A Melbourne woman has figured out how to score free grocery items from Australia’s top supermarkets like Woolworths, Coles, and IGA. With grocery bills soaring, many Aussie households are looking for clever ways to save, and Kirsty Stekel has found a neat hack to do just that—by sharing reviews. This little-known method could help you score a free wine, laundry detergent, or even cleaning supplies. Here’s how it works, and why more Aussies are catching on.
How Does This Hack Work?
Kirsty Stekel isn’t just a regular shopper—she’s turned her everyday grocery trips into a side hustle. Through a website called Mouths of Mums, which offers free products in exchange for honest reviews, she’s received over $60 worth of free groceries. It all started when she received a $25 Woolworths gift card to try out and review laundry detergent. From there, she began testing out other products, including wine at Dan Murphy’s, cleaning wipes from Coles, and even home-brand items from IGA.
The way it works is simple: sign up to review products, and once you’re accepted, you’re sent a voucher to buy the product. After you test it, you simply submit your review. It’s a win-win for everyone involved—shoppers get free products, while brands get real feedback from actual users. “I’ve worked in marketing and digital marketing for the last 10 years and then halfway through last year I decided to go freelance. Just through doing that, I was looking at lots of different side hustles,” Stekel explains to Yahoo Finance.
“I applied for the one with the Cold Power laundry detergent just because I was curious about it.” Plus, Mouths of Mums isn’t the only platform out there; Home Tester Club also offers the same type of opportunities.
Is This Legit, and What’s the Catch?
It may sound too good to be true, but Mouths of Mums and similar platforms are legitimate. They partner with companies to get honest reviews from everyday people who will give genuine feedback on their products. No strings attached, and there’s no obligation to purchase items upfront. If you’re accepted into a program, you’re sent a gift voucher, which means you can get the products without having to pay out of pocket.
However, not every product is available every time. Stekel mentions how she applies for whatever grabs her attention, but not all submissions are accepted. Sometimes you’ll need to wait for the right opportunity or products to be listed. It’s important to note that platforms like these often focus on new products or items that have recently launched in stores. It’s not always about getting free groceries for your everyday shop, but rather testing things you might not have tried otherwise.
But hey, free laundry detergent or cleaning wipes is still a great way to save a few bucks!
More Than Just Groceries: The Side Hustle Trend
This rising trend of side hustles and review platforms is part of a larger shift towards entrepreneurship and DIY money-making. The increase in living costs has pushed more Australians to look for creative ways to stretch their budgets, and side hustles like Mouths of Mums have become a simple, accessible solution.
In addition to platforms like Mouths of Mums, Australians can also explore mystery shopping websites where they can get reimbursed for buying products at stores like Woolworths, Costco, and Bunnings. These websites often involve more work, as you need to visit stores and report back on your experience, but they can still be an effective way to earn rewards and save money.
Free Stuff is a Win-Win
Kirsty’s hack is a reminder that in today’s world, saving a few dollars doesn’t always mean sacrificing quality. Through platforms like Mouths of Mums, many Aussies are finding ways to score free products while helping brands improve their offerings. For those looking to cut back on grocery bills or even try new products, signing up for one of these sites could be a smart, easy way to make your money go further.
But if you think this is only about getting a few free items, think again. As Stekel and many others have discovered, it’s part of a larger movement of Australians looking for smarter ways to manage their finances and discover great deals.
