The thrifty 50: Food shopping tips

• The thrifty 50

Many Asian greens have held their price lately while the cost of other greens has jumped. Try substituting water morning glory for spinach, gai laan for broccoli, or snake beans for green beans. Roslyn Grundy

If you really want to save money at the supermarket, don't take a bag of any kind – and be too mean to buy one. That way you can only go home with the few items you can carry without dropping. Genius. Jill Dupleix

Always get your ham or cold meat sliced to order at the deli counter rather than buying them pre-sliced and pre-packed. You get exactly the amount you want or need, save money and get a fresher product. Terry Durack

Stick to your shopping list and don't go to the supermarket when you're hungry – a classic rookie move. Unless you want to end up with a trolley full of random snacks and treats, that is. Megan Johnston

Browse supermarket catalogues online and plan your meals before you shop. All major supermarkets have digital catalogues now, but at 5pm on Mondays Coles puts a sneak peek of the next catalogue (valid from Wednesdays) up on its website at 5pm on Mondays. Andrea McGinniss

Buy food in season from farmers' markets. It will not only be great value, it will be fresher, more nutritious and last longer than store-bought. Richard Cornish

Stick to the outer sections of the supermarket – that's where you'll find essentials such as fresh produce, meat and dairy. Skip the processed foods in the centre aisles and your wallet (and waistline) will thank you. MJ

Time it right and turn up to your local shops just before closing time for cut-price bread, sushi and supermarket specials. MJ

Plough through bags of muesli or buckets of olive oil? Hunt down your local catering store or specialty wholesaler for bulk-buy bargains. You might pay a little more up front but you'll save in the longer run. Just make sure you do your sums – not all bulk items work out cheaper. MJ

Wait until spring lamb is in season in a few weeks' time. It will be cheaper. RC

Cheap home brand staples such as flour, sugar, salt etc are just as good as branded products. RC

Frozen peas are cheaper, fresher and more nutritious than peas in the pod from the grocer. RC

Skip the supermarket and go straight to the source by signing up to a farm-to-fork service. Check the Community Supported Agriculture directory. MJ

Before you leave home, think about substitutions for ingredients that could be expensive or unavailable such as snow peas, lettuce or berries. Could you opt for frozen berries instead? Would cabbage bring the crunch you were seeking in that dish? Could frozen edamame or peas add the pop of green that a snow pea would? If you've already opened your mind to alternatives, you won't panic (or spend unreasonable amounts) when you shop. Emma Breheny

Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs might be popular but don't overlook another similar cut of chook: marylands (thigh plus leg). They're bigger, cheap-cheep and one piece is plenty per person. (Here are 20 recipes to try.) Annabel Smith

Smaller fish species are generally more plentiful, less expensive and (bonus) more sustainable than the salmons and tunas of the world. Sub bonito in for tuna. Crumb whiting instead of flathead. Grill sardines to lay on toast (or make Neil Perry's barbecued sardines with mint and cucumber salsa). And don't forget mussels either, which are almost as cheap as chips (and pretty good with them, too). David Matthews