Budget-friendly food is getting attention in the media now. There are healthier ways to affordably feed yourself and your family. Here are more tips for saving money on groceries and household essentials amid a rising cost of living.

Shop at Asian and Indian stores

You can save a lot of money on bulk spices, dry beans and other staples at an Asian or Indian store.

Compare the unit price regardless of bulk and specials

Some products become cheaper per kg on special, compared to the larger bulk quantity. I noticed that with my favourite brand of peanut butter. Remember to look at those unit prices to know you’re really getting a good deal.

Buy real necessities on special

Focus your attention on specials for products that you genuinely need, especially the things you would have bought anyway. A cool brand of dairy-free ice cream is discounted? I would leave it alone because I don’t usually want ice cream at home anyway.

Choose the high-fibre cheap options

Fibre is important. At Woolworths, the wholemeal spaghetti was just $1.65 when I had a look. If you’re not ready to boil your own beans, get a can for just 80 cents. Tins might be the only options at some stores. Combine that with a few other ingredients and you have a hearty meal. I did a search for brown rice and found a 5 kg bag for $16. But it’s a minimal difference compared to the 2 kg bag for $6.50. So really, I can imagine most families wouldn’t want to spend more money in one week if it barely saves a few cents.

Smart shopping for canned ingredients

I heard that the whole peeled tomatoes are a better quality than diced tomatoes. Is that true? I would rather use an 80 cent can of tomato with herbs and peas, along with any other ingredients that are around, for a DIY pasta sauce. It’s a way to avoid added sugar and possibly save money.

Use oats instead of cereal

Oats are so good for us! There’s a 1.5 kg bag of rolled oats at Woolies for just $2.60. That would make a lot of porridge with spare dry oats to make biscuits or other baked treats.

I have bulk cinnamon and find the best deals for organic apples - the two ingredients I need for my favourite porridge.

Freeze your clearance food

I most recently froze clearance bread loaves, flatbread and spinach. The leaves were cut and washed. I literally just opened the bag to let out some air, clipped it with a peg and then put it in the freezer. Too easy. The breads also went into the freezer just how they were, sliced and ready.

Get fresh produce on special and EDLP

Although I wish everyone could eat exclusively organic fresh fruit and vegetables, let’s be realistic. This is about better grocery shopping choices for typical households. That’s why we should look for specials and every day low prices. Some things got my attention. A whole cauliflower is just $3. You could have that with basics like carrots and peas for an abundance. Make a cauliflower steak, chunks or cauli ‘rice.’ Zucchinis look like a good deal. You can grate those and mix them with chickpea flower, plus seasoning, for easy fritters. Sweet potatoes are another bargain. I love to create flat breads from steamed sweet potatoes and wholemeal flour. Trust me - it’s delicious. Odd bunch pears are cheap. You could snack on them whole or cook them into a dessert. I would go for the organic carrots that are just $3.80 (and wish they could be free from plastic). Organic apples are also a bit cheaper at the moment. See? there are great options.

Use what you have

Some of this advice is the wisdom I should follow more than I do. Look at the kitchen and see what’s already there. Don’t buy more of something if there’s plenty at home. If there is a freezer full of veggies and enough rice in the cupboard, use them before making something else.

Get ingredients for a DIY cleaner

Mix white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. I can get 2 litres of white vinegar for $1.40. It is then diluted in water for the cleaning mixture. That lasts a while. It’s not a disinfectant but good enough for simply wiping surfaces.

Buy less tissues or none

Instead of buying lots of tissues, invest in handkerchieves. They will make a difference in the long term. You might need some tissues if a cold is going around. I am not approaching this from any medical perspective. I have just been through the phases of sniffles.