Savvy mum cooks up a storm on 85c per portion budget
A PRICE-SAVVY Irish mum has shared how she cooks meals on a budget amidst the ongoing cost of living crisis.
Anne Marie Dollard, 45, says she’s saved thousands of euro on groceries since learning how to cook on a strict budget.
From changing her shopping habits to growing her own produce, Anne Marie has managed to feed herself and her loved ones from as little as 85c per portion.
Slowly building up a well-stocked pantry, investing in a larger freezer, avoiding big brands and scouring the reduced sections have been key steps in her money-saving journey.
She also started growing veg and while it takes a little bit more effort than a quick trip to Tesco, the extra time spent has paid off handsomely for her.
Anne Marie started by putting aside €10 a week for pantry essentials. That means that even when a food shop is well past due, she’s still able to find something good to eat.
The Cork mum shares her recipes on her Instagram page anne_maries_ eating where she shows her followers how to cook things like chicken and sweetcorn soup for just 85c a portion.
She can make a salsa chicken pizza for 98c a portion, and sweet and sour chicken for €1.50 a portion.
While navigating the cost of living crisis, Anne Marie says learning to save on groceries has helped her to still afford to travel and buy new clothes.
Anne Marie said: “I love cooking because there’s always something new to taste, learn and discover, but I needed to work out how to do it cheaper and healthier.
“One of the biggest costs in my household was food and it’s the first place anyone should look to cut costs and spread cash further.
“For most people, wages aren’t keeping up with rising costs, but there are ways to make huge savings when it comes to cooking and grocery shopping.
“I have saved thousands since I started making changes to my cooking habits and food shop, which means I can still go on holiday, buy new clothes and afford to pay my bills.”
She continued: “Buying in bulk is one of my top money-saving tips, so the Musclefood Hamper has been of great value and saved me a fortune. “It lasts me about six weeks, and I can make delicious meals like pestostuffed
Top tips and recipes can save thousands of euro
chicken and mince beef and vegetable dumplings for under €2.25.
“Nothing goes to waste in my house, we take the bins out once a month because we always freeze and reuse anything leftover and repurpose it into something new.”
Anne Marie’s tips include cutting back on food shopping by growing fruit and vegetables at home and planning meals around items in the reduced section.
She recommends investing €10 a week into a pantry and stocking it
with necessities. She added: “I get a buzz out of saving on food, and I’ve found that growing my fruit and vegetables and swapping out big brands has saved me lots of money.
“Since lockdown, I’ve also been putting €10 a week towards pantry items so I always have items to work with and rarely have to go to the shops.
“I’m not preparing for doomsday but you never know what’s going to happen in the current climate.
“Investing in a 200-litre freezer and freezing all my leftovers, shopping in the reduced section and freezing anything cheap for later has also been a game changer.”
Here are Anne-marie’s top three tips:
TIP 1 — START A PANTRY
Even if it’s only €5 a week it reduces food wastage and saves you money in the long run. Keeping it wellprepared will help with meal-prepping.
TIP 2 — GROW YOUR OWN
VEGETABLES
This is a great way to cut the cost of a weekly shop because seeds can last years and offer a constant supply of goods.
Homegrown fruits and vegetables also taste much fresher and sweeter than the store-bought.
TIP 3 — BUY GENERIC
There is no difference between big brand items and generic versions, and this is a really quick and easy way to cut back.