How to feed your family for less than $2!
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If there's one thing that stands the test of time, it's the universal pleasure derived from a delicious and hearty meal. But in an age of skyrocketing costs, even this simple pleasure can feel like a luxury.
Now, imagine having to cater to 18 stomachs with every meal!
That's a daily reality for Jeni and Ray Bonell, the proud parents of Australia's largest family.
Jeni, with a knack for budgeting, has taken this challenge in her stride, mastering the art of feeding her family of 18—and yes, you read that right—for a remarkable $2 per serve.
But it isn't just about saving money where she's concerned. True to the generous spirit of a mother, Jeni has taken it upon herself to let the world in on her secrets.
Amassing a following of over 38,000 subscribers on her YouTube channel, she regularly shares her adventures and thrifty wisdom with her viewers.
In a recent video, Jeni and her daughter shared an economical approach to crafting 'cheap and tasty' family meals.
She demonstrated how to gather a substantial quantity of meal-ready meat to create a variety of dishes.
Let’s step into their shoes for a shopping trip, shall we? Armed only with foresight, Jeni and her troop headed to Woolworths, aiming for the healthier produce first.
As they stroll through the aisles, Jeni's keen eye never misses a good deal.
She's a true advocate of Woolworths' Odd Bunch range, always on the hunt for the misfit, slightly wonky fruits and veggies that may have quirks but are perfect for the palate and easy on the wallet!
She said, ‘They might be a different shape, size or colour, but they’re still perfectly good to eat.’
Throughout the shopping marathon, Jeni navigates towards Woolworths’ brands and seizes any specials that pop up. Talk about a seasoned budget shopper!
Now, as any multi-tasking homemaker could relate to, the shopping adventure doesn’t stop here.
The next checkpoint is the butcher—the source of protein-packed goods.
Jeni’s golden advice here? 'Don't be afraid to buy a cheaper cut of meat. You can learn to cook it different ways, and you'll get a great result.'
Once armed with a haul of quality produce and meat that averages less than $2 a serve, the next stage in their strategic operation is ‘meal-freezing’.
Back at home, Bonnel used labelled zip-lock freezer bags to divide the meat into ‘meal sizes’, ensuring they are easily accessible for future meals.
With her freezer-bagged sausages and other supermarket ingredients, she was all set to create delicious and budget-friendly family meals.
There's a clear strategy behind every meal that Jeni prepares, without ever compromising on the variety.
One day, she could prepare a deliciously tangy dish involving the sizzle of sausages in a rich, hearty mix of minced garlic, tinned tomatoes, and a touch of honey stirred neatly into the beef stock.
Jeni’s curried sausages are a particular hit.
While you might think that creating these meals would lead to a fair bit of wastage, Jeni has that covered too.
The scraps—think carrot skins or leftover veggies—aren't discarded, but transformed into a delicious homemade stock, yet another testament to Jeni's resourcefulness.
Watch Jeni’s video here:
The Bonell family's story is inspiring, especially because of Jeni's determination and ingenious budgeting skills.
Even if you're not feeding a large family, these budget-friendly tips can be adapted for smaller families or individuals. All it takes is a little planning, a keen eye for deals, and creativity in the kitchen.
Why not give some of these tips a try in your kitchen? Feel free to experiment, challenge yourself to explore new culinary skills, and share your experiences with us!
Now, imagine having to cater to 18 stomachs with every meal!
That's a daily reality for Jeni and Ray Bonell, the proud parents of Australia's largest family.
Jeni, with a knack for budgeting, has taken this challenge in her stride, mastering the art of feeding her family of 18—and yes, you read that right—for a remarkable $2 per serve.
But it isn't just about saving money where she's concerned. True to the generous spirit of a mother, Jeni has taken it upon herself to let the world in on her secrets.
During her shopping trips, Bonell seizes the opportunity to make the most of any items on special. Source: YouTube/@TheBonellFamily
Amassing a following of over 38,000 subscribers on her YouTube channel, she regularly shares her adventures and thrifty wisdom with her viewers.
In a recent video, Jeni and her daughter shared an economical approach to crafting 'cheap and tasty' family meals.
She demonstrated how to gather a substantial quantity of meal-ready meat to create a variety of dishes.
Let’s step into their shoes for a shopping trip, shall we? Armed only with foresight, Jeni and her troop headed to Woolworths, aiming for the healthier produce first.
As they stroll through the aisles, Jeni's keen eye never misses a good deal.
She's a true advocate of Woolworths' Odd Bunch range, always on the hunt for the misfit, slightly wonky fruits and veggies that may have quirks but are perfect for the palate and easy on the wallet!
The Odd Bunch section at Woolworths. Source: YouTube/@TheBonellFamily
She said, ‘They might be a different shape, size or colour, but they’re still perfectly good to eat.’
Throughout the shopping marathon, Jeni navigates towards Woolworths’ brands and seizes any specials that pop up. Talk about a seasoned budget shopper!
Now, as any multi-tasking homemaker could relate to, the shopping adventure doesn’t stop here.
The next checkpoint is the butcher—the source of protein-packed goods.
Jeni’s golden advice here? 'Don't be afraid to buy a cheaper cut of meat. You can learn to cook it different ways, and you'll get a great result.'
Once armed with a haul of quality produce and meat that averages less than $2 a serve, the next stage in their strategic operation is ‘meal-freezing’.
Back at home, Bonnel used labelled zip-lock freezer bags to divide the meat into ‘meal sizes’, ensuring they are easily accessible for future meals.
With her freezer-bagged sausages and other supermarket ingredients, she was all set to create delicious and budget-friendly family meals.
Bonell made good use of her freezer, strategically storing frozen cuts for future meals. Source: YouTube/@TheBonellFamily
There's a clear strategy behind every meal that Jeni prepares, without ever compromising on the variety.
One day, she could prepare a deliciously tangy dish involving the sizzle of sausages in a rich, hearty mix of minced garlic, tinned tomatoes, and a touch of honey stirred neatly into the beef stock.
Jeni’s curried sausages are a particular hit.
The cost of the mum's curried sausages is $1.96 per serving. Source: YouTube/@TheBonellFamily
While you might think that creating these meals would lead to a fair bit of wastage, Jeni has that covered too.
The scraps—think carrot skins or leftover veggies—aren't discarded, but transformed into a delicious homemade stock, yet another testament to Jeni's resourcefulness.
Watch Jeni’s video here:
The Bonell family's story is inspiring, especially because of Jeni's determination and ingenious budgeting skills.
Even if you're not feeding a large family, these budget-friendly tips can be adapted for smaller families or individuals. All it takes is a little planning, a keen eye for deals, and creativity in the kitchen.
Why not give some of these tips a try in your kitchen? Feel free to experiment, challenge yourself to explore new culinary skills, and share your experiences with us!
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