Aussie mum’s guide to feeding a family of four on a tight budget – including her eight bulk buy essentials!
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One of the best ways to combat the rise in grocery prices is by brushing up on your budgeting and money-saving skills. Being mindful of your spending habits can take you a long way. However, we totally understand that it’s easier said than done. So if you’re on the lookout for a cheat sheet to living frugally, we here at the SDC have got you covered – and it’s all thanks to a savvy mum.
Before food blogger Alison Said had three kids, she admitted to spending over $400 a week on groceries alone.
Now, the super mum manages to cut her food expenses in half, claiming to save over a whopping $15,000 annually.
Alison explained that she used to spend an estimated amount of $250 per week on groceries and a further $150 on takeout. But two years ago, when she was on maternity leave with her second child, Alison decided to switch things up in an effort to reduce her expenses and the time she spends making meals.
The award-winning strategy? Being more organised with her meal prepping. Organisation, she claims, is the key to success – along with “having a good set of containers with matching lids”.
“I cut my grocery bill with just a few simple swaps,” she added.
Alison shared several money-saving tips. Image Credit: @mum_made_yum
Now, the frugal food blogger’s weekly grocery bill is down to $100 for her family of four, translating to $14 per day.
“Sometimes it is a little more when I need cleaning supplies and other essentials. Some weeks it can be less,” she shared.
The mum shared that simply trying not to waste food can cut down your expenses by a ton. From unnoticed expiry dates on grocery items to perished produce and a disorderly pantry or fridge, all of these common mistakes can result in wasted money.
And so, she revealed her top tip which is labelling your food.
“Grab a little piece of sticky tape and stick it onto the food item (or container). Grab a marker and write the date so you can see it clearly,” she said.
Alison mentioned using her labelling tip on her home-cooked meals as well.
“[With] something like a bolognese sauce, you can make spaghetti, lasagna or pasta bake – you can repurpose it for so many things,” she detailed.
Alison also labels her home-cooked meals. Image Credit: @mum_made_yum
“So keeping it labelled means you can see everything you have, and it helps you rotate your meals,”
Alison’s bolognese sauce is a family favourite. And when she’s in the kitchen whipping up delicious meals, she said that she always opts for her preferred branded ingredients. This is mainly due to the fact that reaching out for home brand items can sometimes lead to disappointment.
“I have a particular brand of tinned tomatoes that I like to use,” Alison said. “So when they are on sale, I stock up. We get exactly what we want for half price, why would you pay full price?”
This rule can be applied to a variety of food items after the super mum revealed that she often purchases grocery items with a long shelf life in bulk.
“You need to find what works for your family,” she added.
Alison’s top essentials to bulk buy when on sale:
And if you’re wondering where the savvy mum hunts for the best bargains, she said that she scans Woolworths, Coles, and Aldi’s online catalogues for their weekly specials before dividing the shopping list with her husband.
She follows recipes advertised by the stores and considers the meals that she feels like eating for the week as her starting point. Then, Alison gets to work compiling a list of meals and grabs the ingredients from a store that sells the items for a discounted price.
“I don’t spend one day going to all these different stores,” she explained.
“I have a full-time job, a small business, and I’m a mum. When I am out at the shopping centre, I will pop into the Coles and grab what is on the list.”
Alison and her family. Image Credit: @mum_made_yum
Alison also mentioned that she always opts to get her fresh produce from her local greengrocer.
“Shop locally, it is often a lot cheaper too.”
“Always shop seasonally because they are things that are in abundance and cheaper,” she continued, referring to when one needs to buy fruits and vegetables.
Equipped with her discounted groceries, Alison usually begins preparing her family’s meals for the week on a Sunday.
“If you peel and chop up your veggies ahead of time, you’ll have less of an excuse during the week to buy takeout,” she shared. “If you are organised, you are less tempted,”
Alison advised buying ingredients for meals that are quick and easy to cook. She also recommended freezing meals ahead of hectic weeknights.
“We might have a roast chook and use the leftovers for soups, a chicken pie or wraps for lunches. Always use your leftovers,”
“Stay organised,” she continued.
Learn more budget tips from Alison by watching the video below:
Video Credit: mum_made_yum
Before food blogger Alison Said had three kids, she admitted to spending over $400 a week on groceries alone.
Now, the super mum manages to cut her food expenses in half, claiming to save over a whopping $15,000 annually.
Alison explained that she used to spend an estimated amount of $250 per week on groceries and a further $150 on takeout. But two years ago, when she was on maternity leave with her second child, Alison decided to switch things up in an effort to reduce her expenses and the time she spends making meals.
The award-winning strategy? Being more organised with her meal prepping. Organisation, she claims, is the key to success – along with “having a good set of containers with matching lids”.
“I cut my grocery bill with just a few simple swaps,” she added.
Alison shared several money-saving tips. Image Credit: @mum_made_yum
Now, the frugal food blogger’s weekly grocery bill is down to $100 for her family of four, translating to $14 per day.
“Sometimes it is a little more when I need cleaning supplies and other essentials. Some weeks it can be less,” she shared.
The mum shared that simply trying not to waste food can cut down your expenses by a ton. From unnoticed expiry dates on grocery items to perished produce and a disorderly pantry or fridge, all of these common mistakes can result in wasted money.
And so, she revealed her top tip which is labelling your food.
“Grab a little piece of sticky tape and stick it onto the food item (or container). Grab a marker and write the date so you can see it clearly,” she said.
Alison mentioned using her labelling tip on her home-cooked meals as well.
“[With] something like a bolognese sauce, you can make spaghetti, lasagna or pasta bake – you can repurpose it for so many things,” she detailed.
Alison also labels her home-cooked meals. Image Credit: @mum_made_yum
“So keeping it labelled means you can see everything you have, and it helps you rotate your meals,”
Alison’s bolognese sauce is a family favourite. And when she’s in the kitchen whipping up delicious meals, she said that she always opts for her preferred branded ingredients. This is mainly due to the fact that reaching out for home brand items can sometimes lead to disappointment.
“I have a particular brand of tinned tomatoes that I like to use,” Alison said. “So when they are on sale, I stock up. We get exactly what we want for half price, why would you pay full price?”
This rule can be applied to a variety of food items after the super mum revealed that she often purchases grocery items with a long shelf life in bulk.
“You need to find what works for your family,” she added.
Alison’s top essentials to bulk buy when on sale:
- Pasta
- Tinned tomatoes
- Rice
- Coffee pods
- Tea bags
- Toilet paper
- Puff pastry
- Cheese
And if you’re wondering where the savvy mum hunts for the best bargains, she said that she scans Woolworths, Coles, and Aldi’s online catalogues for their weekly specials before dividing the shopping list with her husband.
She follows recipes advertised by the stores and considers the meals that she feels like eating for the week as her starting point. Then, Alison gets to work compiling a list of meals and grabs the ingredients from a store that sells the items for a discounted price.
“I don’t spend one day going to all these different stores,” she explained.
“I have a full-time job, a small business, and I’m a mum. When I am out at the shopping centre, I will pop into the Coles and grab what is on the list.”
Alison and her family. Image Credit: @mum_made_yum
Alison also mentioned that she always opts to get her fresh produce from her local greengrocer.
“Shop locally, it is often a lot cheaper too.”
“Always shop seasonally because they are things that are in abundance and cheaper,” she continued, referring to when one needs to buy fruits and vegetables.
Equipped with her discounted groceries, Alison usually begins preparing her family’s meals for the week on a Sunday.
“If you peel and chop up your veggies ahead of time, you’ll have less of an excuse during the week to buy takeout,” she shared. “If you are organised, you are less tempted,”
Alison advised buying ingredients for meals that are quick and easy to cook. She also recommended freezing meals ahead of hectic weeknights.
“We might have a roast chook and use the leftovers for soups, a chicken pie or wraps for lunches. Always use your leftovers,”
“Stay organised,” she continued.
Learn more budget tips from Alison by watching the video below:
Video Credit: mum_made_yum
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