How to afford to feed a big family advice?

[Mildez]

Just looking for tips on how to afford to feed a big family. There are 6 of us in the house although DS doesn't eat yet. We all have big appetites. Since I started my maternity leave I have a lot less money for food now and am really feeling the amount of food the household now consumes. DH also gets quiet upset about the food disappearing so quickly although I am quick to point out now a cake only lasts one afternoon not days and that a slice each is basically an entire cake gone for 1 snack. We try to be self sufficient as much as possible with a veggie garden and DH does do a killer as he describes it every few months. I am also conscious of making healthy food choices so try not to have to much red meat, sweets etc.

So how do others do it when pennies are limited? We have always ate very well and now I am struggle to choose cheaper options and still remain quiet healthy. And then the snacks well that's just another story.

Any tips are greatly appreciated.

[Amity]

We have four kids here at least some of the time - nearly 15, nearly 14, nearly 12 and 9. The youngest eats more than me.

I shop at Costco.

I bake and don't buy snacks unless necessary.

We drink water, milk and occasionally cordial.

Pasta and rice with most dinners - or meat and three veggies.

I do a lot of frozen meals too - do a massive batch of bolognese sauce and make lasagne and freeze the rest.

[peanutter]

Grow what you can - especially things which grow easily and can be added to tons of meals (like zucchini and potatoes) and things which are pricey (like scrummy fresh herbs)

Look more broadly than just food when trying to reduce your shopping budget (are there less expensive choices when it comes to cleaning products / cosmetics / paper products / etc?)

Cut out softdrink, limit alcohol, juice, etc

Buy meat in bulk - we know someone who has a family member farmer - so we buy a 1/4 cow every few months, meaning that the meat is a flat $7 a kilo for everything from pure mince and chuck steaks to prime rib and porterhouse ... other meats we get at Costco - really cheap. We buy it, bag it into serving sides and freeze.

Like Div, we cook up big batches and freeze - limits your cooking costs, and means you're not overeating - you've already portioned it out.

Think about what you're buying brand name but generic would be just as (or almost as) good. Some things are identical products just in different boxes ... and some stuff, you're really not going to notice the difference much. Tinned beans, rice, oats, sultanas, etc. Other things you might notice the difference, but you can manage (tinned tomatos, gherkins, coconut milk, tomato paste, etc) and others you might get some generic (for cooking) and brand name for other - eg: butter. Butter on bread - you want a nice one. Butter in cooking - might not matter.

Stick a sheet of paper on your fridge and every time you have to throw something out because it's gone off, write it on the fridge (and make sure the rest of the family does too!!) - you might be surprised how much gets piffed over a month. Alter your shopping habits to minimise (dare I say eliminate?) wastage. Or if something is getting close, make soup / lasagne / pies / curry / something you can put them all in, to avoid their final demise.

Invest in really good crispers - the Tupperware puppies keep veggies fresh for a scary amount of time.

That's all I can think of right now ...

[megs]

Would agree with the bulk buy of meat. WE are lucky kill our own sheep, but I just bought a side of cow, have heaps of mince (requested) along with all the other cuts. Was $5.79kg. So whilst the initial outlay feels steep it is so much cheaper than buying individually.

I too do a lot of pasta bakes, dishes that I can bulk out with pasta, helps spread the meat a bit further.

Divvy I live in Country Vic, have been considering doing a trip to costco, could you please tell me some of the good buys as Ive been told to be careful as sometimes their prices aren't cheaper than the supermarkets for some items. Hearing that has made me question if the trip would be worth it or not.