Extreme ways Aussie parents are making ends meet at the supermarket checkout
Some parents are skipping meals and entire food groups to help make ends meet at the supermarket.
These are just two of the more drastic measures some Australians are making as grocery prices continue to increase, with the threat of further increases due to inflation adding to families' financial strain.
A recent Reddit thread on 'Ask An Australian' posed the question, "How are you reducing your weekly grocery bill?" with the hope of sharing some budget-savvy tips.
Some Aussie parents say they've resorted to skipping meals and entire food groups to make ends meet. Getty
Instead, the conversation laid bare just how tough times are for some Aussie shoppers.
The original poster explained their family of four's grocery bill is "pushing $400 a week" – but that isn't lasting the week.
They said they have found themselves having to "skip one meal a day" and have Weet-Bix or porridge for dinner "when needed, to stretch food for the kids".
They are also serving meat and fish to their children only.
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Cost of living pressures continue to hit hard at the supermarket checkout. Getty Images/iStockphoto
The family isn't purchasing any ready meals or pre-packaged items, and are making sauces and snacks such as muesli bars from scratch.
The posted added that their kids are "already noticing that they can't have their favourite things anymore and need to eat what's there vs what they want".
"We've been talking about inflation and I don't necessarily think this is a bad lesson for them."
One Redditor shared that they focus on making "cheap" meals such as rice-based dinners and pastas.
Some suggested using lentils in spaghetti bolognese to bulk it out.
"If you've got the time, buying the cheapest cuts of meat (chuck steak) and mincing it yourself is not only cheaper, it tastes 100 times better," one suggested.
"Boost everything with veggies and tinned legumes. Buy your veggies from the markets. Not the bougie farmers markets the cheap ones," added another.
Others suggested using a slow cooker, making better use of leftovers, and shopping at Aldi.
Redditors shared their tips for stretching their grocery budgets further. Getty Images/iStockphoto
Others suggested buying in bulk and meal prepping and making use of a "pantry freezer and a large pantry" to stock up on specials.
"Doesn't feel that long ago that $300 would fill up two trolleys to overflowing," one Redditor recalled. "Used to be able to get a good amount for $150-$200."
"We know the rising cost of living is the leading cause of concern for Australian households," John Robertson, CEO of Foodbank NSW & ACT, told nine.com.au.
"Over a third of Australians are struggling to make ends meet, and just one in five households are living comfortably on their current income.
Foodbank reported up to 20 per cent of Australian households are skipping meals. Getty Images/iStockphoto
"When regular expenses like rent and fuel go up, or interest rates increase, food is often one of the first things sacrificed.
"Food insecurity doesn't look one way. It can affect any of us at any time," Robertson said.
"We're hearing from people who have never needed help before and have seen a sharp increase in middle‑income earners needing support.
"We're even seeing people make impossible choices between putting fuel in the car or food on the table.
'Food insecurity doesn't look one way. It can affect any of us at any time.' Getty
"This isn't just about poverty. It's about a system where even working Australians can no longer afford the basics.
"Demand for our services continues to grow, but while facing a record low in food donations, we now must purchase more food than ever before to meet the need.
"Every dollar donated allows us to provide two meals to someone in need. We urge our communities to stand with us and help ensure no one goes hungry."
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