CHOICE reveals secret tips to drastically cut down your grocery bills!
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It's no news that grocery prices are rising, and with them, our worries.
According to recent research conducted by CHOICE, an Australian consumer advocacy group, most households have spent at least $2,000 more on grocery bills over the past 12 months than in previous years.
Liam Kennedy, a representative from CHOICE, said: 'It is really important to find savings at places like the supermarket where we go regularly because those small savings can really add up and make a big difference.'
Thankfully, CHOICE’s team of dedicated shoppers and testers have put together a handy list of saving tips to help you cut costs and get the most out of your grocery shopping.
Buy Supermarket-brand Products
The first saving tip on CHOICE's list is to buy supermarket-brand products. This does not only guarantee you at least 50% in cost savings, but the products are also just as good as those from well-known brands.
‘We’ve also found in our recent taste tests here at CHOICE that they’re often just as good, even outperforming those flagship brands as well’, Kennedy said.
Purchase Product Refills
The second tip is to buy product refills instead of purchasing new ones. From liquid soap to shampoo, refills can save you up to 32%, according to CHOICE.
Not only do you reduce the amount of waste you produce, you also keep reusable packages out of landfills.
Be Mindful of Unit Prices
Third, if you compare unit prices to determine which product is cheaper per 100 grams and 100ml, you can manage your budget even better.
Unit price, displayed alongside the item price on store shelves, helps you compare the cost per weight and make cost-effective choices when purchasing products, especially when comparing sizes or different brands.
‘Ugly’ Fruits and Vegetables
Believe it or not, CHOICE says buying 'odd fruit and vegetables' usually yields a 37% saving! Don't be afraid of buying vegetables and fruits that look a bit different; in most cases, they’re just as good as the normal ones!
Frozen Produce
Finally, the last tip is to buy frozen produce. Buying fresh produce that is out of season can be very costly; whereas buying frozen fruits and veggies is a much cheaper alternative. Not only can you store them for a long time, but you’ll also have something easy to prepare and always stocked.
For example, a punnet of fresh blueberries costs $5 at Coles at the moment, but for the same price, you can get over twice the amount if you buy them frozen!
So put your savvy hat on and give these money-saving tips a go! It's always worth it when you can stop those rising grocery bills from costing you more than you wish to spend.
What are your favourite ways to save money on grocery bills? Do you have any tips and tricks you want us to add to the list? We’d love to hear from you in the comments.
According to recent research conducted by CHOICE, an Australian consumer advocacy group, most households have spent at least $2,000 more on grocery bills over the past 12 months than in previous years.
Liam Kennedy, a representative from CHOICE, said: 'It is really important to find savings at places like the supermarket where we go regularly because those small savings can really add up and make a big difference.'
Thankfully, CHOICE’s team of dedicated shoppers and testers have put together a handy list of saving tips to help you cut costs and get the most out of your grocery shopping.
Buy Supermarket-brand Products
The first saving tip on CHOICE's list is to buy supermarket-brand products. This does not only guarantee you at least 50% in cost savings, but the products are also just as good as those from well-known brands.
‘We’ve also found in our recent taste tests here at CHOICE that they’re often just as good, even outperforming those flagship brands as well’, Kennedy said.
Purchase Product Refills
The second tip is to buy product refills instead of purchasing new ones. From liquid soap to shampoo, refills can save you up to 32%, according to CHOICE.
Not only do you reduce the amount of waste you produce, you also keep reusable packages out of landfills.
Be Mindful of Unit Prices
Third, if you compare unit prices to determine which product is cheaper per 100 grams and 100ml, you can manage your budget even better.
Unit price, displayed alongside the item price on store shelves, helps you compare the cost per weight and make cost-effective choices when purchasing products, especially when comparing sizes or different brands.
‘Ugly’ Fruits and Vegetables
Believe it or not, CHOICE says buying 'odd fruit and vegetables' usually yields a 37% saving! Don't be afraid of buying vegetables and fruits that look a bit different; in most cases, they’re just as good as the normal ones!
Frozen Produce
Finally, the last tip is to buy frozen produce. Buying fresh produce that is out of season can be very costly; whereas buying frozen fruits and veggies is a much cheaper alternative. Not only can you store them for a long time, but you’ll also have something easy to prepare and always stocked.
For example, a punnet of fresh blueberries costs $5 at Coles at the moment, but for the same price, you can get over twice the amount if you buy them frozen!
So put your savvy hat on and give these money-saving tips a go! It's always worth it when you can stop those rising grocery bills from costing you more than you wish to spend.
Key Takeaways
- Leading consumer advocacy group CHOICE revealed a list of actions to help consumers save on their grocery bills, following research that found most people spent $2000 more on groceries in the last 12 months compared to previous years.
- CHOICE suggests purchasing supermarket-branded products, buying product refills, comparing unit prices, buying 'odd fruit and vegetables' and buying frozen fruit and vegetables to save money.
- The association's research found that buying refills can save Aussies around 32% while odd-looking fresh produce can cost around 37% less than regular produce.
- Lastly, buying out-of-season produce from the freezer section is also recommended. For example, shoppers can buy more than twice as many frozen blueberries for $4 compared to a punnet of fresh blueberries retailing for almost $5 at Coles.
What are your favourite ways to save money on grocery bills? Do you have any tips and tricks you want us to add to the list? We’d love to hear from you in the comments.