Budget-Friendly Meal Planning: How an Aussie Teacher Prepares a Week's Worth of Meals for $2.29 per Serve
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At the SDC, we're all for getting the most bang for your buck, and we're happy to tell you we've found someone who does it better than most.
Meet Kara Hansen, a Brisbane-based teacher with a knack for planning affordable weekly meals and her winning secret to feeding a family for just $2.29 per serve!
Running against rising living costs, Kara has taken up the challenge, creating budget-friendly yet wholesome meals, averaging $2.29 per serving.
And if you're worried about cutting corners nutrition-wise, rest easy–there's no skimping on protein in these meals!
How does Kara manage this without spending hours in the kitchen? Every Saturday morning, armed with basic ingredients and an armoury of simple recipes, she spends just a quarter to half an hour cooking up her meals for the entire week.
'I’ve been meal prepping for a few years now, and honestly, it makes me feel so organised and on top of things.' Kara shared.
But let's face it, not everyone wants to spend the whole weekend over a hot stove. So, how does Kara mitigate this? By choosing recipes that she not only enjoys making but also aligns with her budget and taste good.
She said, 'I like to make sure I’m not spending hours in the kitchen when I’m meal prepping, as no one wants to spend their whole weekend making food. It’s just about finding recipes you enjoy making, work for your budget and taste good.'
As the cost of groceries has risen, Kara was inspired to create simple recipes on social media for less than $10 to help struggling shoppers.
Apart from these tips, what do you need? A well-stocked pantry, says Kara.
An endless supply of staples like rice, onion and garlic, all-seasoning purpose, oats, and tomato paste, give her flexibility in her meal prep while being easy on the pocket.
Her budget-winning recipe to date? A chicken burrito bowl which cost just $2.30 per serve (four hearty servings).
Kara's budget meals' repertoire is a rich assortment, including homemade pizzas, spaghetti bolognese and creamy tomato chicken pasta – a testament to her love for Italian cuisine.
Kara also shared three tips, which are to always shop based on specials, make freezer-friendly meals to avoid waste, and never sacrifice seasonings and sauces!
Check out one of Kara’s recipes here:
Irrespective of whether you’re an expert budgeter or someone just starting their budgeting journey, Kara’s methods merit attention.
What are your thoughts on Kara’s budget-friendly meal-prepping strategy? Are you inspired by her approach and interested in similar cost-effective meal-planning techniques?
Meet Kara Hansen, a Brisbane-based teacher with a knack for planning affordable weekly meals and her winning secret to feeding a family for just $2.29 per serve!
Running against rising living costs, Kara has taken up the challenge, creating budget-friendly yet wholesome meals, averaging $2.29 per serving.
And if you're worried about cutting corners nutrition-wise, rest easy–there's no skimping on protein in these meals!
Kara Hansen has embraced the challenge of crafting a week's worth of delectable meals with a budget of only $2.30 per serving. Source: Kara Hansen/Tiktok
How does Kara manage this without spending hours in the kitchen? Every Saturday morning, armed with basic ingredients and an armoury of simple recipes, she spends just a quarter to half an hour cooking up her meals for the entire week.
'I’ve been meal prepping for a few years now, and honestly, it makes me feel so organised and on top of things.' Kara shared.
But let's face it, not everyone wants to spend the whole weekend over a hot stove. So, how does Kara mitigate this? By choosing recipes that she not only enjoys making but also aligns with her budget and taste good.
She said, 'I like to make sure I’m not spending hours in the kitchen when I’m meal prepping, as no one wants to spend their whole weekend making food. It’s just about finding recipes you enjoy making, work for your budget and taste good.'
As the cost of groceries has risen, Kara was inspired to create simple recipes on social media for less than $10 to help struggling shoppers.
Meal prepping plays a crucial role in helping the 26-year-old stay committed to a healthy eating routine throughout the week. Source: Kara Hansen/Tiktok
Apart from these tips, what do you need? A well-stocked pantry, says Kara.
An endless supply of staples like rice, onion and garlic, all-seasoning purpose, oats, and tomato paste, give her flexibility in her meal prep while being easy on the pocket.
Her budget-winning recipe to date? A chicken burrito bowl which cost just $2.30 per serve (four hearty servings).
Kara's budget meals' repertoire is a rich assortment, including homemade pizzas, spaghetti bolognese and creamy tomato chicken pasta – a testament to her love for Italian cuisine.
Kara also shared three tips, which are to always shop based on specials, make freezer-friendly meals to avoid waste, and never sacrifice seasonings and sauces!
Check out one of Kara’s recipes here:
Irrespective of whether you’re an expert budgeter or someone just starting their budgeting journey, Kara’s methods merit attention.
What are your thoughts on Kara’s budget-friendly meal-prepping strategy? Are you inspired by her approach and interested in similar cost-effective meal-planning techniques?
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