Shopper shares how and when to get marked down groceries at Coles with hack that saved her hundreds

A money-saving mom has revealed her frugal shopping hack that saved her more than $250 on two trips to the grocery store.

The Victorian shopper said she called a nearby Coles to ask when they would mark perishables and timed her stores accordingly.

She was told they discounted food three times a day and managed to score $199.11 in meat for $46.97 at her first store and $129.89 in groceries for just $23.77 at her second.

She was told they discount food three times a day and managed to score $199.11 in meat for $46.97 at her first store and $129.89 in groceries for just $23.77 at her store. second

Over the two trips, she would have spent $329 on the groceries if they had paid full price, but only spent $70.74, saving a whopping $258.26.

“I live in the country of Victoria, but I was in Melbourne for a funeral on Thursday. Went with my sister and went back to her house where my brother-in-law told me about this,” she wrote in a message to the Simple savers Facebook group.

“He said to call your local Coles and ask them when they do their mark downs… I called mine and they said three times a day.”

She was told that the price cuts are usually in the bakery in the morning, while larger price cuts in the diary, meat and dairy departments occur later in the evening around 6:30 pm.

She said she had been told that the price cuts are usually in the bakery in the morning, while bigger discounts for the diary, meat, fresh produce and dairy departments occur later in the evening around 6:30 pm.

“It’s also only for items with a same-day expiration date and they already have the discount sticker on them,” she added.

“Although I did get four items with the date of the next day on them. So call your local Coles store and ask them.’

The bargain hunter said she hadn’t eaten steak in years because she could never afford it, but grabbed 11 “good” scotch fillets for just $15.52.

In her first store, she bought two chickens for $4 each, a leg of lamb for $2.42, 500 grams of minced pork for $1.60, six lamb kebabs for $1.70, as well as discounted sausages, nuggets, cutlets, and shrimp.

“I had two huge 2.6-pound organic chickens that were discounted $23 to $4,” she said.

“I gave them away to two families that I told about my victory because we are all going through such a hard time and we need to help each other where we can,” she said.

The bargain hunter said she hasn’t eaten steak in years because she could never afford it, but grabbed 11 ‘good’ scotch fillets for just $15.52

Days later, the mom used the proven tactics again and stocked up on a ton of great bargains that she said she’d keep in the freezer.

Days later, the mom used the tried-and-true tactics again, stocking up on a ton of great bargains that she said she’d keep in the freezer.

She picked up an array of meats that were all under $3 each, including a pack of sizzle steaks for $2.60, beef burger patties for $1.70 as well as ground chicken, nuggets, and breasts.

Coles’ customer also raided the bakery and refrigerator department for less sugary snacks and ready meals, scoring a whole cheesecake for $1.55, roulade for $2.50, $1.10 cupcakes and a chicken biryani for $1.56.

Hundreds of group members were impressed by the “ripper broadcasts” and grateful for the money-saving tips amid the rising cost of living.

‘So glad you scored high!! It is of course fantastic when that happens. Oh eat that steak,’ a woman replied.

“It’s great to get food you wouldn’t normally pay for. I get excited when I get paralyzed,” wrote another.

“I remember working for a supermarket and people were following the market down… I’m that person who follows now,” laughed a third.