Let’s be honest, grocery shopping isn’t exactly the highlight of anyone’s week. For many of us, it’s a necessary evil: wandering the aisles, trying to remember what’s run out, dodging tempting specials, and then lugging it all home.

And if you’re shopping online, filling your cart, comparing prices, and planning meals can still take a long time.

But what if we told you there’s a new way to shop that could save you time, money, and even make your meals healthier—all with the help of a little artificial intelligence?

That’s exactly what one clever Woolworths shopper, Jared Kirkwood, discovered. He knocked a whopping $60 off his weekly shop and banished his 'most hated chore' by letting AI do the heavy lifting.

And the best part is that he didn’t even have to ask it to choose healthy options—it just did!

Jared used ChatGPT, a popular AI platform, in what’s called 'Agent mode.' Unlike the usual back-and-forth Q&A, Agent mode lets the AI act more like a personal assistant, handling tasks for you if you give it enough information.

A Woolworths shopper saved about $60 on weekly groceries by using ChatGPT for shopping and meal planning. Credit: @jaredwkirkwood / TikTok

Jared simply told the AI he wanted to do his weekly Woolies shop on a $180 budget, needed three meals a day to fuel his marathon training, and wanted enough leftovers so he only had to cook every second day.

The result? The AI filled his cart with everything he needed, planned out his meals, and kept the total to just $120, saving him $60 right off the bat.

All Jared had to do was review the cart and choose whether to have it delivered or pick it up with Click & Collect.

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The whole process took less than half an hour, compared to the hour or more he’d usually spend.

Jared didn’t stop there. He asked the AI to create a PowerPoint presentation explaining what to cook each day, what ingredients he’d need, and how to prepare each meal.

Now, he’s got his entire week’s meals planned out, with easy-to-follow instructions—no more last-minute 'what’s for dinner?' panic.

As someone who admits to being 'seduced' by supermarket specials when shopping in person, Jared found that using AI helped him stick to his list and avoid impulse buys.

Let’s face it, meal planning and grocery shopping can get tedious, especially if you cook for one or two or manage dietary needs.

AI can take the guesswork out of planning, help you stick to a budget, and even suggest healthier options without you lifting a finger.

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Plus, with the option to have your groceries delivered or ready for pickup, it’s a huge time and energy saver.

AI is already changing the way we do so many things, and grocery shopping is just the beginning.

The technology is only going to get smarter and more helpful, from helping with meal planning to managing budgets and even suggesting recipes based on what’s in your fridge.

Credit: TikTok​

Key Takeaways

• A Woolworths shopper has saved about $60 on his weekly groceries by getting ChatGPT to do most of the shopping and meal planning for him.
• Using AI, he found his meals were far healthier than usual, even though he didn’t specifically ask for healthy options.
• The AI agent mode allowed him to add all items to his cart within 17 to 24 minutes, and even provided a PowerPoint meal plan with recipes and ingredients for each day.
• By relying on AI for his shop, he was able to avoid impulse buys and felt less tempted by supermarket specials while shopping in person.

Have you tried using AI to help with your shopping or meal planning? Would you give it a go, or do you prefer the old-fashioned way? Share your thoughts, tips, or questions in the comments below.

Read more: ‘Easy savings, guys’: Why this AI trick is helping Aussies outsmart checkout prices

 

[rehandra]

I have not done this but what a great idea. Have used A1 when I got a leak under the floor and it gave me some great advice.

 

[Gunpark]

It sounds like Jared lives by himself as I do. I do no cooking of meals except in the micro-wave or the air fryer. I buy the frozen meals from a super market. The range of tastes available is mind boggling since I cut out cooking for myself. I have visited a dietician to help with weight reduction, and he has agreed that what I am eating is good for me. To say my grocery bill is smaller is the understatement of the year, as is my electricity bill.

 

[Veggiepatch]

AI.

Artificial Idiocy....

 

[novezar]

I'll stick to doing my shopping.
It gives me some walking & brain exercise searching for stuff & also to see if it's on special.
It involves doing a bit of bending to help out as well.
All in the name of 'Good Health' workouts.

 

[rehandra]

I'll stick to doing my shopping.
It gives me some walking & brain exercise searching for stuff & also to see if it's on special.
It involves doing a bit of bending to help out as well.
All in the name of 'Good Health' workouts.

I will do my own shopping as long as I am capable of doing so. I buy the occasional meal from the supermarket but looking at the list of ingredients (no idea what some of them are to be hones)tit does make you wonder how much artificial stuff we are putting into our bodies. That said most of my meals are home cooked so hopefully that balances out ok. I have turned 80 and this morning I was up at 4 a.m. after 6 hours sleep and did two loads of washing (stripped the bed) hung it out, had breakfast, did a 30 min walk on treadmill and at 8 a.m. was at Kmart and home by 8.20 a.m. My friend who lives in the same street always has a shot at me as she is just getting out of bed most mornings when she sees me driving off. My Mum was the same always on the go and she lived to a ripe old age as did my Dad.

 

[Liz]

I will do my own shopping as long as I am capable of doing so. I buy the occasional meal from the supermarket but looking at the list of ingredients (no idea what some of them are to be hones)tit does make you wonder how much artificial stuff we are putting into our bodies. That said most of my meals are home cooked so hopefully that balances out ok. I have turned 80 and this morning I was up at 4 a.m. after 6 hours sleep and did two loads of washing (stripped the bed) hung it out, had breakfast, did a 30 min walk on treadmill and at 8 a.m. was at Kmart and home by 8.20 a.m. My friend who lives in the same street always has a shot at me as she is just getting out of bed most mornings when she sees me driving off. My Mum was the same always on the go and she lived to a ripe old age as did my Dad.

Good on you, I get up early and do the washing and do exercises as well. I am in my 70's so I hope by the time i reach 80, I will be as good as you.

 

[rehandra]

Good on you, I get up early and do the washing and do exercises as well. I am in my 70's so I hope by the time i reach 80, I will be as good as you.

As they say "use it or lose it"...genetics has a lot to do with it of course

 

[Clancieblue]

We wont need to exist soon, just get AI to do it.

 

[Vinylted]

I am over 90, full time carer for my wife who has Allium allergy, hence no onion or garlic in any meal. I cannot buy a frozen meal that doesn't have one or the other (or both) included! I have appealed here on SDC for easy recipes, sadly to no avail. I doubt AI would be any help whatsoever, but I do order most on line and only enter the supermarket for fruit & vege.
For example I looked for a recipe to make pumpkin soup (no you can't buy it Allium free) all the recipes included them and other stuff she can't eat...

 

[rpryor]

I use the stocktake and shopping list method. Works fine for me.

 

[Southmelbswans]

If taking 17-24 minutes of AI time to compile shopping list I can make my list in two minutes and be in and out of Coles/Woolies in 5 to 10 minutes. No time saving at all!!! And I know how to cook what I buy!!!! Oh yes, I am a male and almost 86yo.

 

[rehandra]

I am over 90, full time carer for my wife who has Allium allergy, hence no onion or garlic in any meal. I cannot buy a frozen meal that doesn't have one or the other (or both) included! I have appealed here on SDC for easy recipes, sadly to no avail. I doubt AI would be any help whatsoever, but I do order most on line and only enter the supermarket for fruit & vege.
For example I looked for a recipe to make pumpkin soup (no you can't buy it Allium free) all the recipes included them and other stuff she can't eat...

 

[rehandra]

I asked AI for you: here is the response.

Got it — no onions, garlic, leeks, chives, shallots, or spring onions.
Here’s a mix of main meals and sides that stay flavourful without allium:

---

1. Lemon Herb Roast Chicken

• Ingredients: whole chicken pieces, olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, thyme, rosemary, salt, pepper
• Method:
  1. Preheat oven to 200°C.
  2. Rub chicken with oil, lemon zest, juice, herbs, salt, and pepper.
  3. Roast 35–45 min (depending on cut) until golden and cooked through.

---

2. Creamy Dill Potato Salad

• Ingredients: baby potatoes, mayonnaise, sour cream, dill, celery, mustard, salt, pepper
• Method:
  1. Boil potatoes until tender; drain and cool slightly.
  2. Mix mayo, sour cream, dill, celery, mustard.
  3. Toss with potatoes and season.

---

3. Tomato & Basil Pasta

• Ingredients: pasta, olive oil, chopped tomatoes, fresh basil, salt, pepper, parmesan (optional)
• Method:
  1. Cook pasta; reserve ½ cup cooking water.
  2. Heat oil, add tomatoes, season, and simmer 10 min.
  3. Stir in basil, pasta, and reserved water for a glossy sauce.

---

4. Pan-Seared Salmon with Caper Butter

• Ingredients: salmon fillets, butter, capers, lemon juice, parsley, salt, pepper
• Method:
  1. Sear salmon skin-side down 3–4 min, then flip.
  2. Add butter, capers, lemon juice; spoon over fish.
  3. Garnish with parsley.

---

5. Roasted Vegetable Traybake

• Ingredients: carrots, zucchini, pumpkin, capsicum, olive oil, paprika, oregano, salt, pepper
• Method:
  1. Toss chopped veg with oil, spices, and seasoning.
  2. Roast at 200°C for 25–35 min until caramelised.

---

6. Coconut Lentil Soup

• Ingredients: red lentils, carrots, celery, ginger, turmeric, cumin, coconut milk, veg stock
• Method:
  1. Simmer lentils, carrots, celery, spices in stock until soft.
  2. Stir in coconut milk and simmer 5 more min.
  3. Blend smooth or leave chunky.

---

If you want, I can make you a full week’s no-allium menu so you don’t have to hunt for ideas each day.
Do you want me to prepare that next?"

 

[Clancieblue]

I am over 90, full time carer for my wife who has Allium allergy, hence no onion or garlic in any meal. I cannot buy a frozen meal that doesn't have one or the other (or both) included! I have appealed here on SDC for easy recipes, sadly to no avail. I doubt AI would be any help whatsoever, but I do order most on line and only enter the supermarket for fruit & vege.
For example I looked for a recipe to make pumpkin soup (no you can't buy it Allium free) all the recipes included them and other stuff she can't eat...

If you have a care package ,you should be able to purchase light and easy meals for a discounted price. No cooking involved.

 

[Vinylted]

I asked AI for you: here is the response.

Got it — no onions, garlic, leeks, chives, shallots, or spring onions.
Here’s a mix of main meals and sides that stay flavourful without allium:

---

1. Lemon Herb Roast Chicken

• Ingredients: whole chicken pieces, olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, thyme, rosemary, salt, pepper
• Method:
  1. Preheat oven to 200°C.
  2. Rub chicken with oil, lemon zest, juice, herbs, salt, and pepper.
  3. Roast 35–45 min (depending on cut) until golden and cooked through.

---

2. Creamy Dill Potato Salad

• Ingredients: baby potatoes, mayonnaise, sour cream, dill, celery, mustard, salt, pepper
• Method:
  1. Boil potatoes until tender; drain and cool slightly.
  2. Mix mayo, sour cream, dill, celery, mustard.
  3. Toss with potatoes and season.

---

Thanks rehandra
3. Tomato & Basil Pasta

• Ingredients: pasta, olive oil, chopped tomatoes, fresh basil, salt, pepper, parmesan (optional)
• Method:
  1. Cook pasta; reserve ½ cup cooking water.
  2. Heat oil, add tomatoes, season, and simmer 10 min.
  3. Stir in basil, pasta, and reserved water for a glossy sauce.

---

4. Pan-Seared Salmon with Caper Butter

• Ingredients: salmon fillets, butter, capers, lemon juice, parsley, salt, pepper
• Method:
  1. Sear salmon skin-side down 3–4 min, then flip.
  2. Add butter, capers, lemon juice; spoon over fish.
  3. Garnish with parsley.

---

5. Roasted Vegetable Traybake

• Ingredients: carrots, zucchini, pumpkin, capsicum, olive oil, paprika, oregano, salt, pepper
• Method:
  1. Toss chopped veg with oil, spices, and seasoning.
  2. Roast at 200°C for 25–35 min until caramelised.

---

6. Coconut Lentil Soup

• Ingredients: red lentils, carrots, celery, ginger, turmeric, cumin, coconut milk, veg stock
• Method:
  1. Simmer lentils, carrots, celery, spices in stock until soft.
  2. Stir in coconut milk and simmer 5 more min.
  3. Blend smooth or leave chunky.

---

If you want, I can make you a full week’s no-allium menu so you don’t have to hunt for ideas each day.
Do you want me to prepare that next?"

If you have a care package ,you should be able to purchase light and easy meals for a discounted price. No cooking involved.

I have a care package, so far only one supplier could provide allium free meals... but the meals were dreadful so we had to discontinue them.

 

[Vinylted]

I have a care package, so far only one supplier could provide allium free meals... but the meals were dreadful so we had to discontinue them.

Thanks rehandra that's brilliant, but my wife also has other dietary problems, but the allium one is the worst. Would it be possible to send the link to the AI or info on how to access myself? Thanks Ted

 

[rehandra]

Thanks rehandra that's brilliant, but my wife also has other dietary problems, but the allium one is the worst. Would it be possible to send the link to the AI or info on how to access myself? Thanks Ted

Here you go https://chatgpt.com/download/

 

[7777]

Here you go https://chatgpt.com/download/

Dear member Rehandra, thankyou for your post. Dear sweet Rehandra, you are blessed with a beautiful heart and soul. This is so kind of you to take the time and do research to find our dear member Vinylted, a menu of foods that would be suited for his wif. That is very kind of you. Many happy blessings and good Karma to you always. God bless,