Online guide from budgeting expert gives tips on smart grocery shopping
Orla Cusack, who has made an online career out of budgeting and navigating the likes of Shein and Penneys for bargains, has now released The Savvy Shopping Guide
We all know that grocery prices have gone absolutely bonkers, and it’s something that is causing anxiety and genuine hardship for many families.
One woman who has made an online career out of budgeting and navigating the likes of Shein and Penneys for bargains has now released The Savvy Shopping Guide.
Orla Cusack, whose Practical & Precious pages now have a community of approximately 575,000 people across Instagram, TikTok and Facebook, has always been very practical about shopping and spending.
“I started doing the family grocery shopping when I was about 10 or 11, so it has been part of my life for a very long time. Over the years, I’ve developed my own little systems for planning meals, using what is already in the house, reducing food waste and stopping myself from buying things we don’t need,” she explains from her home in Spiddal.
“I wasn’t always good at it, though. Like everyone else, I’ve had weeks when I’ve gone into a supermarket with no plan, spent a fortune and still come home wondering what we were going to have for dinner.
“The guide isn’t about extreme budgeting or telling people they can’t have anything nice. It’s about being more deliberate with the money we are already spending. We can’t control the prices, but we can control how we plan and how we shop.”
The idea grew from years of messages and questions from followers about grocery shopping, food prices and overspending - subjects people come back to her about constantly.
She is naturally someone who notices prices, compares products and looks at how supermarkets encourage us to spend.
“I also listen closely to my followers. They tell me what they’re struggling with, the mistakes they make and the areas where they need help. I met followers in person while developing the guide, and I used their feedback to make sure it addressed real problems.”
The guide covers things like checking the fridge before shopping, planning around the week ahead, understanding supermarket tactics, avoiding unnecessary multibuys, having backup meals and using a reset week to work through what is already in the house.
One follower said she read the guide in one night, went out and did their shopping the next morning and saved the price of the guide in their grocery shop by implementing the tips in the guide.
During her research, she was told that people wanted a realistic system they could follow without feeling deprived or overwhelmed.
Orla, a 51-year-old Dubliner, spent 17 years in An Garda Síochána before leaving for health reasons.
“Starting again was difficult, and starting social media gave me a new outlet and a sense of purpose. I began sharing things I genuinely found useful, whether it was a bargain, a shopping tip, beauty for women our age, travel advice or something that made everyday life a little easier.
“There was no grand plan at the beginning. I learned as I went along, and I still suffer from imposter syndrome at times. The page grew because people knew I would give them my honest opinion. I think they also realised that I was just a normal woman trying to make the most of her money, the same as they were.”
Some of her biggest posts have been the very practical ones that help people save or make better decisions. A recent post about investment savings for 2027 reached approximately 300,000 views in 24 hours.
She began earning through paid brand partnerships and ambassador roles. The biggest upside of being an influencer is the community.
“I receive messages every day from people telling me that something I shared helped them save money, book a better deal, feel more confident or avoid making a costly mistake. That means a great deal to me.
“It has also given me a second career that I could build around my health and family life. I can be creative, work for myself and talk about subjects I genuinely enjoy.”
The biggest downside is that it never really switches off.
“Social media is there 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and people can contact you at any time. There is also a lot more work involved than people realise. Creating the content is only one part of it - there is research, filming, editing, replying to messages, negotiating with brands, reviewing contracts, checking facts and running the business behind the scenes.
“You also open yourself up to criticism and judgement from people who don’t know you. That can be difficult, particularly when something is unfair or personal. I try to remind myself that trust, honesty and consistency matter more than chasing every trend.”
Tips in The Savvy Shopping Guide.
Look high and low on the shelves The most expensive items are often placed at eye level. Cheaper options are usually higher or lower.
Compare price per unit, not pack size - bigger isn't always better value. Price per kilo or per unit tells you which option is actually cheaper.
Own-brand products are often just as good - even one or two regular swaps can save a lot over a year.
Be wary of end-of-aisle displays These are designed to catch your attention, not save you money. Treat them as prompts, not automatic bargains.
Stick to a shopping list unless it replaces something already planned. Swapping one item for better value is intentional. Adding extras usually isn't.
Watch out for false bargains A deal isn't a saving if you wouldn't normally buy it, won't use it, or already have plenty at home.
Pause before buying and ask one simple question: Do I actually need this?
Use AI to help plan your weekly shop: Take a photo of your fridge and freezer, upload it, and say: Here's a photo of my fridge. Based on what you can see, suggest meals I could make so nothing goes to waste on a budget of €80 for a family of four for a week. Include a shopping list.
The guide costs €9.95 and can be downloaded from Orla's website www.practicalandprecious.com.