In these times of rising living costs, every dollar saved is a dollar earned, especially for Australians over 50 who are often managing on a fixed income.
It’s no secret that grocery bills can significantly drain a monthly budget, but what if there were a way to trim that expense without compromising on the quality or quantity of your food?
Enter the savvy Woolworths shopper who has shared a simple yet effective trick to shave a substantial $70 off her monthly grocery bill.
Amy Coulston, a 24-year-old who juggles full-time side hustles, has found a way to reduce her grocery expenses from $499 to $431 by implementing two ‘really easy’ strategies.
Amy, along with her partner and their two dogs, typically does one large grocery shop at the start of the month, followed by smaller top-up shops for perishables like fruit, vegetables, milk, and eggs.
The first part of Amy’s cost-cutting approach involves an Everyday Extra subscription, which she uses to get 10 per cent off her total shop.
This subscription costs $7 a month or $70 annually, and for Amy, it has resulted in savings of $49.93 on her monthly grocery bill.
‘This is our second year using Everyday Extra, paying the yearly $70, and it’s been more than worth it for us,’ Coulston explained.
‘A lot of the months we get close to hitting $50 in savings by shopping monthly and buying in bulk.’
Moreover, the benefits of the subscription extend beyond the grocery aisles. Amy also enjoys the points 2 times and a 10 per cent discount at Big W once per month, making the subscription pay for itself several times over.
The second trick up Amy’s sleeve is purchasing Woolworths gift cards at a discount. By doing so, she managed to get an additional 4 per cent off her groceries, saving another $17.97 on her bill.
Coulston, who is also a Woolworths mobile customer, benefits from perks such as a second 10 per cent discount at Woolworths once a month and up to 5 per cent off on gift cards, including those for Woolworths, Dan Murphys, and Big W.
It’s worth noting that motoring clubs like RACQ, RACV, and NRMA offer similar discounts on Woolworths gift cards for their members.
These subscription schemes, offered by both Woolworths and Coles, are designed to encourage consumers to consolidate their shopping.
However, money expert Joel Gibson points out that savvy shoppers can sign up for both to maximise their savings.
‘The rule with these subscription schemes is that they can save you money but only if you squeeze the value out of them,’ Gibson advises.
For larger households, this could mean doing a substantial shop once a month and stocking up on discounted non-perishables or store brands.
Yet, Gibson also cautions against the trap of shopping exclusively at one supermarket just to avail of the monthly discount. The key is to remain flexible and not let the discount dictate your shopping habits.
With grocery spending reaching record highs, as reported by Finder, the average household now spends $209 per week on groceries, up 11 per cent from the previous year.
It’s no wonder that four in five Australians are actively looking for ways to cut their grocery bills. Strategies range from doing one big shop to capitalise on monthly discounts, switching to cheaper brands, shopping at multiple stores, and using coupons.
Amy Coulston has noticed a significant price increase in fresh fruit and vegetables, often opting for the more affordable frozen alternatives.
To further stretch the grocery dollar, she recommends shopping in bulk, comparing prices, meal planning, and taking advantage of reward points. Additionally, she suggests saving receipts to scan for gift cards on platforms like ReceiptJar.
These tips could be a game-changer in managing grocery expenses for our readers. Have you tried any of these strategies, or do you have other cost-saving hacks to share? We’d love to hear about your experiences and tips in the comments below. Remember, every little bit helps, and with a bit of planning and savvy shopping, you can enjoy significant savings on your grocery bills.
Also read: Budget breakthrough: Mum’s $25 grocery trolley hack stuns shoppers
