Slash Your Grocery Bill with this Mum's 'Genius' Cost-Saving Hack as Prices Skyrocket!

In these times of tightening budgets and rising grocery costs, every penny saved is a penny earned. That's why the innovative approach of one Australian mum to combat food waste and stretch her food budget has captured the attention of many. Aimee Connor, a mother of four and a nurse, has become an online sensation, sharing her clever food hacks with over 675,000 TikTok followers, and her strategies couldn't be more timely as Aussies face a cost-of-living squeeze.

Connor's knack for transforming her children's untouched leftovers into delicious new creations is not just smart; it's a necessity in a climate where grocery prices are climbing steadily. Her creative flair in the kitchen has turned 'untouched' pancakes into a crunchy muesli, sandwich crusts into a cinnamon cereal treat, and leftover mashed sweet potato into delightful muffins. These 'genius' concoctions are not only a hit with her family but are also inspiring others to think twice before tossing out perfectly good food.


In a recent TikTok clip that has everyone buzzing, Connor cracks eggs into a bowl of chopped-up pancakes—leftovers from her children's breakfast. With the addition of sugar, flour, oil, apples, and a sprinkle of spices, she creates a muesli that pairs wonderfully with yogurt and fruit. The remainder is stored in a sealed container, ready to serve as another meal, sparking calls from her followers for a cookbook filled with her resourceful recipes.


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Aimee Connor has been praised for creatively repurposing her children's leftovers into new meals, reducing food waste amid high grocery prices. Credit: Tiktok / @aims.lc


Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, Connor shared that dealing with her kids' unpredictable appetites often leaves her with food that's barely been touched. She's not one to force her children to eat if they're not in the mood, but she's also not one to let good food go to waste. With a few pantry staples, Connor demonstrates that any parent can repurpose foods that might otherwise be discarded.


Her approach is particularly poignant given the current state of food insecurity in Australia. According to the National Food Waste Strategy Feasibility Study, Aussies waste around 7.6 million tonnes of food annually, which costs families up to $2,500 and contributes about 3 percent of the country's annual greenhouse gas emissions. In 2023, 3.7 million households experienced food insecurity, a 10 percent increase from the previous year. As the cost of living continues to rise, some Australians have resorted to measures like dumpster diving and skipping meals to make ends meet.

Charities that provide free food have noted a significant increase in the number of people seeking assistance. Randa Beirouti, the founder of Reaching Out in the Inner West of Melbourne, observed that it has become commonplace to see large queues outside food banks, especially in the aftermath of the pandemic.

Connor's food-saving hacks are more than just a way to save money; they're a testament to the ingenuity and resilience of everyday Australians facing economic challenges. Her message is clear: with a little creativity and a willingness to experiment, you can turn what might seem like scraps into scrumptious meals.


So, dear readers of the Seniors Discount Club, let's take a leaf out of Aimee Connor's book. Let's get inventive in the kitchen, reduce our food waste, and save some dollars along the way. Have you tried any food hacks lately that have helped you cut down on waste and grocery bills? Share your tips and tricks in the comments below—we'd love to hear how you're making the most of your meals!
Key Takeaways
  • Aimee Connor, a mum with over 675,000 TikTok followers, has been praised for her 'creative' ways of repurposing her children's leftovers into new meals, which helps reduce food waste at a time when grocery prices are high.
  • Her innovative food hacks have included turning untouched pancakes into muesli, sandwich crusts into cinnamon crunch cereal, and mashed sweet potato into muffins, with followers encouraging her to create a cookbook.
  • Connor's approach addresses both the reduction of food waste and the cost-of-living crisis affecting many Australians, inspiring others to repurpose food with simple pantry staples.
  • Despite rising food insecurity and individuals resorting to extreme measures to save on groceries, Australians still waste around 7.6 million tonnes of food each year, costing families and contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.
And remember, if you're struggling with food insecurity or know someone who is, there are resources and charities available to help. No one should have to go hungry in our community.
 
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Our parents were ace at doing this. Bubble and squeak, stale bread porridge, toasted sandwiches and many other spinoffs from leftovers, many of them one offs. Most of us are pretty good at this.
exactly, and my grandmas did this to my parents- and my parents then did with us. And so it has gone the next 2 generations. Anything left in saucepans, casseroles, stir fries etc etc were bubble squeak and since freezers small meals frozen for lunches etc. Soft banana were fried in sandwiches, made into banana cake etc. fruit cut up, from our trees, were put into jellies when we were little or part of a trifle.
 
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We luckily have very little waste. I love leftover veg in my lunch the next day and just add extra fresh salad veg to the bowl. We eat a huge variety of veg so it gives me a wide range. We shop often so have worked out what we eat in 3 or 4 days then replenish when we need to. Works well particularly as shops are so handy and we don't buy unnecessary items.
 
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Between my wife & self, after each evening meal, there aint nuthin left over. All devoured. No waste either.
 
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No way could I use leftover food & re serve it. She should give her children less food if they cannot eat what she has given them. They should eat all the food she gives then they are just spoilt. We had to eat all our dinner. Why not?
 
Our parents were ace at doing this. Bubble and squeak, stale bread porridge, toasted sandwiches and many other spinoffs from leftovers, many of them one offs. Most of us are pretty good at this.
Love bread and butter pudding
 
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No way could I use leftover food & re serve it. She should give her children less food if they cannot eat what she has given them. They should eat all the food she gives then they are just spoilt. We had to eat all our dinner. Why not?
Life has changed.
 

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