5 Tips to Save Money Every Time You Buy Groceries Online

Grocery shopping can be a budget buster. One minute you're browsing for eggs and cereal, the next youre knee-deep in an online cart stacked with snacks, cleaning supplies, and that just in case chocolate bar. Weve all been there, right?

And with so many of us now turning to online shopping for convenience (and lets be honest, to avoid screaming kids in aisle 4), its easy to overspend without even realizing it. Thats where a little strategy goes a long wayespecially when it comes to price comparison supermarkets. But more on that in a moment.

So, how do you save money every single time you click that checkout button? Ive rounded up five real-life, no-nonsense tips to help you cut the costs and still get what you need (and maybe even what you want).

1. Always Start with a PlanEven a Messy One

No, you dont need a colour-coded spreadsheet. A half-crumpled sticky note with milk, oats, toothpaste scribbled on it? Thatll do. What matters is that you dont go in blind.

When you shop online without a list, its like walking into a buffet after skipping lunchdangerous and expensive. Write down what you need, take stock of your fridge and pantry, and stick to essentials. This tiny act of planning makes a huge difference.

And heres a bonus tip: try doing your list in order of meals. Think breakfast, lunch, dinner, then snacks. It helps you stay grounded and avoid those impulsive "Oh, maybe Ill make risotto this week" moments that lead to mystery ingredients and a bigger bill.

2. Use Price Comparison Supermarkets Tools (Your Wallet Will Thank You)

Alright, heres the juicy part. If youre not using price comparison supermarket tools yet, youre leaving money on the (virtual) table. These platforms let you view prices for the same product across different grocery stores. So why pay $4.99 for oat milk when its $3.29 somewhere else? Thats coffee money!

There are websites and apps out there that update in real-time and even show local deals. Some let you build your shopping list and automatically calculate which store has the cheapest overall cart. Genius, right?

Sure, it might take an extra five minutes before you hit "purchase", but when you realise youve just saved $20 on your usual shop, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it.

3. Look Out for Weekly OffersEspecially Woolworths Specials

Heres a fun trick I learned from my thrifty neighbour, Liz (the queen of bargain-hunting): bookmark your favourite supermarket's specials page and check it weekly. Trust me, its a game-changer.

Woolworths specials, in particular, are worth keeping tabs on. Every week, they roll out a new batch of dealsfrom half-price snacks to buy-one-get-one-free pantry staples. Pair that with your meal planning, and boom, your weekly shop just got a lot lighter on the wallet.

Sometimes, I even flip my whole weeks menu just to align with the best specials. If chicken thighs are 50% off? Guess what were having for dinnerchicken curry, grilled chicken salad, and maybe even tacos.

And don't forget to look for digital coupons while you're there. It might feel old-school, but those little clip and save buttons work.

4. Skip the Delivery FeeOr At Least Cut It Down

Okay, this ones sneaky. That $5 to $15 delivery fee? It adds up fast, especially if youre doing weekly shops. So what can you do?

First off, see if your store offers free delivery on orders over a certain amount. Sometimes bumping up your cart total strategically (read: with items youll use later anyway) can save you more.

Also, check if your supermarket offers Click & Collect. You shop online, they prep your order, and you just swing by to pick it up. No delivery fee, and you dont even have to walk inside. Win-win.

Oh, and dont forget loyalty memberships. Some offer free delivery perks or priority slotsworth looking into if youre a regular shopper.

5. Watch That TotalThen Cut 10% Without Pain

Heres my final trick, and it might sound silly, but hear me out. Once youve built your cart and are ready to check out, take a breather. Step away for five minutes, then come back and look at the total. Feels high? It probably is.

Now play the Cut 10% Game. Go through your cart and challenge yourself to remove just enough to reduce your total by 10%. Its usually easier than you think.

Do you need two tubs of ice cream? Will those expensive olives change your life? Probably not. And sometimes youll realise youve accidentally added three bottles of dish soap. Oops.

Its kind of funand it gives you that little dopamine hit of saving money before you even spend it.

Final Thoughts: Shop Smart, Not Less

Saving money on groceries doesnt mean skimping on what you love. Its all about shopping smarter, using tools like price comparison supermarkets, staying alert for Woolworths specials, and building habits that make your wallet (and maybe your future self) a little happier.

Online shopping isnt going away. If anything, its only getting easier to click, spend, and accidentally double your grocery bill. But with these five tips in your back pocket, youll be ready to shop like a savvy pronot a last-minute panic buyer.