Can I save even more money on my grocery bill than I already do?
It’s a question I think many of us are asking at the moment with grocery prices going up all around the world, including here in Australia. Whether you’re cooking for a big family, a partner, or just yourself, we’re all trying to find that “sweet spot”—getting enough nutrition and eating well without paying more than we absolutely have to.
I get this question a lot, and if you’ve seen my extreme budget challenges over on YouTube, you’ll know I love finding ways to stretch a dollar. For many people, the biggest hurdle is simply not tracking what’s going out.
If you’re ready to take back control of your kitchen budget, here are my five best tips to save more on your groceries.
1. Have a Clear Grocery Budget (and Track It!)
Knowing how much you’re spending is the most important part. If you don’t have the data, you don’t know where you can improve.
I sit down once a month and go through all our grocery-related expenses, including household items, cat food, and even eating out. My husband and I currently spend $800 a month for two adults and one cat living near Melbourne, Australia. We used to spend $1,000, but by tracking our spending and setting a challenge to lower it, we saved $200 a month. That’s $2,400 a year back in our pockets!
Try this: Look at your bank statements from the last three months. Work out your average monthly spend. Does that number surprise you? If it’s higher than you’d like, set a new target.
Need a hand getting started? Download my free meal planning & grocery budgeting template here.
2. Do One ‘No-Shop’ Week Every Month
This is sometimes called “shelf cooking” or a “use-it-up challenge.” Most of us have food hiding at the back of the pantry or the bottom of the freezer that we’ve simply forgotten about.
Commit to one week a month where you don’t go to the shops. Instead, create a meal plan based entirely on what you already have. Have some freezer-burnt mince? Make tacos or a big batch of soup. Missing milk for a sauce? Get creative with a cornflour slurry. Not only does this reduce food waste, but it also removes an entire grocery haul from your monthly expenses.
3. Shop Once a Week (Maximum)
I usually shop every seven to ten days. The more often you walk through those supermarket doors, the more temptation you face.
When you limit your trips, you’re more likely to stick to your list and avoid those “special” two-for-one deals on chips or chocolate that you didn’t actually need. Less time in the shops means more money in your bank account.
4. Be Conscious of Your Snacks
Snacks are a category where the budget can easily blow out. My new default is making things from scratch or choosing budget-friendly staples.
Popcorn is one of the best value-for-money snacks. If you buy the kernels and pop them on the stove or in the microwave, it costs cents per serve. I also make my own hummus – it’s incredibly easy, tastes better than store-bought, and is a fraction of the price.
If you have a craving for something sweet, try keeping dark chocolate or cocoa powder on hand instead of buying expensive pre-packaged treats. It’s about having a plan so you aren’t reaching for the $5 “on sale” chips just because they’re there.
5. Know Your Prices and Set Goals
Marketing is designed to confuse us. Just because a “Special” or “Clearance” sign is yellow doesn’t mean it’s the best deal.
I recently saw chicken mince on sale at a major supermarket for $6.50 per 500g, but I know I can get it at Aldi for $5.49 any day of the week. Knowing your “standard” prices for things like pasta, milk, and cat litter allows you to make informed decisions. You don’t have to memorise it all – keep a little list or a Google Doc on your phone to compare prices between stores like ALDI, Coles, and Woolies.
Finally, give your grocery savings a “home.” When I was able to save $200 a month on groceries, I didn’t just let it disappear – I reallocated it to our savings fund, but also appreciate that for some, that extra money is desperately needed to pay another bill instead.
When you know that saying “no” to an extra snack means saying “yes” to a trip away or paying off a bill, staying on track becomes much more exciting.
Ready to get your kitchen sorted? If you want to take the guesswork out of eating on a budget, you can grab my $5 a Day Extreme Budget Meal Plan. It includes a full meal plan, recipes, and a shopping list to help you eat well for less.