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The Savvy Shopping Secrets of a Melbourne Mum
Enrica Centorame, a Melbourne mother in her 50s, has acquired the title of the "Queen of Markdowns" among her family for her impressive grocery-saving strategies. She has discovered how to save thousands off her supermarket bill by taking advantage of markdowns, an approach she initially started during financially tough times in her life.
Discovering the Markdowns
Centorame’s journey into bargain hunting began in earnest during her marriage’s final years when she was looking for ways to cut expenses. With five adults in her household at the time, the grocery costs were considerable. Realising she needed to find ways to save, she began to observe pricing patterns at local supermarkets.
Her breakthrough came when she noticed that shopping at specific times, particularly late in the day or on certain days, consistently offered her markdown prices. “The first time I thought it was just a fluke that it was happening that day, but then I realised it was a weekly, daily thing,” she recounts.
Timing her grocery trips has been crucial. For instance, shopping close to closing time on a Saturday often yields discounts approaching 70%. “[Items] can’t be sold the next day, so they heavily discount it,” she says, revealing that discounts can be seen prominently during the last shopping hour.
Shopping Strategy
Centorame typically shops at Coles supermarkets around 7 PM on Fridays or 5 PM on Saturdays, consistently coming away with marked-down items. Her weekly grocery expenditure ranges from $280 to $320, which supports her adult son and includes additional costs for when her grandchildren stay over.
By capitalising on markdowns, Centorame estimates she saves between $80 and $130 monthly. She highlights that many fresh foods, such as fruits and vegetables, are often available at steep discounts. For instance, a large bag of spinach originally priced at $5 could be found for as little as $1.50, while bread products like bagels drop from $6 to $2.
The Broader Picture
Both Coles and Woolworths implement markdowns to prevent food waste, although the timing of reductions varies by store due to factors like stock availability and delivery schedules. A Coles spokesperson mentioned the routine practice of discounting items as they reach their Best Before dates to provide customers with cost-saving options while avoiding waste.
Emerging data from ING reveals a trend among Australian shoppers; 86% reported purchasing discounted goods to save money, with average savings of $315 each translating into a colossal $5.3 billion annually across the country.
Expert Insights
Matt Bowen, from ING, observed that Aussies are becoming increasingly adept at saving money during grocery trips. Still, he notes that many consumers find themselves forced to abandon items at checkout due to budget constraints. "Now is a great time to explore more bargains and smart shopping strategies,” he adds.
Centorame doesn’t solely rely on markdowns; she also crafts a shopping list that emphasises seasonal, fresh produce to make further savings.
Conclusion
Enrica Centorame’s story serves as a reminder of the potential for savings hidden in grocery shopping. By modifying shopping habits and being aware of timings and markdown strategies, shoppers can significantly reduce their grocery bills while making valuable contributions to reducing food waste. As inflation continues to press on household budgets, these savvy shopping techniques have never been more relevant.
