feeding the family / Budget

Grocery Shopping on a Budget – Feeding the Family Without Emptying Your Purse

The weekly food shop is like a horror movie. You walk in with a list and good intentions, and walk out £120 lighter wondering how a pack of yoghurts and some cereal cost so much. With five kids, the fridge empties quicker than I can fill it, so I’ve had to learn some tricks to keep the shop under control.

Meal Planning Saves My Sanity

If I don’t plan, I overspend. Simple as that. I check the freezer and cupboards first, then plan meals around what we already have (Kids involved of course). Sometimes there’s three random bags of frozen veg I’d forgotten about – that’s a stir fry sorted.

Aldi, Lidl, and the Yellow Stickers

I don’t care if it’s Aldi or Lidl – the basics are cheaper and taste the same. And yellow sticker runs in the evening? That’s where I bag my bargains. Bread for 15p, meat for half price – it all goes in the freezer.

Brands Don’t Fill Bellies

I used to think I had to buy branded cereals and crisps or the kids would kick off. Truth? They barely notice once it’s in a bowl or packed lunch. A £1.20 bag of crisps over a £3 one saves me loads every week.

Snacks – the Silent Killer of My Budget

My kids could eat snacks for England. Instead of £1.50 a bar, I buy multipacks or bake a tray of flapjacks. Way cheaper and lasts longer (if I hide half).

The Don’t-Fall-for-It Deals

“2 for £5” sounds great, but if you only need one, you’re wasting money. I’ve learnt to ignore the big flashy signs and actually check the price per 100g. Boring, yes, but it works.

Final Thought

The weekly shop will always sting, but little swaps and planning go a long way. Saving £10 here and £15 there adds up – and that’s money better spent on a family day out, not on overpriced cereal.

Click for my £30 weekly Meal plan

Quick Freezer Veg Stir Fry

Ingredients (serves 4–5):

1 bag frozen mixed peppers (or frozen peas if that’s what you’ve got)
1 bag frozen broccoli florets
1 bag frozen sweetcorn
2 tablespoons soy sauce (or whatever sauce you’ve got – teriyaki, sweet chilli, etc.)
2 garlic cloves (or a teaspoon of garlic granules)
2 tablespoons oil
2 packs of noodles (or rice, whatever’s in the cupboard)

Method:

Heat the oil in a large frying pan or wok.
Add the garlic and let it sizzle for 30 seconds.
Tip in the frozen veg (no need to defrost first). Cook for 5–7 minutes until heated through.
Stir in the soy sauce and mix well.
Cook your noodles or rice separately, then toss it all together.

Optional add-ins (if you’ve got them):

Leftover chicken, beef, or prawns.
A beaten egg, scrambled into the pan.
Sprinkle of sesame seeds or chilli flakes for a kick.

It’s cheap, cheerful, and on the table in 15 minutes – no takeaway needed.

Try This at Home – The Cupboard Challenge

Next time you’re tempted to head straight to the supermarket, stop. Go to your kitchen cupboards, freezer, and fridge first. Write down everything you’ve already got (yes, even the random tin of kidney beans you bought three years ago).

Now set yourself a challenge: make three meals this week without buying anything new.

That lonely bag of pasta + chopped tomatoes = pasta night.
Wraps going stale? Cut them into triangles and bake them – instant nachos.
Leftover chicken + frozen veg + stock cube = soup for lunch.

It feels like a game, but honestly, I’ve saved £20–£30 in a week doing this. Plus the kids weirdly enjoy helping me come up with “mystery meals.”

feeding the family