Mum’s grocery comparison shows why shopping around pays off

An Australian mum has shared a photo of an extraordinary list she keeps in order to keep the costs of her grocery bills down.

A mum-of-three has shared an extraordinary shopping list which she uses to keep the cost of her grocery bill down.

Lee Anne told news.com.au that 15 years ago she needed to look after her three children, then aged 8, 7 and 3, on her own.

She said she had the idea that her money was intended to pay rent and bills, and whatever was left she would spend on food for her family but she needed it to be cost effective.

Now, her adult children still live at home with two having Autism diagnoses and another studying Animal Science at university.

The family also have a rescue dog and six pet ferrets, so she still does her best to keep costs down as she lives on a carer’s pension and a handful of work hours.

Mum's extraordinary price comparison. Picture: Supplied

She recently posted a photo to a Facebook group called Aldi Fans Australia of how she gets the best bargains.

Lee Anne posted a price comparison between 23 everyday items at Coles, Woolworths and Aldi.

The list included things like meat, cheese, butter, milk and fruit and vegetables..

She started the list six months ago, after noticing items from her regular supermarket shop were becoming more expensive.

“I do have a good memory for these things and keep mental notes but started writing prices down in the last few months with it changing so frequently,” she said.

“Staying loyal costs more these days, doesn’t matter whether it’s the grocery store, electricity or insurance.”

She said companies don’t come and offer you a better price to stay loyal when so many customers just stick to their usual supplier.

Lee Anne added she often shops specials, buying a few extra when the costs are low.

“The only way to really save for me is to shop around Coles, Woolies and Aldi for the cheaper price. I check prices on the apps for Woolies and Coles, add the items to my virtual carts and then compare the price when I’m at Aldi.

“What I don't get at Aldi I’ll order through Coles and Woolies, which ever is cheaper for that item, and click and collect it on my way home from work.

Lee Anne said supermarket loyalty doesn’t pay off. Picture: Claudia Baxter

“I am lucky with Aldi, Coles and Woolies are all close by and I don't go out of my way to go to any one of them.

“I find a lot of the prices were still one or two cents cheaper at Aldi but they don't have a loyalty program so for these items it is actually cheaper to buy from Woolies and Coles and get the points.”

She said in 2023 alone she has scored $120 from Coles’ loyalty program and $20 from Woolworths, adding all three supermarkets were close by her home.

She said loyalty programs help. Picture: David Mariuz/NCA NewsWire

Lee Anne added that her daughter recently became a Costco member, and she noticed the meat there was often cheaper but had a shorter use by date so when she buys it she immediately separates it into meals and pops it in her two deep freezers.

She added she had shared her list to social media after seeing a lot of discussion about a single bag of groceries costing up to $100, with the post garnering 250 comments and more than 500 reactions.

Many agreed that supermarket loyalty should be a thing of the past.

“Hadn’t been to Aldi in ages like six months or more just been lazy, then went there the other day, three-quarters of a shopping trolley full (of) meats, veg and everything else with extras.

“I get to the register and think it would be about $300 plus but no, it was $129. I barely get a basket full of items from Woolies for over a hundred.”

Another suggested an app that helped compare supermarket prices.

Originally published as Mum’s grocery comparison shows why shopping around pays off