is nicer. I will always look for marked down items that are very close to their use by date and freeze them.

i will buy bulk as you said - 5kg potatoes, 3L milks, 20Kg wasing powder etc.

all the staples and things which really dont matter to use i will buy coles or woolies brand or homebrand (ie dry pasta, condiments, breads, spreads, sauces - or i will make my own).

Nappies are a killer! esp going from cloth to 2 in sposies recently. i have noticed this alot.
I will buy snugglers bulk on special - usually $18 a pack of (72/64 depending on size) and they are fab - i dont even think of huggies or other brands.

Snacks for the kids i will buy in bulk ie sultanas (homebrand) in 2 kg bags and bought good storage containers so they last.

Softdrink is probably the one thing we do buy in the junk food area (otherwise we avoid it unless it is atreat - birthday/party etc). and always and only get on special.

Is your $300 a week? as this is heaps to me! this would be a fortnightly spend for 4 for us.
we always have cereals, smawiches and meat and 3 veg for dinner

(oh we eat alot of rice as sides etc instead of chips or the more expensive options).

this isreally disjointed sorry but if i think of more i will let you know.

Oh if i bought lots of veg and it is getting a little old - i will steam it and freeze it in an 4l icecream container - then just reheat later - helps prolong its life rather than throw it out.

oh and we always cook for 2 nights at a time - meal then leftovers. cheaper to cook that bit extra than to let a little extra leftover go to waste if you know what i mean?

Thanks PP,

$300 is for about 1.5 weeks. We always buy from the butcher as DH is fussy and we'd rather buy less, but quality.

Winter was good as we used the slow cooker heaps and used cheaper cuts of meat to save money.

I try not to buy veges in bulf unless I know I will use them as I hate things going to waste.

Love your idea about cooking for 2 meals - eat one then freeze leftover portions.

Keep your ideas coming people - I'd love to hear more.

Does anyone belong to a co-op or similar with friends/people in the street to save money?

I always make sure I stick to a list.....

It stops me from veering off and getting things I probably don't need, but just get for a 'rainy day'

Buying in bulk is always good (even at the butcher if they have specials) Separating meat into more than one portion helps.

We are living in Singapore at the moment and it it MEGGA expensive! Nappies are definitely a killer and other baby related stuff!

After DH work recently stuffing up & us getting a rather large tax bill we are now currently trying to save in every way possible. I am really trying to focus on food etc, as I would be at woolies everyday getting what I've forgotten.

I always do a meal plan (we don't eat same things each week) I just plan out what for that week & ensure I buy for just that. That includes fruit, veg & meat...don't buy if I don't need it for that week. Last shop was only $150 that included lots of meat & nappies! I often think about trying this fruit of that for DS, but know he'll waste it so leave it be.

I also buy DS snacks in bulk like the sultanas in homebrand & put in a container. He eats more than he would out of those silly little boxes anyway, they seem to just get spilt all of the time. Also buy big tins of friut instead of the real exp fruit packs. Just put in container in fridge & cut up & put in smaller container or his breakfast when needed.

I try to make most sweet things like biscuits, loafs etc. I also buy in bulk when I can, but again if it's on sale in bulk & I don't really need it I don't get it.

Since DS is not using as many nappies I buy real cheap for during the day & use huggies at night...this saves. And buy no brand where not needed, even used black & gold mayo in a potato salad last week no probs at all. We buy cheap marg, butter, milk, bread etc.

My #1 tip is to shop LESS - try and stretch out the time between shops so go two weeks rather than 1.5 and NEVER "just pop in to get....whatever" always leads to uneccessary purchases.

# 2 you can buy a lot of cleaning products, toiletries etc at places other than the supermarket. Try your local bargain store. Often when brands change packaging etc they send they old styles of stock to these stores. Also "parallel imports" the o/s versions of products - some are just the same and some aren't, check the ingredients list

# 3 - Bulk/wholesale butchers - mine has great quality meat and good prices that become awesome when they have specials - I just check their weekly ads in the paper and stock up (you need lots of freezer space tho)

#4 - shop around for a good fruit n veg store - the ones in big shopping centres can be $$$ - I go to a little independant in an old shed/building on a roadside - awesome value.

#5 - ALDI - don't know if you have one - they are great - I buy my loo paper, foil etc, paper towels, staples, frozen stuff, cheese, marg....great quality and really cheap.

Hmmmm...thats all for now, good luck with the saving!

i try to buy less fridge more cuboard we buy ata butcher and do our gorcery shop at woolies we try to only spend 200 a week which is hard as sometimes it blows the budget due to things we may need like loo paper and stuff like cleaning products but i try to stay on budget a calculator and a list helps alott

I tend to add up as im going so i wont be shocked at the register then i can decide if we really need that extra bag of chips or whatever whilst shopping. DP being a butcher helps so we get 20% off meat! I truly appreciate that discount as good meat is so so expensive! I buy my fruit and veg from a little store near work, for every $20 i spend i get a stamp then when ive had 10 stamps i get $20 of free produce :dance: Our bill is generally $100 - $150pw. I too have staples in the cupboard (Flour, sugar etc, all baking stuff).

I buy homebrand biccies like scotch fingers and strawberry tarts (about 70c a pack) and put them in a biccie jar and DSD or my sister (who is living with us) cant even tell the difference. Same with rice and pasta, cheap brands will do for us.

Toilet paper we do in bulk, always need that stuff :lol: