Buying groceries and cooking is a big part of our lives: 3 in 4 Aussies shop for groceries at least once a week and average spending $157 a week, over $8,000 a year*. That is a lot of time and money when you add it all up!

If only someone had told us when we were young that growing up and being an adult means preparing three meals a day for ourselves, every day, for the rest of our lives… in truth though, grocery shopping and cooking can be a fun way to get creative and enjoy the company of family and friends. But that doesn’t make it any less expensive!

Before it’s too late to turn the trolley around and drop that $8 craft Chilli Sauce back onto the shelf (they are addictingly good though), we’ve rounded up a number of ideas on how you can consistently save money on your weekly grocery haul.

Tip #1: Time It Right

First things first: don’t go grocery shopping while you’re hungry, but do create a shopping list ahead of time.

It happens to the best of us: we head out to the store right before dinner or during a lunch break, and suddenly it takes a Herculean effort to resist your in-the-moment cravings while roaming the aisles. Avoid impulse purchases by timing your shopping trip right and sticking to a pre-existing grocery list.

Tip #2: Shop Strategically

Just as important as the when is the where of it all: if you’re looking to buy something in bulk, a retailer like Costco is perfect. If you want to grab some fresh produce while supporting local farmers or businesses, you can shop at your nearest farmers’ market.

Buying the basics like deli meat, bread, cheese, etc.? Swing by a larger retailer like Coles, IGA, Aldi, or Harris Farms. If you’re looking for a specialty item, then you might want to splurge at a high-end private grocer or deli as your budget allows.

Tip #3: Plan Ahead

Planning out what you are going to eat for the week will help you work your way through everything in your pantry while staying on top of your grocery budget. Make it a weekly routine: dedicate some time on Sundays to check out what’s in your pantry already, and create a list of the meals you want to make for the week to avoid wasting any food or buying excess goods.

Then, create your grocery list to keep your spending in check, and later prep all your meals for the week so you don’t fall victim to spur-of-the-moment takeaway cravings.

Tip #4: Use a product like Zip

A buy now, pay later service like Zip can help to manage your grocery expenses. Zip allows you to spread out the cost over time, making any big purchase more affordable. It’s so simple that you can even use it in the checkout line or online.

Tip #5: Rake In The Rewards

Wherever you decide to shop for your next week’s groceries, there is usually a way to save! Most large markets offer a rewards program that you can sign up for at no cost to save on shopping over time.

Tip #6: DIY

There is no better way to know exactly where your food’s coming from than by growing it yourself (space permitting, of course)! In this article from Investopedia, it outlines how to calculate the return achieved by investing in your own crop.

Home gardening can be a lot of money in your pocket when done right! If you don’t have space for a full-on garden, you can invest in an indoor vegetable planter or grow smaller items in your kitchen—herbs like basil, chives, parsley, and more are resilient and can do well indoors.

Mix and match these tips and tricks and you’re sure to save more than you expect on your next grocery trip.

This content is for information purposes only and does not consider your objectives, financial situation or personal needs. It should not be taken as constituting professional advice. All investments have an element of risk. Please consider the risks involved before you make a financial decision. Zip is not a financial adviser. You should consider seeking independent legal, financial and/or taxation advice from a qualified professional.

Zip is not liable for any loss caused, whether due to negligence or otherwise arising from the use of, or reliance on, the information provided on this website. .

*Source: Finder