9 clever hacks to help you reduce your grocery bills

We know that struggling with finances can be stressful.

According to Canstar Blue, Aussie households spent, on average, $168 on their weekly grocery bills in 2024, compared to $160 in 2023. That’s 5 percent more than 2023 and 10 percent more than 2022. This equals over $400 extra spend every year and shows the growing impact of grocery costs on household budgets.

If your new year’s resolution was to be more savvy with your spending or to reduce your costs where you can, here are 9 clever hacks that can help you stretch your dollar further when shopping at the supermarket.

Spread your shopping between stores:

This can take a little more time and effort, but if you’re committed to getting the best deals, sometimes that means splitting your shopping across stores to take advantage of special offers and discounts.

Start by creating a list of items you need, then compare the specials at nearby stores to see where you can get the best deals. Being flexible and open to trying different brands, especially if they are on sale, can also help you get more for less.

TIP: Something to keep in mind is the extra time, travel and fuel costs this strategy might involve so make sure the savings outweigh the effort.

Try supermarket home brands:

Loyal to your tried and tested favourites? Not sure you can give them up for home brands? We get it! BUT if you’re looking to get the most out of your money and tastebuds, home brands can be a great option to explore.

Not only do they tend to be cheaper, but some of the home-brand products are so good that they rival products costing many times more.

Look at the top and bottom shelves:

The phrase ‘eye-level is buy level’ is often used in marketing, which means that customers are more likely to notice items placed directly in their line of sight. This prime placement is typically reserved for well-known brands that normally pay extra for the spot. Stores use this strategy to promote higher-margin items. Cheaper products are rarely placed in these locations. To find better deals, you may need to look a bit harder by checking the shelves above or below eye level.

Use a smaller trolley or basket:

Less space to fill means being choosier with your products, which might stop any last-minute splurges on items you don’t really want or need.

If you find that a big all-at-once grocery shop leads you to spending more than you budgeted for, splitting it up across a few days and buying only what you need and plan for, might help you stay on track.

Use technology to your advantage

If you have lots of items in your pantry but end up scratching your head when it comes to meals, using tools like AI could help. Type in the items you have, what you like to eat, how you like to prepare it and ask AI to come up with some meals and a grocery list, so you start using what you have.

Want to avoid those sneaky impulse purchases at the store while you’re only there to pick up some milk and eggs? Order your groceries online and then pick them up or have them delivered. Doing this can help you stick to your list.

Keep your produce fresh for longer:

On the topic of using what you already have, a lot of food wastage can be stopped by optimally storing the produce we buy. Keep your salad greens crisp and fresh by gently wrapping them in clean paper towels and storing them in airtight storage containers in the fridge. Similarly, certain fruits and vegetables should not be stored together (like bananas and onions!) as the gas they emit can speed up the ripening of the other produce.

When buying fresh produce, we recommend a quick Google search to find the best way to store them so you can get the most out of your items.

Evaluate special offers

Special offers like ‘2 for 1’ or ‘50% off’ might be great value if it’s something you already need but if you weren’t intending to buy it already, it could just lead to you spending more than you planned.

Keep referring to your list while you shop to keep you on track. It will help you understand whether the good deal is really worth it or if it’s just an item that won’t get used.

On the flip side, if an item you love, need or buy regularly is on offer, it might be wise to stock up while it’s on sale if you have the funds. Just be careful about use by or expiry dates!

Pay with cash instead of card

When you pay with a card, you’re more likely to add whatever catches your eye in the supermarket to your cart. That’s because you know you won’t have any problems when you tap your card at the checkout. To prevent this, try bringing cash to the store with you. When you have a set amount in your wallet, it’s much easier to stick to your list and avoid those unplanned purchases.

Try these hacks on your next shopping trip and watch how small changes can lead to big savings over time.