To eat well, you need to shop smart – see these supermarket saving hacks!
Have you taken a look at our healthy eating hub, Nourished @ Deakin, yet? It’s packed full of heaps of healthy recipes and meal inspiration.
As we look ahead to end-of-unit assessments (EoUAs) and National Nutrition Week (14–20 October), we’re running a series of articles to highlight the power of fuelling your body with the right foods. You’ll feel great and it will reflect in your work!
That said, the cost of living is at a high right now and we know this has been tough for many students. That’s why we’ll look at some simple ways you can save money at the supermarket – take a look and try the tips that may work for your budget!
Here’s how you can save at the supermarket
Know where to go. For your general grocery shop, Aldi offers great savings with budget brands (although keep in mind half-price specials at Coles and Woolies can be cheaper, so keep your eyes peeled!). Coles and Woolies change their specials weekly on a Wednesday too.
If you live in Geelong, Ballarat or Bendigo, Fruit Shack offers the same great fruits and veggies as your local supermarket but at cheaper prices.
Plan ahead and buy in bulk! Before you even set foot in the shops, it pays to think about what food and supplies you’ll need to make sure you have enough to last through your pay period. Buying in bulk is cheaper per unit (if you have room to freeze and store items), so try to buy in bulk when things are on special to get double the savings! Keep an eye out for bulk items on sale that can last for long periods of time (like bags of rice, hygiene and cleaning products, washing detergent/powder, toilet paper etc.).
Plan if you’re going to cook meals in bulk and freeze left-over portions, or chip in with friends or housemates for other meals. Bulk cooking does save you money but it can be time-consuming so factor this into your plans – you could put time aside to do this over the weekend, or shop in the morning and dedicate a day to slow-cooking up some meals while you clean the house.
Want some inspiration for how to build simple meals? Take a look at our suggestions below!
Look up the cost of items. Make sure you know the approximate cost of more expensive items (such as washing liquids and powders, spices, toiletries and luxuries, etc.) – and try to buy these on when half-price on sale if you can – before you shop so you don’t end up surprising yourself with a larger total cost than you expected once you reach the register.
Use the calculator on your phone. There is no shame in shopping with a calculator to track how much you’re spending! Keep in mind that you’re only human and your calculations can sometimes have errors – that’s why planning ahead is a good way to make sure you’re still shopping within your budget.
Remember to scan your membership cards. Rewards cards and membership programs such as Coles’ Flybuys and Woolworths’ Everyday Rewards offer points for every dollar you spend and can be redeemed for various discounts and offers. Woolworths also has a program called bunch, where you can receive free food samples for reviewing products. Membership is often at capacity, but you can register your interest to join the waiting list if you’re happy to wait a few months.
Do you have a Health Care or Pension card? If so, you can present these at chemists to buy medication at a cheaper cost as long as it is on a prescription.
Bring a washing basket… If you choose to shop at Aldi, they tend to check you out at lightning speed. If you drive or were driven to the shops, it’s handy to pop a washing basket in the boot. When they check you out, put everything loose in a shopping trolley and then straight into the washing basket in the boot, ready to be carried inside without worrying about the hassle of bagging groceries at the same incredible speed of the cashier.
Or a wheelie bag! If you walk or catch public transport to the shops, a wheelie bag can offer you the same convenience of easily packing and getting lots of groceries home while saving your arms!
Need help?
If you need any further assistance with food or are struggling financially, please get in touch with the DUSA Student Advocacy and Support Services (SASS). While it has now ended for T2, DUSA also runs a free Food Pantry on campus during each trimester, so keep an eye on the DUSA events page for upcoming dates later in the year.
You may also wish to check out the following community food relief services in your area.
- Melbourne: You can find food relief services in your area via Local Food Connect.
- Geelong: Access emergency food across town via the Geelong Food Relief Centre. Feed Me also services the Geelong district plus the Bellarine and Surf Coast regions.
- Warrnambool: See the Warrnambool Community Food Guide for details of services which offer food vouchers, hampers and free meals. The Warrnambool and District Food Share service also offers advice on which services can help you in your local area.
Stay tuned!
We’ll be looking at other ways you can eat well in the lead up to National Nutrition Week, so keep your eye on the blog next week when we’ll tell you how you can share your very own tried-and-tested recipes (you might even win a prize!). See you then!
Edited version of a previous Deakin Life blog.
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