Tasty tips to save money on food

We’ve all been doing our best to navigate rising food prices, and we want to help make things that bit easier for you. To celebrate World Food Day 2025, the Salvos Moneycare team has put together a spread of easy suggestions for saving money on food (without compromising on quality or nutrition).

You’re probably already doing some of these things, but you might find a few new ideas too!

• Shop the sales and discounts!
  (Products tend to be discounted in six-week cycles, jump on that)
• Search supermarket shelves thoroughly
  (Bargains sometimes hide above or below eye-level)
• Try grocery shopping at night
  (Many stores offer end-of-day specials and price reductions to clear stock)
• Check out discount grocery stores too, Google to find the nearest ones to you
• Shop fruit and veg that are in season
  (Usually cheaper and tastier)
• Too Good To Go is a nifty marketplace for surplus (and much cheaper) food
• Buy in bulk with family or friends and divide up the food as necessary
• Shop with a list of essential items and try to stick to it!
• Don’t shop (or write the list) when you’re hungry
• Save money by cooking at home instead of eating at restaurants or getting takeaway, if possible
• Look for inexpensive meal ideas in the Salvos’ award-winning cookbook Meals to make ends meet

Team member tip:
“When I’m tired, my go-to dinner is pasta. It's cheap to make, I can use up my vegetables in the sauce, and there's always enough left for tomorrow!”

• Have a weekly meal tradition
  (It means less time thinking about what to shop for and cook)
  For example...
  Homemade pizza night - Monday
  Toastie night - Tuesday
  Pancake night - Friday
• Plan and cook meals in bulk and freeze them, it saves you time and money later

Team member tip:
“I keep an eye out when I’m walking around the neighbourhood for bowls of lemons or other produce that people leave out. It’s one less thing I need in my shopping basket! I also make sure to leave my own bowl out when I have a bit extra to spare.”

• Avoid waste! Freeze excess perishables before they expire
  (Fruit and vegetables can be frozen and used later in smoothies or soups)
• Don’t throw out leftovers — have them for lunch or dinner the next day or pop them into your children’s lunchboxes

We hope you find these tips helpful and will soon be feasting on the benefits.

The Salvation Army may be able to provide immediate food relief at a local church or centre as well as financial assistance to those unable to meet food costs.

For help with improving your financial situation and managing your finances, please contact Salvos Moneycare via live chat on the Moneycare website or call 1800 722 363.