Don’t bust the budget

Budget-busting shopping ideas

• Plan your weekly meals and develop a shopping list – then stick to the list!
• Do not shop when hungry!
• Buy in bulk for non-perishable products you frequently use.
• Try to stick to one shop per week – going to the supermarket every day will inevitably lead to you grabbing some items you may not necessarily need and buying treats more frequently.
• Shop around for the best deals! Pay attention to the good sales.
• Buy fruits and veg in season.
• Compare prices for similar products – don’t be afraid of generic brands.

Healthy tips on a tight budget

• Keep your pantry tidy – you can’t use what you can’t see!
• Buy foods that are minimally processed (i.e. block cheese is usually cheaper per kilogram than grated or sliced cheese).
• Minimise food wastage with great ‘leftovers’ recipes such as fried rice, frittata, stir fry, soup or stews using leftover vegetables at the end of the week.
• Drink water instead of soft drink and juice – it’s free and much healthier!
• Re-use your leftovers with some quick adds! (Bolognese becomes chilli con Carne with some added beans and spices, or shepherd’s pie with mashed potatoes on top).
• Use canned or frozen veg – cheaper and last longer!