Saving money on supermarket bills and food spending can be achieved with some planning and flexibility – and the good news is, you don’t have to sacrifice on nutrition while you’re at it. Here are grocery shopping strategies and hacks you can implement to effectively stretch your dollar and reduce your supermarket spend each week.

• Shop seasonal produce: Seasonal fruits and vegetables are often cheaper and fresher. Find recipes and plan your meals around seasonal produce to save money.
• Create a list: Plan your meals for the week in advance then draw up a shopping list based on your meal plan. Stick to it while shopping to avoid buying unnecessary items.
• Compare prices: Check online catalogues to compare prices of items before heading to the shops. Often, the same product is available at a lower price elsewhere.
• Shop with coupons and discounts: Look for coupons and discounts offered by stores for more cost-savings. Many grocery stores have loyalty programs that offer discounts or cashback to members.
• Substitute with frozen and canned foods: Swap some fresh fruits, vegetables and meats with frozen and canned varieties, which can often be cheaper and have a longer shelf life.
• Avoid pre-packaged and processed foods: Pre-packaged and processed foods are often more expensive than whole ingredients. Plus, they’re often laden with added salt, sugar and other preservatives. Opt for fresh produce and cook your meals at home.
• Shop generic brands: Generic or store brands are usually cheaper than branded products and often of similar quality.
• Buy in bulk: Purchase non-perishable items in bulk when they're on sale. This can save money in the long run. Avoid shopping when hungry: Shopping on an empty stomach can lead to impulse purchases of items you don’t need. Eat before you go grocery shopping to avoid this.