In the past couple of years, inflation has pushed up the cost of many everyday items and nowhere is it more noticeable than the supermarket. A basket-load of groceries can easily stretch the household budget in ways it never used to.

There’s not much we can do about the rising cost of living, but there are still ways to save at the checkout. Here are some ideas.

1. Shop around

We all have our favourite shops and that includes supermarkets. Some are more convenient, have better parking or are easier to navigate. However, sometimes we pay for this loyalty. Consider comparing prices between different supermarkets and smaller retailers on household items to see how they stack up.

2. Seek out specials

Each week, supermarkets and smaller retailers put items on special. By trying out new, discounted products (provided they’re similar to what you’d usually buy/like) or building meals around weekly specials, shoppers can sometimes push down their grocery costs.

3. Consider damaged or defective goods

Bigger supermarkets often have a section of goods that are damaged. Think cans that have dents in them, oranges with bruises or stock that’s just about to go out of date. If you’re okay with a bit of cosmetic damage, think about looking through this section to potentially pick up a bargain.

4. Look at the unit price

In addition to showing the price you’ll pay at the checkout, supermarkets often display the “unit price”. This is often the price per kilogram or per litre. By comparing this information, you may be able to more easily compare the item with other similar products.

5. Buy food in season

When you’re buying fruit and veggies, it’s easy to overpay if your ingredient or item of choice is “out of season”. In other words, if it’s not the typical growing season, the produce is likely to cost more because it has to be imported from somewhere else. If you stick to seasonal fruits and veggies, you may be able to reduce your fresh produce costs.

Like every article on this website, this is not personal financial advice.