The cost of living crisis is real, and the supermarket checkout is where it hurts the most. But you can fight back. Here are practical ways to slash $50 off your weekly bill without eating instant noodles every night.
1. Shop the Specials, Plan the Meals
Most people decide what to eat, then buy ingredients. Flip the script. Check what's on 1/2 price special first using Grocery Tracker, and then plan your meals around those proteins and veggies. Meat is usually the most expensive component—buying it only when it's 30-50% off saves huge amounts.
2. The "Unit Price" is King
Look past the big bold price tag. Look at the small print: Price per 100g or Price per unit. Often the "Family Value" pack is actually more expensive per kilo than two smaller packs on sale. Always compare apples to apples.
3. Switch to Frozen Veg
Frozen vegetables are snapped frozen at peak freshness. They retain almost all their nutrients, cost significantly less than fresh produce, and zero food waste (you only use what you need). A bag of frozen peas/corn/carrots is a fraction of the cost of fresh equivalents.
4. "Ugly" Fruit and Veg
Woolworths' "The Odd Bunch" and Coles' "I'm Perfect" ranges offer produce that is slightly misshapen but tastes identical. These are commonly 20-40% cheaper than standard produce.
5. Bottom Shelf Searching
Supermarkets place the most profitable (expensive) brands at eye level. Look down. The bottom shelves often hold the generic brands, bulk buy bags, and budget options that save you money.