How to save money on groceries, food and takeaways

When life is busy, it's easy to fall into grocery shopping on autopilot. Between work, family commitments and everything else on your to-do list, convenience often wins out over careful planning.

With grocery prices remaining a concern for many Australians, finding ways to save money and reduce food costs has become more important than ever. The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows household spending on food rose in July 2026, while spending on restaurants, cafés and takeaway also increased.

While some food costs may be outside of your control, the good news is that saving money on groceries doesn't always require major changes.

There are plenty of practical ways to reduce food costs if you’re managing a budget for a family, living on your own, shopping as a couple or catering for specific dietary needs. We've rounded up simple money-saving strategies and RACQ Member Benefits* that may help you spend less on groceries, takeaway and everyday dining while getting more value from your budget.

Key takeaway: How can you save money on groceries in Australia?

While no single habit will dramatically reduce your grocery bill overnight, small changes like the ones below can help you save hundreds or even thousands of dollars over a year.

• Planning meals ahead of time to help you save on groceries and reduce food waste.
• Creating a shopping list to help you stick to your meal plan and reduce anxiety about what to cook tonight?
• Sticking to weekly grocery shopping and buying what’s on your shopping list instead of multiple shopping trips to save you time and money.
• Comparing unit prices to help you get the best value.
• Pre-purchasing discounted eGift Cards to pay for your shopping, available through RACQ Member Benefits*.
• Batch cooking and planning to freeze extra portions for those busy school nights when you might have otherwise reached for a takeaway.
• Stocking up on non-perishable pantry staples like rice, pasta and canned beans to make sure you’ve got quick, affordable meals.
• Learning how to best store fruit and veg in the fridge to improve their longevity.
• Using supermarket loyalty rewards and planning meals around what’s on special to add to your savings.
• Creating a regular meal rotation to make shopping cheaper and cooking easier.
• Budgeting in and finding deals on takeaway and dining out so you can enjoy a meal out every once in a while, keeping your savings on track.

1. Shop with a list and stick to it

Creating a shopping list helps you focus on what you actually need and can reduce the temptation to buy extra items that weren't part of your plan.

Potential savings: Sticking to a list can mean fewer impulse purchases and less chance of buying food you already have. A shopping list could help you avoid $5 to $15 of unplanned purchases each week, which equals about $260 to $780 of potential savings a year.

2. Plan meals around weekly specials

Before heading to the shops, check what's on special and build your meal plan around those ingredients. Flexibility can often lead to meaningful savings over time.

Potential savings: If planning meals around specials reduces your weekly shop by $10 to $25, that equals about $520 to $1,300 a year.

3. Stack supermarket discounts

A special price does not have to be your only saving. Where the retailer's terms allow it, combine an advertised special with loyalty points, eligible supermarket offers and discounted gift cards. Check the conditions first, plan the purchase before activating time-limited offers and avoid buying extra items simply to unlock a reward.

Potential savings: An additional 3% savings on an eligible $150 shop is $4.50. If achieved weekly, that equals about $234 a year.

Our top tip: Consider using AI tools such as ChatGPT to identify what's on sale that week and generate meal ideas based on discounted ingredients. For example, you could ask:

• "Create five family dinners using chicken, rice and frozen vegetables."
• "Suggest a weekly meal plan using Woolworths/Coles specials."
• "Give me lunch ideas using these ingredients I already have at home."

4. Avoid shopping when hungry

It sounds simple, but shopping on an empty stomach can make everything look appealing. Having a snack beforehand may help you make more intentional choices and stick to your budget.

Potential savings: Avoiding a single $5 unplanned snack and convenience purchase each week could save about $260 a year.

5. Compare unit prices, not just shelf prices

A lower shelf price doesn't always mean you're getting the best deal. Checking the unit price can help you compare products of different sizes and identify which option offers better value.

Potential savings: Reducing the cost of regularly purchased items by $3 to $10 a week could save about $156 to $520 a year.

6. Buy seasonal fruit and vegetables

Seasonal produce is often more abundant, which can make it more affordable. Instead of automatically purchasing the same fruit and vegetables every week, consider what's currently in season.

Potential benefit: You may enjoy better value on fresh produce and more variety across the year.

7. Consider shopping at more than one store

If you have the time, you may find better value by buying certain items elsewhere. For example, local fruit and vegetable markets or greengrocers can sometimes offer lower prices on fresh produce than major supermarkets.

Potential benefit: You can take advantage of lower prices on selected items when the extra trip remains practical.

8. Shop around for expensive or specialist items

Large-ticket grocery purchases, gluten-free or dairy-free ingredients and household items can vary significantly in price between retailers. Comparing prices online before buying may help you find a better deal.

Potential benefit: Find greater savings on higher-cost items where price differences matter most.

9. Stock up on non-perishables when they're on sale

If you regularly use products with a long shelf life, buying extra when they're heavily discounted can reduce the cost of future grocery shops. Just be careful not to buy more than you'll realistically use.

Potential savings: Buying $20 of planned pantry staples on special, at 25% off saves $5. Doing this once a month would save about $60 a year.

10. Batch cook and freeze meals

Preparing larger meals and freezing portions can save both time and money. It can also reduce the temptation to order takeaway on busy nights when cooking feels like too much effort.

Potential savings: Replacing a $60 takeaway with a $25 batch-cooked meal could save $35. Doing this once a month would save about $420 a year.

Building more money-saving food habits: How to save money on takeaway and dining out

Grocery shopping is only one part of most people’s food budget. If takeaway and dining out are part of your routine, the same planning habits that help you spend less at the checkout can also help you get better value when eating out. Go through this checklist the next time you plan for a meal out:

• Decide on how much you’re willing to spend before ordering.
• Compare meal deals and check whether ordering individual items is actually cheaper.
• Compare the restaurant’s direct price with delivery-platform prices and fees.
• Choose meals that can stretch to lunch the next day, provided they can be stored safely.
• Collect the order where practical to avoid delivery charges.
• Use eligible member discounts or dining offers but check the terms before ordering.

Practical money saving ideas for different households

How can families reduce food costs?

Families can focus on a rolling dinner schedule using familiar themes such as:

• Meatless Monday
• Taco Tuesday
• Pizza Wednesday
• Premium Thursday (maybe a fancier meal or dinner out)
• Fridge Friday (where you make something with the leftovers or extras in the pantry and fridge).

How can this save you money? Keeping a regular schedule not only reduces decision fatigue of figuring out dinner, but allows you to stock up on frequently used ingredients when they go on sale - helping reduce both grocery costs and food waste.

How households with diverse tastes or dietary needs can save on groceries?

Start with naturally suitable, lower-cost staples such as rice, potatoes, beans, lentils, frozen vegetables and canned produce to use as base. Shop around and compare unit prices for speciality products ( like gluten-free or dairy-free items) and stock up when they are on special.

Flexible meals such as rice bowls, tacos, pasta or build-your-own pizzas can also help you prepare one adaptable base instead of several separate meals.

How can this save you money? Using flexible meal bases can make dinner easier while reducing the need to buy ingredients for separate meals.

How can singles and couples save more on groceries and food?

For people living alone or in a couple, meal prep can be a lifesaver. It not only saves money but also reduces food waste which can be one of the biggest challenges.

Some simple ways to save money and reduce waste when you live alone are:

• Batch cooking and planning to freeze extra portions (your future self will thank you).
• Buying versatile ingredients that work across several meals during the week.
• Using frozen vegetables and fruit so you don’t have to use them all up immediately.
• Keeping non-perishable pantry staples like rice, pasta and canned beans on hand for quick, affordable meals.
• Learning how to best store fruit and veg in the fridge to improve their longevity.

How can this save you money? Meal prepping, reducing food waste, and making home cooking easier can help you spend less at the checkout.

FAQs

Is cooking at home always cheaper than takeaway?

Usually, but not always. If a recipe calls for lots of expensive ingredients, or you’re unlikely to use everything you buy, ordering takeaway may sometimes work out to be the better value option.

Cooking at home is often cheaper than eating out when you’ve got a larger group to feed. The trade-off is that it takes some preparation in the form of grocery shopping, meal planning, and time in the kitchen when you might already be hungry.

Is meal planning worth it?

Meal planning can help reduce impulse purchases, minimise food waste and make it easier to stick to a grocery budget. Even planning just a few dinners each week can make a noticeable difference.

How can I reduce food waste and save money?

Plan meals around ingredients you already have, freeze leftovers, use versatile ingredients across multiple meals and consider frozen or canned produce with a longer shelf life.

How much should I spend on groceries a week?

There is no single weekly grocery budget that suits every household. Weekly spending varies based on how many people you are shopping for, where you prefer shopping, if you have allergy and dietary requirements and if you prefer organic produce. However, whatever your current spending is, reducing food spending by $10 a week adds up to $520 a year, while saving $30 a week adds up to $1,560 a year.

A smarter approach to saving on food and dining out

Saving money is often the result of small, consistent habits that help you shop with more intention.

Start with one or two habits that fit your routine, then build from there. Over time, those small changes could help you spend less, waste less and make your grocery budget work a little harder.

Beyond shopping habits, RACQ members can also access savings on everyday purchases through participating member benefits offers*. Combining grocery budgeting strategies with member discounts may help households maximise the value of their weekly spending.