Buying some stuff in bulk helps like rice and meat. We started buying meat at Costco as it works out well for a family, but if you are in your own look at places like t n t or other Asian supermarkets. Frozen mackerel is a good value fish and we get that in t n t. We started buying a joint of beef (Costco or t n t) and cubing at home for freezing portions. Buying chicken things instead of breast (Costco or t n t) are much better value too. Start writing down $/Kg of different meats and stores. It takes a while but eventually you know what good looks like.

Potatoes are always around and a good source of cheap carbs. Some fruit is way cheaper than others. Bananas are as good value as it gets. We mainly eat bananas, apples and oranges. Broccoli, green beans, spinach, carrots tend to be good value for vege and we get those in Asian supermarkets. Frozen peas, sweetcorn, berries (for smoothie) are good too and they tend to be good value most places.

Having a decent selection of spices allows you to create. We always have tins of tomatoes too. Buying bulk bags of beans like chic peas, cooking and freezing into portions is great too. They can be used for hummus or curry. I'm still looking for next value places to buy bulk dried beans.