As the cost of living continues to rise, it feels good to cut costs where we can. Here are some grocery saving hacks that make a difference.
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Three grocery hacks to save on cost of living
1. Plan ahead
Shop with a list
Before you head out write a list of everything you need to prevent those spur of the moment trolley additions.
Buy in bulk
Avoid buying unique items that you can only use in a specific recipe. Substitute ingredients where you can for commonly used cheaper goods and buy them in bulk. It's also worth avoiding individual ready-made meals, as they add up cost wise in the long run.
Meal prep
Sometimes we eat out or order takeaway because we're too tired to plan and cook a meal at the end of the day. Avoid this by prepping all your meals for the week in one go and then freezing them, so that when you get to the end of a long day, all you need to do is heat one up. If prepping for the full week isn't feasible, plan a meal that will feed you and the family lunch the next day.
Want to make it easier to budget for groceries?
With the bucketing feature in the Bankwest App, you can open up to ten Easy Transaction Accounts or nine Bankwest Offset Transaction Accounts to any eligible Bankwest home loan, to use for different expenses. It's an easy way to track where your money is going and keep your grocery bill in check.
2. Set yourself up for success
Avoid shopping when you're hungry
We’ve all been shopping while we’re feeling peckish and wound up slipping some snacks through the register. Avoid heading to the shops when you’re hungry so that it doesn't cloud your judgement.
Choose a cart that suits your needs
Stop your brain from wanting to fill any empty space in your trolley by choosing a smaller one. If you only need to grab a couple of things, switch to a basket or limit yourself to what you can hold.
Make the most of click and collect
Shop online to avoid unplanned temptations in the physical shop. You can also save your order for next time, plus you save on fuel, parking or public transport to get there. It's a win-win.
3. Keep your eye out for bargains
You don’t have to be brand loyal
It’s easy to resort to buying the same brand you’ve always bought without thinking too much about it, but it might pay to look around to see if you can save a bit of money by choosing a cheaper brand of the same product.
Wait for the sale
Holding off could pay off – there might be a sale just around the corner on something you’ve been eyeing off. Same goes for basic staples that you can stock up on. It’s a good idea to do your research too – are there other supermarkets close by that have lower prices or cheaper brands of things you already buy? Check out catalogues and websites for other supermarkets to see if there’s anywhere you could save.
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The information contained in this article is of a general nature and is not intended to be nor should it be considered as professional advice. You should not act on the basis of anything contained in this article without first obtaining specific professional advice. Also to the extent permitted by law, Bankwest, a division of Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124 AFSL / Australian credit licence 234945, its related bodies corporate, employees and contractors accept no liability or responsibility to any persons for any loss which may be incurred or suffered as a result of acting on or refraining from acting as a result of anything contained in this article.