Healthy Mummy: How to save money and cut supermarket spend at Coles and Woolworths

A group of Australian mums have shared how they’ve slashed their grocery spend in 28 days by making small tweaks to their lifestyles. 

The women, who are all part of weight loss and health community The Healthy Mummy, shared their tips to help others cull their bills as the cost of living continues to rise. 

From money jars to using Click and Collect and bulk meat hauls – these are the thrifty tips you can try to boost your savings and get back on track. 

KIRA POLISENO – SAVED $207.70

Mum-of-two Kira, from Melbourne, saved more than $200 after reviewing her family’s monthly spending. 

The number one thing Kira changed was reducing takeaway and cooking meals at home.

‘Sometimes, if we get burgers or Chinese, we can spend up to $70 on takeaway,’ she said.

‘I also prepared more snacks at home for my husband and kids and bought less pre-packaged foods and used the 7/11 app to lock in an amount when petrol was at a good price.’

Kira cooked meals at home instead of having takeaway: ‘If we get burgers or Chinese, we can spend up to $70 on takeaway,’ she said

‘I look at the catalogue for both Coles & Woolies and shop at each buying what is on special each week from the catalogues. I also go to Aldi for some things (especially their frozen stuff. Dishwashing liquid etc., as that can be very well priced,’ she said

Kira also switched to home brand products, did big top-up shops at Aldi and stocked up on regular household buys when they were on special.

‘I also shopped at the op shop for clothes and hunted around for a bargain,’ she said.

‘With the current cost of living on the rise, now is more important than ever to be paying attention to how we can save on food and also prevent wastage.’

What are Kira’s top money tips? 

1. Plan all snacks and meals in advance and do your food shop based on these  

Buy only what you will need and use! If you do this, you will find you aren’t throwing anything in the bin at the end of the week, and there is much less waste

2. Make use of the freezer

If you have bananas you won’t use in time (either make banana bread/muffins OR freeze them! Bananas freeze really well and can be added frozen to smoothies. Put your bread in the freezer before it goes stale or out of date and thaw when needed

Kira put leftover savings into a jar for their family’s upcoming holiday 

3. When your favourite items go on special, make sure you stock up

I often buy in bulk when a favourite of mine goes on special (tuna, tea & coffee, washing powder, for example) & I almost never have to pay full price for these items

4. Buy home brand products where available

Often the taste and quality are the same for a fraction of the price

5. Get creative with takeaways and make it yourself at home 

A nice bowl of pasta, a burger, or pizzas, for example, can be made quickly at home, and you can save so much money

6. Limit processed and packaged foods

Often full of hidden sugars and, you can make something healthier & more nutritious at home for much cheaper

7. Look at catalogues 

I do is look at the catalogue for both Coles & Woolies and shop at each buying what is on special each week. I also go to Aldi for some things (especially their frozen stuff. Dishwashing liquid etc., as that can be very well priced)

Mum-of-three Nicole, from Victoria, reviewed her family’s budget and financials this month and decided to reduced costs both at home and in their business 

NICOLE BRADSHAW – SAVED $106.55 

Mum-of-three Nicole, from Victoria, reviewed her family’s budget and financials this month and decided to reduced costs both at home and in their business. 

They swapped takeaway coffee for homemade brews, made smoothies for breakfast and did a big weekly shop using Click and Collect to avoid unplanned spending in store.

Nicole also cut down on Kmart trips and shopped around to compare things like insurance and TV subscriptions. 

‘I asked myself “do I want this or need this” regularly and any coins we had at the end of the day went into the camping fund jar,’ she said.

‘We also bought meat in bulk and froze it in 500g lots, was smart when meal planning, repeated meals and froze all leftovers after cooking in bulk,’ she said

‘We also bought meat in bulk and froze it in 500g lots, was smart when meal planning, repeated meals and froze all leftovers after cooking in bulk.

‘So excited to announce that we have saved $106.55, keeping in mind that we are a household living on one wage and winter is my partner’s quietest time of the year.’

What are Nicole’s top money tips? 

1. Make your own fakeaway 

On the weekends get the kids involved they will love choosing their own pizza toppings and getting their hands messy making the dough

2. Compare supermarket prices online

Any coins they had at the end of the day went into the camping fund jar

3. Place online orders

This really helps me to stay focused and not overspend on things we don’t really need. You can see your shopping add up every time you add to your cart so you can keep an eye on the total

Krystal is a mum-of-four from Coffs Harbour

KRYSTAL NEDA POLES – SAVED $290

Krystal, a mum-of-four from Coffs Harbour, said she was hit hard by the cost of living increases so was on a mission to cut down her family’s spending fast. 

‘June/July was full of ups and downs and with price hikes going up with petrol and groceries it’s been a bit of a struggle,’ she said.

‘I don’t usually keep track of spending. But being a mother-of-four I needed to keep track of where the money was going.’

To help her keep on track of her savings goals, Krystal made a goal of treating herself to a massage and facial with the money she saved by making these small changes. 

To help her keep on track of her savings goals, Krystal made a goal of treating herself to a massage and facial with the money she saved by making these small changes

Krystal used the Healthy Mummy app to keep track of her grocery spend and immediately started walking instead of driving to save on petrol and packing food for beach/park trips instead of buying it there.

Krystal also put aside at least 20 minutes a week to work out her family meals for the next seven days and only did her grocery shops online. 

She also looked through the catalogues to find the best specials at mainstream supermarkets and the local grocer and found out what time at night the groceries were due to go on sale.