Recent figures have shown that the cost of living is at its highest point in 30 years.

And, as inflation pushes the cost of everything up, it’s hitting some families very hard – with 2022 being referred to as ‘the year of the squeeze’.

At this point in time, any tips are welcome.

One frugal mum, who’s originally from Kent but is now based in Australia, has has revealed how she sticks to a tight budget of £630 ($1200 AUD) each month to feed her family of 11.

Claire Louise Hooker, a home-school teacher and blogger, and her husband Mark, 39, a civil service worker, live in rural Canberra and are forced to travel 47km each shopping trip, due to lack of shops in the area.

This means they bulk buy their food, something that has helped them figure out how to make evening meals for the 11 strong family – for as little as £10.41 ($20).

The couple are proud parents to Georgina, 13; Charlotte, 12; Franchesca, ten; Abigail, nine; twins Catherine and Elizabeth, eight; Rose, seven; Martina, five and Michael, three.

Claire said: ‘The budgets can go up and down when you consider all of the birthdays, as they run from October to May, but for food, we always try and stick to £630 ($1200 AUS) a month.’

She explained that they have to bulk buy a lot of items, including bread and meat, as they stick a a fortnightly shopping trip. As a result, everything gets stored in the family’s two fridge freezers and two pantries.

Claire advises that ‘roast dinners and slow cooker meals always go a long way and are some of the cheapest.

‘We can get two large chickens for £3.13 ($6) each, then all of the vegetables and other condiments totalling at £10.41 ($19.50)for a Sunday dinner, for 11 people,’ she adds.

They sometimes even have leftovers.

Feeding 11 people is no mean feat – however, mealtimes are quick and easy in the Hooker household, with everyone helping to prepare, cook, and do the dishes.

Claire said: ‘All of the kids’ chip in to help make meals throughout the day, so meal times and preparation usually takes less than an hour at a time.’

For breakfast, the family alternate between cereals such as Weetabix, which they buy a few boxes of each month, for £5.30 ($10), or they have a fruit salad.

‘We get plenty of fruit from oranges, pears, bananas and mangoes, or whatever is in season that month, for about £21 ($40) a fortnight,’ Claire said.

‘Sometimes they’ll have toast which is about 70p ($1.29) a loaf, we get about 28 each fortnight, or pancakes too.’

The family also have their own chickens, so eggs for breakfast are free.

Lunch for the Hookers is usually something quick like cheese or ham sandwiches and some fruit, which comes to about £5.30 ($10) for everyone.

Claire’s fortnightly shopping list includes an impressive 28 loaves of bread.

‘And dinner time usually consists of slow cooked meals, or big family portion sized meals like a lasagne – which costs around £4.50 ($8.49), or spaghetti bolognese – which works out at around about £2.60 ($5) for a big pack of mince, and a pack of dry spaghetti for 30p ($0.57),’ Clare said.

‘I’ve found the best slow cooker meals to cook include pasta bakes and curries, as well as meat heavy dishes like stews.’

The Hooker family find some of their best bargains through reduced food items that can be frozen, as well as shopping at budget supermarket Aldi.

They also put aside extra allowance for special occasions.

‘We put an extra £550 ($1,000) aside for Christmas, and budget £30 ($50) for each child’s birthday, unless it’s a milestone birthday when they get given a little more,’ Claire explained.

And not only is Claire frugal with her shopping habits, she also sticks to a tight budget during the holiday season, and plans for the family’s days out to be as cheap as possible – while still having good time together.

She said: ‘We try to go to the beach as much as possible which is a fun day out for all of us, and is completely free to do.

Budget Breakdown

Fortnightly shopping list for the Hookers (with rounded AUS Dollar conversion):

• 2x family size 2kg lasagnes: £10 ($19) 
• 500g Packs of Mince/Pork/Chicken/Beef: £3 ($6) per packet, using two each meal for evening meals such as curries.
• Ham or cheese sandwiches and fruit for lunch: £5 ($9) Two large chickens: £6 – served with frozen vegetables and gravy on Sundays
• 2x packs of frozen pies: £2 ($4) 14 bags of frozen mixed vegetables: £15 ($28)
• 10x bags of frozen chips: £11 ($21) 10 frozen broccoli and cauliflower: £6 ($11)
• 2x bags of frozen crumbed fish: £7 ($13) 
• 28 loaves of bread: £19 ($36)
• Pantry items such as beans and spaghetti: £7 ($13) Curry powder and spices to make sauce: £5 ($9)
• 4kg of Cheese: £16 ($30) 
• Dairy creams for making sauces: £6 ($11)
• Noodles twice a week: Costs as little as 79pence ($1.50) per packet. 
• Cereals and breakfast items: £5
• Fresh fruit including oranges, pears, bananas, apples, and mangoes.. Whatever is in season and on special: £30 ($57) 
• Six packs of milk powders: £23 ($44)
• Drinks including tea coffee and juices: £15 ($28) Snacks and treats: £15 ($28)
• Cleaning products – the family make their own from vinegar and watered down bleach as a disinfectant: £3 ($6) 
• Toiletries: £26 ($50)

Extras:

• Monthly restaurant meal: £80 ($150) (Not included in monthly food budget)
• Meal out such as breakfast pancakes in the park: £16 ($30) (Not included in monthly food budget) 

If you want more tips and tricks on saving money, as well as chat about cash and alerts on deals and discounts, join our Facebook Group, Money Pot.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing [email protected].

Source: Read Full Article