Mum’s super savvy hacks for big savings
How a family of four saved $200 off the weekly grocery bill
Rising mortgage interest rates, full-scale building works and a temporary rental … something had to give. For our family of four, it meant completely changing our approach to recipe and meal planning.
And while these words might conjure up images of a 1950s housewife, putting a modern spin on meal planning and budgeting was the key to our new home, both figuratively and literally.
Here’s how we did it, and how you can too.
1. EMBRACE YOUR INNER NERD
Step one to our new home was a spreadsheet, used every week before the big shop. We set a strict budget then used the spreadsheet to map every meal and track everything we already had in the pantry and fridge.
2 MAKE IT WORK FOR YOU
My husband and I both have big jobs, coupled with two very busy kids. Rather than racing around town hunting down weekly specials, we spent one hour every weekend planning and shopping online, with a commitment to not shop again until the following week.
3. DON’T WORRY, GET ’APPY
A good supermarket shopping app is a game changer. The Coles shopping app helped us to navigate staples and reduce impulse buys. Best of all, it meant we didn’t hit the checkout only to find we’re well over budget.
4. A GAME THE WHOLE FAMILY CAN PLAY
If saving is a family goal like ours, don’t leave the planning and prep to one person. Saving is a sport for all, so get your players off the bench. Invite the team to have their say. You’re far less likely to throw food away when everyone has input.
5. TREAT YOURSELF ALONG THE WAY
Saved an extra $80 this week? Give yourself a free ticket to buy something extra like a nice bottle of wine as a reward for your great work. Don’t break the budget ($30 should do it) and cheers to the extra $50 in the bank this week.
6. SAVING IS THE NEW SEXY
Finally, we all know financial pressures can impact relationships. Looking for ways to save and aligning on a plan can be just the thing to level up your partnership. For us, assessing our grocery budget and cutting back by about $200 a week meant no cutting corners or sacrificing what we wanted for our new home.
Saving is a sport for all, so get your players off the bench
JESS O’SULLIVAN
FAMILY OF FOUR, SUPER SAVER