How to save money on your groceries

Keen to save some money on your grocery bill?

Us, too. As food prices continue to soar we’re all looking for ways to continue eating healthier while sticking to a budget. I think it’s important to have a plan, this takes the stress out of the equation and helps avoid more expensive grocery costs and food wastage.

Of course, you know I’m going to say meal planning is key, but there are a number of other ways to help save your hard earned money at the supermarket, here are a few.

Shop from a list

Start with a shopping list after you have done your weekly meal plan. A helpful trick is to also know what portions to buy for your family, Inbox Dinners recipes and shopping list helps with this. Feeding a family of 4 you can budget for 400g of protein for each dinner. This will stop you overbuying or underbuying, or getting hungry and spending more.

Don’t just shop at supermarkets

Buying outside the main supermarkets is a good way to stretch your money. You can also shop at the local market or fruit and vegetable shop to buy in-season, locally grown and fresher produce that’s usually cheaper.

Buy in bulk

Buy bulk seeds, nuts and flour from bulk food stores, but only when it actually saves you money. It’s good to remember that some things like flour, we won’t necessarily use more just because it’s sitting n the cupboard. If you stock up on snacks, chocolate and treats however, you’ll probably consume more because you have them in the pantry. So you end up spending more money buying in bulk.

Freeze, freeze, freeze

I always shop around for deals on meat. I know I’ll always use chicken and beef mince and I know what a good special price per kg is. So when it comes up on special, I’ll make the trip and buy a couple of kg’s, split them into 400g portions and freeze them. I also freeze excess stock, fresh herbs, curry pastes, minced garlic and ginger as well as left overs from tinned food and dinners (if there are any). I pretty much freeze anything I can, this reduces food wastage as well as saving money. Make your freezer your friend and remember to check the freezer before you do your weeks grocery shop so you don’t buy more.

Compare supermarkets

Suss out the supermarket apps that compare your local supermarkets, The Grocer app is a handy tool that provides a comparison of costs at key supermarkets in New Zealand. You can easily find which supermarkets are the cheapest to shop – or even split your food shop between places to reduce costs. We’re lucky, all our major supermarkets are in a row on the same Main Street, so it’s super easy to stop at each on the way and grab the specials without spending more on fuel or time.

Online shop to stick to budget

Online shopping is also really helpful and I particularly like using “click and collect”. Each Wednesday I add items from my Inbox Dinners meal plan shopping list along with the staples we always buy like bread, milk and toilet paper. Then as we run out of items during the week I can easily jump back online and edit the order before the close off the night before pickup.

Get smart with take-outs

Take-outs are great when we need an easy option, we all have nights were we simply can’t be bothered cooking, don’t have the time or the budget. Take-outs are so expensive! So, you need to have a plan B with convenient food. I buy packets of things like frozen crumbed fish, frozen chicken bites, and bags of frozen chips. These are a much cheaper option that’s still quick and easy to prepare. Or, you can remake your favourite take-outs at home for a more affordable, healthier option, like this homemade Big Mac (mines the burger on the right).

Grown your own food

I know this option isn’t viable for some with space or time. However, if things are really tight and you do have the room or even just a pot, you can grow your own food. More and more people are turning to growing food themselves, I have a small garden full of fresh herbs and lettuce. Also, when we get a sprouting potato, onion or garlic the kids love to pop them in some dirt, watch them grown and harvest them! Also, check out your community gardens, there’s lots across New Zealand, and they provide a great place to start learning where your food comes from and how to grow it.

My top tips to save money on groceries

1. If you see a deal, buy in bulk but only if it saves you money (for example, buy meat and freeze it).
2. Only buy what you need. If a recipe calls for 400g of potatoes, only buy 400g… unless of course there’s a bulk deal.
3. Buy the ‘budget’ brands or supermarket ‘home brands’, they’re always cheaper and often just as good.
4. Shop your local Farmers Market for the freshest, often spray free and cheaper produce.
5. Shop around, there are now apps and websites like The Grocer, that provide a comparison of costs at key supermarkets.
6. Now this one you’ve done, MEAL PLANNING. Meal planning is one of the easiest and most efficient ways to save money. Well done!👏🏻
7. Buy tinned or frozen fruit and vegetables. While fresh is great, canned and frozen are just as good, if not better and often cheaper.