Barbra Northwood from New Idea recommended the following:

• Plan your meals for the week and only buy the items you need
• If you do buy a jar of tomato paste, make sure you can use it in other meals
• Or try freezing it in small portions and use as needed
• Buy fruit and vegetables when they are in season
• Check the price of the vegetables in bags, as they are often cheaper than the single items
• Buy extra vegetables and make soup or purees to freeze for later
• Try buying over-ripe fruit and freeze to make smoothies, cakes or desserts

Frozen vegetables are also good

And you can often buy home brand bulk packs of vegetables that will last longer than fresh

There's also less waste because they are already prepared and you only cook what you need

Meat

• When you buy cheaper cuts of meat they are generally meant for long, slow cooking - like casseroles and braises (The exception being mince)
• If you buy a piece of sirloin or rump, try cutting into thin strips and turning it into a stir-fry
• Then add extra vegetables to bulk it up
• Don't be tempted to buy meat on skewers or in marinades, as they are more expensive than doing it yourself
• If you shop at markets or butchers, try going just before closing time, as items are generally cheaper for a `quick sale'

Other groceries

• Buy large boxes of cereal or packets of oats
• They are much cheaper and generally better for you
• Don't waste money on paper towels
• Use a clean tea towel to dry lettuce or drain vegetables
• If you can't cook, frozen meals are great for singles but not for families
• On average they cost about $6 to $7 a meal and contain some sort of protein and vegetables
• Try forming your own `co-operative'
• By sharing fruit and vegetables among a neighbour, family members or friends
• It is cheaper to buy a box of tomatoes than one kilo.

Cath Armstrong from Cheapskates says...

• Don't be brand loyal
• Just because you've always bought Heinz, you don't have to stick it
• For the most part, the quality is just as good
• You might be picky about your coffee or tea, but sugar is sugar
• The only sugar you can buy in Australia is grown here so buying a generic product will save you $28 a year
• Buy fruit and vegetables that are in season
• We're spoilt for choice with summer fruits in winter and winter vegies in summer
• Fruits and vegies that are out of season cost more

The best places to shop are

• Supermarkets for your basics
• The local greengrocer is best for fruit and vegies as the quality of produce is better so will last longer
• Markets are also good if you can get to them - and you can haggle over price
• There are also a lot of discount grocers springing up so they can be cost effective if you're happy with the products