How to save big when you have little mouths to feed

Parents all over the country are feeling the pinch of the rising cost of their groceries – and our beloved kids grow like weeds! Add in the protein needs of sporty types, gluten-free and allergy-friendly products, and families can spend a large amount of their income on food and household needs.

COVID, of course, has a big part to play here, having created supply chain issues and a massively reduced workforce meaning there are fewer brand and fresh food options.

But help is at hand! Members of the Facebook group Markdown Addicts Australia have shared some of their shopping wins, as well as ways to cut down on their food spend in general.

In August 2021, Canstar Blue’s survey of Australian supermarket shoppers revealed that households spend an average of $153 per week on groceries but, just six months later, large Facebook communities are discussing how the cost of their weekly shop has gone up by at least $30 for smaller families and lower spenders, to more than $100 for larger families.

On a budgeting Facebook group, one commentator stated that the sausages they usually buy had gone up from $7.99 to $12.99, while canned goods such as cat food had gone up by about 80c. Eighty cents might not seem like a huge leap, but when everything is going up in price it makes a big dent in your finances.

One of the ways to get around this is to shop around, and go first thing in the morning (around 7am) or just after 7pm, or just before close for bigger supermarkets to score big discounts.

One commentator noted that “Milk has risen $0.90 in the last 6 months, bread $0.50 mince $4 price hike… fresh produce is cheap if you go to a fruit and veg shop…. but wages have not increased  the cost of living is very high”.

Making food from scratch and cooking from your pantry first are two of the main suggestions.

A Northern Territorian pointed out that minced beef is currently $19 a kilo there, while New Zealanders chipped in that it’s the same across the ditch, and cheese is $14 a kilo.

It makes it very hard to feed a family!

Others were slightly reassured that everyone was in a similar position and shared that “it used to cost us $250 a f/n and now it’s $350”. Another said they had taken to eating a sandwich for dinner so the rest of their family could eat a proper meal.

“Our groceries have gone from $150-$180p/w to $220-$250 for family of 3 and a dog,” said another.

So, if you are feeling the hit to your back pocket, you’re not alone. And we’re not considering the rising costs of petrol here…

Samy, from Victoria, also shared on Markdown Addicts that she managed to get $365 worth of groceries from Coles for just $77 – a saving of $288.

Her trick is also to shop shortly before 8pm when produce is getting marked down and her bargain hunt included $1.70 steaks, 30c salads and lamb chops for $2.15. Other bargains included dairy products, where she saved $94.75, according to the Daily Mail.

Samy also shared a little-known secret that when she went to Coles shortly before 8pm, as there were no Coles RSPCA cooked chickens, so she asked the Deli counter for a voucher, which essentially scored her a free chook as long as she used it within the week.

Not all supermarkets have enough stock to markdown, but the group also shares amazing markdown bargains in things like kids’ shoes and clothing.

How to save big on your groceries

1. Check your pantry before you go shopping
2. Meal plan
3. Go to farmers’ markets and local producers, if you can
4. When products you buy regularly are half price, buy two of them
5. Head to a large supermarket around 7am, or just after 7pm, or before closing to see if you can score some deals
6. Follow Facebook groups such as Markdown Addicts Australia (also on Instagram), She’s on the Money and Mums Who Budget and Save.