From switching to home brands to cutting meat from the menu, Australians are finding new ways to stretch their grocery budget – but for some, that now includes eating expired food.

New Finder research has found 68 per cent of Australians are taking steps to save money on food, while 14 per cent – equivalent to about three million people – say they have eaten expired food to cut costs.

Some have gone further. Four per cent admitted deliberately scanning products as cheaper items at self-service checkouts, while two per cent said they had stolen food to get by.

The findings come from a Finder survey of 1,010 Australians conducted in June.

Sarah Megginson, personal finance expert at Finder, said the results showed just how difficult things had become for some households.

“When people are eating expired food or resorting to theft to feed themselves, it’s a sign the cost-of-living crisis is pushing some households into genuine financial hardship,” Megginson said.

“Most Australians are doing the right thing by switching to cheaper brands or changing what they buy, but for some families those options simply aren’t enough anymore.”

Switching to supermarket home brands was the most common money-saving measure, adopted by 42 per cent of respondents.

Almost one-third (32 per cent) are buying groceries in bulk and 30 per cent are sticking to seasonal fruit and vegetables.

Almost one in four (24 per cent) are choosing imperfect fruit and vegetables to save money, while 17 per cent have cut meat from their diet.

Finder’s Consumer Sentiment Tracker found Australian households reported spending an average of $206 a week on groceries in July.

Megginson said people struggling with supermarket costs should also look at other household expenses for potential savings.

“It’s worth looking beyond the weekly grocery shop,” she said.

“Comparing your mortgage, insurance, energy and internet bills could free up hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year, easing pressure on the household budget.”

Finder also recommends using unit pricing to compare the true cost of different brands and packet sizes rather than relying on the advertised shelf price.

Planning meals and making a shopping list before heading to the supermarket can help avoid impulse purchases, while checking prices online beforehand makes it easier to shop around and plan meals based on specials.

Buying regularly used staples in bulk, choosing seasonal produce and considering home-brand alternatives are other ways to bring the weekly bill down.

Finder also suggests shoppers investigate paid supermarket loyalty programs, but only where the discounts and rewards are likely to outweigh the membership fee.

The survey was conducted in June 2026 among 1,010 Australian respondents.

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