DIY food savers

MAKING EIGHT COMMON ITEMS AT HOME INSTEAD OF STORE-BOUGHT CAN SAVE YOU $60 A WEEK

Savvy shoppers can save more than $3000 a year by taking the time to home cook eight food products commonly found in Australian trolleys. Items including yoghurt, muffins and pizza are easy to whip up at home and can leave valuable dollars in your hip pocket.

A savings guide from Thermomix, created after 97 per cent of respondents in its 2022 Brand Health review expressed they were concerned about the cost of living, shows with a little effort and time in the kitchen, home cooks can save more than $60 a week without compromising on the food products they crave.

Ali Klein, 35, of Melbourne says she is making as much of her family’s food as possible at home after seeing her grocery bill rising by another $50 to $100 a week.

“Everything is going up, from meat at the butcher, fish and the supermarket. Plus everything in packets feels like it’s shrinking so you are shopping more often. It’s crazy,” Klein says.

“You can save a lot of money cooking yourself and you can freeze it, have

leftovers for lunch the next day and you know what is in it from a health perspective.”

Klein makes her own baby food, pesto, banana bread and wouldn’t dream of buying store-bought options.

“I have a nine-monthold and babies cannot have sodium so I am not comfortable buying him store-bought stuff,” she says. “I honestly cook most of the time in my Thermomix because it’s quick and saves me money.” Accredited dietitian Bianca Mazur says there’s just no comparison when it comes to food made at home and store-bought options when it comes to health.

“Store-bought food naturally needs an extended shelf-life, so oftentimes that means they come complete with preservatives, additives and flavourings we just don’t need. This is the case with so many of our everyday ingredients like cakes and curry,” Mazur says.

“When you cook it from scratch, you can sidestep all that and also make food with a flavour profile you know your family will enjoy.”

Thermomix managing director Graze Mazur says with the continuing concern around cost of living, the “little” things we do can have a big impact, like choosing to make food at home instead of buying pre-made.

“Staples like bread, yoghurt, and stock pastes – they’re all quick and easy and you can create real savings on your grocery bill.”