Grocery saving tips: Busy mum explains simple ways to save money

Despite a “crazy” schedule, businesswoman Melissa Edney estimates she saves $100 a week on groceries thanks to a simple three-step strategy.

MELISSA Edney estimates she saves $100 a week on groceries thanks to a simple strategy of being organised, shopping for specials and buying fruit and vegetables when in season.

The businesswoman and schoolteacher husband Ryan juggle a “crazy” schedule with daughters Bella, 6, and Harper, 4.

“We have to plan ahead, we meal plan and always look to buy what’s on special that week,” said Mrs Edney, who owns and runs homewares and lifestyle brand Coco Cabana Collection. “At the moment strawberries are on special, so we use them in dessert and with pancakes at breakfast.

“I stick to recipes I know we enjoy and can make with produce that is on sale.”

The family’s average grocery bill is more than $400 a week.

Mrs Edney said she checked the specials catalogues every week, and shops and does food preparation on a Monday to ensure meals are organised for the week ahead.

Melissa and Ryan Edney at home in Toowong with their daughters Harper, 4, and Bella, 6. Picture: Tara Croser

“I’ll cook three or four meals on a Monday,” she said. “I get the kids involved in the cooking process and I find they eat better as a result. If I put food on their plate, sometimes they aren’t interested. But if I let them serve themselves, and give them some autonomy, they enjoy it more and are proud when they eat the dinner they served themselves.”

WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY

It’s one of the simplest ways to save money on your grocery shop – buying fruit and vegetables when they are in season and there is an abundance of supply.

The days of a $10 iceberg lettuce and $11.90 per kilogram for broccoli are behind us for now, and experts say shopping for fresh produce through spring and summer will help keep grocery bills down.

Mozo personal finance and insurance specialist Claire Frawley cited the fact broccoli was now as low as $1.95, and in ample supply, as a great example of buying in season.

She said meal planning, buying in bulk and grabbing a “fake-away” – easy meal options from the supermarket freezer aisle that you would normally order on a Friday or Saturday night – were also great ways to save.

“When fruit or veg are in season, not only are they usually cheaper, but they also last longer and taste better,” Ms Frawley said.

“Of course it’s not always possible to shop in season, but if you find yourself regularly [not] doing so, it might be worth turning to the freezer aisles as these prices can be more stable and whatever you don’t eat you just pop in the freezer for later.

“These past few months we have seen unprecedented fluctuations in the price of fresh produce, which really highlights the need for Aussie shoppers to be flexible if they want to save on groceries.”

SUMMER SPECIALS COMING

News Corp is helping Australians navigate the cost of living crisis through its Smart Savers series and by offering daily discount offers from partner Coles.

Coles general manager for Fresh Produce Craig Taylor said the supermarket was able to offer best prices when produce was in abundance.

Supply of herbs, iceberg lettuce and baby broccoli that were impacted by the floods earlier in the year have now recovered and prices have dropped since the start of spring.

And summer will bring Australian-grown stone fruits, including peaches, nectarines, plums, apricots and mangoes. Cherries arrive soon, while Australian asparagus has been later than usual but will be plentiful in all states next week.

Mangoes and other summer fruits will be cheaper and in season soon.

“Seasonal produce is typically more flavoursome and offers excellent, consistent quality,” Mr Taylor said.

“When the weather is right for the crop it provides the best growing conditions, leading to juicier fruit and fresher greens and veg, and overall more supply.

“Buying all Aussie-grown fresh produce when in season and in abundance helps our farmers throughout the year, and we want to help all Australians lead happier and healthier lives and eating fresh fruits and vegetables is the perfect start.”