CHOICE consumer experts: How to save money on groceries every week
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Australian consumer company CHOICE has shared simple hacks on how to save money on groceries as the cost of living continues to rise.
From making salad dressings at home to shopping at different supermarkets, CHOICE claims that “a few simple changes to your regular routine could save you hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars on your grocery bills.”
It comes as an investigation of the Australian Bureau of Statistics show that household spending increased by 11.4% in 2022, with a 6.2% increase on food alone.
Consumer company CHOICE has revealed how Australians can save money on their weekly grocery bill: by buying loose produce, growing herbs at home and buying seasonal foods (file image)
1. Swap packaged products for loose
While pre-cut packs of fruit, bags of mixed salad leaves, and chopped greens are convenient to buy, the cost tends to be significantly higher compared to loose items.
CHOICE highlighted how it’s also often cheaper to buy sliced cheese at the deli in supermarkets than anywhere else in the supermarket.
“We found that they are sold in loose and pre-packaged formats to see which was cheaper, and found that if you switch from packaged to loose, you could save up to $1,900 per year,” CHOICE wrote.
“We found that things like rindless bacon, green beans, shredded champagne ham, Packham pears, snap peas and vine tomatoes were cheaper loose at both Coles and Woolworths.”
Pre-cut foods also tend to spoil faster compared to loose foods.
2. Change standard products for ‘ugly’ fruits and vegetables
To reduce food waste, most major supermarkets now sell imperfect fruits and vegetables at a lower price due to their appearance.
Woolworths calls these mishaps ‘The Odd Bunch’, while at Coles the products are referred to as the ‘I’m Perfect’ range, and at Harris Farm they are called ‘Imperfect Picks’.
Shoppers can lower their grocery bill by keeping an eye out for this unique variety of fruits and vegetables.
When writing your shopping list, choose to buy ingredients that are in season and easy to obtain, as the cost will be lower than items that are in short supply. In 2021, research by CHOICE found Aldi to be the cheapest supermarket to shop for and found that customers can save up to 54 percent on a variety of household items (file image)
3. Change scarce fruits and vegetables for abundant ones
When writing your shopping list, choose to buy ingredients that are in season and easy to obtain, as the cost will be lower than items that are in short supply.
Last year Australia saw a significant increase in the cost of lettuce and right now potatoes and blueberries are at a low price.
“By staying on top of what’s not only in season, but also what’s plentiful and available, you can stock up on the best value produce at a low price,” the experts wrote.
“Some fruits and vegetables have small windows for when they are abundantly available, and buying things when they are out of season or in short supply can be very expensive.”
CHOICE recommends checking your local grocery, farmer’s market, or grocery store websites for updates.
4. Switch up DIY salad dressings
CHOICE experts also suggest making your own salad dressings at home instead of buying pre-made ones.
“Store-bought dressings can cost anywhere from 60 cents per 100ml to around $3 per 100ml,” the experts said.
Making salad dressings at home will not only save you money, but it will also be free of nasty preservatives and ingredients.
5. Swap chicken breasts for a whole chicken or thighs.
Customers should not only buy in bulk to save money, but it’s also great for buying cheaper cuts of meat.
CHOICE said: “Mixing up your recipe repertoire and opting for alternatives from time to time can mean significant savings.”
This means opting for chicken thighs instead of racks of lamb or whole cuts of chicken instead of just chicken breast.
“A current cost comparison at major supermarkets shows that thighs are around three times cheaper than chicken breasts and whole chickens are around half the price per kilo,” the experts said.
6. Change your supermarket
In 2021, research by CHOICE found Aldi to be the cheapest supermarket to shop for and found that customers can save up to 54 percent on a variety of household items.
By comparison, there seem to be minimal price differences between Coles, Woolworths and IGA.
But it’s always worth keeping an eye out for weekly deals at all supermarkets to get the best deal.
CHOICE recommends downloading the supermarket apps to stay up to date.