Grocery bills swell to record highs as cost of living crisis intensifies

As the cost of living crisis continues grip the nation, new data has emerged revealing Aussies' grocery bills have reached record highs in March 2023.

The figures show that people around the country are paying thousands more for groceries than they were a year ago, with the average household forking out an additional $1,924 per year, according Finder.

That's almost $19 billion nationwide over 12 months.

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With 43 per cent of Aussies citing grocery shopping as one their top three "most stressful expenses", Finder's money expert Sarah Megginson said people are having to rapidly change how they shop.

"Households are facing some very tough times and escalating grocery costs are an extra burden," she said.

"Aussies are having to change how and where they shop just to keep food on the table."

Megginson said despite the financial burden, there are still ways to save.

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"Stick to a shopping list so you aren't wasting money on unplanned purchases.

"If you can, go shopping later at night, an hour or two before the supermarket closes, when meat and poultry is discounted by up to 80 per cent.

"Stock up on staples when they're on sale and compare prices of big-ticket items like washing detergent and pet food online."

According to the research, one-third of Australians (33 per cent) grocery shop every few days, while more than half (53 per cent) head out once a week.

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