How this savvy Coles shopper feeds a family of four for 14 nights on 'less than $180'
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As mortgage rates and the cost of living continue to rise, it's no surprise that many of us are feeling the financial strain.
In the face of mounting financial burdens, it’s becoming increasingly important to embrace a frugal mindset and prioritise saving our hard-earned money.
Thankfully, we can always learn a thing or two from our fellow budget-conscious shoppers, proving that even on a tight budget, we can still make the most of our resources.
From savvy shopping strategies to meal prepping, there are numerous ways to stretch our dollars and make wise financial decisions.
One inspiring Coles shopper has shown us just how it's done, revealing on social media how she managed to feed her family of four for 14 nights on less than $180. That works out to just over $3 per dinner!
Sharing her incredible trick on the Coles Cooking Club Facebook page, Taz revealed her strategy for saving money on meat.
‘Mortgage rates have gone up and people are under the pump! It’s hard for so many to get food on the table,’ she wrote in a post.
‘Well, here’s how you can feed a family of four (three adults one child) for 14 nights, for less than $180!’
Taz’s plan involved a lot of planning and thrift-savvy shopping, purchasing items exclusively from Coles.
Highlighting the importance of being mindful of meat sales, Taz revealed that she was able to buy '14 meals worth' of meat for 'around $103'.
The shopper proceeded to provide a detailed explanation of her approach, outlining the specific side dishes she had prepared.
She also mentioned that fellow shoppers could maximise their savings by opting not to purchase organic items unless they were reasonably priced, a strategy she herself used.
‘Nine x drumsticks - we use these for a cheap and easy “roast chicken dinner,” add some roast veggies and it's a good Sunday roast,’ Taz shared, mentioning that the meat had set her back $6.40.
The accompanying roast potatoes, carrots, and peas cost $6, bringing the total cost to a reasonable $12.40.
‘Four x Coles made easy chicken breast with garlic, herb and cheese (two per pack, so eight all up) - great with veggies or salad,’ she added.
She elaborated that this particular recipe costs $15 for four pieces. And to complete the meal, she paired it with a Coles easy salad bag priced at $5 and Coles frozen chips and broccoli, also costing $5. All in all, the total cost for this dish came to $25.
Taz also considered other meal options, such as the Coles made easy bacon-wrapped chicken parcels, available in packs of two.
She served them with mashed potatoes and broccolini.
The chicken parcels cost $15 for four pieces, and she spent $6 on sweet potato mash and corn on the cob. The total cost for this meal was $21.
Another meal on Taz's menu plan was chicken schnitzels, which could be used for burgers, salads, or sandwiches. She bought 12 pieces for $12.50, enough for three nights' worth of meals.
To complete the chicken schnitzel dish, Taz added chips and salad for $8, a bun, cheese slice, and lettuce for $8, and mash and mixed frozen veggies for $5, bringing the total cost for this meal to $21.
Moving on to the next items on Taz's budget-friendly grocery list, we find eight mouthwatering organic burger patties priced at $8.50 for a packet of four.
Taz couldn't help but express her excitement, stating: ‘These make yummy burgers.’
To complete the burger experience, she added a bun, cheese, tomato, and lettuce for an additional $7.
Alternatively, she opted for a bun and Coles burger salad priced at $7. Either way, the average cost for this burger delight was $16.
But Taz's ‘budget’ culinary adventures didn't stop there. Two packs of organic meatballs entered her shopping cart, ready to be transformed into delectable spaghetti or homemade Subway-style sandwiches.
The organic meatballs were a steal at $8.50 per pack of four. Taz paired them with passata, canned tomatoes, and pasta for a mere $4.
Taz discovered that a long roll, passata, and cheese could be combined with the meatballs for just $7 for those craving a different twist. With such a mouthwatering option, the average total cost reached a delightful $14.
Last but not least, Taz shared that she also purchased beef sausages, an essential ingredient for crafting eight delectable medium-sized sausage rolls.
The sausages were a bargain, costing her just $6.50, while the puff pastry came at a wallet-friendly price of $4.
Taz proudly shared: ‘The grand sum tallies up to $177.50 for two weeks' worth of dinners, generously serving a family of four.’
She reminded other group members that these prices were specific to the current fortnight, as the fluctuating ingredients costs could vary with the ever-changing weekly specials.
But Taz's frugal feat wasn't just about the numbers; it was about discovering that affordable meals didn't have to lack flavour.
By skillfully selecting ingredients and utilising her culinary creativity, she proved that eating on a budget can still be a delightful experience.
So, if you're in search of inspiration to stretch your food budget without compromising on taste or variety, take a cue from Taz's savvy shopping strategies.
With a little ingenuity and a willingness to explore different meal options, you too can enjoy appetising dishes while keeping your expenses in check.
What are your thoughts on this? Do you also have tips on how to prepare nutritious and delicious meals on a budget?
Also, we recommend checking out this article for more budget-friendly tips on how to prepare meals on a tight budget.
In the face of mounting financial burdens, it’s becoming increasingly important to embrace a frugal mindset and prioritise saving our hard-earned money.
Thankfully, we can always learn a thing or two from our fellow budget-conscious shoppers, proving that even on a tight budget, we can still make the most of our resources.
From savvy shopping strategies to meal prepping, there are numerous ways to stretch our dollars and make wise financial decisions.
One inspiring Coles shopper has shown us just how it's done, revealing on social media how she managed to feed her family of four for 14 nights on less than $180. That works out to just over $3 per dinner!
One savvy mum stunned social media after she revealed how she managed to prepare dinner for a family of four for 14 nights on a measly budget of $180. Credit: Facebook/Coles Cooking Club.
Sharing her incredible trick on the Coles Cooking Club Facebook page, Taz revealed her strategy for saving money on meat.
‘Mortgage rates have gone up and people are under the pump! It’s hard for so many to get food on the table,’ she wrote in a post.
‘Well, here’s how you can feed a family of four (three adults one child) for 14 nights, for less than $180!’
Taz’s plan involved a lot of planning and thrift-savvy shopping, purchasing items exclusively from Coles.
Highlighting the importance of being mindful of meat sales, Taz revealed that she was able to buy '14 meals worth' of meat for 'around $103'.
The shopper proceeded to provide a detailed explanation of her approach, outlining the specific side dishes she had prepared.
She also mentioned that fellow shoppers could maximise their savings by opting not to purchase organic items unless they were reasonably priced, a strategy she herself used.
‘Nine x drumsticks - we use these for a cheap and easy “roast chicken dinner,” add some roast veggies and it's a good Sunday roast,’ Taz shared, mentioning that the meat had set her back $6.40.
The accompanying roast potatoes, carrots, and peas cost $6, bringing the total cost to a reasonable $12.40.
‘Four x Coles made easy chicken breast with garlic, herb and cheese (two per pack, so eight all up) - great with veggies or salad,’ she added.
She elaborated that this particular recipe costs $15 for four pieces. And to complete the meal, she paired it with a Coles easy salad bag priced at $5 and Coles frozen chips and broccoli, also costing $5. All in all, the total cost for this dish came to $25.
Taz also considered other meal options, such as the Coles made easy bacon-wrapped chicken parcels, available in packs of two.
She served them with mashed potatoes and broccolini.
The chicken parcels cost $15 for four pieces, and she spent $6 on sweet potato mash and corn on the cob. The total cost for this meal was $21.
Another meal on Taz's menu plan was chicken schnitzels, which could be used for burgers, salads, or sandwiches. She bought 12 pieces for $12.50, enough for three nights' worth of meals.
To complete the chicken schnitzel dish, Taz added chips and salad for $8, a bun, cheese slice, and lettuce for $8, and mash and mixed frozen veggies for $5, bringing the total cost for this meal to $21.
Moving on to the next items on Taz's budget-friendly grocery list, we find eight mouthwatering organic burger patties priced at $8.50 for a packet of four.
Taz couldn't help but express her excitement, stating: ‘These make yummy burgers.’
To complete the burger experience, she added a bun, cheese, tomato, and lettuce for an additional $7.
Alternatively, she opted for a bun and Coles burger salad priced at $7. Either way, the average cost for this burger delight was $16.
But Taz's ‘budget’ culinary adventures didn't stop there. Two packs of organic meatballs entered her shopping cart, ready to be transformed into delectable spaghetti or homemade Subway-style sandwiches.
The organic meatballs were a steal at $8.50 per pack of four. Taz paired them with passata, canned tomatoes, and pasta for a mere $4.
Taz discovered that a long roll, passata, and cheese could be combined with the meatballs for just $7 for those craving a different twist. With such a mouthwatering option, the average total cost reached a delightful $14.
Last but not least, Taz shared that she also purchased beef sausages, an essential ingredient for crafting eight delectable medium-sized sausage rolls.
The sausages were a bargain, costing her just $6.50, while the puff pastry came at a wallet-friendly price of $4.
Taz proudly shared: ‘The grand sum tallies up to $177.50 for two weeks' worth of dinners, generously serving a family of four.’
She reminded other group members that these prices were specific to the current fortnight, as the fluctuating ingredients costs could vary with the ever-changing weekly specials.
A summary of the meals Taz prepared for her family using a budget of $180. Credit: Seniors Discount Club.
But Taz's frugal feat wasn't just about the numbers; it was about discovering that affordable meals didn't have to lack flavour.
By skillfully selecting ingredients and utilising her culinary creativity, she proved that eating on a budget can still be a delightful experience.
So, if you're in search of inspiration to stretch your food budget without compromising on taste or variety, take a cue from Taz's savvy shopping strategies.
With a little ingenuity and a willingness to explore different meal options, you too can enjoy appetising dishes while keeping your expenses in check.
What are your thoughts on this? Do you also have tips on how to prepare nutritious and delicious meals on a budget?
Also, we recommend checking out this article for more budget-friendly tips on how to prepare meals on a tight budget.
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It works for Taz and their household and all she gets is "she should have made it from scratch", "we don't have a Coles", "what about the rest of the day".
