How We Feed a Family of 7 on a Budget

A few months ago, we realised something wasn’t working.

We were spending more than we were earning – and a big part of that was groceries and takeaways. It wasn’t one big mistake. It was lots of small, everyday decisions that added up over time.

With five kids, food is a big part of our weekly spend. And for a long time, it felt like we were constantly trying to keep up.

We didn’t start budgeting to restrict ourselves.

We started because we had to.

The biggest shift wasn’t cutting everything out.

It was creating a system.

Instead of guessing each week, we now:

• plan before we shop
• use what we already have
• keep meals simple
• and stay consistent

It’s not perfect, and some weeks are better than others – but overall, it’s made a huge difference.

1. Plan Before We Shop

These sound simple, but it changes everything.

Before we shop, we:

• check the fridge, freezer and pantry
• Plan a rough week of meals
• write a list – and stick to it

It stops those “extra” items from creeping in.

2. Using What We Already Have

This is one of the biggest ways we save money.

Instead of always buying new ingredients, we:

• build meals around what we already have
• use up leftovers
• rotate through freezer meals

It’s not always fancy, but it works.

 

3. Keeping Meals Simple

We don’t cook complicated meals every night.

Most of what we eat is:

• pasta
• rice-based meals
• homemade pizza
• simple repeatable dinners

Simple meals:

• cost less
• waste less
• and are easier to stick to

4. Making Some Things From Scratch

We don’t make everything from scratch – but we do make some key things that save us money over time.

For example:

• bread
• school snacks
• sauces
• cream cheese, condensed milk and more.

Using pantry staples like flour and milk powder has helped us stretch our budget further.

 

5. Saving for Bulk Buys

This is a big one.

If we come in under budget for the week, we don’t spend the extra.

We put some of it aside.

Over time, that builds up – and allows us to:

• buy meat in bulk when it’s on special
• stock up on pantry staples
• take advantage of good deals

That’s how we keep our weekly costs lower long-term.

We don’t:

• cut everything out
• cook complicated meals every night
• or try to be perfect

This isn’t about doing everything right.

It’s about doing a few things consistently.

Our meals are simple and practical.

Things like:

• tuna pasta
• roast meals
• rice-based dishes
• homemade pizza nights
• leftovers turned into lunches

It’s not fancy – but it feeds our family, and it fits our budget.

Since we started doing this, we’ve been able to:

• reduce our grocery spend
• feel more in control
• and take a lot of pressure off financially

We’re still learning and adjusting – but this system has made a big difference.

If you’re feeling like groceries are getting out of control, you’re not alone.

We were there too.

You don’t need to change everything overnight. 

Start small:

• make a plan
• use what you have
• keep things simple

Those small changes add up – and over time, they can completely shift how your budget feels.

I share real meals, grocery shops, and that’s working for us each week – you can follow along here.