Challenging economic times mean that everyone has to be more careful about managing money and how to spend it, especially when it comes to grocery shopping.

But despite the rising prices, many Aussies are unfortunately doing something utterly shocking–and it's having a huge impact on their weekly grocery bill.

Compare the Market surveyed 1,004 Aussies, examining how much they typically spent on groceries, what they threw out after buying, and strategies to counter rising prices.

The results were disturbing.

The survey found that nearly two-thirds of Aussies (64 per cent) admit throwing away food every week because it doesn't get used or goes out of date.

Two-thirds of Australians admitted that they throw out food every week. Credit: Daria Nipot/Shutterstock

The survey said vegetables were the most common items to get binned, with nearly a third saying they threw them out. This was closely followed by leftovers, bread, milk, salad and fruit.

Ozharvest estimated that Aussie households are throwing away between $2,000 and $2,500 yearly on their food bill.

Nastasha Innes of Compare the Market noted that it was especially worrying that almost a third of people said their grocery bill was now their biggest financial burden.

'It's quite shocking to see that so many people seem to be buying food items that end up in the (rubbish),' she said.

'While there's no denying that prices are rising at our supermarkets, our data shows that people may be blowing money each week on food they don't need.'

Other items commonly thrown out included cheese, yoghurt, butter, chicken, eggs, red meat and seafood.

What can you do to avoid this mistake?

‘Whether it’s switching to a different brand, shopping for items that are on sale or spreading your shop across multiple stores, there are many little changes people can make that can have a big impact on their budget,’ Innes said.

On average, a household spends $199 on groceries weekly, an increase from June 2022’s estimation of $184 per week.

Some shoppers have strategies to combat the rising prices, with 62 per cent now planning cheaper meals, 55 per cent looking harder for discounts, and 42 per cent switching to generic brands.

To help you save money on groceries, Innes recommends taking note of items that were previously thrown out, checking the unit price of items, taking advantage of a rewards card, and seeing if your insurance or other providers offer grocery discounts.

Here are other strategies for more effective grocery shopping:

Creating a detailed meal plan for the upcoming week is the best starting point. Such a plan eliminates guesswork and impulse purchases, steering patrons towards specific items and quantities. However, it's essential to be mindful of perishable items and their expiration dates to avoid unnecessary wastage.

Moreover, try to focus shopping towards fresh foods that can be incorporated into various meals. This is not just great for your wallet but for your nutritional health as well. Staple foods— for instance, bread, rice and pasta—offer many potential meals and are generally more affordable, proving an excellent choice for cost-conscious consumers.

In addition to this, involving the family in meal planning and preparation can result in less food waste. Engaging everyone ensures that each member gets meals they enjoy, hence fewer leftovers.

Lastly, being mindful of how and where we shop can significantly impact our grocery bills. Comparing prices in different stores before committing to a purchase is a tactic many Aussies resort to. Additionally, shopping in bulk for non-perishable items or items that can be frozen can also save you money over time as they frequently come with a lower unit price.

Keeping a tight rein on grocery spending while battling rising food costs might be challenging for many, but with these tactics, at least it’s achievable. Sometimes, it’s just about being a bit more sensible, strategic, and savvy.

Key Takeaways

• New research by Compare the Market reveals that nearly 64 per cent of Australians admit to wasting food every week because it doesn't get used or goes stale.
  
• The most commonly wasted food items are vegetables, leftover meals, bread, milk, salad and fruit, which cost households between $2,000 and $2,500 per year.
  
• The average Australian household spends $199 on groceries weekly, an increase from $184 per week in June the previous year.
  
• To combat increasing grocery prices, 62 per cent of Australians are planning cheaper meals, 55 per cent are seeking more discounts, and 42 per cent have switched to generic brands.
  
• Other strategies for grocery shopping include creating a meal plan, focusing on fresh foods that can be used for multiple meals, involving the family in the meal plan, and comparing prices between different retailers.
  

What do you think of this story, members? Do you have other tips that could help avoid throwing food? Share them in the comments below!

 

[BabsL]

Challenging economic times mean that everyone has to be more careful about managing money and how to spend it, especially when it comes to grocery shopping.

But despite the rising prices, many Aussies are unfortunately doing something utterly shocking–and it's having a huge impact on their weekly grocery bill.

Compare the Market surveyed 1,004 Aussies, examining how much they typically spent on groceries, what they threw out after buying, and strategies to counter rising prices.

The results were disturbing.

The survey found that nearly two-thirds of Aussies (64 per cent) admit throwing away food every week because it doesn't get used or goes out of date.

View attachment 29225

Two-thirds of Australians admitted that they throw out food every week. Credit: Daria Nipot/Shutterstock

The survey said vegetables were the most common items to get binned, with nearly a third saying they threw them out. This was closely followed by leftovers, bread, milk, salad and fruit.

Ozharvest estimated that Aussie households are throwing away between $2,000 and $2,500 yearly on their food bill.

Nastasha Innes of Compare the Market noted that it was especially worrying that almost a third of people said their grocery bill was now their biggest financial burden.

'It's quite shocking to see that so many people seem to be buying food items that end up in the (rubbish),' she said.

'While there's no denying that prices are rising at our supermarkets, our data shows that people may be blowing money each week on food they don't need.'

Other items commonly thrown out included cheese, yoghurt, butter, chicken, eggs, red meat and seafood.

What can you do to avoid this mistake?

‘Whether it’s switching to a different brand, shopping for items that are on sale or spreading your shop across multiple stores, there are many little changes people can make that can have a big impact on their budget,’ Innes said.

On average, a household spends $199 on groceries weekly, an increase from June 2022’s estimation of $184 per week.

Some shoppers have strategies to combat the rising prices, with 62 per cent now planning cheaper meals, 55 per cent looking harder for discounts, and 42 per cent switching to generic brands.

To help you save money on groceries, Innes recommends taking note of items that were previously thrown out, checking the unit price of items, taking advantage of a rewards card, and seeing if your insurance or other providers offer grocery discounts.

Here are other strategies for more effective grocery shopping:

Creating a detailed meal plan for the upcoming week is the best starting point. Such a plan eliminates guesswork and impulse purchases, steering patrons towards specific items and quantities. However, it's essential to be mindful of perishable items and their expiration dates to avoid unnecessary wastage.

Moreover, try to focus shopping towards fresh foods that can be incorporated into various meals. This is not just great for your wallet but for your nutritional health as well. Staple foods— for instance, bread, rice and pasta—offer many potential meals and are generally more affordable, proving an excellent choice for cost-conscious consumers.

In addition to this, involving the family in meal planning and preparation can result in less food waste. Engaging everyone ensures that each member gets meals they enjoy, hence fewer leftovers.

Lastly, being mindful of how and where we shop can significantly impact our grocery bills. Comparing prices in different stores before committing to a purchase is a tactic many Aussies resort to. Additionally, shopping in bulk for non-perishable items or items that can be frozen can also save you money over time as they frequently come with a lower unit price.

Keeping a tight rein on grocery spending while battling rising food costs might be challenging for many, but with these tactics, at least it’s achievable. Sometimes, it’s just about being a bit more sensible, strategic, and savvy.

Key Takeaways

• New research by Compare the Market reveals that nearly 64 per cent of Australians admit to wasting food every week because it doesn't get used or goes stale.
• The most commonly wasted food items are vegetables, leftover meals, bread, milk, salad and fruit, which cost households between $2,000 and $2,500 per year.
• The average Australian household spends $199 on groceries weekly, an increase from $184 per week in June the previous year.
• To combat increasing grocery prices, 62 per cent of Australians are planning cheaper meals, 55 per cent are seeking more discounts, and 42 per cent have switched to generic brands.
• Other strategies for grocery shopping include creating a meal plan, focusing on fresh foods that can be used for multiple meals, involving the family in the meal plan, and comparing prices between different retailers.

What do you think of this story, members? Do you have other tips that could help avoid throwing food? Share them in the comments below!

It means they are buying too much! Reduce in purchases to only what you can and will use each week.
Part of the problem is COLES and WOW insisting in plastic packaging our produce, forcing us to buy more than we need and can use.
Kitchens are tiny these days. There is no storage anymore.
People need to dump supermarkets and their Forced big prepacked F&V, and buy only what they need at the GreenGrocer down the road or at Farmer's Markets.

 

[Veggiepatch]

People need to dump supermarkets and their Forced big prepacked F&V, and buy only what they need at the GreenGrocer down the road or at Farmer's Markets.

People need to get out the mindset that markets are "cheaper". I've seen market prices approach double that of some produce items when compared to supermarkets (with the exception of IGA who are thieves dressed up as shelves and fridges). Having never stepped into a Costco store, do they have mega bags of fresh produce? If, so that would be conducive to waste where the said produce isn't used up before it becomes a bacteria's playground.

 

[ToniaKisliakov]

Challenging economic times mean that everyone has to be more careful about managing money and how to spend it, especially when it comes to grocery shopping.

But despite the rising prices, many Aussies are unfortunately doing something utterly shocking–and it's having a huge impact on their weekly grocery bill.

Compare the Market surveyed 1,004 Aussies, examining how much they typically spent on groceries, what they threw out after buying, and strategies to counter rising prices.

The results were disturbing.

The survey found that nearly two-thirds of Aussies (64 per cent) admit throwing away food every week because it doesn't get used or goes out of date.

View attachment 29225

Two-thirds of Australians admitted that they throw out food every week. Credit: Daria Nipot/Shutterstock

The survey said vegetables were the most common items to get binned, with nearly a third saying they threw them out. This was closely followed by leftovers, bread, milk, salad and fruit.

Ozharvest estimated that Aussie households are throwing away between $2,000 and $2,500 yearly on their food bill.

Nastasha Innes of Compare the Market noted that it was especially worrying that almost a third of people said their grocery bill was now their biggest financial burden.

'It's quite shocking to see that so many people seem to be buying food items that end up in the (rubbish),' she said.

'While there's no denying that prices are rising at our supermarkets, our data shows that people may be blowing money each week on food they don't need.'

Other items commonly thrown out included cheese, yoghurt, butter, chicken, eggs, red meat and seafood.

What can you do to avoid this mistake?

‘Whether it’s switching to a different brand, shopping for items that are on sale or spreading your shop across multiple stores, there are many little changes people can make that can have a big impact on their budget,’ Innes said.

On average, a household spends $199 on groceries weekly, an increase from June 2022’s estimation of $184 per week.

Some shoppers have strategies to combat the rising prices, with 62 per cent now planning cheaper meals, 55 per cent looking harder for discounts, and 42 per cent switching to generic brands.

To help you save money on groceries, Innes recommends taking note of items that were previously thrown out, checking the unit price of items, taking advantage of a rewards card, and seeing if your insurance or other providers offer grocery discounts.

Here are other strategies for more effective grocery shopping:

Creating a detailed meal plan for the upcoming week is the best starting point. Such a plan eliminates guesswork and impulse purchases, steering patrons towards specific items and quantities. However, it's essential to be mindful of perishable items and their expiration dates to avoid unnecessary wastage.

Moreover, try to focus shopping towards fresh foods that can be incorporated into various meals. This is not just great for your wallet but for your nutritional health as well. Staple foods— for instance, bread, rice and pasta—offer many potential meals and are generally more affordable, proving an excellent choice for cost-conscious consumers.

In addition to this, involving the family in meal planning and preparation can result in less food waste. Engaging everyone ensures that each member gets meals they enjoy, hence fewer leftovers.

Lastly, being mindful of how and where we shop can significantly impact our grocery bills. Comparing prices in different stores before committing to a purchase is a tactic many Aussies resort to. Additionally, shopping in bulk for non-perishable items or items that can be frozen can also save you money over time as they frequently come with a lower unit price.

Keeping a tight rein on grocery spending while battling rising food costs might be challenging for many, but with these tactics, at least it’s achievable. Sometimes, it’s just about being a bit more sensible, strategic, and savvy.

Key Takeaways

• New research by Compare the Market reveals that nearly 64 per cent of Australians admit to wasting food every week because it doesn't get used or goes stale.
• The most commonly wasted food items are vegetables, leftover meals, bread, milk, salad and fruit, which cost households between $2,000 and $2,500 per year.
• The average Australian household spends $199 on groceries weekly, an increase from $184 per week in June the previous year.
• To combat increasing grocery prices, 62 per cent of Australians are planning cheaper meals, 55 per cent are seeking more discounts, and 42 per cent have switched to generic brands.
• Other strategies for grocery shopping include creating a meal plan, focusing on fresh foods that can be used for multiple meals, involving the family in the meal plan, and comparing prices between different retailers.

What do you think of this story, members? Do you have other tips that could help avoid throwing food? Share them in the comments below!

 

[ToniaKisliakov]

Doesn't take brains to stop being so lazy in wastage. Just common sense

 

[Veggiepatch]

Doesn't take brains to stop being so lazy in wastage. Just common sense

I'm still looking for the place where I put mine.

 

[Reaper123]

Freeze Meat in meal size packs.

 

[maggiej]

What is wrong with people? throwing out food and then saying they are struggling to feed their family. Surely they are being more careful in what they buy especially with the prices of groceries constantly increasing in price. Having lived in a country town and not being close to a grocery store we had to buy weekly and made it do. We had no best buy day either. e did not eat food if it was mouldy or tasted off.

 

[Trudi]

It is extremely rare that I throw out milk. That is not because I use it all before the expiry date, but because I use to look/smell/taste test. This is what all of us used before the "use by" dates appeared on packaging and the people lost basic common sense.

Besides, the date means very little if you happen to buy milk that was left out too long by the store and goes off days before the expiry date.

It it looks okay, I smell it, if it smells okay, I taste it and if it tastes okay I use it regardleass of what the label says. Usually out of date milk that passes my test is used for crepes. Yum!

 

[MiasMum]

It means they are buying too much! Reduce in purchases to only what you can and will use each week.
Part of the problem is COLES and WOW insisting in plastic packaging our produce, forcing us to buy more than we need and can use.
Kitchens are tiny these days. There is no storage anymore.
People need to dump supermarkets and their Forced big prepacked F&V, and buy only what they need at the GreenGrocer down the road or at Farmer's Markets.

All the Supermarkets I buy from have fruit and veg in bulk so that you can buy what you need, and usually better quality than the greengrocers!

 

[Gsr]

I'm still looking for the place where I put mine.

Try the veggie patch!

 

[Veggiepatch]

Try the veggie patch!

That is soooo good!