![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/40e2e61348db0b76d26060fbab7191d5.jpeg\")
<\/p>\nHow we shop for groceries can become “habitual”, which might seem beneficial, but experts say it can be unhelpful when it comes to saving money.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“It’s effortful to change habits,” says Paul Harrison, head of consumer behaviour at Deakin University in Melbourne\/Naarm.<\/p>\n
“When you’re trying to save money, you do have to change the way that you eat and buy things \u2026 at least for a time.”<\/p>\n
We asked experts and families for their advice on small changes that can make a difference to your grocery bill.<\/p>\n
Use what you already have<\/p>\n
Dr Harrison says, on average, Australian households waste $2,500 to $3,000 a year on food that they throw away.<\/p>\n
“Which is a lot if we’re trying to save money.”<\/p>\n
Before mother of two Cassie Head does her grocery shopping, she routinely checks everything that’s left in her family’s pantry and fridge.<\/p>\n
“One thing that I’m really focusing on is trying to reduce food waste,” says the content creator and former financial planner, based on the Sunshine Coast\/Kabi Kabi lands.<\/p>\n
“I’m doing a stocktake of my pantry, fridge and freezer and seeing what I already have, then making a meal plan around that.”<\/p>\n
Experts say a list is important, so you’re not tempted to buy other products. (ABC News: Maani Truu)<\/p>\n
Choice supermarket researcher Marg Rafferty says “shopping from your pantry and fridge” first is an ideal approach to reduce waste and save.<\/p>\n
“Recently, my family had a whole lot of Greek yoghurt we hadn’t used.<\/p>\n
“We turned it into a dressing and did a dish around that product because it was there.”<\/p>\n
Make a list and stick to it<\/p>\n
Once you know what food you have already, you can meal plan around that and make a list of what you need.<\/p>\n
Cassie makes sure to include breakfasts, lunches and school snacks in her planning.<\/p>\n
How this couple perfected their meal-prep routine <\/a><\/p>\n Linh Dao and David Tran say three hours of cooking every Sunday helps their whole week run smoothly.<\/p>\n “[I’m] really trying to [minimise] how many times I’m going to the shops.”<\/p>\n She also says she buys ingredients that can be used across multiple meals.<\/p>\n “Things like mince, frozen vegetables and legumes, which can make a meal stretch further.”<\/p>\n Dr Harrison says whether you’re grocery shopping online or in-store, a list is important, so you’re not tempted to buy other products.<\/p>\n He recommends families do the planning together, so one member of the household doesn’t feel like they’re carrying the burden on their own.<\/p>\n “When everyone has a say in what goes on the list, they’re more likely to respect the plan and less likely to make impulse purchases that blow the budget,” he says.<\/p>\n “Research in behavioural science suggests that people are far more likely to follow through on decisions that were developed collectively within a strong family unit.”<\/p>\n Make fewer visits to the supermarket<\/p>\n Dr Harrison says supermarkets want us coming in more frequently “because they know you’ll buy extra products”.<\/p>\n “Ultimately, if you’re trying to save money, shop less frequently,” he says.<\/p>\n “What we’ve learnt from research is that most supermarkets actually make their best profits in short trips.”<\/p>\n “The entire supermarket experience,” adds Ms Rafferty, “from the size of your trolley to the colour of the signage, the overall layout, it’s all designed to get you to spend”.<\/p>\n Know what your budget is<\/p>\n It sounds simple, but Dr Harrison says most people “don’t really know how much they’re spending each week”.<\/p>\n “Before you leave the house or open an app, have a budget,” he says.<\/p>\n “It shouldn’t be a guestimate; you should calculate it.<\/p>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ffa403d648e802a192a4497a6a58662f.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n