Reading through online discussions about budget grocery shopping has stirred up memories of my early days of independent living. Back then, I made every rookie mistake in the book - shopping without a list, buying too much fresh produce that would eventually rot, and getting seduced by those “special offers” that weren’t really special at all.

These days, with inflation hitting hard and grocery prices soaring, smart shopping has become more crucial than ever. Walking through South Melbourne Market recently, I noticed how even the basic vegetables have nearly doubled in price compared to a few years ago. It’s enough to make anyone wince at the checkout.