Cut your grocery bill in seven steps

SMART shopping, forward planning and even the route you walk inside a supermarket can slash your spending.

Grocery shopping

SMART shopping and forward planning can slash your supermarket spending.

Doubled up grocery items, impulse buys, takeaway, out-of-date leftovers ... does any of this sound familiar?

Our easy-to-follow advice addresses some of the more common grocery shopping slip-ups, and shows how you can get organised today and get more bang for your buck. Here are our top seven budget grocery shopping tips.

Conduct an audit

Take everything out of your fridge and pantry and throw away anything that has passed its use-by date. Create an inventory of the items you have on a whiteboard or spreadsheet, then wipe down all surfaces before restocking your cupboards and fridge.

Plan meals in advance

Using your inventory, write up a weekly or monthly meal plan that incorporates the food you already have. This ensures you only buy what you need and helps reduce waste. For example, if you plan to roast a chicken one night, plan to use the leftovers for sandwiches the next day.

Write a list

Heading to the supermarket without a list is a sure-fire way to blow the budget. Making a list and sticking to it prevents impulse purchases and reduces the need for last-minute dashes to the convenience store, where prices are usually higher. You'll save time and money.

Shop the walls

Fresh, healthy foods such as fruit, vegetables, bread, dairy, meat and seafood are usually located along the walls of your supermarket. Sticking to the perimeters helps save money - and your health - because you'll avoid the more expensive packaged convenience foods.

Get smart

Opt for home brands, particularly for items such as flour and sugar. Check the unit prices of everything you buy - items plastered with big sale signs are not always the cheapest (take a calculator). Stock up on specials of non-perishable or freezable items.

Bulk shop

The occasional bulk shop saves money and cuts the amount you have to carry after your weekly shop. Good items to stock up on include meat, nappies, toilet paper and canned vegies. Look for local bulk retailers or try online sellers such as www.thebulkwarehouse.com.au.

Shop seasonally

Modern technology means we can buy most foods all year round, but buying seasonally makes sense for taste, nutrition and value. Check www.seasonalfoodguide.com to see what's best when, or head to your local farmers' market for fresh food in season.