Living on a budget and still trying to afford a balanced and nutritious diet can be tricky, especially when prices continue to skyrocket.

Any person who's ever tried to juggle the demands of affordability and quality knows that it's no easy task.

Well, now we can learn from one savvy (and possibly lucky!) mum who pulls off a grocery shopping ‘win’ every now and then.

Shekirra from Queensland recently scored an unbelievable grocery shopping deal, with her total haul (before the discount) amounting to a whopping $285.29, yet only costing her $56.44.

How? She took advantage of the markdowns section at her local supermarket.

A struggling mum's 'rare win': she saved about $230 on groceries amid rising living costs. Credit: Facebook.

Shekirra was delighted with the incredible array of hearty meat products available at the store, ranging from lamb cutlets, hot dogs, and chicken burger patties to loin strip beef and more.

She did notice that some of these items had different prices based on their expiration dates, but that didn't concern her. She had a brilliant plan in mind: she would freeze all of her purchases as soon as she got home

At home, Shekirra had a spacious box freezer, which allowed her to keep all the meat products well-preserved. By doing so, she could defrost only the portions she needed, effectively reducing food waste and cutting down on her future expenses.

She was thrilled with this practical approach that not only saved money but also ensured she could enjoy a variety of delicious meat whenever she wanted.

The resourceful mum also suggested that if you plan on finding such deals too, being a frequent visitor of the supermarket's markdown section is key. Regularly going over the selection, she said, increases the chances of uncovering secret bargains.

'I can honestly say it's pure luck. I can walk into the same store ten times and get next to nothing, and then other times I get hauls like this,' she said.

Shekirra is by all means a budgeting superstar, but if you're looking to save a bit of money on your grocery bills too, here are some tips and advice that might be helpful:

Consider buying meat in bulk and opt for cheaper cuts when possible—slow cooking them can transform cheaper cuts into delicious and tender meals. Prepare bulk mince dishes with lentils and grated vegetables, and don't forget to freeze any leftovers. Allocate a meat-free dinner each week for further savings.

Freeze any unfinished pastes, such as curry pastes, tomato pastes, and passata, in an ice cube tray and transfer them to zip lock bags once frozen.

Be mindful of sale items in catalogues, plan your meals according to grocery shop specials, and do not underestimate the money-saving power of comparison apps (like Frugl and WiseList).

Key Takeaways

• A Queensland mum, Shekirra, managed to save around $230 on her grocery shop thanks to markdowns at her local supermarket.
• Shekirra shared her tip of frequently checking the markdown sections and then freezing her purchases to use in the future.
• The trick to her success, she said, included luck, frequent shopping and having plenty of freezer space.
• She encouraged others to adopt her methods, and many other shoppers congratulated her on her haul and appreciated her tips.

We are truly amazed by Shekirra's incredible talent for finding bargains, and we're eager to hear about your own shopping triumphs and money-saving strategies, members!

Please share your experiences and tips in the comments below. Additionally, if you have any other smart supermarket budgeting advice, don't hesitate to share it in the comments! We're all here to learn from each other and make the most of our shopping budgets.

 

[christineamck]

Yes, it was definitely a bargain but I feel greed is a big factor too. I have come across some brilliant markdowns but I always let other shoppers nearby know about it so the windfall can be shared. In these tough times we need to be kind and look at helping others too.

 

[Thecheesequeen]

As a retired person I am always delighted to welcome people who call in unexpectedly. If I don’t have anything to give them with a cuppa, then I tell them so and they get the tea or coffee only. No embarrassment on my part.

 

[Sandie1952]

Living on a budget and still trying to afford a balanced and nutritious diet can be tricky, especially when prices continue to skyrocket.

Any person who's ever tried to juggle the demands of affordability and quality knows that it's no easy task.

Well, now we can learn from one savvy (and possibly lucky!) mum who pulls off a grocery shopping ‘win’ every now and then.

Shekirra from Queensland recently scored an unbelievable grocery shopping deal, with her total haul (before the discount) amounting to a whopping $285.29, yet only costing her $56.44.

How? She took advantage of the markdowns section at her local supermarket.

View attachment 25801

A struggling mum's 'rare win': she saved about $230 on groceries amid rising living costs. Credit: Facebook.

Shekirra was delighted with the incredible array of hearty meat products available at the store, ranging from lamb cutlets, hot dogs, and chicken burger patties to loin strip beef and more.

She did notice that some of these items had different prices based on their expiration dates, but that didn't concern her. She had a brilliant plan in mind: she would freeze all of her purchases as soon as she got home

At home, Shekirra had a spacious box freezer, which allowed her to keep all the meat products well-preserved. By doing so, she could defrost only the portions she needed, effectively reducing food waste and cutting down on her future expenses.

She was thrilled with this practical approach that not only saved money but also ensured she could enjoy a variety of delicious meat whenever she wanted.

The resourceful mum also suggested that if you plan on finding such deals too, being a frequent visitor of the supermarket's markdown section is key. Regularly going over the selection, she said, increases the chances of uncovering secret bargains.

'I can honestly say it's pure luck. I can walk into the same store ten times and get next to nothing, and then other times I get hauls like this,' she said.

Shekirra is by all means a budgeting superstar, but if you're looking to save a bit of money on your grocery bills too, here are some tips and advice that might be helpful:

Consider buying meat in bulk and opt for cheaper cuts when possible—slow cooking them can transform cheaper cuts into delicious and tender meals. Prepare bulk mince dishes with lentils and grated vegetables, and don't forget to freeze any leftovers. Allocate a meat-free dinner each week for further savings.

Freeze any unfinished pastes, such as curry pastes, tomato pastes, and passata, in an ice cube tray and transfer them to zip lock bags once frozen.

Be mindful of sale items in catalogues, plan your meals according to grocery shop specials, and do not underestimate the money-saving power of comparison apps (like Frugl and WiseList).

Key Takeaways

• A Queensland mum, Shekirra, managed to save around $230 on her grocery shop thanks to markdowns at her local supermarket.
• Shekirra shared her tip of frequently checking the markdown sections and then freezing her purchases to use in the future.
• The trick to her success, she said, included luck, frequent shopping and having plenty of freezer space.
• She encouraged others to adopt her methods, and many other shoppers congratulated her on her haul and appreciated her tips.

We are truly amazed by Shekirra's incredible talent for finding bargains, and we're eager to hear about your own shopping triumphs and money-saving strategies, members!

Please share your experiences and tips in the comments below. Additionally, if you have any other smart supermarket budgeting advice, don't hesitate to share it in the comments! We're all here to learn from each other and make the most of our shopping budgets.