Everyone wants tips and new ideas for reducing the cost of your grocery bill – after all it is one of the largest family expenses! Here are some easy tips everyone can do to reduce that bill!

Tips for reducing your grocery bill

Everyone wants tips and new ideas for reducing the cost of your grocery bill – after all it is one of the largest family expenses! Here are some easy tips everyone can do to reduce that bill!

Tip 1: Do a Stocktake of Your Pantry, Fridge & Freezer

What do you already have in your cupboard, fridge and freezer that you can turn into a meal? Get out a pen and paper and do a stocktake of what you have. Get out that bit of meat at the back of the freezer (provided it’s not been in there more than 12 months). Sad looking carrots in the bottom of the fridge? Provided they aren’t inedible, chop them up and whack them in a casserole or grate them to use in a carrot cake. Apples all bruised? – make an Apple Charlotte or use them in an apple pie. Stretch your food further. You have to design a menu around what you have to minimise wastage. Making your food go further and using up what you have before re-stocking is just plain good sense.

Tip 2: Meal Planning

Plan your meals for the fortnight before you go shopping. Write it up and put it on the fridge so you know ingredients you have for whatever meal you feel like tonight (that’s on the list!). Try to only go to the shops if you run out of fresh fruit and vegetables. Bread and milk can be purchased in bulk and frozen if you have the room.

Tip 3: Shop Around

Check online for the best weekly specials. Sometimes it’s worth going to more than one shop if they have something on sale that you use a lot of. Just beware that often sale items have a shorter shelf or fridge life, so make sure you will use it up before it goes bad. Discount supermarkets such as Aldi or IGA are a great place to get good basic staples and don’t discount the generic brands. Try them first to see if you like them before purchasing in bulk. Also make sure you check out the discount stores for items like washing up powder and dishwasher tablets, they often have great deals as they take the over-supply from the big chains – and pass that saving on to you.

Tip 4: Do You REALLY need it?

Supermarkets are designed to tempt you to spend. Before you reach out and grab something that wasn’t on your list – ask yourself – do you really NEED it? After all – we are trying to reduce the bill. If I’m on a really tight weekly budget, I like to shop how my Great Grandmother might of shopped – basics – use up everything – no wastage. Think tea, flour, sugar, butter etc. No processed items – you can cook it yourself. Know what’s in your food, it is healthier for your family and much tastier. ‘But I don’t have time’ you cry! Make time – make baking enjoyable, get the kids involved. Many muffins, biscuits and cakes can be cooked in bulk frozen so everything will stay fresh.

Tip 5: Buy In Bulk

Buy in bulk! But first make sure it is a bargain. Unit pricing is a wonderful invention compulsory in supermarkets now so you can compare brands to see if your getting the best deal. The best way to save money buy buying in bulk is to purchase your meat – meat being one of the most expensive parts of the food shop. If you have the money up front and the room, it can be a terrific way of saving you some cash.

Tip 6: Buy the Basics

Buy basics. Tins of tomatoes, pasta noodles, rice, mince, flour, sugar, butter. There’s a thousand things you can make from such ingredients. Mince is so versatile. I make up a big batch of savoury mince (great on toast), add a tin of tomato soup – it’s a bolognaise sauce. Add a pinch of curry powder and you have something different again. I love gravy beef too – it makes tasty pies and casseroles. Every ingredient must be able to be used in many ways.

Tip 7: Cook in Bulk

Cook in bulk quantities. Have enough left over for hubby to take for lunch the next day or the kids to take to school. Make enough so you can have a night off and just grab something out of the freezer. Freezer cooking is a great way to save both time, money and electricity!

Tip 8: Check Your Docket

Supermarkets, like people, make mistakes. Always double check your docket before leaving the supermarket. If you have been charged incorrectly most of the time (depending on the store policy) you can get a full refund on the item! Especially check the items that are on sale and that the discount has been applied.

Read More: https://www.stayathomemum.com.au/shopping/groceries/tips-for-reducing-your-grocery-bill/

Source: https://www.stayathomemum.com.au/shopping/groceries/tips-for-reducing-your-grocery-bill/