How to reduce the pain of soaring supermarkets shopping costs

Has your grocery bill gone through the roof? Try these experts’ tips to cut your household costs by shopping smarter.

Supermarkets are under fire from a barrage of inquiries and investigations aimed at protecting people from big business pricing practices, but the best weapon shoppers have for saving money is their own brain.

Thinking, planning and banishing bad habits can deliver powerful cost savings for consumers while they wait for the outcomes of various government and ACCC examinations, and many shoppers are already seeking ways to save.

“I think with the cost-of-living crisis and declining standards of living, more and more people are looking around to see whether they are getting the best value,” says Queensland Consumers Association spokesman Ian Jarratt.

“In many instances they aren’t, and they are doing a variety of things to improve the situation including making use of unit pricing.”

Try these tactics to save money on groceries.

1 USE UNIT PRICING

Supermarkets must display the unit price of an item – such as its price per kilogram or price per litre – near a product’s actual price on the shelf.

It is a great tool for shoppers to compare value between different-sized packages, loose versus packaged, and frozen versus fresh, and discover if advertised discounts really do offer more value for money.

“Package sizes can vary between the same product between supermarkets,” Jarratt says.

“Is it more economical to buy a big package rather than a smaller package? Is that special really a special?”

IGA National Retailer Council chair Joseph Romeo says pre-shop preparation is vital. Picture: Supplied

2 BEHAVIOUR CHANGES

Many shoppers’ habits have been changing as the cost-of-living crisis escalated, and Jarratt says more people today are visiting more than one supermarket.

Others are choosing cheaper cuts of steak, or adding a couple of vegetarian meals each week to lower grocery costs, he says.

“To save money, you have to be able to make changes.”

3 THINK HALF PRICE

Consider using apps and online platforms that can show you the biggest discounts at big supermarkets.

MyBudget founder Tammy Barton says she prefers to shop online to avoid distractions, and she recommends looking for half-price products.

“I buy all non-perishable items and frozen items in advance when they are 50 per cent off,” Barton says.

“Every week I check the 50 per cent off items online and I also check the catalogue online and stock up on what’s on sale.

“It pains me to ever pay full price for toothpaste, pasta, washing powder, dishwasher tables, razors, toothbrushes, snacks, canned items, sauces, batteries, sanitary items and cleaning products.”

4 HAVE A WEEKLY LIST

Experts say shopping with a list is a great way to avoid impulse buys, and if possible visit the supermarket just once a week – another strategy to prevent temptation.

IGA National Retailer Council chair Joseph Romeo says people should never underestimate the power of pre-shop preparation.

“Build your shopping list by looking at the weekly catalogue,” he says.

“In addition to buying things and stocking up when they are on special, a simple way to save is by building your meal plan around what is on special, checking your pantry and freezer for what you already have before you head to the supermarket.

“Reverse meal planning is a good way to know that you are wasting less and saving more.”

5 LOOK BEYOND BRANDS

Romeo says private label items can be “great quality and great value products including pantry staples like flour and sugar, meal essentials like pasta, frozen veggies and cheese, and household essentials like dishwashing liquid and laundry detergent”.

“When you decant or serve most of these things, no one will know the difference, so you don’t have to pay more for the big brands,” he says.

6 SHOP SEASONALLY

Fruit and vegetables in season often offer the best deals.

“Apples, pears and mandarins are fruiting and plentiful with great value to be had right now in autumn,” Romeo says.

“Hearty vegetables such as pumpkin, carrots, and potatoes are also in season and are great to use as we start to have cooler days.”