Budget breakthrough: Mum’s $25 grocery trolley hack stuns shoppers

In an era where the cost of living is soaring and every dollar counts, a Queensland mum-of-three has shared a jaw-dropping tip that has allowed her to fill her grocery trolley with hundreds of dollars worth of food for a mere $25. This incredible story not only highlights the savvy shopping strategies out there but also shines a light on the charitable organisations working to make food more affordable and combat waste.

Lacie, a Gold Coast mum, took to social media to reveal her secret: The Good Food Shop, operated by the non-profit charity Lighthouse Care. This organisation is a beacon of hope for budget-conscious families, offering prepacked trolleys brimming with essential food items at up to 70 per cent off retail prices. From fresh fruits and vegetables to bread, pasta, rice, eggs, drinks, and snacks, the savings are substantial.

The charity collaborates with SecondBite and Food Bank Australia to distribute these discounted goods throughout South East Queensland, simultaneously addressing the issue of food waste. While some products may be nearing or past their best-before dates, they remain safe to consume, albeit potentially with a slight dip in quality.

In her viral social media clip, Lacie showcases her impressive haul from Lighthouse Care in Loganholme, Brisbane. ‘I paid $25 for everything on this table,’ she says, panning over a kitchen bench laden with groceries. She highlights a crate of bread items, including English muffins and loaves, which she plans to freeze, noting, ‘There’s probably $30 worth of bread here, so I can’t complain. Now everything else in the trolley is basically free.’

Her trolley also contained a variety of fresh produce such as carrots, broccoli, lettuce, potatoes, onions, and apples, along with kitchen staples like butter, eggs, chicken stock, ramen noodles, and pasta. Not to mention the treats—gourmet peanut brittle, chocolate custard, espresso mousse, and soft drinks—and two frozen ready-to-go meals for her children.

‘This is insane,’ Lacie exclaims, clearly delighted by the bounty that covered most of her kitchen bench. She explains that the prepacked trolleys change daily and that she has never received a bad one despite numerous visits to Lighthouse Care. She emphasises that the store is open to everyone, not just those struggling to make ends meet, and that increased patronage helps keep the business afloat.

The significance of Lacie’s discovery is underscored by a Canstar Blue survey from July 2024, which found that Australian households spend an average of $168 per week on groceries. That’s almost $728 a month or a staggering $8736 a year. In contrast, Lighthouse Care’s $25 trolley could potentially reduce a family’s grocery bill by thousands of dollars annually.

The response to Lacie’s social media video was overwhelmingly positive, with viewers praising the initiative as ‘incredible’, ‘amazing’, and ‘great value’. Many expressed a desire for similar stores in their own regions, with comments like ‘Wish Perth had this’ and lighthearted jabs at the higher cost of living in cities like Sydney and Melbourne.

It’s incredible how simple changes in shopping habits can lead to massive savings, especially in today’s economy. Lacie’s discovery not only helps stretch the household budget but also supports a great cause by reducing food waste and making essentials more accessible.

Have you ever come across a budget-friendly grocery hack like this? Do you know of any similar initiatives in your area that help make food more affordable? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below—we’d love to hear from you!

Also read: Queensland mum slashes grocery bills by $2,500—no Coles or Woolies required!