I'm a Frugal Chef: How I Feed My Family of Four for Under £50 a Week

• Claire Thompson, 40, has found a way to feed her family of four delicious meals for just £50 a week.
• Claire uses supermarket loyalty schemes, batch cooks meals, and shares surprising tips for making the most of her budget.

Claire Thompson, a mother of two from Liverpool, feeds her family of four for £50 a week. She uses a mix of creative cooking tricks and supermarket budgeting hacks to save money.

“I started paying more attention to our grocery spending about five years ago,” Claire told the money-saving community LatestDeals.co.uk. “I found that meal planning and being strategic about my shopping could help us eat well while saving money.”

By shopping smartly at her local supermarket, Claire has managed to keep her grocery budget to around £50 a week. “I always check for discounts and use my supermarket’s loyalty card for points and special offers. Sometimes, I can get £10 off my next shop just by using the card regularly,” she explained.

Batch cooking

Claire emphasises the importance of batch cooking. “On Sundays, I dedicate a few hours to cooking meals for the week. I’ll make big pots of chili, soup, or pasta sauces that I can portion out and freeze for later. This not only saves time during the week but also ensures we always have something healthy on hand,” she shared.

Use leftovers for omelettes and pasta sauce

“Don’t be afraid to get creative with leftovers. If I have leftover roasted vegetables, I’ll throw them into an omelette or blend them into a pasta sauce. It’s all about making the most of what you have and reducing waste.”

Get seasonal fruit and veg from local market

Another key to Claire’s success is buying seasonal fruit and veg. “Buying fruits and vegetables that are in season from your local market can save you a lot of money. The guys there are open to a good haggle, especially at the end of the day. They often throw in some freebies too. I often visit local markets where I can find fresh produce at a fraction of the cost,” she said.

Bulk buy bargains

Claire also buys staples in bulk. “I buy in bulk items like rice, beans, pasta and lentils. Also, frozen vegetables are more affordable and last longer. They can be the base of many meals and help stretch your budget further.”

Cut down on meat to save

For families looking for budget-friendly meal ideas, Claire recommends trying meatless meals. “You can save a lot of money by cooking more vegetarian meals. Mushroom lasagna, lentil stew or vegetable stir-fry can be both filling and inexpensive,” she suggested.

Tom Church, co-founder of LatestDeals.co.uk, commented, “Cooking for a family on a budget can be challenging, but Claire’s tips show that with a little planning and creativity, it’s possible to enjoy healthy meals without overspending.”

"Extra tips include to use a supermarket price comparison tool like the free one on the Latest Deals app. This tells you which supermarket is cheapest for your shopping list."

"Plus, discount gift card app Jam Doughnut gives you instant cashback at places like ASDA and Sainsbury's up to 4% usually."

"If you run a business or know someone who does, try to get a Costco or Bookers card. You can buy stuff in bulk from there for about 20% cheaper."

By following these strategies, Claire not only ensures her family enjoys delicious meals but also saves enough money to allocate towards other expenses, like family outings or savings. With thoughtful planning and a bit of creativity, cooking on a budget can become an enjoyable and rewarding experience for any family.