It’s no secret that costs of living are rising here in Australia, and one place we’re feeling it the most is at the supermarket. Just recently, we’ve seen prices as high as $72.00 for a pack of dishwasher tablets. With price increases affecting all household expenses at the moment, finding ways to cut grocery costs is a priority for a lot of people.
To help your budget stretch a little bit further, here are KompleteCare’s six tips to help cut your grocery costs.
Canned and frozen foods are your friends!
Canned and frozen fruits and vegetables often get a bad rap, but they’re actually just as healthy as fresh varieties. Including them in your diet can help increase variety, as you’re not as limited in terms of season and availability. They also tend to be a lot cheaper (especially home-brand varieties), often pre-cooked, and require little to no preparation, making them perfect for time-poor individuals. Certain canned foods like beans and legumes are also nutrient powerhouses and are high in protein and fibre. They also have a low glycaemic index (GI), meaning they keep you fuller for longer and are great for your blood sugar.
Plan your meals for the week (and stick to it!).
A great way to save on groceries is to plan ahead and buy only what you need. Plan your meals for the week, work out what groceries you need, and buy only what you need! Check the fridge and pantry before planning your meals around ingredients you already have. Prioritise using up the vegetables you have left over from last week’s shop and incorporate those into your weekly meal plan. Then work from there and work out what else you need. Not only does this reduce waste, but also helps to cut costs as you’ll wind up needing to buy less. A way I like to plan my lunches is to make an “everything” meal in bulk, like pasta or soup, where I throw in a bunch of leftover vegetables that I need to use up. This takes the guesswork out of weekday work lunches and helps ease the temptation of the pesky Uber Eats!
Got a freezer? Use it!
Freezing food allows it to retain all its nutrients and flavour without spoiling. It’s a great way to preserve your meals or groceries, especially if you have some left over from last week’s shop that need to be used! I grew up in a household where we froze absolutely everything. My mum would always freeze our loaves of bread to keep them fresh for longer (a habit I have also adopted!). She would also chop up her home-grown herbs and vegetables to prevent waste, as there was just too much of it to use! Another great idea she had recently was buying a bulk pack of peeled garlic for cheap, chopping it all up in the food processor, and freezing it in a cheap ice cube tray. Then, when you need to use some, simply pop a cube out and throw it in your pan! This could work for any herbs of your choosing or even lemon juice.
Finding yourself buying things you don’t need in-store? Try online!
A lot of people struggle with steering off-track of their grocery list when they shop in-store. You’re not alone; in fact, supermarkets are designed in a way to persuade our brains to buy more. It’s called the Gruen Effect and is why you often find yourself buying more than you intended! If this is you, consider ordering your groceries online. Online grocery shopping has increased in popularity and accessibility over the past few years, with major supermarkets such as Coles, Woolworths and Drakes all offering online shopping. Shopping online helps you keep track of what’s in your basket and lessens the temptation of a stroll down the chocolate aisle! There is also often the option for delivery as well, which may be a more accessible option for people with mobility issues or a disability. If this applies to you, but you’d still like to shop in-store, KompleteCare does offer Shopping Assistance as one of our services.
Shop locally and choose your produce seasonally.
There are so many great reasons to buy locally. Food is fresher, there’s less packaging, it helps the local economy, and it can actually help you save money. Often, buying produce from your local farmer’s market or fruit and veg shop is a lot cheaper than buying it from a supermarket. This is due to the cost of the food having been shipped across the country (or even from overseas). Local farmers don’t have to pay these crazy transportation costs, and they don’t have to pay a middleman to sell in big grocery stores. This also applies to seasonal produce. Eating in season also means it’s generally in peak supply, which also increases the chances of it being on sale (as there’s more supply stacking up in supermarkets!).
Don’t be afraid to buy in bulk.
When I say “bulk buying”, the first thing that pops into your mind is probably Cost-Co, but I’m referring to package-free and wholefood shopping. Buying from whole food shops can help cut grocery costs as you’re not paying for excess packaging and getting nothing but the product. Many of these shops give you the option of bringing your own containers to fill yourself as well, so you’ll be doing your part for the environment in the process! Romeo’s Foodland has bulk food options available, but for more options, The Good Life with Amy French has made a list of the Best Bulk Stores and Wholefood Shops in Adelaide.
