Food blogger, author and mum of two Amanda Voisley, has shared her tips on how she manages to save money at the supermarket by shopping strategically.

The 33 year old mum from the Gold Coast say that the first thing we need to stop doing is shopping weekly.  Amanda says it’s much better to do a big shop every 9 days.

‘If you only shop every eight or even nine days, that’s one fewer shop each month,’ she says.
‘Not only does this save you precious money you usually wouldn’t even think about, but it also prompts you to shop your fridge, freezer and pantry before you go to the supermarket,’ she says.

With two kids at home, Rhylee,6 and Liam,5 Amanda swears by having left overs at least once a week.

‘On leftover night not everyone eats the same food,’ she says – rather ‘there’s a little bit of everything and everyone can pick and choose,’ she says.
‘If you literally have nothing left over from your previous meals from the week, there’s also nothing wrong with having eggs on toast one night.’

Who doesn’t love a bit of breakfast for dinner. I’ve definitely been known to give my kids cereal for dinner on those particularly ‘testing’ days.

Contrary to what many budget conscious mums say, Amanda doesn’t believe in pre planning your meals too far in advance. She believes there’s no flexibility in it and at times may end up costing you more if you don’t use up what’s in your fridge an pantry first. And always make extra batches of food like bolognese sauce to freeze.

Another great tip which I can vouch for is to shop alone. You’re more likely to succumb to buying things for the kids when they’re with you and you will most definitely get home and realise you’ve forgotten something behind- usually your sanity.

Amanda also says to try and avoid the middle aisles as much as possible and try to buy whatever is in season.

‘Shop in the order of fruit, veg, meat and then dairy,’ she says.
‘And avoid the middle aisles that are filled with pre-packaged foods as much as possible.
‘It also helps to shop seasonally. Seasonal foods are lowest in price, and nutritionally good for your family.
‘I’m buying tonnes of oranges at the moment and putting them in the kids’ lunchboxes. They’re always great prices.’

Making your own cakes and biscuits is another way Amanda saves money. It’s better value as well as healthier for your family as you get to choose what ingredients are being used.

When something is on sale and it’s an item you know you use, then stock up and buy a few at the same time.
‘If it’s shampoo, or something you meant to buy and know you can store away to use in the future, then by all means, buy two of them.
‘If, however, there’s a deal on two kilos of carrots instead of one, but you know you won’t eat two in the week, then leave it.’

Do you have any shopping or budgeting tips that save you and your family money?

Photos courtesy of Cooking for Busy Mums Instagram.