26 Ways To Cut Your Grocery Bills

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Before Shopping

1. Check your cupboards and refrigerator to see what you already have. Don’t spend money on things you don’t need. Differentiate “want” and “need”.
2. Use a shopping list, stick to plan. Plan your spending to avoid impulse buys.
3. Prepare your menu advance few days, work around what you already have.
4. Pay attention to items which are on sale, some items are not perishable such as toilet tissue paper, you can consider buying more during sales, and store the item for future use.
5. Go to Brisbane Market, buy vegetables in boxes and share with friends. You cannot finish whole box of broccoli by yourself. Plan with friends, for example, Jimmy buy one box tomato, Anna buy one box broccoli, Jensen buy one box of cabbage. Three of them divide the price and vegetables. Everyone is a winner.
6. Shop for items BEFORE you run out of them. If you run out of an item you’ll have to pay whatever the store is charging that week.
7. Larger stores generally offer cheaper price because they can leverage on economy of scale. Little retail stores may charge slightly expensive.
8. Don’t shop for groceries on an empty stomach

During Shopping

1. Stick to what’s on your shopping list.
2. Ask staff to help you rather than wasting time looking for items or better deals.
3. Buy whole chicken. If you want only breasts, save the dark quarters, freezing for later use. Buying breasts alone is very expensive.
4. Stick to home brands. Quality are assured. Branded tuna and home brand tuna makes no difference, it’s only a tuna after all. Most stores will refund your money if you are not satisfied.
5. Most bargains are found on the higher and lower shelves. Most expensive brands are at eye level (to get your attention).
6. Watch for unadvertised specials.
7. Shop for items that you use regularly at all times. If you run out, you will have to pay whatever the supermarket may be charging when you need it.
8. Stockpile, Stockpile, Stockpile! If a product you use is on sale, buy as much as you can afford and store to last you until the next sale. This is a BIG money saver!
9. Buy in bulk when the unit price is less. Larger sizes do not always mean lower prices.
10. Buy fresh meats which are on sale, you can keep meats in freezer up to three months.
11. Just because an item has the word “SALE” on it, doesn’t mean you are getting it for a lower than normal price. Know your prices. This is one way that a price book can help you.
12. Pretty packaging costs you money. You are not only paying for the product, but for the packaging (and advertising) as well.
13. Buy and use in season vegetables and fruit.
14. Convenience foods are more expensive, you are trading money for time.
15. Always check the day old bread basket, and the reduced merchandise cart. Coles and Woolworth sell bread and chicken at cheaper rate after 5pm (usually).

After Shopping

1. Always return a product that is spoiled.
2. Send off for rebates to get items free, or nearly free!
3. Create a “shopping pool”. Agree with family and friends to shop sales for each other.