4 ways share houses can save on groceries

Living in a share house means you’re already a pro at compromise.

You’ve accepted an overflowing recycling bin, mystery leftovers at the back of the fridge, and dishes being left to soak forever. But when it comes to groceries, saving money as a household doesn’t have to be complicated, or awkward. Get a few habits right, and suddenly the weekly shop feels a whole lot easier.

Here’s your share house guide to saving on groceries without the hassle.

Tip 1: Use this exclusive Coles offer for Flatmates

To help your share house get started, Coles is offering Flatmates customers an exclusive discount.

Get $20 off your first Coles app shop when you spend $150 or more by entering the code APPMATES983 at checkout. *

Simply download and open the Coles app, spend $150 on your first order, and enter the code at checkout.

This Flatmates-exclusive offer ends 10 May, so don’t leave it sitting unread in the group chat. (*T&Cs below).

Plus: until 31 May, new customers can also enjoy free delivery or $10 off their first Click & Collect shop over $100 when they enter code NEW in the Coles app or online.^

Keep reading for easier ways your household can save.

Tip 2: Use the flatmate-approved way to save on groceries (and avoid house drama)

The biggest grocery problem in share houses isn’t always the cost, it’s the confusion. Who’s buying what? Who’s getting paid back? And how did you end up with three jars of peanut butter and twelve cans of chickpeas?

One of the easiest ways to avoid this is keeping everything in the one place.

The Coles app makes it easy to keep a shared shopping list, so everyone can add what they need before it runs out and easily add it all straight to trolley when shopping online. That means fewer impulse buys, easier meal planning for the week, and less reliance on last-minute takeaway (which everyone’s wallet will appreciate).

No more forgetting. No more double-ups. And far fewer passive-aggressive fridge notes.

Tip 3: Find smarter ways for your share house to save on groceries

They say never go grocery shopping hungry, but it also pays to shop prepared.

Before you head out to the supermarket, have a quick look at what’s on special. It’s one of the easiest ways to plan your meals around what’s seasonal and what’s already on offer, rather than deciding dinner in front of the shelves. And if your flatmates do a regular shop, making the most of the Flybuys rewards program can also quietly add up to more savings over time.

Inside the Coles app you can:

• See your total before you shop, so you stay on budget
• Sort your list by aisle to get in and out faster
• Search by lowest unit price to find better-value products

Less wandering. Fewer impulse buys. More money left over at the end of the week. Winning.

Tip 4: Learn how to save time, money, and fridge space in a share house

If fridge space is tight (and let’s be honest, it always is), planning helps more than you think.

You don’t have to lock yourselves into making the same meal for a fortnight, just having a few great-value, easy options on rotation from pantry basics can go a long way. And sometimes, it’s just nice to know roughly what the shop will cost before you reach the checkout.

The Coles app also makes it easy to find dinner inspiration, browse budget-friendly recipes, build your list from them, and shop with intention rather than hunger-based decision-making.

Hopefully these hacks help you spot value faster, so your share house can spend less time stressing about groceries and more time enjoying them together.

Saving on groceries doesn’t mean cutting out the good stuff. It’s about shopping smarter, staying organised, and using tools that make shared living easier — not harder.

And that’s a win everyone can agree on.

Don’t forget to use your exclusive Coles offer before it ends on 10 May.

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*Flatmates exclusive offer: $20 off your first Coles app shop is valid only when you shop via the Coles app and spend $150 or more in one transaction. Discount is applied when you enter the promotional code APPMATES983 at checkout. Maximum redemption limit of 1 per customer. Valid after savings and discounts and excludes smoking and tobacco products. Offer is valid on qualifying orders placed until 11:59pm AEST 10 May 2026. If you modify your order outside of the promotional period, the discount will not be upheld. Order cut-off times apply (incl. 1am Sat/Sun in some stores on weekends). Standard minimum order requirements apply for Coles Online. Visit coles.com.au for standard terms and conditions. Excludes Uber Eats purchases.

^ New customers only. Get either $10 off your first Click & Collect shop or free delivery on your first online shop over $100 in one transaction, after savings and discounts excluding smoking and tobacco products. Discount is applied when you enter the promotional code NEW at checkout. To see if we deliver to your area simply visit coles.com.au and enter your postcode. Free delivery excludes remote deliveries. Valid after savings and discounts and excludes smoking and tobacco products. Order cut-off times apply (incl. 1am Sat/Sun in some stores on weekends). Visit coles.com.au for standard terms and conditions. Excludes Uber Eats purchases.