Inflation increases are largely driven by rising rents and construction costs. Video / NZ Herald
A thrifty Australian mum is saving over AU$3600 (NZ$3986) a year with a few simple shopping hacks.
Mum-of-three Lee Dias said she used to easily spend over $200 ($221) a week on groceries before she started meal prepping.
The 38-year-old used to "randomly" shop without much of a plan –but once she started organising herself each week, she was able to save better than ever before.
She now manages to keep her budget to $130 ($143) for food items, meaning she can feed her family for just $18.50 ($20.48) a day – which comes to a tiny $3.70 ($4.10) per head, per day.
Lee Dias writes her weekly meal plans out on a whiteboard. Photo / Instagram @feeding_five_frugally
"When I moved out of home in my 20s, I began meal planning and prepping because there were so many recipes I wanted to try", the south coast NSW mum said.
"Then, when I had twins 18 months ago, it became more essential than ever before.
"I had just stopped work to be a stay-at-home mum, and so we were only having one income, and it was important to start budgeting properly.
Lee also encourages reduced meat consumption when budgeting meals. Photo / Instagram @feeding_five_frugally
"Previously, when I'd shop haphazardly, I'd easily spend over $200 ($221) a week, but I allocate $160 ($177) in total for groceries, and $130 ($143) of this goes to food.
"Being organised saves money, time, stress and pressure."
The mum said it's important to shop around and take advantage of club deals or supermarkets that have good specials.
Dias also tries to shop locally and will often frequent local farmers' markets for fresh produce.
"I'm very strategic when I shop," she said.
"I check the half-price specials weekly and will stock up if an item I use is on sale.
"It's important to highlight season fruit and vegetables, they're always at a good price.
"If a recipe has an out-of-season ingredient, don't disregard it completely, but see if you can modify it, omit it, or replace it with something else."
She also advises looking at buying what is in season. Photo / Instagram @feeding_five_frugally
Dias will write up her weekly menus on a whiteboard to stay organised for the week.
Some of her favourite cheap and easy family meals include pulled pork, roast vegetable and cous cous salad, and bacon and egg muffins.
"The roast veggie and cous cous salad is so affordable, it includes lots of vegetables, and it's great to eat cold or warm" she said.
