Saving money on food is easy to do without having a budget or budgeting skills.
Take a list of what you need to avoid impulse buying. If possible, stock up on good specials. Make sure that specials are cheaper than the supermarket's own brand or the same item in a different size pack.
Avoid buying food and other items you would not normally buy in order to increase the amount you spend to over a certain amount. The non-essential spending could add up to be far more than the few dollars discount you will get on petrol.
Shopping when you are hungry or with children could result in you spending more than you intend to.
Supermarket self-scanners
Several major New Zealand supermarkets offer "scan as you shop" technology. Using a handheld scanner while moving through the supermarket allows you to scan and track spending in real time to monitor or reduce your spend before you get to checkout. Supermarkets offering this technology as of May 2026 include Pak n Save, New World and Woolworths.
Planning your meals around what is on special
By following your local supermarkets on social media, you will be able to see what protein is on special. Many people find that tofu, lentils and chickpeas make a cheap protein option, and by increasing the number of vegetarian meals can keep protein costs in check.
Grocery price comparison tools
Price comparison tools, such as Apps and browser extensions, can help identify lower-cost grocery options across major supermarkets in New Zealand.
- Apps such as Grosave allow shopping lists to be created and compared across supermarkets, with deal alerts and estimated savings based on current prices. Grosave: Grocery Price Comparison App
- Shop Around compares prices across major supermarkets such as Pak’nSave, New World, and Woolworths to identify cheaper options for common groceries. Stores - Grocer
Budgeting tips
Track spending by recording each purchase and reviewing totals regularly to stay aware of where money is going.
- Save receipts or record each purchase after paying.
- Note the date, place, amount, and category for each expense.
- Keep both weekly and monthly totals, and set a budget target before the month begins.
- Compare planned spending with actual spending to identify differences and adjust habits if needed.
Additional ways to save on food costs:
It has been estimated that the average New Zealand family wastes over $1,300 of food each year Love Food Hate Waste (May 2026). Not only can simple measures can save money and food waste but can also lead to better health outcomes for you and your family.
- Buy fruit and vegetables from growers when they are at their cheapest and freeze or preserve to ensure a varied diet throughout the year.
- It may be possible to buy larger quantities of sausages, chops etc from a wholesale meat processor and place the quantity required for a meal in freezer bags.
- Keep leftover food to take for lunch the next day.
- Make lunches and morning teas to take to work/school rather than purchasing. At the weekend, make up lunches for the following week and keep in the freezer.
- Prepare a double batch of a meal and freeze one portion for later use.
- Only buy takeaways or eat out on special occasions.
- Do your own baking whenever possible.
- Drinking tap water costs you nothing and is better for your health than drinks which contain sugar and additives. Try making your own liquid refreshments.
- Foods high in fat, sugar, and salt can be limited as part of a balanced diet. Planning portion sizes in advance helps control how much food is used at each meal and reduces unnecessary spending on extra food or snacks. Reliable health and nutrition information is available through HealthNZ, https://www.healthnz.govt.nz/ which offers guidance on healthy eating, and lifestyle choices.
Useful Links
Supermarket self-scanning:
Supermarket Comparison Apps:
Additional Links
