Consumer Corner: How to save hundreds on groceries, hack Costco's return policy and force retailers into giving you your refund

Each week the Nine network publishes dozens of articles about how to be better with your money - but they can so easily get lost in the news cycle. So every Sunday the consumer wrap will compile the best and brightest tips to help you stretch your dollars further.

Nine.com.au's money experts have been on the boil for the past week collating all the money hacks you need to cut back on impulse spending and start setting yourself up for life.

In case you missed them, here's how take control of your money:

SHOP ONCE A MONTH

Naturally, groceries are one of the biggest expenses in any family budget.

But what if we told you that you could save hundreds - and potentially eat healthier - by only visiting the shops once a month?

Jo Abi at 9Honey shared the story of an Aussie mum of six who spends just $230-$350 a week on groceries for a family of eight by shopping once a month:

TOTAL SAVING OR GAIN: In excess of $200 a month

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS ABOUT REFUNDS

It's such a common occurrence that many people never pay attention to signs at discount sales that say "no refunds" or "no refunds on sale items".

Turns out those signs are totally illegal.

Here's Stuart Marsh at 9News with the full breakdown:

TOTAL SAVING OR GAIN: Potential lost refunds and knowing your consumer rights.

HOW TO TEACH YOUR KIDS ABOUT MONEY

Financial literacy is barely taught at schools, but is perhaps the most important skill you can have as an adult.

Jo Abi at 9Honey shares the ups and downs of teaching your children how to be smart with money - especially after having to teach yourself.

Where to start? Some kind of savings account:

TOTAL SAVING OR GAIN: Financially literate children

HACKING COSTCO'S RETURN POLICY

We all know that buying in bulk can be a great way to reduce costs on products that you know you will use - but what happens if something goes wrong?

Sitting on a mountain of unusable toilet paper does not sound ideal, unless of course you know the ins and outs of Costco's return policy.

Bronte Gossling shares how to hack Costco's return policy in this illuminating piece for 9Honey:

TOTAL SAVING OR GAIN: Knowing your consumer rights.

BUILD AN EMERGENCY FUND AND WIPE DEBT

Just a few years ago, Natalia was struggling with over $7000 in credit card debt.

The Australian model and freelance content creator was "intimidated" by the world of finance and didn't have enough savings for an emergency fund.

Then she upskilled, and wiped all of that debt from her name. April Glover from 9Honey shared exactly how she did it:

TOTAL SAVING OR GAIN: Thousands in credit card debt.

NEED CLEANING PRODUCTS? TRY CHEMIST WAREHOUSE

No, this isn't paid advertising.

Finance guru Queenie Tan found in a TikTok video that Chemist Warehouse is actually one of the cheapest places to find cleaning products, despite the store's focus on medicine, skincare and cosmetics.

Rachael Gavin shares exactly how much you can save in this piece for The Block:

TOTAL SAVING OR GAIN: Hundreds over the course of years.