Written For The Australian - How new food-saving apps can help you fight the rising cost of living
by James GerrardTue Jan 27 2026
What if I told you my family has been eating gourmet pastries from Sydney's top bakeries and meals from award-winning cafes — for a fraction of the retail price? No, I haven't come into money. I've just discovered food-saving apps.
With inflation still sitting above the RBA's 2-3 per cent target band, and ASX cash rate futures now pricing in two rate *increases* this year rather than the cuts we were hoping for, cost-of-living pressures aren't going anywhere in 2026. So I've been experimenting with the tech that can take some of the sting out.
My favourite so far is Too Good To Go. Restaurants, cafes and bakeries bundle up what they haven't sold by end of day and mark it down by up to 80 per cent. The catch — or the fun, depending on how you look at it — is you don't know exactly what you're getting. I call it living a champagne lifestyle on a beer budget, and it's added genuine variety to our weekly meals.
If you prefer eating out, Eat Club offers 50 per cent or more off restaurant bills during quieter periods. The payment sits discreetly in your Apple or Google Wallet, so there's no awkward coupon moment at the table. Restaurants fill empty seats, you eat cheaper — everyone wins.
The Entertainment Book has also moved with the times. It's now an app that shows you nearby deals (usually 25 per cent off or buy-one-get-one-free), and a slice of the purchase goes to a charity of your choosing.
Then there's ShopBack. Look for the QR code near the register, scan, pay through the app, and you'll get a credit — up to 20 per cent — to use on your next meal.
Night-time supermarket markdowns and bulk market shopping still work. But the smartphone in your pocket is now one of the most underused weapons against inflation.