Trolleyology (and the art of zombie shopping)

It’s the same supermarket, maybe the same day of the week. Definitely the same route through the aisles. Putting the same brands in the trolley, paying for the groceries – seems every week is more than the last. Fill up at the petrol station on the way home, the prices are definitely higher. Sound familiar? Let’s look into “trolleyology” – the study of what we put in our supermarket trolleys!

So many of us do it. We find a routine that works and we stick with it – not because we’ve thought it through, but because that’s just what we do. We call this “zombie shopping”, and if you’ve ever arrived home, unpacked the bags, and realised you bought almost exactly the same thing as last week without really thinking about any of it, welcome to the club.

For ADF members, there was a time when someone else was thinking about all this for you. If you’ve lived on base, you’ll remember the meal system – a set contribution, meals provided, done. Always check PACMAN for figures, but at the time of writing, the current fortnightly meal charge is $241.50, which works out to around $121 a week for three meals a day (for the latest in PACMAN on food and housing see: PACMAN Chapter 7). That’s cheap, and more importantly, it’s structured. Someone else planned the menu, bought the food, and managed the cost.

When you’re living off base, that job is yours. Making those choices is fun, at least at first, but we tend to fall into routines. And if your family is anything like most, it’s not just you, it’s a household full of people with their own preferences, their own habits, and their own tendency to toss things in the trolley. Families come in all shapes and sizes, but more people generally means more minds in the kitchen, and you know what they say about too many cooks. When everyone’s shopping on autopilot, the grocery bill can creep up without anyone noticing, because nobody’s actually making a decision, you’re all just going through the motions.

So what can you do about it? Quite a lot actually, and most of it doesn’t require a dramatic lifestyle change. It’s more about pausing, noticing the habits you’ve stopped questioning, and trying a few things differently.

Know what you’re walking in for. Plan your meals for the week before you shop. It takes twenty minutes on a Sunday but it means you’re buying what you need, not what catches your eye. And you can talk with your family (ask anyone who’s ever had a kid that only eats one thing one week then yells at you for buying it again the next!). Fewer trips, less waste, less “what’s for dinner” panic that ends in takeaway.

Break out of default mode. Next time you reach for the same jar you always buy, look at what’s next to it. Home brands have improved enormously and the price difference on staples adds up fast over a year. You might not switch everything, but you might be surprised. “Look high and look low” – name brands pay to be at “eye height” for the average shopper, and we pay more for those name brands!

Check what’s in season. Seasonal fruit and veg is cheaper, tastes better, and changes up what you’re eating. If you’re buying the same produce regardless of the time of year, that’s another choice you made once and never revisited.

Look beyond the big supermarkets. Markets, international grocers, and independent greengrocers often beat the chains on fresh produce and pantry staples. If there’s one near your regular route, it’s worth a look.

Combine your trips. If you’re comparison shopping across stores, pick a location where several shops are close together. One outing, multiple stops, less fuel, less time. And bonus tip – look at unit pricing – the “price per” (usually weight) and make your individual comparisons there. 

Consider online or click-and-collect. Ordering online removes the impulse buys, the aisle wandering, and the going-through-the-motions that zombie shopping thrives on. Boot delivery can even combine with your commute.

Buy in bulk – but only what makes sense. Non-perishables and things you genuinely use regularly, yes. Three-for-two on something that’ll expire before you use it, no. That’s not saving, that’s shopping on cruise control and dreams of dishes that never get made.

Cook once, eat twice (or three times). Meal prepping doesn’t have to mean Sunday afternoon production lines (unless that’s your thing; then go for it!). Even just doubling a recipe and freezing half counts. It turns one cooking effort into two or three meals.

Use what you’ve got before you buy more. Check the fridge and pantry before you shop. Know the difference between best-before and use-by. Leftovers aren’t sad, they’re free meals you’ve already paid for.

Pre-prepared isn’t always the enemy. If buying pre-cut vegetables or a rotisserie chicken means you cook at home instead of ordering Uber Eats, it’s probably the cheaper choice. Convenience has a cost, but so does the alternative. Some people call it “Fake-away” if the kids are begging for burgers, pizza or fish and chips!

Grow something. Even a pot of herbs on the windowsill saves you buying a $4 bunch every week when you need a handful of parsley. Small investment, ongoing return. And whatever you do, don’t go full zombie and forget to water them!

What are we missing? We’d love to hear your tips – particularly the ones that are specific to on base / off base life!

Now, not everyone’s a zombie shopper, and there’s nothing wrong with having a routine that works. But most of us have at least a few habits we haven’t looked at in a while, the brand we always reach for, the shop we always go to, the coffee we grab on the way past without thinking. When the cost of living is putting pressure on the household budget, those are the places worth shaking up first. Small changes, made consciously and consistently, add up.

If you want to understand more about what the supermarkets themselves are doing to encourage us to spend more, CHOICE has a great article on the psychology behind store layouts, specials, and why the eggs are never where you expect them. It’s well worth a read:  And don’t forget to send us your best tips.

If you are interested in ensuring you’ve budgeted for your weekly shop see our budgeting page and this our get connected page about using your resources to save money generally.